“big” bike went passed me on the other side of the road. It was ON! I pedaled as fast as I could, switching looks between the path ahead of me, and to see if I was gaining on the big bike which was cruising, but to me, at half the size on a BMX it seemed like light speed. Between glances and furiously swinging the bike side to side I hit a square post of a driveway fence, split my knee open, and bent my bars. I hobbled to the butcher a bloody mess. I finally caught the back of the tractor as the “Welcome to Omeo” sign passed and the tractor turned into the first street. The driver gave a laugh and a wave.
From Omeo the Great Alpine Road closely follows the Tambo River. The rolling green hills were vibrant thanks to the season’s high rainfall. All the smaller creeks were now full, and the larger creeks now rivers. This is not the norm. For the past 10 years most of Victoria has been in a degree of drought and I’d ride past signs indicating creek names thinking “where is the creek?” At a large bend in the Tambo River I ticked over 200 km for the day. A small wooden access bridge was below the main road. I stopped for a swim in the still waters. Bemused sheep looked on.
The road falls from Omeo to the coastal town of Bairnsdale, but it does so on an undulating carpet of asphalt. By the time I’d reached my destination I was absolutely sapped of all strength. What a day.
In a stupor I wound down for the day. The Bairnsdale motel had not only a washing machine and dryer, but a bath and television. Two more days ahead of me. Bigger and harder than today. I fell on the bed and drifted off to sleep during Goodfellas. Eat, sleep, repeat.
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