2013 Australia Ride Stage 10

Our cyclists arrive from Perth on Stage 9 on Wed 17 July. Accom on the night of Thu 18 July is included in the tour price for Stage 10. If you are starting the ride in Kalgoorlie, you may also arrive a day earlier and book our accommodation for the night of Wed 17 July. If you have ridden with us from Perth on Stage 9, today is your rest day. There's lots to see in Kalgoorlie. After Hannan accidentally found gold in 1893, they came from everywhere to what is the Golden Mile, perhaps the richest square mile on earth. The balcony overlooking the Super Pit is WOW. The 250 ton trucks look like dinky toys, crawling around the walls and base. The magnificent architecture of buildings and hotels, and the famous Hay St humpies - it's all there on your rest day.

It's all downhill on the map and in reality, passing through Kalgoorlie-Boulder part of the 3 biggest cities in the world, total area of 95,500 square km. Widgiemooltha serves a great lunch, before another gold mining town of Norseman. Camping tonight for those on the camping package.

This is the start of the real Nullarbor Plain, supposedly flat and barren, but in reality it is nearly flat and quite beautiful. Bike riders will notice a little hump today, before dropping down 200 meters, to Balladonia, where golfers hit off the 12th tee on longest golf range in the world - yes, across Australia. The Nullarbor Links concept is unique. The 18-hole par 72 golf course spans 1,365 kilometres with one hole in each participating town or roadhouse along the Eyre Highway, from Kalgoorlie in Western Australia to Ceduna in South Australia. Each hole includes a green and tee and somewhat rugged outback-style natural terrain fairway. The course provides a quintessential Australian experience and a much-needed activity/attraction for travellers along the renowned desolate highway. Camping tonight for those on the camping package.

Today you cycle one of the longest straight stretches of road in the world (146km) which is also used by the Royal Flying Doctor Service as a runway. There are no cappuccinos or pizza bars, but we set up our unique mobile trailer, serving you with healthy food, snacks and drinks. Camping tonight for those on the camping package.

Its the shortest day, allowing you an optional extra of having an early lunch and going 4WD to Eyre Bird Observatory. Incredible homestead on the beach amongst massive sand dunes, a real highlight, but book early - limited space on the 4WD. Stunning views of the Bight from the edge of sheer vertical cliffs. Camping tonight for those on the camping package.

Another easy day, flat road, the odd blowhole on the side of the road. Under the Nullarbor there are massive caves, long tunnels of limestone and small blowholes as breathers throughout the countryside. There are blowholes on the right a couple of kms before Madura. Camping tonight for those on the camping package.

Its a big down hill from the start, then flat for 175 kms then climb up again to Eucla. This incredible landscape is the result of the ice age, when this 200 km x 100 km area dropped about 200 metres. The opposite of a flat top mesa or mountain. All cyclists in accommodation tonight.

Take it easy today. The accommodation is overlooking the coast, about 2 kilometres away, so we bus down to explore the original telegraph station, struggling to keep its roof above the sand drift. Swim in the surf, walk the beach, play cricket or just enjoy the beautiful feeling of living in the Australian outback, in the centre of the Great Australian Bight. All cyclists in accommodation tonight.

Not far out of Eucla, you cross the border into South Australia, change of time zone. This day is tough, but imagine how tough it was for Edward John Eyre and his fellow expeditioners as they crossed this desolate area, the true treeless area. Camping tonight for those on the camping package.

Departing at daybreak will be cold, but worthwhile as you divert 12 kms down to the whale watching platform overlooking nature's nursery of many whale mothers and calves wallowing around close to the shoreline, gaining strength and experience before the migration south. Its then back on your bike to complete another big day. Camping tonight for those on the camping package.

Another early start in this stunning landscape, magic sunshine everyday with the mist rising off the land, Ceduna is the other side of the true Nullarbor noted for its fishing industry, wheat farming, mineral sands and salt sales. Camping tonight for those on the camping package.

A beautiful ride, with millions of tiny cobwebs on the grasses and bushes, all glistening in the early sun. Cycling the coast to Streaky Bay is beautiful as is the town, with its must see museum of sharks and sealife. Streaky Bay gets its name from Matthew Flinders, noting the streaks in the bay, apparently caused by underwater forests of kelp. All cyclists in accommodation tonight.

