bicyclenomad

Kep Track: family pace

Since an unseemly mad dash along the Kep Track a while back Greg, Tim and I have been plotting a repeat.  The difference being that we’d do it with children in tow over a weekend rather than before lunch.

A reminder. The Kep Track heads east from Mundaring to Northam.  This means that it’s easily accessible to Perth inhabitants, particularly if a suitable person can be induced to pick you up from the other end.

Frequent stops ostensibly to allow rest for children and logistical discussions among adults. It appears that adults think better when drinking cups of tea. Lots of them
Frequent stops ostensibly to allow rest for children and logistical discussions among adults. It appears that adults think better when drinking cups of tea. Lots of them.  Greg, Tim, Demelza and Sarah haven’t got that far and it’s mid-afternoon already.

As the point was a relaxed pace and getting the kids along it with a maximum of enjoyment, there was a fuzzy/flexible car shadowing arrangement made to cover all bases.  The three of us are joined by Greg and his family plus Tim.  We’ve done similar things before though at that point Sarah was 32 weeks pregnant.  It’s a mark of our extraordinary level of organisation that we talked about this trip back then and it’s taken us too long to actually do it.

The Kep Track proper begins at the sculpture park in Mundaring. We did a segment of the Heritage Rail Trail to get there giving this as the first off-the-bike leg stretch. Bryn latches on to Meg and trails in her wake all weekend.
The Kep Track proper begins at the sculpture park in Mundaring. We did a segment of the Heritage Rail Trail to get there giving this as the first off-the-bike leg stretch. Bryn latches on to Meg and trails in her wake all weekend.
It's also the Northern end of the Munda Biddi track.
It’s also the Northern end of the Munda Biddi track.
Greg's home-fangled kiddie-trailer quickly showed signs of age with the hub bearings a long distant memory. Thankfully there was a backup plan or several :-)
Greg’s home-fangled kiddie-trailer quickly showed signs of age with the hub bearings a long distant memory. Thankfully there was a backup plan or several :-)
While you're pondering, there's always more tea
While you’re pondering, there’s always more tea
Our overnight stop is at a property owned by Tim's friend Alex. Bryn and Meg are having a great time
Our overnight stop is at a property owned by Tim’s friend Alex. Bryn and Meg are having a great time – though it seems to be utter devotion on his part and graceful tolerance on hers.
Next morning when we're helping out with some biomass planting (trees) it looks as if she may have given him the slip
Next morning when we’re helping out with some biomass planting (trees) it looks as if she may have given him the slip
But the separation doesn't last long...
But the separation doesn’t last long…
Meanwhile the adults are onto cups of tea (again)
Meanwhile the adults are onto cups of tea (again)
Plan A (minus the trailer)
Plan A (minus the trailer)
Plan B (a little while later)
Plan B (a little while later)
After a cunning support vehicle pickup Meg leads the charge
After a cunning support vehicle pickup Meg leads the charge
If you've got a pick up option that doesn't require getting the whole way to Northam, I'd recommend finishing at the junction between the Great Eastern Highway and Spencer's Brook Road (parking available). After that it's either quiet paved road or a confusing mush of unsigned scrub to avoid where the original route has been blocked by recent development.
If you’ve got a pick up option that doesn’t require getting the whole way to Northam, I’d recommend finishing at the junction between the Great Eastern Highway and Spencer’s Brook Road (parking available). After that it’s either quiet paved road or a confusing mush of unsigned scrub to avoid where the original route has been blocked by recent development.

 

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