IMPORTANT: Please refer to the note at the end of the page about insurance, risks and backcountry communication. So, where has this new activity come from, and why has it got outdoor enthusiasts so excited? You can store a spare brake cable in one of your bags and the pads used are pretty common. I chat with Sam Mitchelladventurer and E-bike pioneerwho tackled Australia's toughest ride whilst towing an old trampoline. The MTBs more upright riding position and wide tyres aid comfort over longer distances, and you can add bar-ends to your handlebars for more hand-position options. If coming from Albury the fastest way is to take the Wodonga exit and then the Wodonga- Beechworth Road. Bikepacking takes you further, following fire-trails, stock routes or even more fun singletrack, through wild and remote parts of the world, camping along the way and covering more distance than youd ever hope to if you were hiking. Bike bags have revolutionised two-wheel travel. 588 miles / 947 kilometres 42,159 feet / 12,850 metres climbing total Get the Camino de Santiago. The opening part of the route is called the Heuvelrug Divide. Hard to be, Please shut gate. Their Women's Slickrock shorts now come in 5", 7", and 9" inseam options. They've also added new gloves, a long sleeve jersey . In addition, were currently implementing a deeper Route Stewards program for several of our more significant routes. Mechanical discs offer the appeal of simplicity. Weve designed this as an ideal first bikepacking experience from Beechworth. It will guide you through the heartland areas of the . If you have a vital issue or opportunity regarding this route that pertains to one of the subjects below, please let us know: **Advocacy opportunities may include bringing awareness to a new trail project, conservation initiative, access potential, or local effort that we might help with or bring awareness to via our broad-reaching platform. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. Map 2. Most of the climbing is not terribly steep. Routes are mapped and chronicled by a core group of experienced route designers and a thriving group of contributors from around the world. Bikepacking the Catalunya Trail in the Pyrenees Bike Touring Collection by Katherine Moore Hebridean hopscotch cycling along Scotland's magical west coast Bike Touring Collection by komoot Bikepacking the roof of the world - Annapurna Circuit in Nepal Mountain Biking Collection by Robin Patijn - Farawayistan And, you can definitely still rail singletrack on them yeah, its a hoot. Day 1 90km | Day 2 85km | Day 3 120km | Total 5,200 vm | 70% gravel. Surface:well-made crushed gravel. You need to be logged in to use these features. For bedding, a down sleeping bag is the best option. This six-day journey through pristine and remote Walls of Jerusalem National Park is rated one of Australias greatest walks. While the KVR segment from Princeton to Midway remains among Canadas most popular off-pavement bike tours, this longer route, which showcases the bulk of BCs Trans Canada Trail, with the exclusion of the Vancouver Island section and the convoluted maze of suburban bike paths in the Fraser Valley, offers less-developed riding for the more adventurous rider. From a glance at the map above, you'd think you could travel almost anywhere without hitting the pavement. We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. Alan designed the route as a warmup route for anyone hoping to ride the Colorado Trail. Check out more of where Bens been riding on Instagram @bushdreamer. Clas, South Coast NSW has provided some awesome mornings, Getting lost and unlost on the South Coast N, The eucalypt trees of Mogo forest are again a beau, The mornings have been epic in North East Vic late, New Year off to a magical start! You will still find hundreds of thousands of secondhand MTBs with the old 26-inch wheel and, if your bikepacking goals tend to global, out-of-the-way destinations, a 26er is a viable option, owing to the fact that wheel size was the only MTB size up until the early 2000s. Long enough for a great day on the bike. Ride safely, dont drink and ride, carry a PLB or InReach, and have fun. New 2023 Backcountry Riding Gear. After passing by Bamberton Provincial Park, a potential camping spot along the route, the Mill Bay Ferry provides safe crossing to Brentwood Bay. Easily accessible from the big smoke, its a ripper way to spend a long summer weekend! Victoria's train network is a great way to get around the state with your bike. to your handlebars via buckles or Velcro strap