Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
We were testing our folding bicycles today with a 60 km ride from Alice Springs to Simpsons Gap and back. We were excited!
First, we had to detour slightly to our favourite bakery: the NT Bakery. We tasted some more freshly baked offerings as well as taking some for the road.
Our entire 60km journey today was on an off road shared pathway. We rode through to the outskirts of the Alice and stopped to pay our respects at John Flynn's Grave. The historical reserve pays tribute to this impressive man who founded both the Australian Inland Mission and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Both organisations were life changing for many living in the outback.
It was at the carpark of Flynn's Grave that we came across another family unloading their mountain bikes and who were preparing to ride to Simpsons Gap.
We exchanged pleasantries and said we would see them at Simpsons Gap. Their Dad took a look at our 20" folding bicycle tyres and said, "We'll no doubt pass you with our big wheels!"
We began to ride, and his comments gave us the desire to pedal even faster.
We arrived at Simpsons Gap a whole hour before this family. Folding bicycles rock!
The trail to Simpsons Gap was fun to ride with some twists and turns and small hills to climb and coast down. The landscape was also interesting as we rode along. Simpsons Gap is also located on the Larapinta Trail.
Simpsons Gap is a prominent gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges which are located 18km west of Alice Springs.
We can only imagine the joy and elation that the early explorers felt upon discovering this gap and the permanent waterhole at its base.
Riding home with the afternoon sun behind us, the colours were even more spectacular. We have enjoyed the little bit of Alice Springs that we have experienced and we wish we could stay longer. Alice, we'll be back!
2025-05-22