Day seven - Portland to Mt Gambier - 113 km, 830 m - ride total 605 km's

Today signifies the passing of the halfway mark on our ride to Adelaide, about half the distance has been ridden in half the riding days allocated - it must be all downhill from here as the saying goes. Another longer ride today and looking forward to tomorrow as it is only half the distance - there may even be time for some touristy sightseeing!

Speaking of which as we left Portland this morning the Boys were after their coffee fix ahead of the ride as there was no town this side of Nelson at the 80 km mark that offered a Cafe. As I'd just had a cup of tea with my breakfast, I rode on down to the harbour just in time to see the sun rising from below the horizon to above it - right place at the right time however not with my good camera so the shots are okay, but I feel I can do better...

It was the coolest start today for the ride and I felt I could have started with my light merino gloves under my cycling gloves for the first couple of hours - once the heater got going though things warmed up and when we caught up with Ian for a drinks stop i put my riding jacket in the car as there was no sign of rain or things getting colder.

While there were no hills of any note to speak of today, we were riding through rolling hill country and still managed to climb 800 metres of elevation.

For the first time we found ourselves in farmland with green grass in the paddocks - a good indication that this part of Australia gets far more than the average rainfall - Maybe that is why the signs on the side of the road refer to the "Green Triangle".

We crossed the border into South Australia and if it were not for the signs or "Border Road" being the road we turned into things looked pretty much the same in both States.

In my time I've spent some time in prisons in Canterbury and Otago and once again I find myself behind bars as I prepare this blog. For the first time though I will be overnighting "inside" and unlike my New Zealand prison experience today I do have the code to get out through the main gate. Yes, Peter has us booked into the old Mt Gambier Gaol! - for once I feel it might be safe to not have to lock the bike overnight!

Hopefully my behaviour tonight will be good enough to ensure my freedom tomorrow - if there's no blog tomorrow then you'll know why!















Comments

  1. Anonymous22 March 2025 at 22:49

    I see you passed some "nakedness ladies"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chris25 March 2025 at 00:14

      Yup, and I'll photograph them any chance I get...

      Delete

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