Monday 25 December 2006

Merry Christmas!

As you can see, we managed a small Christmas decoration today courtesy of some one who lost theirs off their car. Today started like any other day except for the fact that it was Christmas Day. Our overnight stop in the Wallaroo caravan park had been a good one and we had been hoping to get a meal in a pub for Christmas lunch, but apparently they do not open here in SA, so off we rode.

We rode through the very quiet town of Wallaroo which is steeped in Maritime and Railway history. One of the places in town that we saw on our way out was the old sea farers retirement village very appropriately named called "The Moorings". The ride out of town was up, and up and up. According to my altimeter, which was set to Ceduna's elevation, Wallaroo is -23 metres but by the time we had cleared town it was showing 9 metres. Some nine kilometres later we arrived in the town of Kadina with it's rich copper history. In fact, this whole area is known for the discovery and mining of copper and is therefore known as the Copper Coast. Kadina has many lovely stone buildings and they are a delight to look at as we pass by.

Kadina was also very quiet and none of their pubs were open to accommodate us for a meal so we rode on, and that is where the travelling got interesting. It seems that everyone had opened their presents and had decided to go to Christmas lunch somewhere, barrelling along the road, often too close to the car in front, overtaking us with traffic from the opposite direction coming and generally causing us to be very, very nervous. I don't think we saw any of the scenery as we both had one eye on the road ahead and the other on the rear vision mirror looking for and trying to anticipate the next driver seemingly hell bent on adding someone to the Christmas road toll, and of course to top it all off, there was a head wind and it was trying to rain - ah, the joys of travelling on the road.

After 25 kilometres we found our turn off and gladly took it, only to find a road completely the opposite - no traffic and a side/tailwind! Not far into the new road a car came up behind us, slowed down for what we thought was a photo opportunity, but a lady stuck her head out of the window and wished us Merry Christmas, which was nice and off they went. We were heading towards Lochiel and then onto Clare, home of some of the best wineries in South Australia. There is also an old railway which has been turned into a rail-trail and which passes past the doors of some of those wineries so we will look to take a ride along that when we get there.

Our new road was still through station land where the main products are wheat and sheep and that of course means more rolling hills, large expanses of land providing equally expansive views. We could see a range ahead of us and of course that meant some more hill work for the legs, we could also see the bands of rain interspersed with sunshine as they swept across the land and towards us. Noticing a very large band of rain heading our way we took lunch sheltered behind a bank of dirt on the side of the road, only to find that the rain swept up the valley and along the side of the range in front and totally missing us.

Lunch over we rode on some more, taking and making Christmas phone calls as we did. We eventually got to the range and climbing to the top of the 12% gradient, came out on the ridge with expansive views over Lake Bumbanga, the main highway and the surrounding countryside. We travelled along the ridge for some distance before we started to drop down towards the highway and Lochiel. It was here that we came to an old quarry which has interesting rock formations along the walls, plenty of trees in the middle and so we decided that it would be our campsite for tonight. Christmas Day had not been the day we had anticipated but it was still a good one.

Today's Stats

From: Wallaroo

To: Lochiel

Ride Time:
4 hrs 28 mins

Distance:
54.39 km's

Av Speed:
12.10 km/h

Max Speed:
39.5 km/h

Max Altitude:
203m

Max Climb: 12 %

Av Climb: 1 %

Weather: Overcast and rain then sunny. 21 Deg C. Southerly winds.

Tuesday 26 December 2006

The magpies were chortling as we awoke this morning and I would have been very happy to have remained in bed, especially as the night had been cool and the temperature was down to a brisk 7 deg C when we did emerge from the tent. Our campsite in the quarry had been a good one, quiet, undisturbed and just what we like.

Today's ride started with the remains of the downhill and the cool temperature had the goose bumps out on the legs, hands tucked away into the sleeves of our coats and our ears tingling with the cold. We hardly turned a pedal as we rolled down the remaining 3 kilometres into the sleepy town of Lochiel which to be honest, didn't look much at all, despite it's location next to the lake. Little did we know that the downhill would be the easiest part of the whole day and that terrain ahead would again test us and the legs.

Continuing through the wheat harvested area we slowly gained altitude until we came to the top of a range where, at 214 m we could see another range off in the distance, but first we had to cross the valley. Hurtling down the other side of the range we quickly lost the altitude that we had worked so hard to achieve and were back down near sea level, riding through salinity ridden area that would at one stage have been water or usable land. The wind was making life a little interesting, coming from the side and just strong enough to make it work against us.

Just after 20 kilometres we stopped for a break and to admire an old stone house that is typical of this area and certainly in need of repair, the pigeons being the only occupants these days.  We were approaching the town of Blythe and at an elevation of 55 metres. This was where we commenced a very long, gradual climb into Blythe.

