Bridgetown to Pemberton 1985

Bridgetown to Pemberton, day 3, Sunday 17 November 1985. I had breakfast of snacks bought the previous afternoon. I set off down Hampton Street, crossed the river and this time turned left for the South Western Highway, not right for the Brockman Highway as in 1983.

I had only travelled this road by car and bus and not taken much notice of its topography, so I was pleased to discover that the road between Bridgetown and Manjimup is not too hilly. Just moderate, manageable ups and downs. I did the 35 km in reasonable time, passing Yornup where the radio station 6BY was located. It is now part of the GWN network. I took a drink break at about half-way.

In Manjimup I took the opportunity for a rest and refreshment break and telephoned to book a room in a riverside resort, the Forest Lodge, about 4 km east of Pemberton. This would shorten the day’s ride and make the next day, which was going to be too short, a bit longer.

After leaving Manjimup I was on a road that I had cycled before, in the opposite direction.

*** Flashback to 1975

In 1975 I had taken a folding bike down to Manjimup in a Westrail (now Transwa) bus and used it to make rides around the Manjimup area. On one day I set off for Pemberton, turning right off the main South Western Highway to take the Channybearup Road through the 100 year forest. The Channybearup Road was all gravel in those days and my maps were totally inadequate, being out-of-date give-away maps that my father had got from country petrol stations in the 1960s.

I got lost, but eventually found my way to the North Pemberton Road, a sealed road running downhill which was a welcome relief. I reached Pemberton, had a drink break and bought some more drinks before starting the return trip to Manjimup up the main roads. The bike was called ESKA, it was made in Czechoslovakia and was heavy with thick 20 inch wheels and no gears. I stopped at the junction of Vasse Highway with the South Western Highway and had a long drink and stretch stop before plodding up to Manjimup. Twilight was upon me as I crossed the railway and laboured up to the hotel.

This was my first long country ride – I would have done about 70km that day. I had no experience and the bike was quite unsuitable. I was sore that night but slept well enough. I was only 30.

*** Back to 1985

I reached the junction of Vasse Highway and South Western Highway and stopped for a drink break, next to the tree where I had stopped 10 years before. I reached the Forest Lodge during the afternoon. The place wasn’t as good as a standard motel, a bit rustic, but cheaper and adequate. There was a stretch of water with a wall of tall trees on the other side. I had their dinner and breakfast. I didn’t feel good and didn’t sleep well.

Charles A. Pierce

Other Days on this Tour:

1. Perth to Windy Harbour Tour 1985
2. Perth to Donnybrook 1985
3. Donnybrook to Bridgetown 1985
4. Bridgetown to Pemberton 1985 (This post)
5. Pemberton to Northcliffe 1985
6. Northcliffe to Windy Harbour and return 1985
7. Northcliffe to Manjimup 1985
8. Manjimup to Greenbushes 1985
9. Greenbushes to Donnybrook 1985
10. Donnybrook to Cottesloe 1985

Places Mentioned in this Post:

Related posts:

1. Pemberton to Northcliffe 1985
2. Pemberton to Bridgetown 1998
3. Donnybrook to Bridgetown 1985
4. Northcliffe to Manjimup 1985
5. Kin Kin Retreat to Pemberton 1991

Tags: Bridgetown, Manjimup, Pemberton