April 26, 2025
Lead on Macbeth
Wee Jasper to Woodstock
The Wee Jasper campsite was fairly busy with both Country and Western being the music of choice for most campers with black utes. It all fell quiet after 10pm and another decent sleep was had by all.
Ross managed to get a lift back into town to retrieve his bike and we met him at the gin distillery/cafe for a quick tasting of their coffee before starting another big climbing day.
Ross beckoned me to lead out with a quote from one of his favourite Shakespearean plays. “Lead on McBeth” is now ingrained in my my mind and will surely become part of my lexicon. My other favourite bastardized phrase is ‘chocolate block’ courtesy of an Austrian mate of mine. “My panniers are chocolate block full of gear”.
The weather was perfect for going uphill. It was cool and still with the high cloud casting a slightly eerie light on the stark landscape. My photos don’t do it justice. The relative greenness of the Tumut valley is long gone. This looks like hard tough country.
After the rolling 5 kilometres into Wee Jasper it was immediately into a long sustained climb out of the valley. With virtually no traffic and a good sealed road it was about as good as a long climb can get. John would vehemently disagree as he hates hills but he manages to conquer them with ease.
After a couple of hours we were over the top and onto a gently undulating plateau before diving down the Taemus Cutting for a well deserved lunch.
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The afternoon was more of a slog up some big long hills. We’re all pretty fatigued but the prospect of lamb roast at Ross’ brother in laws place at Woodstock drove us along. I fully understand how Naomi Watts felt when she passed up a date with Tom Cruise for a home cooked meal.
We rode past Rupert Murdoch property Cavan. I gave him a friendly greeting and wave and wished him all the best.
Michael and Sarah have a beautiful property ‘Woodstock’ on the ACT border where we stayed tonight. Even better was when Sarah drove past us on the way back from Yass and took all our panniers with her. It made the last 12 kilometres marginally easier.
Today's ride: 66 km (41 miles)
Total: 1,050 km (652 miles)
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