I rode the bike to Gapsted and back today, a total distance of 70km. That’s the longest ride I’ve done so far.
I made it to Myrtleford without a rest stop. The section from there to Gapsted was interesting because I haven’t done it before.
There’s an old railway bridge that appears to be an original construction.
The track climbs gently to the winery, where I stopped and sampled a glass of Riesling. It’s a lovely view from there. I checked the time and it was just under two hours since I’d left home. The journey was 35km and I had stopped for 10 minutes in Myrtleford.
The temperature warmed up early in the afternoon, so I didn’t enjoy the ride back as much. I had no problems physically with the trip though, which gives me confidence to ride 80km from Porepunkah to Wangaratta one day in cooler conditions.
The rail trail was like Bourke Street today, being the middle of a long weekend. It’s annoying that groups straddle the entire width of the trail, riding two abreast, and only reluctantly part to let anyone else through.
I also had a couple in fancy cycling suits, one towing a mini trailer (probably to hold his lunch) who came towards me riding two abreast and they simply refused to give way, forcing me off the sealed path.
I’m sure it won’t be long before the media gets to report its first case of “bike rage”.
