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. You'll receive an opt-in email before being added. A mix of gravel, doubletrack, and paved paths create a scenic and rewarding route that can be easily ridden in a weekend or under to support us + get The Bikepacking Journal. 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. What: rail trail, rugged remote gravel roads, wilderness, breweries. Riding around an entire mountain range: how cool is that! Its never a race when bikepacking, but reliable brakes are still a must. 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. 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. There are more than 50 different First Nations on Vancouver Island, located in three distinct tribal regions: Coast Salish, Nuu chah nulth, and Kwakwaka'wakw. 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. Beechworth is 30 minutes from the Hume Freeway. New 2023 Backcountry Riding Gear. Where:Bunyip State Park, Yarra Ranges, Yarra Valley. 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 you'd ever hope to if you were hiking. Where:Ruffy Highlands, Strathbogie Tablelands, Euroacentral Victoria. ACV acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and play. The BC Trail is a 1,200 kilometer traverse of southern British Columbia, starting in the Fraser Valley and ending in Fernie, on the Alberta border. Free-camping by Reedy Creek in Eldorado is magical, and once youve set up camp for the night youre not far from a slap-up dinner at Victorias smallest pub, The McEvoy Tavern. 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. 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. Hughes Creek Road. It's an epic off-road crossing of the European continentfrom northeast to southwesttraversing nine countries and countless . 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. The information found herein is simply a planning resource to be usedas a point of inspirationin conjunction with your own due-diligence. Mt Buller. 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 only possible addition to this basic set-up would be for those riding a dual-suspension MTB a small backpack. I talk to the people behind some of Australia's great bike-related social enterprises. 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 guide to the best bikepacking and bicycle-touring routes in Victoria. This gem follows several regional trails, including the Galloping Goose Trail, Sooke Wilderness Trail, and The Great Trail. From a glance at the map above, you'd think you could travel almost anywhere without hitting the pavement. Gravel bikes still may feature a 2x crankset, with a corresponding 10- or 11-speed cassette at the rear, for that optimal ratio spread. Dried fruit is a great snack option, as are your regulation muesli bars. During the summer, this is a popular spot to access river tubing, swim, and cool off. Not only is Victoria easily accessible for visitors, this vibrant city makes an ideal place to spend time before or after the ride. Impressively, bikepacking is easily accessible to anyone that can ride, and it isnt that hard to get a set-up sorted that allows you to explore. IMPORTANT: Please refer to the note at the end of the page about insurance, risks and backcountry communication. Plus, they are a great double for a pillow. 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. 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. Published in Ride On magazine, Winter 2016. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. Easily accessible from the big smoke, its a ripper way to spend a long summer weekend! Since then, jumping on your bike and heading into the great unknown has been popular, world-wide. Along the way youll also see evidence of settler history, in the form of old railway, logging, and mining infrastructure. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Sarah Swallow's One-Hour-A-Day Challenge encourages participants to get out and move for at least 60 minutes daily through May 30th. 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. Weekend Routes (2-4) Week-long Routes (5-10) Odyssey Routes (11-30) "Freakouts" (31+) Local Overnighters. Victorian Alps Cycle Trail, VIC. Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective. For a car-free bikepacking experience take the train to Wangaratta, Chiltern or Albury station and hop on your bike for the last leg. For tyre widths, wed recommend between 2.25- and 2.6-inch. Some rough and corrugated parts. The historic town of Beechworth is the perfect start/finish point for your High Country bikepacking or flashpacking adventure. However, the route veers north in Langford, continuing along The Great Trail and onto the Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail. 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. Length: 418 miles Climbing: 35,700ft Time to complete: 4+ nights Three words: Physical, stunning, accessible What bike: MTB We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. 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. 