Australia Ride Stage 8 - Geraldton to Perth 2012

Day 1: Arrive in Geraldton and prepare for the trip ahead. Today is the day for ride registration, checking over your bike, meet and greet the group and have your pre-departure briefing. In the evening we invite you to join the staff and fellow riders at a nearby restaurant for dinner (at own expense).

There is a lot to see in Geraldton. It began in the 1850's as an outpost for convicts who built many of the beautiful historic buildings. It has since grown to a major port and service centre for the region. A few not to be missed highlights are the HMAS Sydney Memorial, a moving tribute to the sailors who died in Australia's greatest maritime disaster and built on top of a hill with breath-taking views. Every day at 10:30 am there is a free tour where volunteers explain its significance.

For those that love their history, or even a good story, the museum is a must. The region has an enthralling maritime history with a great display of the Batavia, a Dutch ship that ran aground in 1629. The survivors made it to land only to face a slow and bloody mutiny where over 100 were killed. The story is depicted with fascinating displays and includes the stone portico that was found on the ship.

Day 2: The final stage for Australia Ride 2012 rolls off! The shortest of all the stages, however there is still plenty to see. Scenic river mouths, lagoons, interesting ruins and beautiful beaches is only the beginning and there is no need to ask why this section down to Perth is called the Turquoise Coast once you have seen the colour of the ocean in the many secluded bays along this Indian Ocean ride.

We begin the ride along excellent coastal scenery, great riding and lots of beaches. The grades are fairly easy and take you through the low coastal vegetation, which provides unobstructed views. Throughout this area you will see leaning gum trees and at first appearances perhaps consider yourself lucky that you are not tackling the same winds that bent over the tress. However, while it is a windy area, it is the salt in the wind that prunes them into interesting shapes you see. Tonight we overnight in the lovely town of Dongara.

Day 3: Having left the Brand Highway today we continue down the winding coastal road where the traffic is less and the road passes through small fishing villages, National Parks and lovely coastal scenery. Beekeepers Nature Reserve joins onto Leseur National Park, one of the richest flora reserves in Australia. Here 200 of the 900 plants recorded are either rare or significant. We overnight tonight in Jurien Bay, a vibrant fishing town of 1,200 people.

Day 4: Out of Jurien Bay the road winds its way through thick coastal heath for 24 kms to Cervantes. Named after an American whaling ship that sank in 1844, it has a coincidental similarity to the author of Don Quixote, Miquel Cervantes. In true opportunism, some street names in Cervantes come from the book's characters. One of the highlights of this stage is the Pinnacles, encapsulated by Nambung National Park. Seventeen kilometres away a series of limestone pillars have evaded erosion, leaving behind yellow sentinels up to 5 metres high in a sea of sand. Surrounded by thick vegetation, Dutch explorers passing in their ships believed this unique landscape to be the remnants of an ancient city.

The remaining section of today's ride was merely a sandy track tackled only by the most experienced or fool-hardy 4WDers until the middle of 2011 when a new fully bituminised road was completed. The track on which many a bogged 4WD had come to a watery end was not easy to tame and had its moments. Five unexploded bombs found on land next to the Defence Department site had to be detonated, and an 8km moving sand dune needed to be diverted – all the more reason to enjoy the 65 kms of smooth road and wide shoulder to our overnight stop, Lancelin. Nestled between a large bay and sand dunes, Lancelin is known for its crayfishing (rock lobster) port and judging by the size of some of the houses around here, catching lobsters is pretty lucrative.

Day 5: Waking to the sound of the crayfishing boats heading out at dawn it would be easy to forget that by this afternoon you will be in a city of one and a half million people. The road south passes through more National Parks with views of long stretches of white beaches and aqua sea backed by coastal vegetation and dunes. We take the last section into Perth on a new bike path that transports us straight into the heart of the world's most remote city, with its skyscrapers, trains and people everywhere.

We made it! Three cheers! What an amazing 5 days on the west coast and what an amazing adventure it has been for many of you on Australia Ride 2012.

Tonight we invite you to join us for a farewell dinner (included in your tour price) to relive your adventure and achievements through stories and photos and look forward to another 8 stages of Australia Ride 2013!

