Six rolled out from Strathalbyn on Sunday for a scenic 54 km loop to Milang and back. The morning kicked off with Kevin D confidently explaining the route—then striking a pose for the first photo of the day.
Early in the ride, we passed Strathalbyn’s unexpectedly large racecourse, which, as Kevin B pointed out, is now mostly used for televised racing. Blue skies and quiet gravel roads set the tone as we made our way through very green open farmland, although a few sections showed signs of misuse—4WDs tackling dry-weather roads while still wet.
Kevin D led us onto the Nurragi Rail Trail, where Peter B noted it was “not your usual rail trail”—narrow, rough in places, but clearly well-used. Spirits stayed high, with Peter H spotted cheerfully bringing up the rear and Kevin D cracking a wide smile (one captured “for his wife”). Justin demonstrated how featherlight his bike was—just before a group effort was needed to hoist Peter H’s e-bike over a style!
Milang welcomed us with its quirky charm—multicoloured houses and a parked old steam engine drew our attention. After lunch under streaks of cirrus cloud, we rode alongside the vast Lake Alexandrina (all 650 sq km – 251 sq milesof it) with pelicans perched on the jetty before we headed out into a stiff headwind.
The return leg took us past Langhorn Creek irrigation control systems, along pipeline roads, and by a remote little church, with Mt Barker’s distinct silhouette rising in the distance. As the sun dipped low, long shadows stretched across the road and we discussed a shortcut to make up time. The day ended with smiles—and a pub visit to cap off a “glorious ride.”