Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Rides and Touring => Topic started by: Aushiker on 21 December, 2017, 04:43:25 am
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DAY 1 - POST 1 - ESPERANCE TO ROSES-QALLUP BEACH
I recently completed a ride from Esperance to Albany in Western Australia. As I get my act together and process the photos I will share a few here, just for a taste of riding in my part of the world.
Todays riding was 52.9 km and in an overall time for the day of six hours and third six minutes.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Salsa-Mukluk.jpg)
Esperance foreshore before heading out on my 10 day 750 km ride from Esperance to Albany in Western Australia.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Pink-Lake-not.jpg)
Dropped in on the not so Pink Lake.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Amongst-the-Grass-on-the-Telegraph.jpg)
Telegraph Road, Esperance. Having left the minor road, now on the track part heading through to Murray Road.
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Could this be our first Fully Loaded Fat Bike?
see also https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=61057.625
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Could this be our first Fully Loaded Fat Bike?
see also https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=61057.625
Thanks. I didn't know about that thread.
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How far was it between water supplies?
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How far was it between water supplies?
I carried a max of 15 litres which was in theory enough for three days riding and two nights, but I got caught out on one section where I had already taken a detour the day before and thought I would have enough water to make the next supply about a day and half away. I topped up with what I thought was sufficient from a fire water tank in the National Park [the problem with this water is it is either drinkable or you start spewing a few hours later :sick: ). Anyway I had to divert as it turned out to be a 37 C day, which was totally unexpected. I also had to ride 92 km all into a seriously hot headwind. Not fun at all. Drank three litres of water that night ... Oh I just had enough on hand to make the destination in the end but wouldn't have if I had stuck to my plans.
Lets just say the water in the bag was hot enough for a cuppa without the use of the stove :o
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Where did you carry the 15l? is that blue thing on the rear rack a water sack? It looks fragile; you are putting a lot of trust in it not leaking . . .
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...the problem with this water is it is either drinkable or you start spewing a few hours later :sick: ).....
Do you know about this system? https://sawyer.com/products/sawyer-squeeze-filter/ pretty much zero weight and it appears to work well
ETA I've only used it for dubious water, not out and out baaaaad, so can't validate the claims
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I recently completed a ride from Esperance to Albany in Western Australia. As I get my act together and process the photos I will share a few here, just for a taste of riding in my part of the world.
I met a guy on a Fat bike just like yours in Port Lincoln, in mid September. He was trying to ride around Australia. Was that you?
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...the problem with this water is it is either drinkable or you start spewing a few hours later :sick: ).....
Do you know about this system? https://sawyer.com/products/sawyer-squeeze-filter/ pretty much zero weight and it appears to work well
ETA I've only used it for dubious water, not out and out baaaaad, so can't validate the claims
We've used this system on extended hikes in the US:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Platypus-6952-GravityWorks-water-filter/dp/B00A9A2HBQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1513894067&sr=8-1&keywords=platypus+water+filter
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Where did you carry the 15l? is that blue thing on the rear rack a water sack? It looks fragile; you are putting a lot of trust in it not leaking . . .
Ten litres in the Ortlieb Water Bag (https://www.ortlieb.com/en/Water%20Bag/) [that blue bag which is far from fragile. My bags, I have three, have seen in excess of 4,000 km of usage now), plus a bottle on the down tube and the one on the top tube and the remainder in a bladder and bottle in the top of the frame bag. Fifteen litres is my limit but with with this configuration without going to my Extrawheel trailer and/or a backpack.
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...the problem with this water is it is either drinkable or you start spewing a few hours later :sick: ).....
Do you know about this system? https://sawyer.com/products/sawyer-squeeze-filter/ pretty much zero weight and it appears to work well
Yes I have one, well a modified one to get the weight and bulk down. I didn't take it on this ride as I didn't expect to getting water from fire tanks and all the rivers and billabongs for what they are worth are not fresh water along this stretch of coast; the water is saline.
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I met a guy on a Fat bike just like yours in Port Lincoln, in mid September. He was trying to ride around Australia. Was that you?
No sadly :-[ This was just a "local" ride for me ... I suspect if I went off on a zig-zag of Australia (https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?doc_id=8447) I would be divorced :)
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I met a guy on a Fat bike just like yours in Port Lincoln, in mid September. He was trying to ride around Australia. Was that you?
No sadly :-[ This was just a "local" ride for me ... I suspect if I went off on a zig-zag of Australia (https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?doc_id=8447) I would be divorced :)
Having just come back from a 3 month road (and Ghan) trip across much of Australia, I now fully appreciate how big Oz is. The map on the wall of the RFD HQ in Alice shows some greyed out shapes, tucked into the Australian continental outline. On close inspection, those shapes proved to be Western Europe........
Esperance to Albany isn't exactly a Sunday afternoon pootle either - hope you had a good trip, and at least the Road Trains didn't get you.
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...the problem with this water is it is either drinkable or you start spewing a few hours later :sick: ).....
Do you know about this system? https://sawyer.com/products/sawyer-squeeze-filter/ pretty much zero weight and it appears to work well
Yes I have one, well a modified one to get the weight and bulk down. I didn't take it on this ride as I didn't expect to getting water from fire tanks and all the rivers and billabongs for what they are worth are not fresh water along this stretch of coast; the water is saline.
Yes - that's something people in Europe don't appreciate. Dunno what it is like now but back when I lived in WA, even the Murray in the hills was mildly saline. You could have probably drunk it short term, but not for an extended period (and the tannins wouldn't be good). None of those contaminants would be removed by filters (and boiling makes them worse). So all hiking involved carrying vast amounts of water.
