Riding Tassie

This journey was one of rediscovery. Being in touch with myself again and with nature; away from abstract goals, unrealistic desires and expectations. Ultimately focusing on the "now", the present and persevering through every hill to make it through to the other side.

When I reached those summits or raced down the roads to the valleys below the rewards were more than great. No words can describe the emotions that flow through you when such beauty is there, right in front of your eyes.

Places I experienced, the air breathed and the landscapes I rode through will be stuck in my memory forever and helped me realign my vision of the world and understand how important personal time is, to reflect and be one with myself.

I had 7 days on a bicycle from someone I haven't met who went all the way to organise a route, accommodation, places to see and things to try and for that I'm eternally grateful. Manfred, from Green Island Tours, you did such a great job that I will definitely contact you again if I ever come back to Tassie for riding.

I got messages of support from family and friends that got me through some of the most painful parts. Thanks guys, hope you enjoyed the posts as much as I enjoyed writing them!

But without the encouragement to "go and have some 'me time'", understanding that I needed a break and love to "let me go" from my wife I certainly would not be writing this today.

Thank you for being in my life and allowing me the space I needed. You are the greatest partner a man could ever ask for. 😘

Two things before I say goodbye. First, some stats:

~ 10 bananas consumed

~ 8 apples consumed

~ 10 cups of coffee consumed

~ 13 litres of water drank

~ 3 Gatorades

3 energy bars

2 ciders

1 beer

2 glasses of wine

2 small pizzas

A pack of almonds

503 km ridden

7149 meters of elevation gain

More than 400 photos taken

~ 35 hours of music listened to

And some lyrics from Mumford & Sons. This is a band that I have not only fell in love with their musical style but also their lyrics: modern poems talking about life, God, hope and friendship. There's so much emotion in the way Marcus Mumford delivers their lyrics and the way the band delivers their arrangements that I can't but feel completely humbled by their compositions.

They helped me through the first and last days with messages of support and love through their lyrics. Thanks guys, you rock!

From "The Cave" But I will hold in hope And I won't let you choke On the noose around your neck And I'll find strength in pain And I will change my ways I'll know my name when it's called again

From "I Will Wait" Now I'll be bold As well as strong And use my head alongside my heart So tame my flesh And fix my eyes A tethered mind freed from the lies

From "Holland Road" And I'll still believe though there's cracks you'll see, When I'm on my knees I'll still believe, And when I've hit the ground, neither lost nor found, If you'll believe in me I'll still believe

Finally the entire song "Roll Away Your Stone" but particularly this phrase: It's not the long walk home that will change this heart but the welcome I receive with every start

Where to start? Such a great day!

First the cabin I stayed was absolutely lovely. I not only had all the space I could afford but the bed... Oh boy, so good! Slept like a baby the whole night. Best. Sleep. Ever. Hands down.

As I said I would take my time this morning, and I did. Had brekkie, organised a few things in the panniers and got myself ready. When I was leaving the owner, Pat, was just driving off and she stopped to greet me. Lovely lady, we had the most heart warming 5 minute conversation which lifted my spirits quite a lot - I was NOT looking forward to 3 hills today!

After such a good chat, off I went. The road coming out of Orford was totally great: narrow, river following the road, on one side a stone wall, on the other, an actual natural rock wall. The road was a bit wet but the drivers were very respectful and gave me the space I needed.

But then, only a few kilometres further, the whole thing goes steep as! Didn't get off the bike but I had to rest for a few minutes to catch my breath as that thing was very steep. Then it's into the hills and into Buckland which is quite a lovely little town.

Didn't stop there though, went further into the other section where I would face more hills. Honestly the hardest part of the day wasn't the hills at all, even though some of them were named "Break-me-neck" and "Bust-me-galls".

The wind was a killer today: head wind, side wind, tail wind... I got everything and, at times, I just couldn't move so strong they were. I think the predicted wind speed was about 40 km/h which made me very tired by the time I got to Richmond.

The way to Richmond was beautiful: farmland, some very tall trees and beautiful and wide roads. But the highlight was really not in Richmond. To get into the town I was told to turn left, out of the highway and then into a dirt road.

I didn't really understand why but I'm glad I did. Further ahead looking up in the sky I saw a big bird floating and I thought to myself: "that is no crow nor seagull". And indeed, it wasn't.