Blythe was very quiet, the local milk bar and the pub being the only places open for business and left over Christmas decorations being the only thing to look at really. We stopped for a look around and a break before starting the big climb and the comment of "your going to ride those UP to Clare? Well, it's a nice day for it I guess" from a local, with just a hint of "you idiots" in his voice, was enough to tell us we were in for some fun, and he was right. 

The road up the range could be seen from the other side of town and looked like hard work as it followed the lay of the land, but up close and personal with it it was just a long, long, long gradual climb with a number of tight corners up near the top. With Joanne in front and me bringing up the rear we slowly climbed with the speedometer lucky to register 4 km/h and the gradient showing between 6 and 10%. We rode some, stopped for a breather and then rode some more, and did so for over 5 kilometres. The traffic was light but of course increased as we neared the top and got into the tight and often blind corners. With Joanne in front and hugging the side of the road, I rode out wide hoping to give the drivers coming up behind more of a look at us and hopefully more time to slow down or stop should the need arise, all the time coaxing Joanne to keep going, and then telling her when I considered us safe enough to stop for a breather during the short straight stretches between corners. The road behind was improving all the time and I was hoping that there would be a place near the top where I could get a photo, but of course there wasn't. I did consider stopping and walking back down a bit but to tell the truth I was too knackered to be bothered.

We crested the hill at 413m and immediately commenced a down hill run with grape vines growing on the side of the road, and of course the sign that said Clare Valley - we had arrived. The climbing however was not over yet and we had to get through the locality of Armagh, first surveyed in 1859, the town of Clare (named after County Clare in Ireland) still a few kilometres away. We eventually arrived in town and tried to decide what we wanted to do, eventually settling on an easy lunch at subway before riding on towards the tourist information centre and the caravan park.

Riding through town we came to the sign for the Riesling Trail, a 20 kilometre cycling and walking track that follows the old Clare to Auburn railway. We rode some of it hoping that we would come across a sign telling us where the caravan park was. Hopping off the trail we rode to the tourist information centre and then to the caravan park. More on the Riesling Trail at www.southaustraliantrails.com.au and tomorrow.

Today's Stats

From: Lochiel

To: Clare

Ride Time:
4 hrs 51 mins

Distance:
55.5 km's

Av Speed:
11.4 km/h

Max Speed:
48.5 km/h

Max Altitude:
413 m

Max Climb: 10 %

Av Climb: 2 %

Weather: Cool and clear then warm and Sunny. 26 deg C.

Wednesday 27 December 2006

Leaving Clare on the rail trail was not only a great ride but a great way to get away from the traffic. The trail climbed and then levelled out, and the next 23 kilometres were mainly flat with the occasional rise or detour where the bridges that used to go over the roads and creeks were no longer. Passing along the back of the wineries and the ever present vines was a pleasant experience. Most of the stations have been removed long ago but there are a couple of sidings left and where there was a station the old station name board is still in place.

One winery had provided a picnic area complete with table, hut and water tank, and another had a sign at its back gate beckoning people to "Come and visit".

 Sevenhill winery is a throwback to when the Jesuit Priests were not only running the St Aloysius church but were making wine as well, and the winery has retained the beautiful old church in the grounds.

Arriving in Auburn, birth place of the C.J Dennis who is known for his poem "The Sentimental Bloke" and quaint old town we made our way to the old Auburn Station which denotes the end of the Riesling Trail and the continuation of the Mawson Trail (an off road mountain bike trail which stretches some 800 kilometres from Adelaide to Blinman north of Wilpena Pound). Whilst discussing the next phase of our day a man on a recumbent trike rides up for a chat. It turns out to be Tim Jolly who we never met during his visit to WA, but who rode with the WAHPV group we belong to back in Perth. We chatted for a while before he went back home and we went to the town park for lunch.

Lunch over we commenced the second part of our day which was to ride some of the Mawson Trail to Riverton. Armed with a brochure on the trail and a rough map we followed the signs out of town and that was where things got very interesting. Wondering what the heck we were getting into we climbed a rough, rocky dirt track of 6% and then came down the other side, only to be directed onto an equally rocky dirt road. We crested a hill and the signs indicated a turn to the right, but the only thing that was there was two wheel marks disappearing off into the distance through very long grass - this was going to be very, very interesting.

The Mawson took us through some very interesting farming areas and sure put a challenge into our day. We eventually came out onto a dirt road and following the signs started down it, and this was where we learnt the lesson of keeping our eyes on the road and the signs and not to gawk at ruins too much. Having missed the sign directing us to turnoff we reached the top of a second large hill we realised that the main road in front of us meant that we had gone too far. Backtracking for half a kilometre we located the sign we had missed but then wondered if it was correct. The sign was directing us through a closed farm gate and up the side of the sheep paddock. So, again wondering where we were going we opened the gate, rode through, closed it behind us and rode off into the paddock - after all, we could only get lost.

