Last night was a rough one and the decision to move was the right one. Most of the wind was going over the top of us and apart from the heavy rain at times we escaped unscathed. Local SES had 400+ calls for assistance last night so it gives you an idea of the conditions.

We headed off around 8ish to catch the 9AM Queenscliff Sorrento Ferry and head up the other side of the bay to Lysterfield. This proved to be another good idea as several crashes on the western side of Melbourne had created traffic cayos and the 40 minute ferry trip plus 1.25HR drive up the other side of the bay would have been more like 4hrs or more going through Melbourne. A well spent $72 I think. There are 2 ferries and some of you may have noticed them getting their annual service on the syncro lift in Launceston. The Sorrento which we were on was the most recent to be back in Launceston for it’s annual service and resumed the run only recently. There was a few cars, one caravan, passengers and a truck on our crossing. we passed the other ferry about half way over. There are some magnificent houses up on the peninsular with many having there own private walk ways down to their own boat sheds. Don’t think we can afford here either.

http://youtu.be/iNzYBUgtj64

First on – first off

http://youtu.be/R9EpKHsNYho

Leigh (the navman) got us to Lysterfield mountain bike park without any hassles and we got kitted up for Sharon’s much anticipated ride. It started out quite cold and windy and rained on us twice during the day. Sadly it was all a bit disappointing after Forrest and the You Yangs. Plenty of trail but it was all man made with not many features and a bit washed out and rutted in places. I rode the Commonwealth Games circuit and it was a bit more exciting but it just seemed to be missing something. Discussing it over tea we both couldn’t put our finger on it. The most technical bit of the park was a double black standard rock drop section that I rode and it was very steep and rocky but even it left me wanting.

Plastic board walk sections in a few places

Plenty of jumps, bumps and berms here

Rock garden practice

Typical trail

Start of the double black granite decent

Hmmmm I must have missed that bit?

Anyway we had some fun and practised lots of cornering and I spent most of the day in the big ring going around all the tracks as they were pretty fast mostly. Only the Commonwealth Games ascent had me back in the little ring as it went on for ages but even it had a section that they called the granite rock garden that was over in a couple of corners and was not that difficult really, it did have a great berm after berm decent though. Having done all that I was on my way back to Sharon at the car and crashed on probably the easiest corner on the whole park and took some more skin off the same hip as Forrest. To make it worse 3 guys came through just as I was picking myself up and mentioned something like “maybe you should be on the Lake Track”, ah well it was a stupid place to crash as I was looking at my Garmin and not where I was going!

We found nice little showground campsite for the night at Akoonah Park Caravan and Camping Grounds at Berwick. Plenty of hot water in the showers, power and water for $21 a night, not bad considering we are still in Melbourne. Don’t know where the wind will take us tomorrow me might decide that over breakfast in the morning.