Glorious cycle touring: Jacobs River to Suggan Buggan

September 26, 2012

Day 5
Wednesday 26 September 2012
Jacobs River Campground to Suggan Buggan

Fifth day running of perfect spring weather. So lucky to have such clear days, especially for today which saw us riding through some very special country.

The Snowy River valley is landscape on a grand scale and the ride today followed the river which was flowing strongly. The views were wonderful all the way, and the clear, clean air gave perfect line of sight to the far horizons in this remote, unpopulated region.

We set out to make it an easy day and by distance measure it was a relatively short day. A mid-morning departure gave time to dry dew sodden tents, to do some bike checks and maintenance.

The first half of the day was relatively easy cycling. Superb cycling really.

The second part of the ride though was mostly uphill with a climb back up to over 600 metres including a few hard undulations.

We crossed the state border mid-morning and were well into Victoria by day's end. We were well ready for a rest.

Suggan Buggan camping area is beautifully located on a river crossing and near a few dwellings including an 1800's timber school house.

Wildlife spottings on today's ride included a metre long, glossy, very healthy looking Eastern Brown snake which slithered across the road a few metres ahead of my bike. Will and John surprised feral deer crossing the road. There were ample feral horse droppings on the road but no horses sighted.

There were a lot of birds including a wedge-tail eagle, a heron, gang-gang cockatoos, crimson rosellas, superb blue wrens and tree creepers.

Surprise of the day was discovering a recently overturned four-wheel drive vehicle in a roadside gully. It was unoccupied and had been checked by police.

Distance 41 km
Average 10.3 km/ hr
Maximum 45.6 km/ hr
4 hrs riding
1200 metres climbing