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Finishing off the first day’s riding …
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Fly-Blown-on-the-Telegraph.jpg)
Playing with flies
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Back-on-the-Road-Again.jpg)
Now on Murray Road, Dalyup within an hour's ride of the lime quarry and Quallup Lake and then Roses-Quallup Beach my destination for the day.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Roses-Quallup-Beach.jpg)
Overlooking Roses-Quallup Beach. The blowout in the distance was my access to the beach, my camping spot for the night.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Camped-at-Roses-Quallup-Beach.jpg)
I made the beach. Setting up the Tarptent Double Rainbow on Roses-Quallup Beach. Pretty windy but the tent handled it fine.
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(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Blue-tongue-lizard-skink.jpg)
Blue-tongue lizard [actually a skink] crossing Telegraph Road just off the South Coast Highway. They cross so slowly which means they are often squashed … so sad. At least this one and his/her partner crossed safely this time.
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Yes - that's something people in Europe don't appreciate. Dunno what it is like now but back when I lived in WA, even the Murray in the hills was mildly saline. You could have probably drunk it short term, but not for an extended period (and the tannins wouldn't be good). None of those contaminants would be removed by filters (and boiling makes them worse). So all hiking involved carrying vast amounts of water.
Murray is still saline, probably worse now. That said after a good winter of rains I have drank it okay but that was a few years ago.
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Day 2: Roses-Quallup Beach to Quagi Beach - 35.5 km - Elapsed Time 8 hours 16 minutes in total
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_First-Light-at-Roses-Quallup-Beach.jpg)
View from the tent as first light appears over the horizon at Roses-Quallup Beach, Monjingup, Western Australia
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Climbing-through-the-Blowout.jpg)
The first hour of the day was spent climbing the blowout from Roses-Quallup Beach, Monjingup, Western Australia up to the ridge line. It is hard to capture the steepness or difficulty of the climb, but no riding was to be had this first hour.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Go-West-Young-Man-Go-West.jpg)
A moment's pause at Munroe Point as I look west to Warrenup Beach and on to my destination for the day Quagi Beach. The view is very deceptive; not reflective of what was about to come my way.
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Day 3 [Day 2 riding] continued: Roses-Quallup Beach to Quagi Beach - 35.5 km - Elapsed Time 8 hours 16 minutes in total
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Go-West-Young-Man-Go-West.jpg)
A moment's pause at Munroe Point as I take in the 4WD track and my next hour or three's riding. The view is very deceptive; not reflective of what was about to come my way.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_4WD-for-Bicycles-or-Maybe-Not.jpg)
A moment's pause on the 4WD track as I work my way west to Barker Inlet Beach. This was one hour into the ride of the track and only a few kilometres along the way.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Track-What-Track.jpg)
At the eastern end of Barker Inlet Beach. Google Maps said there was a track here. I guess a rock fall is a track right? Well it worked out okay, I went down it, fingers crossed :)
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Day 2 [Part 3]: Roses-Quallup Beach to Quagi Beach - 35.5 km - Elapsed Time 8 hours 16 minutes in total
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Barker-Inlet-Day-2-07.jpg)
Now on Barker Inlet Beach in the Stokes National Park. Definitely the highlight of the day's riding. The Salsa Mukluk handled it fine; I only dropped the tyre pressures to around 12 PSI.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Barker-Inlet-Beach.jpg)
Stopped for lunch here on the beach. This was on day 2 of my 10 day 750 km ride from Esperance to Albany in Western Australia.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Dog-Rock-Day-2-08.jpg)
An interesting rock formation on Barker Inlet Beach that caught my eye.
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I rode the other way, on-road, a few years ago as part of a solo tour from Perth round to Kalgoorlie.
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Day 2 [Part 4]: Roses-Quallup Beach to Quagi Beach - 35.5 km - Elapsed Time 8 hours 16 minutes in total
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Climate-Change-Day-2-09.jpg)
The effects of climate change? Salt plains (lakes) in Stokes National Park.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Nearing-the-End-of-the-Day-Quagi-Beach-Day-2-10.jpg)
The last stop on Farrells Road before my destination for the day, Quagi Beach in the Stokes National Park.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_D02-12-Relaxed-at-the-Quagi.jpg)
Relaxed, recovered and refreshed Quagi Beach in the Stokes National Park as day 2 comes to an end.
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I rode the other way, on-road, a few years ago as part of a solo tour from Perth round to Kalgoorlie.
How did you find it? The South Coast Highway seemed quieter this ride compared to an earlier ride in the same area.
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Here's a link. I put up several bits on the forum years ago, but this has pictures and stuff. I was pretending to be someone else back then, of course.
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1mr&doc_id=3244&v=8O
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Here's a link. I put up several bits on the forum years ago, but this has pictures and stuff. I was pretending to be someone else back then, of course.
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1mr&doc_id=3244&v=8O
Thanks for the link. Off to sticky beak.
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Looks like damn hard work, even on tyres as fat as yours.
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Day 2 coming to an end: Roses-Quallup Beach to Quagi Beach - 35.5 km - Elapsed Time 8 hours 16 minutes in total
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Camping-at-Quagi-Beach-D02-13.jpg)
Quagi Beach camping area in the Stokes National Park is very much car focused. The camping bays are all hard-packed so unless you have a free-standing tent you need to find a soft bit of ground as I did. The tent is a Tarptent Double Rainbow.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Banksai-at-Quagi-Beach-D02-14.jpg)
A change in pace; a Banksia, maybe a B. integrifolia sharing my camping space at Quagi Beach camping ground.
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Looks like damn hard work, even on tyres as fat as yours.
Without a doubt each day had its good parts and its hard parts, whether it was winds, heat, 4WD tracks that where anything but firm or the one beach which was not able to be ridden. Still the challenge was part of the experience.
