Day 35 Numurkah to Seymour 117 km and home 12 km

Traction Engines - Numurkah 

Steam Engine - Numurkah

With the low pressure front forecast to hit the area around 11:00 am I wanted to get as many kilometres done as I could before the change. I was riding from 6:20 am under grey cloudy sky. The wind had settled down but the breeze was still helpful as I rode out of town towards Shepparton.  I passed through Tallygaroopna, Wunghu and Congulpna in covering 35 km before breakfast.

Water Tower in Wunghnu - Pronounced One Ewe

Coffee and a croissant in Shepparton - no photos of cows this time. The sky was getting darker and the wind more gusty so I didn't hang around .

Another 66 km to Nagambie, a town I have visited often in the last 10 years. Just as I hit town it started to rain so I quickly took shelter in a cafe. The pot of tea was supposed to be a 2 cup job - turned out to be 2 thimbles. Very disappointing. The lake was grey and windy - not kayaking weather

There was a display of veteran cars in Nagambie

Lake Nagambie

The temperature had dropped 5 degrees while I was in the cafe so I put my jacket and gloves and set off in the rain. Fortunately the rain was slackening and the wind was still helpful. The road was wet and there were some puddles to dodge around but generally it was still easy riding.

Canola crops contrasting with the grey skies

Just before the Hume Freeway entrance I stopped in the Taungarung Rest Stop. I tried to get a cup of tea from the food truck but they had run out of teabags. As I had plenty of teabags I gave them mine and got a cup of tea and $5. I also got some advice about potential ways of getting to Melbourne from Seymour.

On the VLine train to Southern Cross Station

In the end I opted to hop on the VLine train. Riding on the Hume Freeway wasn't an option. The other choices involved riding through the hills to the northern suburbs or riding via Yea and Yarra Glen to Lilydale. That would have meant at least 1 or 2 more nights away from home with variable weather forecast. Getting the train from Seymour meant I was home before i ran out of clean underwear!

After arriving at Southern Cross Station I rode the rest of the way home. It felt strange riding along the Yarra bank and down familiar roads. All of a sudden my adventure was over.

Summary of my journey

Map showing the route I took from Cairns to Seymour

35 days including 3 rest days. 2835 kilometres cycled in 3 states. Average 88 kilometres a day