In order to make up the KM’s for the 1,000km journey, I got on my bike and headed back towards Wangaratta where I followed the rail trail mostly. As I had reached the other side of Myrtleford – known as Gapsted. I could see my little nephew and the rest of the Family (roadies) Had pulled up at Gapsted wineries to check on me. Brock (nephew) was coming down the path to greet me and also cut of my riding path on track.  I stopped to re-fuel and we took a few snaps (as pictured below) and I was on my way.

Once nearing Wang I turned around after doing roughly 75km and took the rail trail up to Beechworth.

I had never rode this section on the trail and it was best I didn’t know for sure what was ahead of me as it was rather mountainous and I kept telling myself each last hill was the last. That notion kept me going!

Once I got down into the valley I knew I was close and my eyes lit up once I saw The Old Priory were the owners had very generously offered us a room for the night.

The building such a gem! and it has so much character. Our accommodation was amazing and they had supplied juice, cereal , coffee , tea ect.. and we all felt right at home! I am amazed by the generosity and service given and I cant thank you enough for your support!

We all kicked our feet up and later headed off to the Beechworth Bridge Road Brewery for tea with some family friends were I enjoyed a fresh pretzel and A large duck and orange pizza!!

It was a lovely evening and the food was amazing as always. It wasn’t long after I had a very solid sleep!

Ash, Brock and I

rail trail to Beechworth

Duck and Orange pizza at Beechworth Bridge Road Brewery

tasting paddle

Best ever Ginger Beer!

To make up the distance required I rode to Wangarrata before taking it to the Mountains to the Murray rail trail!  I have previously rode this section a couple of times so had a clear idea of what was ahead. However it seemed shorter today!

I arrived in Mrytleford at nearing to mid day where i met with Mum and Little Brock to have some fruit and a short break. Meanwhile Ashlee was out in Myrtleford shaking a tin and telling people about the ride.  I thank those who donated in Myrte and the generosity! A total of $370 was raised in the short time Ash had.

I also popped into the local bike store to have a check over a chat with the owner Steve who invited me to come in and he would happily do a check over as he wanted to help out any way he could. Steve picked up a few things and then send me on my way. With only 30 kms left to Bright, I took in the scenery and set a steady pace.

I arrived at the accommodation – Mystic Holiday Units which is situated very close to the main city center.  It has a pool, tennis court, play equipment and very nice and homely holiday units.

As i arrived so did lunch!! CHICKEN! – i couldn’t complain I inhaled lunch after the 112km ride to bright and then lounged around blogging. I have to mention also the little nephew brock, took to outside where he got on his bike , helmet and all!! luckily because he went down the grassy slope on his balance bike , feet up.. thank god for helmets!

We had a quiet night in , just popping down the street to grab some tea to take home.

A big thank you again to the owners of the Mystic Holiday Units in Bright,Ross and Brendan Holland- for allowing us to stay ! Greatly appreciate your kindness.

Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail

Winery on way to Brght

Mt Buffalo

Old Bridge leading into Myrt

Welcome to Bright

Brock ready to go!

On route to Chiltern I cycled through Corowa and Howlong.

There was more undulating landscape today, with beautiful views  which overlooked wineries and grazing lands. I arrived in Corowa early, roughly around  8. The main street was just coming to life with the Bakery and a few coffee shops opening up with light traffic passing through. It reminded me a lot of  Beechworth with its historic buildings.

I met up with the roadies at the entrance into Corowa where I had a snack and set off on my way while the roadies went to tin shake down the main street. – I can now report that we raised $275 in the time spent shaking the tin.

I followed the Riverina HWY all the way into Howlong. At on section , due to road works – an escort vehicle lead the traffic through. I followed at the tail of the string of traffic , trying to keep below the 40km hr limit set from the road works…

I only stopped in Howlong for a brief few minutes and was away again to get to Chiltern as we had dinner plans at the Howlong Hotel that night. After crossing the 11 bridges which are on the way out of Howlong and climbing over Chilterns Mt Pilot i was in Chiltern!

I bet the roadies so met the lovely owner Jane who had kindly offered us a room for the night to help out and made my way to our room to have a much needed coffee while watching an interesting science show!!

