Some Interesting Statistics
Total Kilometres Ridden 13,249.19 (Bike Computer)
Total days of riding 168 Days
Average Kilometres per day 78.86 Km
Overall Average Speed 16.74 Km per Hour
Total Days Away 224 Days
(Includes 4 days in Canberra and 14 days in Cairns)
Accommodation:- Tent 190 Days
House 25 Days
Cabin 8 Days
Donger 2 Days
Motel 1 Day
On Site Van 1 Day
(Erected Tent 157 times)
Time Spent in Each State
Victoria 23 Days
New South Wales 33 Days
Queensland 61 Days
Northern Territory 19 Days
Western Australia 67 Days
South Australia 21 Days
Costs:- Camping Fees $2148.70
Meals, etc $4844.43
Repairs $213.75
Miscellaneous $692.36
$7899.24
Average Daily Cost $38.35
Found Along Road $102.26
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Day 223
Date:- 23 October 2010
Distance:- 41.21 Km
Distance to Date:- 13250 Km
Start:- Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park
Finish:- Home (Leopold)
Comment:- Last night Jill and Stuart arrived in Torquay and we went across the road from the caravan park and had a nice meal of fish and chips while having a chat. We then went to another café where we all indulged in a good coffee. It was really nice catching up with Jill and Stuart.
It had started raining while we were having coffee. Jill and Stuart departed about 9.30 pm and I went back to the tent and into bed. Went to sleep listening to the rain on the tent and thinking I am going to get wet tomorrow. Awoke about 3.30 am and there was a group of people still celebrating something nearby. Back to sleep till 6 am when I got up. The fly on the tent wasn’t too wet thank goodness.
Over to the camp kitchen for breakfast, then back to the tent and packed up and on the road by 7.30 am. Rode through Torquay to Horseshoe Bend road. About a km before my next turn off a car had stopped on the side of the road and it was Pam. I stopped and we had a nice chat on the side of the road.
Back on the road again and heading for Barwon Heads via 13th beach. I had a nice tail wind (SW wind of 10 - 15 kts). Across the new bridge and I gave Stuart a ring. We had organised to meet in Barwon Heads. It so happened he was only 10 minutes behind me.
We enjoyed another coffee once in Ocean Grove, before heading down the road to Grub road then onto the Bellarine Highway. Jill had caught up to us by then and was busy taking photos. Arrived in Leopold and it was then I realized my journey was about to end. Turned into Mandlay Close up the small incline and I was home about 10.45 am.
I must thank everyone who came to welcome me home. As I said yesterday it was a happy and sad day for me. Happy that I had achieved my objective, but sad it was over. I have made a lot of new friends and I hope we continue to communicate regularly.
Tomorrow I get to Sleep in.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Day 222
Date:- 22 October 2010
Distance:- 45.58 Km
Distance to Date:- 13208 Km
Start:- Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park
Finish:- Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park
Comment:- In bed by 9.30 pm last night and had a good night. Up about 6.30 am, a slow breakfast, packed and on the road by 8.30 am.
It was a beautiful morning with the sun shining, no wind at this stage and a good road. Met a cyclist coming towards me and it was Tony who said he would more than likely be out on a training run. We both ended up at Aireys Inlet, Tony doing it a bit easier than me. We were joined at the coffee shop by Pam, Tony’s wife, and we enjoyed a coffee together.
Back on the road and a couple of hills latter I arrived in Anglesea, found the local bakery and ordered a pie, sausage roll and a drink.
While I was there I had a surprise visit from Ian C. from Geelong.
Had a relaxing half hour or so with Ian before I had to face the inevitable, the long hill out of Anglesea.
Back on the road and slowly up the hill into a head wind. A north easterly wind of about 5 - 10 kts had settled in. Even on the flat I had to work that little bit harder till I turned right for Torquay. I arrived in Torquay about 2 pm. Found the caravan park, booked in and set up.
As I was booking in Alison from the Bellarine Times rang and we organised a get together. She arrived and took a couple of photos and will organise a formal interview next week.