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THURSDAY DECEMBER 7 - DAY 4 QUAGI BEACH TO MUNGLINUP BEACH CARAVAN PARK
A longer day today at 78.4 km and an overall time of eight hours. It was all road riding with a mix of bitumen, minor 2WD roads and Munglinup Beach Road which I am sure is going for the most corrugated road in Australia.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Time-Moves-On-Day-03-01.jpg)
This abandon property on the corner of Sears Road and the South Coast Highway caught my attention so a short break from riding to take in my other passion, photography.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_-The-Woolshed-Day-03-02.jpg)
This abandon woolshed on the corner of Sears Road and the South Coast Highway caught my attention so a short break from riding to take in my other passion, photography.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_South-Coast-Highway-Day-03-03.jpg)
Back on the South Coast Highway; some days highway riding was unavoidable. Today was one such day. Despite the lack of shoulder the traffic volumes where not to bad and hence it was not an overly bad road to ride on.
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Some comments on that bit, for the benefit of those who might not know how the roads are.
I found Munglinup a really dispiriting place. The SC Highway carries one west from there till Ravensthorpe, when there is sa steep little hill after the caravan park. East of Ravey, the bush is ideal for wild camping. West, it is shit. The general pattern of the riding is set by dry watercourses, in that every so often you have to descend and then grind your way back out, as the road follows the lie of the land rather than using cuttings or bridges. There are some paddocks (fenced fields) away from the road, but the bush in between is largely nasty scrub rather than gum trees and open ground. There are curving flood relief channels gouged at an angle into the bush every so often.
The orad is two-lane tarmac, with a 'pea gravel' shoulder on each side. The tarmac is laid straight down, so the edge is sometimes a step, sometimes a merged slope. There is no hard shoulder, and I remember a couple of stretches where it became a single track. In the pea gravel are reflective posts, normally flat so they bend over and spring back when hit. There are road trains, and the rear trailer often fishtails, especially on the descents to the water courses. Traffic levels generally are very low.
Flies are everywhere. Inside your nostrils, on the inside of your sunglasses, crawling through your helmet vents, and equally common is roadkill, which smells. That sounds like an obvious thing to say, but that smell greets you well before the corpse and stays with you a long way afterwards. You get to know every single stage of roo decomposition, from alost human-looking to bloated balloon to leather scraps over bone. Stumpies (blue-tongued skinks) are crushed all along the verge, and as they mate for life, when one gets killed its partner stays beside it until it too is crushed.
It is incredibly beautiful.
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Day 3 Continued … Quagi Beach to Munglinup Beach Caravan Park
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_The-Great-Southern-Land-Day-03-04.jpg)
The Great Southern Land. As the heat builds, the flies comes, and life on the farm continues. Straw being bailed to provide cattle feed over the long hot summer months.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Day-03-05-Young-River-Station.jpg)
Young River Station looking a little tired and depilated, a decline it seems from its heyday in the early 2000s. Paused here whilst riding the South Coastal Highway.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_The-Three-Amigos-Day-03-06_.jpg)
The bike normally sends the cattle scattering; not these three. They stood their ground eying me off. Thankfully for the fence :)
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Day 3 Completed … Quagi Beach to Munglinup Beach Caravan Park
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Springdale-Road-Day-03-07_.jpg)
Off the South Coast Highway now for the next two days :). Springdale Road is a mix of dirt and bitumen and provides an alternative route into Hopetoun if you do not mind a bit of gravel riding. It has been in good condition both times I have ridden it which says something for the minor roads around here.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Nameless-Creek-Day-03-08_.jpg)
Lunching in luxury :). A nameless ephemeral creek which must flow hard and fast when it does given the culvert works here was my lunch stop today. A change from the scrub on the side of a road.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Late-Harvesting-at-Munglinup-Day-03-10_.jpg)
Late harvesting on Munglinup Beach Road. Case IH equipment seems popular around here so not surprised to see a Case IH 8120 harvester in action.
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Day 4 [Part 1]: Quagi Beach to Munglinup Beach Caravan Park - 78.4 km - Elapsed Time 8 hours.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Breaking-Camp-Day-04-01_.jpg)
Breaking camp at the Munglinup Beach Caravan Park. I think I paid around $25 for an unpowered tent site and for that privilege I got to share the bit of grass with the generator which went all night. Funny that didn't get mention when I booked in.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Lake-Shaster-Nature-Reserve-Day-04-02_.jpg)
Taking a break on the edge of the Lake Shaster Nature Reserve.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Starvation-Boat-Harbour-Day-04-03_.jpg)
Love the name of this bay, Starvation Boat Harbour. I wonder what had happened to give it this name? Good camping at the harbour but I bypassed it this ride.
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Day 4 [Part 2]: Quagi Beach to Munglinup Beach Caravan Park - 78.4 km - Elapsed Time 8 hours.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Southern-Ocean-East-Road-Day-04-05_.jpg)
Back on the coast and now in a completely different environment. The area is known for its limestone as can be seen from the Southern Ocean East Road and the mining of lime. This is also the locality for Starvation Boat Harbour.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Eucalyptus-preissiana-Schauer-Bell-fruited-Mallee-Day-04-07_.jpg)
Thanks to Greg for identifying this plant for me; should have realised it was a gumnut! Greg is pretty sure it is a Eucalyptus preissiana Schauer [Bell-fruited Mallee].
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Road-Closed-Southern-Ocean-East-Road-Day-04-06_.jpg)
Well the sign on the Southern Ocean East Road did say it was closed. Of course I had to ignore it; whoops. Swimming with tiger snakes and a fatbike where not quite what I had in mind for this ride : The outcome? A detour of some 42 kilometres.
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You didn't fancy wading it? Beat the water with a stick, that usually drives off the snakes. Usually. Tiger snakes sometimes attack instead. Aggressive buggers.
Starvation boat harbour is, I guess, on Starvation Bay. Didn't a shipwreck on there and the survivors starve?
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You didn't fancy wading it? Beat the water with a stick, that usually drives off the snakes. Usually. Tiger snakes sometimes attack instead. Aggressive buggers.
