Day 7 Quorn to Wilmington 57.85km, 3.44.58 hours, 15.4kmh ave., 601m ascent, 589m descent, 48.57kmh max speed, 17.8 degrees C, 7km/h wind from NW, left at 8.50am
Last nights accommodation host at.Birdson Gardens cost $115.43 through Booking.Com always wants to see her guests leave so we chat for half an hour before I depart. It has bucket with rain last night but I didnt hear a thing. I had a comfortable, dry night and its sunny again. I head on dirt road with some puddles but all is good on the firm road south through a valley towards Mt Brown Conservation Park. I miss the turn off to the left and continue straight on the road to Mt Brown. I get some drone action and am distracted by the farm machinery where 3 signs indicate turn left. There is a couple of campers at the camping ground an an old ruined house.Nice spot to explore in future.
Now on this smaller road the mud appears but I can continue up the hill to the gate. From the gate I push it up to the top of the hill then a fast descent until you reach another gate at the end.
I don't have a paper map so could have also been a reason why I didnt turn off but for now Im following the signs which Im taken more interest in. I clear the mud on the bike before heading onto a main road but before long its muddy as and the back wheel freezes with the mud and the chain comes off. Shit I've still got tens of KM to go. I try to clear the mud with sticks then roll the wheel backwards and in luck the wheel is free. I try walking it and now my shoes are mud and 1kg heavier. I try to walk on the side of the road between the fence line and the road and this seems to work. A little further on I can wash the mud and this also helps. I can ride a bit further on but mud sections in between I walk or go to the side of the road.
I stop for lunch under a tree and a 2wd car goes past and I wonder how they dont have any problem, as I would have a 4wd on this road. Double bree cheese on corn thins for lunch.
At the intersection of another main road the road now becomes much better. I see a farmer and his dog moving sheep along the road to another padock. Everything is green here with all the rain and more south. It flattens off before Wilmington.
I arrive at Wilmington just before 2pm and a shop is closing but I manage to get a drink. Another 3km south is the caravan park and as Im exhausted I decide to camp there for the night instead of Melrose. Ive ridden another 12km today on my side adventure plus all the mud today. Ever since the second day my legs are fatigued so today is no different plus my arse cheeks ache with every pedal, living the dream.
I relax at the CP and camp near the playground and the kitchen which is great. Its a huge park and you could go for a bush site further in the park. I head up to town walking along the walking track and go to the hardware/petrol/supermarket and get some more food, knowing there is a microwave in the kitchen dinner is sorted. A microwave dinner and Bens rice. Another packet of corn thins for lunches but dont rely on this shop for gluten free stuff.