Morning tea is enjoyed at Murphy's Haystacks, which are incredible rock formations, windblown over time into fascinating shapes over a large area of farmland. We visit Port Kenny for lunch, then head back to the west-east road and granite belt of Wudinna, also noted as the gateway to the Gawler Ranges. Camping tonight for those on the camping package.

Yesterday had a few humps and bumps - today they are bigger, climbing 200 metres in total. This healthy wheat and grain growing country was serviced by camel and bullock trains, before Kimba's railhead opened, ending an era before the car, however the bike was around then and still is today. All cyclists in accommodation tonight.

Its 200 metres downhill today, with a few humps and interesting diversion to Iron Knob, where iron ore was mined, leaving a massive hole, a nearby abandoned town and struggling community. The museum is well worthwhile, also the mine town and people you meet. The push to Port Augusta is beautiful, the Gawler Ranges as backdrop, also the junction of the road to Alice Springs. Camping tonight for those on the camping package.

You cross the original bridge over the bay, then cycle parallel to the Flinders Ranges on the east, Spencer Gulf on the west and a flat road ahead. Port Germain is a lovely stop for lunch before Port Pirie, noted as the worlds largest lead smelter and a popular tourism drawcard. All cyclists in accommodation tonight.

We take the back road, through slight undulating countryside, little farmhouses on either side to Port Broughton, an old town and port, originally serviced by rail and shipping. Now a grazing and holiday destination. You pass through Bute on your way to Port Wakefield, at the very top of Gulf of St. Vincent. Camping tonight for those on the camping package.

After celebrations in the beautifully restored Rising Sun Hotel, you set off on the last day, where there is more traffic, however a good service road shoulder. You will be really impressed as the sight of buildings, church spires, cappuccino shops and wonderful natural stone architecture of early buildings.

Congratulations, a mighty effort across a massive expanse of land. Thank you for sharing the experience.

Tonight you can stay in your own accommodation or book in to our tour accom - the choice is yours.

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.

This ride has some big distances and we realise that for many reasons some cyclists may not be able to complete a particular day's entire ride. We have support vehicles to pick up bikes & riders that cannot keep up with the required pace.

The Bus & Bike option is designed specifically for cyclists that plan from the start to only cycle partial distances. Note that this is not for 'slow' riders - just for cyclists that may not be able to or want to cycle the full distances of the ride but want to enjoy the spectacular experience that is the Nullarbor Plains. Cyclists should be able to cycle at 20-25kph on a flat road.

Our tour guide will determine which are the most appropriate parts of the day to ride - sometimes up until lunch, then jump in the bus, sometimes ride just the afternoon. We will work with you and the group as to what is the best option for you.

Recommended arrival date and time: We suggest you arrive no later than midday on Thursday 18 July 2013, allowing you plenty of time to settle into your accommodation 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 18 July, which will provide you with a more relaxing time in Kalgoorlie 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: 18 July 2012 – 4pm Railway Hotel, Kalgoorlie

Tour finishing time and location: 4 August 2012 – 4pm, Adelaide, Centrally located accommodation

Closest airport to the destination:

• Start: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia

• Finish: Adelaide, South Australia

Key airlines servicing Kalgoorlie:

• Qantas

• Virgin Australia

• Skywest

Key airlines servicing Adelaide:

• Virgin Australia

• Qantas

• Jet Star

• Tiger Airways

Train transport to Kalgoorlie:

Trans WA runs a daily train service departing Perth at approx 7:10pm – arriving in Kalgoorlie at 2:05pm

Bike transport is PROHIBITED ON THIS SERVICE

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

For freight options check http://www.interfreight.net.au or 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 keen cyclist that is prepared to do some training you should be able to get to a point where you can meet the challenges of these rides. As a guideline you should work on being able to comfortably ride at 25 km/h on the flat with consistency more important than speed.

To get the most out of your ride, build your kilometre total distance in training to gradually attain 160km + 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.

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.

Those that have chosen a camping/accom combination option will usually spend the nights in a camping area right next to, or in the same compound as, our accommodation. Sometimes in a camping ground or caravan park. We do our best to keep the group together as much as possible. We have limited numbers of tents, mattresses and sleeping bags for hire. When these are sold out you will need to provide your own gear. You can book the camp gear hire from the ‘Optional Extras’ area on the booking form. Packing a small comfortable pillow can add a lot of comfort to a night sleep.

