Noggerup

Perth to Cape Leeuwin 2000 – 10 days, 739 km cumulative distance. The aim of this trip was to visit the old south-west tip again, but to do it in a way originally intended in the failed ride of 1983; that is, to go inland, then rush to the coast at Augusta, go around to Cape Leeuwin, head back up through Margaret River to Yallingup and Dunsborough, go right up to Cape Naturaliste, back through Dunsborough, thence round to Busselton, Bunbury, Mandurah and home.

PREAMBLE – THE FAILURE OF 1983

In 1983 the old, slow Australind train only went to Bunbury in the mornings, arriving about 1pm or later, thus allowing me about 5 hours to cycle to the first night’s stop before sunset.  ... Read more

Bunbury to Noggerup, day 1, Monday 18 September 2000. I left the Bunbury Motel at 8:38 on a cool overcast morning with light WSW winds. The odometer read 36. I was riding due east to get onto the old South Western Highway and head for Dardanup. It was good to ‘break the surly bonds’ of the city and move out into the open country. I reached Dardanup and turned left into Ferguson Road. A sign said that this led to the Ferguson Valley, in the sense that they were trying to encourage tourists in. I rested at 53.

The hill-climbing inevitably began as I left the coastal plain and mounted the scarp. I found the going quite hard because I wasn’t as fit as I normally would have been at the start of a Ride.  … Read more

Noggerup to Boyup Brook, day 2, Tuesday 19 September 2000. I left Noggerup at 8:32 on a cold cloudy morning. This was to be a rest day, a ride of 40 km or less. It was the only rest day of the trip and I needed it to get in shape for the two days to follow. A light southerly headwind blew. I rested at 120. The hills were typical of the area but nothing extreme. The country was beautiful with everything green and the wattle and other flowers in full bloom.

I reached Boyup Brook at 143, 10:48. My room was ready, since I had booked a week before. It had two single beds and typical old-fashioned hotel furniture, and a spacious bathroom.  ... Read more