I know next to nothing about motorcycles but I can't help noticing he is riding a Royal Enfield, which I gather from my older brother's mutterings, is a classic British bike in the vein of Norton, BSA and Triumph.

Thanks Victa. That is very helpful advice. I am hoping to get advice from local cyclists, and local maps en-route once I get out of my own patch in S.E. NSW. The roadies and Audax riders usually know the good roads.
I don't have a detailed route plan, and the Thorn Sherpa is good on dirt roads. So that Norseman to Hyden back road will be a good option. Thanks again.

Graham, when you get to WA consider taking the back road from Norsman to Hyden and then all the great dirt roads through the wheatbelt all the way into Perth... The main Great Eastern Hiway from Norsman to Perth scares the weebies out of me, even in a car.
And of course, if its raining you'll have no choice but the scary option.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if you get a majority of tailwinds on this ride, too.

Good luck!

Thanks for that interesting snippet of information Jacquie. I had Karrimor panniers which seemed to let water in, but not let it out.

I don’t think Goretex existed back then either. In that photo I’m wearing a Japara, which was made from waxed cotton. It was ok in light showers, but was useless in English rain.

As I understand it, Hartmut Ortlieb was inspired to make waterproof panniers after being soaked on a tour in England in 1981.

Thanks Scott. I’ve edited the caption with a bit more explanation of that photo.

What I haven’t mentioned is that I emailed that pic to work at the time and quite a few people thought the wax models were real, and I that I was impolite for not dressing well enough for the meeting.

Wonderful photo, but this makes me so sad. So much damage in so little time.

Thanks Kathleen. I will eventually get to the actual tour, but I felt like it needed some of the back story.

South East Australia is in a bit of difficulty at the moment with unprecedented, widespread and relentless wildfires. It’s been a truly apocalyptic summer.

That said, please still come and cycle tour here, but avoid high summer. It’s simply too hot. Autumn is usually the best season, or even winters aren’t really too cold compared to what you are used to. Early spring is usually ok too, but a bit more unpredictable.

If you do come, I’m more than pleased to help with cycle touring advice if you need it. Canadians usually feel at home here, and vice versa.

Thanks Scott. It is a precious photo, and I only discovered it a few years ago.

The photo also means a lot to me because my mother indirectly sparked the idea for this forthcoming attempt to ride to Perth; and I also remember that bike in its final years.

I am really enjoying this journal. We didn’t discover cycle touring until our sixties and wish we had started sooner. We too want to keep going as long as we can. I am also looking forward to a good look at cycle touring in Australia. We have a newly minted Australian daughter in law (November 16) and a whole wonderful new Australian family so will certainly be doing more exploring there. Lovely too that Australia arranged to be warm when Canada is cold! Well done 👍.

Such a beautiful photo, Graham.