Chris L

Started the morning with the 1km walk out of the campsite back to the end of the road, and set off to continue where I left off yesterday. The first 5km or so follows alongside the River Derwent as it starts it's long journey toward Hobart - mine would be a little longer. I rejoined the Lyell "Highway" and continued toward the east, in virtually no traffic with only a few gum trees for company.

About 30km or so into the ride I headed on the C173 - a virtually deserted dirt road which would provide an alternative route to the town of Ouse (pronounced "Ooze" - truly a name to conjure with!). The early part of this route was quite bearable as it headed past a couple of mountain lagoons, through the village of Dee (a collection of prefabricated houses).

Soon after this, there was a massive descent through some forested country. I took a slight detour to Victoria Valley falls. This turned out not to be worth the effort, as there was virtually no water flowing here at all. I returned to the road and continued the descent toward Ouse. As I got lower I noticed the corrugations from the North East had returned - also that the gravel here was considerably looser than it had been.

About 20km or so from Ouse the road was almost unrideable. In fact, there were stretches where I simply rode the ditch at the side of the road as it offered better traction than the road itself. The wind was picking up from the south-west, hardly making control of the bike any easier. 12km from Ouse I copped a particularly severe gust of wind, the back wheel (I think it was that one) spun out completely. I managed to get it back in time - overcorrecting dramatically on the other side.

Fortunately I had a touring load in place, it reduced the amount of the over correction and gave me time to re-correct the situation. Now I had it back on balance again. I paused and looked at my map - only another 5km of dirt road left - Woohoo! I negotiated it without any further scares, and wound my way through rolling hills into Ouse.

I freecamped that night in a secluded spot by the Ouse River. This was in the Derwent Valley - an area I'd heard described as "real redneck country". I noticed the woman working in the supermarket here didn't want to say anything to me. Not quite sure whether it was the lycra or the bike - and nor do I really care all that much to be honest.

Chris L

My company for the first 20km.

Chris L

Yep, I'm definitely back in the East.

Chris L

The first of the lagoons I passed.

Chris L

Dee Lagoon, the biggest of the lagoons I passed

Chris L

Dee Lagoon. It's amazing how the best pictures always turn up just after you've taken one.

Chris L

Oh alright, one more.

Chris L

Descending toward Ouse.

Chris L

Rolling hills near Ouse.

Chris L

Back in the Derwent Valley, final descent into Ouse, but don't expect to see a "town" of that size this far out.