Days 5 and 6 of Munda Biddi - baby steps

A combined post today because there was no mobile phone reception at the end of day 5.

Day 5

Distance: 45 km

Elevation gain: 487 metres

From Lake Brockman Tourist Park to Yarri Hut

About 3.5hrs in the saddle from 7:30am to 11.00am

Day 6

Distance: 44 km

Elevation gain: 407 metres

From Yarri Hut to the township of Collie

About 3.5hrs in the saddle from 7am to 10.30am

Now at Collie, my distance from Mundaring: 319km

Day 5 Recap - From Lake Brockman Tourist Park to Yarri Hut

The day started in tragedy with my chain popping off my largest gear and then wrapping between the wheel spokes and gear cluster.  My derailleur looked to be a twisted mess and I thought my journey was at an end. The adrenaline really kicks in fast!!  I took a few deep breaths and started to unravel my chain.  By good fortune I was able to get things straightened out and feed the chain back through the correct path on the derailleur and could keep going.  But no more using the first gear for steep hills in case it pops off again.  

The rest of the morning was OK with some gentle hills and not too much soft stuff.  It was another hot day on the track. 

I spent the night in the Yarri Hut with two gents - Ant and Paul from Guernsey Island

There were a few trees down on the track that slowed progress.

An important lesson is to take advantage of any streams to soak your riding shirt and keep cool. 

The Yarri hut is on the trail and you can't miss it.

Day 6 Recap - From Yarri Hut to the township of Collie

It rained most of the night while at the Yarri camp and I was glad to have my tent setup inside the hut to stay dry.  The mosquitos also really enjoyed the hut but couldn't get into my tent, thank goodness!

I was awake by 5am and ready for another day on the track.   Given the long days ahead I decided to lighten my pack load and leave gear that I don't need or want.  Now, I'm known to be a hoarder so it was very hard for me to leave anything behind...but here you go, I left a plastic knife behind. It's a start. 😁

The rain stopped and I headed off at 7am into a wet and cool rainforest. The ride today was one of the better so far on the track.  The rain stayed away and it was cool, almost cold, all the way to Collie. The feels like temperature was a very reasonable 17 degrees.  

The track varied from smooth wide to narrow trails and the hills were gentle compared to previous days.  The pea gravel and soft sand was ever present but with the rain overnight these sections were more tolerable. 

I decided to stay in the Collie Caravan park - not in my tent but in a cabin.  I took the opportunity to run my clothing through a proper washer and dryer, so fresh clothes tomorrow.