Author: Peter

The news did not take long to filter through the local cycling community that the well respected Australian Cycling Website “LA VELOCITA” team had ridden the new Lavender Cycling Trail – Murray to Clare (M2C) in a whirlwind 2 day tour.

What can you say when you read a title like this, from James Raison

“WE’VE RIDDEN THE MURRAY TO CLARE CYCLING TRAIL AND IT GETS A MASSIVE, GRAVELICIOUS TICK OF APPROVAL”

Check out thier website article to read about thier experience. Great Story and Photos – well done to James Raison on sharing thier story with us.

Saturday 12th September 2020 was a big day for cycling, the official opening of the Callington to Murray Bridge Spur Trail.

It turned out to be a magnificent day for both walkers and riders to come enjoy this multi-use trail.

At the official opening five special people were also recognised for their work in developing the new Lavender Cycling Trail – Murray Bridge to Clare (M2C).

Each received a Certificate of Achievement at the Opening in recognition of their contribution to the development of the Murray to Clare (M2C) Lavender Cycling Trail, a 300 kilometre cycling route inspired by the Lavender Federation Walking Trail.

From all of us benefiting from the M2C – a big “Thank You” to each of you.

Also a big hurrah to the Murray Bridge Council and the South Australian Recreation Trails Inc Board (SARTI) for the great day they put on at the opening of this new cycle trail, the Callington Spur Trail, which incidentally has been developed in cooperation with both walkers and cyclists.

L-R: Gillian Stevens, George Adams, Cam Rungie, Kay Haarsma and Helen Dominish.

Photo supplied by Derek Dominish.

The South Australian Recreation Trails Inc are proud to release this new website, to celebrate the work of one of our volunteer groups who have made a fabulous 300km cycling trail to closely follow in the footsteps of the existing Lavender Federation Trail, which was developed for walkers.

Public Invitation:

Callington Spur Trail,
Murray Bridge to Callington,
Trail Opening Ceremony,
Saturday 12th September at 10am,
Linear Park, Adelaide Road, Murray Bridge.
Adjacent to Truck Drivers Memorial.

The Callington Spur Trail is a joint project of South Australian Recreation Trails Inc. (SARTI) and the Rural City of Murray Bridge.

The trail is a linear walking and mountain bike trail of 27km.

SARTI and RCMB invite you to attend the celebration of the completion of the Callington Spur Trail commenced in 2019 and completed in early 2020.

The event will be enhanced with displays and information from the walking community and promoters of healthy life-styles.

10.00am; Assemble adjacent to the Truck Drivers Memorial.
10:00am; Trail introduction and formal Opening by Mayor Brenton Lewis.
10.20am; Refreshments available.
10.30am; Walk or Mountain Bike on the trail (your choice).

All are welcome, bring your friends and family.

COVID restrictions and guidelines that exist at the time will be strictly adhered to.

For more information have a look at the Footsteps Newsletter on the Lavender Federation Trail website.
Brochures and maps will be available at this event and from the Visitor Information Centre, 3 South Tce, Murray Bridge.

Keen cyclists and trail builders Helen Dominish and George Adams brought a group of friends along to test the main (as yet unnamed trail) to see if it was viable and worth riding.

George Adams had been deeply involved in the planning and construction of the Lavender Federation Trail (LFT) so was able to see the great potential of a cycling trail that closely followed that trail.

From early on it was realised that the cycling trail would not be a full duplication of the LFT as that was designed with walkers in mind, it was going into farmland and private properties, it had stiles and narrow paths not suited to cycling (well for most anyway).

So George & Helen and thier crew set about finding nice back-roads to skirt any of the spots that went into private land. They found plenty of great alternatives and were also able to follow the same ethos of the LFT, of bringing people into to the townships along the way (or as close as possible), so the local folks had the opportunity to gain some extra customers and riders to find rest and supplies.

The final verdict for whether they should build the trail was a resounding “YES!” and comments such as “Let’s build it, so everyone can enjoy the ride and fantastic scenery”