Waking early after a great sleep, I had a quick breakfast of cereal and condensed milk in rehydrated milk powder. With an added banana, it was easy and satisfying, the first of many such breakfasts that proved more sustaining that they sound.
Hauling my gear up back to the road (and making a mental note at the time not to camp in a gully again!) I was peddling by 8.30 am. But even at that early hour, the day was becoming warn and combined with gradients of 5 degrees, the first 4km took an hour and a quarter to cover. It was then a pleasurable downhill run before the next steep hill had me off and pushing the loaded bike again.
This ride, push, curse and then coast downhill pattern was to become a regular feature of this first week, and over the Snowy Mountains.
On the bike I had five litres of water but it was being used quickly in temperatures over 31 degrees Celsius, and about 10 kilometres before Michelago, a kind-hearted lady stopped and gave me a frozen bottle of water.
It was liquid gold and at the time, nothing could have been appreciated more.
Refilling my water and food supplies at Michelago and then again at a Country Fire Service (CFS) roadside rest station, I pushed on to Bredbo arriving around 6 pm, tired and hungry, with a nice meal planned at the local pub before finding a peaceful campsite for the night.
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- Loading all the gear
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- This is steep, happy to have a rest
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- Cokd water courtesy of a passer by
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- Camped at Bredbo for the night
Today had not been very successful distance wise, hopefully tomorrow would prove more productive.
But, I was to find that the local does not serve meals on a Monday night and so it was down to a secluded, flat spot overlooking the Bredbo River to set up for the night.
I had not had a decent meal all day and with the pub closed, it was oats and fruit again, however I was too worn out to do anything else and by 7.30pm I was fast asleep and (probably) snoring blissfully.
Overall this is a very hilly section and one that I was unprepared for. But the roads here are in good condition and provided good wide shoulders where I was rarely forced onto the road itself.
The scenery is amazing and easily compensates for the difficult terrain however, plan ahead as food and watering points are scarce outside of Cooma and Berridale so carry plenty of both.
Wild camping is difficult with only Bredbo offering a secluded location. Elsewhere the landscape was very open.
Great write up, particularly the road descriptions about the shoulders. Having not been off the Adelaide cycle network very often (and when I did I was clipped by a vehicle) this is probably my major concern.
Cheers
Chris
Thankfully I didn’t have any close calls but being “clipped” is always a concern. Don’t let it put you off touring though, hopefully lightening doesn’t strike twice in the same place.