The day started in Broadford at about 6.30 am with us packed and ready for a short ride to breakfast at the cafe where we had dinner last night. The scrambled eggs on toast was just the start for me for the day ahead.
As it was coolish in the morning I dressed with longs and a warm top.Tge early morning temperature was about 9 degrees with the day warming up to about 20 degrees…. And there was very little wind!!!!
The start of the ride was through the Murchison Gap which meant a fairly heavy climb for the first 15 kms… the view from the top was quite special and the downhill almost to Strath Creek was most pleasant. We had time to remember Dave Little’s descent some years ago which was almost a disaster at a very scary turn …. See pics
At Strath Creek we enjoyed a coffee at a new cafe in town which was very good! Congratulations to the cafe owners who made us feel most welcome and enjoy the coffee experience!
After Strath Creek it was on to Hazeldene for lunch. The ride was pleasant despite being a bit of a climb as we made our way… unfortunately the Hazeldene cafe was shut which was a bugger so Steve and Mike made their way back in the ute to Flowerdale to get a sandwich lunch for us all. We, meanwhile continued up the road climbing until the Ute could meet us with lunch.
It would be fair to say that after climbing about 400 metres for the morning we were ready for a break and lunch!
The lunch venue was interesting as we were in the driveway of a very spectacular house on the hill. We were welcomed by the family waving from the balcony which was nice.
After lunch it was on to Kinglake and the continuation of the climb! There were some longer climbs of about 150 metres of ascent which tested the endurance a bit but we all made it…. Well done guys!( particularly Anthony who is still recovering from his recent illness)
At the top near the town of Kinglake we enjoyed the view over Melbourne and the suburbs. The memorial to the 1971 bushfires was also special. The devastation of those fires is still evident some 25 years after!
The final push into Kinglake was on a downhill was a somewhat unexpected pleasure.
We finished the ride at the local cafe with a milkshake! Got to say that the cafe staff were very unhelpful with a minimum pitch of $ 10 for credit cards…. Really in this day and age!
The day finished at the Kinglake Hotel which is very nice and I am enjoying the late afternoon sun doing this blog.
The day was a big one for climbing we did 1040 metres of ascent which is something I have not done for a while.
The days weather was enjoyable as well
Today’s pictures:
View from the top of Murchison Gap
Dave’s corner with Ellio!
The creek near Hazeldene…. The cafe was shut!
Lunch on the side of the road!
The Garmin tells me it’s another climb!!!
A view of Melbourne from the lookout at Kinglake
Well done boys on completing the climbs of over 1000 metres
