Tuesday 6 March. Queenscliff. North eastern towns ride.

Weather today was sunny with some wispy high cloud. Wind switched from yesterdays SW to a strong easterly and temperatures reached 24C.

I decided on a ride today to take in the north eastern coastal towns of the Bellarine Peninsula facing the Bay.

I first headed up the Bellarine Rail Trail for 10 miles up to Drysdale. The rail trail goes further to Geelong but as far as Drysdale it follows the rails of a Steam Railway. The trains were running today, Tuesday, Thursday and Sundays but unfortunately weekdays outside the school holidays they put on a rather boring looking diesel which came past with some toots.

Near Drysdale was the highest point of the day at 265ft but the next section of road to Portarlington on the north coast had repeated 100ft ups and downs.

I stopped on the beach at Portarlington for a picnic lunch and sunbathe. This part of the coast faces due north into Port Philip Bay. Central Melbourne is a little closer at 27 miles as the crow flies. Despite the distance the skyscrapers of Melbourne were visible on the horizon. It must have been the higher buildings only visible with their bases being below the horizon. It gave the effect of some distant citadel floating on the ocean.

I followed a very quiet esplanade road round the coast via the small towns of Indented Head and St Leonards. Then a straight backroad to Queenscliff.

I took more sunset pictures after dinner at the Vic again.

40 miles for the day and 977ft of climb.

Edwin