Day One — Phillip Island to Wonthaggi

24-Nov-2007: Day One — Phillip Island to Wonthaggi

Route.

I made it okay! Actually today’s ride was not too bad.

As planned, I made an early, waking at 0500 to the sound of birds. I sat at the beach for an hour and then headed up to get breakfast at around 0700. Phillip Island isn’t really a thriving metropolis, so nothing was open. I decided to head back to camp. I packed up my gear– which took about half an hour–and got changed into my riding gear so that I could load my bags onto a truck that would cart everything to our next camp site.

After packing up, I headed back into town and managed to get myself a cup of coffee and a muffin for breakfast. I drank my coffee and chatted to other riders about the days ahead. Soon after, the event was on. I was heading back to camp, where the starting point was, but soon discovered that a lot of people had already left and were riding along the main road out of Cowes. I was already on route, so decided to just keep going.

The first 20 kilometers were pretty easy going–it went really quickly and it was relatively flat. I reached the ‘lunch’ spot around 1030, perhaps a little earlier, and tucked into a bread roll and banana to boost up the energy for the next stage, which I knew was going to be more challenging.

After crossing the bridge from the lunch spot at Newhaven into San Remo, the terrain became a lot more undulating with quite a few steep climbs before reaching the roundabout on the Bass Coast Highway. From here, there was another decent climb. You’re rewarded for your efforts here, with spectacular views of the coastline and beaches of Kilcunda. I stopped for a quick breather and to take a couple of photos.

At Kilcunda I took a bit of a detour off the road to check out the view along the coastline. While I was there, I noticed the entrance to a rail trail that went directly to Wonthaggi, and decided to follow it. I figured this way–along the coast–would be more scenic. I didn’t realise that it would eventually take nearly 10km off my trip, as the main group turned left outside Kilcunda and up to Archies Creek before descending into Wonthaggi. I wasn’t alone though. Quite a few others were on the trail. Besides, it was a nice ride, through some nice coastal scrub and farm land.

As a result of the short-trip today, I’m now even more worried about tomorrow. The route from Wonthaggi to Foster is 84km. I’ve never ridden that far before, so it’s going to be a big challenge. The last time that I did a long ride–a 60km ride through the Macedon Ranges–I had a lot more preparation. I’d been on the bike a lot more and was a little more bike fit. My plan is to take it steady and strong, no rushing. Just keeping a good pace and making plenty of stops.

I went for a walk in Wonthaggi earlier to try and walk off a little of the soreness from today’s ride and to warm down. Amazingly, I managed to find a nice little cafe that sold decent coffee. After the walk, I came back to the tent and had a little snooze, which invigotated me.

I’m ready for dinner now, which is about to be served. I’m expecting large queues, so I think that I’ll go now and then turn in early again tonight. It’ll be another early start in the morning–the route opens at 0630 tomorrow.

Cycling
Riding, legs pumping like pistons
Faster, faster, driving the machine
Wind in my face, scenery breath-taking
Serene, calm, invigorating.

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