Cottesloe to Valley of the Giants 2002

Cottesloe to Valley of the Giants 2002 – 10 days, 610 km cumulative distance.

The aim of this trip was to visit the Valley of the Giants again, and to see the tree-top walk built since my last visit in 1987. This time I would go by a reverse route and with some motorised assistance, but none from the Australind train.

Other days on this Tour:

Daily Locations for this Tour:

PRELIMINARY

Cottesloe to Tenterden, Tuesday October 15 2002. Liz had taken possession of her bush cabin at Tenterden in July, and had got into the way of spending several days down there from time to time, so I asked her if one of her visits could be arranged for just after the school holidays, so that she could take me and my bike down there in her car. I could chop wood and do other things, then set off with quite a big head start.

We set off at 7:30 am on Tuesday October 15. Half-way down I realised that I had forgotten my helmet, but bought a better, lighter one on Kojonup for only $35. We had lunch in Kojonup and arrived at Tenterden at about 1 pm.  ... Read more

Tenterden to Mt Barker, DAY 1, WEDNESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2002. I left Liz’ cabin at 2:14 on a mild cloudy afternoon with some rain and a north-westerly gale blowing. The odometer read 1007. Rain fell as I crunched along the 3km or so of gravel tracks to get to the Albany Highway.

When I got to the highway and turned south the wind was a great help, which was good because I didn’t feel well – I had got a cold a few days before and it had reached the stage where one might take a sickie if at work, but I was on holidays and determined to proceed with my plans.

About a dozen km into the ride the main gear cable broke.  ... Read more

Mt Barker to Albany, day 2, Thursday 17 October 2002. I left Mount Barker at 7:40 on a warm sunny morning with a north-westerly gale blowing. The wind would never be this helpful again, and I sort of knew this as I rode along, and enjoyed it while I could.

I rested at 1069 and reached the Ace motel, some 3km from the Albany town centre, at 9:37, 1091. It was way too early for check-in and I acknowledged this to the receptionist and explained why I had rushed down so early. She said it was OK if the room hadn’t been used the night before, she would just check. It was all right, so I moved in. It was Unit 8, $71.  ... Read more

Albany to Denmark, day 3, Friday 18 October 2002. It was only 49 km from the Ace motel, Albany to Denmark, along the main road, so I didn’t rush. Besides, I assumed that the winds and rain would moderate as the day wore on.

I had my breakfast then packed up to get going, but decided to harden up the tyres a little before starting. Unfortunately the valve on the tube on the front wheel stuck and all the air hissed out when I detached the pump. This was a new tube and the valve had stuck when I had first fitted it, but I had oiled it and thought it was fixed. Anyway, I had to take off the wheel and replace the tube.  ... Read more

Denmark to Walpole, day 4, Saturday 19 October 2002. I started from Denmark at 8:15. The speedo read 1163 after a visit to the post office. The morning was cool and cloudy with spots of rain and a north-westerly headwind, though not as strong as the day before.

I rested at Pates Road, 1181, and at 1200. I reached Bow Bridge and took the right turn into Valley of the Giants Road at 1205. The country was very pleasant but hilly. I reached the turn-off to Tree Top Walk at 1217 and walked the bike up the steep hill to the entrance, 1218.

Entry to the Walk cost $6 and there was a shop and toilets. The Walk is 600 metres long and very satisfying.  ... Read more

Walpole to Manjimup, day 5, Sunday 20 October 2002.

THE MIRACLE (OR WIMP-OUT) OF THE WILDERNESS

I left the motel at 7:45 am on a cool sunny morning, with winds almost calm, developing to a light north-westerly headwind. The day became warmer as I went on. There was a short descent out of Walpole, then a long climb, then a long descent. I reached the turn into the South Western Highway at Crystal Springs at 1251 in reasonable shape and greeted the South Western Highway that I would be on until Boyanup. I rested at 1258, again at 1278. There was a hill to climb every km or so and it was all getting too hard. Hills take it out of you and you don’t get it back.  ... Read more

Manjimup to Greenbushes, day 6, Monday 21 October 2002. I left Manjimup at 9:17. The wind was still a northwesterly headwind, moderate but freshening. The road from Manjimup to Bridgetown is quite moderate in its hills and I got along all right. I rested at 1315, passed Mersea Road, where I had sheltered from that hailstorm in 1998, and got to Bridgetown at 11:24, 1333. As often before I sat on the wooden seat in Steere Street, had a drink from the nearby shop and thought about where I had been and where I was going, and how I felt about going on. I took a picture of the spot.

I got going again at 12:02, climbed Hester’s Hill for a while then just got off and walked to the summit.  ... Read more

Greenbushes to Donnybrook, day 7, Tuesday 22 October 2002. The day was cool to mild and sunny with east to south-easterly winds shifting north-easterly. I left Greenbushes at 8:58, rested at Mullalyup, 1367, then made a brief stop at Kirup, 1374.

I reached the Donnybrook Hotel at 11:38, 1393. There was only one person in the downstairs area, a man sitting at the bar smoking and looking bored and sleepy. Many lights were on and a racing commentary blared from somewhere. After looking around for someone to check me in I asked him if there were any staff about. He said “that’s me”. I apologised and told him I had a booking. After thinking for some time he said “twenty dollars” and got me the key to Room 1.  ... Read more

Donnybrook to Bunbury, day 8, Wednesday 23 October 2002. I left Donnybrook with some relief at 8:57, vowing to book the motel as many days as possible ahead of need the next time. There was a fresh WNW wind, directly against me. I decided to turn off at Boyanup, to make a different way than usual, go along a new road, avoid the heavy traffic and turn the headwind into a side or tail wind for the last run into Bunbury. I needed this to give me heart for the Mandurah challenge. It was quite contrary to my usual quest for short cuts, but the day’s ride would still be very short and five consecutive days of headwinds had sapped my confidence.  ... Read more