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 Levarg FB is the flat-bar version in the range. One other night-time camp essential is a head-torch and dont forget to bring spare batteries. Generally, the bikepacking rig of choice is down to two or three types: the hardtail mountain bike, the gravel bike, or the dual-suspension MTB, and made from either steel, aluminium or carbon-fibre. 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. Can be done on a standard gravel bike. Discover the most beautiful places, download GPS tracks and follow the top routes on a map. The Cowichan Valley 8 makes for a perfect weekend escape for locals and visitors alike, and its diverse terrain and lush rainforests will have you wishing for more by the time youre done. Over three foggy days and frigid nights, I experience the beauty of the Grampiansand ponder the direction of my life. One very long and satisfying descent. It has the same frame as the other two models but gets the mountain bike Shimano DEORE 1X10 drivetrain, Shimano MT-200, and a 710mm Race Face Ride flat bar. Sea Otter is packed. I'm planning a bikepacking trip this year to Southeastern Europe anywhere from the Balkans, down to Greece and/or Romania and Bulgaria. Unsealed surfaces are well made and can be ridden on a road bike. 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. A short bikepacking overnighter can be just as rewarding and restorative as a big trip. 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. Prior to setting out check current local weather, conditions, and land/road closures. To access and experience this area by bike is bloody amazing. Historical areas. Indeed, Australia has a strong history of bike-borne explorers, dubbed the overlanders, who criss-crossed this vast country in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Bikepacking doesn't have to be a slog. And, you can definitely still rail singletrack on them yeah, its a hoot. We are depending on individuals from the bikepacking community within these corridors for help. 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. Here are six of the best bikepacking routes in the UK that make us want to ditch our laptop, grab a bicycle and cycle into the sunset. You can be a well-seasoned backpacker and a dedicated mountain biker, and have had plenty of success putting the two together on long bikepacking trips, but planning a route can still be a little intimidating. These were very effective if touring on road, but as soon as you veered onto narrow bush tracks, the additional width created by the panniers meant you had to be very careful you didnt hook your bike (and yourself) on a surrounding tree or similar. 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 Ben grew up on a family farm on Girai Wurrung country in the south west of Victoria, Australia. Share your submission. Published in Wild Magazine Issue 164 March/April 2018 (Please note that this is an affiliate link, meaning that if you buy a subscription to Wildor any other magazinethrough this link, you will be supporting ACV, plus getting a great mag!). Taking in the High Country towns and villages of Beechworth, Eldorado, Chiltern, Rutherglen, Glenrowan, Milawa, Moyhu, Whitfield, Cheshunt, Porepunkah, Bright, Mount Beauty, Mitta Mitta, Tallangatta, Yackandandah and Stanley along the route, it includes hundreds of kilometres of sensational gravel backroads riding, avoids main roads wherever possible, takes in sections of the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail and the High Country Rail Trail, and conquers three big climbs Goldie Spur, Tawonga Gap and Trappers Gap. Give us a call if you want information about the route. Map 2. Here are the best bits of camping equipment Ive used in that time. Brands such as MSR and JetBoil offer these types of stoves. Bicycle tourism now has its own national TV show. 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. Learn more here. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. If you download and use one of these self-guided routes you acknowledge and accept that you are riding totally at your own risk. Cheap (OR FREE) gear substitutes for bikepacking and touringa somewhat comprehensive guide, Five of the best bits of camping equipment for bikepacking and touring, The best touring bikes for sale in Australia in 2023, Why the Victorian train network is great for cyclists, A ride of loss, love and longing among the mountain ash, Cold and Alone: the beauty of winter bikepacking. Via Francigena: the pilgrim route from Canterbury to Rome. 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. 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 have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. The route mixes a healthy dose of frontcountry amenities with remote sections that require a bit more skill and planning. The story of a ride over the Victorian high country on back roads and trails, following ACVs Dargo High Plains route. A classic 40k l, This sunrise on Mt McKay - Australias highest d, Twas a Monday Night Stitch Up tonight with t, Another Monday night gravel special. What:attractive pastoral areas, fresh produce, wineries, Yarra River, tall mountain ash forest, rainforest, challenging climbs, fast descents, historical mining settlement, Victoria's tallest tree! 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. BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. These little known roads will have you grinning. Terrain: mix of flat and hilly terrain. 