You are free to organise your departure upon arrival in Perth as it suits or we can book accommodation in Perth for you if you would like to stay in centrally located accommodation before your departure.

Accommodation tonight is an optional extra.

AllTrails is a proud Australian owned company with over 14 years experience running cycle tours throughout Australia and overseas. During the course of running over 100 tours since 1997, we have established a top reputation in the bicycle tour industry and cycling community that has been earned through hard work and dedication and we sincerely care about every person on every tour.

Our large community of loyal AllTrails riders that keep coming back year after year are testament to the high standard of tours that we provide. The safety and confidence that comes with riding on one of our tours is one of many great reasons to book your cycling holiday with us.

Check out our testimonials page for some recent feedback from our clients.

Feel free to contact us at any time through our website ‘Contact Us’ page, phone or email. We love what we do and want to get you on the best bike ride for you. Speak to us about what's on your mind and we'll help you make your decision.

Recommended arrival date and time: We suggest you arrive no later than midday on Friday 6 July 2012, allowing you plenty of time to settle into your accommodation or camping (included in tour price) and set up your bike for the next day’s ride departure. A suggestion, especially for those arriving from overseas is to allow at least one day prior to 6 July, which will provide you with a more relaxing time in Geraldton before your cycling holiday and minimise the risk of flight or other delays.

Recommended departure date and time: We suggest you begin your onward travel the day after the tour finishes, allowing you sufficient time to pack up your bike and gear and get to your departure point whether it is the airport, or bus terminal

Registration time and location: 6 July 2012 – 4pm Geraldton Ocean Centre Hotel, Geraldton

Tour finishing time and location: 10 July 2012 – 4pm, Perth, Centrally located accommodation

Closest airport to the destination:

• Start: Geraldton, Western Australia

• Finish: Perth, Western Australia

Key airlines servicing Geraldton:

• Qantas

• Virgin Australia

• Skywest

Key airlines servicing Perth:

• Virgin Australia

• Qantas

• Jet Star

• Tiger Airways

• Skywest

Bus transport to Geraldton:

Trans WA runs a daily coach service departing Perth at 8:30am – arriving in Geraldton at 2:30pm

Bike transport is an additional $10

Call 1300 662 205 or check www.transwa.wa.gov.au for additional times and information

For alternative bus transport or freight options check www.greyhound.com.au or call 1300 473 946

This depends on whether you plan to ride the entire stage or divide each days ride distance between a team. If you have a good level of general fitness, are in good health and are a reasonably keen cyclist that is prepared to do some additional training you shouldn’t have a problem with our tours. As a guideline you should work on being able to comfortably ride at 20 km/h on the flat with consistency more important than speed.

To get the most out of your ride leave plenty of time to build your kilometre total distance in training, to gradually attain about 110 km a day for 2 days straight or the distance agreed amongst your team members that you will ride each day. A training outline will be sent to you in your pre-tour info pack. In situations where you cannot complete a particular section of the ride for any reason we will always have support vehicles to transfer you and your bike or in the case where you have your own additional support vehicle you will provide that assistance to your team members.

We have a great safety record and do our best to inform motorists so that they can drive accordingly, however cyclists have to play their part in keeping well over to the left. We have support vehicles on the road showing 'Caution Cyclists' signs and a ‘tail end Charlie’ (vehicle following the last rider) with a flashing beacon to warn traffic about our cycling group. You will also be briefed before each day's ride pointing out parts of the road that may get narrow or have any known hazards.

Always a big part of any cycling holiday! Check tour details for meal inclusions on your ride. Our emphasis is on fresh food and balanced diet with plenty of carbohydrates, proteins, fruit and vegies catering for a cycling holiday. We successfully cater to most dietary requirements, however feel free to contact us with any questions. Most meals are included as part of our tours, however you may be required to purchase some meals as per the inclusions and daily itinerary.

We always try to obtain great accommodation in the best location for you to rest your weary head (and legs) in each town whether it be a motel, hotel, cabins or similar, usually 3, 3½, 4 star. We choose the best and most welcoming motel for cyclists and our tour group needs. On occasion we travel through some very small towns where accommodation is extremely limited. If for whatever reason, such as limited options, the accommodation one night is below normal standard, we strive to improve this with an extra good room the next night or nights following.

