The Hunt 1000 took a twist this year as my bestie flew down from the US to joined the hardy trail party! After enduring the 13 hour flight across the planet and embarking upon the first day of the Hunt course, we realized riding into a blizzard without proper gear wasn't quite a proper holiday ride... even for the toughest of riders... and was, frankly, quite dangerous given the remoteness of the Ozzy Alps...
Although we did not continue to ride with Dan the Man himself along the planned course, we decided to make a break for the coast and still meander our way to Melbourne in 7 days... Holiday style.
Although we did not continue to ride with Dan the Man himself along the planned course, we decided to make a break for the coast and still meander our way to Melbourne in 7 days... Holiday style.
Day 2: In search of the elusive Platypus...
We packed our site with our popsicle fingers and headed south out of the mountains. We sailed with the winds at our backs and embrassed the gravity on our loaded bikes as we descended from the mountains to the small town of Bombala. Known as Australian Platypus Country with a platypus reserve, we were certainly on an epic quest to get a glimpse of the diverse mammal in it's natural habitat. Dodging the looming dark clouds, we navigated the gravel roads and viewed off in the distance the dark clouds covering the mountain our mates were riding through. We later learned they trudged through with snow as high as their heads along both sides of the road!
We packed our site with our popsicle fingers and headed south out of the mountains. We sailed with the winds at our backs and embrassed the gravity on our loaded bikes as we descended from the mountains to the small town of Bombala. Known as Australian Platypus Country with a platypus reserve, we were certainly on an epic quest to get a glimpse of the diverse mammal in it's natural habitat. Dodging the looming dark clouds, we navigated the gravel roads and viewed off in the distance the dark clouds covering the mountain our mates were riding through. We later learned they trudged through with snow as high as their heads along both sides of the road!
Alas, we reached the reserve. Quitely, we waited on the shore at dusk for an elusive platypus to emerge from the still waters of the peaceful reserve... We saw a brief "V" shape on the surface of the water indicating the presents of the playful platypus however, he was too quick for a flick to the camera and we were left in anticipation of another momentous paparazzi moment... We were, sadly, left on the shore and were sure he retired to his den. We departed for our stomachs were ready for an evening feast at the campsite which paralleled the slow moving waters of the river in the quite, small town. With toilets, running water, moderate temps, and an electric teakettle for our evening tea, we definitealy felt like we were officially glamping.
Day 3: Ocean bound!
Day 3 we made our break for the coast. Embrassing the holiday version of The Hunt, we were moving at a relatively late start of 9 am for our next big desdination: Bemm River-- a tiny town located on the coast of the far south east corner of Victoria. We climbed through a lumbar forests and crossed the boarder into Victoria through a rainstorm; a proper welcome considering it is quite the rainy state! We stopped in a tiny town of Cann River where we gather supplies and a map.
We rolled into Bemm River at dusk with wild winds rushing through the trees surrounding the campsite. Kindly, the campsite owner let us camp in the small kitchen hut where, again, we made evening tea with another electric teakettle. We embrassed our glamping opportunity!
Day 3 we made our break for the coast. Embrassing the holiday version of The Hunt, we were moving at a relatively late start of 9 am for our next big desdination: Bemm River-- a tiny town located on the coast of the far south east corner of Victoria. We climbed through a lumbar forests and crossed the boarder into Victoria through a rainstorm; a proper welcome considering it is quite the rainy state! We stopped in a tiny town of Cann River where we gather supplies and a map.
We rolled into Bemm River at dusk with wild winds rushing through the trees surrounding the campsite. Kindly, the campsite owner let us camp in the small kitchen hut where, again, we made evening tea with another electric teakettle. We embrassed our glamping opportunity!
Day 3
Day 4: Long walks on the beach...
