This was an uneventful day on a fairly quiet Alpine Way with a few showers thrown in.
Overnight I had decided that my bike shoes wouldn’t last another couple of days so I’d need to get flat soled bike shoes without my usual SPD cleats because that was all that was available here. Unfortunately the only ones I could find were as ugly as possible. However, last night, I spotted an outdoor shop with bike shoes. They were my only chance of decent shoes. To be fair, the season is winding down so I’m lucky to get any.
I got to the shop and the guy said size 45, SPD? No problem.
I was filled with hope … But alas, they had none. They did have some better looking flat MTB shoes, but they were as stiff as a board (so difficult to walk in) and at $250, I simply couldn’t do it.
So, it was back to the first place to buy the ugly ones and toss my beloved SPDs into the bin. They actually felt very comfy and were fine to ride in.
Then, after a needed a coffee and a trip to the bakery for lunch stuff, I was off to Thredbo. The first hill is the hardest. I knew this, so I took it easy and stopped often to look at the great view of Lake Jindabyne behind me.
It drizzled on and off, so the rain jacket was on and off each time. It got a bit tedious but I was always happy when it stopped.
I reached the turnoff to Thredbo Village and had a long chat to a couple on holiday. They were just walking up the road but were really interested to find out about my trip.
I couldn’t check in until 4pm, so I killed some time by walking around the village etc. then , when it was nearly 4pm, I got google to navigate to my accommodation
It turned out to be at the very top of the steep slope and that meant later walking downhill to get food then back uphill again. I earned every one of steps today. They were mainly vertical.
Rest day in Thredbo
There was rain predicted so I booked a room at the hostel. If been there before and it’s a great sociable place
It was closed yesterday. Also, I was the only guest at the place last night, and I preferred to leave.
The rain arrived on cue and I was glad I took the day off. Later, I ran into Jack, Ellie and Ethan – a fantastic surprise that really made my day. I’ve known Jack since he was in primary school and Ellie’s dad did our electrical work from the early 90s.
Back at the hostel I had a long chat with a family who are training for a trekking holiday in Nepal and got some tips about my road ahead.