Tour Day 10 - 23 October 2011 - Final Riding Day

The proposed alternative shorter route today was a direct ride to Murray Bridge and reputed to be only 13Km.  I had the bright idea to ride to Murray Bridge then continue across the old iron bridge and north on the road to Mannum thus meeting the faster riders coming south to the finish.

The first surprise was that the distance to Murray Bridge was actually 23Km.  Having crossed the bridge I only got about 10Km up the road and I met the first fast riders and turned round back to the finish.  Just before the finish the short steep climb up from the bridge gave my legs their final test on tour.

My route for the final day is at:

http://www.bikemap.net/route/1313934?131967808721280#lat=-35.12889&lng=139.25995&zoom=11&type=2

and I rode about 43Km.

A pretty picture of Murray Bridge.

More information on Murray Bridge is at:

http://www.adhills.com.au/tourism/towns/murraybridge/index.htm

I arrived back in Murray Bridge about 1130am and picked up my lunch and after collecting my luggage sat around on the grass and chatting to other riders. At 2.00pm a truck arrived to carry our bikes back to Adelaide and a little later we climbed onto the bus for the last part of our tour.

We were back in Adelaide about 4.00pm.  Helen brought my bike case in and I broke down my bike and packed it.  Helen then took me to my hotel and left me at about 6.00pm,  I was extremely tired and had a sore throat so after a light meal was in a proper bed by 8.00pm.