A few months ago Becky Griffiths started her big adventure tackling Australia’s East Coast. Check out her latest update – Sydney to Adelaide, with some helpful tips for your next cycle tour.
If you’ve missed out on the action, don’t worry! You can view Part 1: Sunshine Coast – Sydney here.
Part 2: Sydney – Adelaide
When you imagine Australian weather, what do you think of? Endless sunshine and gentle breezes? Well, think of the complete opposite and that will just about sum up the second half of our trip.
Our journey from Sydney to Adelaide turned out to be a challenging month-long battle against the prevailing wind, which tested us both physically and mentally. It seemed like every Australian we met said they can’t remember the last time they had such a wet and cold Spring. Looks like we chose the wrong year!
Our first rail trail in Victoria from Orbost to Bairnsdale in the rain and shine.
With statewide blackouts, flooding, landslips, morning frosts and hurricane headwinds which were too dangerous to ride in, I could tell you many stories of being soaked to the skin, miserable and wanting to quit. It was tough but all the great moments outweigh the bad and it has given me the most amazing memories that I will treasure for years to come and believe it or not, I have somehow fallen even more in love with cycling.
Since finishing the trip, people have begun approaching me on Social Media asking for advice on how to start out cycle touring. I’m definitely no expert but those couple of months certainly taught me a lot, so perhaps it is the words and encouragement of a fellow beginner that has given people the confidence to start their own adventures. Whatever the reason, I’m so pleased that our trip has inspired people to get out on their bikes and explore, whether it is around their homes or further afield. A cycle tour is something that you will never regret. Well, after the sore backside has settled down that is!
So here are some tips to get you started:
1. Pack as lightly as you can
How lightly you pack is entirely down to you and your personal preferences but I found I really benefitted from packing as lightly as possible. We’ve seen people on bikes loaded with two panniers front and rear, a handlebar bag and a trunk bag over the rear panniers, an almost unbelievable amount of gear. For me, travelling with that much weight would have been too slow and unbearably painful on the hills. I opted for rear panniers and a handlebar bag for my camera. However, it’s important to remember that I was travelling with my partner Joe who also doubled as my own personal packhorse, carrying front and rear panniers and the tent.
We tried not to pack anything beyond the essentials. We had clothes for all weathers, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, wash kits, a gas cooker, cooking utensils, trainers, flip flops (known as thongs/jandals in some exotic places), head torches, bike locks, kindle/books, bike tools and a first aid kit. On top of this, we also carried food for three days and a few luxury items including my laptop with all the associated chargers and cables. In hindsight, there were definitely ways we could have packed lighter. The easiest way would be to splash out on lighter versions of our kit, but because our budget is quite restricted, if we were to do it again we would probably just jettison the inessentials.
2. Go for a practise ride
Before setting off on an adventure, pack your bike up with everything you think you need and then go on a practise ‘shakedown’ ride for a couple of days. This way you’ll soon realise what you do and don’t need. We didn’t do this as I was lucky to have Joe with me who had already been through a tour carrying far too much gear so he was able to show me the difference between what I thought I needed and what I actually needed. It’s amazing, after living with so few belongings for a couple of months you realise just how little you really need.
First hot day since the East Coast. Tyre change in the middle of nowhere, Coorong National Park.
3. Join the website WarmShowers
You may already know about it but just in case you don’t, it is an online cycling community that puts you in touch with wonderful people who will host you in their house, offering you a bed, hot shower and sometimes even food, all for free. When you’ve been travelling on the bike for days on end it is very much appreciated! The community works because of all the lovely, generous people from all over the world. We view it as a karma-based operation and one day we will pass on the generosity to other travellers who need a place to stay or some food in their bellies.
Free accommodation is obviously great, especially in the big cities where a room or even a camp spot cost can take a big chunk out of your budget. However, the best thing about it is meeting people and sharing stories over a beer or three. We have met people who have cycled around the world, climbed the highest mountains, raced bikes across deserts and sailed every ocean out there. The only downside is that after talking to such inspiring people, your bucket list just keeps getting longer! There is also no better way of learning about the best local spots than by staying with the locals. We cannot wait to have our own place so we can host and meet lots more wonderful people.
4. Be prepared for any weather
Take summer and winter cycling clothing, the weather can be pretty unpredictable at the best of times and we experienced first-hand that winter gear comes in very handy, even in Australia! Overshoes are a must, there’s nothing worse than having wet and cold feet for days on end, especially if you have nowhere to dry them out at the end of the day. We also took our down jackets which were great as they weigh very little, are lovely and warm but also make a great pillow if you stuff them inside your sleeping bag case!
After a week of nothing but cold rain we gave in and checked into a hotel, time to dry our stuff!
5. Always carry an emergency bag of sweets
Get yourself a bag of your favourite high sugar confectionery and bury it in the bottom of your bag so you don’t get tempted to eat them at any time. I speak from experience when I say there’s nothing worse than being in the middle of nowhere, running out of energy and not having any sugary food! We dipped into our emergency stash on numerous occasions and I’ll never travel without it.
6. Above all, enjoy it!
As corny as it sounds, it really is the most important part. Remember why you set out in the first place, to have the time of your life! Think of it as a holiday, not a chore. If you don’t have time to train, then just start out slow and gradually build up your distance. You don’t want to go injuring yourself in the first week. Cycling is one of those things that if you keep plugging away you’ll get better at it, even a few miles a week makes a difference so just keep challenging yourself a little more each ride.
Enjoying the sunshine on a chilly day near Canberra.
Even if our adventure has inspired just one person to give cycle touring ago then I’ll count that as a success. It’s been a real eye-opener for me and I’ve come to realise I can push myself much further than I ever imagined. I’m ready for the next challenge! I wonder what it will be…
Checking out the street art in Melbourne.
The famous 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road.
