Australia 2016: The Clare Valley Ride – Wine Grapes & Gravel Roads

ClareValley2016-1January 14, 2016 – on this day, I (JOM) had originally planned to do a road bike ride, in and around my hometown of Adelaide, South Australia. I had plans to join one of the visiting pro cycling teams on a training ride, who are currently in Adelaide for the 2016 Tour Down Under. If you didn’t catch the announcement on the Gravel Cyclist Facebook page a few days ago, I’m doing a little journalistic work for my friends at BikeRumor.com – namely covering pro bikes and the details relating to them.

ClareValley2016-2However, I really wasn’t feeling the road bike mojo on this day. The weather was cool and overcast, and my legs were heavy. These were perfect conditions to leave the road bike at home, and make a day trip to somewhere in South Australia to crush gravel!

ClareValley2016-3With a haphazard route designed using my proven route planning tips, I hopped into the car, and drove about 111 kilometres / 69 miles north of Adelaide to the Clare Valley wine region. Destination, the town of Auburn, South Australia.

ClareValley2016-4From Auburn, the route would head to Mintaro (pronounced “min-TAIR-oh” by the locals), northeast to Farrell Flat, west to Clare, and back home to Auburn. A total of about 99 kilometres, or 62 miles. On the subject of pronunciations – this tip is for my Americano audience – the Australian flightless bird, the Emu – is pronounced “eem-you“. An “e-moo” would be an electronic cow. Take notes! Moving along… :mrgreen:

ClareValley2016-5As you can see from the photos thus far, conditions were indeed cloudy. They were also cool enough for me to bust out the arm warmers! The South Australian summer has been mighty strange this year…

ClareValley2016-6Continuing the theme of every other gravel ride I’ve partaken during this trip, only two or three cars were spotted on these roads. If you enjoy peace and serenity, gravel road cycling is among the lowest stress activities known to mankind!

ClareValley2016-7ClareValley2016-8ClareValley2016-9Approximately 23ish kilometres into the ride, I chugged through the small South Australian country town of Mintaro. I didn’t stay too long, but long enough to photograph some beautiful old churches (I really appreciate older building design) and the local watering hole (pub), the Magpie and Stump Hotel. Much as I was tempted to stop in for a mid-ride beer, it wasn’t quite hot enough for that… and it was a bit too early in the ride for libations.

ClareValley2016-10ClareValley2016-11Of concern to me at this point in the ride was the roaring tailwind pushing me northwards. If you’re a regular visitor to this website, you know I never plan rides based on wind direction. But, having pretty knackered legs on this day, I knew the price would be paid towards the tail end of the ride. More first world problems to contemplate.

More proof that red clay roads exist outside of Georgia, USA.
Further proof that red clay roads exist outside of Georgia, USA.

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Most excellent abandoned building desolation.
Most excellent abandoned building desolation.
Abandoned house desolation.
Abandoned house desolation.
JOM's bike leaned up against the remains of a building, circa 19th century.
JOM’s bike leaned up against the remains of a building, circa 19th century.

The bustling metropolis – not – of Farrell Flat came into view about 39 kilometres / 24.5 miles into the ride. Not a planned store stop, but rather a sweet photographic opportunity for another of my favourite topics, railways. Sadly, the railway is long gone, but the original railway station still remains. It looks to be inhabited by someone, and much of the original track around the station is still in place. I really need to figure out how to build a functioning but portable rail bike for a future trip… budding engineers reading this, ping JOM with ideas.

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I just love old Australian railway station architecture.
Once upon a time, steam locomotives refilled from this water tower.
Once upon a time, steam locomotives refilled from this water tower.
JOM's bike leaned against the Farrell Flat railway station.
JOM’s bike leaned against the Farrell Flat railway station.

Departing Farrell Flat, the roaring tailwind continued to push me northward with virtually no effort. However, soon I would feel the wind in the reverse direction, as I made my way southeast along a local area gravel road known as Four Trees Road. I also spotted this sign which is pretty common in Australia, but it serves as a reminder that gravel can destroy cars!

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Highly probable this road is sludgy in winter.
Highly probable this road is sludgy in winter.

Approximately 73 kilometres / 45.5 miles into the ride, I finally rolled into the lovely South Australian town of Clare, namesake for the Clare Valley. It was at this time I took a much needed break, and hydrated at a local petrol station / convenience store. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to explore Clare as it was late in the day, but I’ve visited the town in years past. If you’re visiting South Australia, it is a must see town, particularly if you enjoy wineries – and gravel cycling 🙂

ClareValley2016-23For the return journey, pretty much a southbound shot from Clare to Auburn, I rode the Riesling Trail. Much as I lament the disappearance of this once scenic railway line, its conversion to an ALL gravel, hard packed rail trail is stellar. The surface is so nice to ride, a road bike with 23mm tyres will totally cut it.

Evidence of the former railway line with this road overpass.
Evidence of the former railway line with this road overpass.

Because of how railways are constructed, the trail features shallow grades and gentle curves. The maximum grade along the route is about 2% – however, all 25 kilometres / 15.6 miles of the return journey was into a full-on block headwind. Thankfully my legs were feeling better at this point in the ride, and admittedly I’d been riding pretty easy all day.

ClareValley2016-25The views along this lovely rail to trail were fantastic at times. The trail meanders through the former railway stations stops of Sevenhill (the original railway platform is still in place), Penwortham, Watervale and Leasingham.

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Evidence along the rail trail of how this cutting was created.
Evidence along the rail trail of how this cutting was created.

Summary

This summary will likely sound like every other summary I’ve written during this trip. Killer gravel roads, zero traffic and great scenery. Those reading this text need to visit the Clare Valley in South Australia at some point in the future – preferably with me as your gravel cycling guide!

I captured high-definition video of this ride, so expect a nicely edited video in a future posting.

Strava Ride Data

For those so inclined, you can check out my ride HERE.

Thanks for reading.

5 Comments

  1. We need to figure out how one acquires the remains of an old Australian train station!

    • JOM JOM

      I found one that hasn’t been restored, but it is available for lease 🙁 In other words, the owners are quite content to sit and let it rot.

      • K-Dogg K-Dogg

        When you’re an old feeb we’ll sit you in a rocking chair on the train platform
        then tell you to wait patiently for the next train to town.
        K-Dogg

        • JOM JOM

          Haha… “the train will be coming along any time soon”.

          • K-Dogg K-Dogg

            Oi mate! So when are you going to do the Steve-o stuff? Wrestle crocs,
            kiss venomous snakes? Why don’t you take a quick drive to Darwin and
            film some parrots and deadly Brown snakes? Are there no Platapus herds or
            Kowala wrestling shows near ya?
            Enough eucalyptus trees, dirt and rusting trains? Dr. Pain and I
            suspect you just drive your mum’s car to the same road to film.
            🙂

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