Day 1 - Mudgee to Birriwa 75k
September 11, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 12 °C
A cool start for the day - but nothing like temperatures from just a few days ago with -4° minimum.
Our first turn was a wrong one - but that was to be our last mis-step - we hope.
Champagne gravel
September 12, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
I didn’t know what that was. I do now. I love it
This stretch is called Canadian Lead (… no I don’t know why)
Gulgong
September 12, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Is there a competition for cutest town in the west? This must be a front runner.
Gorgeous.
Lunch at the Butchers Cafe. Excellent coffee.
Ooops
September 12, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Rode this piece of road twice. Nobody is accepting responsibility for misadventure.
No harm done.
The river is called Talbragar at Merotherie.
Talbragar
September 12, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Heading back to the route
Mayfield Station
September 12, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
End of the riding for Day 1.
“Welcome” says Susie. And she really means it. The sliced fruit, home made cakes and jams, cram packed pantry and fridge with fruit, farm eggs and treats.
The farmRead more
Day 2 - Birriwa to Mendoran 89k
September 13, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C
Good morning campers.
So warm this morning. After the conditions over in Bathurst on the weekend with the Antarctic cold cell this is an absolute treat. Starting without arm warmers?
But firstRead more
Dunedoo
September 13, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Funny name that.
Funny experience at the White Rose Cafe.
A sign on the wall whilst waiting to order proclaims: “I can make you hear, but I can’t make you understand”. Hmm. A cafe is aRead more
Mendooran
September 13, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Pretty hard ride that, but I think everyone is in good condition with much anticipation of the Forrest trails tomorrow.
Regina and Ian stayed in the Royal Hotel, where the Steaks are from aRead more
Day 3 - Mendooran to Ballimore 58k
September 14, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C
That is the hardest recovery ride I’ve ever done. Only 58k, but a couple of solid climbs, long rocky sections, sand sections and corrugations topped of with 27°.
All that equals a nice challenge.Read more
Flamingos
September 14, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
We have met a group of 6 women who are riding the trail. They started at Wellington and we have leapfrogged with them since Mayfield station.
On their last day between Ballimore and Wellington, oneRead more
On the road (Trail) again
September 14, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
The great emu chase.
We saw them up ahead so I had time to grab my phone. Off they go! There was movement at the station…… and all that.
They got up to 32kph, but I think they were playing withRead more
River
September 15, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
It’s the Macquarie.
This chap has his name on a lot of landmarks.
Wellington
September 15, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Set up at the Wellington Riverside Caravan Park.
Got the tent set up, airbed pumped and that is where we have stayed. Beers cooling in the camp kitchen - life is good.
The last 10k into town wasRead more
Day 4 - Ballimore to Wellington 61k
September 15, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
We decided on a little shortcut for this sector. But after the “rest day” yesterday we will need a little reprieve.
In the wash up, it was a good option. Fast smooth gravel and some long bitumenRead more
Day 5 - Wellington to Goolma
September 16, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Adieu to Wellington after a final coffee at Jesspresso.
A fairly long bitumen section takes us all the way to the high point on the day. I think the temperature might have reached its zenith as wellRead more
Mount’n
September 16, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Hills - up and down.
Saved
September 17, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 12 °C
We met a recumbent riding father (Hayden) and gravel bike riding daughter (Eilish) at Goolma just after we arrived. Dad was down the road a bit fixing a puncture - “no help required thanks”. WithRead more
Day 6 - Goolma to Mudgee - 63k
September 17, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Last day on the road and what a treat.
Beautiful shady valley sections. Lush green farm land. Long views to hills and I plains. Quirky town with a vintage car show. Unique encounters with fellowRead more
Gulgong
September 17, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
This was going to be our last night on the road - but a car show came to town and the was ‘no room at the inn’.

















































































