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Originally Posted On: https://www.routespunkt.app/post/biking-through-the-great-australian-outback-on-a-bicycle-with-tubeless-tires
Biking through the Great Australian Outback on a bicycle with tubeless tires
The Great Australian Outback is an off-road cyclist’s dream. The near-endless expanse is a true wilderness and – as if things couldn’t get any better – almost completely dry!
Spending a few weeks in this civilization-free part of the world has always been dangerous. You have to fend for yourself! But advances in bicycle technology, like tubeless tires, are making it safer and more thrilling at the same time. Equipment is less prone to failure, and you are less likely to find yourself up a creek without the proverbial paddle.
Cycling through the Great Australian Outback brings you a feeling of solitude. It’s a place to feel truly alone, unless you plan on taking some cycling buddies with you.
But it’s more than just a red desert. The landscape also offers loads of variation, including lakes, streams, mountains, hills, rocky sections, off-road tracks, paths, and the occasional oasis where you can restock.
Surprisingly, the region is also prone to significant temperature changes. The midday sun is fierce, but if you cycle in the early morning or late evening you can benefit from coolness. The nights, as you might expect, can be cold. But that’s okay, provided you have your tent and sleeping bag!
In this post, a seasoned bike tourer wants to tell you about her bicycling journey through the Great Australian Outback, and what happened on taking up this incredible challenge. Reading this, you’d learn about the planning involved, the places visited, and the things to avoid en route. Bon Voyage!
Preparing for my Biking Journey on my Bicycle
Preparing to cycle through the Great Australian Outback was different from any other bicycling expedition I’ve been on. I had to take the climate and environment into consideration, and the fact I would be a long way from help during most of my journey.
Therefore, top of the list of priorities was to choose the proper equipment and gear. I needed a bicycle that could continue serving me, no matter what the Outback threw at me.
Tubeless Tires
My first decision was to go tubeless. Removing the complications that come with inner tubes would make my trip less prone to sudden stoppages. I’ve used conventional tires in the past, but they many a times seemed to go flat at the most inconvenient times, interrupting my cycling and forcing me to repair them regardless of conditions.
But with tubeless tires, that’s less of an issue. These can go flat, but long fixes are less likely because they can self-repair.
As you might guess, tubeless tires don’t rely on inner tubes to remain inflated. Instead, they maintain pressure by creating a tight seal with the wheel rim. Pumping them up the first time is a hassle unless you have compressed CO2. But once the bead is on the rim, they tend to stay in place.
Filling them with tire sealant, a milky liquid you squirt into the tire via the valve, makes them even more reliable. This substance reacts with the air whenever you get a puncture, creating a rideable seal that can last for the tire’s remaining life.
Of course, tire pressure will go down when this happens, but you don’t need to bother with puncture repair kits. You simply wait a few minutes for the compound to rubberize and go on your way again.
Another benefit of tubeless tires is that you don’t need to carry puncture repair kits. A spare inner tube is still helpful, but one or two will suffice, not four or five.
However, I’d still recommend taking a spare tubeless tire and some compressed air, even with a tubeless setup. A catastrophic flat is unlikely, but it can happen when cycling over jagged rocks.
Gearbox
My next kit decision was to choose a bike with a Pinion gearbox. Again, I wanted equipment that wouldn’t fail on me in the middle of nowhere.
Pinion is a German company founded by ex-Porsche engineers. Its C.12 gearbox fits where the bottom bracket usually goes and provides more range than standard SRAM and Shimano gearing systems you might use off-road (like Shimano’s XT set). However, it is only compatible with select frames with the proper mounting.
Pinion’s gearboxes are completely self-contained. I like them because you don’t need to oil them before riding and there are no derailleurs.
I didn’t even use a chain on my setup. That’s because Pinion makes their system compatible with Gates’s belt drive, a more robust and reliable component that won’t suddenly snap during tough ascents!
Pinion gearboxes can go 1,000 miles between services (more than enough for my trip). And when the time comes for a service, all you need to do is inject lubricant into the gearing mechanism. That’s it.
Titanium Frame
Strictly speaking, I didn’t need a titanium frame for cycling through the Australian Outback. But I wanted one anyway because of the material’s superior properties.
Yes, it’s expensive and my frame cost me a lot. But the improved rideability, strength, and weight were all worth it.
Titanium metal is better than carbon fiber because it is forgiving. While it might be slightly heavier, it has the malleability people love about metal frames, making it a no-brainer for my trip.
It’s also strong, which is why companies like BAE and Raytheon use it in aerospace projects. A cracked frame in the Outback is a massive problem, so titanium was the safe option.
Other Bicycle Equipment
For me, tubeless tires, a Pinion gearbox, and a titanium frame formed the core of my bicycle setup. However, there are other bits and pieces I included for the adventure.
One was a secure pannier rack. I like the designs that fit onto the chainstays (not just the seatpost). These are more stable and less prone to failure.
I also wanted a bicycle with optional clipless pedals. Crank Brothers’ Mallets are a good option for long rides because they keep my feet in place on bumpy tracks while providing a larger surface area for support. You can try pedals designed for racing, but these could be less suitable for longer journeys.
