Perth to Northam Revisited

11.9.2006: Perth to Northam

Stats: 86.32km, 3hrs 42mins 41sec, 23.2km/hr
Weather: Wet, Windy, 15-18 deg

Let the journey begin, today marked the official beginning of our journey. The start of bike for bibles - ride across Australia 06.

We woke at 5.30am to what sounded like the beginning of a reenactment of the great flood. I half expected to be herded onto an arc and shipped across the Nullarbor.

In reality the tin roofing played quite a dramatic and in fact it was gentle rain falling over Bassendon. Rain which largely cleared by the time we had eaten, packed and mounted our bikes at 7.15am.

It was on very quiet roads that we started our journey. With more water coming at us from the tyres in front, than from the sky.

10kms in and Perth's 'great climb' sat before us. With instructions to regroup at the summit we soon split and a steady tempo was set by John and Allen. In the end it turned out to be more a steady incline that spanned an approximate distance of 5km's. It was though quite scenic and the mist towards the top only amplified the visual pleasantry's.

The majority of the remaining day followed what is sign posted as the 'Golden Pipe Scenic Trail' in mild tail winds and misting rain. A short morning tea break 60km's in, at possibly the wettest and coldest part of the day lead to the next short section of riding being a bit of a struggle for me, trying to deal with the cold.

The sun soon appeared however, and with the exception of almost riding directly up Dave's rear when he got the first official puncture of the ride, a no fuss morning saw us cruise down into Northam by 11.45am.

A comfortable start to what I'm certain will become a much more challenging trip, both physically and mentally.

The afternoon was spent in search of the 'bike' shops well as what would become the eternal search for that all satisfying cappuccino (or for Jim - Big Jim - the chocolate thick shake). Not sure Northam is home to either though. Hopes are high we might stumble on the mystical coffee shop mid Nullarbor.

The knee, ongoing niggle but manageable. Bigger tests ahead, 160km tomorrow a start.

Punctures: Me (0), Group (2)
Indian Pacific Sightings: (1)
Brain Snaps: Mild (1), Moderate (0), Max (0)

Sunday 11.9.2011
A quite day with no training. Seems recording publicly the training is not all it takes to maintain any form of consistent training. I am however justifying the lack of training with a desire to finally crack the sore throat Ive now been carrying for 2 weeks.

Spent the morning entertaining Evie whilst Kel caught up on some much needed sleep. Then down to Emu Plains for a Christening and to Watch the Wallaby's put it together agains the Azzurie. The second half providing the point but the to my mind the game was a winner all round.

Having not done much more, other than the mandatory coffee with Dr Phil and the Animal in Glenbrook. Thats it, some what uneventful in comparison to 5 years ago. So a song for Evie: