I’m a Road Cyclist, will I enjoy the Munda Biddi Trail?
I’m a Road Cyclist, will I enjoy the Munda Biddi Trail?
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So you’re a road cyclist. You love your Saturday morning rides for coffee with friends and you’re familiar with all the cycle paths around the river. Now you’re wondering if you’ll enjoy riding the Munda Biddi mountain bike trail?
Written by our Chief Adventurist and sometimes cyclist, Simon.
Short answer – Yes! Book now.
Long answer – Read on….
I understand the hesitation and uncertainty. I used to ride my road bike 3-5 hours a week before switching to a mountain bike and riding the Munda Biddi. I didn’t know that much about the track and wasn’t sure how I’d go either but now I’m a complete convert.
To see if the off-road world is for you here are some points to consider –
First off –
It’s “same same but different”. You still have to bend your knees repetitively while balancing on two wheels. That bit doesn’t change just because you are riding in the bush. What does differ is the bike, the terrain and the riding style.
The Bike –
Riding a mountain bike is a different experience to a road bike and one you won’t know if you like until you try. Mountain bikes have fatter tyres and more suspension so it’s usually a more comfortable ride and many people feel more stable on them.
That said, we are going to need that suspension and fat tyres, as there are sticks, rocks and gravel to negotiate.
*Do not try and ride your road bike on mountain bike trails! This is not only unsafe but will distort your view on what mountain biking is really like.
The Terrain –
The surface you’re riding on is anything from dirt, gravel, sand, leaves etc. which is a softer ride than concrete or bitumen. Because of these uneven riding surfaces, you can expect the bike to move around underneath you more than a road bike on a footpath would. While some people see this as more effort I only see the positive side. More movement = more of a workout = deserving of a bigger slice of cake 😊
The thought of riding on gravel and sand might sound intimidating to some people but rest assured the Munda Biddi trail has been designed with all riding abilities in mind. Large sections follow disused rail formations so while hard-core mountain biking skills are not necessary, somebasic skills will be required.
One thing to think about, is that the vast majority of over night riders will be dragging a 15kg trailer behind them, and the trail has been designed with this in mind. There are no jumps or really hardcore single track.
The Riding Style –
It’s a slower pace. Most mountain bikers average 10-15km/hr (sometimes slower!) so the focus is on enjoying your surroundings rather than keeping up with a peloton who fly past like a swarm of locusts.
Don’t expect the mid ride coffee stop either (though it does happen). Instead expect lots of smaller rest stops throughout the ride for snacks and drinks and to fully appreciate the scenery we are riding through. While a slower pace and more frequent stops might sound easy it’s actually dictated by the type of terrain you’re riding so don’t worry – you’ll still get your workout.
It might sound like there aren’t many similarities between mountain biking and road riding but there are a lot of transferable skills. Your ability to balance and control the bike are the same, your overall fitness will increase with mountain biking and of course the social aspect is the same if not improved. While you may not sit around a coffee shop having a chat you instead get to talk about the awesome scenery and the fun trail you just rode all while enjoying the beauty of nature. An overpriced Flat White doesn’t compare in my opinion.
To find out more about the Munda Biddi and the awesome tour you can join click here. We think it is one of the most fun things you can do!
