Gold in Them Thar Hills - Against The Wind - CycleBlaze

May 22, 2021

Gold in Them Thar Hills

Norseman to Widgimooltha

The 160km from Norseman to Coolgardie was a stretch too far to ride safely,  so we aimed for Widgimooltha Roadhouse. Ian had managed to ride the 160km a few days ago but messaged us that the many road trains and soft edges made it a very difficult ride.

This area is famous for its gold rushes and gold mining but many other minerals, such as nickel, are mined in the slightly hilly region. 

Being a Saturday we hoped the mine traffic would be less than during a weekday, and this turned out to be the case. We found the 92km ride to Widgimooltha to be fairly comfortable with only a few awkward incidents with other road users.

Widgimooltha Roadhouse was a very pleasant, friendly  place to stay. Caz and Gary who manage the roadhouse are also from Canberra. They are here helping out a friend for a few months. The cooked meals were excellent, and Caz even offered to make us a packed lunch for the following days ride. 

The donga accommodation was very basic but for $45 for a single room, it was good value with access to a clean kitchen, laundry and good showers. 

Farewell to Norseman. It was a good town to have a rest day
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Lake Cowan near Norseman
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The road and rail skirt the edge of the lake
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The vast area of the dry lake is impressive
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The active rail line. It seems to mainly carry ore from the nearby mines.
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Another view of the vast Lake Cowan
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The Blue Tree Project. https://www.bluetreeproject.com.au/
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Vince McCarthyG'day Graham,

I assume this is part of the Blue Tree Project, to help raise awareness for mental health.

https://www.bluetreeproject.com.au/

Cheers
Vince
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3 years ago
Graham SmithTo Vince McCarthyThanks Vince. It’s the first and only blue tree I’ve seen. I’ll keep an eye out for more now.
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3 years ago
A restoration project in waiting.
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Remarkably coloured and smooth textured bark of a eucalypt tree
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The resident pooch at Widgimooltha Roadhouse
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Just being in this area generates an interest in geology
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The resident birds at Widgimooltha Roadhouse
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One of the many B-triple ore carrying road trains plying the road to Coolgardie
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Another of the massive trucks refueling at the roadhouse
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The courtyard near my $45 per night donga accommodation
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One of many mine roads branching off the main road
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Today's ride: 92 km (57 miles)
Total: 3,165 km (1,965 miles)

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