VRT Yea to Alexandra

Yea to Alexandra: Day 2 on the Rail Trail

Friday March 24, 2017, 40 km (25 miles) – Total so far: 100 km (62 miles)

I had a good nights sleep even though trucks were extremely noisy. One idea I had, that of staying another night, was discarded due to noise! As I looked for the camp kitchen for washing up I realised the park was in a sort of U bend in the road system so there are trucks on two sides of the park.

Overnight there had been a heavy dew. The tent was soaked. Had a phone session with Sue trying to get my Crazyguy password sorted. No go. I looked for the phantom beer cans from last night but still could not find any.

I packed slowly while getting the tent to dry. In the end there was no success so packed it up wet. By the time I was getting a coffee in Yea it was 10am. So much for an early start.

The first part of the trail was flat and easy going until after about 5 kilometers it climbed to the Cheviot tunnel. The tunnel was fun to ride through and quite impressive. The cuttings as you come out were picturesque and looked like lot of hard work.

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Cycling through the tunnel I noticed my front light was not working. Funny, it had been while cycling the trail into Melbourne. Wait. Maybe it wasn’t working after the strap in the wheel affair. When I left the tunnel I stopped for a look. Yep. The wire from the front wheel dynamo to the light has been snapped and no power equals no light!

Ants. The chert covered track seems to be a haven for ants. Big and small they cover the trail and come to check you out when you are standing about taking water on board. Best not to sit!

There was a nice downhill to Molesworth and then undulating to the turnoff for Alexandra. This spur line gradually ascends and then gets into a real climb. I thought of that kids TV steam train that chugs uphill saying “I think I can, I KNOW I can” over and over in time with the chuffing. It works with pedalling too. I crested the hill to find a wonderful view and a cyclist sitting at the table admiring it. We had a chat about this and that. He was from “Alex” and regularly cycles up to keep fit. “Met another guy from Tasmania” he said. I thought I would have someone to talk to until man from Alex said “yes, saw him about 12 months ago!”.

From the crest it was a fast downhill most of the way to Alexandra. Entry to town runs past a Timber and Tramway Museum but today it was closed.

The Museum had a ” you are here ” map showing the caravan parks. The “real” one was on the main road so I elected to try the Showground version. $10 cheaper than last night @$15 and no main road – I think it will be good when the drummer across the road stops practising.