Truckin’

May 23, 2021

Widgimooltha to Coolgardie

We had some trepidation in advance of today’s ride. Wet weather was forecast and the road to Coolgardie has a reputation for carrying numerous road trains, especially large, fast, noisy mining trucks.
Thankfully being a Sunday greatly reduced the number of B-triple ore carrying road trains. And the heavier rain didn’t eventuate until days end. By the time it rained heavily, we were already under cover in Coolgardie.

The bottom line is that today’s ride was mostly a pleasant, interesting and comfortable ride. It did include several kilometres of roadworks which was a muddy section but very safe as the road traffic was being controlled. We even had a road safety chase car escort us through the roadworks section.

We found excellent pub single rooms accommodation in Coolgardie for $65 per room. The pub is owned by a couple who moved here from Victoria and they are gradually renovating the inside of the building.

Dawn start. Farewell to the friendly Widgimooltha.

Roadside woodlands. Very distinctive eucalypts unlike any species I’ve seen back in eastern Australia.

Today’s ride was remarkably free of mining road trains but there were a few other big vehicles on the road.

A side road to a mine. The light rain showers had immediate affect on the road surface. Not a bicycle friendly situation so I was glad we only had to ride on seal except for a few kilometres of roadworks.

The water pipeline is an excellent morning tea table. Note the fresh, home-made rolls supplied by Caz at Widgimooltha Roadhouse.

Another distinctive local eucalypt. Unusual bark.

It is weeks since I’ve seen any body of water which looks like a river.

A eucalypt that looks like it’s wearing woolly socks.

Misty forest to the horizon. Looking north west.

Today's ride: 83 km (52 miles)
Total: 3,248 km (2,017 miles)

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