A word from one of our repeat customers:
My introduction to Outbike was in 2016 when I signed up for the inaugural Tour de Front. Thanks to Ralph and Carl the tour was a great success, from both the historical perspective and the challenge of cycling the length of the frontline in 23 days.
If you are up for a challenge then I can highly recommend the Gulf to Gulf. It will test you physically and mentally but there is an enormous sense of achievement at the end of the ride.
Again, thanks to Outbike I have been able to cycle rail trails in Victoria and coastal roads and trails in South Australia with excellent organisation and back up from the tour leader.
Outbike gives you the opportunity to see parts of the country you may never have visited or thought to cycle.
TvB
UPDATEd 1 FEB 2021
(1) Rail-Road-Ride series is postponed from 2021 to 2023
(2) Loopy Weekend Rides introduced from 20-21 Feb 2021 in SE Queensland
< LEFT HAND COLUMN - upcoming rides
v COLUMN BELOW - mostly group possibilities
CLUB ride support
Mini-coaches + trailers: We have 3 sets, with coach seating and extended legroom for 18 to 21 passengers. We have trays to secure bikes. Our buses run around between Noosa, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Alice (mostly on tour with European groups), sometimes with weeks spare and/or relocating. More availability April to Sep.
4x4 + trailer: We have a Nissan X-Trail, available to support smaller groups and outback rides.
Welcome to our 'legacy' Outbike website. From 2020, we are combining Outbike's web presence into the site for our independent adventure agency, Arcadia Travel.
The idea of cycling remote Outback Australia trails with support became Outbike in 2004. It started with Alice to Coober Pedy (all gravel, 14 days, 900kms) and in 2005 we initiated the Gulf-to-Gulf across Australia, riding Port Augusta to Karumba via Birdsville in 30 days, 2200km. Most recently we ran in 2016 and 2019, next will be 2022.
In 2016 and 2018 Outbike ran 23-day rides of the WW1 Western Front from the North Sea to Switzerland.
EXTENDED RIDES IN EUROPE
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THE RIVERS RIDE DIY
Over 3-4 weeks, basing in Zell-Mosel with some Fri & Sat nights away. Tour on canal and river paths 700kms all the way from Strasbourg to Rothenburg riding the Mosel, Rhine, Main, Saar and Tauber and more rivers. Add the Venn Rail Trail and Hesse Rail Trails. This is a DIY idea but we hope to start to run small groups on this and other itineraries using Europe's terrific network of 'greenways'.
For now, see our Europe page.
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TOUR DE FRONT
Ride WW1's Western Front from the Belgian coast to the Swiss border, Nieuwpoort to Basel via Ypres, key battlefields, memorials, Reims, Verdun and The Vosges.
Operated by Outbike and local guide Carl Ooghe (on bike).
Carl is the #1 battlefields cycle guide and author of a popular cycling guidebook on the subject.
See our Tour de Front page (we'll wait to set the next ride).
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Carl's website:www.cyclingthewesternfront.co.uk
Email: carl.ooghe@gmail.com
Emma Thomson from the UK Independent goes riding with Carl. http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/flanders-fields-pedal-into-the-past-9608055.html
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One of Carl's guidebooks:
RIDER STORIES, IMAGES & media 2015-16
The Border Mail reports on our 2016 series of Victoria rail trail events
Outback Rail-Road Ride Jun-Jul 2015, ABC journalist Chrissy Arthur finds us on the road to Longreach
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-06/riders-sample-cycle-of-life-in-outback-qld/6596830 (dead link, will search web archives)
RIDER STORIES, IMAGES & MEDIA 2004-6
Photos from the Bike 'n Wheels Expedition:
www.flickr.com/photos/outbike/
www.flickr.com/photos/outbike/sets/72157594518637635
Chistine's story and photos / Wayne's photos
Helmut's epic and photos / Lucy's story and photos
ABC on the Bike 'n Wheels Expedition: to be tracked down in web archives
MY EUROPE BASE
ZELL-MOSEL RHINELAND
great for cycling!
Enjoy the continent from our delightful riverside holiday apartments in a key cycling spot, Zell on Mosel, Rhineland.
Zell is midway on the Mosel Bike Path that runs from Trier to Koblenz and popular for downhill and x-country riding.
