We run from one to several Outbike events a year - between other adventure and travel things we do.
For the rest of 2020, our plans are fluid and we may post SE Qld rides at short notice. Follow our Facebook page for first notices @outbikeaustralia
Stay tuned...
UPDATEd 04 SEP 2020
With distant travel out, Queensland is our turf for now...
< LEFT HAND COLUMN has upcoming rides in order that have firm dates (or almost firm)
v COLUMN BELOW mostly shows group charter possibilities and ride ideas for the future
GULF 2 GULF 2022
OUR TRANSCONTINENTAL EPIC, the Gulf 2 Gulf we last ran in May-June 2019 (The Bike 'n Wheels Expedition).
Congratulations to our 13 riders who took 30 days to cross Australia's remote outback from Port Augusta SA to Birdsville and on to Karumba Queensland. However, flood waters across the northern end of the Birdsville Track meant we missed out on 4 days of riding - replaced by a 5 day dusty bus adventure via the Strzelecki Track, Innamincka and Coopers Creek.
Next event will start 4 May 2022.
Expressions of interest welcome - we have about 6 so far.
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 over 3-4 weeks 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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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
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
SOUTH EAST AUSTRALIA
When SE Australia opens up again we will ramp up rides. 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
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NE VICTORIA RAIL TRAILS 7 DAYS
Target dates: from November 2020
Frequency: once or twice over summer
Ride the new Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail, then 6 days around the NE & Central Victoria rail trail network. Transfers on our bus between trails and our accoms.
Camping and accommodation choices.
Let's wait and see.
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
ARCADIA TRAVEL
NOOSA JUNCTION
If you're in Noosa call in and say hello at our independent adveneture-friendly travel agency.
NO FEES - we don't charge for consulting and we don't add-on agency fees if you need to cancel.
We are Shop 5 Arcadia Walk (by the stairs).
OUTBACK QLD
RAIL-ROAD-RIDE
A ROAD BIKE RIDE IN 4 STAGES
MAY-JUN 2021
Our next Outbike Outback epic will be 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. Longest days are 209 and 230 km. 5 days will do 160 to 200 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 22 April to 4 May:
Moree - Boomi - Nindigully Pub - Bollon - Cunnamulla - Eulo - Thargomindah - Coopers Creek - Eromangah - Quilpie - Charleville
2. 'Qantas 101' 535 km 6 to 10 May:
Charleville - Augathella - Tambo - Blackall - Isiford - Longreach
3. 'Min Min Lights' 840 km 14 to 20 May:
Longreach - Winton - Boulia - Dajarra - Mt Isa
4. 'Gulf Country' 870 km 23 May to 3 June:
Mt Isa - Cloncurry - Burke & Wills Roadhouse - drive to Lawn Hill Gorge for 2 nights - Normanton - Karumba - 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 km per riding day.
Costs are based on: $200 per riding day with camping, breakfasts, lunches & support / plus $50 per rest day with camping and breakfast
Expressions of interest welcome.
More information at our Arcadia Travel site: https://arcadiatravel.com.au/outbike-outback-queensland-rail-road-ride/
The idea of cycling remote Outback Australia trails with support became Outbike in 2004.
It started with Alice to Coober Pedy (all dirt, 14 days, 900kms) and in 2005 we added the Gulf-to-Gulf across Australia, Port Augusta to Karumba via Birdsville in 30 days, 2200km (most recently 2016, 2019).
In 2016 and 2018 Outbike ran 23-day rides of the WW1 Western Front from the North Sea to Switzerland.
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)
BUNDABERG TO GLADSTONE
480KM 7 DAYS
Past event: Sun 12 to Sat 18 July 2020
We may run more like this while we're restricted to Qld.
MT PERRY & BOYNE VALLEY
We rode Bundaberg to Gladstone in 7 days on this 480km back roads ride through the scenic North Burnett Region following proposed Mt Perry and Boyne Valley Rail Trails.
1. Bundaberg <53km> Gin Gin
2. Gin Gin <54km> Mt Perry
3. Mt Perry <73km> Gayndah
4. Gayndah <75km> Eidsvold
5. Eidsvold <78km> Waratah Hotel (north of Monto)
6. Waratah Hotel <69km> Ubobo
7. Ubobo <77km> Gladstone
Links to Facebook pages supporting the proposed rail trails: #boyneburnettinlandrailtrail #bundyrailtrail
We'll carry your kit (with our 21 seat bus and trailer) and set up one or two support points per day.
We will pick you up if you need.
Cost $500 per rider.
Plus meals and accom extra.
We'll have supplies for breakfasts and enroute lunches where local options are limited.
Camp or accom choices each night.
Pop up tents, mats & sleeping bags we can provide (no extra charge) or bring your own.
Start and end Bundaberg and Gladstone rail stations.
Transfers for riders and bikes from Gladstone back to Bundaberg included (same day).
Transfers to/from Nambour Station rider+bike+bags add $100 each way (on first and last days).
Maximum 20 riders.
Maximum 12 riders+bikes on the transfer stages.
MORE OUTBACK RIDE POSSIBLES 2021 & BEYOND
Eyre Peninsula West Coast / Flinders Ranges / Lake Mungo, Darling & Murray Rivers. Ride on quiet outback roads, sealed and dirt. Accom at farms, holiday homes, pubs, cabins, camping etc.
Transfers will be offered from/to major centres (depending on ride, Sydney, Adelaide, Alice, Brisbane, Cairns etc).
Small numbers. So much potential out there!
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
enquiries:
arcadiatravel.com.au/s-e-queensland-mountain-country-9-days-600km/
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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CLUB ride support?
Mini-coaches + trailers: We have 4 sets now, with coach seating and extended legroom for 18 to 21 passengers. We also have special 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.
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.
BUNDABERG TO IPSWICH RIDE 11 DAYS
VIA BURNETT REGION & BRISBANE VALLEY RAIL TRAIL
ONE VEHICLE SUPPORT
SUITS APRIL TO SEPTEMBER
enquiries:
arcadiatravel.com.au/bundaberg-to-ipswich-bike-ride-11-days/
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
On the Birdsville Track 2016
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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)
Ralph on the road
Reddish UK
1983
SOME OF OUR HIRE BIKES (EUR):
Cube drop-handlebar racers x 2 (L)
Cube straight-bar/cyclocross x 3 (S-M-L)