Central Australia is an awe inspiring region. Difficult to tackle on a bicycle but possible. The arrival of winter has opened up a window of opportunity for some serious back-country epics but water is a limiting factor. Any off road touring mission is restricted in distance by how much water you can carry. I’ve been scanning the internet for cargo solutions to increase my bikes water carrying capacity. The 16′ wheel of the Bob trailer is too small to handle the soft conditions, the two wheeled Y-Frame trailer is too wide for singletrack (and the 20′ wheels again are too small), but I think I’ve found a solution.. the Extrawheel.
Anyway, I’ve kinda steered away from where I was headed with this post.. I’m not trying to endorse any products or write an advert, instead I wanted to link up some amazing sites I came across during my search.
The first inspiring site I came across was ‘Salt‘. Salt is a movie produced by Cinematographer, Murray Fredericks who annually rides across the salt pan of Lake Eyre on his Surly Pugsly to capture some of the most beautiful landscape images you’ll ever see. Do yourselves a favour and watch the movie trailer. Liam and Mischa, I think you two will especially appreciate the the work undertaken in capturing these frames. Unbelieveable.
The ‘Canning Stock Route Adventure’ also inspired. The trip undertaken by this Polish cyclist crosses landscapes similar to what I face out here. The images on this site are captured with all the skill of your Grandma with a point and shoot camera but they still rock my world. This boy also drags an Extrawheel trailer along with him for the ride.
The final site is ‘bikepacking.net’. This site is dedicated to overnight and multiday offroad adventures (mainly in the US). I spent hours pouring over images of remote trails and high mountain singletrack. So fkn inspiring!
Now, who wants to load up the bike and come for a ride?
Load up and ride off, anytime.
After two extended trips to the Flinders and Gammon Ranges, the first one including the BIrdsville Track to Birdsville and then back down the Strzelecki Track. I am hooked outback touring, how about following the Diamantina north from Birdsville
I like the route Timmy but how about one a tad closer to my place?
Getting to Birdsville is a 4 to 6 day 4WD trek and you really need a convoy of vehicles.. Riding there unsupported is out of the question. You have to cross the Simpson Desert and there are only two watersources at either end. Gnarly.
There is a ride nearer here I’d like to do. Start on the Ernest Giles Road and ride north through Illpurta, Running Waters, along side the Finke river to Boggy Hole. Boggy Hole is an amazing swimming and camping spot. From there North to Hermannsburg. Could be picked up from there?
Probably would take 4 or 5 days to ride.
Thanks for puttin up this stuff ben, absolutely amazing! makes tassie seem like paradise, I smell some BnC adventure competition brewing eh!
Seen this one? http://ridingthespine.com/
One of our shop regulars met these guys in the Andes a few days ago, they’re a mad bunch.
I really want to get in any kind of bike touring, let alone a good an’ proper adventure.
Fuck those timelapse videos are awesome. Keen to see it – cheers for the link Benny!