Day 1 – Torquay to Lorne 40 Km – 25 Miles

We got our start out of Torquay around 11:00 AM. The morning was spent returning the rental van to Geelong, organizing the packing of our bikes and taking any excess items we didn’t want to carry to the Post Office for shipping to Darwin. The idea of shipping the bike boxes that I had spent a great deal of time building did not happen when the best offer to ship them came in around $400.

As we rolled along the main street in Torquay we got a sampling of the conditions in which we would be riding. The sun was shining and we were being pelted with a cold rain. That cleared rather quickly as we made our way to the Great Ocean Road which took us in a southwesterly direction. Our fist climbs took us from sea level to 110 meters in a matter of just a few kilometers. It was a challenging first climb for flatlanders.

Winds were strong and in our face. When the sun was shining riding was pleasant. Problems arose when those winds carried in storm fronts, one after another. After the initial climb out of Torquay we had level riding for several miles but as we came around one bend the dark clouds a rapid drop in temperature and rain hit us quickly. We took shelter in a small drive off the side of the road, where “the bush” gave us respite from the wind and stinging rain. The rain started to dissipate enough to where we could ride comfortably. Within a few miles we descended into Anglesea. It was around 1:00 so we took the time to dry off and get lunch.

The sun was brilliant and warm as we hit the road again, but just as quickly as the first time, dark clouds approached and as we climbed a rather steep stretch on the outskirts of Anglesea, we were confronted with more wind and rain now this time mixed with sleet. This time we took cover in a bus shelter. At some point I check the weather app on my phone and it showed a temperature of 43 F with a real feel of 36.

We took stock of the situation while taking a break near the Split Point Lighthouse in Airey’s Inlet. It was not too late in the afternoon, but considering nightfall around 5:30, we needed to find a location within a reasonable distance where we could spend the night. Lorne was about 20 Km away. It was a doable distance, but one with several climbs, descents and more dark clouds on the horizon. We rolled into Lorne around 5:00 having dodged more rain.

Overall we were satisfied with our progress. It was really a half-day of riding, with very challenging conditions. Being a Friday, traffic was higher than expected which added a degree of stress. Despite the conditions it was hard to ignore the beauty of the landscape and dramatic shoreline. Tomorrow we are anticipating a full day’s ride, but during our discussion over dinner this evening, we agreed to a wait and see attitude about our goal for the day. This is the most scenic part of the trip, it is also the most challenging with regard to the topography and weather. Our primary concern is safety, with taking in the awesome seascapes a close second.