New Year's Resolution

[Digger]

In keeping with my Resolution, I’m taking a well earned 10 day break in Bali (actually, SWMBO told me I had to be here to attend a wedding from her side of the family). Sometimes, you just have to take one for the team.




The ‘family’ booked out the villa located in Seminyak. Tough gig.

It was quite an elaborate wedding....many seperate functions to attend pre and post the actual ceremony. You could have bought several BMW’s with what they would’ve spent on the wedding.

Once the formalities were over, it was time to relax poolside or explore the island.

[Digger]

Convinced Jacki we should go on a group bike tour to explore the island (what else)....an easy 20km mostly downhill thru local villages and paddy fields.



Went past an area where they were preparing for a mass cremation (not the actual burning but the prep side of the business). It was interesting to see and hear about the process. All Balinese are cremated but there is a 4 year backlog. They are initially buried, exhumed when it is their turn, bones washed and cleaned and then placed inside ‘animals’ depending on their status. Here are cows and you can decide on the expression (before you die).

https://balipedia.com/articles/mass-cre ... linese-way




Getting a face massage by a Golden Orb Web Spinner (female, getting a massage from a male would be inappropriate (for me)).

[Digger]

Jacki cruising thru paddy fields.

Back to reality on Monday (my reality)...depart for the OCR and Simpson Desert the following day (Tuesday).
So much to do...

[wightman]

Great Pics, Steve. If that volcano goes BOOM! the expression on the faces of those cows will turn to a grimace.

[Raider]

Bali night-spot?

[Digger]

In training...watch this space!

[Digger]

G'Day Slackers,

I'm bored...might go for a bike ride.

From Monday 24th, Trev and I are commencing to ride the Munda Biddi Trail from North to South. Trev will pull out at Collie after one week to return to work (yuk) but I'll continue end to end (E2E). About 1,060km from Perth to Albany.

Short intro to the Munda Biddi is...

"The Munda Biddi Trail (which means path through the forest in the Noongar Aboriginal language) is fast becoming a world-class nature based off-road cycling experience. There are few places left in the world where a 1000km trail could be built through an undeveloped natural corridor. Combine Western Australia’s vast areas of unspoiled forest and bushland, gentle terrain and year-round cycling weather, and you have the ideal setting for an off-road cycling trail".

Munda Biddi link is here;
https://www.mundabiddi.org.au/

SPOT Tracker effective from the start point at Mundaring from Monday morning.

SPOT link is here;
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa

See you on the other side.

[Bozo]

Digger

I have a set of three "rip proof" maps (2008) for Mundaring to Collie for the Munda Biddi Trail that I will never use, gratis, if they are of any use.

Bozo

[Digger]

Digger

I have a set of three "rip proof" maps (2008) for Mundaring to Collie for the Munda Biddi Trail that I will never use, gratis, if they are of any use.

Bozo

Thanks but not necessary...got’em already. I do have to purchase a couple of maps for the last sections but I’ll pick them up over the next few days. Thanks for the offer.

What do you mean”you won’t use them”....get on your bike and ride.

[KoosWA]

Bozo

I can relieve you of then maps, if the offer stands.

BTW, I am in Melbourne this week.

[Digger]

Just be a little cautious with the older maps...when the first few sections of the MBT were opened they realigned it cause 'family groups' were struggling to complete the sections. Parents were taking their kids on the back in kid seats thinking it might be fun. The first sections of the trail are the hardest cause you climb over the Darling Range. Not sure when it was realigned (Bozo...feel free to chime in...i did a Google search but came up with nothing).
It promises to be challenging...but i guess you know that when you sign up!!!

[Bozo]

Digger

Checked Mundaring to Jarrahdale section. The 2008 Maps are identical to the digital file including the Asher Road alternative. I reckon they are current.

Bozo

[Bozo]

Koos

Happy to reserve the maps for you. Let me know when/how to deliver.

Bozo

[Bozo]

Looks like Digger is travelling well having completed over 100 kms in two days knocking over the Mundaring to Jarrahdale section.

Bozo

[Digger]

G’Day Slackers,
It’s been tough, but no tougher then I expected. Yesterday (Monday) it felt like we pushed the bikes more then we rode them. There were some really steep ascents, so much so, that Trevor had to help me push the bike and trailer up one of them. If it had been wet, I would never had gotten enough grip with my shoes to climb the hill. I had my first puncture within 3km from the start...wasn’t expecting that. We are on track and on schedule. Staying in a hostel tonight (Tuesday) at Jarrahdale.



The start point...or the finish point if you travel from the south. Sculpture Park in Mundaring.



While I was repairing my puncture, we were passed by this group of young blokes on their way to Jarrahdale. Within 2 km we caught up to them. One rider hit a big washout at speed and destroyed his bike as well as went flying over the handlebars. Trev reckons the kid was in shock. I didn’t notice. I was too busy filming and taking photos.