Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

I have been dreaming of cycling Australia for years and now that I have a friend (Cedric) who is also retired and willing to drive a support vehicle it looks like I can make this happen. I want the ride to be as comfortable as possible; a car hauling your comfy air mattress, tent, bag, food, water etc will be something I would like to share with any other riders who would like to join me. Personally, I would like to sleep indoors as much as possible, but camping will be the only option at times. The expenses of only the rental vehicle, gas, any shared camping meals would be shared by any cyclists joining us. Should you want to camp while others stay in a hotel Cedric will haul your gear where you need it.
My very conservative plan is 60-65 days total with several rest days built into schedule, longer breaks for sightseeing in Adelaide, Melbourne. Legs are usually 100km or less each day. I am a 63 y/o American who has done a few long distance trips in the past, longest was Florida to Oregon in 2016 (4,000 mi/6786 km) - but I am older, fatter and less fit than I was 9 years ago. I managed to cycle from NY to Georgia (1,000 + miles) w/o too much difficulty last year but am more comfortable with 60-70 mile days only.

My 2016 blog pretty much lets you know my background up until my Navy retirement.
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o= ... 17668&v=Vb
Since then I worked in the ER, kids left for college so decided recently to retire.
My strategy for cycling Perth to Sydney are to go in the winter (July-August) when one can expect cool to cold weather and most importantly Westerlies (tailwinds) across Western Australia.
The route is designed to maximize facilities and hotels available and stay on lowest traffic hard surfaced roads*.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bRini9Jymk5hTDmx5
If the pace is too slow you may leave the group at any time and surge on ahead and no longer share pay for the SAG rental car etc. Likewise if by consensus we can all do longer legs, we can discuss route/stops as we go. (Don't have space to lay out all the proposed legs here)
Of course one can ride in the vehicle if they are feeling sick or just off, this isn’t a competition or a race, I just want all to enjoy it and invite others to do it as well. If you are used to weeks long trips great, but I would NOT recommend joining us if this will be your first long distance trip. The biggest challenge imo is the mental effort to cycle day after day across the same treeless landscape. Australia’s deserts make US deserts look like verdant gardens. (Im not worried about Aussie snakes, will probably only see them as road kill - I am afraid of the road trains, I don't want to BE road kill) Music, audiobooks, good food, a comfy rest and friendly faces at the end of the ride are essential to making it enjoyable.
Contact me for more details, best to email me at davidslesser@gmail.com

Happy Trails
Dave Lesser "Doc Bolby"

* I've since been told by an WA Aussie that their dirt tracks are cycleable even if there is a rain (unlike here in Florida, unpaved roads mostly sand/dust usually impossible even w/ mountain bike) - I'm willing to consider taking Hyden to Norseman or other dirt tracks if anyone from WA knows what that track is like after a rain - I'm on 700x35 tires.

First few sections are below, cycle around the Eyre peninsula, ferry across Spencer gulf, after Adelaide it's much more populated and scenic but more hills, at least one segment in Victoria might require camping. (SA/Victoria Coastline is very scenic but very hilly, might take a shortcut inland after Melbourne, will d/w other riders when we get to Adelaide).

https://maps.app.goo.gl/chnJFCKGH3B83gVf9

https://maps.app.goo.gl/MiKETsqrRpxM3jV37


https://maps.app.goo.gl/psakxMe3gAoQhB5f9

Howdo Dave,
seems quite a trip you have scoped out (although talking/ typing distances in miles means very little to us here in Aust...)
Do you have you a rough route ( oh and we say "root" here ) you could post as I consider some of the people here may have ridden parts of the trip that you are thinking of and others of us would definitively not want to do those parts again but maybe keen to link in on doing some sections.
Must say have done a few group rides ( not organised but with friends) between east coast capital cities and also regional towns with someone driving a support vehicle and it is quite a different riding experience to lugging all your own gear, so it maybe interesting for others than most bike tourist.

Anyway, any info help and by posting a rough trip you could get some feedback from here on which are parts maybe worth considering as options - example: no way would I want to bike anywhere around Hyden or Norseman again...

(And I will post my normal reply to others thinking of biking in Aust by highlighting this blog.... A very good insight of what it is long distance biking in the Australian bush is really like in the eyes of someone from a different country
Bike-A-Way
https://bike-a-way.com/

and on Aust

https://bike-a-way.com/tag/australia/

Lots of good info and many fine photos can be found here )

Thanks baabaa,
Google Map is posted, I added more detailed map links showing proposed stops until Ceduna.
I'm planning to hit op shops like Vinnies before the BCF to pick up cheaper used camping/cooking gear any recommendations? Don't want to pay alot for gear but would like butane stove and few pots for meals, maybe the Sunday flea market? (It will be cheaper to buy gear in Perth compared to the extra airline baggage fees)
I've read several good blogs by locals mostly on CGOAB. I'm on 700x35 - max for my frame. Bike-a-way dutch cyclist you cited only matches my route for a few sections and he's on MTB at least 45 width or more so his dirt tracks probably not worth it to avoid traffic ?? Here in Florida dirt tracks are flour-like sand, impossible to cycle dry or muddy, but IF any dirt tracks in Aus are clay soil and NOT 'washboard' it might be an option.
...For instance - there is no friggin way I would/could cycle most of the roads he pictured here even on my steel frame Surley ...
https://bike-a-way.com/2019/10/02/austr ... esperance/

I know I will need fly hat and bug spray. Where in Oz do the dive bombing magpies become a problem? Seems some cyclists put spikes on their helmets to ward them off?
Using Campedia app to select camp sites.
Lots of questions, I know, really really appreciate your help in planning.
Cheers

Sorry I did mean your thoughts on the trip for east of Adelaide - a few people may wish to join in from then on but doubtful many for the middle of Aust stuff
Also my guess / recommendation is go the south coast way (and go slow) of WA to Albany then go more and around the coast to Esperance.

To be honest the inland parts of WA are interesting if you like primary production but the distances are lots of seeing the same thing for many days ( but the Stirling Range National Park is worth a look) The coast at that time of year is pretty special.

Um been a while since I lived in Perth but would think you may find it hard to get what you want and when from apart from the bigger shops like paddy pallin or kathmandu ot door shops. If you are concerned about the cost of airline luggage buying bits second hand can be a lottery. Maybe buy from the two above in Perth and donate back to them before your fight out of Syd or melb?

You could try and contact these groups with a wishlist of what you think you may need and they can post it to Perth - the Canberra shop has closed of late but they may be able to help
https://www.paddypallin.com.au/paddysdi ... ation.html

Fly hats and magpies?
I would be more concerned about drivers who have Victorian number plates and worst still if they are towing a caravan.