Day 8 - Newnes to Glen Davis - 70kms
|
This morning I awoke to a misty sunrise across the mountains. A great way to start the day. When I was packed I was heading back along the road I came in. The road was still pretty soft for the first 8kms, but then it got a lot better. After about 20kms I began my climb up Wolgan Gap. Pleased this section was sealed, as it was pretty steep in places.
At the top I took the dirt turnoff on the right (opposite Blackfellows Hand Trail). This is where I join the Bicentennial National Trail (BNT). The climb up the trail started steeply for the first km, so I unloaded my rear panniers, pushed bike up and went back to get panniers. At the top the BNT levels out and I was enjoying great views on either side.
A little while later I got to the descent into Baal Bone Gap. This was a crazy descent, so I decided to walk my bike down. This gave me more time to enjoy the views through the gap. It was amazing having sandstone cliffs towering either side of me with a forest squeezed in between.
After another couple of kms the gradient became a lot more manageable on a loaded bike. So I got back on and was following the Crown Creek. This took me through a series of locked gates. To access these gates you need to contact the National Parks office in Blackheath. After the last gate (3 in all) I was riding across farmland.
I was sharing my ride now with fields of cows, alpacas and goats. I then got to the farm house and rejoined the dirt road heading to Glen Davis. Didn't take long to ride the last 20kms to my destination and I was here by about 4pm.
Glen Davis is a small village now. It used to be a small town with shops and hotels. This was mainly during the Second World War when shale oil was refined nearby. After the war it became uneconomical to continue so it was shut. This led to most of the town's buildings being sold and moved elsewhere. There are just a couple of old shops left. None are no longer trading. So you need to bring your own supplies.
There is a donation community campsite. They have great hot showers and plenty of picnic tables. So not a bad spot, shame about the Mosquitos. Today was again a very hard ride, but as usual I was rewarded with some amazing scenery and views.
 |
| Lovely campsite for the last two nights |
 |
| A bit of mist around the escarpments |
 |
| First part of the BNT was up |
 |
| Enjoying the many views from the top |
 |
 |
| That was a steep downhill!! |
 |
| Stunning views through the Baal Bone Gap |
 |
| And it is quite rideable |
I was sharing my ride now with fields of cows, alpacas and goats. I then got to the farm house and rejoined the dirt road heading to Glen Davis. Didn't take long to ride the last 20kms to my destination and I was here by about 4pm.
Glen Davis is a small village now. It used to be a small town with shops and hotels. This was mainly during the Second World War when shale oil was refined nearby. After the war it became uneconomical to continue so it was shut. This led to most of the town's buildings being sold and moved elsewhere. There are just a couple of old shops left. None are no longer trading. So you need to bring your own supplies.
 |
| Road into Glen Davis |
 |
| One of the old shop fronts left in town |
There is a donation community campsite. They have great hot showers and plenty of picnic tables. So not a bad spot, shame about the Mosquitos. Today was again a very hard ride, but as usual I was rewarded with some amazing scenery and views.