Bright and early we were rolling along and onto the coastline. According to the map we were to push along the coast to a staircase up to Cape Conran. Little did we know the tide was on the rise and we found ourselves on the sand dunes backed by thick bushlands without a trail. With no other options then to wait out the tide and continue to make our way to the cape or to turn around and head back along the much wider coast we started on, we decided on the later. The strong winds we were pushing into were now at our backs enabling us to ride our loaded bikes along the slightly hard packed sands. We found a trail through the bush leading us to a 4x4 track which meandered it's way to Cape Conran. This gave "long walks on the beach" a whole new meaning!
Bright and early we were rolling along and onto the coastline. According to the map we were to push along the coast to a staircase up to Cape Conran. Little did we know the tide was on the rise and we found ourselves on the sand dunes backed by thick bushlands without a trail. With no other options then to wait out the tide and continue to make our way to the cape or to turn around and head back along the much wider coast we started on, we decided on the later. The strong winds we were pushing into were now at our backs enabling us to ride our loaded bikes along the slightly hard packed sands. We found a trail through the bush leading us to a 4x4 track which meandered it's way to Cape Conran. This gave "long walks on the beach" a whole new meaning!
After feeling quite defeated by what seemed like our endless day at the beach, we smashed out 30 miles to the small town of Orbost for a night in a 130 year old pub/hostile. The uneven steps and narrow hallways made bring our bikes to the room a jungly jigsaw puzzle. The locals spoke with heavy accents and sharing lamingtons and potato bake made for a fabulous Ozzy experience.
Day 5: Rails to Trails-- The path to Raymond Island.
We hopped on the Rail to Trail at Orbost and made our was to Bainsdale chuggin along like the little engines that could. After arriving in Bainsdale we made our way though mosquito lands to Raymond Island-- the island of Koalas!
We hopped on the Rail to Trail at Orbost and made our was to Bainsdale chuggin along like the little engines that could. After arriving in Bainsdale we made our way though mosquito lands to Raymond Island-- the island of Koalas!
After a short ferry ride across the waters, we followed the path to see the inconspicuous koala doing what they do best in nature - sleeping upon the branches of their eucalyptus trees. Seeing this marcupial in nature was a long lasting desire and was quite surreal for both Nat and myself! The island was tiny with few dirt road yet, had residents with small houses and parked 4x4s with snorkels.
We crossed the waters once again and observed gracefully floating box jelly-fish... a nice end to a long day on the bike!
Day 6: Headwinds Highway.
We departed the small town of Paynesvilles -- just across the water from Raymond Island-- straight into headwinds allowing us to pedal no faster than 5 miles per hour on flat lands. With my ambitious idea to make our way to Wilsons Promontory National Park and French Island to see more koalas, we decided to make a straight cut across to Melbourne. We would finish in 7 days instead of 9 and consider the forecast of the unforgiving wild westerlie winds... and make our flight back to Sydney. 8 hours later after truding along flat, straight, unshelettered, gravel roads we landed in the small town of Glengarry where we soaked up as much water as we could before the last 10 miles to our isolated sandy campsite along the La Trobe river.
Day 6: Headwinds Highway.
We departed the small town of Paynesvilles -- just across the water from Raymond Island-- straight into headwinds allowing us to pedal no faster than 5 miles per hour on flat lands. With my ambitious idea to make our way to Wilsons Promontory National Park and French Island to see more koalas, we decided to make a straight cut across to Melbourne. We would finish in 7 days instead of 9 and consider the forecast of the unforgiving wild westerlie winds... and make our flight back to Sydney. 8 hours later after truding along flat, straight, unshelettered, gravel roads we landed in the small town of Glengarry where we soaked up as much water as we could before the last 10 miles to our isolated sandy campsite along the La Trobe river.
Day 7: Melbourne Madness!
Bright and early we departed the isolated campsite on our way to Melbourne. The roads were quite and the wind was slightly more moderate. Any wind would seem mild compated to the previous day. We investigated the spot tracker to see where Dan and the crew were which happen to be directly 20 miles north of our location. Pondering the quest to ride north into the mountain to join the party, we decided to parallel their journey along the southernly path throught the suburbs and into the city.
