Perth to Albany Day 6, Cranbrook to Albany
The cool and blustery weather has really caught up with us. It was jackets all round this morning to stop the freezing wind. I really would like to start a blog posting that doesn’t mention the weather, honest. The farm we stayed at got 1/2 an inch of rain during the night, but it had cleared by the time we were ready to go.
Today we had to venture out on to Albany Highway for the first time. The traffic was pretty good, but still more than we had seen all week. A couple of passing semis reminded me of the trip over the Nullarbor where a truck coming the other way during a cross wind could easily knock you off your bike. As long as you hunker down and hold on tight to your handlebars you’ll be fine.
Today’s route started at Cranbrook, detoured via Tenterden and Kendenup, and then down to Mount Barker. After a bit more of Albany Highway we detoured off via Lower King to our final stop at Oyster Harbour which is east of Albany.
We managed to get 102km into our legs today to make a grand total of 580km for the week. The last 20km was ridden with mixed feelings; a fantastic week’s worth of riding was almost no more, but it also meant we could wear normal clothes again and get back to our families.
Mark, our host for the night and for breakfast, standing in his trial field of Barley
Cranbrook’s Claim to Fame.
The hall at Tenterden that was burnt down a couple of years ago, had its official opening on Saturday.
The four final victors finally arrive at Alec’s House (pardon the pun) in Albany. L-R: Geff, Wes, David and Alec. Thanks to Jeannie for arranging our medals, a really nice touch to get a little reward.
Alec’s home church – Church of the Living Water in Oyster Harbour, organised a dinner to welcome us; again proving the hospitality of country folk is awesome.
As best we can tell at the moment, the ride has raised $3500 towards the Bible Society’s project in Cambodia. If you would like to add to this total and support the ride, please email me, David Pascoe at pascoedj@gmail.com
Perth to Albany Day 5, Katanning to Cranbrook
The thunderstorms overnight were a warning that we were in for a wet morning. So it was a damp start to the day as we rolled down the hill out of Katanning. The rain continued for a few minutes, but not enough to really wet us through.
We continued our regime of sealed back roads and took a route via Broomehill and Tambellup to get to Cranbrook. Another 92km on the odometer. This is getting easier by the day, my legs are feeling stronger and stronger. Alec says that his legs aren’t improving any; and that at 72 he has probably already peaked his level of fitness.
Our first stop was Broomehill where we had time to have a proper flat white at Henry Jones Winery and Cafe. What luxury !
Lunch was at Tambellup where we could jump on the internet at the Telecentre. The Telecentre is quite an impressive setup for a small place like Tambellup – and in fact it felt faster than my link at home in the suburbs.
Leaving Tambellup we saw some more rain and the wind was picking up. Again we were lucky enough to not get to that squishy wet sock feeling. So for me that doesn’t count as `getting wet’ on the bike. Even though we rode through a lot of rain we managed to stay dry over all.
For most of today we had the wind well and truly behind us. What a buzz to be able to sit on 45km/h for long sections. One thing for sure, we would find riding in the other direction a heap more effort. Going by our hosts’ description of how much rain fell in Cranbrook we were lucky to not have been washed away.
We arrived in Cranbrook expecting that we would be doshing down on the Baptist Church hall floor and cooking for ourselves. By the time we got there we discovered that we were being met for coffee and a shower at the Pastor’s house in Cranbrook and then for dinner and to sleep out near Tenterden. So we are all feeling so blessed and encouraged to be fed and housed when we were expecting to fend for ourselves.
Henry Jones Winery & Cafe in Broomehill
Old Rusted Water Tower at Tambellup
Hard to fathom: flood marker in Tambellup
Unexpected dinner with the Jefferies near Tenterden.
Perth to Albany Day 4, Wagin to Katanning
Today’s route took in a detour to Dumbleyung and a back road to Katanning. The road to Dumbleyung took us past Lake Dumbleyung where Donald Campbell set the world water record in 1956. The road in to the lookout was gravel so we wimped out again and went straight to the town.
The days are becoming less about suffering and more about really enjoying the cycling. The cooler temperature makes all the difference. I know, I know, cyclists are always going on about the weather; sorry about that. I promise not to also prattle on about the hills in this post.
We notched up another fun and pretty 91km today. The total so far for this ride is around 380km.
As I sit here typing away, Geff is showing us his cooking prowess, and it is smelling fantastic.
The dunny at Dumbleyung, I recommend it if you are ever passing through and need to pass something-through as it were.
Some fields of wheat in this area go on as far as you can see.
Kobeelya Convention Centre, at the top of the hill in Katanning. Tonight we kip down in the bungalow out the back.
Returning to the scene of the crime; Alec was married (along with Daphne) in this cute little chapel (St. Michael and All Angels) at Kobeelya in 1966.
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