Day  5:                                   Woods Point to Bonnie Doon (284m)

Distance:                             102.5km    

          

Av speed:                            13.5km/h (including rest breaks)

Total Elevation:                 1218m

Calories:                               4273 calories (per person)

Weather:                             4*c at departure, then sunny and warm (22*C) with a strong northerly

We’re going to Bonnie Doon... we’re going to Bonnie Doon.... via a big freezing hill climb and then 110km of undulating roads.

Once again the Woods Point Pub blew us away as we chugged into spaghetti, crumpets and weetbix (apparently there’s an ‘a’ in the name in the UK?) for breakfast. Whilst it was probably laziness, we allowed ourselves a later 8:40am departure on account of the cold... which didn’t really work out too well as it was still 4*c when we left the pub.

About 20m later we stopped at the General Store and had a pleasant chat with Graeme... another sponsor of the ride. We’re truly greatful for all those who see some merit in what we’re doing and who feel inspired to help us raise much needed funds for the fight against prostate cancer.

We then set off for the climb to Frenchman’s Gap. Pfffft... its nothing really.... just a lazy 300m+ climb over a little more than 5km!!! In 4*c!! And on wet muddy roads!!

Fortunately we’d enjoyed Woods Point because the locals had told us the night before that if we had stayed on the ridge at Matlock it eventually joined up with Frenchman’s Gap and if we hadn’t gone to Woods Point we wouldn’t have had this final horror climb to say goodbye to the Great Dividing Range. An hour later... yes an hour to ride 7km... we hit the top and basked in the glory that we’d ridden with 32kg trailers across the GDR... it truly is an amazing piece of Australia which I’m sure many of us have never thought of visiting. Whether you take a 4wd or dirt bike, hike it or ride it... it comes thoroughly recommended from us!

We then had the pay off of a 20km descent, which gave us a good chance to shoot some footage using our GoPro HD cameras. On the way we passed the A1 Consolidated Gold Mine, which we later found out is where the Beaconsfield disaster movie is being filmed.

Once we finally hit the valley floor, it was a lovely ride alongside the Goulburn River into Jamieson. Like Woods Point, the locals at Jamieson blew us away. Wayne at the store was a true gent, not only donating to the cause but helping us out with some sangas.  During our brief stay there we met many locals who were interested in our tale and gave us donations...  so go ahead and make Jamieson your lunch break on your drive to Woods Point!

The next 2.5 hours to Mansfield were made difficult as we could no longer rely on the amazing scenery to get us through those difficult moments and the strong northerly head winds (although the views of the Lake Eildon overflow were pretty special). Furthermore, Jon had... well... a few problems. It appears all the rocky roads had jarred his quick release loose and on a ridiculoulsy steep 1.5km climb his back wheel fell off and he ended up on his butt... or so he says... i was waiting for him at the top of the hill, had to ride back 350m to find him getting ready to leave and then ride back up the hill. He then uttered the famous words ‘whats next, my handlebars will come loose?”. Sure enough... 10km later he’s spinning his handlebars around in his hands... i still haven’t worked out if he was taking the p*ss!

Having warned Jon of the terrors of busy Australian roads, he was still surprised and slightly unnerved by the speed and proximity of the cars, utes and trucks speeding past us as we rode the Maroondah Highway from Mansfield into Bonnie Doon. Hopefully the roads out of Shepparton in a few days will have a wide shoulder for us to roll along in.

Now were sitting here at the Bonnie Doon Caravan Park... enjoying the serenity.