While I was doing my Blog in the camp kitchen my phone went off and it was Evon who paid me a surprise visit. We had coffee together before she had to return back to Geelong.
I had also received a call from Jill who welcomed me back to Geelong. Jill and Stuart are coming down tonight for tea. I am looking forward to that.
Tomorrow I will ride home. It’s a happy day in some respects, sad in another that my journey comes to an end. It has been an incredible journey and I have enjoyed every minute of it. There were a few lonely moments but they were outweighed by good times.
People have suggested I put a book together. I am not a journalist or the like. If anyone has any advice please get in touch with me.
Distance:- 45.58 Km
Distance to Date:- 13208 Km
Start:- Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park
Finish:- Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park
Comment:- In bed by 9.30 pm last night and had a good night. Up about 6.30 am, a slow breakfast, packed and on the road by 8.30 am.
It was a beautiful morning with the sun shining, no wind at this stage and a good road. Met a cyclist coming towards me and it was Tony who said he would more than likely be out on a training run. We both ended up at Aireys Inlet, Tony doing it a bit easier than me. We were joined at the coffee shop by Pam, Tony’s wife, and we enjoyed a coffee together.
Back on the road and a couple of hills latter I arrived in Anglesea, found the local bakery and ordered a pie, sausage roll and a drink.
While I was there I had a surprise visit from Ian C. from Geelong.
Had a relaxing half hour or so with Ian before I had to face the inevitable, the long hill out of Anglesea.
Back on the road and slowly up the hill into a head wind. A north easterly wind of about 5 - 10 kts had settled in. Even on the flat I had to work that little bit harder till I turned right for Torquay. I arrived in Torquay about 2 pm. Found the caravan park, booked in and set up.
As I was booking in Alison from the Bellarine Times rang and we organised a get together. She arrived and took a couple of photos and will organise a formal interview next week.
While I was doing my Blog in the camp kitchen my phone went off and it was Evon who paid me a surprise visit. We had coffee together before she had to return back to Geelong.
I had also received a call from Jill who welcomed me back to Geelong. Jill and Stuart are coming down tonight for tea. I am looking forward to that.
Tomorrow I will ride home. It’s a happy day in some respects, sad in another that my journey comes to an end. It has been an incredible journey and I have enjoyed every minute of it. There were a few lonely moments but they were outweighed by good times.
People have suggested I put a book together. I am not a journalist or the like. If anyone has any advice please get in touch with me.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Day 221
Date:- 21 October 2010
Distance:- 0 Km
Distance to Date:- 13163 Km
Start:- Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park
Finish:- Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park
Comment:- Finished my diary and went to bed about 10.30 pm. Had a good night and sleeping in till 8 am.
Had breakfast in the camp kitchen. Over to the supermarket and bought a newspaper, then read the paper while enjoying the early morning sun.
I then went for a walk from the caravan park down to the swing bridge then onto the beach and walked towards the surf club. A lot of people on the beach enjoying the fine weather. Off the beach and up into the town and wandered through the various shops. Cant buy anything because what ever I buy I have to carry.
Worked my way back to the caravan park where I made lunch for myself. After lunch I had a bit of a lay down then went down town again to the Info centre. Picked up some interesting info on the Great Southern Walk.
Heading back to the park when Tony rang. We organised a get together in about 30 minutes. He arrived as planned and we sat in the camp kitchen and enjoyed a nice chat over a couple of beers.
When Tony left I made tea then gathered my gear to did my diary. I will watch a bit of telly before heading off to bed about9.30 pm.
Tomorrow I will head for Torquay.
Distance:- 0 Km
Distance to Date:- 13163 Km
Start:- Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park
Finish:- Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park
Comment:- Finished my diary and went to bed about 10.30 pm. Had a good night and sleeping in till 8 am.
Had breakfast in the camp kitchen. Over to the supermarket and bought a newspaper, then read the paper while enjoying the early morning sun.
