Read Set Go!

The Munda Biddi Trail is a world-class nature-based off-road cycling experience that attracts cycling enthusiasts and hikers from around the globe. And, the odd gourmand cyclist!  I mean let’s face it you burn a lot of calories riding 6 to 8 hours a day.


The trail meanders south from Mundaring in the Perth Hills for around 498 kilometres to Nannup.  Originally founded by a small group of cycling enthusiasts, the local communities and a number of governmental/semi governmental agencies;  plans are underway to extend the trail to Albany, on Western Australia’s southern coast, making it over a staggering 1000 kilometres in total once complete.

On a kite surfing trip to Western Australia the previous year, we picked up a set of 3 water-resistant trail maps and with that, hung onto the thought of returning one day when the airfares and weather were favourable. Finally in early November, we set off from Byron Bay armed with comfortable bike seats, cleated peddles, camping gear, home-made goodies and bundles of enthusiasm.

Airline of choice for our journey, Virgin Blue, owing to their sensible sporting allowance. Although, this time, prior to departure we made the decision to leave our bikes at home and rent them in Perth City from ‘About Bike Hire’; a knowledgeable and friendly mob who also arranged us limo transport to the start of the trail with ‘BCT Transfers’.

After an evening’s sojourn with old friends and an exhaustive shopping expedition, we load our gear into the rented panniers and ibex-bob trailer and, head off on the “Pea Gravel Highway” through an undeveloped natural corridor carpeted with wildflowers.

After 42km of surprisingly strenuous riding we pull into Carinyah, one of the six purpose-built cycle-friendly campsites well equipped with composting toilet, two water tanks, picnic tables, undercover bike racks, sleeping shelters, and cleared tent sites.

We wash down a well deserved hearty dinner of steak, steamed asparagus on a bed of Dukkah laced sweet potato mash with a delicious local red.

As the sunsets through a filter of tall gums, I’m thrilled to find that my air mattress resembles sections of the trail and as a result is refusing to stay inflated for more than a brief minute or two.  My companion suggests I make like a gorilla, take a “leaf!” out of Bear Gryll’s book and create a bed of leaves; and with that exhaustion takes hold and I fall into a deep slumber.

An Abundance of Wildflowers