Day 13 of Munda Biddi - Another breakage

Distance: 50 km

Elevation gain: 571 metres

From the town of Northcliffe to the Yirra Kartta hut

About 3.5hrs travel time, from 9:30am to 1pm 

At Yirra Kartta hut, my distance from Mundaring: 720 km

Distance to Albany: 320 km

It was a late start today while I waited for the Northcliffe Op Shop to open at 9am.  I was lucky because there was a heavy rain shower at 8:30am while I ate second breakfast at the Northcliffe general store.

The Op Shop delivered and I grabbed a pair of fleecy track pants to help keep me warm during the cold nights. I adjusted the gear on my bike to make room and there is now a red dry sack positioned above the top bar with some of the bulky clothing.

Most of today's ride was along quiet gravel back roads that meandered along - up and down hills all the way.  Even some dreaded pea gravel. It was another very cool day and I needed to wear my rain jacket most of the day just to keep warm.  

I stopped at the Boorara Tree picnic spot where there was a tree like the Gloucester tree - with the steel bars to climb to the top.  The Boorara Tree had a tiny fire lookout hut at the top of the tree that was used in the 60s.  Again, no climbing the tree. The picnic spot also had a shelter to get out of the rain which was nice.  I should have rested a bit longer because 5 minutes from the hut it started to rain.  I hid under a tree again for the worst of it to pass.

The day was going really well as I turned off the main trail to the side track up to the Yirra Kartta hut.  That's when I heard another, now familar, ting ting ting sound.  Yep, another broken rear spoke.  Dam !!! 

I'm now a lot more concerned about being stuck.  I'm currently 80km from the next town (Walpole) via the Munda Biddi trail and at this stage I'm not prepared to risk taking the trail.  I can get to the South Western Highway via the trail (about 10km) and then ride on the tarmac into Walpole.  Hopefully the wheel hangs together and I can get a service in town over the next few days.   Very disappointed.

There is phone reception on the big lookout behind the hut, so I've been able to post today's trip. Unfortunately no reception in the hut. 

Track today was generally pretty good. 

Another broken spoke. 

My bike now has the red bag for extra gear