Day 5- Coles Bay to Orford - 83 kms

26 Feb

Today would be best described as a challenging day of riding!!!

We had rain and were riding in to a head wind for most of the day and although the ride could be described as flat.... we were traveling through rolling hills along the coast which made for heavy duty riding.

I am pleased the ride is over and we are in the comfort of our accomodation enjoying some warmth!

The day started out at Coles Bay with overcast sky’s belying what was to come...

the initial ride out to the King gallery and coffee shop was broken by a short 70 metre ferry ride across a channel near Coles Bay that saved us about 70 kms of riding.... as we approached ferry the rain started and gradually increased so the ride in the ferry was in fairly constant rain!

The short trip to the coffee stop was no better really as the rain continued... the joy of getting in to some cover with coffee and lovely scones with jam and cream was appreciated by us all

With the rain continuing we re-arranged our clothing and donned several layers of protective gear to protect us from the elements

The next shortish part of the journey through to Swansea saw the rain ease somewhat.... at Swansea we picked up our lunch and enjoyed a wonderful warm sausage roll.... Ellio and I shared a sausage roll as having 2 morning teas would be a real extravagance

As the rain eased several of us peeled off a layer of clothing for the trip ahead which seemed reasonable at the time ....

Little did we know that odd showers would be the pattern for the remainder of the ride.

The ride ahead through to lunch at about the 60 km Mark was through rolling hills alongside the coast abutting the Frecyne peninsular.... very pretty country really

After lunch we made the final ride in to Orford

I was allocated the job of looking after the guys at the back of the group where we had a few “mechanical issues “

Steve Seymour split his tyre in to shreds.... not sure how but he could not proceed further and was picked by the Ute.

Chris Drake had a flat about 3 kms from the end of the ride and required another pick up by the Ute.... all very interesting and makes us all appreciate the value of a support system on rides like this

Arriving at our accommodation we were all astonished at the palatial facilities of the Eastcoaster Resort!!!

Wow....the cabins are fantastic and the facilities are wonderful

We have just had the most magnificent meal at the seafood restaurant complete with local oysters and seafood

The complex boasts an indoor and outdoor swimming pool with sauna and gym.... Phil has really outdone himself on this!!!!

It is now 10.30 pm after a long day and after a great meal with a wonderful group of guys the traumas of the day peel in to insignificance when sharing it with others you respect

Looking forward to tomorrow when hopefully the weather might be better and we have a tail wind

Now for the photos

At the ferry terminal loading up 4 of us at a time