Once we all settled in we took off back to Corowa to get the important stuff… Chocolate!!! at the Corowa Chocolate factory

Soon it was dinner time were we met some of the family at the Howlong Hotel to have dinner ! The meals were delicious!! I will defiantly be visiting again.

The Owner of the Howlong Hotel Andrew and his wife Bernadette generously donated $200 to the ‘Give me 5 for kids’ ride and handed us over a tin we placed there a week ago. I would also Like to thank the AGM which is the Annual General Meeting for theHowlong  hotel social club in Howlong who donated $200 also. After counting all the donations up form Howlong we can report $576 for raised! Thanks to the community at Howlong & at to Andrew and Bernadette for the support!

Wahgunya

All Saints Estate Winery

overlooking winery

Murray River – Corowa

Corowa Main Street in the AM

Corowa Clock

Andrew (Owner of Howlong Hotel) and I

Chiltern

As per usual I had a early start of 6am. There was an amazing sunrise which scattered the sun over the feilds due to the parting clouds.

I didn’t face much head wind which helped the rather stiffer legs today…forgot to take the magnesium tablets!! After about 20+ kms the legs had warmed up and I was setting into a stead pace.

Once I arrived in Benalla I quickly dropped into see some relos and throw back some fruit before I set off towards wang!

I was about 10 kms out of Wangarrata and on the Hume HWY when I noticed I had a flat on the back. Not to worry, mum wasn’t far away! Once in Wang I met up with Steve from the Wangarrata Chronical to have a picture taken in the main street and a chat about my ride.

I was quick away to get to the accommodation to kick the legs up.

Before that…We picked up some roadies Ashlee (sister) and little Brock ( nephew) and later we all jump into the heated sauna to relax the muscles then the pool before dinner at the Pinsent hotel.

morning sky

alpaca’s :)

Benalla sign

Wangarrata Sign

Roadie Brock (ZZZzzz) & Aunty Jac

I cycled through Tocumwal on route to Cobram where I came across the BIG Strawberry! It was surely big and bright!! I stopped for a quick snap but was quickly away again to go via Katamatite where I would stop to have lunch outside of the Bakery.

On the way to Katamatite I didn’t know the road I had picked to go down was half sealed… sooo… after cycling 8 kms down I wasn’t going to turn back! Instead i took another dirt road off that dirt road to get back onto  main strip of tarmac. After another 5km on the dirt I was on the road again.

After lunch at Katamatite I headed towards Yarrawonga! All the roads between theses towns were narrow and no shoulders ..however there was no hassles.

5 kms out of Yarrawonga I did get another puncture…as usual ..close to town of arrival.

The roadie was near by and we changed the wheel over and away I was again.

I called into the local bike shop at Yarrawonga – Action bike and ski where the owner Shayne fixed up the wheel and re strapped my handle bars. He was a great fella and associated no cost to repairs as he was happy to help.

From here I met with the Yarrawonga Chronical jurno to get a happy snap and not much latter we set off for tea at the Mulwala RSL where I enjoyed the classic, The parmy and the roadie (mum) had a seafod basket.

A big Thankyou to Vanessa at Murray Valley Resort! The accommodation was beautiful ! We had the presidential room and it was amazing! Thanks for supporting the ‘Give me 5 for kids’ ride. Greatly appreciated!

The Big Strawberry

Sci-Fi Toilet in Cobram!

Plane at the RSL Mulwala

Murray Valley Resort Yarrawonga

Murray Valley Resort Accommodation

Murray Valley accommodation bed & HUGE Shower

I took my sweet time getting ready and had a quick breaky and was on the road! There was an unreal sunrise and on the open plains it was magic. The roads were very quiet all the way to Jerilderie and any cars that passed gave you a paddock.

25kms out of Jerilderie I was jonied by a fellow rider, Barry – who is a local from Jerilderie. It was fantastic to have company and chat away! the time flew and so did we, averaging 35kms an hour. Before we knew it we were in the township of Jerilderie where we pulled up in front of the bakery for a drink and chat with mum. Barry lead me out of town for a few kms before turning back to head into town.

From here I detoured via Berrigan before heading to Finlay which worked out well so we could stop at the local IGA and get some snacks and head off again. About 6 kms out of Finlay …you wouldn’t believe it.. I got a flat.. I took of the wheel and Tyre and realised a tiny splinter which i removed and relpaced the tube.

