This six-day journey through pristine and remote Walls of Jerusalem National Park is rated one of Australias greatest walks. 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. The Kettle Korn booths are smoking and the lines are long this year. A guide to the best bikepacking and bicycle-touring routes in Victoria. Day 1 90km | Day 2 90km | Total 3,060 vm | 70% gravel. *By clicking submit, you're also subscribing to our email list. New 2023 Backcountry Riding Gear. For cooking, wed recommend an all-in-one gas canister stove. Over three foggy days and frigid nights, I experience the beauty of the Grampiansand ponder the direction of my life. The story of riding the Old Beechy Rail Trail in the Otways, and the desperate search for a chicken parma. One steep rocky downhill which can be easily avoided. Moderate gradients. Bikepackings exploratory (and fun) ethos, and its focus on going lightweight where possible, saw a resultant need in a new, effective way of lugging gear, where those narrow trails wouldnt cause any grief, and you could still ride your bike as it was meant to be ridden, i.e., you didnt have to make allowances for wonky weight distribution and that wide rear end. What: Vast open farmlands, historic trestle bridges, quiet back laneways, Where:Yarra Valley, Yarra Ranges, Lake Eildon, central district, Great Victorian Rail Trail. 5 New Women's Off-road Cycling Apparel Lineups. Surface: well made gravel, some rougher tracks. 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. 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. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. It's an epic off-road crossing of the European continentfrom northeast to southwesttraversing nine countries and countless . A donation to the land justice group Antar Victoria was made in honor of the routes publication. Their Women's Slickrock shorts now come in 5", 7", and 9" inseam options. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. And, you can definitely still rail singletrack on them yeah, its a hoot. Weve curated a range of adventures to suit most riders.Bring your climbing legs and come and experience some true backroads riding in Victorias High Country. One other tyre-related decision is whether you decide to run your tyres with inner tubes or opt to go the slightly more expensive route of tubeless tyres. 2023 Sea Otter Finds (Part 1) - BIKEPACKING.com 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. Some of the routes pass through remote areas where internet/mobile phone service is not reliable or strong enough to make calls or locate yourself via your phones GPS. Yeah, its awesome fun. Find the full route network below (other than overnighters), including race routes, contributed routes, and our routes. Plus, they are a great double for a pillow. Learn all the features, pros and cons of different brands to help you buy the right bike. $99+ at Backcountry. You need to be logged in to use these features. By Length (days) Overnighters & S24O; Weekend Routes (2-4) Week-long Routes (5-10) Odyssey Routes (11-30) "Freakouts" (31+) Local Overnighters. Surface:about 50/50 sealed/unsealed. Day 1 of this ride departs from Gravelmob HQ at The Old Beechworth Gaol and sends you on scenic backroads through farming country before arriving for lunch in the King Valley village of Moyhu. Make sure to dig into these . 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). Services are aplenty, and although there are a few sections of loose gravel you wont have to navigate any technical singletrack. Although the majority of the route is not technically difficult, there are some loose, sandy, and sections with repetitive washboard that can be hard on riders. If you find this resource useful and would like to contribute to the fight for the sovereignty of Australias First People, please consider giving to Antar Victoria. Surface:about 50/50 sealed/unsealed. 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. Here's why: Among the quiet tracks of the Dandenongs, I reflect on life, loss, and a world bumped off its axis. 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. 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. Bikepacking Routes - BIKEPACKING.com Following decommissioned rail trails, gravel side roads, forest service roads, and singletrack, the BC Trail boasts some of the most spectacular views the province has to offer. 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. This offers quick access to Lochside Regional Trail, a well-trafficked multi-use trail that eventually leads right back to the Galloping Goose Trail and downtown Victoria. 10 great long-distance cycle routes in Europe: readers' tips If coming from Albury the fastest way is to take the Wodonga exit and then the Wodonga- Beechworth Road. Bikes, camping gear, food and a cracking campsite. Information on closures can be found here, and an interactive map showing forest service road conditions can be found here. Farmers dont have time for. Riding around an entire mountain range: how cool is that! I chat with Sam Mitchelladventurer and E-bike pioneerwho tackled Australia's toughest ride whilst towing an old trampoline. What:great mountain-biking, gold mining history, historic towns, mineral springs, bushland, forest, farming land, What:high mountains, high plains, pastoral regions, small towns, local produce, gourmet regions, Where:Strzelecki Ranges, South Gippsland. 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. The seat bag ranges in volume from 6L to 16L and is one of the mainstays of a bikepacking system. Its strongly recommended that you have your own personal accident and liability insurance whenever you hop on your bike. Where: Dandenong Ranges, just outside of Melbourne. There's a variety of difficulties too from mountain biker to beginner. Heres why. 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. More here. It snakes its way down the. 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. 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. It will guide you through the heartland areas of the . Surface:well-made crushed gravel. With the chance of fast descents, long flat fast sections of trails and roads, plus the always-dreaded climbs, the correct gearing is key to a successful bikepacking adventure. Can be done on a standard gravel bike. 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. Victorian High country Huts tour | Cycling Wild Learn more here. This is due to its inherent strength, ride quality and ease of repair. 588 miles / 947 kilometres 42,159 feet / 12,850 metres climbing total Get the Camino de Santiago. Leila Husain First Woman Rockstar Trail 2023 - BIKEPACKING.com Surface:sealed roads, gravel roads, rail trails, some rougher sections. Steel is probably the most popular frame material for bikepacking-specific bikes. Map 2. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. 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 basics would include a handlebar bag, a frame bag and a saddle (seat-post) bag. Neil digs into each route sharing what you can expect, w. 2023 Saracen Levarg - BIKEPACKING.com 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. There are so many gravel bikes available today that its easy to get overwhelmed. 