Back on the Road

November 9, 2015
Gravel road somewhere Southwest Australia

All good things must come to an end and I must go. Leaving is always so hard, but especially when I'm so comfortable where I am. And I was:). But the road beckons, Blaze was pawing the ground. So this morning I got packed up and on the road.




Saying goodbye to my hosts, Jacko and Annie.


Their lovely home.

Last night I picked a route by Google mapping a walking route to the next town about 125 Kim's away. Then I read through the names of the roads trying to find them on a paper map. I find google maps impossible to read with its white roads on a white background. And many roads not appearing. And road names not showing up. Quite frustrated with it lately. It used to be better. There has to be something else. Today I was even using Apple Maps because at least it was easier to see the roads and more roads we're showing up.

Well it was a good thing I'd read through the route because I forgot that I'd lose my signal and Google maps would become useless. I had also photographed sections of the paper map for referencing on the road but missed an early section...the section in:/.

But guess what? I'm on the Munda Biddi, a cycle path that nearly parallels the Bibbulmun. It's a 1000 kms too. It turns out the route I picked it's on. Wish I knew where it's shelters were. I hear their massive, sleep upwards of 100 people for handling large biking groups.

But I'll stay to my route if this turns off into the woods. Blaze can't do what some mountain bikes can. But today the Munda Biddi turned off and I stayed on the gravel. And I came to a river crossing with all kinds of warnings. There was water across the road, mid calf depth. I unloaded Blaze and pushed her through. As I walked back for the rest of my gear I wondered if there were leeches in the water. There were! I knocked them off!

I got to the top of the hill after the river crossing and there was the Munda Biddi coming back from a side road. I wonder where it crossed the river.


My legs hurt today. And my left knee. I've lost my biking legs. So I cut the day short and quit about 3 pm...30 kms. That's enough for the first day back.



A lovely nap, a read, and blogging. I'm home:))

November 10, 2015
Weld Road in a National Park

I'm bushed! Whipped! Tuckered out!! I think you get the idea. OMG! I never knew gravel could be so hard to ride on. I've got myself deep in the middle of nowhere and all the roads are gravel, even though on the map I photographed they were solid lines which I thought meant paved , or bitumen as the say here. Well, I haven't a clue what the difference is between a dotted road and a solid one on the map because on the ground they all look the same. And remember when I was hiking and complained about the ball bearings? That's the gravel I'm trying to pedal on. I've never slid around as much as I did today. And slow?!?! In 9 hours on the bike, my computer says I was pedaling for 6.5. That means excluding one break to eat, and another to nap, I spent another 1.5 hours resting while actually pedaling..,granny stops cause I was so tired I needed to pause. And I averaged 6 kms/h...3.6 mph. Does that give you an idea of how hard today was? Rolling terrain but not terribly long climbs. Just so hard on this terrible surface. Add to that "Road Closed" signs that I ignored and worried about why they were closed. The first one there was nothing. A ranger I met later said it was because of a recent burn. The 2nd "Road Closed" was where I met the ranger when I rolled down to a barricaded bridge. He kindly helped me carry my gear and bike across. And told me it would be quite a ways before I hit bitumen. I now know I have another 16 kms tomorrow before I find a real road. And from there I'm staying on bitumen! Even if I have to cycle further. But I have enjoyed the quiet. Maybe I say 4 cars today. How sweet is that?



But oh the flies!!!:////. It was humid. I was frustrated. The flies were annoying, to say the least. I'd wear the headnet until I started dripping with sweat. Then I'd use it as a fan. Right now, lying in my fly-free tent is such a joy. I'm thinking I'll eat a cold supper just so I don't have to fight the flies to cook. Welcome to Australia!!

As I lie here, blogging, I'm listening to about 8-10 different birds in the woods. Birds that I can't recognize, but sure enjoy their company. Maybe the struggle today was worth this special time tonight. I sure worked for it!!!

November 11, 2015
Rte 10 road to Northcliffe

I am so blessed! I'm still in awe when the stars align and my problems are solved. Today the big issue was water. I left two days ago with about 5 liters and expected to find houses along the way to refill. No houses. All forest. Even after I hit bitumen late this morning. Oh ohh! Maybe I should have scooped some of that mucky stuff I passed earlier. Ok in an emergency and this might just become one. Any rivers showing on the map? Not that they've been flowing. This road I'm on has some traffic but I'd need a place where cars could stop and it's not here. Sip. Sip. Why does thirst go up when water supply goes down? I have 3/4 of a liter. Not enough for today and tomorrow until town. Oh good an intersection with a dirt road. Plenty of room. Let me wave my milk jug and mimic drinking from it. Cars pass...and wave:/. Ugh. Patience dear girl. Check your map again. There has to be a watercourse somewhere that would be sufficient. I've got stuff to treat water. I'm ready to quit and bike on. There's one more car. Let's try again. And she pulls over! And she's got lots of water. She's on her way home and I can have it all. I'm so grateful. The rest of the day my worries are over. I just have to pedal all these hills:)). It didn't seem so hilly hiking through here.



View from my tent:)



There's Spacey! Feels good to be "home"!!



Yup, the trees are still big!!



Interesting fire gauge, don't ya think?!?!

I'm going to try and spend a couple of days at Schafer Campsite, my favorite one on the trail. It's right outside Northcliffe and I think I can bike into it. I'll have water and a pond to swim in. I've got plenty of food. Why not? So that's where I'm headed tomorrow. Hope I get a signal soon so I can let folks know I'm all right. I'm just going slower than even I expected. Out of cycling shape. And the last place I pedaled was flat!

November 12, 2015
Northcliffe, WA, Australia

Made it to town this morning. I felt like my struggle to get here was tougher than the Outback and the Bibbulmun! And I've got another 150 Kms to Augusta, the furthest southwest corner of Australia. Was checking with visitors center this morning for water resupply options. I should be all right.

But I do need to find a place to hide out for a few days with temps forecasted 88 to 95!! Schafer campsite is looking better and better!! A place to swim, plenty of water, and shade! Why not??

Let me close with some animal sightings:



Emus crossing the road.


The first fox I've seen just trotting along...until he spotted me.


Livin' the dream,

BagLady

Facebook: Kathryn Mossbrook Zimmerman