Additional Equipment
Top of my list of additional equipment is a GPS phone. These don’t need cell towers nearby for emergency calls (most of the Australian Outback has zero conventional phone network coverage) but require a subscription. With these, you can call for help wherever you are.
iPhone 14 onwards, you can connect your iPhone to a satellite to text emergency services, request roadside assistance, and share your location with friends and family — all while you’re off the grid with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. This service is free for two years from activation, and Apple’s Emergency SOS via Satellite is available in Australia and New Zealand.
I also carry tubeless tire repair plugs for situations when the sealant doesn’t work. These come in small kits with tools for pushing plugs into holes and gashes. Most can last hundreds of miles before failing.
Other items I carry include:
● Lights for night cycling
● Energy and electrolyte tablets for my water (staying hydrated on long rides in the Outback can be challenging)
● CO2 canisters for tubeless tires with a hand pump for topping up the pressure
● Panniers
● Bottle with a filter
● Light raincoat
● Helmet
● General camping gear
● Freeze-dried food
Route Planning – taking the Mawson Trail
Once I had the equipment I needed to survive for a week in the Outback, the next step was to plan the route. Where would I go?
This part was quite challenging because there aren’t many landmarks in this vast wilderness. And the points of interest that exist are few and far between.
Therefore, I decided to follow the path forged by others and take the Mawson Trail. This ride covers over 900 kilometers of pure Australian Outback, taking riders through some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. For many keen cyclists, it is a bucket list ride.
Fortunately for me, the Mawson Trail is marked with plenty of signage along the route. However, as with any trail in the middle of nowhere, it’s still possible to get lost, so I took my GPS with me to ensure I was on the correct route. I also took a backup map and compass – in case of a flat battery.
The route goes from Adelaide in South Australia to Blinman in the Flinders Range. It’s not quite as isolated as Western Australia, but it still provided the Outback experience I wanted. The terrain is mixed with a combination of single-track, fire roads, and dirt trails with changing scenery along the way.
My Adventure – bicycling the Great Australian Outback
So, what happened on my Great Australian Outback adventure?
Day 1: Adelaide to Kapunda (149 km)
Day one started as you might expect – riding out of Adelaide. The city has plenty of paved cycle paths through parkland to exit eastwards into the wilderness.
This first section was a chance for me to get used to my new bicycle setup. Riding with a Pinion gearbox with the grip-shifter was odd for someone used to flicking gears. On my gearbox, you can shift up and down on some gears under pedal pressure, but not others, so I practiced stopping pedaling before changing gears.
If you’re going for a new setup, please note:
In 2024, there’s a new Trigger Gear Shifter for Pinion gearbox that enables gear shifting under pedal load.
As you leave Adelaide, you eventually reach the infamous Corkscrew Road climb. Here, the familiar smell of smooth, hot bitumen fills your nostrils as you climb higher onto the official start of the Mawson Trail.
Fortunately, the road quickly yields to a dirt track, but the gradient remains incredibly steep. Most riders go into the granny ring for this part. But I shifted my Pinion into the lowest climbing gear and cranked my way up to the top without any problems.
Reaching the peak, the landscape treats you to views of Mt. Misery and the northern part of Adelaide. I could see the jagged landscape rumbling off into the distance.
Continuing along the Mawson Trail, I hit some white dirt roads as I approached the Barossa Valley. These have an Italian feel, like riding through central Italy.
Later in the afternoon, I reached the campsite near Kapunda, an older European settlement. It has plenty of places to stock up on food and there are hotels nearby if you don’t feel like camping.
Day 2: Kapunda to Mount Bryan (153 km)
The next leg was from Kapunda to Mount Bryan. The calm weather on this section let me soak in the beauty of the route and enjoy my bicycle setup.
Most of this part runs through fields with plenty of stop-off points to enjoy the long grass. The best bit was the dedicated bike path along the Clare Valley which runs slightly uphill. This section offers attractive scenery and has plenty of room for when you’re riding alongside friends.
Interestingly, parts of this area feel like the countryside in the UK. The trail runs through gently rolling hills, with old-fashioned stone alongside the paths like the Yorkshire Dales.
The final leg of this day had me pushing through a barren cattle-farming region near Hallett. Eventually, Mount Bryan came into view, and I set up to camp for the night.
Day 3: Mount Bryan to Melrose (183 km)
The day from Mount Bryan to Melrose was the longest of the trip. After de-camping, I set off in the cool, crisp morning air wondering what adventures would await me.
This section of the Mawson Trail is mostly farming country, passing through miles of sheep-laden fields along wide farming roads. However, eventually, the monotony gave way to an aqueduct track, the first proper singletrack of the journey so far. The best part was the sharp twisting sections and changes in elevation. But gates along the way broke up the experience, which annoyed me. (I was having so much fun, I didn’t want to stop!)
There were also plenty of infamous bindi thorns in this section. But my tubeless setup held up well and I didn’t get any punctures. (I’m sure if I’d been riding with inner tubes, I would have been stopping every few miles to apply a patch).
