Day 9 - Eildon to Marysville - 48km.
We were awoken by the sounds of a family of kookaburra's and our last day began.
It was a beautiful fine morning, slight breeze and the riding was easy. We had a couple of hills but with what we have had to challenge ourselves with over the past few days, they were easy.
The scenery was beautiful. At one point all riders had to dismount and walk across a very narrow wooden bridge, it was a real sight to see 1500 riders strung out, waiting to cross.
The Cathedral Ranges came into our view, with the poignant reminder of the tragedy of the bush fires, but nature is wonderful and the regrowth was amazing.
As we rode closer to Marysville the hills all around were covered with the burnt trees that haven't recovered, and they really did surround the small communities. It must have been such a horrific experience.
We arrived at Marysville at lunchtime to much fanfare, most of that provided by my sister and brother in law who came up to meet us. The community of Marysville has started the rebuilding, but has a long way to go, and by finishing the bike ride there, I hope it encourages people to come up and visit this most enchanting place.
It was great to reach the finish, and it gave us all a great sense of achievement. It was an experience that certainly challenged the mind and body. We had some really tough days but I was surprised that each day we recovered well and seemed to ride stronger the next day. I would certainly encourage anybody to give it a go. It was a fun and enjoyable "week in another world"
Would I do it again.
I most certainly would.
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