Australia 2025

Day 16- Cycling to Scarborough

Tired after yesterdays long day meant a later start than usual but eventually we roused ourselves to catch the train to Fremantle for the last time on this trip.

Once there we sought out a bike hire company which we found easily, run a by a French chap called Francois. I'm not sure if I trusted him with my $A35 but I selected a suitable red mount and we headed off to find the coastal path up to Scarborough beach. This proved a bit more difficult than YJ had anticipated as Google maps took us all over the place and we ended up amongst the construction traffic for a bridge over the Swan River. Eventually, with the help of some Aussie lorry drivers, we located the path.

It was warm this day, but not overly warm, so good cycling weather, however, it wasn't as flat as I had envisaged and consequently, it was a hard ride on my "cruiser" bike. I have to say thought, that it was less physically demanding than my fully-sprung mountain bike back home and it didn't hurt my back or shoulders. Perhaps I ought to get one?

We stopped off a few times of course, at Cottesmore Beach and had lunch at City beach where we had been earlier in the rip with Brian as you may recall. The views of the white sands and turquoise Indian Ocean are truly magnificent.

Following lunch, we rode the 3.7km to Scarborough and stopped off at at cafe for a coke, admiring the views.

The trip back was into a strong "Fremantle Doctor" headwind which slowed our progress a little. We used a more inland cycle path back that was adjacent to the railway line so it was a bit quicker overall, but still tiring.We arrived back at the cycle shop some 3 1/2 hours later - not bad for a 28 mile trip and amongst the Freo rush-hour traffic.

After some refreshment, we caught the busy train back and went to Coles for the last time for supplies and then to the hotel for a well earned cup of tea.

In the evening, we returned to The Saigon Vietnamese restaurant and the obligatory beer at The Belgian bar.