It gets pretty deep out in the middle from what I could see so the bike would have been well covered in the water (and I didn't fancy trying to carry 25 kgs over my head). I also didn't know what else was to come. It turned out there was apparently three lakes on the road. I don't know if they were easier to cross or not.
Starvation boat harbour is, I guess, on Starvation Bay. Didn't a shipwreck on there and the survivors starve?
A comment in Facebook provides the following explanation:
"The Dempster brothers expedition in 1863 was advised that their destination (the small bay there) had feed and water. Upon arrival, this was clearly not the case, and they named the place "Starvation" due to their disillusionment with the place. It became more prominent in 1901 when Canning (of the Stock Route fame) chose it as the southern extremity of the Rabbit Proof Fence.
... from 4WD Days on the South Coast of WA, Westate Publishers."
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Day 4 [Part 3]: Quagi Beach to Munglinup Beach Caravan Park - 78.4 km - Elapsed Time 8 hours.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Detouring-down-Springdale-Road-Day-04-08_.jpg)
Taking a break on Springdale Road whilst completing my 42 km detour around the Jerdacuttup Nature Reserve. Springdale Road eventually becomes a bitumen road before intersecting with the Hopetoun-Ravensthorpe Road.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Christmas-in-the-Bush-Day-04-09_.jpg)
Christmas in the bush? Not sure what to make of this finding on Springdale Road at all. It was just in the "middle of nowhere" so to speak; no driveway or housing nearby.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Someone-Stole-the-Floodway-Day-04-10_.jpg)
The ubiquitous floodway sign; common as in the West Aussie bush. The only problem is, the road is, eh going uphill here. Whoops! You see floodway's are normally low points where waterways cross the road.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Welcome-to-Hopetoun-Day-04-11_.jpg)
Made Hopetoun. Had to snap an image of the welcome to Hopetoun "art work." The town is actually a nice friendly place to visit; well worth it.
That ends day four.
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You didn't fancy wading it? Beat the water with a stick, that usually drives off the snakes. Usually. Tiger snakes sometimes attack instead. Aggressive buggers.
It gets pretty deep out in the middle from what I could see so the bike would have been well covered in the water (and I didn't fancy trying to carry 25 kgs over my head). I also didn't know what else was to come. It turned out there was apparently three lakes on the road. I don't know if they were easier to cross or not.
It reminded me of a bushwalk many years ago - walking on grey dirt tracks, suddenly we come across a swamp where there shouldn't be one. Swamp extends as far as we can see in either direction and we need to go straight ahead. After some discussion we all remove socks, redone boots (Aussie hiking boots didn't have so much padding so would dry out fast) and wade across. Person in front wacks water with big stick to scare off snakes. Water was waist deep in middle.
I really didn't enjoy that. Getting tangled up with a snake in reedy, stick-filled muddy water is probably one of my worst nightmares.
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Day 6 [Part 1]: Hopetoun to Wild Camp [Fitzgerald River National Park] - 61.4 km - Elapsed Time 8 3/4 hours.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Sand-Monitor-Day-06-01_.jpg)
Heading out of Hopetoun on Hamersly Drive and before the "fun" started I was distracted by the first of two sand monitors for the day. As it turned out it was timely as got to chat to a couple of local bicycle riders (roadies); the only riders I met on the ride.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Barrongs-Beach-East-Mt-Barren-Day-06-02_.jpg)
Having passed Culham Inlet I paused for a moment to take in East Mount Barren and Barrons Beach. East Mount Barren stands at 311 m. Thankfully the road swings around to the left of it.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Culham-Inlet-Day-06-03_.jpg)
Having passed Culham Inlet I paused for a moment to look back and capture an image of its peacefulness.
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Day 6 [Part 2]: Hopetoun to Wild Camp [Fitzgerald River National Park] - 61.4 km - Elapsed Time 8 3/4 hours.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Oh-Yeah-...-Up-Up-and-Away-Day-06-04_.jpg)
Time for the "fun" to start. I actually surprised myself and rode all but about 50 metres of the climb. Mind you that was about it for the day :)
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Bye-Hopetoun-Day-06-05_.jpg)
Looking back to Hopetoun from the foot of East Mt Barren. The view takes in Barron Beach and Culham Inlet. The ride down the other side was to come … yippee! :)
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_East-Mt-Barren-Day-06-06_.jpg)
East Mount Barren close up. From here I rolled down from the foot of the mountain deeper into Fitzgerald River National Park to participate in its good and not so good aspects.
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Day 6 [Part 3]: Hopetoun to Wild Camp [Fitzgerald River National Park] - 61.4 km - Elapsed Time 8 3/4 hours.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Surveying-the-Future-Day-06-07.jpg)
Looking west across the expanse of the Fitzgerald River National Park with Mylies Beach in the foreground. My plan at this point was to pretty much follow the coast to the western boundary of the park. Oh for the plans of mice and men.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Royal-Hakea-Victoria-Day-06-07.jpg)
Having entered the Fitzgerald River National Park the Hakea Victoria or more commonly known Royal Hakea started to dominate the landscape. Regretfully I was out of wildflower season so no flowering specimens where to be seen. The Noongar name for the plant is Tallyongut. They can grow to around 3 metres tall. This was one of the tallest I saw today.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Welcome-to-the-Hakea-Trail-Day-06-07.jpg)
Now at Hamersley Inlet and contemplating the Hakea Trail as a way to head west along the cost. Note the steps: they were the easy ones. The log stairs where to come and come and come …
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Day 6 [Part 4]: Hopetoun to Wild Camp [Fitzgerald River National Park] - 61.4 km - Elapsed Time 8 3/4 hours.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Hamersley-Inlet-Link-Trail-Day-06-08.jpg)
To reach the Hakea Trail proper one must first get to the beach at the inlet. Today there is a trail to provide, eh, easy access. When I walked this area in 2008 we were on our hands and knees with backpacks getting through the bush to the beach! Oh how things have changed. This is however really a walking trail and not at all ideal for bicycles: read log steps and more steps and more steps.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Hamersley-Inlet-Day-06-09.jpg)
Paused for a moment to take in the vista of the Hamersley Inlet. What is frustrating now, is that the 4WD track on the other side of the inlet is so obvious. I could have taken that track <smacks head>.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Hamersley-Inlet-Link-Trail-Made-It-Day-06-10.jpg)
Made the inlet having survived the Hamersley Inlet Link Trail log steps.