set-ups. 10 great long-distance cycle routes in Europe: readers' tips You will, however, need to bring a tubeless puncture repair kit (and know how to use it) as some holes may be too big and youll need to repair the tyre with a tyre plug or a patch, if the sidewall has been torn. Out of those, some are also suitable for bikepacking. The riding after lunch follows more excellent gravel roads to the southern end of the King Valley, where you can stay overnight in either Whitfield or Cheshunt. What:amazing temperate rainforest, good climbs, fun descents, lookouts,wildlife, giant trees, wet and dry eucalypt forest, comfy campsites with fireplaces, a feeling of total isolation and a couple of logging coupes, Where:Ballarat, Daylesford, Castlemaine, BendigoCentral Victoria. Recommended XC mountain bike or gravel bike with wide tyres. Your fitness, amount of remote experience, riding ability and bike suitability is also out of Gravelmobs control. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. What:attractive pastoral areas, fresh produce, wineries, Yarra River, forested hills, Where:Melbourne, Yarra Valley, Yarra Ranges, Length:187km OR 134km (two route options). Brands such as MSR and JetBoil offer these types of stoves. GCOR 2023 - BIKEPACKING.com to support us + get The Bikepacking Journal. These, along with gravel bikes, offer the most frame real estate for your bike-bags (more on these later) thanks to having no space taken up on the frame by a rear shock. This gem follows several regional trails, including the Galloping Goose Trail, Sooke Wilderness Trail, and The Great Trail. Make sure to dig into these . This is used for more lightweight gear, such as your tent, sleeping mat, and lightweight clothing. However, for gnarlier adventures NZs Paparoa Track and Old Ghost Road are two examples where the terrain is uneven, loose, steep and rocky, the ability of the dual-suspension MTB to deliver a comfortable and safe ride is its main party trick. While the KVR segment from Princeton to . Were expecting this will become an iconic High Country bikepacking loop. We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. 721 Carlsborg Rd. I have a few too many in Victoria's high countrythe story of a mountain biking and brewery road trip. Rough and steep sections. Gravel bikes still may feature a 2x crankset, with a corresponding 10- or 11-speed cassette at the rear, for that optimal ratio spread. Bikepacking Routes, Gear, Inspiration - BIKEPACKING.com Its a truly inspiring High Country experience that youll have to ride to fully appreciate. Six of the best steel gravel bikes for sale in Australia in 2023, Five of the best victorian cycling roads you probably haven't heard of. Prior to setting out check current local weather, conditions, and land/road closures. The Cowichan Valley Trail turns back eastward, passing by Cowichan River Provincial Park and great camping opportunities at Stoltz Pool Campground, passing through the town of Duncan before joining the top loop of the routes figure-eight shape. For anything from an overnighter to a two-week-long trip, hydraulic brakes would be our choice. Youll also find more water bottle mounts and rooms for fenders and frame bags. Over nighters. Find details on the three most recent issues below, join the Bikepacking Collective to get it in the mail (anywhere in the world), or click here to find a collection of selected stories in digital format. We now have over 130,000 km (82,000 miles) worth of routes in nearly 50 countries. No rear shock also means they are relatively simple mechanically, too. Along the way youll also see evidence of settler history, in the form of old railway, logging, and mining infrastructure. Run wot ya brung is the pared-down explanation as to which bike is best for bikepacking. Terms of Use: As with each bikepacking route guide published on BIKEPACKING.com, should you choose to cycle this route, do so at your own risk. Hughes Creek Road. The Great Bike Rides of Victoria Adventure Cycling Victoria In terms of bike choice, we designed this to be enjoyable on our personal gravel bikes (an alloy Giant TCX with 700x42mm tyres and a steel Curve Grovel with 6502.0 tyres), so most of the route is good quality gravel. Since then, jumping on your bike and heading into the great unknown has been popular, world-wide. The story of a ride over the Victorian high country on back roads and trails, following ACVs Dargo High Plains route. A tubeless tyre allows more control over air pressure you run inside it, which can aid comfort and traction; a tyre