Riding - no, pushing - my bike along the Munda Biddi Trail

I rode three days along WA's renowned Munda Biddi Trail. No, not really, much of it I had to push my bike.

Munda Biddi Trail

The Munda Biddi Trail stretches from Mundaring in the north, in the Perth Hills, down to Collie and Nannup. Some 500 kilometres south, it is planned that the trail will reach the 800 kilometres to Albany sometime next year. I chose to ride four days from the northern trailhead at Mundaring. Wrong choice.

The riding was tough, this was immediately clear on the day I set out. Within the first two kilometres I fell off my bike twice. What was to become a familiar pattern, the rutted gravelled track was no friend of the bike trailer, or for that matter a bike with panniers.

I had planned to ride from the northern trailhead, itself in the town of Mundaring, but due to the lack of accommodation options (the caravan park was a no-show) I drove some seven kilometres down the trail to Mundaring Weir, staying the Perth Hills YHA. Here I could safely leave my car, and would be able to catch two trains and a bus back to Mundaring, but would have to walk the seven kilometres down the Trail back to the YHA, there being no public transport to the weir, despite the parks and picnic areas.

I discovered later from others that the section from Mundaring to the first campsite, Carinyah, is notoriously difficult. Indeed, this whole section from Mundaring to Dwellingup is glorious, but tough. I really should have done more (or for that matter, some) research. A guy with a similar bike trailer rode from Mundaring to Collie in 13 days, although he was ill-prepared and carrying too much weight.

The first 12 kilometres of the first day took me over two and half hours, plus the time it took me to replace a blown tyre and repair a puncture. Thank you to Graham for giving me that habit of carrying a spare tyre, my tyre was unrepairable! This section was labelled as challenging, indeed it was a ripper. It was very difficult to push the bike and trailer along, riding was out of the question. Even pushing the bike my feet would slip on the narrow, gravelled, rutted path. Only two or three kilometres into the Challenging section I came across an alternative route option for touring bikes. There was no question in my mind as to what route I would be taking!

From here on whenever I came upon a section labelled challenging, I would seek out the alternative touring route, or where none was available, seek out dirt roads that I could get around the area. It was very well worth it, as proven on the third day's ride when I rode a section labelled challenging, but this time without the trailer, and with two boys instead. It was hard work to push the bike up those river valley sides, it would have been impossible to push the bike and loaded trailer.

I met and rode with some great people along the trail. On the first day I didn't meet anyone, and camped alone at Carinyah campsite. Carinyah in the local indigenous language means Happy Home and indeed it was a fanastic campsite. A very spacious hut with park benches, sleeping platforms, bike racks and even a bike fixing rack. Very nice! I wish the Department for Environment and Heritage in South Australia would take note and build similar standard huts, the Bibbilmun Track huts were of a similar high standard. It was easily the coldest night - a mere 3 degrees - I have spent in Western Australia, even colder than the night spent on the Nullabor.

On the second day I met Reg, as I was parking the bike for a moment's rest, he rode up behind me. We discussed bikes and plans for the day, he was impressed with my bike trailer and wondered how it performed. He followed me up a hill to witness it's performance. With a trailer one is forced to travel slow uphill - it's hard work - and going slow downhill is advised. With a rutted, gravelled track one wrong move and the trailer could bounce into the rut, bringing the bike and you into the rut with it, and most likely you off the bike. At the top of the hill, he took off past me down a ridiculous hill at an adventurous speed. Indeed, this trailer was certainly slowing me down. At the bottom of the hill though Reg was nursing his bike, he had just broken a wheel spoke on the downhill run.

We lunched at Wungong campsite together. Another excellent campsite, but I was there by 12.30pm and Jarrahdale was only 26 kilometres away, the section of track being labelled as easy. We rode into town together, some of the ride following an old logging railway. The ride was indeed very easy, it would have been interesting to have noted the different average speed for this after lunch section compared to the morning's section, I think it would have been vastly different.

