March 16 - Whitfield to Beechworth

IToday was a 78 kilometer day with a bit of climbing as well.  Most of the climbing was at the end of the day on an old rail trail.  

But the day started with a magnificent sunrise over the hills.

We cycled along the highway we traversed yesterday.  It took us through some beautiful country.  

Early on a peleton formed and the Dutch rider lead the way.  We were booking along at an average of around 32 kph.  It was a pretty good pace and we picked up and lost quite a few riders along the way.  Eventually we whittled it down to a consistent 5 person peleton.  It was a great ride and we blew through the morning ride and arrived at the lunch stop by 10.

At the lunch stop we found a quaint little bakery that served a variety of things.  I found culinary heaven there.  :-)

    This is the pastry case filled with mostly meat pies.  There were meat pies of so many varieties; Chunky Angus pie, Guiness beef pie, beef bacon and cheese pie, beef and mushrooms pie, beef and onion pie and the plain beef pie.  Oh, I didn't tell you that Australia is home to the meat pie.  It is a pot pie as we know it without the vegetables.  Can't get much better than that.  So at this stop I had a beef pie and a blueberry muffin that was to die for.  Both of them were so good as to die for...  :)

That is the wonderful thing about these bike trips,  you can eat anything you want and as much as you want because you are going to ride it all off anyway!

We hit an off road section that was predominantly loose gravel and dust.  We got to experience the dreaded Australian trucker that I have been warned about by several people.  There was a large dump truck coming down the gravel road at us.  He was all over the road.  We signaled for him to slow down and that we were there.  He didn't care.  I think he actually accelerated.  He passed us coming very close to us and kicking up huge amounts of dust and gravel.  It was dangerous...

    Here is the gravel section we were on. 

I would be remiss if I didn't talk a bit about the signs we saw:

    This one was great.  Gourmet Manure!  It is even better when you read the descriptions.

    Not "Yeild" but Give Way.  Seems softer and gentler than our Yeild signs.

    The town names are great. Tarrawingee, Wangaratta, Bobinawarah, Tallangula, Gin Gin and the best and home of Chris my Aussie Mate... Wagga Wagga.

The afternoon took us along a converted rail trail.  It was a constant 3% grade for a bit over 16 kilometers.  As the sign we saw at the trail head said...  going the opposite way we traveled, Easy.  Going the way we went, Not So Easy!

    Here is a sample of the afternoons scenery.

In summary, another great day.  Tomorrow is a rest day in Beechworth.  I am or should I say my legs are ready for a rest day...

    This is where we are...