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<\/a><\/p>\nOur Pemberton stop was a whirlwind of activity. \u00a0We had spread our gear into every conceivable space in the cabin, so repacking it into bags and onto the bikes took even longer than usual. \u00a0With rain showers forecast for the middle of the day, we spent extra time making lunches, and decided to forego the normal lunch time cook-up and coffee. \u00a0We were ready to leave around 9am, which is becoming a standard time for us after a two to three hour morning preparation routine. \u00a0Pokey felt more sluggish than usual with a full resupply of food on board. \u00a0I resisted the temptation to whinge that my brakes were dragging, and accepted that it was just my legs being slack.<\/p>\n
First stop was the bakery where Kim tempted fate and bought a vanilla slice. \u00a0I got an apple strudle, which was to again prove to me that the idea of pastries is usually better than the reality. \u00a0After an uphill climb through town, we stopped off to post home a bag of gear we didn\u2019t need. \u00a0It was our second post-home, and has engendered some lively discussion about what gear is really necessary for a bike-packing trip.<\/p>\n
We continued climbing out of town, and I was a bit alarmed to clock over 100 vertical metres before we hit the two kilometre mark. \u00a0If this continued, we were in for a long day. \u00a0We joined the pathway to the Gloucester Tree, which boasts a fire-spotting platform 53 metres above ground. \u00a0Kim had climbed the steel rungs spiraling the tree during our visit in February, as well as the two fire tower trees in other parts of the karri forest. \u00a0Our plan on this visit was to look, take photos and eat pastries.<\/p>\n
We struck up conversation with other visitors, most of which began with \u201cAre you climbing it?\u201d \u00a0Kim explained that he had done all three trees earlier in the year, and on this visit to WA was just riding 1000km on a mountain bike. \u00a0\u201cSoft\u201d, teased one bloke. \u00a0It was a bit harsh – Kim was too busy licking the remnants of his vanilla slice out its paper bag to defend himself.<\/p>\n
We left the Gloucester Tree and rejoined the Munda Biddi for a magic downhill run. \u00a0It was two kilometres of well groomed single track that wove in and out of the giant karris. \u00a0We stopped at the bottom with huge grins, agreeing that we had just ridden our new favourite section of the Munda Biddi.<\/p>\n
We were then treated to a series of mostly downhill runs on old logging rail lines, with pieces of old sleepers and rail spikes still visible in places. \u00a0There must be a maze of these lines running through the forest, as we repeatedly wove our way from one run, across a road, down some new track and onto yet another old line. \u00a0It made me wonder what the old fettlers would think if they saw their hard work being used in this way.<\/p>\n
We spent most of the morning on single track or old logging lines, which often intersected with the Bibbulman walking track. \u00a0We stopped for our first snack break at River Road Bridge and rode across a long sleeper-covered bridge. \u00a0It spanned a wide and fast flowing river, with just two drooping strands of wire on either side. \u00a0 The approach towards risk in West Australia is refreshing, with signs on public facilities declaring \u201cYour safety is our concern, but your responsibility \u201c. \u00a0I suspect that any person who can\u2019t foresee that tap-dancing blindfolded across a rickety bridge may have negative health implications will need more than some safety fencing to help negotiate their course through life.<\/p>\n
Soon after leaving the bridge, we met a couple heading north and stopped to exchange stories of our travels. \u00a0They were on Day Six, having left from Denmark and heading for Mundaring. \u00a0They were the first cyclists we had met in several days. \u00a0Like us, they we having a fabulous time.<\/p>\n
We then had a steady climb for several kilometres and spent the afternoon riding on single track and old logging lines. \u00a0The rain held off for the day, apart from a few light showers that were not enough to tempt us into raingear. \u00a0Towards the end of the day, we followed the track around a small hill, apparently circumnavigating a farm shed and abandoned house. \u00a0The track turned sharply left at a section of white electrical fence tape and headed uphill towards the farm shed. \u00a0Fortunately a farm worker came out and redirected us back down the hill, advising us to duck under the electric fence that a farmer had strung across the track to keep out the neighbour\u2019s cattle. He assured us that the fence wasn\u2019t live, but I sent Kim first, just in case.<\/p>\n
With rain forecast again, we found ourselves a cabin for the night just outside of Northcliffe. \u00a0Our next two nights are planned to be on the trail at shelters, so we are enjoying a little inside warmth before heading out again. \u00a0 Still loving the adventure !!<\/p>\n
9 September 2016<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
(44km, 10.86kmh av, 650m up) Our Pemberton stop was a whirlwind of activity. \u00a0We had spread our gear into every conceivable space in the cabin, so repacking it into bags and onto the bikes took even longer than usual. \u00a0With rain showers forecast for the middle of the day, we spent extra time making lunches, … Continue reading Munda Bidddi Day 14 – Pemberton to Northcliffe<\/span>