Halfway through the day we meadered through suburbia and passed playgrounds without water fountains. We sussed out a grocery store where we gathered water, treats, and strange looks for the locals considering our sunkissed faces and salty shirts. The second half of the day we cruised the fabulous bike paths of Melbourne in awe of the amazing cycling infrastructure.
We soon found ourselves rolling into Edinburgh Gardens as the light was slipping from the sky and a feeling of accompishment filled us both. We had made it to Melbourne! We snapped a few pics and made our way to a hostel for a shower and a beer!
Bright and early we departed the isolated campsite on our way to Melbourne. The roads were quite and the wind was slightly more moderate. Any wind would seem mild compated to the previous day. We investigated the spot tracker to see where Dan and the crew were which happen to be directly 20 miles north of our location. Pondering the quest to ride north into the mountain to join the party, we decided to parallel their journey along the southernly path throught the suburbs and into the city.
Halfway through the day we meadered through suburbia and passed playgrounds without water fountains. We sussed out a grocery store where we gathered water, treats, and strange looks for the locals considering our sunkissed faces and salty shirts. The second half of the day we cruised the fabulous bike paths of Melbourne in awe of the amazing cycling infrastructure.
We soon found ourselves rolling into Edinburgh Gardens as the light was slipping from the sky and a feeling of accompishment filled us both. We had made it to Melbourne! We snapped a few pics and made our way to a hostel for a shower and a beer!
We meandered about Melbourne and had a few brews with the crew when they rolled in the next day to hear how it went. We quickly packed out bikes and luckily caught our flight back to Sydney at 6am!
We managed to ride 1000km and somehow managed 2/3 of the climbing of the original ride which we figured justified to still be the Hunt-- Holiday style. But more importantly, we had a good time, saw all the ozzy critters, and only underwent a broken derailleur (for the second time)...
We managed to ride 1000km and somehow managed 2/3 of the climbing of the original ride which we figured justified to still be the Hunt-- Holiday style. But more importantly, we had a good time, saw all the ozzy critters, and only underwent a broken derailleur (for the second time)...
With a couple days to spare, what would a visit be without a few shreds on mountain bikes!? Despite the smokey air and fires plaguing New South Wales and a great deal of Australia, we were cautious and rode the rocky trails given the National Parks were open. Alas, the shininigans continued just like they never ended 1.5 years ago when I made to move down unda' for school. Although we had a ridiculous and epic adventure crossing the bottom south-east corner of the continent, a squishy bike adventure is on the menu for 2020. Until the next big adventure... get out there and ride whether its bike-packing, trail riding, commuting, or just downhill with your mates to fill you heart with happiness. I hope you have enjoyed this read and a few pic of Australia! :)
I would like to pay tribute to the firefighters all across Australia working hard to managing the devasting bushfires plaguing the country and wildlife sanctuaries-- Bonorong and Aussie Ark-- for their work in creating long-term futures for threaten Australian wildlife and helping those injuried in the wildfires. Climate change is not something one person can stop but it certainly is why I commute by bike, have my reusable coffee cup and water bottle, and have reduced my chocolate intake consider it's production leaves a larger footprint than beef. I like to imagine I am giving our planet a giant hug.
I would also like to pay tribute to the traditional custodians of the land. Thank you!! Cheers.
I would like to pay tribute to the firefighters all across Australia working hard to managing the devasting bushfires plaguing the country and wildlife sanctuaries-- Bonorong and Aussie Ark-- for their work in creating long-term futures for threaten Australian wildlife and helping those injuried in the wildfires. Climate change is not something one person can stop but it certainly is why I commute by bike, have my reusable coffee cup and water bottle, and have reduced my chocolate intake consider it's production leaves a larger footprint than beef. I like to imagine I am giving our planet a giant hug.
I would also like to pay tribute to the traditional custodians of the land. Thank you!! Cheers.