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What are you doing for water supplies on this stretch?
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What are you doing for water supplies on this stretch?
The plan was to carry it [15 litres]. It was only going to be one night at Qion Head, then out to Point Ann where water is normally available at the day area. From there it is a day's ride into Bremer Bay.
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Ah - I didn't twig the updates were all day 6 - just kept seeing 'elapsed time, 8 hours' and thought 'crikey, he's been a long time between watering points'.
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Day 6 [Part 4]: Hopetoun to Wild Camp [Fitzgerald River National Park] - 61.4 km - Elapsed Time 8 3/4 hours.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Hamersley-Inlet-Link-Trail-Day-06-08.jpg)
To reach the Hakea Trail proper one must first get to the beach at the inlet. Today there is a trail to provide, eh, easy access. When I walked this area in 2008 we were on our hands and knees with backpacks getting through the bush to the beach! Oh how things have changed. This is however really a walking trail and not at all ideal for bicycles: read log steps and more steps and more steps.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Hamersley-Inlet-Day-06-09.jpg)
Paused for a moment to take in the vista of the Hamersley Inlet. What is frustrating now, is that the 4WD track on the other side of the inlet is so obvious. I could have taken that track <smacks head>.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Hamersley-Inlet-Link-Trail-Made-It-Day-06-10.jpg)
Made the inlet having survived the Hamersley Inlet Link Trail log steps.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Hamersley-Inlet-Beach-Day-06-11.jpg)
Made the beach at Hamersley Inlet. Paused to contemplate going on and battling the rock outcrops or turning back to take Plan C.
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Day 6 [Part 5]: Hopetoun to Wild Camp [Fitzgerald River National Park] - 61.4 km - Elapsed Time 8 3/4 hours.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Dinner-Day-06-10.jpg)
Back out at the Hamersley Inlet day area pumping up the tyres in preparation for some road riding when this goanna came wandering by.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Fire-Fighting-Water-Supply-Former-Day-06-11.jpg)
Now on the outskirts of the Fitzgerald River National Park and wild camping alongside a former firefighting water hole.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Camping-Fitzgerald-River-National-Park-Day-06-12.jpg)
Day 6: Esperance to Albany: The Unconventional Ride. 750 km in 10 days. Now on the outskirts of the Fitzgerald River National Park and wild camping alongside a couple of firefighting water tanks.
Day 6 comes to an end.
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Day 7 [Part 1]: Wild Camp [Fitzgerald River National Park] to Jerramungup - 92.9 km — 37 C - Elapsed Time 9 hours 41 minutes.
A big day today; 92.9 km, temperature in the shade, 37 C (GPS says 39 C but heck two degrees was not noticeable trust me) and nine hours and 41 minutes on the road.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Hamersley-Drive-Billabong-Day-07-01.jpg)
This billabong in the Fitzgerald River National Park is a bit of a "mirage" in that it is cooling water but it is water with a catch; salt and more salt. No drinking water to be had here. Maybe good for a salty swim but that is about it.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Fitzgerald-River-Day-07-02.jpg)
The less than glorious Fitzgerald River where it crosses the Old Ongerup Road and enters the park. Very saline water so not suitable for drinking.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_JCB-Fastrac-3185-with-Chaser-Bin-Day-07-03.jpg)
Late harvesting happening near Jacup. Saw my first harvesting equipment for the ride with this JCB Fastrac 3185 pulling a chaser bin down the South Coast Highway. I assume moving to the next harvesting location as the local farmers work fast to wrap up the season.
That is it for Day 7. The distance, the heat and really the riding locality did nothing to inspire much in the way of photography.
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Day 8 [Part 1]: Jerramungup to Bremer Bay - 87.2 km - Elapsed Time 6 hours 46 minutes.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Bye-Jerramungup-Soldier-Settlement-Day-08-01.jpg)
I was too wiped out to take a "welcome to Jerramungup" photo the afternoon before so took it as I was leaving this morning as my official record of visiting.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Gairdner-River-Exchange-Day-08-02.jpg)
Telecommunications are as important in the "bush" as they are in the city. This is the Gairdner River Exchange which provides telecommunications including mobile phone coverage, microwave repeater and I believe ADSL 2+.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Gairdner-River-Exchange-Day-08-03.jpg)
Telecommunications are as important in the "bush" as they are in the city. This is the Gairdner River Exchange which provides telecommunications including mobile phone coverage, microwave repeater and I believe ADSL 2+.
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Day 8 [Part 2]: Jerramungup to Bremer Bay - 87.2 km - Elapsed Time 6 hours 46 minutes.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Road-Train-Route-Day-08-04.jpg)
Leaving the South Coast Highway for the day and turning on to the curiously named Devils Creek Road which is a road train route; only baby road trains here but.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Open-Open-Open-Day-08-05.jpg)
Good news. All access to the Fitzgerald River National Park via Devil Creek Road is open. Not that it mattered to me as I was turning off before entering the park.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Danger-High-Voltage-Day-08-06.jpg)
Stopped on Devil Creek Road for a break. Took this photo as reflection on life on the farm in early summer.
