Day 1 - Wodonga to Dederang-54kms

The day started early for the guys catch the train to Wodonga... 9 Lycra clad gents made there way through the Metro Trains network to Southern Cross Station at about 6.00 am . Abdy, Dave and myself had a sleep in and left Surrey Hills at about 7.00am.

The folks going by train were directed at Southern Cross to the bus depot for the trip to Wodonga... always a bit concerning at often bikes are forbidden on busses.... not this time.

The souls travelling with me in the Ute had to negotiate the early morning peak hour to get to the Hume freeway which is always testing. After some time on the freeway near Avenal Abdy and Dave thought they could not see Abdy’s bike so we stopped and sure enough it was not there... it had fallen off somewhere between Surrey Hills and Avenal.... what a bugger!!!

We thought it pointless to retrace our trip and continued on with the thought of renting a bike at Wangaratta our final destination in 4 days on Sunday...sure enough there was a bike shop that had the right bike for Abdy...so it was on to Wodonga to meet the train/ bus travellers !

We arrived at about 12.30 and after exchanging stories about our adventures so far it was time for lunch and get on our way... leaving about 1.30 pm !

The first few kms were very pleasant... then BANG !!!it was hills!!! And more hills and the Garmin was sending me red messages about the gradients in red!!

Anyway the scenery washreayand the downhill in to Jacandanda was joy so we could have afternoon tea at the Bakery... very nice ginger beer 

After this it was on to Dederang and after negotiating a couple of hills it was pleasing to have another downhill in to the pub arriving at about 5.30 pm

The day was hot so most of us enjoyed a pleasant and cool beer in the very pretty Kiewa valley.

It was a challenging and long day but enjoyable with the guys 

Arvo tea in Yackandada

A welcome relief from our water boy Dave!!!

Th e road ahead on a downhill in the Kiewa valley 

Frank with dead foxes draped on the fence

Dederang at last!!!

Home for the night in the pub