Into rhythm at last

Although it has taken over a thousand kilometres- finally body and mind are in sync. The ride is no longer a minute by minute check of the distance travelled. The thousand tweaks of load and balance have been made. Gear has been off loaded ahead to Alice Springs. As a friend from my Africa ride advised “bike touring requires head up enjoying the now”. The colourful flash of flocks of parakeets above or the gnarled old gum to the left - let the kilometres flow unnoticed.

From Albany the waves of South West storm fronts turned the Mundabiddi trail into a slow sludgy slog. Timetable dictated a change of plan. A quick race north to beat the storm fronts sweeping in. Through Mount Barker and the Stirling Range. Shelter for a night in the Borden travellers park bus shelter. Regroup at Lake Grace to get a replacement camera sent ahead (lost in a crash on the Munda Biddi trail). It also allowed booking a second Pfizer shot in the WA health system (with a minor 350km diversion back west).

Places like Pingarup and Kondinin provided shire-owned caravan parks all empty and ideal stops for a wet cyclist. Kulin provided quirky steel sculptures along the Tin Horse Highway. Great hospitality at Bruce Rock truck stop with the Arnold’s - Mavericks of the community but with peace of Thai buddism allowing the lady owner to balance her husbands “take no prisoners” approach to life.

The turn westward took the wind head on into the quaint historic town of York and today Northam - my vaccination site for Tuesday.

Tin Horse Highway sculptures

Bruce Rock Roadhouse. Peaceful Thai and full on Aussie hospitality

A day on slushy red dirt and the bike needed warm shelter. What mud?

Cycling companion leaves me at Shackleton store.

Local Shackleton artwork

Quairading was closest so I headed that way

Rare Aussie eucalypts against the next rain wave (OK not so rare)

On the road to Northam

Classic Aussie farmhouse