"The Alice" nestled between the ochre red MacDonnell Ranges is a vibrant town famous for its history, beauty and now for its Aboriginal art galleries.
We cycle north from this central Australian town through red, sandy mulga bush, along the Explorers Way to interesting little overnight stops.
Be amazed at the rock formations like the "Devils Marbles" hundreds of near perfectly round boulders, strewn around an area the size of a small town.
The historic pubs, sometimes the only building in town, are a source of information and intrigue. The decoration and memorabilia around the walls keep you amused while the locals share their love of the land, comparing the stories of hardship with your commitment to "cycle to the Top".
Mining towns like Tennant Creek offer tours of their work site, allowing locals and tourists an insight into the life of early gold miners.
The road is wide with good shoulder a lot of the way, as you bypass the Tanami Desert before Mataranka a natural spring now a paradise for swimmers in the harsh outback.
Katherine is rest day and the Gorge is an ideal place to laze back in a boat and absorb the beauty and colours of this ravine.
River beds are deep up here in tropical north Australia and bridges are like platforms with no sides, allowing uninterrupted views of rivers below.
Adelaide River, Pine Creek, Rum Jungle, Humpty Doo and Jabiru are all interesting places nearby before your triumphant ride into Darwin.
With palm trees waving and locals cheering your daunting determination for Darwin, push on through tropical towns, to the top on the Timor Sea.
Congrats!
Imagine waking up in the early daylight and looking around a comfortable motel room and wondering where you are. Is it Aileron, Warchope, Tennant Creek, Renner Springs, Dunmarra, Larrimah, Mataranka, Katherine, Pine Creek or Adelaide River. What the heck! You want to get up, and start another day in The AllTrails Territory Road Tour, cycling from Alice Springs to Darwin. Cycling through one the most stunning parts of Central Australia and the Northern Teritory. The sheer exapnse of the red sands and mulga bush will stir your senses.
After a quick shower it's down to the breakfast area for you and your room mate. Other cyclists are around the tables greeting each other and talking generally about today's ride. Some bring their maps with them showing the profile and route intended and talk about the world renowned Australian outback, the long straight stretches and the favourable winds. Discussion is keen, with tactics thoroughly explored.
The big breaky of muesli, scrambled eggs on toast, fruit juice, raisin bread, fresh fruit, yoghurt and coffee gets you up and at it.
You leave your luggage in the trailer and once again mount your faithful treadly and head off early with your friends.
A steady flow of cyclists chatting away to each other, see the directional signs by the roadside and know they are on the right track to morning tea break. Slower cyclists leave a little earlier, allowing everyone to get to morning tea at the nominated time.
The back of the support vehicle displays CAUTION CYCLISTS AHEAD, and it makes you feel safer and proud to be part of our organised bike ride. You know you are amongst friends, all with the same aim and similar interests, and you know that the hard work of many k's along the flat or of climbing and the exhilaration of descending is all part of the package. A very satisfying and rewarding package.
The quiet road interrupted with the odd car and caravan or semi trailer, winds its way through spinifecks and Australian salt bush scenery that slowly passes you by.
Perhaps you've spotted a kangaroo, emu, wild brumby, fox, echidna, lizard, snake,rabbit or perhaps you are amused by the curious looks the sheep and cattle give you as you ride quietly through their open paddock.
You are all riding at your own comfortable pace, checking out the many magnificent viewing points on the ochre rocky outcrops. Don't forget the cut off times for that cuppa! Before long you see the AllTrails support vehicle, stacked with luggage, and nearby is the welcome morning tea and Susan’s marvellous muffins.
Everyone exchanges stories about what they saw, how fast they rode and how good they feel.
It's time to leave the jacket in the truck and be off on the second leg of the day. The riders are very friendly, sharing their excitement and enthusiasm. Some prefer riding in a group keeping themselves alert and focused and working together to reduce headwinds. This ride takes you through harsh outback, interrupted with inviting warm thermal springs. Have you got your camera handy? The colours of the Australian outback are breath taking.
The food breaks, morning tea, lunch and afternoon snack are set times enabling all riders, whatever ability, to plan their day and the amount of time required to enjoy the sights and attractions along the way.
Lunch is a great time to relax, re fuel your body and chat to your friends, be it in a famous bakery, a country pub or amongst the magnificent Devils Marbles.
Cyclists move off at their own time and pace, knowing the distance and terrain ahead and aiming to arrive at the overnight stop around mid afternoon. If the bike breaks down, or the body gets a bit weary it’s comforting to know the support vehicle is behind, ready to greet you and take you to the next stop.
Your accommodation is excellent, the best available. You check in, then a cuppa and snack and shower or soak in the bath, or perhaps a spa or sauna, till you wrinkle. Explore the surroundings, go for a walk, share a cool drink with friends or simply relax. It is your life, it's your ride, enjoy it.
A briefing for all cyclists at 6pm before the evening meal is always interesting, finding out what happened that day, and a run down on the sights and special attractions to look out for the next day.
Lots of laughs and stories are shared before we settle down to a good healthy meal and a few drinks.
Bedtime is not far away, where you put your head down in salubrious surroundings, remembering the day and dreaming of tomorrow.
The camaraderie developed on a bike ride like this lasts a lifetime.
Please note: Every effort has been made to ensure this information is completely up to date and accurate however sometimes conditions change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please ensure you clarfiy the details listed here when making a booking.
