Mawson trail compared to Munda Biddi trail?
-
- Posts: 110
- Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2010 10:20 am
Mawson trail compared to Munda Biddi trail?
Postby jemo27 » Sun Jun 03, 2012 4:38 pm
I found that the trail was well signed and easy to follow on the map. However, I found some of the trail surface and gradient was unsuitable for cycle touring. It also took some silly detours zig zagging which got frustrating after a few days.
I'm looking at cycling the Munda Biddi trail next Autumn and am wondering how it compares to the Mawson trail?
from what I have seen on the http://www.mundabiddi.org.au/ website it appears it is more set up for touring cyclist with campsites set up for you and the trail is on a dedicated cycle path rather than just connecting dirt roads like the Mawson did. is this correct?
thanks
- GJ_Coop
- Posts: 119
- Joined: Fri Aug 12, 2011 4:57 pm
- Location: geez, I seem to be in NZ
- Contact:
Re: Mawson trail compared to Munda Biddi trail?
Postby GJ_Coop » Mon Jun 04, 2012 6:06 pm
It's a super fun roller coaster of a ride, mountain bike territory, lot of sensational single track, in the north part on laterite tracks, that's pea gravel.
Big time effort, big time reward.
-
- Posts: 1916
- Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:21 am
- Location: Perth
Re: Mawson trail compared to Munda Biddi trail?
Postby mitzikatzi » Tue Nov 13, 2012 4:58 pm
From the pictures I can find the Munda Biddi trail looks like well groomed gravel path. Do you really need a mountain bike to ride it or would a CX bike be OK?
- Aushiker
- Posts: 22395
- Joined: Tue Jun 05, 2007 1:55 pm
- Location: Walyalup land
- Contact:
Re: Mawson trail compared to Munda Biddi trail?
Postby Aushiker » Tue Nov 13, 2012 5:36 pm
I don't recall to much well groomed gravel path ... the problem is too much fun is being had on the single track to take photosmitzikatzi wrote:From the pictures I can find the Munda Biddi trail looks like well groomed gravel path. Do you really need a mountain bike to ride it or would a CX bike be OK?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rDYeWfRXFI&hd=1[/youtube]
I have ridden a little bit on Surly Long Haul Trucker and I don't consider it my first choice of bike for the Munda Biddi but it could be done on a touring bike and has been done. There are nice sections of fast single-track, there are touring routes and there are gravel roads/tracks/railway forms. It is a mix reflective of the Darling Ranges.
Andrew
Aushiker.com
- Aushiker
- Posts: 22395
- Joined: Tue Jun 05, 2007 1:55 pm
- Location: Walyalup land
- Contact:
Re: Mawson trail compared to Munda Biddi trail?
Postby Aushiker » Tue Nov 13, 2012 5:43 pm
and some more south of Nannup by the looks
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaybD11l6vc&hd=1&t=1m54s[/youtube]
Andrew
Aushiker.com
-
- Posts: 265
- Joined: Fri Jan 29, 2010 7:42 pm
Re: Mawson trail compared to Munda Biddi trail?
Postby uglybob » Tue Nov 13, 2012 5:52 pm
- GJ_Coop
- Posts: 119
- Joined: Fri Aug 12, 2011 4:57 pm
- Location: geez, I seem to be in NZ
- Contact:
Re: Mawson trail compared to Munda Biddi trail?
Postby GJ_Coop » Wed Nov 14, 2012 10:27 am
The Munda Biddi is quite different from the Mawson. It's much more of an effort, particularly in the north, much steeper, and the surface is perilous at times.
On the MB there are some short sections on unsealed roads but much of it is fire trail style riding and those occasional few fun ks of single track. The gravel is pea gravel ie, really slippery to ride on, you need to have wide knobbly tires, 2" would be a minimum recommended. The "touring route" alternative is hard enough work, the other track is really for full suspension bikes with 2.5" tyres without any load unless you are a real thrill seeker. It's steep and the track is really slippery.
-
- Posts: 1916
- Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:21 am
- Location: Perth
Re: Mawson trail compared to Munda Biddi trail?
Postby mitzikatzi » Wed Nov 14, 2012 1:49 pm
I really enjoyed the Mawson and was planning on doing it again next year ( with BikeSA) but looks like I am doing the MB instead Munda Biddi Epic 1000.
-
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:45 pm
- Location: Sometimes Mukinbudin, mostly roaming OZ.....
Re: Mawson trail compared to Munda Biddi trail?
Postby alanm » Wed Nov 14, 2012 8:56 pm
Al
-
- Posts: 110
- Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2010 10:20 am
Re: Mawson trail compared to Munda Biddi trail?
Postby jemo27 » Tue Dec 04, 2012 11:16 am
The best day I had on the Mawson trail was the Riesling rail trail between Clare and Riverton. I found that gradient was much more suitable for cycling compared to other section which went straight over the top of hills, some nice views but hard work climbing on steep, rocky surfaces.
