Nev's Magical Mystery Tour_Apr 26 - 30 2019

Friday April 26 Mundaring to Toodyay  81km

DizzieLizzie cracks up as FaybieBaybie explains how they're going to drop the guys on the first climb.

SASMan gives a secret signal to the boys to be ready for an early attack.

Twinkletoes all ready for business

DizzieLizzie scrapes dog poo off her brand-new cycling shoes

Special_K watches disapprovingly as SASMan fumbles with the bags in the trailer

Cocky, Antonio (on a cross-cultural exchange from Italia) and Ganners ready to roll

The obligatory team photo 1

That's better.  Everybody looking.

Pie stop at Bakers Hill.  SaM and GraM look like they're enjoying theirs

5G almost chokes on his pie as GraM points out the proper technique for pie-eating.

5G goes on to explain that in KiwiLand he'd always have a hangi rather than a pie, elaborating on the best way to make the hangi hang..  Special_K thinks 'well, that sounds like a crock of you know what"

Overhearing this exchange, Cocky starts to tell Special_K of all the hangis he ate on his trip to KiwiLand, but she's fallen asleep.

...........and stays asleep.

Antonio looks for some dessert while Twinkletoes is stumped by the question of how he's enjoying his poi.  Ms T'toes expression says it all.  Baggers, having arrived at 6.00am that morning on a flight from Scotland, is just happy to be outside.

Eventually T'toes decides it's not too bad.  Antonio looks pleased with his post-poi snack while Baggers is still pleased just to be outside, though with the typical Scottish canniness for sniffing out a bargain is now concerned as to whether he got full value for money as he has just learnt another establishment in town is offering a similar meal for 5cents cheaper.

Cocky explains to SASMan that he's going to ride on top of the car, without the wheel, so he can get lower to lessen wind resistance.

Toodyay Pub.  Antonio converts the cost of a beer to real money and discovers it is only 278,125 lira, so orders two.

SASMan commends FaybieBaybie on being first into Toodyay.

Post-ride drink at Toodyay.  The Gov jumps up quickly after slopping beer all over himself

Ganners, exhausted after the ride, has a quick nap.

Cockie and DizzieLizzie have a deep and meaningful exchange while Antonio tries to improve his English by eavesdropping.

.... an hour later they're still at it.

Special_K lets loose with a great honk while SASman and 5G shout their approval.

Saturday, April 27 Toodyay to New Norcia 90km

Rear of the Freemasons Hotel,Toodyay

Special_K shows everybody what she thinks of them.

.....DizzieLizzie too, though not quite so rude.

..... then practises the 'bush squat' for later in the ride when 'caught short' between towns.

Freemasons Hotel, Toodyay

Antonio giving a demonstration of how they warm-up in Italia.  Unfortunately, no-one was paying any attention.

FaybieBaybie briefing the girls on the tactics for the morning .... closing her eyes as she visualises the breakaway going up the first hill.

GraM wondering what the hell it is hanging out the front of his shorts.  Special_K advises him to leave it alone.

.... now they've noticed Antonio.  He's just fallen off his bike.

.... and the results 'aint pretty.  

... ha ha ha.  Wasn't that funny.

Good work.  The early morning breakaways arrive in time to set up morning tea for the cruisers.

The Gov is fascinated as GraM demonstrates the proper way to draw a sword.

...... and there's Twinkletoes again, still practising that tango step.

Ganners earns a quick $20 doing a service and wheel change on a bike for one of the locals....

.... then gives it a test ride to ensure they're getting value for money.

The three wise cows owls look on, contemplating tactics for the afternoon race to New Norcia.

2.15 pm   FaybieBaybie gets to sit in the winner's chair for being the first into New Norcia.

3.10pm   Still sitting in the winner's chair.

4.15pm   Some people just revel in victory

Our lovely accommodation at NN

The Gov's lovely accommodation at NN

Relics from the past - the cart, that is.

A relaxing beer after the ride   

Dining room at NN all set up for dinner.

Because of the soon-to-be-introduced COVID-19 restrictions, only two guests allowed in the dining room at a time.

Sunday, April 28    New Norcia to Gingin 85km

Troops relaxing after the ride.  FaybieBaybie demonstrates how a swift elbow to Special_K's ribs got rid of her in the race to the line.

Special_K tries to point out the injustice of it all but no-one is really interested.

The pink ladies chuckle at a video of a wannabe 'hot-shot' braggart demonstrating cornering techniques on his racing bike and coming a 'cropper'.

Cocky has a look, too, laughs, then realises that the video is of him.

Monday, April 29 Gingin to Guilderton  47km

SASMan has shown signs of coming apart at the seams, what with the pressure of organising the bingo night and people complaining about their porridge being cold, so Special_K helps him to 'get his sh** together'.

Cocky shows us where he nicked himself shaving his hairy legs in an attempt to attain a more aerodynamic profile.

How long is it going to take?  This guy has got serious problems!

GinGin Hotel

Do any of you remember what building this is?  

I thought not.  Luckily, I do. It's the historic Gingin Railway station,built in 1891.  Click below if you like it.

No need to feel blue about your memory loss.  It's quite common for very old people.

Trailer loaded and good to go!

.... well, almost.

Antonio looks smug.  He knows his experience in the Italian alps will help him on today's stage.

.... oops, forgot something!

Pathetic.  Cocky explains to 5G how the little nick he sustained shaving his hairy arms will prevent him riding today.  

Waiting for breakfast at the Gingin Cafe before departure.

Riders checking the press or their phones to see if yesterday's results are there.  Antonio still looking very smug.

Nice.

Accommodation at Guilderton

Ocean and river views at Guilderton

Relaxing after a hard day in the saddle, riding into strong westerlies





A group of Chinese businesspeople with WA trade officials looking at investment opportunities.  There seemed to be a lot of talk about bringing in 100 million surplus Chinese and establishing an avocado industry .... or is my Chinese getting a little rusty?

Tuesday, April 30 Guilderton to Duncraig 88km

SASMan, back in one piece and with the bingo set all packed away and the pressure off, leads the charge up the first climb of the morning

...... before T'toes takes over to give him a bit of a breather.

Ms T'toes is just cruising, saving energy for the sprint at the end of the day.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take any more snaps after this exciting moment .... or, if I did, I can't remember what has happened to them.

Thanks once again to SASMan and Special_K for their splendid organisation of a truly memorable (for some people) trip .  For the rest of you, I hope these pictures jog your memories and help you to recall it.

SS