Day 13: Ravensthorpe to Munglingup

It was a lovely morning lying in bed listening to the rain and thinking that we had decided to have a late start today and there was no need to get up yet. People started rising once the rain had stopped which was around 7 am although I found out later that Jacquei had served all the boys coffee in bed.

Sam has decided to accept the lift with us and he is travelling in the car with Collis. He is such a nice guy and is proving very helpful with luggage etc. I told Collis we should employ him on our next lot of rides.

We only have 80 kms today and it is into a bush camp. There is definitely no rush and everybody seems to head off around 9.30 am. Doug and Di seem to like heading off at the front of the group each morning and Peter stays back until last as he is a very fast rider and passes everyone before morning tea. This makes it easier to manage the group.

The wind is favourable again today and the riding is much easier. Doug had told everyone that there weren't many hills according to his google maps or something. The locals had told Fran that the hills were pretty bad. The hills were similar to previous days so we think the locals were correct.

We had a lunch stop around 50 kms and this was a leisurely affair also. Into camp by 2 pm. The camp ground looks a bit suss but proves to be quite good. It is like a park in the middle of the small town with a kids playground, a BBQ area and toilets. We checked at the roadhouse opposite if this was actually a camping area.

No-one got wet whilst riding today but it did come across just as we were getting into camp. Looking at the radar on the Internet, it was pouring down in Esperence and if we had stuck to the original plan then we would have been caught right in the middle of it. Another reason why we made the correct decision the other day.

Dinner tonight was Japanese Curry and followed by apple crumble with custard. The boys all worked together this afternoon and managed to have two fantastic fires- one for warmth and one for cooking. Jim made Collis get the chainsaw out and actually use it. We have lots of wood now.

Day 12: Gairdner to Ravensthorpe

Another 150 kms to ride again today. We still have hills to climb but the wild flowers are quite spectacular and they kept the riders minds off the hills- for some of the way anyway. Unfortunately either the wind had changed direction or the road has. They mostly had a head wind all day which was mostly coming in across their shoulder.

Fran and Sam rode together today which was good as Sam has to slow down due to his load and Fran likes to go slowly but he hates riding on his own. Jim and Jacquei were racing ahead today although Jim dropped back after a drinks stop and rode the rest of the way with the last two.

Doug has an upset tummy and Di feels as if she is getting a cold so they have decided to upgrade into a cabin for a proper bed tonight. Nice camp ground although very basic amenities but clean and hot showers. Lovely green lush grass to camp on.

Jim came in and informed us that Sam had broken a rim on his back wheel and he can't move his bike. Collis went out and picked him and bike up and he is camping with us tonight while he tries to decide what he will do now. We have offered to carry him, his bike and his luggage to Esperence where he is planning on meeting his mate, who by the way had been travelling with Sam up till a couple of days ago before he hurt his knee. His mate was on the bus from Albany to Esperence which passed us on the road today and there isn't another bus until next week we think. These two guys are cycling from Perth to Sydney unsupported.

Jacquei cooked dinner for Collis and I tonight which was lovely. Peter cooked for himself and the rest of them went down the pub for a meal.

Day 11: Albany to Gairdner (Bush Camp)

Thank God we stayed the extra day, the rain was horrendous overnight. Still drizzly this morning and freezing. The rain or really drizzle was coming and going throughout the morning. No-one got really wet.

The scenery continues to please and riding conditions today are perfect with strong tailwinds. We stopped at a roadhouse for lunch and we are told about a community hall in Gairdner that we should be able to camp there. Collis contacted the people who run the hall and they were more than happy for us to stay there. This will be great as it looks like it could be pretty cold tonight.

Everyone was in at camp by 3.30 pm and we were very proud of Fran who was sure he wouldn't be able to finish today. He was very happy with himself also. The hall was opened up for us with toilets and showers and a kitchen to use. We made a $40 donation for the use. The locals bought a whole pile of mallee roots for our outdoor fire which was very generous and made a great fire.

I ended up cooking dinner in the hall kitchen. I made meatloaf, potatoes, carrots and peas followed by baked apples and cream. Doug and Di and Peter all slept out in tents. Jacquei, Fran, Jim and Sam ( a young cyclist that we met on the road today and who rode most of the way with Fran) camped in the hall. Collis and I of course slept in the back of the truck. It was so cold and I had thermals, pyjamas, socks, bed socks, woollen hat and then extra clothes on top of the doona- I was then mostly warm.

Day 9 & 10: Albany Rest Day x 2

Collis and I had a very lazy morning and didn't get moving until after lunch. The weather is cold and wet today so we checked out the forecast for the next few days. There were 3 wild weather warnings for the area we are planning on riding through with possible hail, thunderstorms, strong NW winds and heavy rain with possible flash flooding. The forecast did not look promising and the conditions appeared unsafe especially for a bush camp the first night out. The weather for the following day is much more promising with weather clearing up pretty much late morning. Our decision was made to have an extra rest day here in Albany and take the safest option of riding the following day.