Reg assured me he had heard of cyclists staying at affordable accommodation in town, and although a free campsite was my preference, dividing the track up in this way made much more sense. At the General Store and Cafe I asked about nearby hostels and campgrounds, there are none I was told. Well shit me. I sauntered off down the pub to ask there, and they told me of an option just out of town. I returned to the Store to tell Reg and grab my bike. He had been busy on this iPhone looking up options, probably concerned about him misleading me. An assistant at the Store overheard our conversation and returned with a leaflet with many options, but mostly B&Bs. Too expensive for me, no worries though she said, you could stay next door. It is set up like a hostel, only $30 a night, we administer the bookings. What! This is perfect, why did the other girl tell me there was nothing around here! The community run hostel is in the former Nurses Home for the now demolished hospital. Called the Environment Centre, it is also a community centre of sorts. The facilities are excellent, good beds, hot showers, fully stocked kitchen and heating! Perfect for passing cyclists, if you want to use it remember to insist it exists if you are told at the General Store and Cafe that there is nothing around here!

On the third day I saw a mother with a couple of kids riding. The husband, Nick, was meeting them with the car at regular intervals, and at once such interval I stayed to share some lunch - such a great lunch spot it was. Jane was riding with her two boys, Cameron (11ish) and Lachlan (9ish) to North Dandalup Reservoir today, this would complete their ride from the trailhead and Mundaring to Collie, some 300 kilometres to the south. They had originally set out during school holidays to ride the whole distance, with home-made panniers and their camping gear but the weather got the better of them after eight days on the track. They planned to continue their ride over coming weekends, completing the trail south of Collie down to the present southern trailhead at Nannup. They had previously completed walking the 1,000 kilometre Bibblimun Track, and are hoping to publish a children's book later this year.

I took up Nick's offer to put the bike trailer in the car trailer, and ride with Jane, Cameron and Lachlan to the dam. Oh my goodness, it was glorious indeed riding trailerless - it's like moonwalking. Jane soon recognised her boys had met a match, and took a ride in the car, leaving me to ride with the two boys along a section labelled challenging to the reservoir. The boys make an excellent team, looking out for each other and planning not one step but two steps ahead with their map reading.

At the reservoir I took up Nick and Jane's offer to drop me in town down on the plains. I had already decided that morning that I would camp just past the reservoir at the Dandalup Campsite, and get up at 5am the next morning and ride downhill, out of the ranges to meet the 7am train to Perth. My knees were sore and would only get worse, I don't think I had another day in me.

At the Pinjarra Caravan Park I booked my train ticket for the following morning. I had always intended to finish here, but after riding a fourth day to Dwellingup and then down from the range to this plains town.

Sorry, not many photos this time, cycling a hard trail and caring to take photos at the same time was too much. Anyone who has cycled before will know that photography and cycling arent a good mix anyway.

Download Google Earth KML file of the first three days south from the northern trailhead of the Munda Biddi Trail

Download kml file to view in Google Earth or adapt to use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit

Stats	Munda Biddi Trail (Mundaring to Dandalup)
	Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Monday
	28/5/2010	29/5/2010	30/5/2010	31/5/2010
	Mundaring Weir (YHA) to Carinyah campsite	Carinyah campsite TOI Jarrahvale	Jarrahvale to North Dandulup Reservoir	Mundaring to Mundaring Weir (YHA)
Distance	32.7km	59.0km	29.1km	7.5km
Start Time	9.30am	8.15am	8.15am	-
End Time	4.00pm	3.45pm	2.00pm	-
Moving Duration	3h58m	5h29m	3h33m	-
Stationary Duration	2h35m	1h58m	2h15m	-
Moving Average	8.2km/h	10.8km/h	8.2km/h	-
Overall Average	5.0km/h	7.9km/h	5.0km/h	-
Oodometer	32.7km	91.8km	121km	128km

Aroona Valley to Angorichina to Blinman circuit

It was pretty straight-forward. Ride along a fire track, a dirt road, the Mawson Trail, then back to camp along another fire track. What could possible go wrong?

Aroona Valley to Angorichina (Heysen Trail) to Blinman (road) and return (on Mawson and Heysen Trail)

Well of course, you aren't meant to ride bicycles on the Heysen Trail. As if I don't know that having walked the entire trail. But from what I recalled on this, the final walk on the Heysen Trail, it was all fire track. As it turned out, it wasn't. It was mostly, but the rest was single track walking track, steep hills or creek beds. So our ride was truly some mountain biking, which was slow, but which we both enjoyed.

