Wildside Day 4

Thursday, 2 February 2012

The weather was crappy again unfortunately but the organisers reversed the direction of the long cycle down Ocean Beach so the cyclists had a tailwind. Jonno said it was pretty good except there were probably a dozen or so whales rotting on the beach which took away from the purity of the experience somewhat. I've got no decent photos from the day but there are good ones here.. There's even a nice shot of Zali and Jett at Tullah - Day 2, second photo..

So in the final wash-up Jon finished 81st just seconds ahead of his buddy John W who had some really strong final stages. My Jon definitely faded a little in the later stages but managed to finish with no major mechanicals or injuries. Yay.   On the way home we discussed what we'd do the same or differently next time (Wildside is on every second year) and came up with the following..

• Despite the expense and the hassle of moving 4 times we'd still stay in Cradle Mtn, Tullah, Zeehan and Strahan (2 nights) as it made the driving so much less arduous.  It would be tempting to skip the Cradle night and stay 2 nights at Tullah but that would mean more driving to get there from Hobart in the first place, then an extra hour on the 2nd day as well so it would be too much.
• I'd probably not order the vegetarian stir fry from the Zeehan Heemskirk motel and just stay in the motel room and eat cardboard or something instead.
• I wouldn't take the kayak again - it made loading the car a pain (literally - my back is still sore) and the roof box would have been way more useful.  There were ample opportunities to cycle instead.
• We wouldn't bring the hand pressure water pump thing. We'd buy one which plugs into the car instead or go without entirely as all our stops had places to wash bikes.
• We'll stay somewhere else in Strahan as although the place was cosy it had signs everywhere threatening to debit our credit card the cost of for 2 extra nights accommodation if we committed any heinous crimes such as not putting the washing up away or checking out at 10:01.
• I would take more photos on day one - the flowers and scenery was amazing. In fact there's still heaps I want to see next time (such as Zeehan's spray tunnel and Montezuma Falls).

Wildside Day 3

Monday, 30 January 2012

Day 3 threw some real wild into Wildside. In beating rain we have travelled (me driving, Jon riding) from Zeehan to Trial Harbour, then over to Granville Harbour.   Then we've all driven to Strahan where we are now hunkered down in a little cottage listening to the rain beat against the house and the wind rattle the windows.  

Wildside

Friday, 27 January 2012