Two ISOs on the Munda Biddi

Nothing gives the MASON team more satisfaction than hearing about the adventures our bicycles enable. When customers send us their feedback, photos and diary entries from their big trips, we're reminded what it's really all about.

Earlier this year, we were contacted by Greg and Jane Windsor, who needed a pair of durable steel bikes equipped to take on the super-challenging terrain of Western Australia. Together, we quickly determined that the MASON ISO2 was the bicycle best suited to the trails Greg and Jane love to ride. We worked hard with both riders to work out the exact spec and details of their ISOs.

Though a pair, each bike was unique – particularly Jane's, sporting flat handlebars and mountain-bike-style controls – a very unusual option for this long-distance adventure bike. Greg's ISO is the first to be painted in OpticGreen – an option we might expand if more ISO riders request it.

Over to Greg...

"Here's our update on our new bikes. In short, we are loving them.  Attached are a few photos to show how much, although we're not sure they will ever be that clean again.

"We have now had the chance to give the new ISOs some one-day rides and a seven day ride out on the Munda Biddi, Western Australia's long-distance off-road bike trail.

"The Trail is a 1,072km off-road adventure cycling trail, like no other, traversing WA's scenic Darling Range and southern forests through eucalyptus bushland, granite outcrops and unique coastal landscapes. And there is about 12,000m of climbing.

"The trail can be rocky, particularly where sandy forest tracks have washed away. It has deep pea gravel (think: truck arrester bed), is often overgrown (sometimes with parrot-bush (think: holly)), and littered with fallen branches and the occasional fallen tree/log after a recent winter storm. There are stories of overseas riders abandoning after one day on the trail and flying home!

"So conditions can be unfriendly but the new bikes and new loadcarrying setup coped well and gave us a lot more confidence than our previous setups. The trail passes 12 open-fronted shelters with water tanks and a few small country towns for resupply.

"Bear in mind, it's our winter, and in the south west corner of Western Australia it gets cold, very wet, and stormy. We had colder conditions than expected – a few mornings were 1-2 Celsius. And we had a lot of rain – 200mm in July (by comparison Brighton's wettest month November typically gets 80mm).

"We have made a couple of changes to the bikes – a suspension seat post for Jane, and a suspension stem for Greg. And we're not telling Mark how many more cms we took off Jane's handlebars...

"So, why are we liking the ISOs so much?

• The combination of comfort (all day in the saddle and on the bars), control, loadcarrying ability (particularly extra water in this part of the world), light weight (this is the first time in a long time that I have carried a lightly loaded bike on my shoulder instead of pushing it up steep sections.
• Then there's the electronic gear shifters – a dream for numb cold hands, and the efficiency of the frames. Somehow we are riding uphill in a higher equivalent gear than on the old bikes – I don't know where in the old bike that extra power was going!
• The MTB 29er wheels/tyres are so much better than we are used to, and much better than sub-40mm gravel tyres that we have tried for the types of conditions we typically ride.
• And of course some of the design details, and they look good, and the colours..."

Greg and Jane's photos made us want to know more about Munda Biddi – the 1,072km Western Australia trail. Luckily for our curiousty, this wasn't Jane's first rodeo – so she shared with us these words about two of her previous solo rides on the Munda Biddi, the first of which in early 2022:

Overcoming fear and trepidation

"This was a very different experience solo despite Greg and me having cycled the trail before. I felt quite alone and nervous this time. Gradually I gained confidence the further I pedalled and the more successfully I managed to put my bike maintenance lessons into practice.

Memories from the start of my journey

"The first few days provided stunning scenery and beautiful, sunny albeit chilly weather. There was lovely overgrown singletrack through the trees and bush, up and down some very hilly hills, along loose gravel tracks, over many fallen branches, rocks and large boulders. On arrival in the rolling farmland and apple region of Donnybrook, it was like being released from the hills and the trees into openness and space. 

"An alleyway of Banksia trees with blue wrens darted around everywhere as I flew into Nannup down an old railway form with the first of several prescribed burns smoking away. No roos leapt out in front of me, just off to the side, and I can testify that emus run faster than I can pedal! 

Weather isn’t bad or good, it’s just weather

"It was challenging, especially getting drowned for 4 days in a row, along with some of the long 80km plus days and the hilly hills! The forecast said showers, I would have called it drenchings! My phone hid inside its bag whenever it rained. It ventured out for a short dry or sunny spell. Luckily these days of mostly wet did not coincide with nights staying at a hut. I think I'm getting soft in my old age to feel like this. This meant on these damp days I was able to have a hot shower, dry out and eat hot, fresh food. 

"The rain made the forest sights and sounds amazing including raindrops, falling branches, crackly twigs and vegetation and birds coming out for a sing song once a squall had passed over. 

"I loved being in the forest and the bush. I had some magical moments with sun glistening on wet leaves, mist hanging in the valleys, steaming ground, and an eerie atmospheric ambience as I passed through burn off areas with blue smoke and smouldering trees and stumps. 

"The birdsong was prolific at sunrise and sunset, and both dawn and dusk were stunning especially when the sun graced me with its presence. I loved being in majestic big tree country and the beautiful twisting and turning trail. 