In easy one day reach by train are bike paths along the Rhine Gorges, Saar, Sauer, Kyll, Lahn, Nahr, Ahr and Main Rivers.
Rail trails include the Venntrail (125km), Hessen (245km) and shorter trails in neighbouring Eifel and Hunsruck regions.
Our bikes are free for guests staying one week or more.
Fly Ryanair from nearby Frankfurt-Hahn Airport.
See Outbike's Europe page and website
OUTBACK QLD
RAIL-ROAD-RIDE
A ROAD BIKE RIDE IN 4 STAGES
MAY-JUN 2023
This is a road bike ride in four stages on Queensland's growing network of sealed remote roads.
Each stage begins or ends at points serviced by Queensland Rail and with the event we hope to demonstrate how outback road-cycling can match well with QR's trains.
Overnight camps will be in towns, beside remote pubs and rest areas. We may have a camp on a cattle station.
Distances will vary from 64 to 230 km.
There are a good number of rest days at key points.
Come for one, two or three stages or come for all!
Companions can travel on our bus at a reduced rate.
1. 'Dig Tree Dash' 1600 km, 11 ride days:
Moree - Boomi - Nindigully Pub - Bollon (rest day) - Cunnamulla - Eulo - Thargomindah - Coopers Creek (rest day) - Eromanga - Quilpie - Charleville
2. 'Qantas 101' 535 km, 5 ride days:
Charleville - Augathella - Tambo - Blackall - Isiford - Longreach
3. 'Min Min Lights' 840 km, 5 ride days:
Longreach - Winton (rest day) - Middleton - Boulia (rest day) - Dajarra - Mt Isa
4. 'Gulf Country' 870 km, 8 ride days:
Mt Isa - Cloncurry - Terry Smith Rest Area - Burke & Wills Roadhouse - drive to Lawn Hill Gorge for 3 nights (2 rest days) - Bang Bang Rest Area - Normanton - Karumba (2 rest days) - Croydon - Georgetown/Forsayth. Option to jump on the Inlander and Gulflander trains and cycle 270km less!
Stages 1 and 3 are tougher averaging 150 and 170 km per riding day. Stages 2 and 4 are milder averaging 110 and 125 km per riding day.
Costs are approx $1100 per week with camping, breakfasts, ride-day lunches & support.
Registrations open Jan 2022.
More information at our Arcadia Travel site and full programme on request: arcadiatravel.com.au/outbike-outback-queensland-rail-road-ride/
Ralph on the road
Reddish UK
1983
group charter RIDES
WE CAN PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR SMALL GROUPS
SE QLD MOUNTAIN COUNTRY 9 DAYS
IPSWICH LOOP VIA BRISBANE VALLEY RAIL TRAIL, BUNYA MTNS, DARLING DOWNS, CLIFTON, WARWICK, CONDAMINE RIVER ROAD / WATERFALLS WAY & BOONAH.
ONE VEHICLE SUPPORT
SUITS APRIL TO SEPTEMBER
Ride Ipswich to Ipswich on this spectacular 600km rail trails and sealed back roads circuit ride. No bus transfers needed!
We ran this in 2015 - even better now with Brisbane Valley Rail Trail complete.
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BUNDABERG TO TAMWORTH 930KM 15 DAYS
Back roads, mostly sealed, with overnights at Gin Gin, Mt Perry, Gayndah, Mundubarra, Boondoomah Homestead, Jandowae, Dalby, Milmerran, Inglewood, Texas, Ashford, Inverell, Bundarra and Bendemeer. All days between 40 and 90 kms.
Camping with options to upgrade.
Transfers can be offered Noosa/Gympie to Bundaberg and from Tamworth to Sydney.
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IPSWICH TO NOOSA 310KM 7 DAYS
Ride Queensland's two long-distance rail trails, the Brisbane Valley and South Burnett. Transfers on our bus from end of SBRT to Nambour or Noosa.
Overnights in Lowood, Toogooloowah, Blackbutt, Nanango, Wondai and Goomeri.
Camping with options to upgrade.
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NOOSA RIDES 5-7 DAYS
Combine a resort-stay in 4-star apartments with 3 or 4 days of rides, taking back roads and trails with transfers on our bus to give extended possibilities.
SOME OF OUR HIRE BIKES (AUS):
Gary Turner 27.5 MTB (S)
Giant 27.5 MTB (L)
Also Reid 26" MTBs (M/L) and single speed.
