Reflections (i.e. would I do it again)

This trail has given me a whole new appreciation for the South Australian countryside. I'm normally in a car bypassing most of the region the trail passed through heading from point A to point B. I now have an understanding of what's in the middle and as I discovered, it's worth taking the time to have a look.

Total distance I travelled according to my not-so-finely-calibrated bike computer was around 760km. Apparently the trail is close to 900km in total. The sections that I shortcut were Blinman to Hawker (mud), Spalding to Burra (break down caused by mud), Tanunda to Adelaide (lack of camping opportunities - i.e Mt Crawford forest closed). I will return and finish these off next year. It would be good to do in the other direction, getting more remote as you go rather than getting more built up. The build up is less incentive to keep moving south in my opinion.

I'd suggest that anyone with any inclination to see more of the state should have a go at this trail. You don't need to do it in one hit - there are opportunities for making loop routes so you don't have to backtrack. You don't need to carry loads of gear. In fact you could get away with a change of clothes, your credit card and a camera because there are loads of accommodation options along the way. So you could do it really fast and light, probably on a bike you already own, and the money you'd spend on camping gear - if you don't already have it - used to rent cabins along the way instead, and to eat good, cheap meals in the pubs in each town. On the other hand if you want to camp, there are loads of camping opportunities for most of the trail.

Would I do it again...I hope so!

Oh, and I was really lucky to get a lift to Blinman...thanks Mike so much. And to Kerry for the catering.

And I was really lucky to get my bike and I transported to Burra after my breakdown...unfortunately I don't know the name of the couple in the ute near Booborowie. I hope one day they stumble across this and see my thanks.