"Heading out to the huts near Walpole and Denmark with more rain meant hours of a bone shaking, grit and dirt splattering cycle or riding through thick gluey sand and mud. I was alone at the last hut which was amazing. The birds had a karaoke party in the evening and then suddenly it was completely quiet and peaceful. Even the trees were quiet. And then the dawn chorus was a cacophony. Seemingly the entire bird population were competing for singing rights. 

Contrast of wet, dry, sunny, devastating wild fires and new life

"I took a very leisurely ride into Denmark from the gorgeous hut in the trees via a 50km route up and around and down to Greens Pool at the ocean and then hugged the coastline into town. It was very chilly and rain was threatening most of the day which made for dramatic views of bubbling clouds and sea. 

"The Denmark fires also provided a contrast of black, eerie devastation and vivid bright green new growth. 

"I had two rest days in Denmark whilst waiting for Greg to join me in Albany the following weekend. I had to give Kiera (my bike) a bit of TLC after all the grit, sand, mud and treacle I had waded through. I also needed a bit of TLC .... a decent coffee, fresh fruit and fresh veggies ...not that I had been fantasising or anything. The blue dotty tracking line continued onwards to Albany on the Friday!

"I went for a quick 50km ride near Denmark to keep the legs warmed up. I couldn't have them thinking they had finished yet. The continued blackness of the bush fires ceased to amaze. It covered such a HUGE area. 

The end in sight

"My final 80km into Albany was spectacular. I left in a chilly 7 degrees as the sun was starting to peep over the hills, the inlet was steaming and the mist was hanging in the fields and amongst the trees. It was peaceful, calm and absolutely beautiful. 

"There was a lot of narrow singletrack with small black bandicoots scurrying across the trail and into the undergrowth. As I rounded one of the final small hills, I was rewarded with amazing, clear views of the Stirling range and Porongurup mountains. The route finally wound its way past horsey country and some more avenues of big trees before reaching Albany town centre. My adventure was over and I had made it! 

Final thoughts

"My final thoughts of my first solo adventure are...

• It was very hard but also really amazing. The rain and cold were very tough but also rewarding.
• I had to be quick, keep moving and keep talking to myself (& Chump,!)
• My bike maintenance and running repair skills were significantly enhanced and I now love cable ties, toothbrushes, grunt straps and chain lube. I wasn't sure I could do it but I did and surprised myself."

In September 2022, Jane returned to Mund Biddi...

"This will give you a taste of my second solo ride of the Munda Biddi trail which goes from Perth to Albany, the long way round!

"A journey which has been done before means some familiarity of the trail itself but also a very different experience along the way. The transition from warm and cosy, listening to music and news, along with company in the car – to being alone, facing a challenging adventure, hearing and seeing the sights and sounds in the bush are a stark contrast, exciting and a bit scary! The big differences this time were the time of year and more extreme conditions.

Terrain under tyre

"There were lots of mud baths and deep, steep and slippery washouts to negotiate, deep water to wade, push around and ride gingerly through. There was much debris on the trail including a carpet of fallen trees to carry my bike over (unloading/re-loading all the kit both sides); crackly bushes, branches, twigs and leaves; rolling honky nuts, gum nuts and pea gravel; slushy sticky sand; and ‘trip rocks’ to ride over - all very tricky riding. The hills and distances were still big and with a fully laden bike made slow but sure progress.

Ever changing weather

"There was torrential rain, thunderstorms, gusty strong winds, icy cold nights and bright sunshine, and at times, all seasons in one day.

Flora and fauna

"Young animals were in abundance. Birds tried to distract or attack by swooping or were singing more prolifically than before. It felt like the animals and birds welcomed you into their world with their inquisitiveness or song. The wildflowers were peeping out with the promise of vivid colour and bright green bush was everywhere as Winter was starting to fade away and Spring beginning to knock on the door. Once in big tree country, the majestic giants, once again, towered over me, reminding me how small and insignificant I am.

The benefits and privileges of being immersed in nature

"The striking golden light of the sun's rays at dawn and dusk through the trees; the glistening of raindrops on the leaves; the mist hanging in the valley; the long shadows, the dark ominous threatening clouds and white puffy ones in a bright blue sky; the ink black night sky in the bush; and the bright diamond-like stars, were mystical, magical and beautiful, wrapped up together. The natural world was waking up. It is truly amazing being completely surrounded by nature.

Solitude and company

"I was completely alone during the daytime on the trail, except for with Greg for one of those days on two weekends, which brought an additional appreciation of being able to share this with him.

"I met a few fellow Biddi-ers at a couple of towns and huts where we shared stories and our respective journeys.

"Staying at several huts alone, especially with no reception, was a humbling experience again. There is a deep sense of solitude and aloneness, sometimes eeriness, with only the sights and sounds of the bush surrounding you. You become acutely aware of every sense. 

Conclusion

"Another journey came to an end and on reflection, the journey was challenging, as always, and the adventure brought many different experiences. Nature is ever changing and is truly awesome. It's a beautiful world and there is no point to dream about doing something. You have to go out and be part of it."