SOUTH EAST AUSTRALIA
When SE Australia opens up again we will ramp up rides, let's hope for mid-2021 onwards?
Broadly, we're keen to link rail trails, back-road cycling and modest doses of touring/sightseeing on our mini-coaches in South Australia, Victoria and NSW.
Destinations to include:
SA: Clare Valley, Barossa Valley, McLarenvale, Coorong, Coonawarra and Limestone Coast regions
VIC: Port Fairy, Great Ocean Road, Goldfields, Gippsland, Dandenongs, Alps, Murray River, Portland regions
NSW: Eastern Riverina, Southern Highlands, Great North Road, New England, Northern Rivers
Outbike acknowledges the traditional owners of country right across Australia, recognising their continuing connection to land, waters, community and culture. We pay our respects to elders past, present and future.
MORE OUTBACK GROUP RIDE IDEAS
Eyre Peninsula / Flinders Ranges / Lake Mungo, Darling & Murray Rivers. Quiet outback roads, sealed and dirt.
So much potential out there!
2021 loopy weekends
20-21 Feb: Ride an easy weekend, combining the BVRT from Blackbutt to Yarraman then back roads to Cooyar, a night in (or camped next to) the pub - and a Sunday morning back roads ride (includes gravel) returning to Blackbutt. Park your car at Blackbutt - or ride our transfers in from Caboolture, Sunshine Coast or Noosa.
Just $50 and we'll carry your kit. Nominal charge for camping. Single rooms from $30. Transfers from $50 return. Up to 40 participants.
6-7 Mar: Similar to above with more kms on Sunday morning.
More weekend loops are planned in SE Qld, combining sections of the BVRT and SBRT with overnights in towns like Proston and Crows Nest.
We typically run from one to several Outbike events a year but with Covid limiting travel, we're now keeping around SE Queensland in 2021.
Follow our Facebook page for first notices of events @outbikeaustralia
GULF 2 GULF 2022 confirmed
OUR TRANSCONTINENTAL EPIC, the Gulf 2 Gulf we last ran in May-June 2019 (and before that 2016).
This is 30 days to cross Australia's remote outback from Port Augusta SA via Birdsville to Karumba Qld.
2022 dates are 4 May to 6 June including the transfers at both ends. Pre-registrations are open - we'll hold places until end of June 2021 without deposit and no obligation.
An extra 2022 ride is now added. This follows on and runs southbound. Depart cairns 10 June, ride starts 13 June.
NOOSA bike HIRE
ARCADIA TRAVEL
NOOSA JUNCTION
If you're in Noosa call in and say hello at our independent adventure-biased travel agency.
We have a mix of bikes available for day or multi-day hire.
We are Shop 5 Arcadia Walk (by the stairs).
On the Birdsville Track 2016
Outbike Australia
Epic (and shorter) rides of Australia's Outback, Rail Trails and a little bit of Europe / Facebook @outbikeaustralia
Contact OUTBIKE at our independent travel/aventure shop, Arcadia Travel Noosa go@arcadiatravel.com.au
https://arcadiatravel.com.au/outbike
SOME OF OUR HIRE BIKES (EUR):
Cube drop-handlebar racers x 2 (L)
Cube straight-bar/cyclocross x 3 (S-M-L)
BUNDABERG TO IPSWICH RIDE 11 DAYS
VIA BURNETT REGION & BRISBANE VALLEY RAIL TRAIL
ONE VEHICLE SUPPORT
SUITS APRIL TO SEPTEMBER
Ride Bundaberg to Murgon and on to Ipswich on this 620km sealed back roads and rail trails ride. Follows proposed Bundaberg to Mt Perry Rail Trail, Boolboondah Tunnel Rail Trail, Gayndah Heritage Railway Rail Trail, proposed Proston Rail Trail, Murgon to Kingaroy on the South Burnett Rail Trail - and entire Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.
Well over 200km is on established rail trails.
Sunshine Coast, Gympie, Maryborough and Hervey Bay residents, this is all within 250km radius.
Brisbane residents are OK to join Stage 2.
Bundy residents are OK to join Stage 1.
Stage 1 Bundaberg to Murgon 370km in 6 days
Satge 2 Murgon to Ipswich 250km in 5 days