Herding sheep as we went, we climbed to the top of the hill and went down the other side, only to find another closed gate as another dirt road crossed in front of us and absolutely no signs  except one informing us that there was a Poll Hereford Stud down the road we were about to traverse. "It could be their driveway, but I guess we will find out" I said to Joanne as we commenced down the hill. We eventually passed the gate to the stud and after climbing and hurtling down a number of 9% gradient hills and another dirt road that had more craters than the moon and rocks any mars explorer would have been proud of, we found ourselves on another railway bed, albeit slightly overgrown and passing right across the 18th fairway on the golf course and coming into Riverton, a very nice looking town and where for a very cheap price we have a spot in the caravan park.

The highlight of today was definitely riding the Riesling Trail, it was a wonderful ride and one worth repeating one day. Having ridden three rail-trails and having had a great experience on them all we would recommend them to anyone as a way to beat the traffic and/or to just enjoy the trip and explore the area. More information can be found at http://www.railtrails.org.au/ and who knows, you may even find an article written by me on their site.

Today's Stats

From: Clare

To: Riverton

Ride Time:
4 hrs 16 mins

Distance:
46.7 km's

Av Speed:
10.9 km/h

Max Speed:
39.5 km/h

Max Altitude:
471 m

Max Climb: 9 %

Av Climb: 2 %

Weather: Sunny 27 deg C. Light winds.

Thursday 28 December 2006

Riverton had been a pleasant stop and we left riding with a tailwind. The road was good and we were making good progress, later on the road joined the main north highway and became smooth with a wide shoulder, which was an absolute pleasure to ride on.

Arriving in the town Tarlee we enquired about the continuation of the good road or wether the back roads that we had selected were the better way to go. As it turned out we took the back roads and were happy that we did. We arrived in the small town of Stock port which was almost lifeless but very pleasant. A climb to the top of hill saw us pass the golf course and and heading towards the larger town of Hamley Bridge. The town, like many others, sits on the side of a hill with a river running through it and has many stone buildings reminiscent of years gone by.

Leaving Hamley Bridge headed towards Wasleys through more grain country, cattle herding alongside of us in the paddock as we went, and then we came to the dirt part of the road, smooth and fast at the start but the further we went the more it deteriated until just before Wasleys, we were down to a crawl and wishing the tar road would appear, which funnily enough it did.

A ride into Wasleys and through the main street we located a nice shady tree to sit under where we enjoyed a coffee, lunch and a chat with a road worker waiting for the rest of his crew to arrive. Lunch over we rode on towards Gawler hoping to find a campsite on the other side. Before we knew it we were riding into Gawler which necessitated a stop at the tourist information centre for directions etc. While Joanne was inside sorting our lives out I sat in my trike watching a wedding taking place in the park.

Information obtained we headed off towards Angle Vale cycling through homes on lots where most also grow vegetables or have horses and cattle, so the chances of a campsite were minimal. A stop at a vegetable stall for a cold drink provided the advice that a winery down the road had a picnic area and that they might let us camp there. Arriving at the winery we surveyed the possibilities which were limited but possible, especially as they had toilets. A chat with the manager proved fruitless except for the information of a caravan park some 12 kilometres away, so off we went.

Riding the Salisbury Highway proved to be a bit of a challenge what with the narrowness of the road, minimal shoulder, large red cats eyes in the fog line and a very large volume of traffic. We passed the RAAF Base before coming into a light industrial area where we joined the infamous Port Wakefield road.

The Port Wakefield road is 100 kilometres between Adelaide and Port Wakefield and services people travelling North and West from Adelaide. The road is two lanes either way and has very small tar shoulder and an absolutely huge volume of cars, trucks, semi-trailers and all sorts of traffic. After 91 kilometres a stop opposite the caravan park the winery manager told us about proved to be the turning point in the days ride. We had been battling the Port Wakefield road for some distance and a check of the map showed us to be closer to our destination than we thought and a phone call to Joanne's brother Martin proved us right. We took the decision to ride on and so we did, only stopping along the way to fill upon a highly nutritious meal of a meat pie, chocolate bar and sports drink.

Within 5 kilometres of so we found the turnoff to Port Adelaide and turned onto a magnificently smooth, wide shouldered, low volume traffic freeway that catered for bikes. The road went through some wetlands area before a 9% climb up a bridge presented itself with an equally steep downhill the other side. Joanne was navigating by memory from the map in Gawler and did a great job getting us to Martin's place where we will be spending a few days.

With the New Year only a few days away Joanne and I will take this opportunity to wish you a safe, joyful and prosperous 2007. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Today's Stats

From: Riverton

To: Port Adelaide

Ride Time:
7 hrs 23 mins

Distance:
110.56 km's

Av Speed:
14.9 km/h

Max Speed:
37 km/h

Max Altitude:
283 m

Max Climb: 2 %

Av Climb: 9 %

Weather: Sunny and warm. 31 deg C.

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