Rolling hills today an early 8am start, it’s ANZAC Day, so time for reflection. Passing some nice green paddocks, I think they are crops, also a scattering of sheep. I am driven to my left as I see a cloud of dust … in a far paddock a tractor is busy … possibly seeding is taking place … no rest for farmers.

I catch up to Jen and we ride together, a head/ side wind makes the ride a little harder than yesterday. The trees on the roadside provide some dappled shade, the very attractive pin cushion hakea is prevalent and flowering. A bike light in the distance behind us keep us entertained as we try to get our distance. The leisurely 40km has now become a little more competitive.

We arrive in Jerramungup … a nice welcome entrance sign … the roadhouse is open and staffed ready to provide lunches, dinner and lunch for tomorrow. The country folk are so accommodating. Our camping ground is natural bush so we are all spread out enjoying the shade from the trees.

A very quick early ride today.  The store in Ongerup closes at midday so there is an urgency to get any supplies; it is a long weekend it’s ANZAC Day tomorrow.

I set out at 8am, the tent was dry on pack up with an overcast sky. The early start gives a lovely hue to the many salt lakes I pass. The sun’s reflection glisten on the water and dry salt. It is very dry, I pass an under nourished crop with tinges of yellow, it looks like it needs a good drink.

The tailwind made the time fly by; however the beauty of the lakes are worthy of a several photos.

I enter Shire of Gnowangarup coined ‘the Heart of the Stirlings’. Small undulations and out of nowhere I see the silhouette of the Stirling Ranges a lovely sight.

The store is well equipped in Ongerup and the Community Research Centre and Yongergnow Australian Malleefowl Centre, is a great place for coffee and light snacks, the staff are prepared for the onslaught of 40 cyclists. The caravan park is comfortable … no upgrade tonight. We pre-warn the hotel presence … what would normally be a quiet Saturday night, the hotel has extra staff the us providing great meals.

The cloud cover made it a nice cool ride.  Leaving Katanning with a coffee at the Dome; situated on the street level of the Premier Mill Hotel which is a beautifully restored, iconic former flour mill.

We pass the sheep saleyards and heading out of town paddocks with sheep … I wonder if they were the cheap $90 sheep at the sales yesterday fattening up to gain a good price in six weeks.

It’s still very dry with patches of green in paddocks, it looks like some farmers have sown their crops.  Areas of sandy soil with salt bushes and dead trees. We pass many dried salt lakes and stop at Ewlyamartup Lake, a large salt lake 17km from Katanning; its set up with information plaques and picnic areas.

Nyabing is very small with a small store and Community Hub … quite a story is associated with how the Hub was established. We are camped at the Rec Centre … lovely grassed oval and just a short walk to the Hub where most of us are eating … a great night out.

The day starts with a ride to the Sheep Saleyards … its a big day and sheep are selling for the best prices ever. Business is booming as we wander around the lots as sheep are being auctioned and drafted through the pens. We chat to an agent who is very obliging with a commentary of the mornings events. Well worth the visit.

Katanning hosts a street art trail that was completed in November 2017; seven days, five murals and seven transformer boxes later, plus a series of youth workshops, the job was done. The colour and variety of the styles show how even the humblest wall or object can be transformed by art.

With map in hand we were off on our bikes to discover the artwork. 

On our travels we found the Kobeelya Conference and Accommodation Centre; talking to the gardener who gave us some history and opened it up for us to view the accommodation. The centre was built in 1902 and was home to the renowned Frederick Henry Piecce. The building has had many guises in it’s long history.

Back on the art trail through the town.

It’s time to venture to the All Ages Playground and play on the variety of slides and equipment in this beautifully manicured park. I mustn’t do too much as I’ll be back later this year on the On Your Bike CTA tour.

A slight misty rain to start the morning and dampen the tent, by the time breakfast is done the tent is almost dry for pack up.

A very slight incline over the ride today with last 8km some undulations before we arrive in Katanning. On the way we stop at the impressive town of Woodanalling. There has been some great local work to put the town on the map with plaques showing the sites of old building of years gone by. The town houses a general store, Mens’ Shed, School and CWA. A few new houses indicative of a regeneration of the town.

Onward to Katanning for our first rest day …

Katanning lays claim to being the second most multicultural town in WA, with over 40 nationalities represented among its 4300 people. We are welcomed with the choice of many international cuisine cafes.

At this part of the tour we are joined by more riders as we also say goodbye to others … the interchange as some partners join for the rest day. The Royal Exchange Hotel is busy with most of us eating there tonight.

