Looking like a hot day and a good one to get going early on, so of course we stuffed around. Trevor managed to time his run for breakfast but when Melissa and I tried the queue was out the gate and half way to Omeo. Figured we’d give it a miss and try our luck at the bakery but by the time we were ready to leave it was back to almost manageable length so figure we’d grab some stuff to go. Trevor patiently (?) waits for us and when we’re finally ready to go its then he discovers he has a flat. Always one to spot the silver lining I realise this now means I have time to grab a coffee and carrot cake. Things are looking up.
Finally on the road and after 2 km left the main route and took the rail trail – terrific riding and virtually no-one else on it. Crested one of the gentle climbs to be greeted by a cool southerly wind – much more pleasant. After crossing the Nicholson on the old trestle bridge left the trail and after a bit of meandering rejoined the main ride – well worth the extra few km involved.
After getting out of the suburbs of Bairnsdale it was fairly open riding through to Lindenow but missing the morning porridge was starting to take its toll when – as if by magic – the first sausage sizzle of the day appeared. Terrific riding after lunch – narrow tree lined roads with virtually no traffic, and while it still got pretty warm on some of the climbs it was way more pleasant than yesterday.
Trevor was the only one keen enough to take the side trip to the swimming hole we’d been told about yesterday, and once more managed to score a pretty good tent site. Actually cooled down enough this evening to put a vest on.