Old 11-27-16, 04:09 AM
  #57  
Machka 
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This weekend, we did an overnight cycling tour.

Saturday morning, we drove to our start location, set up the bicycles with our panniers, etc. ... and started the tour with a ferry ride to Bruny Island.

When we got there ... off we went into the howling wind and drizzle and cold. All day long we had head/cross wind gusts to 80 km/hour. Riding loaded touring bicycles up and down the hills on Bruny with that wind was a challenge and despite the fact that we stopped a few times along the way, we were quite tired when we got into our campground at Adventure Bay.

Where did we stop along the way? The Neck, of course, to take photos from the lookout. Then Bruny Island Providore to get fudge ... mmmm! Then the Bruny Island Berry Farm for pancakes with berries and ice cream.
http://www.brunyislandberryfarm.com.au/

We stayed in the campground at Adventure Bay when we did this tour last year, so we were welcomed back, and we pitched in the same spot where we camped last year. Last year we were able to spend the evening sitting outside and were also able to walk on the beach. This year, the rain rolled in and wind continued all evening so we took advantage of the camp kitchen and spent our evening there.

Fortunately, the wind died during the night, and when I got up about 3:30 am, the sky was clear and the stars were bright.

Sunday morning ... breakfast, packing up, and then a quick trip to the Bruny Island Cruises office to get our bicycles sorted and to pick up our tickets.
https://www.brunycruises.com.au/

And then, at 11 am, we set off on a 3-hour tour. You can see a video of a tour (not specifically ours) here:
https://vimeo.com/125360949

We had hoped to see whales this time (we did this tour last year too), but unfortunately, they've moved on. We did, however, get to see seals, sea birds, and dolphins. As well as spectacular scenery. Plus this time, there was a good swell out there which made for an exciting "ride" and drama at the "blowhole" which was very active today because of that swell. It was blowing huge spray which could be seen from a couple of kilometers off shore.

Back on the bicycles again, we stopped for a delicious lunch, and then made our way back to the ferry again. There was considerably less wind, but the hills are steeper on the way back. We topped the final hill to see the ferry coming across in the distance. So the descent was quick in order to make it ... and back to mainland Tasmania.

Saturday
38.2 km
447 metres of climbing

Sunday
39.5 km
451 metres of climbing
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