March 27 - to Ryelstone

Today was a monster of a day.  It was 137 kilometers and over 2,000 meters of climbing.  It certainly tested the metal and was a good test to find out if my Ruta Maya leg strength was still there.  I can confidently say I survived the test and still have some semblance of the Ruta Maya legs left.  

It was tough but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.  It took just about everything I had.  The day started out as the others of late, cold.  But it wasn't as cold as the past several.  Once again there was a mist that descended upon camp.  The fog lasted an hour or so into the ride.  It lay in the hollows of the valleys and created a beautiful scene.

Early on in the ride there was a glorious downhill.  It started slow but then the gradation began to get steeper and steeper.  I tucked and flew!  Wow!  Nothing better than a rocket ride early in the morning. 😊

The views and scenery as we rode through the day were nothing short of stunning.  It seems as though that is all we see, we've become so spoiled.  

    Here is a sight that stopped me dead in my cycling tracks.  Look closely...  what do you see.  Yes it is the wild dramaderie.  Here is a better look:

    Yes, camels in Australia!  Who would've thought it...

We climbed most of the day it seemed.  We descended at times but that meant we were going to have to reclaim the altitude we had just given up.  We came upon the Cherry Hill climb which brought us to the top of a ridge.  From there we descended to the town of Capertee.  It was the home of the ridges around the valley that became known as:

    The view into what is being self proclaimed as the worlds widest canyon.  

    We rode on a busy highway only for a short bit today.  Most of the time we spent on the side roads taking us out into the countryside.  That is the best.  You see, smell and feel so much more...

We finished the day coming into the quaint town of Rylestone.  It is a two pub town but only one was open since it was Easter.  At the one pub that was open they were having live music on the lawn.  There was a lady playing guitar and singing.  She was rather good...  I had a couple of schooners and listened.  A perfect way to end the day.

    Sunset over the pub.

Tomorrow is a rest day after the three brutal climbing days.  But resting we will not.  Our hosts, Janice and Simon have arranged for a bus to take us kayaking then to a local brewery for a tour and then to three wineries for tastings.  A packed full rest day if I must say so...