Day 2.

Chris had little sleep sharing his bedding with a mouse.  The mouse had bitten through his "scroggin" (nibbles) bag and was eating the Nutrigrain.

Back on the road to Pingelly, where two lovely ladies had found out we were raising funds for Cambodia and were putting on a delicious morning tea on for us.  So 20km down the road we had a table spread out with all home made goodies in the little church there (I thought I was going to lose weight on this trip).

After descending and eating like locusts we departed.  About 1km out of Pingelly we met Alex on the road.  He had cycled up from Narrogin to meet us (50km).  The day before he had ridden 80km on his own to Narrogin.  So he turned around and rode the 50km back to Narrogin.  We then decided to do an optional loop of 50km.  Alex came of course.  So he had done 150km for the day.  We then went to the swimming pool to shower and do a few laps (well, I was only doing a few).  Alex, he just went up and down up and down.  I went and showered again, got changed and Alex was still going up and down, up and down.  Not bad for someone who has gone past his "three score years and ten".  People say, "I hope I’m like that when I’m his age".  I wish I was like that now!

He is also Alex the Fox.  If there is a trick he knows it.  For example, we were riding and his chain came off.  He put it back on without stopping or getting off his bike.

After dinner we have an invitation to go to Mark and Jo’s for coffee and yummy desserts.

Seven intrepid riders plus a roadie were ready for the 550km++ 6 day ride. First stage, 112km to Brookton.  5km of gentle riding before you are confronted with 8km of hill to climb.  But a beautiful cool start to the day (before the hill anyway) and little or no wind. Perfect!

We make it up the hill and before too long it is morning tea break.  David, our roadie, gets the table and chairs out of the trailer and food instantly appears – as well as our water bottles topped up.  We are not slumming it.  It doesn’t get better than this.  Repeat for lunch only the amount of food gets larger.

Jason and Ange are riding shotgun for us at the start of the riders and David in the 24 seater bus plus trailer at the rear.

There is little traffic on the road and the drivers are courteous.

After around 4h 40m of riding time (significantly more when you add, morning tea, apple breaks, lunch break, afternoon tea…) we arrive at Brookton to settle at the Sports Pavillion, our home for the night.

Snacks immediately come out after the luggage is unloaded.  Soon followed stew and pasta salad for dinner.  David organises it all, then clears away afterwards and does the dishes.  And “no” I am not giving anyone his phone number!

It is 6:30pm and we are crawling into our sleeping bags and people are asking “is it time to go to sleep yet?”.