Today, though chilly, 43 degrees F, was promised to to start a warming trend. The high for the day was likely to be close to 70 F. We've been told that the October weather has been colder and wetter than normal and we would very much for the weather to return to normal conditions as soon as possible.
We left the campground after a quick breakfast in the morning chill, cloudy but no showers. After a couple of quick kilometers through the town we found ourselves on a series of back country roads with very little traffic. At about 15 km we transitioned to a busier road an pushed on until we hit the town of Belmont at about 9 AM, and of course 9 AM is time for coffee. We found a coffee shop just off the route after asking some locals for directions.
After filling up, we headed to our first in a series of bike paths following the river today. Emily, the tour leader, had scouted the route previously, but in the meantime the river had risen and flooded many sections of the bike path. Like good scouts we obeyed the instructions and slowly worked our way through the flooded sections. It wasn't until the water started to go over our axles that we started to reconsider the route. Looking at the Garmin we got off the path and too an alternate route on higher ground.
After rejoining the route we were lead to a long bike path that paralleled a major freeway (M-1). The bike path was on the outside of the sonic wall of the freeway and range for an nice distance and allow us to make so good time. Eventually the bike path ended and we were forced to ride on the shoulder of the 3 lane highway for tens of kilometers. That part was not fun at all and we couldn't wait to exit the freeway to something less stressful. When we did exit, it was to another bike path, many portions of it was hard pack but the scenery was nice and pretty soon we started to get views of Melbourne.
I wasn't expecting the number of high rise building that Melbourne has. It really has an impressive skyline and the amount of new construction shows that it's a growing quickly as well.
The final leg into Melbourne included a short ferry ride across the Yarra River and under the West Gate Bridge that carries the M-1. Almost the entire ride to the hotel was along a bike path with only the last dozen blocks or so on the city streets.
We'll be in Melbourne until Thursday then head out to Phillip Island.
Photo Links:
Happy Biking,
Brian
We left the campground after a quick breakfast in the morning chill, cloudy but no showers. After a couple of quick kilometers through the town we found ourselves on a series of back country roads with very little traffic. At about 15 km we transitioned to a busier road an pushed on until we hit the town of Belmont at about 9 AM, and of course 9 AM is time for coffee. We found a coffee shop just off the route after asking some locals for directions.
After filling up, we headed to our first in a series of bike paths following the river today. Emily, the tour leader, had scouted the route previously, but in the meantime the river had risen and flooded many sections of the bike path. Like good scouts we obeyed the instructions and slowly worked our way through the flooded sections. It wasn't until the water started to go over our axles that we started to reconsider the route. Looking at the Garmin we got off the path and too an alternate route on higher ground.
After rejoining the route we were lead to a long bike path that paralleled a major freeway (M-1). The bike path was on the outside of the sonic wall of the freeway and range for an nice distance and allow us to make so good time. Eventually the bike path ended and we were forced to ride on the shoulder of the 3 lane highway for tens of kilometers. That part was not fun at all and we couldn't wait to exit the freeway to something less stressful. When we did exit, it was to another bike path, many portions of it was hard pack but the scenery was nice and pretty soon we started to get views of Melbourne.
I wasn't expecting the number of high rise building that Melbourne has. It really has an impressive skyline and the amount of new construction shows that it's a growing quickly as well.
The final leg into Melbourne included a short ferry ride across the Yarra River and under the West Gate Bridge that carries the M-1. Almost the entire ride to the hotel was along a bike path with only the last dozen blocks or so on the city streets.
We'll be in Melbourne until Thursday then head out to Phillip Island.
Photo Links:
Happy Biking,
Brian
Great photos & Blog, Brian!! Although you've endured lots of rain & wind, the country of Australia looks breathtaking. More importantly, it looks like you're making some new & lifelong friends.
ReplyDeleteWe miss you at the Foothill Cycle Club, but Randy is definitely doing a great job in your stead.
See you when you return!!
Tina