From the city to the deep outback, the Mawson Trail is a unique Australian bike ride. Leon Hill makes the tough journey on the Outback Odyssey event. There are some experiences that are unmistakably Australian—climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, gazing on Uluru at first light and cycling the Outback Odyssey. While the latter mightn’t be
Read More…
With a deadline for dinner drawing them on, Peter Foot recounts a beguiling journey through a surprising landscape. Mouldy carpet and body spray. I pull open the door and it hits me—full-bodied, tangy, evocative. It is the smell of the end carriage of a V/Line train. The smell of a thousand trips into the countryside.
Read More…
Just in time for some easy day-touring in the glorious conditions of autumn, Karen Graham suggests some of her favourite rail trails. We were lazing at a train station on a brisk autumn morning when a bike rider approached us. He slowed momentarily to say, “I have it on good authority that the train won’t
Read More…
Often overlooked, Townsville has much to offer the off-road rider, Sarah Down reveals. When it comes to holiday destinations, Queensland’s far-north city of Townsville tends to be overshadowed by its more tourism-focussed neighbour, Cairns. It also has a lesser reputation for mountain biking, with Smithfield Park—the home ground for the UCI Mountain World Cup events—gaining Cairns greater attention.
Read More…
In the world of long distance riding, the Audax club challenges the bold to be bolder still. Sarah Chaplin tells her story of taking on her biggest challenge. The Great Southern Randonnée (GSR) is a 1,200km event that’s held every four years in Victoria’s southwest and is one of Australia’s great Audax long distance rides. It begins
Read More…
Fast or slow, lycra or no, there should be a bike event here for you. Compiled by Simon Vincett. Browse by type here or by month in the list below. Leave your suggestions in the comments at the end. Something to train for: Around the Bay, Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle Challenge, Newcrest Orange Challenge, MS
Read More…
In this second part, Simon Vincett revisits his highlights of 2015 in the commuting–touring spectrum of bikes and riding. Thanks for reading over the past year. What were your highlights? Following on from my colleague Iain Treloar’s list, this is my collection of the highlights of 2015, ranging from products to experiences and from articles to developments in the
Read More…
Offering outstanding scenery, a tropical climate and spectacular roads, Taiwan is the surprising little island with the lot. Words and photography by Iain Treloar. It’s 6am, Saturday, and Taipei is waking up. Outside my hotel window, it’s a 180 degree panorama of skyscrapers, high-density apartment towers, hotels and billboards; lush green mountains wallpaper the gaps between. Fourteen
Read More…
Dreaming of Europe, Mark Temby discovered southern Tasmania is rich cycle touring territory in itself. Where do you ride when you’ve pedalled all the paths, ridden all the rail trails and exhausted the charms of your commute? My mind turned to cycling in France, Italy or along the Danube, and with my wife Cathy, I
Read More…
Nestled on the banks of the Murray River, surrounded by rolling vineyards and gourmet delights, Mildura is the perfect holiday destination to explore by bike, discovers Margot McGovern. Mildura, in my mind, has always been linked with lush vineyards, dried fruit and bike rides. My great-grandparents grew sultanas on a property just outside nearby Merbein
Read More…