Day 8 - Port Campbell to Port Apollo - Australia Gold Fields, Grampians and Great Ocean Road plus The 7 Peaks

November 5, 2019

Day 8 - Port Campbell to Port Apollo

A 2 climb and 3 koala day

Today was a great ride despite being chilly all day. The temperature started at 10C/50F in cloudy conditions and it didn’t warm up much until late afternoon. We didn’t get wet but I was cold much of the day. Despite the weather we had a beautiful ride with 2 good climbs leading to a day of 4771 ft and 98km/61mi. We started along the coast passing the 12 apostles site and then headed into a gum and eucalyptus rain forest which is where the climbing began. It was a 20km climb averaging about 6% but it hit double digits a couple of times. There was an equal downhill which is where things got a little chilly. After lunch we had a second climb and descent which is where I had 3 separate koala sightings. This is the first time that I have seen them in the wild. Also on the way down I came across a car accident of a head on collision between an SUV driven by a foreigner not used to left side driving and a motor home. We were stopped while the police and tow truck cleaned up the mess so I had a conversation with the constable who said this is regular occurrence. Once past the accident I cruised into Apollo Bay for the night. Luck would have it there was a bottle shop with beer on tap right next door so you know where I went.

This coast is shipwreck central just like Sable Island off Nova Scotia.

My masked New Jersey roommate. Do you think she was cold?

The bottle store had a bar with draft beer and this explanation on the wall about the differences between ales and lagers.

Today's ride: 98 km (61 miles)
Total: 876 km (544 miles)

Rate this entry's writing	Heart	7
Comment on this entry	Comment	0