Tenterden

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

Perth to Tenterden, Monday 15 October 2007.

PRELIMINARY

This was another ride which started as in 2002. I went with Liz to her country property at Tenterden on Monday 15 October. I took the front wheel off my bike so it would fit in her Yaris. We stayed overnight at Williams then proceeded to Tenterden on Tuesday 16th.

The forecast was for rain on the following day, Wednesday, so I got the rechargeable-battery powered saw going and cut as much firewood as I could before the charge ran out, then re-assembled the small shed that had been blown to bits in a storm some time ago. Rain poured down on Wednesday, accompanied by strong winds. It was all a good workout for the re-assembled shed, which didn’t fail.  ... Read more

Tenterden to Tambellup day 1, Thursday 18 October 2007. I did a few more jobs for Liz then put the front wheel back on the bike and finally rolled off down the gravel track towards Ronaldshaw Road at 10:32, 283.

Ronaldshaw Road is now sealed all the way to Salt River Road, which runs from the centre of Cranbrook all the way to the other end of the Stirlings. I stopped in Cranbrook to buy drinks, then used the facilities and set off for Tambellup at 11:15, 292. The day was cool and partly cloudy and there was a light E-SE wind, which didn’t impede me much. The country was undulating rather than hilly and I got good views of the Stirlings from time to time, slowly receding behind me.  ... Read more

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

Tenterden is a town located 328 km south-east of Perth in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. The townsite is located on one of the sidings on the Great Southern Railway line.