Hit the Road

More than one million West Aussies hit the cycle paths last year, according to the Australian Bicycle Council, and the McGowan government have invested $146 million into cycling.

By TOM DE SOUZA

Cycling is booming in Western Australia.

Much of the regional growth of cycling has been centred around Bunbury. South West Cycle Club vice-president Iain Ferris says this is because Bunbury has it all.

“You’ve got the infrastructure of a small city without compromising wide open country spaces,” says Iain.

“There’s challenging terrain, beautiful views, and a lack of metropolitan traffic.

“It makes it the perfect venue to host the state championships every year, and there are more and more rides always being developed.”

Here, Iain shares some of their favourite rides in BunGeo.

1. Bunbury and Australind

The Bunbury to Australind route has been redeveloped recently by the Department of Transport and various shires,” says Iain.

You’re basically on cycle paths all the way, says Iain.

You can start even as far south or as far west as Dalyellup or if you wanted to start in Bunbury, you could start at Washington Avenue, near the Maitlands Reserve.

“You could go along Ocean Drive, around up to the Marslton Lighthouse, which is always interesting. Down to Koombana Bay, and following Koombana Drive you can then follow Estuary Drive out to Australind,” says Iain.

This route takes in the three waters of Bunbury. It takes in the ocean side, Koombana Bay and inlet, and it takes in the estuary up at Australind.

“It’s very flat the whole way,” says Iain.

“Families with kids could do stretches of that. For a shortened family version, starting in somewhere like Australind is really nice, through Eaton foreshore and Australind foreshore. You can go all the way around the Buffalo Beach, around the inlet and that is really safe and very flat.”

The Melo Velo café is also a great supporter of cycling,

says Iain, and an excellent place to start or finish a ride.

2. Dardanup

There are a number of wonderful rides in and around Dardanup. Park at the Dardanup Hall – there’s a great bakery in town there, and a great pub.

Head out along Ferguson Valley Road, until you meet what is called ‘The Y’, which is Wellington Mills Road, turning left up to Wellington Mills, which is a little former forestry village.

From Wellington Mills you can either go straight through to Gnomesville, and turn right at Gnomesville heading straight back to Dardanup - that’s about a 35km loop.

“Your other options is when you get to Wellington Mills, instead of going to Gnomesville, turn left at Wellington Mills onto Kingtree Road, and immediately go left again onto Wellington Forest Road,” says Iain.

Wellington Forest Road is probably one of the jewels in the crown of the area. It’s a road that was only recently bituminised about 18 months ago, but it goes up through the pine plantations, and it really feels like you could be in Europe.

The route takes you up to Pile Road where you can turn left, taking you sweeping back down past the Wild Bull Brewery, and back down to Ferguson Valley Road, turning right will take you back into Dardanup.

It’s probably about a 4550km loop, with a bit more climbing, but very, very beautiful, says Iain.

3. Collie and Donnybrook

The Collie to Donnybrook Return Classic is just approaching its 100th ear and is one of the oldest bike races in Australia.

“Start in Collie, and you drop straight down the road to Mumballup, and the Mumby pub,” says Iain.

“Turn right at Mumballup, following that out past Lowden, and onto the highway into Donnybrook for a coffee, and then back the way you’ve come. That’s about a 96km route which is quite challenging but it’s nice to do what the racers do.”

Another spectacular one, according to Iain, is the

ON YOUR BIKE There are so many different rides to explore in BunGeo, from challenging hill rides to family-friendly routes with plenty of coffee along the way.

YOU CAN SEE A THEME HERE . . . THERE'S GOTTA BE COFFEE. GOOD COFFEE OR A PUB, OR A BAKERY, SAYS IAIN.

Henty Brook Road.

“That is another start and finish at Dardanup. You can go from the Dardanup Hall out along Recreation Lane, and then turn right at the very end, and follow out Harris Road to Dowdell’s Line. Turn left on Dowdells Line, and that will take you around to the base of Henty Brook climb.

“Henty Brook is about seven or eight km uphill, but it is a stunning uphill climb. It will take you back to Pile Road, where you descend back down to the valley.”

4. Wellington Dam Figure of Eight

This is a really challenging one. It’s more for your advanced cyclist who is into climbing hills, says Iain.

The Wellington Dam café is a really good place to start and finish this ride. From there drop down all the switchbacks, cross the dam and then turn right when you’re at Falcon Road onto Lennard Drive. You’ll find a one-way road which follows the river, which is a stunning river, until you hit River Road.

Turn right onto River Road, taking you back up to Honeymoon Pool, back to the kiosk that you started. For those who are really keen, they can turn it into a figure of eight.

“To do this you turn left at the end of Lennard Drive, up River Road, instead of right at Honeymoon Pool. River Road has traditionally been used by cyclists as an uphill time trial course,” says Iain.

“It’s probably a four kilometre ride of very, very steep climbing, climbing at about 15 percent.”

5. Donnybrook to Kirup to Capel return

Upper Capel Road is one of the most spectacular roads to ride, starting and finishing at Capel. You go from Upper Capel Road to Kirup, Kirup to Donnybrook, and Donnybrook back to Capel.

Expect really wide vistas, beautiful rolling scenery, and steady climbing from Capel out to Kirup.

“It’s a good, entry level challenge,” says Iain. “The great thing about that ride is there are numerous cafes along the way. There are cafes at Capel, cafes at Kirup, cafes at Donnybrook, so you can fuel up along the way.”

6. Bunbury to Boyanup via Capel

This is a cycle route that is being developed at the moment, but certainly you can start anywhere in Bunbury and follow the cycle way through Tuart Walk. It takes you into Dalyellup.

Meander through Dalyellup and go up over

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Harewoods Road which will take you up into Gelorup, where you wind through some little roads, coming out and crossing the highway into Lakes Road, taking you into Stratham. Follow Lakes Road down to Minninup Road, which is sort of adjacent to the beach.

Turn west or south along Minninup until the west side of Stratham, and then cross the highway again at Fishermans Road, which is at the Puma service station, and cross over into Boyanup Road West, and you’ll end up going into Boyanup for a coffee.

“You can see a theme here – there’s gotta be coffee. Good coffee, or a pub, or a bakery,” says Iain.

Melo Velo is a great café bike shop in the middle of Bunbury, which is specifically designed for cyclists. Many cafes are now building outdoor areas for cyclists - places like the Dardanup bakery really provide a lot for cyclists there.”

7. Nannup to Balingup return

This trip is about 41km each way. Start at Nannup and go back, or vice versa. Called the Blackwood River tourist route, it’s a stunning ride through the Balingup area. Lots of winding roads, pine forests, and rolling hills.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY RIDES

Leschenault Inlet Loop, Bunbury

A five-kilometre ride around town. Start and finish at Koombana Beach, and that is basically following the dual use path around the inner inlet, taking you around back of the Parade Road, where the Parade Hotel is. And then back around to the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Area and cinema, back to Koombana Beach.

Big Swamp Wetlands, Bunbury

This is a good one for younger kids. It’s a bit shorter, around three to four kilometres. There’s a purpose-built cycle track around the Big Swamp Wetlands.

South West Cycle Club caters for all levels of riders.

Anyone from families through to juniors, beginners, right through to seasoned riders. There are different groups for different abilities, no matter what your level, there are groups numbered one through to five for different road speeds. southwestcycleclub.com.au

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