Day 8 – Warburton to Marysville: Cheesecake, Canine Landmines and Cricket
It was another cold start to the day, the sort of cold that makes you question your life choices, your layering strategy, and anyone who ever described cycling as “fun.” But, as fingers slowly defrosted, the ride into Warburton turned into a beautiful run, made all the better by the discovery of a handy café serving life-saving coffee and a very decent cheesecake – proper pedal fuel, with just enough sugar to restore circulation and goodwill.
Goodwill, however, took a knock when Johno insisted that Howie pose for a photo, only for Howie to step squarely into a fresh, steaming patch of dog poo at the crucial moment. The picture might be worth a thousand words, but none of Howie’s were printable. He rode off slightly miffed and a few grams heavier in the shoe department, smelling less like a sponsored athlete and more like a working farmyard.
Post-tea and cheesecake, the road tilted upwards and stayed that way for a while, serving up a solid climb made bearable only by the spectacular scenery. Towering trees, sweeping bends, and views that almost justified the burning legs led us to the top of the hill, where the support vehicle was parked in exactly the right place for lunch – as if they’d read our minds, or at least our increasingly desperate WhatsApp messages. Sandwiches always taste better at the top of a climb, especially when you know there’s gravity on your side for dessert.
And what a dessert it was: probably the best downhill of the Tour so far, a long, glorious drop that had everyone grinning like kids on a playground slide. The run into Marysville was pure joy – fast, flowing, and just technical enough to keep things interesting without threatening any expensive dental work. Rolling into town, we swapped helmets for hats and caught up on the Ashes cricket, yelling at the screen with all the passion of people who’d spent the morning yelling at hills.
Hero of the Day goes to Johno, whose relentlessly positive support through the climbs kept morale higher than heart rates and ensured no one stayed grumpy for long – not even Howie and his newly perfumed shoe. Today’s tally was a punchy 74 km with 1,405 metres of climbing, well-earned coffee, and world-class downhill. Huge shout out to two of the major sponsors helping Zimbabwe’s Pensioners: Triple M (Macca) and GSS (Alan) – the legends behind the logos, helping us turn old legs into real difference for people who need it most.
Day 9: Marysville to Thornton
Well folks, Mother Nature decided to spice things up again overnight with a cheeky return of the rain—because what’s an Old Legs Tour without a bit of wet and wild adventure? We set off in a delightful drizzle and a sky so dark it could’ve swallowed a dozen sheep (never mind the one or two we saw grazing along the way). But, just like a bad mood at morning tea, the clouds lifted and by our stop in Alexandra, the sun made a surprise appearance like a well-timed coffee break.
And then, the moment we’d all been waiting for—Rob Clarke’s grand comeback! Rob had to drop out of the Old Legs Tour after being hit by a car but he has bounced back like a king on his throne—or, in this case, a king of the hills competitor. He’s been training on shorter rides, but watching him blast up the climbs next to Howie, who generously stepped aside from his crown, made us all squint suspiciously—did Rob secretly get bionic legs in New Zealand? Or did Howie finally admit defeat? Either way, it’s good to have Rob and his better half, Tessa, here with us for the last leg of the tour.
Rob wasn’t just here for the sightseeing either—he rode back with us to Eildon for lunch and then all the way back to Thornton, showing no signs of slowing down. We’re all bracing ourselves for tomorrow!
Today’s stats? A respectable 100 kilometers and 488 meters of climbing. Nothing too crazy, just enough to remind us we’re still Old Legs, not New Legs.
Massive thanks to our sponsors, Chingeta (shout out to Rob again!) and Ray White, with special props to Colin Walsh at Inner City Apartments for helping us raise money for Zimbabwe’s Pensioners.
So, here’s to rainy starts, sunny finishes, hill conquering miracles, and friendships that make every pedal stroke worth it. Onwards to Day 10!
We do this in support of Zimbabwe’s Pensioners. Please donate any amount, big or small to:
Donate to:
GoFundMe: Yarra Valley Old Legs Tour 2025
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ZANE Australia
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Account No: 305217
Reference: OLT Yarra Valley
Join us on this journey as we ride for hope, dignity, and a better tomorrow for Zimbabwe’s forgotten pensioners. Let’s prove that getting older only means tougher legs, bigger hearts, and a better sense of humour.
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