Welcome to the latest edition of Outbike news! There have been a lot of exciting things happening with Outbike recently, so we’ll try and fill you in on it all…
A New Direction for Outbike
Outbike started in June 2004 with the ‘out-there’ idea of a 900 km ride from Alice Springs to Coober Pedy, following a string of remote trails through the Simpson Desert and far north of South Australia.
Outbike was the brain child of Ralph Jackson of Wayward Bus, an award winning adventure tour company started in 1990 by Ralph, a keen cycle tourer. But it took 14 years before he started running bike rides!
Building on two successful rides in 2004, the 2005 programme offered three more of the same and introduced a new event, The Bike ‘n Wheels Expedition, taking 30 days to cross Australia from Port Augusta to Karumba (in the direction of 19th century explorers Burke and Wills).
In 2006, we crossed Australia again on another successful Bike ‘n Wheels Expedition, and led two successful Alice Springs to Coober Pedy rides over the winter months.
Outbike is now looking at expanding our horizons. Kangaroo Island, Adelaide gourmet regions and further afield lie some great cycling possibilities which we plan to take hold of.
In March 2007, Outbike was purchased by The Adventure Collective, led by Peter Solly, former CEO of Bicycle SA and founder of the Australian Centre for Excellence in Cycle Tourism; Emma Ringer, former staff journalist for Bicycling Australia Magazine and editor of Where to Ride magazine; and Ben Weigl, tour guide, traveller and adventurer.
Passionate about cycling, the trio are dedicated to taking Outbike to a new level!
The Adventure Collective is all about connecting people and places in the pursuit of adventure. Whether by bicycle, on foot or over water, we are committed to presenting our customers with premium quality products and services around the globe.
With a team solely committed to excellence in cycle tourism, The Adventure Collective brings to Outbike professionalism, enthusiasm and highest quality customer service.
We look forward to sharing the adventure with you.
Bike ‘n Wheels – underway!
The third edition of the famed Bike ‘n Wheels Expedition is currently underway, and the riders are out there having a ball! They’ve conquered the Flinders Ranges and are just about to head onto the Birdsville Track for over 500 km of some of the most remote pedalling in Australia. Once they reach Birdsville, they will spend a memorable ANZAC Day with interesting characters at the famous Birdsville pub. Next it’s on to Mount Isa, travelling through the recently green Channel Country, before reaching the Gulf of Carpentaria at the end of a trip of a lifetime.
This is a particularly special ride for one of our cyclists, John, who celebrates his 80th birthday along the way! Certainly this will be a birthday to remember.
Don’t miss out on next year’s Bike ‘n Wheels Expedition! Now’s the time to book in your leave for this 30 day adventure. Make sure you pencil the 9 April to 8 May 2008 into your diary for the adventure of a lifetime! If you’ve been putting it off, now’s the time to get planning so you don’t miss out.
The Great Outback Bike Ride: Trains, Pubs ‘n Bones
Momentum is growing for the first ever edition of the most unique ride in Australia. And it’s not too late to join us! The Great Outback Bike Ride is a cycling adventure in five stages, from Forsayth in northern Queensland, to Griffith in NSW’s Riverina.
Stage details are as follows:
Pre-ride • 16-17 MAY • SAVANNAHLANDER TRAIN • CAIRNS TO FORSAYTH
Jump aboard the famous ‘silver bullet’ for a two-day journey you won’t forget! Jump aboard the Savannahlander for half the price! Special deal for riders on the Great Outback Bike Ride – pay just $95 for this amazing two-day journey. Book directly with Savannahlander – call 1800 793 848 or visit www.savannahlander.com.au for more.
STAGE 1 • 18-25 MAY • 470 KM* • FORSAYTH TO HUGHENDEN • $1320
Gorges galore! Enjoy stunning Cobbold and Porcupine Gorges - a real oasis!