A Tasmanian Wedged-Tailed Eagle was just floating around, enjoying the wind. I couldn't believe my eyes as witnessing the Eagle in the wild was one of the things I was hoping for. I felt so blessed.

The Eagle floated around for a minute or so by the time I stopped then it rested on a tree branch further ahead and I could snap a picture. I was just there, admiring it, nothing else to do. Such a beautiful bird, another image that I will never forget.

After that beautiful encounter it was only a few more minutes into Richmond. The town, very very lovely with old buildings and delicious food, is a popular tourist destination. Bigger than Ross - a bit further north - but with a bridge just a majestic.

Built in 1825 by convicts it was since restored and now looks almost like now. Worthwhile stop, I glad I went through the town.

Coming out of Richmond the wind was picking up again! Braved through, a few more hills and then I was at Risdon Vale. From there, it was an easy road to Hobart. However I still had to get over the bridge into the city.

That was an adventure in itself: I had to get off the bike and walk the whole thing as the wind was so strong that I got knocked over I would either fall on the river or on the road. I chose the safe option!

Then into Hobart which is lovely. The backpackers I'm staying is a lot quieter than the one I stayed two nights ago and I'm very happy about this. I'm also being a responsible adult and washing my clothes again, after all I don't want to travel smelling like a dead animal.

Tomorrow is the last day of the trip but with no riding. It will be an easy walkabout tour, possibly going to MONA and get some Whisky.

Thanks for reading, c ya tomorrow!

Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/kDeegq2ejgz

On my way to Richmond I was blessed with one of the sights that I was not sure if I was ever going to get: the Tasmanian Wedge Tailed Eagle flying in the wild.

This was truly the highlight. Seeing the Eagle just enjoying the wind, floating above my head and observing everything that moved left completely jaw dropped.

Soundtrack of the day: Foo Fighters, Santana (mostly)

Before I get into the day, let me get two things out of the way:

Backpackers almost made my night intolerable. Funny creatures who stay up at night and laugh and scream and make weird noises and have no respect for other guests I curse you all.

Last night I had dinner at Pasini's in Bicheno. Great little place. The highlight though was the wine: a Pinot Noir from a winery named Devil's Corner. If you see it on your shelf, buy it. You won't regret.

Good, with that out of the way, let's get to it. Today was the second last day of my riding trip. It was also the longest - in terms of kilometres - of the journey: 109.4 km.

My day started way too early - 6 AM, thanks to those before mentioned backpackers - and had brekkie at the accommodation; very slowly. It rained overnight and I wasn't sure if it was still raining so I took my time - plus I wanted everyone else to leave so I can have 5 minutes of "quiet time".

As you can expect I actually left earlier than the other days: about 7:40 AM I was on the road, which was a bit wet. There were still some dark clouds hanging over but I didn't get any rain. The wind though, that was a killer!

That was a section leading to the Devil's Corner Winery that I almost came to a halt So strong it was. But I pushed through and stopping at the winery, which also happens to be a lookout, I was rewarded with magnificent views of Freycinet National Park.

The road to Swansea was actually easier than I thought: it was the only section with considerable hills of the day but I made it quite easily and when I arrived in Swansea I was feeling quite well.

I actually took a turn close to Swansea to see the Nine Mile Beach at the Dolphin Sand Bay. It was lovely: the park on one side, the town on the other. Lovely beach, so quiet.

Anyway I stopped at the Swansea Bark Mill & Tavern - which also happens to be a bakery - and got some coffee and apple strudel. The apple strudel wasn't great: they served me cold which kinda killed the flavour. There are better places to stop further ahead.

Then from Swansea it was the long 60+ km to Orford. Up until Rocky Hills the ride was very pleasant, not much wind, some hills and great views of the Freycinet. But then it takes a turn inside and that was very boring. Landscape wasn't really farmland, just bush and the road was a bit narrow. Didn't enjoy that as much sad face

Eventually I made to Triabunna - had a Snickers and scalded a bottle of Gatorade - and a few minutes later into Orford. My accommodation is a lovely cabin, with plenty of room for me to do nothing!

The only downside of the day is that I was excited to have my sardines that I think I had too much and now am recovering from a mild indigestion. It happens, no sardines tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the last day of the trip and I have some big hills to go through. I think I will delay my start a bit and get some extra zzz's. After all I have the whole day.

Until then, thanks for reading!

Google Map with today's route: https://goo.gl/maps/ZgqiYVgsmGM2