Posted on April 02 2023
Connal Tours Blooming Cycling Adventure, Cycle Tour WA #4 in the Spring of 2022 - a 6-day, cycling adventure in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia. Wagin, Dumbleyung, Nyabing, Pingrup, Lake Grace, Kulin, Kondinin, Corrigin, Yealering, Wickepin, Wagin. Supported by Connal Tours and Connal Kit Cycling Clothing. Dunsborough.
T4 Episode 1: 3rd October 2022. Needing a roadtrip to our cycle tour starting point of Wagin, where our cycling farmers Gwen & Arnold conducted a full farm tour on the eve or our ride. Day 1 of cycling from Wagin to Nyabing 100km.
First a tour of the town of Wagin, home of the Wagin Woolorama and the Giant Ram; then Lake Dumbleyung (Donald Campbell World Water Speed Record site) before our lunch stop in Dumbleyung. Visiting old school sites of Datatine and Boongadoo before arriving at the Nyabing Community Hub to find excellent accommodation and food.
T4 Episode 2: 4th October 2022. Day 2 of cycling from Nyabing via Pingrup to Lake Grace - 94km. After an icy start to the day, we headed to the wheatbelt town of Pingrup. The grain silos, as part of the Silo Art Trail astounded all.
Lunches from the Pingrup Pantry were taken to the Pingrup Racecourse. Here a restful picnic before some fun and games with the running of the Handicap Spare Tube Race. Watch the video for the Form Guide and the running of the race. Time to head north, passing several pink lakes, encountering strong headwinds testing our lead riders who were relieved to arrive in Lake Grace. A visit to the Australian Inland Mission Hospital Museum was of interest to all. Accommodation and food at the Lake Grace Hotel – another bustling country pub full of good food, hospitality, and local stories.
T4 Episode 3: 5th October 2022. Day 3 of cycling from Lake Grace to Kulin - 80km. First a breakfast and lunch order from the Roma & Kay Café to ensure all riders were well fuelled. Well needed as once again we encountered strong headwinds to test our lead riders.
A chance to visit the legendary Kulin Bush Race Track for our picnic lunch and cycle the Tin Horse Highway as we entered the town of Kulin. Another remarkable town full of community spirit with the Bush Races funding many projects and services over the years. Accommodation and food at the Kulin Hotel – another bustling country pub full of good food, hospitality, and local stories.
T4 Episode 4: 6th October 2022. Day 4 of cycling from Kulin to Corrigin via Kondinin - 76km. First a breakfast and lunch order from Acres of Taste Café in Kulin to ensure all riders were well fuelled.
A tour of Kondinin town and a snack stop at the Kondinin Recreation Grounds before continuing to Gorge Rock and Waterhole for our picnic lunch. Another stunning granite outcrop with a substantial waterhole. Cycling through the streets of Corrigin we were warmly welcomed by the ladies’ bowling members. The Corrigin Hotel provided beautiful comfortable accommodation and an excellent pub meal and refreshments which were needed by all. Another neat and vibrant country town full of community spirit.
T4 Episode 5: 7th October 2022. Day 5 of cycling from Corrigin to Yealering - 57km. First, breakfast in the main street of Corrigin. Then onto our bikes for a quick tour of the Town of Windmills and Dogs in Utes – Corrigin.
Leaving town, the ride to Yealering was along quiet country roads with birds singing to us all the way. A brief stop at the Rabbit Proof Fence for an energy booster. Then on through Bullaring to the head of the Avon River at Lake Yealering. Arriving at our destination it was time for a lakeside picnic lunch. Some felt they needed to ride further. A handicapped, 3 lap time trial race around the townsite was plotted and contenders called to the line. Spectators lined the balcony of the Yealering Hotel to watch the action. Plenty of time for bushland walks and lakeside relaxing before retiring to the bar in the Yealering Hotel. Friday night in Yealering was party night with the locals gathering to celebrate a birthday. Once again good food and comfortable accommodation in another classic country pub proved the fitting end to another great day exploring the wheatbelt.
T4 Episode 6: 8th October 2022. Day 6 of cycling from Yealering via Wickepin and finally returning to our starting point at Wagin – 105 km. A stop in Wickepin to restock for a picnic lunch on the road, before heading south.
Vast expanses of croplands stretched as far as we could see. Our lead riders were buffeted by a strange ‘willy-willy’ sweeping down onto us from across the tall wheat crop nearby. Stopping at the Noman Hall, then a picnic lunch stop at Cootarring Rock at the start of the gravel section. Making sure everyone was re-energised to ride the next section of 16km of gravel road on our narrow road bike tyres. All were relieved when once again we bounced back on to the bitumen surface. From here it was a pleasant ride back into Wagin with a sprint finish for some. Our only mechanicals for the tour coming in the home stretch for 2 riders sustaining flat tyres. A welcome end to 6 days of cycling 512km – drinks in the beer garden of the Palace Hotel Wagin, followed by a special dinner (for most) of the locally produced Wagin Duck.
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