The time had finally arrived for Bonnie and I to take on the Great Victorian Bike Ride. It was our first attempt at the 600 km ride with this years route looping through country Victoria, beginning (and ending) at the old gold mining town of Ballarat. Both of us were really looking forward to it though a little unsure what was in store.......
The beginning. Happy faces, excited to get going.
The Accomodation
4000+ riders crammed into football ovals, racecourses, school grounds, etc. City chicks quickly learn it gets bloody cold at night in the country and the importance of finding a good camp spot (ie not downwind of a chronic farter). Be prepared for rude awakening at 5:30 am as fellow campers wake up at sunrise to start packing up tents and getting ready for the ride ahead. Do not expect nice sleep in and leisurely breakfast, instead its a race to see who can leave camp first.The Food
Early morning breaky (snoozing riders miss out on goodies at breakfast - choc chip muffins, danishes, bananas, etc)
Lunch on the road
Snacks in the tent
The Countryside
Lots of wheat fields (Grampians in the background)
Rest Day at the Grampians - Pinnacle walk
The effects of the drought:
Lake Corangamite - lack of water + no vegetation + strong winds = erosion
Lake Bolac: what it used to be (sign on left) and what it is now (brown dirt in background)
Sheep shearing display Rokewood
Milestones
Making it to the Grampians - rest day ahead (Day 5)
500 km mark (Day 8)
Finish line (Day 9)
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