Rat Race

Bells Line of Road to Mt. Baker

After an amazing day previous, I got up extra early to catch the train. I travelled North through the mountains to Bell Station. Remote was the feeling I got of the place as I hopped off on to a platform made of sand. The station itself was deserted, and strangely, there was no town or much sign of civilisation nearby. After I got my bearings, I headed East down the Bells Line of Road – famed for having the best road views of the mountain range. They were certainly good, however I had to make my way down 15kms of this road before I made it to Mt.Baker. I really did fear for my life as tankers hurtled past me at speed. I quickly perfected the “jump off your bike and hide behind the steel crash barrier” technique.

I eventually left the tarmac and started to circle Mt.Baker. Some nice views, especially of “The Wall” – cliff faces similar to typical canyons you may have seen.

The weather however, had been far harsher than on the Oaks Trail. Winds had practically blown me down many of the Easterly roads, and when it was time to get going – I had double the work to do. So back West along the Bells Line to Bell Station, with a stupidly strong headwind to battle. As I neared the end, rain began to fall – but only as I reached the sandy rail platform. I was relieved to a point, except for finding out the next train was 75minutes away. After 5 minutes, the boredom became too much.

I found a truck weighing station – the only civilisation anywhere. The guy there informed me the next rail station was 8kms away and had a host of cafes etc. As much as my shocked, overworked leg muscles didn’t wanna, I put one last effort in, with the hope of a warm café in my sights. A gruelling last uphill nearly had me crying as the trip for the day topped 50kms.

Finally, I passed Mt Victoria station and got my bag of Kettle chips and can of Coke. The rest of the afternoon back in Katoomba was bitterly cold, and wet. I hadn’t enjoyed the day too much and was wishing I was home. I fell asleep at 9pm hoping the weather would improve for my final ride.

7.20am, the crack in the window blind of my hostel room was bright blue which gave me the boost I needed to get up and out for the last time. I arrived in Wentworth with the view to looking at the most prized attraction; their falls. I got as far as I could on my bike, chained up and followed the Japanese tourists down the beaten track.

Some great views of the falls (helped massively by last nights rainfall) and some more of the mountains huge cliffs and I was just about Blue Mountained out.

Back to Sydney for Saturday lunch, with 36 hours to prepare for my first proper job in 7months.