Rail Trail Adventure - Day 3

Day 3

My cabin was a fairly basic affair but had everything except soap so I used my shampoo  for everything.  The light breakfast provided would have been enough for two except that it was made up of things which I don't normally eat or drink, especially tomato juice.  Anyway after making do I took a walk around the Caravan Park which is in a beautiful setting next to the lake.  People obviously come here for boating an fishing.

I packed up and was on my way by 10.00am.  It was bright and sunny with a stiff breeze blowing. It was warmer than yesterday and I only needed my arm warmers for the first part of the day.

The trail started right outside of the caravan parks' entrance and for the first few kilometres I rode alongside the lake shore until it petered out into a river.  The scenery was still great.  Instead of bridges there were now dips and flood ways to contend with.              

Soon I came to main road which I had to cross and soon came a trail marker indicating 5Km to Merton.  This meant that I was about to start the only significantly climb to the highest part of the trail.  It is not steep as it is a rail trail but it is 7km long and relentless.  I found it a bit hard and took plenty of rests and ate a couple of soft fruit and nut bars to keep me going.  I also drank plenty of water as the day became pretty was at 27C.

Eventually I reached the top and had a brief rest before gliding down the hill.  At one point the trail flood way where there was a sign indicating a steep descent for cyclists, the first I have ever seen.

A few kilometres from the bottom I saw the trial sign for Yarck my overnight stop.  I was told that it would be at the little general store which ran a B&B..  Actually it is next door in a beautifully renovated cottage.  My bicycle was soon at home on the back deck and I made use of the lounge to update my blog before going to the local pub for dinner.

It had been another lovely day even if a bit harder than I exspected especially as it was only 34km.

I am staying here tomorrow as I am making an out and back ride along the trail which follows the spur line to Alexandra.  So I will be travelling light.  This blog may be late as the tour organizer and his partner are taking me out for a meal as they want               to use me to advertise their business.  A sort of "If this silly old fart can ride it why don't you?" campaign.

-w