From the end of the Heysen Trail, as Parachilna Gorge, we rode along the dirt road, first to Angorichina then onto Blinman. Perhaps here, I underestimated how this would be 18km of uphill, and very, very dusty as drivers drove past us. Only a couple slowed sufficiently to not leave us breathing heavily in a cloud of dust.

In Blinman, we caught up with someone who had left a comment on my Mawson Trail blog, whom Judith knew quite well, and whilst talking to them in the main street, I heard my name being called out from the darkness under the Blinman Hotel. An old workmate. This ride was taking longer than we thought, and with these people we had seen, it was 3pm before we left town. Blinman, btw, was only just over half way through the day's ride. Don't get me wrong though, I wouldn't have not stopped and chatted away to our friends, so delightful is it to meet up with people in random places.

Along the Mawson Trail, mainly along a dirt road, we made quick progress, which was good since we could see the time when we could well be riding in the dark (or more likely, walking our bikes in the dark). From where the Mawson Trail crossed the Heysen Trail, we returned back to camp along the Heysen. Opps though. It was a single track route, once again I had selectively remembered it as fire track. There behind me, Jude's words summed it up, "due to information not previously known to me, I know determine the ETA to be ... ". Classic.

Amazing views though. Wonderful sunset. And we made it back to camp after the sun had just set, maybe within 5 minutes we would have been forced to ride our bikes. Back just in time to have our turn at preparing dinner for the rest of our crew. They had spent hours wondering where we had got to, but let's not forget they set that precedent for us the day before.

Download Google Earth KML file

Download kml file to view in Google Earth or adapt to use as a navigational aid in a GPS unit

Stats	Flinders Ranges
	Sunday
	12/04/2009
	Aroona Valley to Angorichina to Blinman circuit
Distance	80.0km
Start Time	8.50am
End Time	6.20pm
Moving Duration	6h32m
Stationary Duration	2h54m
Moving Average	10.7km/h
Overall Average	7.4km/h

Old Beechy Rail Trail

A rail trail follows a former railway, so the track is always reasonably flat or has slight inclines or declines. And there's the trap for newcomers, ride the slight decline for 28km - barely even noticing the decline, then turn around and ride back - uphill all the way.

Old Beechy Rail Trail, the Otways, Victoria

Remants of an old timber bridge

I spent two days whilst travelling along the Great Ocean Road in the cool shady forest. It was high 30's out there in the sun, but very cool riding in the forest. On the first day, I left my car in Colac and rode from the start of the rail trail, at the railway station, to Gelibrand, which is approximately half way along the track. It is uphill riding to Barongarook, which to be honest was quite tough. All of this section is along roads and not along the original railway alignment (the former railway did start in Colac, and the rail trail follows roads adjacent to the former railway). It was a very hot day to be out in the sun riding uphill on dirt roads, but after lots of rests and puffs of my ventolin, I made it to the start of the former railway just beyond Barongarook. Here the riding became very easy, being a steady decline to Gelibrand, with just a few off-the-former-railway-alignment sections. If I rode this trail again, I would start beyond Barongarook, the railway alignment starts at the 103 mile railway marker on Maggios Road. Part of the rail trail, just before Barongarook is on a bitumen road for several kilometres, could be a bit scary for the kiddies.


103 mile marker

Gelibrand was a welcome sight, enjoyed a nice lunch on the verandah of the general store. The ride home was quite a bit more difficult, mainly because it is uphill, and I didn't realise just how easy I had it riding downhill from Barongarook to Gelibrand. It's just that the incline is unrelenting, but you can see in the stats below that although it took me the same time to ride, I didn't need to rest for as long. I put that down to the uphill section being in the shady forest rather than the open sun, and being high on ventolin. The ridge from Barongarook downhill to Colac was easy.

The following day, having learnt something from the previous day, I left my car in Gelibrand. Gelibrand lies at the bottom of the valley, with the Colac at one end of the rail trail, and Beech Forest at the other end, both being at the tops of the ranges either side of Gelibrand.


Old steam locomotive boiler at Dinmont

So I rode uphill towards to Beech Forest. I enjoyed this day much more than the first day, it was easier, and I was mentally prepared for it this time. The forest seemed much nicer, lots more bends, and much more riding along the former railway alignment rather than dirt roads. I stopped at Dinmont though, rather than the end of the rail trail at Beech Forest. From Dinmont to Beech Forest is entirely on dirt roads, so I didn't really see the point. No shops at Dinmont either, just a pub. I think future plans for the trail include the rail trail following the former railway from Dinmont to Beech Forest, and perhaps an extension to Lavers Hill and Crowes where the former railway terminated.

