Ararat to Halls Gap

We booked tickets on the 8.17 to Ararat, and headed out early to beat the commuter rush with our loaded bikes. Last night I found that the bike I was planning on taking had a problem with getting into low gear, so at the last minute I swapped the panniers over to the greenspeed trike, which I've never taken on a tour before. It certainly was interesting weaving through the commuter crowds at knee height, it wouldn't fit through the door of the train without being lifted and turned on its side, and it didn't fit in the bike storage rack on the train. But despite logistical challenges we got to Ararat and on the road by 11, just as the day was heating up. There is a good hill on the road out of town and we ground up that, followed by some steep down hills where I set a new max speed. We encouraged ourselves on the first hard up and down stretch with the prospect of a cold coke at the Moyston general store, but when we got there it was clear it had closed long ago. So after a rest we headed off into the increasing heat. I was crawling along at about 11 ks per hour, despite my best efforts. I was beginning to think I must have blown a gasket, but discovered after a few slow k that I had forgotten to release the park brake after our last stop. Instant doubling of speed helped us do the next stretch to Pomonal, with an open general store, in around an hour, but it was mighty hot and the heat radiating back from the road made it challenging. Coming into Halls Gap on the lovely bike path we had a nice encounter with a local, John, who had seen us resting at Pomonal and who had ridden out in his electric powered greenspeed trike to say hello.

We hit the campground set up our tents had a shower and started some serious rehydration. It is a lovely place, with inquisitive cockatoos and very relaxed kangaroos. Here is Jess testing the greenspeed as a camp chair, with a couple of kangas hanging out nearby.

We had a very good dinner at the pub over the road, and did a bit of planning. We hadn't counted on it getting so hot and we are both felling a bit weary. We will try leaving early tomorrow to see if we can get to Dunkeld before it gets too hot. Weather forecast for the next few days is pretty scary - a 40 day on Saturday.  Maybe a shorter route to Warrnambool than we planned. See how we go tomorrow.