Chase the Thylacine 2018 (Oct 6 - 7)

It's on again! The Cape Mountain Bikers with agreement from the Secret Whicher Cult would like to invite the wider mountain biking community to join them on another Chase the Thylacine ride. This is a no cost event - there is no entry fee and we are not raising money for any cause. We are however promoting mental health week with a focus on where we live, learn, work and play.

This classic spring event, which began in 2010, originally took riders from the Secret Whicher Trails near Busselton to Nannup and back again. The 2018 ride will begin at the iconic Busselton Jetty and takes riders on a 100-mile epic to Nannup for an overnight stop before returning the following day. All riders will be required to ride with a partner or as part of a group. For those individuals not wishing to ride the entire course, the ride can be done in relay style, with designated change over points along the course.

​Read more below, or visit the Facebook Event page for more information.

The Whicher Range's unique assemblage of plant and animal species make it one of WA's flora and fauna hot spots. Spring is a great time to visit and see this area at its best. Enjoy the wild flowers, the spring weather and perhaps get a glimpse of some rare, endangered or believed-to-be-extinct animals.

Day 1 - Saturday October 6

Registration:
9.30 a.m at the Busselton foreshore (southern side of the Equinox café), with a briefing at 9.45am​
Start Time:
10.00 a.m. at Busselton Jetty
Finish Time:
Approximately 5:00 p.m. Blackwood Cafe
Distance:
50 miles or 92.4km without short cuts. 80km with short cuts.

The course begins at the Busselton Jetty and follows the cycleway, local trails, drains and roads out to the Whicher Range. Once in the Whicher, we'll be following old logging trails and fire roads towards Jarrahwood, where there will be an opportunity stop, regroup, eat something and refill water before leaving Jarrahwood and heading to Nannup via the Munda Biddi and Timberline Trail.

Day 2 - Sunday October 7

Breakfast:
8.00 a.m. Blackwood Cafe
Start Time:
9.00 a.m. at Blackwood Cafe
Finish Time:
Approximately 2.00 p.m.
Distance:
50 miles or 101.8 without short cuts. 80km with short cuts

Day 2 starts at the Nannup Hotel. Riders follow the Munda Biddi to Jarrahwood, ride the old rail line to the Secret Whicher Trail and then head back along the trails, roads and drains to Busselton Jetty.

More information

The trail will marked and signed, but not marshalled. Riders are responsible for their own daily requirements. There will be a limited amount of support, with transport available from the jetty for food and overnight bags to Jarrahwood and Nannup.

​All riders will be required to ride in groups of a minimum of 3 for safety. If you don't have a partner you'll be allocated to a group.

Those who do not wish to ride the entire course may ride the event in a team relay. There are two designated change over points along the course each day.

Short cuts are available on both days.

​We recommend organising accommodation well in advance for Saturday night.

Mental health is a journey - no one gets left behind