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. Some short gravel sections which can be a bit rough. More here. British Columbia Assembly of First Nations. The only issue with that larger (and thus faster) wheel size is if you wish to fit fatter tyres for rougher trails. So, where has this new activity come from, and why has it got outdoor enthusiasts so excited? Carbon-fibre brings plenty of strength but also fragility, with sharp impacts having the ability to crack a frame and it is not easy (and is very expensive) to repair. Ride safely, dont drink and ride, carry a PLB or InReach, and have fun. Prior to setting out check current local weather, conditions, and land/road closures. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. Youll also find more water bottle mounts and rooms for fenders and frame bags. Lennard Pretorius of Kamloops, B.C first introduced the race in 2016 with only 7 of 14 riders finishing the route, and saw double the interest and a much higher completion rate in 2017. 7 Incredible Bikepacking Trips in the US to Have on Your Radar Since 2014, weve been building, establishing, sharing, and maintaining high qulity bikepacking routes around the world. Crystal clear rivers. Backroad Cycling Adventures in Victoria's High Country. Yes, you will lose bike-bag space, but you still have the usual bag options, they will just have less volume, and there are also some nifty cargo-carrying options, such as Aeroes Spider Rear Rack, Handlebar Cradle and accessories (see our review of this set-up, here). Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective. Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective. We have a number of large-scale projects in the works, in addition to modifications and action needed on existing routes, so be sure to get on the mailing list to stay up to date. Rail trails, country backroads, MTB parks and alpine road ascents, they're all here! Recommended gravel-type bike with 35mm or wider tyres. Bicycle tourism now has its own national TV show. The climb up is steep and challenging, but on a clear day youll be greeted with views of the ocean and mountains in the distance. If you wish to view these as a list, you can sort by location or route length. I have a few too many in Victoria's high countrythe story of a mountain biking and brewery road trip. Routes in Southeastern Europe? : r/bikepacking - Reddit Dont forget to stop at the Shawnigan House caf for a warm drink and baked goods. Starting in the locality of Ruffy, it rolls its way through high pastoral country . 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. to support us + get The Bikepacking Journal, 2017 Grand Depart POV Video from Carl Miller. Bikepacking Routes, Gear, Inspiration - BIKEPACKING.com The route has plenty of services, but there are a few remote sections along the trail that have limited bailout points, which could potentially force longer than anticipated days if a resupply is needed. He fell in love with bike travel while touring the United States in 2014 and it has been a huge part of his life ever since. https://ridewithgps.com/trips/5275401 - 357.9 km, +5019 m . We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. We are looking for the best quality bikepacking routes to inspire and enable people to get out and explore the world in a sustainable way, on two wheels. 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 Cowichan Valley 8 is a 190km figure-eight bikepacking route that starts and ends at the parliament buildings in downtown Victoria, British Columbia. It features 25% more pages with extra stories, bonus art and maps, and much more Issue 09 takes readers on trips through timeone to the early days of bicyclesand offers several reminders to be grateful for supportive friends and family, and strangers we meet along the way For Issue 08, we invited several contributors to return and pick up where earlier trips and ideas left off and also feature a handful of first-timers whose perspectives weve long been eager to share May 2022: There are closures along the KVR due to washouts and landslides. 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. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. Become a Bikepacking Collective member to help support this effort. While riding, obey all public and private land use restrictions and rules, carry proper safety and navigational equipment, and of course, follow the #leavenotrace guidelines. Sarah Swallow's One-Hour-A-Day Challenge Starts Today 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. Mountain bike or big-tyred gravel-type bike recommended. Since then, jumping on your bike and heading into the great unknown has been popular, world-wide. Not only is Victoria easily accessible for visitors, this vibrant city makes an ideal place to spend time before or after the ride. Similar to the bike bags, going lightweight is not cheap but, again, the initial investment will see you reap the benefits for many years of bikepacking adventures. New Bikepacking Collective Routes are partially funded and supported by the Bikepacking Collective, our member community. More here. The BC Trail is a 1,200 km bikepacking route across southern British Columbia, starting in the Fraser Valley and ending in Fernie, on the Alberta border. After passing by Bamberton Provincial Park, a potential camping spot along the route, the Mill Bay Ferry provides safe crossing to Brentwood Bay. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. The author tackled it on a fat bike. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. GCOR is a 440 mile unsupported ride around the rugged and remote Olympic Mountains in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. The story of a ride over the Victorian high country on back roads and trails, following ACVs Dargo High Plains route. 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. There's more than 132,000 km of dirt roads and tracks in Victoria. Weve designed this as an ideal first bikepacking experience from Beechworth. Some rough parts. As with the hardtail MTB, the gravel bike frame can be made from steel, aluminium, or carbon-fibre. Firstly, all road cyclists need to forget the big gears. Cateran Trail. 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. To help you out, Im going to briefly review six of the most common ones available on the Australian market. Short section of sealed road. Another popular shelter option is a lightweight tarp. After a grueling 276 miles, Leila became the first woman to reach the landmark Mill Mountain . Surface: Sealed road, gravel, hard packed dirt, rail trail. I chose this as our first bikepacking ride due to proximity to civilisation (we could actually stay in town both nights all of which are train accessible), there may be total fire ban days and love hot dinners so can buy food easily, you can get a train to and from melb there and my mate has ridden 2 of the legs before. 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. Titanium combines the best of steels forgiving ride, with the light weight of aluminium and carbon-fibre and will last nearly forever.