CCW Gravel - Rode to Echuca - Day1

CCW GRAVEL: RODE TO ECHUCA DAY 1

It was sad to find out as the day arrived to head off that our great mate and ambassador Jason Halls would not be riding with us as he had a neck injury. Jason is one of our great protagonists and he would be more than sorely missed. Dale Maizels and Dave decided to continue and head out for the border.

A later than expected roll out, but spirits were high as we headed out on the Eastlink Trail for the city. We have a pretty amazing bike/gravel path network throughout Melbourne. Over the course of the next 2 – 2.5hrs, we rode on multiple named bike paths and trails (65- 70kms) that enabled us to get out to the back of Tullamarine airport. A bite to eat and a pause to watch the landing aircraft was pretty cool, as kangaroos hopped through the paddocks around us.

Now this is where the true adventure begins!

At this point, our surface changed to bitumen. Quiet outer Melbourne, almost country roads, with steep pinches and very little traffic kept us amused for the next hour. The morning cloud had lifted and the sun was on our backs. Though the wind had a chill, there was still no better place to be. On the horizon was the start of some gravel sectors.

The gravel was like Red Mist for Dave, as the speed increased a little. Ticking through 100km and feeling hungry, the route required a detour! The route chosen coincided with a farm gate. Now had the farm gate had a sign “Please Close The Gate Behind You”, we we would have continued. Instead we had to backtrack a km or two and hit the bitumen again. Rolling hills and smooth bitumen was pretty nice. Romsey popped up on the GPS map, plus hunger growing, well why not its time to refuel.

We rolled into Romsey and headed straight for a bakery. Anything would have tasted great at this point. The day was getting away and the return of overcast condition, darkened the skies above. Time to get going.

Returning to the gravel backroads was nothing short of BLISS! We cruised on to Lancefield, dodged the school pick up traffic and hit the gravel again. On the horizon was the last ridge we would have to cross for the day. Thank goodness, cos fatigue was beginning to bite. One last inconsequential climb shouldn’t be too hard right?

Guess again. Only 5.5km and averaging 5.5% (11%max), nearly ended Dave for the day. He was not in a happy place and happy to let everyone know. Thanksfully with some 35km to go, the climb ended and the next 75mins into Heathcote was slightly down hill or flat.