The ride back from Dinmont to Gelibrand was a lot quicker than the ride there. I did however fall for one trap... riding uphill from Gelibrand I came across a fallen tree which blocked the path. Trees in forests can be a bit difficult to move, I looked at trying to move it, but a chainsaw would really be needed. So anyway, you'd think I would remember it was there when I was riding back along that way later - because this time I would be riding much faster, being a long downhill run. I've got to say, in the dappled light of a forest, it is very difficult to see a single fallen log across the path when you are riding fast. I had to jump off my fast moving bike to save myself, and somehow I managed to get off and not take a tumble, although my bike got some damage from hitting the log and ground at such speed. It all happened slow enough though, as accidents do, for me to recall the log and realise how stupid I was. So I tried to mark the log a bit, to draw attention to it, but really, is there anyone else out there as stupid as me?


Old steam locomotive boiler near Triplet Falls

When I finished the ride, I enjoyed lunch again at the Gelibrand general store, and spent the afternoon wandering around some local sights - via car this time - like the town of Beech Forest and Triplet Falls. At Triplet Falls there was an old steam locomotive boiler hidden in the forest, amazing to think that all this area was completely cleared by the over-zealous settlers thanks to the railway, and that now you would have no idea that the land had been completely cleared at the start of last century.

I visited the Otway Fly, meh, it wasn't so great. $20 to get in, so not worth it. Although on the way out a couple of backpackers approached me for some tips as to how to avoid the entrance fee, ie in which direction to head to climb the fence. So I guess if they were successful it wasn't quite so expensive on a per-person basis.

Visit official Old Beechy Rail Trail webpage and download map and brochure.



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Stats:

27 December Colac-Gelibrand Distance: 26.4km Moving duration: 1h 43m Stationary duration: 1h 14m Moving average: 15.2km/h Overall average: 8.9km/h Max speed: 49km/h	Gelibrand-Colac Distance: 26.4km Moving duration: 1h 45m Stationary duration: 39m Moving average: 15.1km/h Overall average: 10.9km/h Max speed: 56.2km/h
28 December Gelibrand-Dinmont Distance: 14.1km Moving duration: 1h 13m Stationary duration: 45m Moving average: 11.4km/h Overall average: 7.1km/h Max speed: 35.4km/h	Dinmont-Gelibrand Distance: 15.2km Moving duration: 44h 59m Stationary duration: 6m Moving average: 20.3km/h Overall average: 17.7km/h Max speed: 36.3km/h

Encounter Bikeway

I got a nice sun tan today. I set off early, but then lost track of time. Yep, that sunnies mark on the side of my face. And one better, nice arms - but what's with the white hands? Riding gloves. Not a good look.

Hugging the coast from Goolwa to Victor Harbor, the 31km Encounter Bikeway follows bike paths, back roads and foot paths. A brochure is available from the Victor Harbor website.

I had ridden the bikeway before, but only from the bridge at Goolwa to the causeway at Victor Harbor. Today I rode the whole trail, some 7-8km longer, and then I rode back as well - last time I only rode one way. I rode 63km.

The trail is well sign-posted, except for in Port Elliot. I got lost going both ways, even with a map, there are a few signs missing at critical junctions in the town. The bike paths are the best bits to ride on, I think, and on the roads along the coast. Some of the roads inland are just houses and more houses, both old and crusty and contemporary new homes.



Riding back was quicker, because I didn't stop much except for 10 minutes to each some lunch, and I had a tail wind. Also, no photos on the way back.



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Stats:
Goolwa to Victor		Return ride
Distance: 32.2km		Distance: 31.2km
Start time: 8:50am		Start time: 11:25am
End time: 11:25am		End time: 1:20pm
Moving duration: 2h 05m		Moving duration: 1h 35m
Stationary duration: 30m		Stationary duration: 20m
Moving average: 15.4km/h		Moving average: 19.6km/h
Overall average: 12.7km/h		Overall average: 16.2km/h
Max speed: 35.7km/h		Max speed: 41.6km/h

Nurragi Rail Trail

It was easy: 12km along the former railway from Sandergrove to Milang, beside Lake Alexandrina. A conservation reserve: no motorbikes, no horses, no dogs, oh, and no cyclists.