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. The Cowichan Valley 8 is a 190km figure-eight bikepacking route that starts and ends at the parliament buildings in downtown Victoria, British Columbia. If youve ticked off all our advice and tweaked or added to it with your own preferences the only thing you have to worry about is whether that last-day country pub you plan on being picked up from has a good counter lunch and cold beverages on tap to celebrate that first of no doubt many two-wheeled wilderness adventures. It covers a tad over 550km, gains over 8,000vm, and has been devised so that you can choose to end each day at one of the High Countrys independent craft breweries. Gravel bikes have longer wheelbases for stability, far bigger tyre clearance and a more upright riding position with wider bars as comfort takes precedence over aerodynamics. 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. Day 1 85km | Day 2 95km | Total 1,850 vm | 80% gravel. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. 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. Hydraulic disc brakes operate exactly the same as motor vehicle brakes: the brake fluid is pushed (via your brake lever) through the hose and the resultant pressure activates small pistons in the calliper, which then squeezes the brake pads against the rotor. Surface:about 50/50 sealed/unsealed. Find the full route network below (other than overnighters), including race routes, contributed routes, and our routes. Yeah, its awesome fun. There's a variety of difficulties too from mountain biker to beginner. Even in summer, nights may be cool and these pack down super-compact. Nearly all bike bags use oversized zips and clip systems that are super tough, minimising any chance of damage or need of repairs. 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. Flickr account of many huts (some not relevant) KHA huts. Neil digs into each route sharing what you can expect, w. GCOR comes in three flavors: regular (436mi/41,000ft), lite (387mi/34,000ft), and hardcore (457mi/49,500ft) to deliver . 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 Cowichan Valley Trail Closures: There have been reports that sections along the Cowichan Valley Trail are closed due to washouts caused by heavy rainfall. Other cooking essentials include a water filter and spare matches/lighter. Run wot ya brung is the pared-down explanation as to which bike is best for bikepacking. You'll even go past Victoria's tallest tree, at around 90 metres high. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. These are excellent if you camp where you can set them up, i.e., strung between trees (or carry a couple of tarp-specific poles), and are very light and compact. The special edition 10th issue of The Bikepacking Journal is one you wont want to miss! If you went the rack option, wed recommend a rear rack firstly, and then decide on how you wish to utilise that space in your bike frame, as well as the handlebar area. More here. Enter the bike bag that, in its various designs, can attach to your bike via the main frame, handlebars, top tube and seat-post, plus there are smaller ones for the forks. It attaches to a number of frame points via Velcro straps or buckle systems. We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. Surface:sealed roads, gravel roads, rail trails, some rougher sections. This ride takes in much of the area of the proposed Great Forest National Park. 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. For 2021 the Great Victorian Bike Ride is going through the Grampians in western Victoria. 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. 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. Cycling is a huge passion in Victorias High Country. With rolling hills, limestone cliffs, cascading waterfalls, amazing beaches, and endless bush, theres something for everyone. 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! One steep rocky downhill which can be easily avoided. The Coquihalla River Trail, Kettle Valley Rail Trail, and the Great Northern Rail Trail link some of the larger towns together, accompanied by scenic forest service roads and the occasional reminder that B.C is home to some technical, rocky singletrack. Mountain bike recommended. Coming from the sunshine coast. Well also be strengthening these routes through our forthcoming Route Stewards program. You need to be logged in to use these features. (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). Firstly, all road cyclists need to forget the big gears. Cateran Trail. For MTB-based riders, the two most popular wheel options today are 27.5-inch (also known as 650B) and 29-inch. And for those looking to have a red hot crack, you just might be able to knock it over in under 48 hours. After camping overnight, day 2 includes two solid climbs back up Mount Porepunkah (gravel) and then the Back of Stanley (sealed) before a very welcome descent from Stanley back into Beechworth. 