Learnt a few things yesterday. (And only did 20km from The Entrance to Gosford).
The day before ended badly with, 'hey you, you checking out or what?' when I returned to the tent at about 1930hrs.
There had been some confusion with my booking and I was only booked in for one night, not two. For some reason the camp decided to not use the phone number they take from me to call and check during the day! Awkward moments with me and a family in the same spot. In the rain. Eventually resolved, and I stayed.
Still raining next morning, when I packed up wet tent and started the ride. It was bucketing down, during a day with almost no paths to ride on. So, a weekday morning, rush hour, in the rain. Dangerous and unpleasant, so I got the train from Gosford to Sydney to work out what to do over the next days.
The dirt roads in Royal National Park would now be a quagmire, so decided to train further down to Wollongong or Kiama. But .... no cabins in the 'gong, and Kiama was asking $111 a night to pitch my tent in the rain.
Long story short ..... ended up getting the train all the way to Nowra! (Of course, the weather had damaged the rail services, so hauled the bike into a replacement bus for part of the journey.)
Rest day today, but not looking forward to the 900m of elevation tomorrow.
Maps show how much I have missed, of some beautiful territory, but the infrastructure is simply absent to enable safe and pleasant cycling.
The last few days back towards #canberra have been much shorter, with longer rests, then the first days riding away.
Doing all the stretching, and allowing the old bod time to build strength while not further embuggerising (*technical physio term) the knee.
Next will be a train shortcut through #Sydney. Because cycling through that mess is a horse's arse. Will reappear in Bundeena after trains and a ferry ride to resume #cycling through the Royal National Park.
Not remotely looking forward to climbing back up the escarpment, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
#Cycling through #newsouthwales ?
Be sure to not fuck with the Lions Club (or their plants) on the 'Cenny Coast' on the way through.
Cycling around NSW?
The State govt has an excellent online resource to plan your trips in order to maximise paths and minimise time on roads. Bravo NSW, well done!
"Get in-depth information on bicycle routes across NSW, including high-speed roads where cycling is allowed."
Clearly a lot of work has been done in NSW on their cycling infrastrure, but vast amounts remain to be completed. Esp in rural and regional areas where cycling is rare because it is so hazardous.
But it's a great start.
#BikeTooter #cycletourism #bikes #newsouthwales #activetravel
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/referral/use-the-cycleway-finder-map
Finally on the move again.
A short day, about 25km along the beautiful #FernleighTrack south from #Newcastle to Belmont.
Could not do the whole route as a part was closed due to a #bushfire.
And .... absolutely stoked to report we are in a hotel room tonight! First night in a room and in a bed since the Loaded Dog Hotel in Tarago on 23 Nov.
[Edited because I pressed 'send' too soon]
A beautiful place, Stockton. Full of colonial history, FN history, WWII history and a former industrial powerhouse (or a beautiful beachside suburb for the workers who made it all happen).
The Tiring Ride to Rising Tide. :-)
Day Two - Tarago to Sassafras. (The purple leg in the map below).
A beautiful cycling day. Pleasantly cool with light drizzle. Rather large hills though, and I suspect I have triggered some tendonitis in the knees.
Overnight was a lovely, remote campsite 4km off the main road. With no car noise and no mobile reception. Bliss!
#cycle #cycletourism #BikeTooter #risingtideblockade #RisingTide2025 #Canberra #climatechange #risingtide
Bike Ride from Canberra to Newcastle for RisingTide 2025.
Day One - CBR to Tarago, complete!
First day of long haul cycling (76km .... a lot given my lack of preparation!) in years. And ..... not too bad. Will see how the joints pull up in the morning....
But I trust a daily dose of ibuprofin and panadol will get me across the line! Seemed to work OK today. :-)
Pleasantly cool, light rain, some tail winds, and a delicious lunch and coffee in Bungendore. Overnight tonight at the Loaded Dog where I am likely to sleep the sleep of the just before heading off at sparrow's on the morrow.
Aiming for a cheeky, free bush camp somewhere around Sassafras. TBC.
[Edit: the original post had Braidwood instead of Bungendore. Fixed now.]
#cycle #cycletourism #BikeTooter #risingtideblockade #RisingTide2025 #Canberra #climatechange
Tota
Mark Deasy 🍉