Although the BOM said it was
going to be "mainly sunny" today there was no sign of that initially;
just fog and drizzle. So the bike ride was looking less likely. However upon
finishing our hot breakfast the sun came out and it warmed up to 10deg!! So we
gave the chains an oiling and jumped on our trusty steeds and off we went. With
our noses pointing south we headed for Auburn on the Riesling Trail. The Trail
guided us past a whole mob of cellar doors and other attractions in the Clare
Valley. The trail is an told railway line so not as undulating as the road. The
surface is gravel but smooth as, and very well maintained. There was a little
food market in Seven Hill so we called in for a look. We eventually made it to Auburn
around lunchtime so we found a little cafe and ordered a burger each. This was
none of your pissy little McBurger, this was huge; everything homemade and just
what we needed on a cold day's ride. The herb damper the burger ingredients
were contained in was fantastic.
On the way home we called
into Seven Hill Winery (only 3km from home) and checked out their wine. A few
were good enough to drink so we went back with the car later and picked up a
few bottles. Seven Hills was established by the Jesuits in 1851 (oldest in
Clare Valley) and still supplies 80% of the alter wine used in Oz.
Got back to the van just as the sun disappeared
so the temperature was dropping fast. 55km - it was a good ride and nice that
the sun stayed out for us.
