Canning Stock Route - advice needed please!

Submitted: Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 16:24

ThreadID: 39991 Views:6702 Replies:7 FollowUps:2

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Molteni Mike

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G'day from England!

I had a great cycle tour of Tasmania followed by a tour from Melbourne to Coffs Harbour in 2000/2001 . A wonderful experience of your great country and hospitable people! Some years previously I rode the Molesworth Track in New Zealand and enjoyed the 120 miles of off road cycling in 1 long day.

Arriving back from Oz, my cousin gave me some Australian Cyclist magazines , one of which had an article of a trip across the Canning Stock Route. I was fascinated at the thought of 1200 miles of off road cycling through the wilderness of Western Australia and have since been thinking of doing it myself !

I'm thinking of joining a group of like-minded cyclists who are already planning to do the trip. Ideally with support vehicles.

To arrive in Oz and try to organise such a trip would be extremely difficult so I'm making enquiries as to any trips already planned which I could become part of. I understand that the best weather for the trip is June - September and I would be looking at either this year or next.

Any help, advice or tips would be greatly appreciated as would any details of any trips you are aware of.

Many thanks

Mike Hallgarth

goldiecat@BTinternet.com

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Reply By: Wayne (NSW) - Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 17:22

Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 17:22

Mike,

Nothing said on this, or any other forum can describe the Canning enough to plan a cycle trip on it.

If you are dead set on riding the Canning I would suggest that you come over and travel the Canning in a 4wd vehicle so that you can see first hand what it is like.

To drive the Canning allow 15 -20 days. To ride it I would think that double that time.

Drive before you ride.

Wayne

AnswerID: 208181

Reply By: 666toy - Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 19:07

Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 19:07

Let me get this straight ..you want to ride a pushbike along the canning stock rout? without doing a recci first.? you have to be nuts . I hope you will have a experienced 4x4 (read this as a Australian that has many years of bush travel under his belt & not some backpacker) person with you. you must have communications installed & a very comprehensive first aid kit as well as someone who knows how to use it . The canning is very unforgiving to people who are unprepared. my tip..DRIVE IT FIRST..DO NOT ATTEMPT WITHOUT 2 SUPPORT VEHICLES...DO NOT RELY ON MOBILE PHONES FOR COMMUNICATIONS..USE HF RADIO & SAT PHONE AS BACKUP..DO NOT RELY ON NATURAL WATER..IF YOU SCREW UP OUT HERE YOU WILL DIE !!!
check treck notes on EXPLORE OZ if you have not already done so.
....666toy

AnswerID: 208203

Reply By: Footloose - Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 20:54

Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 20:54

There have been many attempts to take motor bikes and other *different* modes of transport, including a pair of legs, along the Canning. Some were successful, some weren't AFAIK. Almost all serious attempts involved backup vehicles.
It's a VERY long and VERY remote track. Remember that your backup team are going to have to carry enough liquid for a band of very thirsty cyclists and themselves. The logistics are *interesting*.
Cyclones often make the CSU impassable at times. Then the re growth almost buries the track in places.
Assuming that you know all of the above and are determined to attempt the journey, you need to do some serious preparation and planning which would involve
Backup...as stated, at least 2 heavy duty vehicles who know the area well.
Timing..see above. Also travel is suicidal in the warmer months.
Logistics. Food and water for everyone
Communications..HF or sat phone
Medical ...serious first aid in the party. Help can be a very long (3-4 days at best in some cases) way away.

It is not an idea without merit, but rather an undertaking about the size of a D day landing.

Best of luck.

AnswerID: 208225

Reply By: Willem - Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 20:55

Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 20:55

Hi Mike

You are one of many adventurers who wish to do the extreme treks in life, the hard way. There have been a number of successful Canning Stock Route crossings on foot, by bicycle, by motorbike and by 4x4's of course. Most desert cycling is done in the Simpson Desert however, as the distance between supplies is much shorter than the Canning. There isnt a great swell of cycling enthusiast wanting to ride the CSR due to its distance. There are no food or fuel supplies for 1160km although ou are able to get fuel dropped off in a drum after 890km.

The CSR is an extreme destination. You will have do be super fit and have a very well stocked and well prepared back up vehicle with all the necessary equipment for such a trek. Your back up vehicle will have to have a medically trained person as a crew member. You will also need a contingency plan just in case you get stopped by rain. You will have to cycle across 900+ soft sand dunes and put up with corrugated track surfaces in the dune corridors.

I have done 1 full and 2 partial CSR treks. Go to my website below, click on 4x4 and then Canning Stock Route for more details.

Cheers

AnswerID: 208226

Follow Up By: kimprado - Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 23:30

Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 23:30

Mike

Willem has described it well. However, you need to understand this is not a holiday destination.

From past experience, you'll need a considerable amount of time to organise the logistics. For example:

Who is going to support you? You'll need to find people willing to give up their job for a month or more (not to mention the pre planning).

Who is going to pay for the necessary equipment and cost.

Medical attention and Air support if something go's wrong.

The Canning Stock Route is totally isolated (1850km) with little service.

If travelling South you will need to stock up in Halls Creek then travel East to Billinuna (Aboriginal settlement).

This is the start of the CSR. From there the only re-fuelling point is Kunawarritji and shouldn't be relied upon. The other option is a fuel drop at Well 23. Order six weeks in advance (205 Lt drums).

If you elect to start from Wiluna in the South, provisions will be limited.

Also bear in mind some of the Station owners in the South are supportive of tourism. Others however are a pain to deal with.

I lived in Tasmania for three years. Great place, but nothing like central Australia.

Regards

Kim

FollowupID: 468186

Reply By: Crackles - Sunday, Dec 03, 2006 at 22:41

Sunday, Dec 03, 2006 at 22:41

Mike....The Canning would be an extremely difficult trip on a bike due to the soft sand. It's not something that would be regularily attempted. Of the few I have heard of that have ridden in similar conditions, they needed to walk over many dunes & the fine sand wrecked bearings & chains. Carrying sufficient water, spares & supplies over such a distance is obviously impractical & would definately require a support crew following. Probably looking at up to 5 weeks to cover the entire route.
Good luck with finding a group to ride with. Possibly a mountain bike club may be a good starting point, I admire you sense of adventure.
Cheers Craig...............

AnswerID: 208427

Reply By: Tim HJ61 (WA) - Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 01:10

Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 01:10

Okay chaps,

Sit back and be prepared to eat your doubting words :-)

It has been done, alone, and in 2005.

Have a browse around
www.wildworks.co.nz/csr/home.php

and be amazed at the preparation, the journey, the challenges, the fantastic photos, and the extraordinary feat of human endurance.

Mike, despite me chiding my fellow Explorozians, take their cautions very very very seriously. If you do not, you will die out there. The guy who rode this clearly was extremely well prepared, many have failed.

http://www.wildworks.co.nz/csr/images/photos/img_1508.jpg

Tim

AnswerID: 208441

Reply By: Member - George (WA) - Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 19:34

Monday, Dec 04, 2006 at 19:34

Hi Mike, a couple of pictures you may be interested in. We came accross this guy from Poland. He crossed the entire length of the CSR on a specially made bike. I think it took him around 28 days. Carried a sat phone, small solar charger and updated a website whilst on the track. He had no back up cars. Spend 2 years planning this trip. If interested i could try and find his website for you
Cheers

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AnswerID: 208552