Kiama to Central Wollongong: Beaches and Coke Ovens

May 26, 2011

Day 5 Thursday 26 May House to House cycle-tour From Kiama to Central Wollongong

Exciting variety

Well no the Blues couldn't quite do it, and I couldn't quite make it beyond Wollongong today as my knees really did demand an easy day. It was also an excellent day for taking photos; having chats with other cyclists e.g. a retired Scottish bricklayer, and absorbing the countryside and cityscapes. So although it would have been feasible to push further up the coast, I found hostel accommodation in Kembla St Wollongong and called it a day in the mid-afternoon.

The highlight of today's ride was the convenience of the bikeway from Kiama to Wollongong. Being able to ride almost the entire way on either car-free paths or low traffic streets is fantastic and I was pleasantly surprised at how good the facility is.

The bike-way is not perfect of course with some confusing signage and a route which includes less than pristine as well as some truly beautiful scenery. Without question though, the Kiama to the Gong ride gave me a genuine, close-up, brickbats and bouquets sampling of the exciting, unique Illawarra region. Heavy industry, grand homesteads, salt marshes, expansive lakes, a sprawling city, quaint villages, dramatic sea cliffs, beaches and blindingly green fields made today's ride, though my shortest to date, the most feature packed day-ride I can recall doing.

The CatEye gadget says a total of 40 km; average 12.3 km/hr; 3 hrs 14 mins riding. Max.speed 52 km/hr.