For some of our more remote trips around Australia the accommodation at times has more character than charm and when we are between towns for a day or two we may organise a bush camp. In which case we provide you with a single or twin share tent, depending on your choice. Instructions, assistance and an air mattress will also be provided. Check the tour details for more information.

On the online entry form you can nominate any travelling companions that you would like to share a room with and/or be accommodated close to so that couples or friends can be roomed together. This can be in a double bed or in twin beds. If you are travelling alone like many of our riders, you can choose to 'twin share' where single riders are paired with other riders of the same gender and sometimes changed at each accommodation to create interest in sharing rooms. Single Supplement is also available for those that would like their own room for the whole trip. If you are a chronic snorer or have other habits that may affect your fellow room-mates we suggest booking your own room.

Due to the long distance between accommodation in some of Australia’s more remote areas, camping may be necessary for the entire tour group. Check tour details for specific information. These nights out in the bush are often the highlight of the tour for many people. We will provide basic amenities with an emphasis on hygiene. We often have a fire which is used to cook delicious dinners on for an authentic outback experience.

Those that have chosen a full camping option will spend the nights in designated camping grounds and caravan parks and we do our best to keep the group together as much as possible. You will need to provide your own tent, air-mattress and sleeping bag unless a hire option is available on your tour from the ‘Optional Extras’ area on the booking form. Those booked on the accommodation option can choose to have their air-mattress and tent provided free of charge for any nights where camping is necessary. Packing a small comfortable pillow can add a lot of comfort to a night sleep.

• Airfare and transportation to and from the tour pick-up/drop-off locations

• Accommodation before and after the tour (check for pre & post accommodation in the ‘Optional Extras’ under the ‘Pricing’ tab)

• Personal accident or travel insurance

• Personal items purchased during the tour

• Some meals may not be included allowing you the opportunity to explore the regional cuisine and choose your own meal. Check tour details for more information.

• Optional activities and sightseeing

.

We suggest you carry a spare tube, tyre levels, two full water bottles and your own personal goods such as camera, wallet and perhaps rain gear if it’s threatening. We transport your luggage*, day packs*, food & extra water. A detailed list of what is required and provided will be sent to you in your pre-tour info pack.

(*riders travelling with their own vehicle will be required to transport their luggage, day packs and bikes. We will provide mechanical and safety support and additional support if unforeseen circumstances arise)

People from all parts of Australia and overseas. Ages generally range from 25 - 70 with the average age about 50 years old. Adventurous cyclists usually about 40% women & 60% men with a mix of singles, friends and couples.

Our tours have been specifically scheduled to take into consideration the best time of year to travel to that destination. This takes into account the temperate range, possible rainfall and the prevailing winds. Of course, we can’t ever control the weather however this only adds to the adventure and excitement of your travel experience!

For more specific weather and climate information visit www.bom.gov.au or for our international tours visit www.worldweather.org

A comfortable racing bike, road bike or touring bike with a good seat and road tires with slick or near-slick tread. A hybrid or mountain bike is also possible if you are comfortable riding the daily distances of the tour at an average of 20 km/h on the flat.

A tour guide with bike mechanical knowledge will be part of our crew and will have most items that are required, including a good stand-pump for different valves. The bike parts used for replacement will be charged at shop prices. Labour is free for the first fifteen minutes, there after costs may be incurred at the mechanic's discretion. Cyclists with rare or different bikes are asked to contact us at AllTrails as parts can often be very difficult to obtain.

We have a great safety record, but accidents can happen. We have comprehensive First-Aid Kits with trained 1st aiders as tour guides and drivers, mobiles and a satellite phone for emergency calls and the locality of hospitals in the areas that we travel through. We also have vehicles that can take anyone injured or sick for further treatment.

Tents, air-mattresses and sleeping bags are often available for hire. Check ‘Optional Extras’ under the ‘Pricing’ tab to view exact hire costs. Tents are usually 2 or 3-man dome tents which are quickly and simply assembled. Staff can also assist you with setup and pack-down if required when they are available. If you wish to share a tent with a travelling partner, make this request when booking and we will try to provide you with a larger tent. Air-mattresses are comfortable inflatable air-pads and included with each tent hire.

