Victorian country roads

[il padrone]

Some photos of our club's (Melbourne Bicycle Touring Club) winter weekend tour to Heathcote

[Danneaux]

My, Pete!

That is just an outstanding photograph, as are the ones on your linked site. I do wish you would favor us with an extended gallery entry to showcase your many tours! Each one is a real treat for those of us living elsewhere, and very different from what many of us experience this time of year. At the moment, it is 88F/31C as I type this late afternoon your yesterday from my lawn chair in the backyard, while sitting in shorts and a t-shirt. Meanwhile, you're all riding in jackets and tights!

Really nice shots, Pete, and what looks like wonderfully convivial company. Can't ask for better!

All best wishes,

Dan.

[il padrone]

9.30pm on Saturday night in Heathcote it was -1C, about the expected for a cold clear winters night. Most of us city-bikers found it hard to take though.

[Danneaux]

Man! Below freezing!

Brrr!

Y'know...I have a large fan I could set up in the driveway. Aimed your way...maybe it would help?

Nah, but warm wishes.

Best,

Dan.

[il padrone]

Well here are a few other Victorian country roads and scenes

Pt Roadknight


Gateway to the Great Ocean Road


Climbing the track to the Pinnacle on French Island


Rae hates hills


Main St, Delegate, NSW


Relaxing on a hot day outside the Bendoc Pub


Stop in the rainforest on the Errinundra Rd descent, East Gippsland


Bealiba forest backtrack


Relaxing at the Newbridge Hotel


Early morning at the top of Melville Caves


A little bit lost in Natte Yallock



Climbing through the Wonderland Range in the Grampians


Rosea Track, near our first night campsite in the Grampians


Push!


Austral Grasstrees (or for politically incorrect, Blackboys)


Leon fords the creek


Rock cleft on Hollow Mountain, the Grampians


Taipan Wall


Kangaroo and joey at our campsite


Hollow Mountain summit block


The road back to Halls Gap


Cafe stop at Macarthur


Cyclist helping at Heywood pub


Riding into the Cobboboonnee



On the Glenelg River


In dire straits on Telegraph Rd


The aussie bush companion (at 45 deg C)


Cape Bridgewater Cafe

[Danneaux]

Fantastic, Pete!

What incredible terrain and scenery and a few sand-roads in there as well.

And...some sort of black-fly, enough to plaster one's back and then some! The biting kind?

Thanks for posting, Pete; wonderful stuff, indeed!

Best,

Dan.

[il padrone]

some sort of black-fly, enough to plaster one's back and then some! The biting kind?

No, not a biter, just maddening - the Australian Bushfly

Bred in dung deposited by some 20 million Aussie cows at a rate of more than a dozen juicy pads per day, they virtually blanket this vast continent every summer in search of food. And, as it turns out, their favourite dish is right in your face - protein-rich moisture from eyes, mouth, nose and ears.

Once their "radar" has locked on to you, there's no getting away.

In particular they are hunting water, hence the attraction to sweaty cyclists.

For summer cyclists (especially in our High Country, or anywhere near cattle grazing lands) they are renowned for attempting the Olympic throat-diving record  

Not the same as Louie in the iconic advert. He was a blowfly, who hangs around the bins and comes into the house, a big fat fly. Bushflies never go indooors.

Cheers
Pete

[jags]

man can i come and spend a month there really fantastic except for those bloody flys 

[il padrone]

man can i come and spend a month there really fantastic except for those bloody flys 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn0lwGk4u9o

[Danneaux]

Where...are you?

"Eugene, OR -- USA".

Can I come with Jags, Pete? We wouldn't take up *much* room...and would promise to be jolly company. 

Best,

Dan. (Who can see Pete going to the Post to file a hasty change-of-address card...)

[il padrone]

Just to tempt you a bit more - Great Southern Land (Icehouse)

 



Getting back on-topic, one of the best cycle-touring back roads in Victoria is the Freestone Creek Rd, from Briagalong to Dargo.

The gorge


Blue Pool



And Dargo is a classic rustic bush village

[NZPeterG]

Look's good in O.Z.
I hope to go Cycle touring in O.Z. one day....
After South Island (of New Zealand) and Africa?? maybe O.Z. then Africa??
Just have to wait on my new Frame! to have my new Touring bike up and running 

Pete................