with lower pressure will fold over rocks and rough terrain more easily than one that is too firm. 7 Incredible Bikepacking Trips in the US to Have on Your Radar Bikepacking routes - 10 of the best USA bikepacking routes Find the full route network below (other than overnighters), including race routes, contributed routes, and our routes. During the summer, this is a popular spot to access river tubing, swim, and cool off. We are depending on individuals from the bikepacking community within these corridors for help. More here. BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. Click through to rides on the maps below, Where: Grampians/GariwerdWestern Victoria, Surface: sealed, some chunky gravel and some smooth gravel, Where: Yarra Valley, Yarra Ranges, Lake Eildon, Goulburn Valley, Ruffy HighlandsCentral Victoria. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. The Cateran Trail . I talk to the people behind some of Australia's great bike-related social enterprises. I find out whats needed to get kids riding. Five of the best victorian cycling roads you probably haven't heard of As with the hardtail MTB, the gravel bike frame can be made from steel, aluminium, or carbon-fibre. Were a fan of both brake types when applied to different scenarios. Lake Mountain . This route travels in both the Nuu-chah-nulth and Kwakwaka'wakw regions, passing through several First Nation communities along the way. 4 days of relaxed bikepacking through central and northern Victoria Great pubs and extremely quiet roads Close proximity to Melbourne Accessible from suburban Melbourne Caravan parks or bush camps to stay at Beginning Our Bikepacking Adventure It's 6.10am on a chilly autumn morning in Melbourne. The 2023 Bombtrack Bilderbuch Photo Annual is Here - BIKEPACKING.com Another popular shelter option is a lightweight tarp. Youll receive route updates and information about our new route initiatives and opportunities as they arise. The Cowichan Valley lies within the Coast Salish First Nations territory, extending throughout British Columbia and northern Washington State. Bikepacking gear is expensive. There is about 3,500 metres of climbing but its mostly gradual with not a single section of hike-a-bike to be found. If you have a vital issue or opportunity regarding this route that pertains to one of the subjects below, please let us know: **Advocacy opportunities may include bringing awareness to a new trail project, conservation initiative, access potential, or local effort that we might help with or bring awareness to via our broad-reaching platform. The size of your handlebar bag will, to an extent, be governed by what type of handlebars you run; MTB bars allow the bag to be wider, gravel/road drop bars are narrower so you have less width to utilise. Published on Cycling Tips. Route Scouts may be notified during the scouting phase of new routes, or if issues arise as a result of land or trail closures on established routes. Vline. Oh, and for those caffeine freaks out there, there are some magic mini coffee presses. The right equipment can make a world of difference when youre on the road. Bikepacking - Gravelmob | Beechworth | Victoria's High Country Titanium combines the best of steels forgiving ride, with the light weight of aluminium and carbon-fibre and will last nearly forever. As the leading creator and publisher of bikepacking routes, BIKEPACKING.com endeavors to maintain, improve, and advocate for our growing network of bikepacking routes all over the world. Steel is probably the most popular frame material for bikepacking-specific bikes. The reason being is that minimal increase in weight and packing size pays off with loads of interior space if one-up and, if it does rain, youll be able to bring all your gear inside the tent. Rough sections. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. 5 New Women's Off-road Cycling Apparel Lineups - BIKEPACKING.com Learn more here. Rail trails, country backroads, MTB parks and alpine road ascents, they're all here! Can be done on a 32mm tyre, What:some of the best road, gravel and rail trail riding between Melbourne and Canberra, Where:central VictoriaBendigo, Heathcote, Redesdale, Axedale, Harcourt, Metcalfe, Terrain:flat/undulating, with a couple of moderate climbs. In this video, we take a look at the top 12 most popular bikepacking routes in our network for 2021. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. Route Development: The Cowichan Valley 8 was inspired first and foremost by the good folks of the B.C Bikepacking Facebook Group, who assisted with the initial concept of a route starting and ending in downtown Victoria. We started the Route Scouts program back in 2017 to foster community involvement and harness on-the-ground and local expertise for route documentation and planning. Riding around an entire mountain range: how cool is that! Bikepacking - Gravelmob | Beechworth | Victoria's High Country Bikepacking Beechworth is the gateway to some incredible Victorian High Country bikepacking routes The historic town of Beechworth is the perfect start/finish point for your High Country bikepacking or flashpacking adventure. BIKEPACKING.com LLC, its partners, associates, and contributors are in no way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other such situation that might happen to individual riders cycling or following this route. And by that we mean bikepacking is little about speed and most about efficiency over long distances and distances that include knee-killing ascents. 7. In spite of the fact that this route, associated GPS track (GPX and maps), and all route guidelines were prepared under diligent research by the specified contributor and/or contributors, the accuracy of such and judgement of the author is not guaranteed. And before you ask: as much as we do love the efficiency and accuracy of electronic drivetrains, that added complexity makes it a little less appealing for more remote and long-distance bikepacking. The only possible addition to this basic set-up would be for those riding a dual-suspension MTB a small backpack. All the camping gear, all the shiny bikepacking bags, and the strong desire to strike out on a trip you charte A&M Cowichan Valley 8 Bikepacking Route - A bike ride in Victoria Cateran Trail. The ride is relatively short out and back, but includes climbs and descents on both days perfect to help you get used to how a loaded bike handles. Wed also consider it good practice to pack a spare inner tube in case the tyre plug does not work. Be sure, however, to check the length of the tents poles and if they will fit inside one of your bike bags length-wise. $99+ at Backcountry. Check out Trail Towns on SBS. Sea Otter is packed. Services are aplenty, and although there are a few sections of loose gravel you wont have to navigate any technical singletrack. Starting in the locality of Ruffy, it rolls its way through high pastoral country . Image via bergersride Trail Length: 350 miles Days to complete: 4-10 days Riding: Dirt road and some singletrack The TNG is the East Coast answer to such epic western bikepacking routes as the Kokopelli or Colorado Trail. Comix to Victoria Bikepacking - A bike ride in Area B (Lazo North GCOR comes in three flavors: regular (436mi/41,000ft), lite (387mi/34,000ft), and hardcore (457mi/49,500ft) to deliver . Just short enough to enjoy a few stops along the way. Surface: mostly well-groomed gravel. Youve researched your route, most likely via maps originally and then one of the excellent trail apps, such as TrailForks, and youre all set to go. The route is split into two different sections. Includes some creek crossings. By Length (days) Overnighters & S24O; Weekend Routes (2-4) Week-long Routes (5-10) Odyssey Routes (11-30) "Freakouts" (31+) Local Overnighters. Gravel-type bike recommended. The special edition 10th issue of The Bikepacking Journal is one you wont want to miss! We recommend you arrange a backup communication plan, bring a dedicated GPS unit (so you can get yourself back to the pub), and pack a Personal Locator Beacon in case of a true emergency. As an added bonus, a self-supported bikepacking race, known as the BC Epic 1000, follows the BC Trail from Merritt to Fernie every June in true grand depart format. Giving you the DIRT on bikepacking routes. If the majority of your bikepacking is fire trails and singletrack, they offer a more comfortable and safer ride, due to their construction, than, say, a gravel bike. A mountain bike would be easier. How to Plan a Bikepacking Route | REI Co-op Starting at the Old Beechworth Gaol its downhill or flat for the first 50km of day 1, but theres a solid backroad climb up Mt Porepunkah to negotiate before you roll down into Bright for a well-deserved ale. Participate in scouting and refining parts of the route, particularly those local to you; Provide feedback on the overall vision and communication of the route; Contribute local insight for area highlights, relevant businesses, places and areas of cultural and indiginous importance/significance, and other places of interest; Maintain awareness and provide