Chris L
Still not sure about the chain this morning, but at least the weather has improved. I'm heading for Hobart, where the anticipated temperature range is 10-23 degrees C. After the last two days, I might die of heatstroke in that weather. Incredibly, I got a little sunburned yesterday. I actually knew that might happen (yes, even in the rain), but decided that sunburn was a lesser evil than hypothermia - and thus left off the sunscreen.
I left National Park this morning, along the Tyenna River (much larger now) back to Westerway. Thought about buying more Raspberries there, but still some distance to cover so I thought better of it. I followed a quiet back road toward the town of New Norfolk through hopfields along the River Derwent, rapidly expanding on the way to Hobart.
There were a few minor climbs, but nothing really to get excited about. I did find a bike shop in New Norfolk, but the guy didn't seem all that keen to assist with my chain dilemma. Looking around I saw that they largely catered for the children's market anyway, so I took a punt on making for Hobart, and Tassie Cycles again.
Another huge lunch in the bakery at New Norfolk (would you believe I think I've actually put on weight on this tour?) before setting off. I followed the old Lyell Highway for 5km, before another backroad through a couple of villages would lead me to Berriedale at the northern end of Hobart. I negotiated a few rough patches of "roadwork" before the final pass I would climb fully laden.
This climb wasn't massive or difficult, but I had the previous two days still in my legs, so I felt it a little more than I perhaps should have. Nevertheless, the scenery was quite pleasant, and a howling gale was behind me most of the way, so it didn't cause any major problems. A screaming descent led me right into suburban Berriedale. From here I headed directly south toward Newtown and Tassie Cycles.
"We're flat out" I was told. Still, they found time to fix my chain, so again I give another shameless promotion to Tassie Cycles if anyone is touring in this area. I headed back to the old camping ground from four weeks ago at Berriedale - it was packed this time. I managed to find a reasonably quiet spot right by the river, however, so all was good.
Not much else to say - except that I managed to check my e-mail and update the journal for the first time in two weeks. I have another day to have a look around Hobart and put paid to Mt Wellington before going home.
I left National Park this morning, along the Tyenna River (much larger now) back to Westerway. Thought about buying more Raspberries there, but still some distance to cover so I thought better of it. I followed a quiet back road toward the town of New Norfolk through hopfields along the River Derwent, rapidly expanding on the way to Hobart.
There were a few minor climbs, but nothing really to get excited about. I did find a bike shop in New Norfolk, but the guy didn't seem all that keen to assist with my chain dilemma. Looking around I saw that they largely catered for the children's market anyway, so I took a punt on making for Hobart, and Tassie Cycles again.
Another huge lunch in the bakery at New Norfolk (would you believe I think I've actually put on weight on this tour?) before setting off. I followed the old Lyell Highway for 5km, before another backroad through a couple of villages would lead me to Berriedale at the northern end of Hobart. I negotiated a few rough patches of "roadwork" before the final pass I would climb fully laden.
This climb wasn't massive or difficult, but I had the previous two days still in my legs, so I felt it a little more than I perhaps should have. Nevertheless, the scenery was quite pleasant, and a howling gale was behind me most of the way, so it didn't cause any major problems. A screaming descent led me right into suburban Berriedale. From here I headed directly south toward Newtown and Tassie Cycles.
"We're flat out" I was told. Still, they found time to fix my chain, so again I give another shameless promotion to Tassie Cycles if anyone is touring in this area. I headed back to the old camping ground from four weeks ago at Berriedale - it was packed this time. I managed to find a reasonably quiet spot right by the river, however, so all was good.
Not much else to say - except that I managed to check my e-mail and update the journal for the first time in two weeks. I have another day to have a look around Hobart and put paid to Mt Wellington before going home.