Rock and Roll with Peak Views: Captains Flat to Numeralla

September 23, 2012

Day 2
Sunday 23 September 2012
Captains Flat to Numeralla

A second day of superb, spring weather. We enjoyed clear, cool conditions and even a light tailwind for some of the day. Most of the day was on unsealed road surfaces varying from good, smooth clay to teeth-rattling rough dirt with protruding rocks.

The climbing began immediately on leaving Captains Flat toward Jerangle. Any route with a 'Peak View Road' gives the hint it will be hilly and it was. Great views to the Tinderry Range and in all directions including across to Tallaganda National Park. There were good stream-side rest spots along the way which could be used as camping spots.

Very little traffic.

Compared to the first, easy day this second day was hard cycling due to the rolling hills including some very steep climbs. Will's GPS tracker recorded a total vertical climb of about 2100 metres. With fully loaded bikes and on only day two of the ride, this was a tough day.

The day finished with a fast descent on sealed road to the hamlet of Numeralla. We were met by Mark's wife here who collected him for his planned return to Canberra.

The other three of us camped at a free, designated reserve on the Badja River at Numeralla. Very quiet with a fast running stream, a fireplace, tables and toilets. It would also be a spot to test our cold weather gear as the overnight temperature dropped to -6 degrees C.

For anybody thinking of this route, note that there are no shops or services at Numeralla which is about 20 km from the large town of Cooma.

Distance 82 km
Average 12.7 km/ hr
Maximum 56 km/ hr
6 hrs 27 mins riding
2100 metres total vertical climb