Great Long Distance Tours

Specialized Rid

Hi everyone,

Earlier this year I took part in the Bike ‘n Wheels Expedition, a 30 day south-north trans-Australia ride. It was amazing! Fully supported, great crew and like minded riders. It was definitely the longest ride I have ever been on, (never rode across a continent before) a full month and 2,300 kilometres! It was a great achievement for me as it was for all the other riders, nothing like straddling a continent.

I saw places and experienced Australia like I never thought I would. Desert landscapes, ancient mountain ranges, crocodile filled waterways and ever changing scenery. Yep, change in the desert, I noticed things that you can only take in on the slow road. I’m a converted desert rider, luv it, but damm is it good to see the sea again!

Check out the blog http://bikenwheelsexpedition.blogspot.com/ which links to a couple of pics if you want.

Outbike is the company that runs this ride and a bunch more. Starting with MTB dirt lover rides to the more boutique kind. I’ve been checking out their new ride for 2007 called ‘The Great Outback, Trains, Pubs ‘n Bones Bike Ride’ and I’m pretty keen, it is even longer but split into 5 stages. They also have a blog http://thegreatoutbackbikeride.blogspot.com/

The ride I did with them was mainly aussies, which was great, although a few more international faces would be great, gives me a chance to hear their touring stories first hand. Does anyone know of any really good international long distance rides that run annually?

The Outbike website is www.outbike.com.au if you’re interested. Might see you down in my part of the world, seeya

Cheers

poweredbysweat

Looks like a lot of fun. I'd love to do it. Maybe when I retire. Are there any old fogeys who only average about 15 MPH on these tours? Do they provide bikes?Shipping back and forth from the US is pretty expensive.

I visited Down Under once, and had a blast there!

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Jim
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Specialized Rid

Classic name...
Yerr there are a fair few oldies, they have the time. But some almost put me to shame, 75 years old and still riding hard! Not the quickest but they just don't stop, head wind and all. I heard on the grape vine that on this years ride there will be a guy having his 80th birthday on the trip, somewhere in the middle of nowhere. I'd be glad if I remember how to ride a bike at 80 let alone ride it arcoss a continent !
They do supply bikes, really nice ones too, Specialized Stump Jumpers, dual suspension. I got myself one after trying out one of there hire bike for a couple of days. It is worth it, as they also look after the maintinece of the their bikes which stops you worring about spares as there arn't too many bike shops out there.
Any chance of getting back to Oz? Did you manage to take in any of this country by the slow road?