Country getting flatter now and the wind dropping so ideal riding conditions.

A few of the spots on the map that were supposedly towns or communities turned out to be crossroads which may have hosted a local hall or tennis court back in the ’20s but no longer.

A coffee at Wickepin, famous for local resident Albert Facey whose biography ‘A fortunate life’ of growing up and living a ‘simple but harsh’ life in the wheatbelt during the Great Depression is its major claim to fame. Albert’s biography is a testament to the power of positive thinking in the face of great adversity. Remember, if you cry you cry alone.

Wickepin’s other famous site is the tractor graveyard.

Got halfway to the end of the day at Kulin and ‘plonk!’. Dang it, busted spoke.

Nothing to do but take it gently to Kulin 35 km further on.

I was feeling sorry for myself and hesitant about carry on on the warping back wheel so tried changing the spoke.

Discovery 1; the Octalink bottom bracket remover looks remarkably like the Shimano cluster remover. Guess which one I had thrown in the toolbox? Even more depressed.

RESCUE!!! Sandra the local artiste gave sympathy and rescued the day. Or the mood anyway.

Nuff said. Sandra and Russell, you do not know how much appreciated your kindness to a wandering waif on the street meant. Thankyou, and thank Kulin with it’s neat and welcoming main street.

Normally I am skeptical of government handouts to struggling enterprises or towns but in Kulin’s case it has worked a treat.

Recover mood overnight before hitting the road again.