This section was also the first time I saw kangaroos en masse. The creatures were everywhere and didn’t have the intelligence to move out of the way of the path, running alongside me instead in a panicked frenzy.
The steep rocky section near Jamestown was challenging (like the climb out of Adelaide two days earlier). But the mountain rewarded me on the other side with a fun descent with rocks and branches along the route to make it more interesting.
The rest of the afternoon was pine forests and livestock tracks – familiar to anyone who spends time off-road. However, the steep 4×4 tracks along this section were still fun, letting me test out the high gears.
Day 4: Melrose To Hawker (183 km)
The section from Melrose to Hawker is another long one, so I knew I’d have to get up early to arrive at my destination at a reasonable hour.
Melrose is a mountain biking destination, so I started the day by finding the local trails and testing them out. While there, I met some riders who knew the routes well and took me on a tour. Then, I picked up the Mawson farm road out of town.
This section was one of the weirdest of the route so far. The track ran straight as far as the eye could see, cutting through the landscape like a knife. However, I found it mesmerizing. As I continued, the greenery and shrubbery began to give way to dark red earth and I knew I was entering Australia’s true Outback, leaving civilization behind.
During this section, stud horses ran alongside my bicycle, manes billowing in the wind. Everyone was experiencing the joy of just being in this incredible environment.
Eventually, I arrived at Quorn, a small historic frontier town with a rich history. Nearby were plenty of stores to restock and an interesting museum that explained more about the settlement’s origins and history.
After lunch, I headed back out onto the trail for more punishment. This part of the route was sandier than the previous section and the rutting grew. I was riding a hardtail but was glad I had my Fox Factory forks up front with ultra-low stiction. These soaked up most of the bumpiness, stopping my hands and arms from getting tired.
The sand, though, was annoying and some sections of the trail were unrideable. But these didn’t last too long, and I could maintain my speed quite well.
The heat was another problem. I needed water, but I knew there weren’t many places to stop along the way, and creeks were few and far between.
As this section continued, the landscape became even more deserted. Trees all but disappeared, leaving only shrubs in their wake.
Eventually, though, Hawker came into view as the sun set behind the Flinders range. After a day of cycling in the hot sun, I was glad that rest was just around the corner.
Day 5: Hawker To Blinman North (170 km)
The final section from Hawker was one of the loneliest of the entire trip. The rain overnight made the first section out of the town boggier than usual. Mud clung to my tires, increasing the energy I had to expend.
However, once the first dirt road was out of the way, the sun began to firm everything up and I was back on the dirt tracks I love.
In this section, I saw several 4x4s enjoying the route. However, I was worried about my visibility and whether they would see me in time.
After a while, the sun began beating down and any remaining mud stuck on my tires began to flake off. During this section, the track passed through a valley between two mountain ranges, providing ample photo opportunities. The route was a bit fuzzy here, but I wasn’t too bothered because I was prepared for this section of the Mawson trail. I knew it was the bumpiest and least well-defined part of the route and that if I kept the mountains in roughly the right position, I would be heading toward my destination.
The last 100 kilometers towards Blinman were the most fun I had on the entire route. These were proper single tracks with various up and down climbs to test my fitness and nerve. On reaching the top of each section, the landscape treated me to more extraordinary views and photo opportunities.
As the sun set, I saw Blinman come into view. Exhausted, I rode the last few kilometers into town and went to a local pub to celebrate my achievement.
Conclusion: Why I’d recommend a Tubeless Tire setup
During my adventure, I saw many other riders riding bicycles with standard tires. But I’m glad I chose to go with a tubeless setup. While it cost me slightly more than the conventional approach, it was well worth it.
Over the duration of this 5-day trip, I have taken regular breaks from biking to log my memorable trip moments as short travel stories in my digital travel diary app.
For starters, I didn’t get a single puncture during the entire 900 km trip. Usually, you would expect at least one or two stoppages. But I didn’t experience any, allowing me to focus on my riding and getting to the next milestone.
As the ride wore on, the fact that I wasn’t getting flats also gave me more confidence. It actually felt good powering through thorny sections without the worry of the fun suddenly coming to an end.
Furthermore, I noticed that pinch flats seemed less likely on tubeless tires. Even on fast-paced rocky sections, the tires seemed to hold up well. Usually, you’d expect punctures to form along pinch points with the rim, but that didn’t happen during my ride. I didn’t notice any milky tire sealant flowing out at any point, and I didn’t need to use my trusty plugs.
Of course, at the end of the trip, the tires looked a little worn. But I think they still have another 1,000 miles in them, despite using a soft compound.
So, whether you are new to touring on a bicycle or are an experienced rider, I’d recommend going tubeless for a Great Australian Outback adventure. It improves almost every aspect of the experience, especially when paired with other kit designed to keep you going and reduce the risk of mechanical failures.
Useful links for a beginner Biker
Clipless Pedals Explained | How To Use Clipless Pedals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXgqsQlFDsA
