Northam to Merredin Revisited

12.9.2006: Northam to Merredin

Stats:165.60km, 6hrs 17mins 19secs, 26.3km/hr
Weather: Early wet, Sun arvo, Wind

After a relatively easy day yesterday, today represented the first of the bigger days on tour. Northam to Merrindan, apron 165km. Largely on open roads with only the beginning of the road trains to keep us company and the odd car. Often towing caravan, one equipped with bike racked exercise bike.

We awoke once again to the sound of rain on the roof top, and whilst we gained confidence in the open patches of sky. It was with precipitation that we rode out of town.

The scenery was well worth taking time away fro the rubber in front of you to admire. In particular the young wheat fields and shallow water ways with their abundant bird life took some admiring.

I continue to be perplexed by the signage indicating we are following the 'Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail'. I assume it makes reference to the mains water pipe that carries the Eastern aspects of Western Australia it's water supply from Perth. However the need to sign post this hardly seems a necessity due to the massive structure that is the mains pipe running next to the roadway since we first left Perth.

The rain played havoc today as we played leap frog with our soloist-pania carrying-Kiwi friend from yesterday. One particularly acute angled railway crossing saw the demise of Barry and jean on the random. Followed by Jim B and George. George hitting with the biggest impact. Thankfully a definite absents of Darryl Eastlake save our ears the appropriate commentary for the impact. Jim bounced up and Barry-Jean escaped with grazes and bruising. However George is carrying some rather saw, bruised ribs. A supply of drugs from Merredin Chemist will hopefully see him through.

Fortunately the sun debuted this afternoon and it was a high spirited group that rolled into Merredin High School at 3.00pm.

For the slow movers post ride, it was the first cold showers of the trip. A cappuccino and now of to dinner.

Punctures: Me (0), Group (3)
Indian Pacific sightings: (1)
Brain Snaps: Mild (1), Moderate (0), Max (0)

Monday 12.9.2011
The morning started as the weekend had progressed. Sleeping through the alarm to wake some 1 hour and 15minutes after the radio had first come on. Not only does this mean the missing of another swim session, but the need to try and explain to the Animal again how it is that I failed to be in the pool ready to go. Having stated with absolute clarity the night before that I would be there to improve my dismal swimming capabilities.

The afternoon at least provided a minimalist perspective on rectification. With a lap of the Espresso Run with one of the other PDHPE teachers after work. It was good to get back on the feet for a session and shake out a few cobwebs. Cobwebs that had kindly been inserted by the HSC Gnomes when in class they were discussing who was the oldest. To respond in absolute shock and disbelief when I informed them I was intact the oldest as I was turning 37 very soon. I believe the response went some thing like, "37 that means your almost 40. Thats ancient". Thanks

A 27min 33 sec round with a solid start easing off through the second half gave the lungs some of the clean up they weak. Sean I think enjoyed his run on the local trails. I hope this turns into a regular run as he seems intent on pushing the pace a bit and with the majority of my running being longer slower runs it will be good to have a bit of a hit out on a lower volume day.

Todays song for Evie comes from Kels cousin. Found this last night when I was flipping through you tube aimlessly: