It was just the chance I had been looking for to ride the Crafers Bikeway. After many days of temperatures over 40 degrees, the forecast indicated a cooler break in the weather and only a gentle wind for Sunday. I posted the event to the Uncool Cycling Club Group.
As the week wore on, a few wise souls pointed out to me that because Sunday was the last day of the Men’s Tour Down Under (TDU), hundreds, even thousands, of cyclists were likely to head up the Crafers bike path on their way to see the finish at Willunga Hill. It could be busiest day of the year on the bike path!
While naturally this made me a little nervous, I wondered how bad could it be if we went in single file and kept to the left? Also, I just could not give up on my dream of riding up the Crafers Bikeway in such perfect weather.
On the day four friends joined me at our start point at the Lions Park on Glebe Road, Glen Osmond. We were a bit surprised to find a strong headwind blowing, but set off determinedly at 8:00 am.
Starting on the Crafers Bikeway
It’s a bit untidy getting onto the start of the bike path as you have to either make your way up a very narrow footpath or brave the bike lane of a very busy highway. We each took the method we preferred and started pedalling up the first incline.
TDU Enthusiasts
Initially all was quiet, but just in case, we kept to the left and stayed in single file. As we pedalled into the second kilometre, a large group from the Norwood Cycling Club came through. We did our best to keep to the left, but our pace was much slower, and we were therefore more likely to wobble around a bit. When they came through in double formation, it did feel a little close for comfort.
A few more large groups started passing us. We pulled off the track for a while at the Mt Osmond Road turnoff, and then again near All Pets Boarding Village. While we watched all the bright colours of the different groups, we estimated that about four hundred riders hurried through.
Gradually the fast cyclists began to thin out and we felt confident to push on to the Devil’s Elbow. For a while, we were sheltered from the headwind.
Devil’s Elbow to Eagle on the Hill
Barb and Ray pressed on ahead, but Cam, Di and I stopped to catch our first glimpse of the ocean.
As you pass the Eagle Mountain Bike Park, the gradient gets quite steep for a while. Continuing on up the hill, you cross over the Heysen Tunnels on the M1 below and come to Eagle on the Hill at around the seven kilometre mark.
Eagle on the Hill to Crafers
Only four kilometres left to go! Well that wouldn’t be far on the flat, but it was a slow job climbing. We passed another lookout,
crested at the bollards, and coasted down into Crafers. We were glad to have our coffee at Crafers Gourmet Deli.
Rolling Down the Crafers Bikeway
On the way back, there’s a one kilometre climb to get out of Crafers and back onto the bikeway. Then it’s an easy roll from there. Ray left us at this point as he prefers a faster pace, but the rest of us took our time, stopping here and there for some more photos.
Summary of Crafers Bikeway
I felt elated when we got back safely to our start point. For the first time, I had managed the whole climb without walking. Admittedly there had been plenty of stops on the way, but for us, that only added to our pleasure as we took in our surroundings.
In hindsight, it would probably be better not to do this ride on the last day of the TDU, especially if cycling groups are likely to use the Crafers Bikeway to get to the finish point. Having said that, it added a special level of interest to our ride.
All together we had cycled 22 kilometres and climbed 501 metres. As you can see from the gradient picture below, the climb is remarkably steady with a few steeper “pinch points”.
Here is my gpx map of the ride:
For a detailed explanation of the ride and its history, read this excellent article by Steve Hudson.
Here is a funny 4-minute video guide to the Crafers Bikeway by Ride Adelaide:
If you live in Adelaide and would like to join Uncool rides like this, join our Facebook Group.
Other easier iconic rides in Adelaide are the Outer Harbour Greenway and the Adelaide Beach Ride. For a fun downhill ride see the Belair Lynton Bike Path. If you would like to practise gentle hills before tackling the Crafers Bikeway, consider trying some of the easy climbs in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs.
If you would like to try an awesome dirt track ride from Crafers, consider the Cleland Crafers Trail.
