March 24, 2022
Hobart bound
Margate to Hobart
Last day! The first few days seemed to go at a normal pace, but this last week has flown by. Today was just a short ride into Hobart, much like the celebratory ride into Paris the Tour does each year. I’d arranged for Cherie to turn up with the champagne flutes along the Sandy Bay shoreline but she didn’t show.
| Heart | 4 | Comment | 0 | Link |
The 30 odd kilometres we were facing today didn’t justify the full English breakfast we devoured at 7.30 but we devoured it none the less. We rolled down the hill from our B and B to battle the peak hour traffic heading towards Kingston before turning off to Blackmans Bay and finding a fire trail that led us into Kingston and one final coffee. And it was one of the best coffees of the trip - as Steve will testify.
Back on the bikes we had one last 3k climb over Bonnet Hill into Taroona and suburbia. There’s a wide verge and a perfectly smooth bitumen surface so the climb was mildly enjoyable despite my fatigued state. The downhill was even better!
The shoreline through the ‘burbs is quite spectacular. I peeled off at Sandy Bay leaving Steve to find his own way to his hotel in Salamanca without my guidance. Hopefully he got there.
| Heart | 1 | Comment | 0 | Link |
| Heart | 1 | Comment | 0 | Link |
We had a great trip. The vital stats were as follows: 734 kilometres ridden, 10,254 vertical metres climbed, 5 punctures for Pete, 2 for me and none for Steve. The total riding time was 63 hours and 18 minutes over 12 days. I thought we were a chance of breaking the record for the Tassie trail but just missed it. That record goes to a Tasmanian woman Nicole Frane who completed the entire trail in 32 hours without a break. Bet she didn’t watch any ants.
The weather gods smiled on us once again and the two younger blokes I travelled with were fantastic company and put up with my oddities and appalling sense of direction.
My great mate Ray would always ask at the end of a tour: “What was your best day?”
For Pete and Steve it was the day from Miena to Ouse, a varied and interesting day through a wide range of environments.
For me it was the climb up to Miena in perfect riding conditions. It was misty, cool and still. There was virtually no traffic and all you could hear were the birds and silence. I love riding by myself and just listening to what’s around me.
Thanks for reading and until next time…………
Dennis
Today's ride: 28 km (17 miles)
Total: 752 km (467 miles)
| Rate this entry's writing | Heart | 8 |
| Comment on this entry | Comment | 8 |
2 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
It was an entertaining read with lots of beautiful photos. I loved the creek crossing and the fog at the top of the pass.
2 years ago