Mawson Trail - Section 1 (Adelaide to Burra)

We finally arrived in Adelaide (after more than 3000km behind the wheel!). This will be the start of our bicycle ride, which is the main reason for coming all this way. The Mawson Trail is a 900km off-road bicycle track through the Adelaide Hills, the Barossa Valley, the Clare Valley and the Flinders Ranges. On the way down from Broken Hill we checked out a few of the towns we'll be riding through and some are very remote and unpopulated. One of our planned night-stops, a hotel/pub, just went bust 2 weeks ago! Just as well we left our camping gear in Burra to be picked up after the first week!

Day 1: Adelaide to Birdwood (62kms)
The first 18kms were very pleasant along the "Torrens Linear Park" to the beginning of the Mawson Trail.

The trail starts in the Torrens Gorge and we got lost twice before we found the first marker! Haha! A very unceremonious start to a 3-week ride!

Rather than following the river, the trail heads straight up into the hills. Many sections were too steep for us to ride (the gravelly/sandy substrate didn't help!).

But at least they are providing rails where the gates are padlocked - very nifty!

The pine plantations in the Forest Range provide shade and a beautiful smell.

The first vineyard, a sign that we're approaching the Barossa!

After a late lunch at the bakery in Lobethal, we pushed on to Birdwood. The Mews at Birdwood (http://www.birdwoodmews.com.au/) is a fantastic place to stay. It's right on the trail, in a gorgeous building and a self-cooked hot breakfast is included. The local Pub cooks great steaks for dinner.

Note: the town used to be called Blumberg and the locals seem to dislike the name change...

Day 2: Birdwood to Marananga (60 kms)

From Birdwood the trail heads through Mount Crawford Forest and the South Mount Lofty Ranges, which is an undulating landscape and all ridable.

Some of these Eucalyptus along the roads are very old and huge! They all seem to be shedding big branches regularly. I wonder how many sheep get killed that way.

After the ascent into the Barossa Ranges the track goes right to the top of Trial Hill which provides a fantastic view! 

Jacob's Creek Steingarten Vineyard letting us ride through their property...

...and providing a viewing platform over the Barossa Valley.

After a hot and dusty day of riding, luxury at "The Louise" (http://www.thelouise.com.au/).

Day 3: Marananga and the Barossa (0 kms)

A day of rest, touring the Barossa, great food, wine tasting and good company. Thanks to John and Anne for total indulgence at "The Louise"!!

Tasting at the Rockford vineyard.

Beautiful old buildings, Seppeltsfield below.

Afternoon tea at "The Louise".

Day 4: Marananga to Kapunda (56 kms)

In order to maximise time at "The Louise" we had a very late start and only managed a half day of riding. The trail is first along the bike trail to Nuriootpa, which is very pleasant. And it passes the Penfold's winery!!

The North Mount Lofty Ranges are next, but you hardly notice an incline. All in all, an easy 35 kms to Kapunda.  We arrived relatively early and decided to do a 17 kms loop as a sunset ride (without luggage - yeah!!), which was very pleasant and it took 11 kms of the next day's journey. The "Tucheim" B&B in Kapunda gave us a whole house!! Self-made hot breakfast included!

Bike trail along main road between Kapunda and Nuriootpa.

Our house at the "Tucheim" B&B in Kapunda.

Sunset ride over the hills around Kapunda.

Day 5: Kapunda to Auburn (65kms)

Another long hot day! The trail is constantly going up and down hills, mostly on dirt roads. Sometimes the track deteriorates into erosion gullies, sand patches, sheep paddocks or gravel, all of which slows us down substantially with all the gear. In Riverton we decided to have a 2 hour break because it was too hot to ride. After the locals talked at us for about an hour we decided to run away from the Pub and hide behind the Oval to have a snooze in the shade. I reckon some of these country people have learnt to talk without opening their mouths, so the flies can't get in. The only problem is, they might as well speak Chinese....

Bacon and egg sandwich with a tomato - yummy!!

Not a good look, but I'm sure the Cancer Council would approve!

Old railway station in Riverton, now privately owned.

Day 6: Auburn to Clare (26 kms)
The first over-cast day since Sydney! Between Auburn and Clare the trail follows a decommissioned railway line which was converted into a bike trail. This provided a nice riding surface and a gentle gradient. It was probably the easiest riding of the whole trip even though we had head-wind and were going uphill all the way.
The original plan was to ride to Burra, rather than stop in Clare. But after 3 punctures and a few new noises and wobbling from the bikes, we decided that it was time for a bit of bike TLC. Being Saturday we only just made it to the bike shop before closing to stock up on spare parts: new bearings for Kirsten's back wheel, new tyre and tube for my front wheel and lots of Teflon lube.

The biggest gum nut I've ever seen!

Nice picnic spot along the rail trail.

Before entering Clare we spotted a nice looking restaurant and decided to ride back there for lunch (another 5 kms). Excellent steak & wine at the "artisans table" (www.artisanstable.com.au). Interesting combination: no breakfast, a two-hour work-out, then half a glass of the local Riesling and a glass of Shiraz! Needless to say, the afternoon was spent in the motel, which was perfect timing considering the light rain.

Day 7: Clare to Burra (45 kms)

What a gorgeous day for riding with cooler temperatures, cloudy sky and a strong wind from behind! We virtually got blown up the hills, making it to Burra in time for a late lunch at the "White Cedars Cafe". The chef is from Bali and cooks great Indonesian dishes! Then we checked back into the Burra Motor Lodge and retrieved our camping gear, which means a lot more weight from now on!

The Burra Commercial Hotel and the White Cedars Cafe.

Burra was the second largest city in South Australia in the mid-1800s (population of 5,000 in 1851, now 900) due to copper being discovered and mined here. It still has many gorgeous old buildings!!

Panoramic view of the (now heritage) copper mine.

Burra main square.