Ride Summary

27 kilometers of winding road, full of corners (some wide, some quite tight) highlight this ride which begins in Tea Tree Gully at the northern edge of Ansley Hill Recreation Park, and takes you to Birdwood and the National Motor Museum. This is the Chair of Ponds Road, one of many good biking roads around the Adelaide Hills.

Ride Description

If you look at the map of Australia, you will notice the dearth of roads across the land. There is usually only one main road connecting towns, and a few smaller ones into private property, railroads, or farming and logging roads feeding into the main one. These seldom connect to each other. This is due to the way Australia was settled with areas of large population vs. vast areas of nothingness. This doesn’t offer bikers the variety they prefer. The area around Adelaide is an exception. If you are a motorbike enthusiast it is worth living in Adelaide for this reason alone (never mind you can’t drink the water).

Of all these roads, the Chain of Ponds road is the best. Beginning at Tea Tree Gully we go to Inglewood, then to Chain of Ponds, and on to Gumeracha. With all the corners and twists, this is heaven for sports bikes. About 7km past Gumeracha, the road brings you to Birdwood, and the National Motor Museum. This is an excellent way to occupy yourself whilst you stretch your lets and rest your bum. You can end the tour here, return the way you came, or take one of the other routes listed below under directions.

Directions

Begin in Tea Tree Gully, go through Inglewood to Chain of Ponds, to Gumeracha and finally to Birdwood. You can return by the same route, or switch to the Gorge Road, or head south to Hahndorf, or north to the Barossa via Williamstown, or even east to the Murray via the amazing 30km straight which leads you to Walker Flat.

View SA – Tea Tree Gully to Birdwood in a larger map
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Best Thing About This Ride

Even though this route is short, it is quite a challenge and most enjoyable. It offers many chances for off road dallying about, as well as several choices of return routes. Since I’m a lover of German food, I’ll be taking the route to Hahndorf.

What Else To Look Out For

Mind the tight corners and your speed.