I then went for a walk from the caravan park down to the swing bridge then onto the beach and walked towards the surf club. A lot of people on the beach enjoying the fine weather. Off the beach and up into the town and wandered through the various shops. Cant buy anything because what ever I buy I have to carry.
Worked my way back to the caravan park where I made lunch for myself. After lunch I had a bit of a lay down then went down town again to the Info centre. Picked up some interesting info on the Great Southern Walk.
Heading back to the park when Tony rang. We organised a get together in about 30 minutes. He arrived as planned and we sat in the camp kitchen and enjoyed a nice chat over a couple of beers.
When Tony left I made tea then gathered my gear to did my diary. I will watch a bit of telly before heading off to bed about9.30 pm.
Tomorrow I will head for Torquay.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Day 220
Date:- 20 October 2010
Distance:- 48.45 Km
Distance to Date:- 13163 Km
Start:- Marengo Holiday Park
Finish:- Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park
Comment:- Last night after I had finished my diary a number of people came into the camp kitchen. They were from a Probus group from the Mornington Peninsula. We spent “Happy Hour” together, then it was tea time and I was invited to join a gentleman in his van for tea. Paul, who had lost his wife 18 months ago, was a square dance caller and teacher.
About 8.30 pm I excused myself and went to bed. I was up at 7.30 am and down to the camp kitchen to prepare my breakfast. Then packed up and on the road by 8.30 am.
A near cloudless sky, no wind but a bit cool. Rode 2 km into Apollo Bay then another 7 km to Skenes Creek. “Gee” its nice riding at the moment. Stopped and looked back along the rugged coastline it is absolutely magnificent. Stopped at Cape Patton Lookout, admired the view and took a couple of photos.
Continued on to Kennett River about 25 km out at 11 am where I had a coffee. Wye River was the next town I passed through then onto Lorne. A lot of fallen rock was strewn over the breakdown lane and a couple of earth slides from the deluge of rain the area had received in previous weeks.
There have been a lot of tourist buses on the road today, as well as caravans and motor bikes.
Arrived at the caravan park in Lorne and booked in. Met a couple of cyclists from England. They were cycling from Sydney to Perth. Put my tent up, had a shower then onto the supermarket.
My wife, Evon, and Nicole and Simone (two of my wonderful daughters) arrived. It was good to see them. We all went down to the local hotel and had tea together. We have a lot of catching up to do. Time certainly flies. It was soon time for my visitors to return home as they are all working tomorrow.
I then gathered my stuff and went to the camp kitchen to do my diary and blog.
Tomorrow will be another rest day for me as I am planning to ride home Saturday morning.
Thursday - Lorne
Friday - Ride from Lorne to Torquay
Saturday - Ride from Torquay to Home.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Day 219
Date:- 19 October 2010
Distance:- 51.78 Km
Distance to Date:- 13114 Km
Start:- Lavers Hill Roadhouse Caravan Park
Finish:- Marengo Holiday Park
Comment:- Finished my diary then went to bed about 10 pm. Very comfy and had a good nights sleep. I got up about 7.30 am and made breakfast. Packed up my gear and started to load my bike when Peter and Sally came along on their bikes and we had another chat.
I finally got on the road by 9.30 am, rode through the small town of Lavers Hill to the turn off to the Great Ocean Road and headed for Apollo Bay.
Beautiful cloudy morning, no wind, no rain, and the road generally downhill. Passed through Glenaire about 13 km out. Nothing there. Stopped at the Castle Cove Lookout and took a couple of photos of the rugged coast line.
Quite a few motor bikes on the road yesterday as well as today. I presume they are all returning from Philip Island Grande Prix.
Stopped on the side of the road for my break about 25 km out at 11.30 am. Back on the road and enjoyed the nice downhill run into Apollo Bay. Decided to stop at the caravan park at Marengo and glad I did. it’s a very nice little park on the coast and a good camp kitchen.
A quick trip into the supermarket to pick up something for tea, back to the park, had a shower then into the camp kitchen to do my diary.
Tomorrow I will go to Lorne a distance of 45 km
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