Bike touring is something I'm very new to, this being our second go at it. I think the greatest pleasure in attending these Bike SA events is knowing that all you have to do is get on your bike and ride, you don't have to worry about food or organising accommodation (though you do have to put up your tent), you just get up and enjoy the ride. 
Bike touring offers the opportunity to slow down and see the world from a different perspective, for the most part you can stop when you like, take the odd detour and generally enjoy yourself.
Doing this as part of such a large group means that there is a lot of people looking out for one another, which offers a sense of security to bike riders on lonely highways. The other advantage of being part of an organised group like Bike SA is the volunteers, who are some of the most amazing people I have ever met.
When the weathers a bit miserable or the roads a bit rough and you rock up at a rest station to a hot cuppa and a smiling face, your whole day just gets better. I apologise if this sounds a bit like a marketing exercise, but I can't speak highly enough of the organisation of Bike SA in putting on this event and the volunteers who do such a wonderful job taking care of us all.
Kangaroo Island was a really wonderful setting for an annual tour, both from the diverse range of things to see and the communities who looked after us. At least once we were tripling the population of the community where we were staying and they made us feel so incredibly welcome. The Island itself is so diverse, from windswept coastlines with unique geological features to what looks like temperate rainforest and swamp (although the swamp could have just been due to all the rain we had). It's an incredibly beautiful place and travelling around by bike offered the opportunity to see picturesque views that are too easily missed when speeding along in a car. Kangaroo Island also has a very interesting history and the locals were very willing to share their knowledge and stories with a group of curious cyclists.
I think the best way to sum this up is to do a top 5 list of my favourite things about KI:
1. The scenery - just beautiful!
2. The people - so amazingly friendly
3. The history, from the geological to the indigenous, the European and the modern
4. The Marron Farm - this place was such a surprise!
5. The small local business, including some awesome wineries!
And because I like making lists, my top 5 favourite things about touring with Bike SA:
1. The Volunteers
2. Being able to see new places or get a different perspective on familiar places
3. The people!
4. The sheer pleasure of riding a bike and being around people who also love to ride
5. The relaxation of knowing that Bike SA will take good care of me!
I hope this didn't sound too much like an advert, but I think it's worth acknowledging people who do a good job and both Bike SA and KI did such a wonderful job that I just have to say thank you.
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