STAGE 2 • 26-30 MAY • 390 KM* • HUGHENDEN TO LONGREACH • $825
In the footsteps of dinosaurs... Follow the trail of prehistoric creatures.
STAGE 3 • 31 MAY – 9 JUNE • 600 KM* • LONGREACH TO QUILPIE • $1650
Jump up country! Check out the birthplace of Qantas and the Stockman’s Hall of Fame in Longreach... You’ll discover why Banjo Patterson was so inspired by this region.
STAGE 4 • 10-17 JUNE • 570 KM* • QUILPIE TO BOURKE • $1320
Lizard racing, mud baths and date wine - only in Outback QLD!
STAGE 5 • 18-23 JUNE • 540 KM* • BOURKE TO GRIFFITH • $990
From mining country into the fertile NSW Riverina, where some of the nation’s best food and wine awaits!
Rail Connections
Want to know how to get to and from each stage? go to www.outbike.com.au (link at the top of the page) go to The Great Outbike Bike Ride and follow the links.
Desert Dreaming
The best way to get out this winter is to jump aboard Outbike’s Original ride. This 14-day mountain bike adventure explores the remote corners of the Simpson Desert on its way from Alice Springs to Coober Pedy. The route travels along the Old Andado Track, to Mount Dare and Dalhousie Hot Springs, to quirky little Oodnadatta and through the Painted Desert on the way to underground Coober Pedy. It’s a challenge but along the way you will encounter a beauty in Outback Australia that you never thought imaginable.
There are spaces available on the July and September trips. Email us at info@outbike.com.au if you would like to find out more.
This is one you don’t want to miss…
Outbike: Out There and Beyond…
For those of you who have been on any of our rides lately, you would have heard whisperings of an epic ride through Africa – something we know many of you are interested in! Ben travelled across to Africa late last year to scope out ideas for a route and came back more excited about the concept than ever.
Planning for the trip is underway, and we would love to have you all along for the ride. At this stage it looks like the trip will travel through the south-western country of Namibia, in September 2008.
About Namibia
Bordered by the South Atlantic Ocean, South Africa, Botswana, Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe, Namibia is a gem for those in search of wilderness and has enjoyed almost two decades of stability since achieving independence in 1990.
Today Namibia is a peaceful country which is economically prosperous as a result of its productive mining, fishing, tourism and agricultural industries. Essentially a desert country, Namibia offers contrasting landscapes. The desolate Namib Desert is said to be the oldest in the world, with its high dunes and awe-inspiring sense of space. The central plateau, with its thorn bush savannah and rugged mountains, rising abruptly from the plains, gives way to the majestic Fish River Canyon in the south. In the north of the country, landscapes range from dense bush and open plains of the great Etosha Pan, to woodland savannah and lush vegetation.
The Etosha national park, the third largest in Africa, owes its unique landscape to the Etosha Pan, a vast shallow depression of approximately 5000 km². A series of waterholes along the southern edge of the pan guarantee rewarding and often spectacular game viewing. Germanic influence can still be found in the country's good road infrastructure, well-equipped rest camps throughout the country and most cities' architecture. The perfect choice for nature lovers and amateur photographers alike.
More information and images can be found at www.namibiatourism.com.na
If you are interested in finding out more about Outbike Africa, email us at info@outbike.com.au with ‘Africa’ in the subject line and we’ll make sure you receive all the information as it becomes available.
Summer in Adelaide – Perfect for Cycling!
Adelaide is the place to be this summer for lovers of cycling. The Tour Down Under is the highlight of the year for cycling enthusiasts, but you don’t have to be an elite level cyclist to enjoy the action. Alluring Adelaide is our premium luxury cycling trip, taking in wineries, top rated accommodation and delicious gourmet food on a seven-day trip which meanders through the Barossa, the Hills and Kangaroo Island.
Watch out for our Tour Down Under packages, which will be announced soon…
That’s all for now! Happy pedalling, from the Outbike Crew.
