VIDEO: Taming the longest trail in the world

Reckon you’ve got the legs for a couple of big days out? How about 1115km in four days… with 11 hours sleep?

Western Australian endurance racer Declan von Dietze is the proud record for traversing the one-way Munda Biddi Trail, which extends over 1000km from the WA town of Albany to Mundaring, near Perth in Western Australia, and which is claimed to be the longest off road trail anywhere in the world.

The recommended time frame to cover the whole trail – which can be ridden in smaller sections – is three to four weeks, according to the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation. That wasn’t an option for Declan, who earlier this year managed it in an astonishing four days and six hours.

A video of his exploits has been released, giving a bit of dimension to the depth of his achievement. He managed just 11.5 hours of sleep across the entire journey, ridden aboard a Norco Revolver 29er duallie fitted with a bar bag, extra bottle cages, tri bars and a large under-seat bag.

The Munda Biddi trail covers a lot of varied terrain, and is well maintained. It’s got over 2500 route markers – a big reason why Declan only made four wrong turns in the whole trip – as well as 12 free huts along the route for travellers to use.

Declan also took advantage of townships along the way to get in some solid meals.

His biggest day saw him cover 295km, with only the last day giving him any respite, with ‘just’ 140km to ride to a warm reception from spectators – and his mum - at the finish.

“You just have to have belief in yourself in whatever challenge you set,” he said at the end. “I was going to be happy as long as the time started with a four (days) in front of it.”

Despite being involved in a nasty road bike crash not long after the trip, a fully recovered Declan reckons he can sharpen his time a little further. We wish him the best of luck!