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Many years ago I went on a multi-tasking walk through an area round the Fitzgerald River. So salty; we had to pack all drinking water. 40-50kg rucksacks. Great scenery
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Many years ago I went on a multi-tasking walk through an area round the Fitzgerald River. So salty; we had to pack all drinking water. 40-50kg rucksacks. Great scenery
I have also walked the park. We walked from Four Mile Beach out to Quaalup Homestead. Took eight days of walking. We did a couple of water drops to reduce the water carry load.
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Day 8 [Part 3]: Jerramungup to Bremer Bay - 87.2 km - Elapsed Time 6 hours 46 minutes.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Grain-Haulage-on-the-Swamp-BW-Day-08-07.jpg)
Playing with the big boys on Swamp Road. Found it best to pull over and let them pass even though the drivers were pretty good, with most of them slowing down for me.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Next-Stop-Bremer-Bay-Day-08-08-1.jpg)
Day 8: Esperance to Albany: The Unconventional Ride. 750 km in 10 days. Next stop Bremer Bay. The dirt was about to come to an end for the day with bitumen to be my friend whilst battling into headwinds through to Bremer. There is always something every day it seems to take the edge of the enjoyment of riding. BTW that water bag was repositioned :)
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Thanks-for-the-Welcome-Bremer-Bay-Day-08-10.jpg)
Made Bremer Bay and the chance for a decent night's sleep at the Bremer Bay Resort and to beat the incoming storm. Mind you they have an interesting concept of what a resort is :). All good but and friendly folk. Bremer Bay is also a chance to resupply more so if coming in from or heading out to the Fitzgerald River National Park or bypassing some of the South Coast Highway.
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Day 09 Part 01 Bremer Bay to Wellstead - 86.2 km, Elapsed time: eight hours 21 minutes.
All bitumen roads and highway today. Decided to ride on past my planned camping spot to Wellstead as I was making much better progress than expected. All up 86.2 km in an elapsed time of eight hours and 21 minutes. Dawdled a bit today.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Bremer-Bay-Sand-Dunes-Day-09-01.jpg)
Leaving Bremer Bay with the storm clouds still omnipresence. I paused for a moment on the Borden-Bremer Bay Road to take in the Bremer Bay sand dunes and the storm clouds.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Trufab-Grain-King-18t-Multi-Bin-Day-09-02.jpg)
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Case-IH-Harvester-Day-09-03.jpg)
Fours hour after leaving Bremer Bay the storm clouds had gone and the sun was out. Still not enough drying happening to get the harvest going but. This small local farming operation was still on hold for the day when I rode past.
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Day 09 Part 02 Bremer Bay to Wellstead - 86.2 km, Elapsed time: eight hours 21 minutes.
All bitumen roads and highway today. Decided to ride on past my planned camping spot to Wellstead as I was making much better progress than expected. All up 86.2 km in an elapsed time of eight hours and 21 minutes. Dawdled a bit today.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Bush-Chooks-Cafe%CC%81-Roadhouse-Day-09-04.jpg)
Dropped into the Bush Chooks Café and Roadhouse [aka Boxwood Hill Roadhouse] for lunch. I initially wasn't too sure about the place but after seeking some local knowledge from the Head Chook, Jill Collier my view changed. Jill was most helpful and knowledgeable. I can highly recommend dropping in and spending a few dollars [the food is good too]; just remember to show an interest in the area :)
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Marra-Bridge-0892-Day-09-05.jpg)
The Marra Bridge [#0892] spans the Pallinup River at the point where the South Coast Highway crosses the river. The bridge was built by Main Roads WA in 1962. It had been my intention to pull off here and head into the Pallinup Nature Reserve to camp for the night but as it was too early in the day I continued south taking some kilometres off tomorrow's ride.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Pallinup-River-Day-09-06.jpg)
The Pallinup at the point if flows under the South Coast Highway. It had been my intention to pull off here and head into the Pallinup Nature Reserve to camp for the night but as it was too early in the day I continued south taking some kilometres off tomorrow's ride.
Here ends Day 9. I camped at Wellstead Bush Camp in the end. Photos from Day 10 including the camp and Wellstead to follow.
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DAY 10 [POST 01] WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 13 - WELLSTEAD TO CHEYNES BEACH
A bit of bash for a while on the South Coast Highway before I was able to take a minor road which turned into a track [Google/Open Street Maps had it wrong so a bit of a re-routing required] and then beach for the remainder of the day. Today was the worse section of the South Coast Highway I experienced and I was well and truly glad to see the back of it. A total of 74.5 km and a total time on the bike of nine hours 21 minutes.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Wellstead-Bush-Camp-Day-10-01.jpg)
Sun rising over my camp site at the Wellstead Bush Camp, Wellstead. Basic campsite with a toilet and shower. Robb and Carolyn Davy are the hosts. A unpowered site is $10 for the night.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Wellstead-Rural-Services-Day-10-02.jpg)
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Ammunition-Sold-Here-Day-10-03.jpg)
Wellstead Rural Services: general store, supplies, hot food, diner. Actually not bad takeaway food and handy for an emergency stock up. Pretty much it but for the locality.
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Great photos, you are really giving a flavour of the deep southwest now.
My son has been in WA for some weeks - he never made it out of the suburbs (apart from a day trip to Harvey). I feel sad that he has had no feel at all for the countryside at all, no grasp of Australia apart from the city and suburbs. His sister understands me; it is like the Aussie backpackers who "visit the UK" and never leave London.
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Great photos, you are really giving a flavour of the deep southwest now.
Thanks.
