Armadale

Cottesloe to Harvey, day 1, Monday 27 November 1978. I hoped that this ride would be better than 1977, learning from the mistakes of the previous year. Unfortunately I didn’t know what all the mistakes were. But one had certainly been, starting too late on a hot morning. So I decided to start at sunrise, which at that time of year is not long after 5 am. I had no definite objective, I was just going to see how far I could get in one day.

I rose at 4:30 and I always remember the cacophony of bird-song in the summer morning twilight. I got my stuff together, the same bags as before, the same hat, the same clothes, then set off as the sun rose.  ... Read more

Armadale is a suburb within the City of Armadale, located on the south-eastern edge of Perth’s metropolitan area. The major junction of the South Western and Albany Highways, which connect Perth with the South West and Great Southern regions of Western Australia respectively, is located within the suburb. It is also the terminus of the Armadale railway line, one of five major railway lines to service Perth.

Perth to Dumbleyung 2007, 9 days, cumulative distance 455 km. The aim of this trip, the first since 2005, was to take an opportunity which probably won’t come again; to start deep in the Great Southern and ride home via Dumbleyung and see Dumbleyung lake, which was more full than for some years due to a reasonable season in the area. I had this plan some years ago, during the Stirlings ride of 1993, but didn’t feel able to go there on that occasion.

Again I took my digital camera on this trip. I took pictures of orchids again, reflecting my particular interest, and of the towns and countryside and of bodies of water that were in better shape than usual.  ... Read more

Dwellingup to Armadale day 9, Friday 26 October 2007. The morning was mild and cloudy with fresh westerly winds but no rain yet. I awoke to the yammering of the television at the end of the passage – the lump people had got hold of it and were making up for last night.

I needed to get going early so that I could be sure of getting to the Fremantle train before the rush hour ban on bikes took effect. To do that I wanted to get to Armadale no later than 2 pm. The journey should take no longer than four hours but I didn’t want to be pressed for time in case anything happened, as things can.

I had my breakfast in bed then just got dressed and checked I hadn’t left anything behind before I unlocked my bike and got going at 8:15.  ... Read more

Cottesloe to Pinjarra, day 1, Monday 10 October 2005. I took the train to Armadale and rode away from there at 10.24, 401. The morning was cold with a fresh south-westerly headwind. The odometer read 404 when I passed the PJ 55 peg.

I rested at Serpentine, 419, at Keysbrook, 434, and at the PJ 10 peg, 449.

I reached the Pinjarra motel at 2.22, 460. I had a sleep and a swim and washed the riding clothes, then went to shop, make telephone calls and look around. I got chicken and chips and had an early dinner in the motel unit (Room 3, $60, microwave oven, the best value for money of the trip).

I had travelled rather slowly from Armadale and felt really tired and sore – I was not in full fitness and at 60 years old, I suppose everything is past its best.  ... Read more

Cottesloe to Pinjarra, day 1, Monday 13 October 2003. I rode down to Cottesloe station to get the train, only to have a thought when I got there: Did I pack the pump? A swift check revealed that in fact the pump was not there. Amazing that I should have thought of so much else but forgotten to put the pump in the bag! So I had to go back for it and get the later train. So the ride was to start 15 minutes later than planned.

The ride began at 10:58, 831 as I left Armadale station and headed up William Street to the South-western Highway. There was a strong south-westerly headwind and some showers, but the road is not too hilly and there were hundreds of big trucks going my way.  ... Read more

Cottesloe to Dwellingup 3 day tour, 1994. Cumulative distance 181 km.

Charles A. Pierce

Other Days on this Tour:

Daily Locations for this Tour:

Dwellingup to Armadale day 3, Wednesday 14 September 1994. Cold sunny morning, light easterly. Oiled the bike because it had got damp the previous day. Left the hotel at 8:13.

Nice hilly ride through the forest. I didn’t mind the hills because I knew I was going to get a downhill run soon, and expected a nice tailwind and a steady run up the South Western Highway. In the event, the sea breeze didn’t arrive until my ride was finished, but the light easterly wasn’t a problem.

I rested at 334, came to the splendid view of the coastal plain at 338, ran downhill reaching speeds (according to the accurate new speedo) of 60-70 kph, and passed through North Dandalup at 344.  ... Read more

Armadale to Pemberton via Nannup, 11 day tour, cumulative distance 712 km

Charles A. Pierce

Other Days on this Tour:

Daily Locations for this Tour:

Armadale to Pinjarra, day 1, Monday 21 October 1991. I took the train to Armadale railway station and left there at 10.05, with the odometer reading 21939. The 5km pegs showed that the odometer was reading about 4% low. This remained constant throughout the trip.

DIGRESSION – FLASHBACK TO 1978.

This road was etched into my memory with trauma after the 1978 experience, when I set out from home at 4.30 am with no hotel booking and no definite objective for the day, except to see how far I could get in one day.

In those days I was inexperienced and less fit, I had a heavy old bike and not much idea of how to maintain it properly. The headwind became stronger hourly – I later heard that it was gusting up to 38 knots, a record for a ‘sea breeze’.

  ... Read more