A little head wind today but nice low kms … the roads were a little busier with a good shoulder and obliging drivers. Leaving Narrogin a French bakery caught my eye along with others … a huge croissant had to be sampled. The small town of Highbury was another stop … you have to take advantage of anything that looks open as you never know when you will see the next toilet or shop.

Our camp is at the showgrounds and I’m there by midday … the town has a few closed shops (I wonder if this is due to Covid or natural attritian of a country town) and 2 small supermarkets open. Wagin is the home of the Giant Ram which stands 30 feet tall to the entrance of town.

The local cafe supplies great rolls for lunch however the barista is on a break, we are guided to another location … Shane the coffee shop owner has closed, but he’s soon found and disappears for 10 minutes to get his keys to open. Shane is one of the locals who is the mortar in a town like this. He knows everyone runs a framing business when not entertaining the locals over a coffee. He doesn’t put out the ‘open’ sign as he’s afraid he’ll get more walk ins! He is quick to give a mobile number of one of the ‘ CTA Wagin girls’ and within half an hour the 2 local girls have joined us and several other of our cyclists … Shane joins in the banter.

The kitchen facitilities are great so a night in with supermarket pre cooked meal and games of Bananagrams.

A steady day of climbing while we ride through the towns of Pingelly, Popanyinning and Cuballing. It’s Sunday and no guarantees if there are shop/cafes open. Surprisingly Pingelly has a cafe/bakery with great cakes and rolls … coffee was ordinary. Further on through to Cuballing and the hotel is open. A great thirst breaker stop and lunch. The hotel is the only sign of life in the very small town, it must be popular with the locals.

Narrogin is 15km away … last 10km was challenging with unexpected hills … we were all drawn to a farm called The Hundred Acres and for all the Whovians is was a special treat a Tardis to the entrance of the farm … of course it went ‘through the keeper’ for me as I’m not a Who fan, but it was the most talked about in camp that night. Another unrelenting hill into Narrogin … camping was comfortable. Dinner at the Duke of York Hotel … the place was buzzing by the time we left with locals enjoying a Sunday meal out.

A nice drive to York 1hr 20min and I’m there at 8.30am.  The car is staying with many others at a ‘weekender’ owned by friends of our tour leader, Trevor.  I realise I’ve over packed so make a hasty reshuffle of my gear and leave some things in the car; cooking stove … really! What am I thinking – I’m here on holiday pub meals for me..   It’s great to catch up with familiar faces from past rides. 

A good riding day,  mild temperatures and no wind, however I’m feeling the lack of preparation on the saddle … ouch!  I really haven’t been on my bike for a good month. 

Some small undulations, it’s very dry and it looks like the sheep are still being hand fed, the paddocks are just dirt and dust, despite only a week ago the remnants of cyclone Seroja crossed this way before devastating coastal communities in the north, obviously the rain was very isolated and missed this area. It looks like some areas have been touched by an artists watercolour brush with a hint of green as some hints of grass colour the dry soil. 

The first stop is Beverley, it’s a Saturday and the coffee shops are busy.  Beverley hosts a popular gliding club.

Onwards to Brookton; by now it is early afternoon and the town is almost closed,  2 roadhouse petrol stations are open.  A nice park is a welcome sight to congregate and eat rolls and sandwiches before heading to the caravan park to set up camp. It’s always a challenge on the first day to sort out tents and gear … by the time 3 weeks have passed I’ll ‘get it right!’

Our camp is on the Recreation centre oval … lush green grass,  but we have to wait until the local hockey game is over before we can set up.

The only hotel with meals is open and we are all booked in. You just have to love country pub meals; supersized parmi’s … I was so pleased I ordered the salmon and salad.

Hi All, I’m back and about to take off on a 3 week Silo Tour in the Western Australian wheatbelt. We won’t to talk about where I would have been this time last year – there are 1000’s of those stories from everyone you see. I am just grateful that friends and family have been pretty much unscathed by the 2020 world disaster of Covid19.

So … in the last year I’ve kept busy with my local cycling clubs, tennis, mahjong and enjoying my 2 and 4yo grandkids. It has been a great summer and I’ve spent many hours walking and swimming on our wonderful beaches that Perth has to offer. Leighton Beach is my favourite with long stretches of fine white sand and only 20 minutes away by car.

But today I venture out with (last count) 47 other cyclists from a local club, CTA (Cycle Touring Australia) starting from York. Stay tuned and I hope you have a great ride with me.

Sadly due to lack of wifi and time I was unable to complete the Silo Tour blog but stay tuned as there is a new adventure coming up.