Jumping back on my bike i powered off towards Finlay knowing it was a sprint left to a bed and aircon!

We arrived at the Finlay Motel at 12 and introduced ourselves to Dennis Chambers who owns the motel. Dennis was very kind to have us for the night and help us out by giving mum and I accommodation all in the name of the cause.

Thank you to Dennis Chambers for your generosity!

Morning sky on route to Jerilderie

Barry & I in front of Jerilderie Bakery

Wide open roads

Mum (Roadie) & I

ROADIE!!

The roads were flat with only a few trees in the distance making up a bare landscape. The flat stretches were great for pace over distance as i clocked up 35-40 kms per hr making for quick time.

On route to Urana we stopped at Lockhart to furl up with some fruit and take on more water, were we meet and spoke to a lovely couple who were passing through and wanted to know about the ride. Before they set off the couple kindly donated and gave their well wishes as i set back off towards Urana.

I arrived in Urana at 11:30 and greeted one of the owners of the Fox Cottages in Urana, Barry, before unpacking and putting the feet up!Later in the afternoon mum, Barry and I went down to the local pub to meet and thank a few of the locals who helped raise a staggering $205 !! which they gave to the ride for kids.

Barry had the week earlier organised a meat tray raffle and sold ticket at the Urana pub to raise funds towards the cause where the community of Urana jumped on board and brought up the tickets to raise funds. A big thank you also to The Urana Progress Association covered the cost of the meat tray.

We left the pub and mum and I joined Barry and his lovely wife Therese for dinner with Urana progress association member Jenny.  They were such a welcoming and warm couple who were just happy to help out and give to the cause and supply us both accommodation for the night.

The proud sense of community was evident from the get go when we arrived in Urana. And both mum & I were so grateful to have met both Barry and Therese and the community of Urana and ecstatic with their support by raising $205 which will go to the Albury Children’s ward.

Again than you Barry & Therese and the Urana Community!!

Barry & I at the Urana Pub in front of the raised amount of$205

Kangaroo & Emu sculptures near Lockhart

Horse and Cart sculpture Lockhart

Nullabor like plains between Lockhart & Urana

Morning ride shadow

I left Wodonga  at 6 am..but a Tyre issue was a minor set back. Luckily the team at The Full Cycle were onto it! The guys came down to the shop before open to get me back onto the road.

Once back on the road i headed up towards Ettamogah were i was joined for 20 kms by a fellow rider where we kept a great pace and had great discussion till I had to part ways and head off towards Culcairn were i would meet the roadies for a snack and bottle refills.

From Culcairn I went via Morven, Cookardinia and off to Mangoplah for LUNCH! By now I had 32 kms to go and was hanging for a decent meal. I enjoyed a greek salada with a big serve of steak! The locals were friendly and up some chatter and the waitress at Mangoplah was lovely and kindly donated towards the ‘Give me 5 for kids’ ride.

Jumping back on to my bike and a photo in fornt of the pub, I took off for the last leg of the ride! I can tell you how great it was to arrive at the Wagga Wagga RSL motel !! I was dreaming of the spa bath and a bed!! Thanks to the owner of the Wagga Wagga RSL for offering me and the roadies a room for the night! I immensely appreciate it and its fantastic that people are willing to help out where ever they can. So thank you John!

We all enjoyed a meal at the RSL which hit the spot and now we are all kicking our feet up and I am going to enjoy a massage!! Urana Tomorrow, which another early start to beat the heat and the traffic.

wagga wagga RSL dinner

The Piccolo Pod is located on High Street wodonga in a shipping container which has an eclectic and street vibe . The coffee is amazing and a special roast and is why I am a regular!

Shane was keen to help out in any way he could to the cause, and kindly donated 3 vouchers for 10 coffees to be raffled off where funds would go directly to the ‘Give me 5 for kids’ Charity ride.

Thank you Shane for your generosity and delicious coffee!

I called in to see Cass and tell all about what I was doing and weather they could help out in any way.

No questions asked or hassles, Cassie was more than happy to supply some products and vouchers to be donated to be raffled off to raise fund for the ride for kids!

Thank you Cassie for your contribution , It is greatly appreciated.