From Neerim South to Noojee the road climbs steadily up for at least ten kilometres, then climbs more steeply up for another few before swooping down through the forest in wet twisty curves. Magnificent riding, but a little unnerving with the wet leaves and the narrowness of the roads. Inflight discussions between tandem pilot and stoker resulted in the decree that the tandem would travel at a reasonable speed downwards through the forest….

Noojee pub is a magnificent building, and has a wonderful open fire. The only problem is that when you arrive at quarter past eleven you find that the pub doesn’t open until noon, and even the presence of fifty thirsty cyclists can’t convince the publican to vary those hours. Some people decided to stop for coffee at one of the two cafés in town, the rest continued on along the river valley towards Powelltown and then on to Yarra Junction and Wesburn.

A second and completely unexpected long climb before we reached Powelltown, seemed to plod endlessly up through the forest, I’m sure the road is meant to be running along the valley. The Powelltown shop and pub has been renovated and is no longer the pokey old country store I remember; now a warm and inviting bar, restaurant, café, shop and agency for the local bank, it is all the facilities in Powelltown other than the sawmill!

After lunch it was a cruisy ride along mostly flat roads to Yarra Junction, then turn off and a only a few more minutes before we were at Wesburn(-37.7667,145.6333) and time to set up the tents for the last time this ride, and the last time ever on a Deadly Treadly tour! Plenty of time in the magnificent autumn afternoon to sit around in the sun and drink a few beers and reminisce and relax.

Where?

• Wesburn (37° 46’ 0S, 145° 37’ 60E)

Today’s photos

See the photos page.