Cycling the Cudlee Creek Forest Reserve with Bicycle SA: In the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia
As we gently peddled our bicycles through the Adelaide Hills, Mount Barker provided an impressive backdrop for rows of vines. Elsewhere, your eye is drawn to the ever-changing vistas in and around the Cuddle Creek Forest Reserve.
But these country roads are a doddle compared to some of the tracks, which lie ahead. According to Rob Robinson of Forestry SA, many of the latest additions to the maps of committed cyclists are a lot tougher.
“Many of the bike tracks use the old forestry tracks when we more intensively managed the area,” He said. “But there have been several additional tracks that have been put in specifically for bike use with our partners Rec. and Sport and Bicycle SA.”
In all it covers about 1500 hectares of very steep Mount Lofty Ranges - some too steep to harvest.
From the perspective of a novice rider the tracks are something sheep might be more at home on. Many are extremely narrow and steep but they soon open up onto fire tracks which experienced riders like Martin Krieg from Bicycle SA handle with ease.
“You're looking down to the valley to the Torrens Gorge towards Athelstone and the plains beyond.”
It's spectacular country and it’s just 25 kilometres northeast of Adelaide. You can enjoy the views or even stay overnight at Forestry SA's Thomas Hill Study Centre. It's all part of the epic bike track known as the Mawson Trail that extends from Adelaide to the Flinders Ranges.
This is what's called a multiple use forest that includes commercial pine plantations, stands of native forest - saved for conservation purposes and a network of recreational trails - just for us.
Parts of the trail are what cyclists call single track while other parts include much wider four-wheel drive tracks bounded by pine plantations. The tracks are ever changing and there are plenty of signs to keep you going in the right direction.
It’s not long before Martin leads us to Lone Gum lookout for a well-earned rest and a stunning view over Millbrook Reservoir.
“In this forest alone there’s a total of thirty kilometres of bicycle track,” Martin explained. “It’s a wonderful starter on a cycling menu that includes the spectacular eight hundred kilometre Mawson Trail.”
In fact Cudlee Creek Forest Reserve offers just a taste of what a cyclist can expect on the Mawson Trail. It goes right through here and continues on into some of the most spectacular country in the State. Just ask Ray Merrick, he's ridden the lot.
“It's so hard to describe what it's like because it's so changeable,” Ray said. “You can be travelling through native forest for one minute on fairly smooth roads then you can turn to diabolical corrugations then you can turn to deep rocky creek crossings.
“It just varies considerably and that's probably one of the great joys of the Mawson Trail. It constantly changes from the time it leaves Adelaide until the time you arrive in the hotel at Blinman. The last of our markers direct you into the bar of the Blinman Hotel.”
Ray said it takes most people about three weeks to ride - three weeks of sheer achievement, hard work and some of the best scenery in the State. But if that seems too daunting why not try the Cudlee Creek Forest Reserve. You can obtain maps from Bicycle SA. They'll also set you straight on the world famous Mawson Trail. Their number is 8232 2644. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
The Cudlee Creek Forest Reserve
25 kilometres northeast of AdelaideBicycle SA
46 Hurtle Square
Adelaide
Contact (08) 8232 2644
