Munda Biddi Trail
| Munda Biddi Trail | |
|---|---|
 Trail marker | |
| Length | Over 1,000 km (620 mi) |
| Location | Southwestern Western Australia, Australia |
| Completed | April 2013 |
| Designation | Long-Distance Cycling Trail |
| Trailheads | |
| Use | Cycling |
| Difficulty | Grade 4 |
| Season | All year, but spring is best |
| Waymark | Blue triangular marker |
| Hazards |
|
| Right of way | Cyclist |
| Maintained by |
|
| Website | parks |
| Trail map | |
 The Munda Biddi Trail, shown in red, is a long-distance cycling trail between Perth and Albany. Also shown, in yellow, is the Bibbulmun Track. | |
The Munda Biddi Trail is a long-distance mostly off-road cycling trail in Western Australia. It runs for over 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) from Mundaring to Albany.[1][2] The completed Munda Biddi Trail opened end-to-end in April 2013[3] when it claimed the title of the longest continuous off-road cycling trail of its kind in the world.[2]
Etymology
[edit]The name Munda Biddi means "path through the forest" in the Noongar Aboriginal language,[1][4] and it runs largely through an undeveloped natural corridor. The track traverses vast areas of unspoiled forests and bushland with mostly gentle terrain. While the track is open year-round as of May 2017,[update] riding conditions are better during spring and autumn, and potentially hazardous from December to March because of the often extreme heat and fire danger at that time of year.[1]
Records
[edit]The record for completing the Munda Biddi Trail is two days, twelve hours and 15 minutes, set by Jack Thompson in November 2023.[5] The female record for completing the Munda Biddi Trail (South to North) was set by Sacha Dowell on 28 September 2021, with a time of three days, fifteen hours and 43 minutes.[6] The previous records were two days, seventeen hours and 22 minutes, set by Craig Wiggins on 25 October 2020[7] and four days, six hours and 39 minutes, set by Declan von Dietze in 2017.[8]
Sections of the trail vary in terms of their difficulty and terrain type but it has stages suitable for everyone's cycling ability and pace. The trail is easily accessible by car, and riders can begin their journey from multiple locations. There are free campsites at various points along the trail, some with more than a day's ride between them. Detailed maps of the trail are available.[4]
In April 2012, geocaches were placed throughout the Munda Biddi Trail.
Foundation
[edit]The trail is run by the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation which was formed to assist the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and other land managers get the trail project off the ground. The foundation continues to be involved in trail development and planning, including managing volunteers, delivering events and trip planning, among other activities.[9]
Stages and Maps
[edit]Stage 1 - Mundaring to Collie
- Map 1. Mundaring to Jarrahdale
- Map 2. Jarrahdale to Nanga
- Map 3. Nanga to Collie
Stage 2 - Collie to Northcliffe
- Map 4. Collie to Jarrahwood
- Map 5. Jarrahwood to Manjimup
- Map 6. Manjimup - Northcliffe
Stage 3 - Northcliffe to Albany
- Map 7. Northcliffe - Walpole
- Map 8. Walpole - Denmark
- Map 9. Denmark - Albany
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Munda Biddi Trail". Parks and Wildlife Service. 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ^ a b "Exploring Munda Biddi – the world's longest continuous bike trail". RideOn. 9 December 2013. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ^ Parker, Alia (23 May 2013). "The Munda Biddi Trail: cycling 1,000 km end to end". Cycle Traveller. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ^ a b "The Munda Biddi Trail Foundation". Munda Biddi Trail Foundation. 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ^ Barr, Peter (28 November 2023). "WA cyclist endures 'extreme heat' and howling winds to beat world record for Munda Biddi Trail". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ Hunt, Annalise (7 October 2021). "Sacha breaks cycling record". The Examiner. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
- ^ Hussey, Toby; Dobson, John (27 October 2020). "WA cyclist Craig Wiggins smashes record on gruelling 1,051km Munda Biddi trail ride". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ^ Wildie, Tom (5 May 2017). "Mountain bike rider smashes Munda Biddi record, completing 1,000 km trail within five days". ABC News. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
- ^ "Governance". Munda Biddi Trail Foundation. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
Further reading
[edit]- Costello, Verna (2002). Munda Biddi: pathway through the forest. Como, Western Australia: Landscope. pp. 49–53.