I booked a couple of weeks off work for September a while ago. The original plans evaporated leaving me with two delightfully free weeks. Of course I am going to take my bicycle and ride The Mawson Trail, a popular ride which is relatively local to me which I have wanted to ride for yonks.

I am going to try and get to the Flinders Ranges and follow the Mawson Trail to Adelaide. Today I will investigate buses from Broken Hill to Peterborough then up to the Flinders (see Footnote). I will also have a go at finding a way to skip the bus ride and ride directly to Wilpena/Blinman across a few Stations. Station owners don’t generally like doofuses crossing their properties for good reasons, so this one is unlikely.

Other things I need to sort before I go include:

• get a sleeping mat
• a large bottle holder
• some new tyres
• service my bike
• an oil change for my rohloff
• large capacity battery

I spoke to Richard from Spirit Safaris who told me they may have a seat free for a trip to the Flinders. He was not keen to take me though, it will only happen if they get no paying punters to fill the gap which is fair enough.

Another option is the fellow who is repairing my ute. He has a little aeroplane, I asked him if it could fit me and my bicycle. Not a chance he told me, ‘perhaps a motorbike would be better’

I asked Matt & Alli who gave me a few pointers

Eventually I gleaned the current usual way is to go all the way over to someplace southwest of Flinders and pay for transport. This was just getting annoying now…

If I only had more time I would just ride.

Transport in the Outback is limited.

I am not going to bang on about it.
I am just writing this to commit myself to the endeavour.

ADDENDUM:
Fri 20th Sept

“Commit myself” Hah! My plans whirled around each other before being intercepted by what Dougla Adams termed, The fundamental interconnectedness of all things.

A satisfactory way to get myself to the start of the trail and still allow time to ride the trail did not materialise. Instead I was offered a place on a sailing boat delivery crew from Vanuatu to Bundaberg.

There were many bifurcations before arriving at this decision. That is where I currently am, Sailing not cycling. I depart for Vanuatu on the 4th of October. I expect I will be back before the end of October.

Footnote:

A reading list:

• davidhume.net/mawsontrail
• sa.gov.au/mawson-trail
• orsr.sa.gov.au/mawson-trail
• southaustraliantrails.com/mawson-trail
• weareexplorers.co/mawson-trail
• youtube - Back Tracks from Broken Hill to Flinders Ranges
• The South Australian Trails 2018 Mawson Transport Guide is unfortunately now out of date. I emailed (no response) then called Genesis Transport and was told they no longer have a route up to the Flinders.
• I contacted Transport NSW about the bus to Adelaide but it’s non-stop which means they cannot drop me and my bike off on the way.

The most useful response was from Chris at Bicycle SA

Catch the public bus to Port Augusta, and then contact Angorichina Connections to pick you up and deliver you either to Parachilna or Blinman. Angorichina Connections Passenger service from Angorichina Tourist Village to Port Augusta and return every Wednesday. Angorichina, Blinman, Wilpena, Hawker, Quorn and Port Augusta. Also provide pick up and drop off for hikers and bike riders. Can do other days by request. 12 and 13 seater buses, accredited 4wd and trailer for bikes. Phone: 08 8648 4842 Email: ango1@westnet.com.au Beyond the Mount can also do custom pick ups https://themount.au/tours/