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DAY 10 [POST 02] WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 13 - WELLSTEAD TO CHEYNES BEACH
A bit of bash for a while on the South Coast Highway before I was able to take a minor road which turned into a track [Google/Open Street Maps had it wrong so a bit of a re-routing required] and then beach for the remainder of the day. Today was the worse section of the South Coast Highway I experienced and I was well and truly glad to see the back of it. A total of 74.5 km and a total time on the bike of nine hours 21 minutes.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Street-Art-Wellstead-Style-Day-10-04.jpg)
Street art at the Wellstead Rural Services roadhouse come general store.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Cents-Per-Litre-Day-10-05.jpg)
One of the joys of riding a bicycle; the freedom from the tank :) Fuel prices at Wellstead Rural Services.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_A-Bus-Stop-and-Mailbox-Marks-834-Sandlewood-Road-Day-10-06.jpg)
This shelter for the kids waiting for the school bus caught my attention; quintessential rural Australian ingenuity.
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DAY 10 [POST 03] WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 13 - WELLSTEAD TO CHEYNES BEACH
A bit of bash for a while on the South Coast Highway before I was able to take a minor road which turned into a track [Google/Open Street Maps had it wrong so a bit of a re-routing required] and then beach for the remainder of the day. Today was the worse section of the South Coast Highway I experienced and I was well and truly glad to see the back of it. A total of 74.5 km and a total time on the bike of nine hours 21 minutes.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Southern-Haulage-on-the-Sandlewood-Day-10-07.jpg)
Southern Haulage coming into to load up with wood chips which I assume where being taken south to Albany for export.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Green-Range-Exchange-Day-10-08.jpg)
Telecommunications are so important in the Australian bush. It is not unusual to therefore come across a microwave [landline] repeater tower such as this one at Green Range.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Hassell-Beach-Looking-East-Day-10-10.jpg)
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Hassell-Beach-Looking-West-Day-10-11.jpg)
Now on Hassell Beach, one of the longest beaches on the south coast of Western Australia at 22 kilometres [source: https://beachsafe.org.au/beach/wa/albany/cheynes/hassell-beach]. I rode about 10 kilometres of the beach having dropped on to it at Bluff Creek. This section at least was a great firm ridable surface only spoilt by the headwind.
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DAY 11 [POST 01] THURSDAY DECEMBER 14 - CHEYNES BEACH TO ALBANY
The last day of riding today, so my 10th day of actual riding. Two days of travelling to and from the ride. The day started out well, had a little hiccup followed by another little hiccup so I ended up changing my plans for the last section into Albany and stuck to more bitumen riding than initially planned. All up 77.7 km with an elapsed time of 11 hours.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017_December_Cheynes-Beach-Offal-Pit-Day-11-01.jpg)
This is one sign I was not expecting to see; shows how much I now about fishing! Apparently fishing is big around here, so big have a council supplied offal pit is justified. There you go, you learn something new all the time.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2017_December_Rocky-Outcrop-overlooking-Cheynes-Beach-Day-11-02.jpg)
The after-effects of the early morning storm still lingering over the rocky outcrop just out of Cheynes Beach.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2017_December_Cheynes-Beach-Exchange-Day-11-03.jpg)
The last of the telecommunication towers on this ride. A rather minimalist step serving Cheynes Beach.
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Thanks for this thread @Aushiker. It's cheered me up no end in the dark days of January.
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Thanks for this thread @Aushiker. It's cheered me up no end in the dark days of January.
Thanks for your kind words.
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DAY 11 [POST 02] THURSDAY DECEMBER 14 - CHEYNES BEACH TO ALBANY
The last day of riding today, so my 10th day of actual riding. Two days of travelling to and from the ride. The day started out well, had a little hiccup followed by another little hiccup so I ended up changing my plans for the last section into Albany and stuck to more bitumen riding than initially planned. All up 77.7 km with an elapsed time of 11 hours.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2017_December_Waychinicup-National-Park-Day-11-04.jpg)
I was to spend a few hours riding through Waychinicup National Park, the home to Mt Manypeaks and some 800+ flora and fauna species including some of rarest animals in Australia including quenda, ring tailed possums and one of the few mainland populations of quokkas [source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waychinicup_National_Park].
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2017_December_Lower-Slopes-of-Mt-Manypeaks-Waychinicup-National-Park-Day-11-05.jpg)
My first sighting of Mt Manypeaks as the sun broke through. My ride for today had me skirting around Mt Manypeaks, mind you there was still some climbing on a rocky track involved.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2017_December_Xanthorrhoea-Balga-Tree-Waychinicup-National-Park-Day-11-06.jpg)
Easily the tallest Xanthorrhoea [Balga Tree] I saw on the ride through the Waychinicup National Park; in fact on the whole ride. A noticeable change in fauna from the Fitzgerald River National Park.
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DAY 11 [POST 03] THURSDAY DECEMBER 14 - CHEYNES BEACH TO ALBANY
The last day of riding today, so my 10th day of actual riding. Two days of travelling to and from the ride. The day started out well, had a little hiccup followed by another little hiccup so I ended up changing my plans for the last section into Albany and stuck to more bitumen riding than initially planned. All up 77.7 km with an elapsed time of 11 hours.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2017_December_The-Passing-of-Life-as-a-New-Season-Awaits-Waychinicup-National-Park-Day-11-06.jpg)
Day 11: Esperance to Albany: The Unconventional Ride. 750 km in 10 days. An unidentifiable, to me at least, wildflower in slow decay in the Waychinicup National Park.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2017_December_Pink-Flower-Waychinicup-National-Park-Day-11-07.jpg)
A pink flower. I have an uncomfortable feeling this is a weed, a South African import? - Waychinicup National Park.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2017_December_White-Flower-Waychinicup-National-Park-Day-11-09.jpg)
A white flower. I am not able to identify it so if you can help, please do - Waychinicup National Park.
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I've no idea what those flowers are but for identifying plants there's a (free) app called Pl@ntNet that's fairly useful.
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I think the pink flower might be a native - it looks familiar. If it is the one I remember, it goes paper-dry without losing its colour.
You weren't thinking of Paterson's curse, were you? It definitely isn't that.
