Canberra to Tarago: Wisps of mist and a loaded dog
Day 1 Sunday 22 May
House to House cycle-tour
From Canberra to Tarago via Bungendore
I was rolling by 6:30a.m. and reached the rural edge of Canberra within 30 minutes through a slightly foggy sunrise. The yawn-inciting early start is prompted by a weather forecast of a wet, cold change coming through in the early afternoon.
It was steady climb away from Canberra on the Federal Highway's bike lane with good views back to the fog filled valley and across to the distant mountain ranges. I exited the safe but noisy Federal Highway by a right turn on to the quiet Bungendore Rd and pedaled by hobby farms, grassy woodlands and vineyards. It was easy to maintain a steady pace until an ear-flattening, eye-watering, steep descent from the range into Bungendore 45km from Canberra. There are ample cafes, galleries, small shops in this busy village. I had a chance meeting with a former neighbour, and chat with the antique store owner.
Early lunch of tasty pasta then pushed on another 32km through the gently undulating countryside to tiny Tarago. Noticed a number of 'Stock Reserve' grassy woodlands en-route. Looked like good camping spots. But not for me this trip. Arrived in Tarago about 2:45p.m. and booked into The Loaded Dog pub. Remember the weather forecast? The hotelier offered secure bike storage in an enclosed beer garden.
The CatEye gadget says a total of 76.3km; average 13.2km/hr; 5hr45mins riding. Max.speed 58.4km/hr.
Body check? Feeling OK for a first day of loaded riding with the exception of some knee twinges. Not surprising as I realise that they (the knees) together (jointly?) have accumulated a sum total of 108 years of service.
The loaded Thorn Sherpa (I'm starting to think it should really be called 'The Truck') ran really well. It is remarkably stable and reassuringly balanced; especially on speeding, downhill runs. It just stays put regardless of the load weight and road conditions with minimal rider effort required. Nice.
A rain-squall, strong winds and cold front arrived about 4:30 pm. Pleased I'm under a roof and not in the tent. Phoned home. Tasty dinner at the pub. Early night. Noisy downpours and wintry wind blasts during the night.
Within an easy 30 minutes of Parliament House, Canberra's rural edge is reached.
Some say that telecommunications companies have been barking up the wrong tree in their service to rural Australia. This handset was for trunk calls only. It is a step up from tin can telephones.
From this viewpoint, I am about to roll rapidly to the floor of this rift valley in which Bungendore sits. Time to test the brakes. The elevation falls 151 metres in 2.6 km.
My excellent accommodation during a stormy night in Tarago. 'The Load Dog Hotel'. Good food, warm fires and secure lock-up for the bike. Tarago knew busier times in decades past when the nearby Woodlawn Mine was operating. Hence such a big pub for a small village.
