Firstly, it was a long day. We knew this was going to be the case when we were planning last night. In fact we seriously considered a shortcut over the hills; it seemed a long way around.
We researched the short cut idea for at least an hour, calling upon all of our logical reasoning to justify it.
Google had a helpful suggestion (and a lot more information than the appalling Apple Maps which don't even show the forest).
But the following warning gave us cause for caution.
This and some pictures of the hill tracks on the 4wd forums were enough to persuade us: we would take the long way around!
I've left the URL in to credit the author
The morning had begun with a visit from Henry, who arrived with a basket of warm bread, warm croissants and a fruit platter to add to the bacon and eggs we had discovered on arrival.
This made for a more than hearty breakfast which we attacked with gusto. I soon felt it in my gutso. Fuel for the ride. With some anticipation we departed and were semi-hurtling down the gravel of Speers lane.
Heading northwards we had planned to avoid the highway and take the Gundowring road which turned out well. The day was sunny, calm, balmy and really delightful conditions for riding. It was pleasantly warm without being hot.
The valleys here are very green. Unnaturally so in places. Here's an untouched photo of the greenery.
I surveyed the hills we were circumnavigating, looking for evidence that my up-and-over idea would have been OK. There was none. They looked steep and impenetrable.
The going was easy, it being basically level or imperceptible downhill, so we made our way progressively to Lockharts Gap Road, just short of Lake Hume.
Onwards and upwards was the next segment to Lockharts gap.
This was a steady rise culminating in a dilapidated picnic table beside a transmission tower. What this place was lacking (apart from the seat planks at the table) I thought, was a pomegranate. Mary quickly provided one and the scene was soon complete with pips spat and scattered all around.
We shared our experiences of this strange fruit (which had been provided by Henry). "Astringent", "my teeth feel like they have coats""bitter aftertaste", "mainly seeds"... Not much positive in fact.
After this break: Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! A couple of elbow bends felt a bit scary when taken just a little too fast.
We were now in another serene valley, comfortably pushing along. Belinda shared that she and friend Bas had scouted this route. We invoked Bas alongside of us to acknowledge his part in our ride.
By Eskdale we were in need of a break and bought refreshments at the petrol station-supermarket-disposals store-something else thingy. I lamented the lack of an appended "coffee shop" to this list. Belinda discovered a picturesque area beside the babbling stream.
We were soon pushing up short but steep climbs over the spurs reaching into the valley like fingers protruding from the ranges.
Mary thanked Larsen and then Lord who helped us greatly with their cuttings, taking the final grunt out of the respective climbs. After Lords cutting the 28km or so progressively reduced as we sidled the vast Mitta valley with semi-panoramic views.
The final approach to Mitta Mitta was on the flat, in perfectly comfortable warmth with a little pinch of a hill to enable a final glide into town.
Laurel's hotel is quaint with friendly and relaxed staff, pokey little (but perfectly adequate) rooms and fantastic spacious new showers with gushing wonderful warm replenishing water. After a rest we dined appreciatively on Steak and Barramundi.
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