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Yes was thinking of Paterson's Curse. The flower has now been identified thanks. It is a Hooded Lily (Johnsonia lupulina) apparently.
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DAY 11 [POST 04] THURSDAY DECEMBER 14 - CHEYNES BEACH TO ALBANY
The last day of riding today, so my 10th day of actual riding. Two days of travelling to and from the ride. The day started out well, had a little hiccup followed by another little hiccup so I ended up changing my plans for the last section into Albany and stuck to more bitumen riding than initially planned. All up 77.7 km with an elapsed time of 11 hours.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2017_December_Rocking-Around-Mt-Manypeaks-Day-11-10.jpg)
Working my around Mt Manypeaks on pretty good tracks in the Waychinicup National Park.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2017_December_Mt-Manypeaks-Day-11-11.jpg)
Mt Manypeaks from a north-western perspective. My last substantive view of the mountain before leaving the park.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2017_December_The-Fence-Day-11-12.jpg)
This fence marks one boundary of a 380 hectare section of the Waychinicup National Park fenced off to provide a protection zone for one of the world's rarest marsupial species, Gilbert's potoroo (Potorous gilbertii). The aim of the fence is to protect the native fauna from cats and foxes but it didn't allow for the native predator, the Carpet Snake which is apparently proving to be a well fed pest.
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DAY 11 [POST 05] THURSDAY DECEMBER 14 - CHEYNES BEACH TO ALBANY
The last day of riding today, so my 10th day of actual riding. Two days of travelling to and from the ride. The day started out well, had a little hiccup followed by another little hiccup so I ended up changing my plans for the last section into Albany and stuck to more bitumen riding than initially planned. All up 77.7 km with an elapsed time of 11 hours.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2017_December_Normans-Beach-Day-11-13.jpg)
My nemesis, Normans Beach. This was the one and only unrideable beach. Of course I dropped down on the beach near the eastern end so had a fair bit of slogging to do. However I was "recused". Note the house? Well the owner had seen me and dropped down to the beach on his quad bike to see what was happening. End result was a tow for about 500 to 800 metres along the beach. Mind you I then had to push out up off the beach via a muddy creak followed by a steep track. Not fun at all.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2017_December_Two-Peoples-Bay-Day-11-14-1.jpg)
Looking west over Two Peoples Bay. I dropped down to the eastern end of the beach and then rode to the western end, some 4.5 km of excellent beach riding. This was to be my last beach of the ride so a nice one to finish off.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2017_December_Bettys-Beach-Camping-Area-Day-11-15.jpg)
I took lunch well above Bettys Beach having climbed out of Normans Beach. It was a pleasant spot watching the ants scarring around below me.
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DAY 11 [POST 06] THURSDAY DECEMBER 14 - CHEYNES BEACH TO ALBANY
The last day of riding today, so my 10th day of actual riding. Two days of travelling to and from the ride. The day started out well, had a little hiccup followed by another little hiccup so I ended up changing my plans for the last section into Albany and stuck to more bitumen riding than initially planned. All up 77.7 km with an elapsed time of 11 hours.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2017_December_Mount-Gardner-Day-11-17.jpg)
Looking west to Mt Gardner from Two Peoples Bay beach.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2017_December_Two-Peoples-Bay-Nature-Reserve-Day-11-18.jpg)
Names of geographical locations are at times most interesting.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2017_December_Share-the-Road-Day-11-19.jpg)
This sign was a bit of surprise, well a big surprise. Not something you tend to see in Western Australia and even more curious out here in the "middle of nowhere" so to speak.
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Does the sand squeak at Two People's Bay when you cycle over it?
It must be nearly 40 years since I've been there. Remember the water always being absolutely freezing. The next landmass is Antarctica . . .
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Does the sand squeak at Two People's Bay when you cycle over it?
Not that I recall noticing. That is more common I believe on the beaches east of Esperance.
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DAY 11 [POST 07] THURSDAY DECEMBER 14 - CHEYNES BEACH TO ALBANY
The last day of riding today, so my 10th day of actual riding. Two days of travelling to and from the ride. The day started out well, had a little hiccup followed by another little hiccup so I ended up changing my plans for the last section into Albany and stuck to more bitumen riding than initially planned. All up 77.7 km with an elapsed time of 11 hours.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2017_December_The-Final-20-km-Day-11-20.jpg)
My first substantive sighting of my destination, Albany. It was so close yet so far with 20 km to ride in to the infamous Albany Doctor: a southern ocean headwind.
(http://aushiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2017_December_Mustafa-Kemal-Ataturk-Day-11-21.jpg)
Peace at home; peace in the world. This statute in remembrance of the Battle of Gallipoli and the Turkish President, Ataturk marks the end of my unconventional ride from Esperance to Albany, Western Australia.
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Just dipped back into this. Great pics! I remember the Pallinup, and several other bastard water courses (all dry, all a swoop down and a grovel back up).
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LOL
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Enjoyed the write up as always. Intruiged by not knowing what food supplies you travelled with given that road stations seem few and far between.
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LOL
I am right, though, am I not?
;D
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Enjoyed the write up as always. Intruiged by not knowing what food supplies you travelled with given that road stations seem few and far between.
I carried pretty much all my food requirements for the 10 days only picking up a few items as need at Hopetoun and Bremer Bay. These where items that I just carried enough of to get me to the first town or the second one as the case may be. Breakfasts are put together by myself before I left (porridge, powdered milk), lunches are mostly crackers and cheese and jam or peanut butter; dinners are either dried meals (food dryer) or purchased meals that just need water.
I am lucky in that I don't need, well cannot eat "large" meals so my food needs are quite modest. So for example a Strive meal (https://strivefood.com.au/collections/all) would last me two evening meals and even then I can be struggling to eat it all.
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LOL
I am right, though, am I not?
;D
For sure. I just find it interesting how others see what I just consider normal :)