A limited number of tents, air-mattresses and sleeping bags are available for hire for those on the camping / accom combo package. 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. Air-mattresses are comfortable inflatable air-pads and included with each tent hire. When we have run out of camping equipment for hire you will need to bring your own.

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.

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.

If you are a chronic snorer or have other habits that may affect your fellow room-mates we suggest booking your own room (single supplement cost). This is not just a courtesy to your fellow travelling companions, but will also give you the space & privacy you need to enjoy your sleep after a long day on the bike.

Lots of red sand, healthy bush, the Great Australian Bight cliffs and coastline, caves, wildlife (dingos, kangaroos, emu, whales & calves, snakes, lizards), magnificent sunrises and sunsets, interesting little towns and great characters. Eucla Telegraph Station is a highlight. Even just looking in awe at the vast distances around you is a sight to behold.

Cycling will be the passion of people on this trip however a walk to the beach, a swim, a bush-walk, whale watching, scenic flights, lookouts and Aboriginal artefacts all have their unique appeal.

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. See the 'Day to Day' tab for more details, or click the 'Generate Itinerary' button.

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.

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.

There are not a lot of vehicles and the vision is excellent. Cars, trucks and caravans use the road and generally have plenty of time to see a cyclist, assess the situation, and overtake accordingly. AllTrails have CB radios and talk to the truck drivers explaining that cyclists are on the road. Truckies tell their mates, who tell their mates, who tell anybody else who is listening. They all love to have something to talk about on the long Nullarbor route. Some truckies will pass you four times over the three week period.

Flat bitumen road all the way. A wide 2-way road with a wide gravel or bitumen shoulder.

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 and average speed of the tour (ask us for the 'Training Tips' document for this ride).

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, prevailing winds 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 bom.gov.au.

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 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 and extra water. A detailed list of what is required and provided will be sent to you in your pre-tour info pack.

People from all parts of Australia and overseas. Ages generally range from 30 - 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.

Australia Ride is a great opportunity to get healthy and see Australia on a bike in a safe, supported and fun way. In 1988, Phil McDonald, Director and owner of AllTrails, rode around Australia on his Penny Farthing creating a world record and raising over $100,000 for Rotary. Make the challenge bigger than yourself by raising money for our main charity partner MS Australia. If you wish, you can fundraise for your own favourite charity.

Travel Insurance for lost deposits and cancellations:

www.travelinsurancedirect.com.au/

www.travelinsurancecover.com.au/

Lost deposits: We very strongly recommend you take out travel insurance for your trip. This should include cover for cancellation fees, lost deposits, and stolen or lost luggage (including your bike). We cannot emphasise enough how important this is. There are many unforseen reasons why cyclists may need to withdraw from a ride - injury, health, weddings, business, personal and many more. Cancellation fees can be a major financial loss to you and as a small business we need to adhere to our cancellation policies. Please go to the ride page on our website for your ride and click the 'Terms & Conditions' button to see the ride's cancel policy.

Travel Insurance: Domestic travel insurance cover tends to be significantly cheaper than international cover (approx $50 for one week). Above are two websites that offer both international and domestic travel insurance that you can look at. You can also speak to your local travel agent, or often airline booking websites will offer travel insurance as an optional extra as you book your flight.

Cyclist insurance for accidents & medical:

http://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/join-in/91741/

http://www.bq.org.au/join/insurance/

This is also very strongly recommended. We cannot emphasise enough how important this is. Cycling can be a dangerous activity and you must be prepared for the worst. You may have an accident in training for the ride, on the ride itself, or cycling down to the corner dairy. If you are a cyclist coming on our tour you should be 100% prepared for the unexpected.

Cyclist insurance can be bought separately, or it comes with cycling memberships such as Bicycle Network Victoria or Bicycle Queensland. If you are involved in a crash or collision they will support you with personal injury costs, loss of income, third party liability insurance, assistance in completing your claim paper work & free legal consultation.

Life Insurance and TPD Insurance (often paid through your superannuation), and Private Health Insurance are also worth considering.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We do not have our own fleet of hire bikes, however you can rent a bike. 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'.

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.

• 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