Dave and Colin at the Yarri campsite near the end of their trip

Dave and I had done shorter trips last year going from Jarrahdale to Dwellingup and Jarrahdale to Mundaring. So this year we decided to do the whole distance in one go from Mundaring to Collie, and we completed it in seven days. We really enjoyed the trail and think it is a good blend of easy cruising and more challenging terrain. The option of the touring routes is a great idea. We got lost a couple of times due to signage and noticed a couple of other people had written similar things in a couple of the visitor books, but considering the number of signs and the nature of the project these small teething problems are to be expected. The new markers with the colours reversed are a lot easier to pick out on the trees. The huts are the business, and I like the fact that they are different colours so that they blend in with the surrounding bush. We were very relieved to se the Yarri hut finished as we had visions of sleeping under the stars or in the toilet if it rained as we were not carrying a tent. The latter option certainly did not fill us with joyful anticipation.

Our bikes stood up well with only one broken spoke and one broken pannier rack. All on my bike! The rack we repaired with cable ties and a bolt I found on the track and had carried for 3 days, which just happened to be the right thread for screwing into the broken pannier leg. The spoke I just had to live with for the last two days, which thankfully were quite smooth. We also had a wine bladder which got punctured when we dropped it. We were able to fix this with a cable tie as well. Wonderful things cable ties.

We carried our own food and wine and re-supplied at Jarrahdale and Dwellingup. Wine definitely tastes very nice after spending a few hours in the saddle each day. Seeing the camping huts appear out of the trees was a very sweet image on a couple of the harder days when we literally fell of the bikes.

We met a few other people at the northern end of the track on the Sunday and Monday but otherwise had it to ourselves. So we were able to spread ourselves out at night in the campsites.

Really looking forward to riding the next section when it is completed, and hopefully I'll have my full suspension bike to do it on then.

Finally, please pass on my, and Dave's thanks to everyone involved in the construction and planning of this track. It is a great experience and a great way to see the changing face of the WA bush as you head south.

Submitted by: Colin Murray