North Dandalup

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

North Dandalup is a small town in the Peel region of Western Australia along the South Western Highway between Serpentine and Pinjarra. Its local government area is the Shire of Murray. The name “Dandalup”, a Noongar Aboriginal name relating to the rivers in the area, was shown on maps from 1835 onwards, but its meaning is unclear.

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 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

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

Dwellingup to Perth, Day 8, Tuesday 31 October 1989. I left Dwellingup at 7:45 on a lovely morning and headed up Del Park Road, which joins the Southwestern Highway at North Dandalup and is the quickest way to Perth. The jarrah forest was splendid and full of birdsong. The trend was downhill but there were still some steep climbs.

Stopped after one hour’s riding at 17478. Came to the edge of the scarp and saw the view of the coastal plain before rushing downhill towards North Dandalup. (17486). I didn’t stop there but waited until 17495, reached after the second hour’s riding. When I resumed I found that I had stopped 1km short of a shop.

After Serpentine the road headed back into the foothills and there was climbing to do.  ... Read more