Downhill ride from Beechworth to Corowa : March 20 2024

Sure pleased I was not in the tent - rained a bit more during the night. Cannot say I was keen to get up on a cooler overcast morning. Did need to drop my bag off at 8 am - nice ride past the top of Lake Sambell to the caravan park to do that

Was time enough to ride down to town where the other riders were having a coffee start - perfect chance to get photos of Beechworth town centre without cars

Town Hall with its clock tower - showing 10 minutes ahead of scheduled meetup time

Bank of Victoria

Bank converted to honey discovery centre. Beechworth was built on the back of gold and became a pastoral hub and also an administrative centre. Ned Kelly was imprisoned and tried here.

Cycled along the rail trail to caravan park - lead rider took a wrong turn. In the double back process I fell off the bike - bit of a knee knock. Did discover the price later - nozzle of my retro Silca pump broke off - only found out later = in the bin.

Route today starts with Beechworth to Yackandandah rail trail - now fully sealed with construction finished inside the last year

Part of the trail is shared with the roadway. Cyclists have precedence as part of a trial. Cyclists to ride on the right and cars on the left.

Lovely stand of trees flanking the field. Remains very dry - stopped a few times to check for orchids. Nothing yet.

Long view across the valley to some vineyards

Next photo contains a contradiction. Rail trail is sealed on the left and the road is gravel on the right

Woaragee locality with rest facilities provided

Short section on the main Yackandandah to Wodonga road - a beaut downhill - opening out view over the Indigo Valley we will ride down. Was very windy - smooth road and tailwind and downhill = smash it. I did as keen to find orchids in Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park.

Riding conditions got harder at this turnoff with the strong wind now a blustery cross wind. This part of the route cuts through a small segment of Mt. Pilot NP. This is well known for orchids - mostly autumn orchids.

Did walk a few spots - no orchids

One track did have emerging mushrooms - probably triggered by the rain yesterday. Orchids will be along in 2 to 3 weeks is my guess.

Big patch of lichen is an indication of moistness in the soil. No orchids here either. By the time I had done 3 short walks, the other riders caught up. Rode with the group to Chiltern. Lunch stop here. This was a bustling town - Bank of New South Wales building.

General dealer across the road

Sad to see a once bustling town crumbling.

Had our lunch in the park next to visitor centre. Wandered around town a bit while the laggards dithered - the long stops are getting to me

Enough time to yarn bomb a bollard or two

Good 20 minute wait - at last we are off in the direction of Rutherglen - famous for making fortified wine. Stopped for the photo of the wine region sign

Whole herd of yearling cattle came down to the fence. They are accustomed to being fed and come down for any passer-by.

Marker for the start of Rutherglen to Wahgunyah rail trail - 9 kms to go. Easy riding on a sealed trail with wind easing a bit.

Wahgunyah has two food processing plants - think this is the pet food one

Station sign. Just a matter of crossing the bridge into New South Wales and ride is done

We had tried the Wahgunyah pub for an end of ride celebration. It was not open. Decided to go into Corowa - first pub chosen. Get directions to go around the back. Ditherers could not find the back alley and changed pubs

Too late - my beer order was already in.

Ends a day a little bigger than the last big one into Chesney Vale. Went to get my gear from the bridge end of town - rode to my motel. Walked across the road to fetch my car and to do a little shopping.

Did some investing stuff - topping up income trades. Forecast tomorrow is 4C start - might skip riding.

Had dinner in Club Corowa - great food and good prices. Been a good 5 days riding with one rest day with a little bush walking thrown in. Sure am pleased tyre trouble was a two off event only on the first day.

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Cycling, Daily Activity