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. Wide tyres will help. The information found herein is simply a planning resource to be usedas a point of inspirationin conjunction with your own due-diligence. Its important to know that the route passes through the unceded lands of the Djargurd Wurrung, Girai Wurrung, Gadubanud, and Gulidjan people. Our core group of Route Architects is made up of passionate, skilled individuals who are largely responsible for the Bikepacking Collective Routes network or have larger routes in the works. Alan designed the route as a warmup route for anyone hoping to ride the Colorado Trail. 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. Make sure to set your shared image folder to public! 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. Another popular shelter option is a lightweight tarp. 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. Along the way, she's also seeking to raise $5,000 for the Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and . Become a member to support this and learn more about the initiative here. But getting out on your bike doesnt have to bankrupt you. Just short enough to enjoy a few stops along the way. Can be done on a gravel bike, but that 10km would be a bit rough. A hardtail mountain bike, whether it is one with rigid front forks or front suspension forks, is a popular bikepacking rig. The story of riding the Old Beechy Rail Trail in the Otways, and the desperate search for a chicken parma. The frame bag or half-frame bag is the main load lugger for heavier gear, such as stoves, water (if youre running your hydration bladder in there, with the tube outside for easy access), food and clothing plus, often, your spare parts and tools. Thankfully, its not that painful; bike bags are, truly, a godsend for the two-wheeled off-road explorer, and heres why. These days, dehydrated meals are pretty damn good and easy to pack in your bike bags. Before these arrived on the scene, cycle tourers had no choice but to use panniers. As we update and refine some of our popular published routes, we'll induct them into the network, along with other distinguished rides. New book reveals a host of top Scottish routes A new book by bikepacking enthusiast Markus Stitz launches next month and features 20 great multi-day off-the-beaten-track cycling adventures across What:stunning temperate rainforest, good climbs, fun descents, beaches, waterfalls,food, wine, beer, cider, raspberries. 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. After a short backtrack along the Cowichan Valley Trail, the route heads east along the Northern edge of Shawnigan Lake. The Cowichan Valley lies within the Coast Salish First Nations territory, extending throughout British Columbia and northern Washington State. 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. This is used for more lightweight gear, such as your tent, sleeping mat, and lightweight clothing. 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! Nothing beats getting out of your bike shoes after a day in the saddle. Links and resources. We have several in the works already, with many more to come. And theyre offering an exclusive discount to ACV readers. The story of Climate Cycle 2018, a non-charity bike ride between Melbourne and Canberra in aid of climate action. What: pretty rural areas, temperate rainforest, rail trail riding, quiet back roads, lakeside riding, eucalyptus woodland. 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. Where: Strathbogie RangesCentral Victoria, What: rolling pastures, pretty rural areas, local produce, quiet roads, small towns, a great gravel descent, the Great Victorian Rail Trail. 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. Sequim, WA 98324 United States. Have any questions about the route? In addition, were currently implementing a deeper Route Stewards program for several of our more significant routes. As long as your bike has been well serviced, theres no reason that a dual-suspension MTB of yours cant do double service Its all about compromise in bikepacking. Out of those, some are also suitable for bikepacking. Where: Creswick, Ballarat, Skipton, BeaufortCentral Victoria, Terrain: Flat with a couple of short hills. With crucial information like maps, gradients, distances, terrain, where to stay, where to get water, etc. While a gravel bike might cut a similar silhouette to a road bike, the presence of drop bars is just about where the parallels end. Stay in Bright on night 1 and Mitta Mitta night 2, or take longer over the journey and pick your own overnight stops. What:high mountains, pretty rural areas, beautiful forest, gourmet regions, What:stunning coastal scenery, surfing, beaches, seaside towns, temperate rainforest, local produce, food & wine. In terms of shelter, a lightweight hiking tent is our preferred option and, if possible, wed look at a two-person version even if travelling solo. Too many p. - 160.7 km, +1345 m. Bike ride in Victoria, BC, British Columbia. Starting in the heart of downtown Victoria, the route begins at the steps of British Columbias Parliament Buildings. The Cateran Trail . After all, if you do run out of gears and legs you can just walk up that hill! Explore the map below and scroll down for recently posted routes and information about other route building initiatives.
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