Don’t Forget Your Own Backyard – Part 2

Oh my god what is that noise and where am I?

Wow – I am glad I set the alarm as I was completely out of it after yesterday’s ride. Like waking after a big night out. A quick check of the body and while stiff it doesn’t feel too bad. Feeling a little sluggish I moved off and had a shower to pep myself up. I was pleasantly surprised that my legs were not sore, just a little weary. It gave me a little confidence that I wouldn’t suffer as much on the way home.

Thankfully despite the cold temps and damp clothes, the jersey, vest and jacket were dry. However they definitely need a good spray of deodorant that’s for sure. A quick check in call with the family (who still think I’m nuts), everything charged up again, repack of the bags, fill the bidons and pop food into the pockets again and set up the bikes again.

We rolled down to the café that was recommended for brekky, but they were closed. We rolled a little further down the road to the famous Marysville Bakery. Many a pie or muffin has been consumed by myself here, usually after a thundering descent into town off Lake Mountain or as part of our Warby Marysville Classic (pre-dating Giro della Donna). The coffee is not usually top level, but I’m going to put that down to they are usually flat out busy. Today it was quite and the coffee was….. very good! It went down very well with one of the largest Apple Scrolls I have ever consumed. Ready to get this day under way.

We rolled out grinning, but that smile dissolved quickly as my legs were tested on the little climb out of town. OK so as much as I tried to trick myself I am carrying a bit of fatigue. Lucky the first few ramps are only short. The Boss at home called and I asnwered on the Apple watch. “I’m pedalling!” Response “Ok Ciao”. She knew it was going to be a long road back after yesterday. One decent climb up and out of Marysville and while tough with the extra packs, was not soul destroying. Over the top and a thundering descent toward Narbethong and the Acheron Way.

By far the Acheron way is one of those roads that if you could roll it up and take it with you everywhere …. well you would. From today’s direction, the road is generally a gentle climb of 1-2% gradients. Yeah a couple of bumps in that, but generally consistently comfy. It’s serene. A couple of watchful Kangaroos, bound off into the scrub. Lyrebirds darting off the road and back into hiding. The only sound is the sound of our tyres on the road.

Here we go on the ride out of town. Oh the legs are heavy. Climbing and the long descent to the Acheron.

Today we get the best of the Acheron way. Lyrebirds darting into the bush. Kangaroos keeping a watchful eye.

The pace was actually pretty good. I would end riding my fastest time up the Acheron 4 other rides on road bikes. The biutmen is a gradully climb with small bumps on the way

The surface seemed a little better than yesterday. A bit more tacky but fast.

The legs had woken up and were feeling really good.

As we get to the top of the gravel we note it is definitely warmer than yesterday. We push on and make for Cement Creek.

Descending on the bitumen to O’Shannassay Aquaduct. The road was dry and good for descending fast, but we behaved.

Join the O’S. This is sucha  good ride and if you have never done it. Do it! The O’S is over 100years old and was originally engineered to move water between O’S & Silvan. 15km of joyful ridingahead.

A quick break to navigate the bridge

Already thinking of lunch.

We reach the end of the Acheron and now the fun of descending Don Rd. Its so much more fun descending when you are tired than climbing. The sun is out too and feels great on yur back.

Rejoin the Warby Trail. Very hungry now. A quick scan of the wind and it was a cross headwind. Our plan is to stop at the Seville Carriage cafe. That was still 10km away

We rolled past Woori Yallock. Just 4 kms to lunch. Wow. Its shut on Monday’s and we are devastated. Do we head up into Seville or push on to Wandin Nth. Wandin Nth it was.

Time for lunch. Egg and Bacon wrap, chips and coffee. I had been sweating a bit so I was getting cold. We moved on