input for developing land-use issues, trail and advocacy projects, and new cycling-related initiatives in the area; Represent the route locally when possible, and gather feedback from the community to help shape and evolve the route; Get the community involved; this could take one of several forms, depending on your commitmentgroup rides, fundraising, business support, etc. The BC Trail Bikepacking Route - BIKEPACKING.com Sarah Swallow's One-Hour-A-Day Challenge Starts Today The Pink Dots: A Story from the Highland Trail 550 (Video) Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective. Best suited for CX/ gravel bikes or anything that will take at least a 32mm tyre. The Bikepacking Collective Route Network is our established collection of original and exceptional bikepacking routes designed by our team of experienced Route Architects or skilled contributors from the community. Published on bikepacking.com. Backcountry has expanded their mountain bike gear and apparel for 2023, including new styles, sizes, and color options for lots of their women's gear. Whether you have a free weekend, month or more, a bikepacking journey along singletrack trails or remote forest roads might be just what you need to satisfy your cravings for adventure. Nothing beats getting out of your bike shoes after a day in the saddle. For food, that will depend on your tastes. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. After a grueling 276 miles, Leila became the first woman to reach the landmark Mill Mountain . The Otway Rip is a three-day gravel route designed to take in some of the best bits of beach and bush in South West Victoria. What:stunning temperate rainforest, good climbs, fun descents, beaches, waterfalls,food, wine, beer, cider, raspberries. https://ridewithgps.com/trips/5275401 - 357.9 km, +5019 m . Justin Walker Photos Bob Barrett and Justin Walker, Riding toward the Glow Worm Tunnel, in the NSW Blue Mountains region, Australian Geographic Society Expeditions, Australian spiders: the 10 most dangerous, Lorikeets: Four things you didnt know about them, Entries are now closed for the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition 2023. Some two-person hiking tents can be as light as 1kg. And for those looking to have a red hot crack, you just might be able to knock it over in under 48 hours. Victoria Divide 550 (2022) - BIKEPACKING.com What:cool temperate rainforest, tall mountain ash forest, rolling pastoral land, shady pine plantations, small towns, an award-winning brewery, interesting natural and human history, Where:Ruffy Highlands, Strathbogie Tablelands, EuroaCentral Victoria. To facilitate these efforts, we rely on our Bikepacking Collective and the greater bikepacking community to call attention to critical issues and opportunities that are discovered while riding these routes. More here. The ranges are home to the world's tallest flowering plant, the mountain ash, and swathes of rainforest typified by cool gullies and stands of tree ferns. Published in Renew Magazine. To facilitate these efforts, we rely on our Bikepacking Collective and the greater bikepacking community to call attention to critical issues and opportunities that are discovered while riding these routes. If selected, well need a detailed guide of the route, including highlights, details, logistical info, high quality photos, and a GPX track. If you cop a puncture, the sealant will usually do its job and seal that small hole. Bikepacking the TNG is one of the best ways to explore the wilderness in the Southeast. As well as better braking power and modulation, they require less user input: well set-up hydraulic disc brakes will require only one finger to use. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. A road rider will feel most comfortable with a 2x setup, whereas a mountain biker might go with a 1x system. The Camino de Santiago is a popular hiking trail but can also be ridden as a bikepacking route. Luckily, most gravel bike manufacturers build their frames to also fit the smaller 27.5 size, thus opening up the choice of wider, high-volume tyres (over 40mm wide even up to 50mm), ideal for your gravel bike on a particularly rough route. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. Where:Bunyip State Park, Yarra Ranges, Yarra Valley. You need to be logged in to use these features. If travelling from Melbourne, take the Beechworth/Bright Great Alpine Road exit on the Wangaratta bypass, and then turn left at Tarrawingee. Plus, you reduce the chance of a puncture considerably with no tube in your tyre. The route passes through several smaller parcels of First Nation land, including Songhees, Esquimalt, Malahat (MLEXE), and Cowichan, the largest single First Nations Band in British Columbia. Neil digs into each route sharing what you can expect, w. Give us a call if you want information about the route. Information on closures can be found here, and an interactive map showing forest service road conditions can be found here. Drivetrain selection will, however, still come down to personal preference. A&M Cowichan Valley 8 Bikepacking Route - A bike ride in Victoria, British Columbia Mel note: added Lakeview and Island View campgrounds The Cowichan Valley 8 is a 190km figure-eight bikepacking route that starts and ends at the pa. - 123.8 mi, +6173 ft. Bike ride in Victoria, British Columbia Mel note: added Lakeview and Island View campgrounds (As mentioned earlier, the new cargo-carrying options, such as Aeroes Spider Rear Rack, Handlebar Cradle and accessories, has meant racks are a viable and reliable option for those who like a system type of approach, with dry bags designed specifically for this rack type). One very long and satisfying descent. To help you out, Im going to briefly review six of the most common ones available on the Australian market. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. There are a number of brands that offer lightweight and compact inflatable mats, including Therm-a-Rest and Sea To Summit, that can weigh from 300g to 750g. The route mixes a healthy dose of frontcountry amenities with remote sections that require a bit more skill and planning. Learn all the features, pros and cons of different brands to help you buy the right bike. You are 100% responsible for your own safety if you use one of these routes. The other option is a methylated spirits stove (metho can be found in most places) that also offers a wider, more stable base and is still light in weight. If you are already a serious hiker, you will be well used to packing light and compact so will (hopefully) have gear that can do double-duty, such as lightweight stoves, tent and clothing. The Local Overnighters Project is a unified effort to document and map one-night bikepacking routes all over the worldby locals, in their own backyards. As such, our editorial team, route creators, and Route Stewards serve as mediators for route improvements and opportunities for connectivity, conservation, and community growth around these routes. A route plotted by gravel rider Erwin Sikkens in 2021, the Green Divide bikepacking route runs 585km through the Netherlands, making it the country's longest nature traverse. This is a classic Victoria area ride. Some short gravel sections which can be a bit rough. Too many p. - 160.7 km, +1345 m. Bike ride in Victoria, BC, British Columbia. Become a Bikepacking Collective member to help support this effort. Its name changes along along the way, at different times being called Nolans Road, Tarcombe-Ruffy Road, Ponkeen Creek Road, and finally Hughes Creek Road. The routes are just suggested loops on publicly-accessible roads and tracks, and the day-to-day quality, safety, difficulty and open/closed status of any part of the routes is totally outside of Gravelmobs control. 25-year-old Leila Husain from Brevard, NC decided to tackle her first bikepacking trip this year during the incredibly challenging Trail version of the Rockstar Challenge, an annual self-supported event that runs from Harrisonburg to Roanoke, Virginia. Here are the best bits of camping equipment Ive used in that time. New loop = g, A small section of our CFA track loop is a little, A few big events on the horizon means squeezing th, If you werent there, you should have been! The Otway Rip is a three-day gravel route designed to take in some of the best bits of beach and bush in South West Victoria. Three Ferries Ride : A Victoria Classic Ride For simplicity, some gravel bikes (and most of todays MTBs) will offer a 112 setup, where the front chain-ring is small (think a 34 down to 28-tooth ring), while the rear cassette features what is jokingly referred to as the dinner-plate (think 50T to 52T). We know; its a luxury but hey, why the hell not?! Touring on bicycles is far from new, and neither is venturing off-road to do so. Negatives are a lack of power compared to their hydraulic brethren and theres barely any modulation. What:temperate rainforest, eucalypt forests, rivers, good free camping, lots of climbing, a couple of breweries, rural areas, Lake Eildon. So You Wanna Plan a Bikepacking RouteWe Have Advice