Back Country Riding

Back country Riding

Bike Packing combines the skills of all-terrain cycling and self-supported backpacking. It means travel light and travel faster than when hiking.

The Explorers Bike Ride 2024 will provide an opportunity to bike-pack following in the footsteps of Hume and Hovell of 200 years ago.

The ride can be fast or slow. Stopping off at the monuments, to absorb the adventure and the sense of hardship endured by the Explorers, should be the goal of this ride. An appreciation of the enormity of the expedition can add to your achievement. There are no winners, only acknowledgement of participation. The course can be ridden at any time during the Bicentenary year of 2024.

The ride will be challenging. The early stages will follow many gravel roads in the hilly country of Eastern Victoria following a southwesterly line from Albury to Broadford. Approaching Melbourne a short train trip is recommended from Wallen to Craigieburn. Then the route to Werribee involves navigating along many of the bike paths of Melbourne.

A range of bikes can be used but usually, the mountain bike/hybrid with front fork shocks or the newer style Gravel bike design would be best. Both have strong frames and fatter tyres for safer riding on rough tracks and to carry the extra weight of the saddlebags for the camping gear, clothes and supplies. 

The list of camping, clothing, food and cycle gear can be endless depending on your needs but for lighter easier travel, following the maxim – less is more – is the best practice. 

Respect for the trail is a must. Take only photos and leave only your tyre marks as a sign of your passing along the route.