Well, not entirely true. There was no sign forbidding cyclists, but there were signs for the others, or it is just always the case in conservation areas. Cyclists were ok, I guess, however bear in mind that at every road crossing there are two fences to cross. There is a vehicle access gate - locked, so you have to carry your bike over the stile or throw your bike over the fence. I knew this though, I read about this rail trail on the Rail Trails website beforehand.

The railway was opened in 1884 as a branch line, and closed in 1970. The former railway was declared a conservation reserve in 1991, more information about the reserve can be found on the National Trust website.



I parked near Sandergrove railway station, then headed back to the station - not that there is much more than a sign to see adjacent the Steamranger tourist railway from Mt Barker to Goolwa and Victor Harbor. From here, I traced the former railway to Tucker Road, where the Nurragi Conservation Reserve began.



From Tucker Road to Dry Plains Road the trail is tough. It is not well clearly defined - although the former railway is, the walking path is not. It is overgrown in this area, and I started to have second thoughts about my plans, but this is the most overgrown section, and a relatively short section too. Be careful of a former bridge, marked on the google map below (as in be careful of the bridge that isn't there - could give you some nasty scars).


The stonework dates from the 1880's

From Dry Plains Road to the Finnis - Milang Road the path is much easier to ride or walk as it is a vehicle maintenance track. The only other bridge on the former railway, albeit smaller, has been remedied to allow vehicles to cross it.



There is plenty of birdlife to be seen, and kangaroos, and I'm sure snakes too.

It's a surprise to come across the former Nurragi Railway Station - from where the conservation reserve takes its name.



From an unnamed track crossing the trail, about half way between Nurragi Railway Station and the bitumen Finnis - Milang Road, to that bitumen road, the trail is quite overgrown. Returning on my ride from Milang, I chose to ride along the vehicle track which follows south-western fence.

From the bitumen road to the end of the conservation reserve the trail is a single width foot track. It is here, and back at Sandergrove Railway Station, where it is clear that motor bikes have been using the conservation reserve. Here too you can see evidence of horses and dogs (well, friendly people walking past with dogs).

The trail and conservation reserve ends at Landseer Road, on the outskirts of Milang. I think it would be quite possible to continue walking or riding along the former railway reserve straight into Milang - the land is still clearly fenced and looks to be used only for horse something or other. Whatever horses do. Eat grass I guess. The fact that the fencing remains on both sides would suggest it is still crown land and not private farmland. However, I was glad to ride faster and easier on a real road now.

I rode onwards to Milang Railway Station. It's a cute timber building with some rollingstock beside it. The building was sold to a local farmer when the railway was closed, but was returned and restored in the 90s.



From here I rode the short distance down to the lakeside. Despite the drought, the lake still seems relatively high, although it is presumably at a level below sea level.



Riding back to my car was easier, I took some shortcuts which were longer but easier to ride. I also didn't suffer from the must-stop-and-take-a-photo-syndrome on the return journey. A good ride, very flat too.

This ride has nothing to do with the Mawson Trail, I know that. But I haven't been able to ride any of the Mawson Trail this year. Winter for me is hiking, and summer cycling, so I will post my future cycling adventures here. I stayed overnight in Goolwa after this ride, riding the Encounter Bikeway from Goolwa to Victor Harbor the following day. I will post up some photos and stuff for that one later this week.



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Stats:

• Distance: 29.6km
  
• Start time: 1.35pm
  
• End time: 4.50pm
  
• Moving duration: 2h 22m
  
• Stationary duration: 45m
  
• Moving average: 12.4km/h
  
• Overall average: 9.4km/h
  
• Max speed: 29.3km/h
  

The Shiraz Trail

I thought I would finish off the Coast to Vines Rail Trail, so on this sunny afternoon I set out from Pedlar Creek riding to McLaren Vale, and then onwards along the Shiraz Trail to Willunga.

McLaren Vale to Willunga

Will return to the Mawson Trail one day soon.

