Grey skies as we left Ouse
Heading down Lake Repulse Road
View over the Derwent Valley
Mooove over!
Bridge over the Derwent River at the base of the Repulse Power Station dam
Warning to check the level
Time to get the feet wet
Shoes off for me
We continued on finding the trail markers quite well meandering through previously burnt bush and pine plantations, the native bush was slowly recovering but the Radiata Pine plantations were now just burnt and blackened sticks. After a way we turned right onto Ellendale Road and though the tiny township of surprisingly, Ellendale where we stopped for a quick refuel before continuing on, and a few km out of town half way down a nice descent the Tasmanian Trail left the main road and into some private land. We lifted our bikes over a gate and the follow the trail though a very enjoyable bushland track down a few hills and up a few steep pinches (which I think from memory only Michael and Jo managed), a great little section before coming out to a gate and an open field which once crossed and through another gate it returned to bush again. We then came back out into open fields again so had to be on alert to find the little Tassie Trail triangles. We nearly headed down an obvious track before Dale pulled us up as the trail actually followed down the fence line (Good catch Dale). This brought us to the top of an amazing grassy descent which a farmer we met at the top had only just mowed. It was fast, wide, great fun and brought us down to a farm house at Meadow Bank where we turned right and up a gravel climb of Meadow Bank Road and then down a fast descent over Ginger Creek and met up with Gordon River Road at the crossing of the old rail crossing. We then headed down the road at Fenton Forrest past some houses and farmland up a climb to a gate where another farmer met us and offered to open the gate and after crossing his crop opened another, great bloke! We continued along the ridgeline over looking Glenora before a right turn to head down hill into the town onto Kenmore Road and out to join Gordon River Road near the town swimming pool.
Through the prieviouly burnt out bush
Regroup after the bush track climb
Steve leading the way across the open field
Little over grown in places
Michael at the top of the freshly mown grassy descent
Nigel at Fenton Forest
The great bloke who opened the gate for us
Overlooking Glenora
We then followed Gordon River Road through to Bushy Park for some much needed food and drink, then after moving off we crossed the river Derwent again and not long after met the Lyell Highway and straight across onto the gravel Black Hills Road which after our lunch break seemed so slow and dragging as we pedalled down to the base of a very large hill with our days destination on the other side. It was a long slow climb but the weather was in our favour with the overcast conditions keeping us from getting too hot. after a 300 meter climb we reached the top and a reward of a few snake lollies before heading down the huge decent into New Norfolk, first on gravel then onto tarmac I almost reached near 70kph down into town. We then parted ways to our different accommodations to get cleaned up then meet up at the pub later for dinner. This is where Nigel was leaving us due to work and family commitments. Thanks for the company Nigel your not bad on a MTB for a roadie ;) . After dinner I made my way back to the caravan park by the river and my little cabin for the night to rest for the big day tomorrow. We had ridden just over 75km and climbed just more than 1,800 meters, not bad for a rest day!
Lunch at Bushy Park Road House
Hop farming country
The Derwent Rive once again
Dead pan road and a big climb ahead
Top of a 300 meter climb
Leo checking in at the New Norfolk caravan park
My castle for the night
Chris, you’ve done a really great job with this - I feel tired all over again reading your descriptions and checking the photos. It never ceases to amaze me how the memory suppresses the tough bits and you only remember all the great bits. Now if only we hadn’t missed that bloody Judberry turn..........
ReplyDeleteTassie Trailer Des - from YOUR nation’s capital!