Yes, you can rent a bike. We often have overseas riders coming to Australia, or interstate riders that would rather not take their bike around Australia on a plane, or road riders that want to come on a mountain bike ride with us (or vice versa).

We will be able to help you out with organising bike hire through our local contacts near our office in Melbourne, or closer to a ride departure location. When you make your booking just let us know that you would also like to hire a bike and we will get the ball rolling for you and put you in touch with the right people.

You can also bring your own seat and/or pedals to give you that little bit of 'home comfort'.

Yes. Either Bicycle Network Victoria membership insurance, Cycle Queensland membership insurance or similar, travel insurance, or another personal accident insurance is compulsory on our AllTrails rides. We also strongly suggest travel insurance to cover cancellation fees and lost/damaged luggage.

Bring your friends and save some money! For all groups of 5 or more entrants you will receive 5% discount off your respective entry fees. This excludes any optional extras such pre and post tour accom, cycling jersey, tent hire etc.

Contact our office for more details and information.

Contact us if you would like to find out about booking an info session for your group of friends, or if you would like to find out about a travel talk happening near you in the future.

Be inspired, hear from the experts, learn more about a destination and even book your tour on the night.

Not a problem! You’ll find other like-minded cycling companions taking part in our rides. If you’re a solo traveller we will pair you with other solo travellers of the same gender in twin share accommodation or you can opt for Single Supplement (additional cost) to receive a room of your own. If the tour has a camping component tents are single occupancy unless otherwise specified.

Each stage has been specifically scheduled to take place when as many factors important to a great cycling holiday are likely to, or will, occur. We have taken into consideration the prevailing winds, hence the anticlockwise direction of the circumnavigation of Australia as well as the south to north crossing for stages 17 & 18 from Adelaide to the Top End. We have also taken into account the temperature range, potential risks, possible rainfall and the best times to view the attractions on route. Of course, we can’t ever control the weather however this only adds to the adventure and excitement of your travel experience!

For more specific weather and climate information visit www.bom.gov.au

You can download an AllTrails brochure from our homepage, otherwise contact us with your postal address and we will mail you a copy.

Absolutely. We will be happy to give you the names and telephone numbers of people who have participated in the ride or a similar ride that you are considering. Where possible we will provide you with the details of someone within your city or state.

Another good place to look is our ‘Testimonials’ page.

Will my mobile phone work on tour? Part of the appeal of a holiday is to get away from the hassles of everyday life! If you can’t leave home without your mobile phone, check with your service provider to see where you will have coverage. Telstra Next G provides the greatest coverage for remote towns and areas in Australia. As you may not always have mobile phone coverage, particularly if you travel into remote locations, it's best to purchase a phonecard or calling card before you leave home, as most public telephones do not take coins. If travelling overseas check before you depart that global roaming has been activated with your service provider. Otherwise it may be cheaper to purchase a local SIM card on arrival at your destination.

Some towns may have an internet café or access to an internet terminal, so you may be able to check your emails from time to time while you’re away. If you don’t already have a web-based email account, it is a good idea to set one up before you leave, e.g. Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail.

Welcome! Traditionally most of the clientele on our rides have been from Australia or New Zealand, but we also have had many riders from USA and UK/Europe. You just need to make sure that your passport and visas are in order and check the cost of transferring your bike to Australia, or rent one here.

We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance for all our Australian rides at the time of deposit and ensure that it includes coverage for cancellation fees if for some reason you are not able to travel. For our international tours we require all participants to have Travel insurance to assist you in the event of a medical emergency, lost baggage, personal liability, cancelled tour or any other trip related issues.

Should you wish to change your booking with AllTrails to a different tour, there will be a very reasonable service charge. We try to keep this figure as low as possible to allow flexibility where we can as we want to make sure that you get on the right tour for you.

For cancellation and refund policies for your tour click the ‘Book Your Place Today’ button on the relevant tour page of our website and scroll down for Conditions of Contract.

We recommend you bring a soft bag or backpack. We advise against bringing a suitcase as they are bulky, difficult to stow on board vehicles or trailers and heavy. You may be required to lift or carry your own luggage from time to time, e.g. into accommodation. Any excess luggage may need to be stored or forwarded on to your final destination at your own expense.

Information about what to pack is included as part of your Pre-Departure information. Generally we advise that you pack as light as possible.