We spent the afternoon visiting the wind farm and some of the local beaches before food shopping and then attending a meeting we called with the riders to inform them of the change to the ride. Most riders were happy with the decision and this would give them a chance to recuperate more from the tough riding over the last few days. Di's hip is still not right and this will give it another days rest, Doug has a broken tooth he wants attended to so hopefully he can get an appointment tomorrow and Peter's new bike requires the cables fiddled with so he can get it into the bike shop. Jim and Fran are happy to give their bottoms a longer rest and Jacquei well she's just happy. There was some dissension amongst the group but all seems to be sorted and we feel we have made the correct decision for their safety. We do not make changes to the ride lightly but we will make changes if and when necessary.

It rained quite heavily throughout the evening but eased overnight. The morning is quite clear and some blue skies. We are still comfortable with our decision especially when we rang around to the places we are staying at over the next few days to find out that the weather there is filthy. By the afternoon the wind has picked up to be very strong and NW (which would have been a headwind). The clouds are closing over and the forecasters may just be right about the rough weather. As I wrote this, the skies opened up and it is pouring. If we had ridden we would still be on the road to an unknown bush camp.

Day 8: Walpole to Albany

The temperature is a bit warmer this morning and it looks as if it will be a great day for riding. The route today is supposed to be quite hilly to start with and then flattening out after about 40 kms (so the locals tell us). Therefore Collis has called the morning tea break at 40 kms with a lunch break at Denmark which is 65 kms.

The three campers left around 8 am even though we did try to get them away a bit earlier. The backpackers seem to have left at around 7.30 going by the text received from Di. Doug and Di have decided not to stop for morning tea but to go straight through to Denmark for lunch. All other riders will be stopping.

Dennis told us at morning tea that he has decided to leave the ride from Albany. He has not been happy since day one and it appears that this ride was his second choice and he did not do enough research as to what the ride entailed. He is much happier now that he has decided to go home and maybe spend more time with his family in a warmer climate. It is a shame to see him go and he is a good rider but he really was concerned that he would not cope with the cold and then rain on top of this. Some of the riders are really concerned about the rain forecast and we are very surprised as I think I have often commented on the very few times it has rained on our rides that the cyclists always seem to accept it and just get on with it and there are very few times when they complain. They will always complain about the wind direction but the rain does not seem to faze them.

The scenery today has been fantastic with rolling hills, that didn't actually stop after 40 kms, and sheep started to appear. There are lots of tourist spots in this area. The ride down into Albany was very impressive also. All riders are camping and Collis and I have taken a cabin. The bush camps start after the rest day so I need to be able to do some preparation.

Day 7: Walpole Rest Day

Today's itinerary was changed a couple of weeks ago so that everyone could have an opportunity to view the magnificent forests and tree top walk in the area.

I have woken with terrible sinus headache and just can't get my head off the pillow- the stomach is churning as well. I stayed in bed and listened to the riders trying to keep the noise down for me before they took off to town for a late breakfast. I eventually rose around 10 am and we went into town to meet them.

Jim went for a walk around the town and has found us an oil drum for our campfires. He decided to test it out at the campground and the manager was not happy. The manager got him a cement fireplace so then we had a lovely fire. There was another drama with the manager over the use of firewood from around the camp area so Jacquei went and bought a bag of wood off him and he settled down. The oil drum now has pride of place in the middle of the trailer ready for our first bush camp.

Jacquei, Collis and I went to see the tingle trees and then the treetop walk. We ran into Peter up there and he has no fear of heights so he actually did the walk whereas Jacquei and I just did some shopping at the gift shop. Peter informed us that Dennis has decided to leave the ride and he should confirm this tomorrow. Di is suffering quite a bit from her hip pain today. Hopefully the rest day will help her.

Fran and Jim sat around camp recuperating.

Collis decided to cook the three campers a BBQ tonight and Jacquei made the salads. Nice night sitting around the fire. There was a little bit of drizzle but it didn't deter us from sitting at the fireside.

Day 6: Pemberton to Walpole

Another cold morning after a freezing cold night where I just couldn't get warm all night. My feet were soooo cold. Everyone's in reasonable spirits and looking forward to the days ride. Still no rain in sight but I'm sure we will have to get some soon.

Jim was off the bike yesterday and he has decided to have another day today before our next rest day. His tummy has been upset so he wants it to really settle down before he attempts to ride again. Fran is still looking shattered but he was being very brave and riding on.

The hills today have been horrendous and it will be shown at the end of the day they will have climbed over 2000 metres. The scenery is magnificent with the tallest trees ever. Fran started vomiting just before lunch and he decided to pull the plug. He had climbed 80 % of the days hills so he should be proud of himself. The vomiting will be because he had overworked himself. Fran is the loveliest Scottish man but he is not an avid cyclist. He loves the outdoors and he is doing this trip to raise money for kids with cancer. We are very proud of his efforts so far. He jumped in the car and rode the rest of the way with Collis and Jim while I monitored Jacquei coming in the last 60 kms.

Doug & Di, Peter and Dennis all decided to stay in the backpackers as they were sure it would rain over the next day or two. The rest of us have taken campsites in a really lovely camping ground down near the inlet. We went out to the local hotel for dinner and we were all pleased with our meals.