A bike ride out to Simpsons Gap

Today we did a day ride of 54km!  It is the last of our warm days before the southerlies arrive tomorrow and we got to a high of around 27 degrees.  So it was perfect to take the bicyce trail that goes out to Simpsons Gap.

From the showgrounds we passed through the gap and took the Bradshaw road that crosses to Larapinta drive and from there we headed west to the start of the bicycle trail, it was 7km to there and then the bicycle trail itself is 16km. 

Riding along you are between 2 parts of the West MacDonnell ranges and at one high point you are rewarded with sensational views of the Heavitree ranges ...

 here you are facing south and the ranges are going west ...

 the showgrounds are on the other side of this range.  Riding along you are predominantly out in the open with small mulgra bushes, some wattle, a few stunted ghost gums and various other desert trees surround you.

 4km along you come across the only water tank on the trail.  It is nice and cool water to drink ...

 the trail is completely sealed and is very winding and gets a little undulating in the last 6km to the gap but it is completely ridable and the small undulations are okay to ride .... maybe because I had Kouta at the back the undulations felt steeper!

 One tree I have always liked is the Ghost Gum - the ones along here I thought were small as when I rode along the East MacDonnell ranges about 20 years ago the ghost gums were alot bigger and very impressive!

 like I said you are riding between 2 ranges and this one you are facing north with the ranges heading west ... this is the part of the ranges that has Simpsons Gap ...

 The path meanders along and only come across 5 other cyclists all day, as we approach the gap we have to be careful as this trail is in the national park system and technically dogs are not allowed, this is our first view of Simpsons gap ...

 and we only go as far as the end of the trail before you have to go onto the road and go up to the gap ... I have been here before so I didn't mind not going up and into the gap - there would be heaps of people there so what is a photo of a gap with people in it!

 so we backtrack a bit and find a seat in the shade and have a bite to eat.
Going back was alot faster as there was less stopping for photos and also we had a tailwind!  One thing I did stop to take a photo is a campspot Neil had when he was last here!

 It is a nice spot but you wouldn't want to stop there too early in the day in case someone comes along!
The only criticism Neil has of this trail is the gates at the start and also at the end before you go on the road to the gap ... they are very unfriendly to loaded bikes, or bikes carrying a trailer or pannier bags ... we had to unhitch Koutas' trailer ...

 Neil could have taken his front pannier bags off but he found a unique way through ...

 here is the map of the cycle trail (in red)

 Opposite where this bicycle trail starts is the John Flynn Grave Memorial ...

 One thing we noticed along the bicycle trail is a few desert flowers ...

 and in town I came across a Sturt Desert Pea plant and it was in flower - Alice Springs has quite a few of these in and around town ...

 here is a close up of the flowers - they are so beautiful ...

 I have cycled many a time in this outback and this is my FIRST Sturt Desert Pea flower that I have seen!
On the way back we detour into town to pick up some dinner and came back for a well earned cuppa tea!
Below are photos taken from around the Showgrounds we are in - now these are the back view of the Heavitree ranges with me facing north and the ranges going west ...

 and this is opposite the Heavitree ranges (not sure what these ones are called with me facing south and the ranges going west ...

 this is taken from our tent site ... the colours of the red rock at sunrise and especially sunset are surreal

We have paid for another 3 nights so we will maybe head off on Sunday morning.  Tonight it is meant to reach a low of zero, so the dog is staking his place between the 2 off us and on both of the sleeping bags. 

Tomorrow (Friday) is bike maintenance day.