Barossa Cycling on a Rainy Day

Elaine has created a 12 peak challenge this year and Menglers Hill in the Barossa was first on her list.

We met at St Hallett winery near Tanunda.  I was not feeling up to tackling the ascent so I planned to join Murray going around the hill while the others went over the top.

We rode up St Hallett’s Road to the Jack Bobridge Trail, which we followed to Bethany Road.  Then it was a steady climb up to Light Pass Road with a sudden steep section where we turned the corner.  We stayed as a group until we came to Menglers Hill Road.

Murray and I then watched the main group head up Menglers Hill. We took the easy ride down Light Pass Road.

There was a light drizzle and the misty views across the valley were pretty.

We came to where the Barossa Rail Trail crossed the road. We turned right onto the trail and began a steady but comfortable climb up towards Angaston.

I expected the Hill riders to take a while so I left Murray at the former Angaston station and ducked into Blond Coffee for a takeaway coffee. Unfortunately the service was a little slow and I was still waiting there when the Hill riders arrived in Angaston.

Now it started to rain steadily and as we all headed quickly down the trail to Nuriootpa, I set some personal records.  I was glad I had brought my cycling raincoat.

Fortunately the rain eased off somewhat on the next section from Nuriootpa to Tanunda. Brian was unlucky enough to get a puncture so we waited in Tanunda until he and Rhonda caught up.  An event called Declaration of Vintage was taking place – the main road was closed and there was a German-style oom-pah-pah band playing.

Rhonda found us a lovely cafe – we were very glad to dry out under the heaters while having lunch and coffee.

The 12 Peak Challengers had ridden 36 kilometres and climbed 358 metres.  Murray and I had ridden 34 kilometres and climbed 162 metres.

Another enjoyable ride which utilizes the Barossa Rail Trail is the Barossa Backroads Ride between Bethany, Penrice and Krondorf.