Friday 8 Feb 2019

A easy day of just 40k along the Armidale Road and we’re entering sheep country. I arrived in Armidale at 11:00 and checked in at the Showgrounds, where there happens to be a circus this weekend. I got permission to set up my tent right by the camp kitchen, so really convenient.

Went into town to have a coffee and bite to eat at Caffiends, excellent coffee (!) and a bruschetta. I discovered another missing spoke today. I keep being amazed that spokes just fall out without me noticing. After trying it the lazy way and have a bicycle shop fix it, but they were too busy, I fixed it myself and no doubt saved a pretty penny in the process. Afterwards I had drinks and nibblies with Cole and Carol, who I met yesterday at Wollomombi and who are camping at the showgrounds as well. While there it started to pour, but under their awning we were fine.

Some of the buildings at the showgrounds

Then a visit to The Welder’s Dog, a real lively brew pub where they served a real IPA in a real pint glass! Next door I ordered a pizza at Armidale Pizza and rode home to eat it in the camp kitchen.

All in all not a particularly tough day.

Total 40k 3:10h 580m+ 540m-