Good to see Mark back from Darwin amongst several Anthonys. An appearance by our Wheatbelt representative Jeff and a book dispensing professor.
Elsie (Swampy's bike) was fully christened Elsie the Fin Whale with some local beer orca strated by Peter. Swampy has the fin at home.
A White Whale is a close relation of the Red Crested Fin Whale.
White Whale pictured in the same Habitat as the Red Crested Fin Whale
16 riders including Mark, Anthony and Anthony headed to the scarp for a zig zag trip to Yarloop. Others were Wes, DFS, Goldie, Wightman, Sophie, Nick, Si, Andrew, Geoff, His Royal Griceness, Peter, Swampy and Bozo.
The multiple Anthony's were confusing so Avon Anthony was named "Shock Jock" (refers to an 80 metre skid on Great Eastern Highway when his rear shock failed and impaled his tyre. Only a brief discussion of his suspension experience revealed multiple occasions failed damper was not a Master Chef comment.
The typical ride to Lesmurdie was followed by a run along Canning Road and then a descent down Canning Mills Road to Tonkin Highway. A short diversion on to Thomas Road before a brisk run along King Road to Mundijong Road and a break at the Freeway Servo. The excellent location to park up the bikes was challenged by the servo staff who gave us a serve over the PA. A slog along the slow moving Freeway got us to Dorsett Road for a ride to Coronation Road followed by Somers Road and Bancell Brook Road. A short traverse doen the South West Highway and we were in Yarloop.
Each time we visit Yarloop it is looking more like a prosperous community which is great given the absolute devastation of the February 2016 fires.
I went to Yarloop a week after the fires and the surrounding country was burnt to bare ground
We stopped outside the Hall which after the fire was just a shell and now has been fully restored.
Yarloop Hall a year after the fire.
DFS had a soft rear tyre which became more of a problem when a piece of fencing wire was found embedded in it. Goldie, Wightman, Swampy and Peter stayed with DFS to try and sort it out. Merlin Wightman produced an ancient potion that looked promising but could not seal the deal. Goldie took a trip to Waroona for more conventional solutions but in the end a white van resolved the problem.
The rest of the group headed to Waroona via an enjoyable loop up and down Willowdale Road for a Bakery break.
With no sign of the repair quintet the balance headed up Nanaga Brook Road, Nanga Road, Dwellingup and Del Park Road before a run along Hopeland Road, Liberton Road and Kargotich Road home.
Thanks to Swampy and Shock Jock Anthony for running as tail end Charlie and for Goldie, Swampy, Peter and Wightman for helping DFS out.
The run along the Freeway with spots of rain made the rest of the ride seem even better.
Bozo
