26 March 2025

Allowing a few extra days in case of bad weather, to cross Northern Tasmania, proved to be a bit of overkill as I enjoyed three glorious days in Latrobe contributing to Banjos profits (coffees!).

Much as I like Latrobe, I was very happy to board the Spirit of Tasmania on Tuesday evening.

The weather was perfect, the crossing like a cruise, and I was sorely tempted to partake in some alcohol with my fellow travellers, but somewhere inside a voice cajoled me, saying, I hadn’t done enough yet to enjoy such a treat. Fare enough, inner bastard!!

Met a couple of very experienced fellow cyclists heading off up country through Victoria and New South Wales. They were happy to share their hard won knowledge, which I lapped up greedily, though disconcerting to hear they still suffer the same riding pain I’m enjoying at the moment😂😂

Have to say I found the Spirit experience okay. I slept, sort of, in my recliner and found the process and Staff all very agreeable.

Fiddling around with my bike lock awaiting daylight in Geelong, I somehow managed to reset the code, creating a useless lump of metal in the process. Suitably binned, I found a bike shop and purchased a replacement lock, this one with a key, which I got them to test in the shop😊

Humming and hawing about the Victoria Coast tourist traps, big hills, and no shoulders on the winding roads, I opted out of the Great Ocean Road and caught the train to Warnambool. For only $11, it was a very enjoyable journey. A few years ago I would have felt guilty about such a decision, but the beauty of getting older is you do start making smart decisions! (it’s taken a while….)

Camped up in Killarney ready for a good night’s sleep and looking forward to devouring some kilometres over the next few days.