Nyamup

Kelmscott to Rocky Gully Tour 1996 – 13 days, 827 km cumulative distance. The aim of this trip was to follow the route of the 1991 ride as far as a resort on the Muirs Highway, then, instead of turning back west as in 1991, to continue east as far as Rocky Gully, then return by some of the route followed in 1987, but this time going all the way back to Cottesloe.

There is nothing special about Rocky Gully except that, before I successfully rode to the Stirlings from Albany in 1993, I had a plan to stay at Rocky Gully on the way from Manjimup to Cranbrook as a way of getting into the Stirlings from the west, by a series of achievable day’s rides.  ... Read more

Bridgetown to Nyamup, day 5, Saturday 19 October 1996. I went down to breakfast in the Freemasons’ dining room shortly after six. There was no-one else there, but a man came in puffing a cigarette, said something I didn’t quite catch and went out again. I turned on the urn and got stuck into the cereals, of which there were several varieties and no shortage. Milk, butter and jam were in the fridge and there was plenty of bread. I pigged out, bearing in mind what I had ahead of me. There was a jar of chamomile tea-bags, and I took a couple of these, thinking that they would help me sleep at Nyamup. I would need a good night’s sleep before attempting Rocky Gully.  … Read more

Nyamup to Rocky Gully, day 6, Sunday 20 October 1996. I awoke on a frosty, sunny morning a little after six. The sun shone brightly on the back of the house. I had more biscuits, sultanas and hot chocolate, washed the pots and dishes, tidied the house and left a little sadly at 8:08. I should have made the effort to get going earlier. I rode up the hill, then down to the Muirs Highway.

The road was hilly at first, gradually becoming more gently undulating. The regional radio station I had been listening to faded and I couldn’t get the Great Southern regional until later in the day.

Winds were mostly calm during the day, with spells of light NE, N, NW.  ... Read more