Tim, Kate and myself rode part of the Coast to Vines Rail Trail from Hallett Cove to McLaren Vale back on March 12 this year, but we were too exhausted to continue onwards the end of the trail at Willunga. Today, I started from Pedlar Creek, just east of Seaford. I had cycled this bit before, but from this point on the trail south it is definately country and not suburbs, so it was worth doing this short bit again.

Lots of vineyards with views to the hills beyond. Like my photographic expedition down to Second Valley yesterday, lots of hills coloured purple by Salvation Jane (also called Patterson's Curse). I was glad this time to be able to get a good photo.



I found a dismantled old railway crane at the end of the trail, at the former Willunga Railway Station. Pity it has been cast aside, too important to dump but too unimportant to be erected elsewhere. Perhaps later it will be.



Had lunch at a bakery in Willunga, yummo. From McLaren Vale to Willunga is pretty much a steady slight incline, so returning back to McLaren Vale was easy.



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Stats:

• Distance: 13km (27km return)
  
• Moving duration: 54m (40m on return trip)
  
• Moving average: 14.7km/h (19km/h on return trip)
  
• Max speed: 35.9km/h (36.9km/h on return trip)
  

Some stuff about the trails:

Coast to Vines Rail Trail - Pathway to Discovery The Coast to Vines Rail Trail offers a spectacular journey through Adelaide's south. Winding along the historic, former railway corridor between Marino Rocks and Willunga, the Trail is rich in beauty and history. From the magnificent cliffs of Hallett Cove to the natural beauty of the Onkaparinga River Recreation Park, the Trail offers scenic coast to hinterland views. Visit the heritage towns of Old Reynella and Old Noarlunga along the way and take in spectacular vineyard vistas as you travel through the renowned McLaren Vale wine district. The Coast to Vines Rail Trail: A journey through time and place.

The Shiraz Trail The Shiraz Trail links the historic towns of McLaren Vale and Willunga, situated at the base of the stunning Willunga Hills in the McLaren Vale wine region. The last (or first!) section of the Coast to Vines Rail Trail, the Shiraz Trail offers a gateway to the many riches the region has to offer, from quality wines and local fare to fascinating heritage.

View maps that appear at the trail head.

Coast to Vines Rail Trail

Whilst not on the Mawson Trail, rode with Tim and Kate on the Coast to Vines Rail Trail, from Hallett Cove to Willunga. I felt quite exhausted, not sure why, but it impacted on my riding. Or so I thought, it was evident on the ride home that the constant head wind had made it quite a discouraging ride on the way down. Kate found it quite tough early on, for future reference we thought the trail was best ridden starting from an oval near Reynella, as the trail is too absent and heaps too much playing with cars between there and Hallett Cove. Signage is very poor, mostly non-existent, except for a collection of some cool four-post signs at McLaren Vale. Similar signage is presumably from there south to Willunga. My map showed the trail using the main road through McLaren Vale, however the four post sign showed a dedicated trail, but only some of that seemed to exist. The trail between McLaren Vale and Willunga has been named the Shiraz Trail, perhaps a rip off of the Riesling Trail. Would be good one day to ride north from Willunga to McLaren Vale, perhaps do some wine tasting along the way, not sure how compatible wine tasting is with cycling though.

Had lunch in McLaren Vale, at a bakery. There were lots of choices available, cafes and the like.

My favourite area to ride was east of Seaford (from South Road) to McLaren Vale. Was very country, lots of cuttings, hills and the like, but quite easy to ride. Couple of stretches of pine trees in cuttings - loved these. There were numerous such stretches along the trail, magical spots. Worst bit was near Seaford, strong smell of a rubbish dump, must be such a nice place to live (!), and open with head wind whilst going uphill. urrgk.

Later, we discovered that someone had done something funny with the car, but it's an incident we shall never speak of.

Stats:
• Riding: 46 km - 30km there, 16km back to Noarlunga (+8km for me from home to Adel railway stn and back)
  
• Riding Time: 3 hrs
  
• Rest + Riding Time: 6 hrs
  
• Average speed: 15.2 km/h
  
• Max speed: 43.5 km/h
  
• Temp: 21 degrees, head wind, sunny

   March 29, I just discovered Quikmaps.com, this is so much better than tackling Google Maps API (it was beyond me). Had a bit of play around to see how it worked, doing a map for this day's cycling: