^{Date Published: 01 Nov 2010 2:18pm
Author:Steve Moore}

Up at 5.00 am after about 4 hrs sleep. Captain Hollywood and Louey departed to the cheers of the assembled Caribou crew. Straight up a hill out of Lakes and that was to set the tone for the day.

The weather was kind to us no rain and mild temperatures. Second pair on the road Conan and Sam headed up a few more hills down onto the river flats of Orbost through the town, a little too much of the town as the directions were a little vague.

The next changeover was at a grand looking bus stop out in the middle of nowhere and one very surprised kid stuck his head out as a couple of Fire Brigade cars pulled up. Steve and Steve tackled more hills and changed over in the middle of nowhere half way to Cann River.

Mark and Andy bought the ride into Cann River and picked up a third rider in the process, Lois who has ridden from Perth and heading for Sydney. The crew helped her out as Firefighters do and gave her a couple of tubes. Lunch from Jen and Dazza’s Café was very well received. Salad rolls and off towards Genoa and the Victorian Border, Sam and Conan on the wheel again.

Next change again in lovely bushy surrounds and Steve and Steve headed down the hill to Genoa. Some friends of Steve M came out from Mallacoota to greet the riders and have a chat. Off into NSW and more hills. Captain Hollywood and Louey fronted up for their third and final stage of the day and were lucky enough to ride up a 10 Km long hill. That stage and the associated hills took the boys into Eden where the crew enjoyed a coffee and cake.

The Umbilical Brothers took off out of Eden up a couple of short but steep hills. Sammy was loving it, urging the driver to pick up the pace. Their stage finished at Yellow Pinch Rd where Smiley and Axe took off up, yep you guessed it another hill. Steve and Steve decided that those responsible for naming things in the area lacked a little imagination. After Yellow Pinch Rd came Yellow Pinch Creek followed by Yellow Pinch Dam. Further along the road was Hollow Frog Rd followed by Hollow Frog Creek. Through the now rolling hills into the big cheese of Bega to end the days ride.

All the gear was packed and sorted ready for the journey to Kiama. Along the way it started to rain, and rain, and RAIN. By Batemans Bay it was bucketing down where the crew stopped for Wood Fired Pizza, except the Caribou boys who must live on chicken sandwiches.

Off we go towards Kiama and by Ulladulla a bit of fuel is required. Apparently everyone in this area is tucked up for the night by 8.30 as when we arrived at 9.30ish the whole town was closed. Luckily we spotted a Police van and flagged them down. The 2 lovely officers gave us directions to the Caltex which had 24 hr access for credit cards. One vehicle made it to the servo' with a range of 0 kms. Oh and it was still raining.

Arrived at Kiama around midnight where it was raining and blowing an absolute gale. Accommodation was at the Ocean View Motel, a very cosy establishment. Off to sleep and prepare for day 3.

^{Go Back}