Flinders, beautiful Flinders…

I barely had a chance to wipe the dust off my face (and wash the blood from my legs) after the National Champs before we were in a van heading north from Adelaide to check out the Mawson Trail which is to be used in the upcoming Kona Mawson MTB Marathon.

Michael Bridge from Bike SA was our host for the trip and I was joined by Mick Ross from AMB and Kona rider Andy Bell. Our first stop on this trail tasting expedition was the rapidly-developing mountain bike meca of Melrose. We were lucky enough to have Rich from the local bike shop Over the Edge Sports with us for this part of the journey and, once we’d arrived in Melrose and thrown down a cuppa, we were in our bike kit and hitting up the local trail network.

After a few hours of fun on trails like ‘Kiss the Sky’ and ‘Dodging Bullets’, I felt like I’d ridden enough of the trails to say that they’re damn awesome fun! Having ridden only about 15km of the 60km + of trail out there though, I’m pretty sure there are plenty more smiles to be had. And better still, these spectacular trails are all a very easy spin from the local pub (and bike shop).

We filled up on the biggest steak ever that night (this is Australia after all) and then got another quick spin in on the trails the next day before our journey north continued to the remote Rawnsley Park Station (it’s so remote we had to drive to the nearby caravan park and stand on a specific rock — with me contorting my body in a specific manner — to get mobile reception, and even then I only got one bar’s worth…)

Here we again saddled up to check out some of the Mawson Trail which will be ridden in the event. The Flinders Ranges are spectacular and the Mawson Trail is about the best way to see them. Our ‘ride’ that afternoon was more a case of pedalling for five minutes, stopping for ten; the scenery was just to damn stunning to ride on past.

That night saw us eating under the stars at the local restaurant before a scenic flight the next day to see the Flinders from a different viewpoint, then a long trip back to Adeliade Airport.

What an amazing few days! If you have some time to travel in June, check out the Kona Mawson MTB Marathon, it’ll be unforgettable. If long distances aren’t your thing, at least check out the Melrose Fat Tyre Festival, on the same weekend with far less arduous pedalling required.

Thanks to Michael from Bike SA for the trip and to Rich at Over the Edge Sports for the local knowledge, hospitality and good laughs. Thanks also to my sponsors for another great few days of pedalling.