I just found in some places the Mawson trail was unrideable for people carrying luggage.
I enjoyed the section north of Wilpena along the fire trail, one of the most scenic days I had cycling.
the worse place was north of Hawker, where I pushed my loaded bicycle up a hill on a stone surface. would be dangerous coming down the same section.
this is what I experienced, others have different experiences and expectations.
My ideal day is cycling on rail trails with no traffic to worry about and a comforable gradient for climbing.
- il padrone
- Posts: 22931
- Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:57 pm
- Location: Heading for home.
Re: Mawson trail compared to Munda Biddi trail?
Postby il padrone » Tue Dec 04, 2012 5:58 pm
Best day's riding I had on the Mawson Trail was the Wilpena to Middlesight Water Hut ride. Other excellent days were Mt Bryan East school to Spalding, Burra to Newickie Creek, and Crawford Forest to Tanunda.jemo27 wrote:The best day I had on the Mawson trail was the Riesling rail trail between Clare and Riverton. I found that gradient was much more suitable for cycling compared to other section which went straight over the top of hills, some nice views but hard work climbing on steep, rocky surfaces
jemo27 wrote:I just found in some places the Mawson trail was unrideable for people carrying luggage.
We didn't ride all of the Mawson Trail - several days we stuck to parallel sealed roads due to wet conditions. Some of the dirt road surfaces can become seriously impassable in the wet and are best avoided then. The section north of Hawker nearly brought us unstuck completely due to horrible sticky mud.
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
- Aushiker
- Posts: 22395
- Joined: Tue Jun 05, 2007 1:55 pm
- Location: Walyalup land
- Contact:
Re: Mawson trail compared to Munda Biddi trail?
Postby Aushiker » Wed Dec 05, 2012 3:47 pm
I don't where you could have got such an impression. As far as I know the only rail trail section, at least between Mundaring and Nannup is where it becomes the Siding Trail heading into Nannup. Coming out of Mundaring for example is no rail trail that is for sure.jemo27 wrote:I was under the impression that the Munda Biddi trail was using former railway lines for a lot of its lenght, therefore presumably following a gradient that a train would have taken.
Andrew
Aushiker.com
-
- Posts: 5470
- Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2007 2:23 pm
- Location: Yangebup
Re: Mawson trail compared to Munda Biddi trail?
Postby Baalzamon » Wed Dec 05, 2012 3:53 pm
- Aushiker
- Posts: 22395
- Joined: Tue Jun 05, 2007 1:55 pm
- Location: Walyalup land
- Contact:
Re: Mawson trail compared to Munda Biddi trail?
Postby Aushiker » Wed Dec 05, 2012 6:23 pm
Sure they use some "forms" in that area but hardly enough to call it a rail trail I would have thought. There is a lot of climbing and single track to be had either side.Baalzamon wrote:Bits of old rail from Wungong to Jarrahdale
Andrew
Aushiker.com
-
- Posts: 110
- Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2010 10:20 am
Re: Mawson trail compared to Munda Biddi trail?
Postby jemo27 » Fri Dec 07, 2012 10:07 am
From the rail trails page, it has the MB trail on it,Aushiker wrote:I don't where you could have got such an impression. As far as I know the only rail trail section, at least between Mundaring and Nannup is where it becomes the Siding Trail heading into Nannup. Coming out of Mundaring for example is no rail trail that is for sure.jemo27 wrote:I was under the impression that the Munda Biddi trail was using former railway lines for a lot of its lenght, therefore presumably following a gradient that a train would have taken.
Andrew
It does mention steep sections between rail trails.
I stand corrected
- General Australian Cycling Topics
- Info / announcements
- Buying a bike / parts
- General Cycling Discussion
- The Bike Shed
- Cycling Health
- Cycling Safety and Advocacy
- Women's Cycling
- Bike & Gear Reviews
- Cycling Trade
- Stolen Bikes
- Bicycle FAQs
- The Market Place
- Member to Member Bike and Gear Sales
- Want to Buy, Group Buy, Swap
- My Bikes or Gear Elsewhere
- Serious Biking
- Audax / Randonneuring
- Retro biking
- Commuting
- MTB
- Recumbents
- Fixed Gear/ Single Speed
- Track
- Electric Bicycles
- Cyclocross and Gravel Grinding
- Dragsters / Lowriders / Cruisers
- Children's Bikes
- Cargo Bikes and Utility Cycling
- Road Racing
- Road Biking
- Training
- Time Trial
- Triathlon
- International and National Tours and Events
- Cycle Touring
- Touring Australia
- Touring Overseas
- Touring Bikes and Equipment
- Australia
- Western Australia
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Victoria
- ACT
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Country & Regional
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users
- All times are UTC+11:00
- Top
- Delete cookies
About the Australian Cycling Forums
The Australian Cycling Forums is a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.
Bicycles Network Australia
Forum Information
Connect with BNA
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.