Weather today was clear and sunny and still hotter than yesterday at 36C, 97F. When I left the hotel at 8.30 I knew straight away I should have left earlier when my bike computer registered 25C already.
Today's ride was almost entirely on the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail with a distance of 45 miles on the cycle trail. This was the longest and best cycle trail I have ridden. Surface was mainly tarmac with some sections where this was covered with fine gravel.
There are 2 starts. The first is further down the Overts River Valley and the second up the Spur line into the hills at Beechworth. This proved a good place to start as over the course of 11 miles the trail descended 1000ft. This part of the trail was cross country with no roads in sight.
Unlike many UK trails the views were often open and not blocked by trees. After completing the descent to the main valley at Everton I stopped for a snack from supplies in my panniers. Then on up the Overts River Valley towards the mountains. The route is sometimes alongside the Great Alpine Road but most of the time at least a field away.
I stopped in a Park in Myrtleford for a picnic lunch and then on to a caf? for a welcome ice cream in the rising heat. After a noticeable climb before Myrtleford the rest of the route was very gradually uphill but probably less than 1%.
The route was well organised with several drinking water tanks on the route. These were useful both for extra water and to replace the warm to hot water in the bottles on the bike. I got through 6 litres during the day.
Today is my birthday and it was very enjoyable to spend it riding such a unique bike route and in the heat of summer. One point of interest for the pedantic. When does my birthday start. Midnight Australian time or midnight UK time which is 11 am Australian time?
47 miles for the day and 974ft of climb.
Edwin
Posted by Edwin
at 8:39 PM EADT
