Slogging through suburbia

April 10, 2025

Tullaramine to Bacchus Marsh

Adam and Rhianna both own Vivente bikes, the first people I’ve met with the same bike as mine. Exciting for the bike nerds but probably not for everyone else.

An 8am flight out of Canberra meant for an early start. As always before a trip I woke ages before my alarm, watched some Champions league action and arrived at Canberra airport in good time to meet Pete and Steve for our flight into Tullamarine. And that was just about the highlight of today.

The lads wouldn’t ever travel without their matching designer luggage.

At the airport we found a quiet corner to assemble our bikes and sort out our gear, a process that should take an hour or so. Not for me. I took twice as long as the other guys, misplaced my Allen keys several times, couldn’t get my loosened brake lever to tighten and again failed to observe the ‘less haste more speed’ proverb.

They waited and waited whilst I fiddled around. I did find my Allen keys eventually in my first aid kit!

Riding out of Melbourne airport was a big mistake. With busy roads, lots of construction and only occasional bike lanes it was a slog. Then we hit the sprawling western suburbs, with development after development that went on for another 30 kilometres.

We found a dodgy looking fish and chip shop for lunch and had some greasy calamari and a disgusting cheese tomato toastie that took ages to come out despite us being the only people stupid enough to frequent this establishment.

It didn’t take long for the smile to vanish.

After another hour of way too busy roads, with calamari and greasy batter swirling around in my guts, we turned off onto a somewhat quieter road for the last hour into Bacchus Marsh.

I’d comfortably say it’s one of the least enjoyable days on a bike I’ve had. Tomorrow should be a lot better.

Our crappy tent site in the caravan park between the garbage bins and the freeway.

Today's ride: 60 km (37 miles)
Total: 60 km (37 miles)

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Lyle McLeodAlways look on the bright side of life …. The tour can only get better from here! Looking forward to following along. Our daughter lives in Melbourne and we’ll be spending more time there than we probably ever thought. This tour might make into our plans some day.
Have a good one!
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1 week ago

Suzanne GibsonSorry about your unpleasant start... but it made for very entertaining reading nevertheless. Have a great trip!
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1 week ago

Dennis LangleyTo Lyle McLeodI would suggest catching the train out of Melbourne. Otherwise it’s been great for the first 4 days.
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1 week ago

Dennis LangleyTo Suzanne GibsonYou have to take the good with the bad.
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1 week ago

Graham SmithI’m reading your journal backwards in the futile hope of finding the best way to ride out of Melbourne from the airport. :)
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1 day ago