How fit do I need to be?

For most of our tours, you will need a reasonable fitness level and experience riding a bike. Most of our tours travel along unsealed dirt roads or tracks, so it's advisable that you have some experience riding on gravel and unsealed surfaces. Our trips are divided into three series, and these give an indication of the amount of cycling to expect:

Escape Series: Combination of cycling, vehicle transfer and other activities. Cycling mainly on sealed roads/unsealed roads (good condition) and the option to cycle as much (or as little) as you like.

Adventure Series: Cycling, walking, kayaking, four-wheel-driving and more. Cycling part or all of each day, along with other activities. Mostly unsealed roads or dirt tracks, may be some rougher off-road surfaces.

Epic Series: Expect to cycle most or all of each day. Mostly unsealed roads or dirt tracks, also expect some sand, corrugations or rocky tracks.

All our trips have a support vehicle, so you always have the option to jump aboard at any stage if your legs (or bum!) need a break.

How much luggage can I bring?

Our vehicles have limited space. For occupational safety and to avoid overloading, bag size must be limited to one duffle-style (i.e. soft luggage, not suitcase) bag per person plus tent and sleeping bag (should they be required) per person (bag size 800mm long x 400 high and 400 wide and not weighing more than 20kg). In addition to this a small daypack will also be allowed. All excess baggage will need to be forwarded on to final destination by passengers prior to departure at the passengers’ own expense.

What about food on the trip?

Most meals will be included as part of our tours, however riders will be required to purchase some meals as advised by ride Fact Sheets and/or tour guide. Our emphasis is on fresh food wherever possible and our meals are nutritious and varied, catering for an active holiday. If you are vegeterian or gluten intolerant we can cater for you, but if you have more specific dietary needs you will need to discuss this with us at the time of booking.

Does my trip include travel insurance?

Travel insurance is NOT included, we strongly advise participants to take out their own travel insurance against illness, injury, loss/damage to personal belongings and not being able to travel on the confirmed departure date.

We recommend Cyclecover Travel Insurance

Do you have a Cancellation Policy?

A cancellation fee of $150 AUD applies up to 90 days prior to departure. 90 days to 60 days prior will result in loss of 50% of deposit or $250 AUD whichever is the greater amount. Within 60 to 30 days of departure, cancellation fee of 50% of full fare applies. Within 30 days of departure or no-show, cancellation fee of 75% of full fare applies and within 14 day 100% of full fare applies.

We will allow you to transfer the amount paid to another tour if done so more than 30 days prior to departure and an administration fee of $100 AUD will apply.

Are there any late fees?

Should a booking be made with less than 30 days prior to departure a late fee of 5% may be charged.

Are there any other fees or surcharges?

If you pay by credit card a flat rate credit card fee of 2% is effective for all credit card transactions direct to The Adventure Collective. This fee is to recoup part of the charges we incur when accepting payment by credit card.

Do I pay National Park Fees?

Yes, there are national park fees to be paid on some of our trips. These fees are an additional cost. Thes fees go toward the upkeep of the national parks we enter.

Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park = $25 AUD, Boat Transfer to Twin Falls (Kakadu NP) = $12.50 AUD, Tasmanian National Parks = $10 AUD. Each of these fees are payable per person, and will be collected by the guide at the begining of the trip.

 

Clothing

We recommend cycling specific clothing for our trips, particularly trips with longer cycling distances. Padded shorts (‘knicks’) are usually Lycra or Spandex, and can also have a baggy outer short (‘shy shorts’). The padding (‘chamois’) reduces pressure on sensitive areas and should be worn without underwear to prevent chafing. Cycling jerseys are made from technical fabrics that wick the sweat away from your body, unlike cotton, which remains damp. They also usually have pockets at the back and a higher neckline than regular t-shirts. A lightweight long-sleeve jersey will keep the sun off your arms. Alternatively, lightweight, collared travel shirts may also be comfortable for cycling in warm weather.

Off the bike, casual clothes are best, such as shorts, trousers, t-shirts, polo-shirts, jeans, etc. Australians generally dress casually and for comfort, particularly in the outback. It’s best to bring layers for cooler weather, such as thermals, polar fleece sweater and soft-shell jacket. Thermals made from merino or other natural fibres don’t tend to carry odours as much as synthetic based thermals, as well as regulating your body temperature to keep you cool when it’s warm, and warm when it’s cool.

Bike

If you are coming on a ROC trip, your tour includes the use of a mountain bike so there is no need to bring your own. These bikes have front suspension forks, lightweight alloy frames, and come in a range of sizes. Standard platform pedals as well as SPD (clip-in) pedals are available, and if you wish you may bring your own pedals and saddle for increased comfort. Limited gel covers are available if you require a bit more padding. A helmet is also supplied, however you may also bring your own.

Our longer trips don’t include automatically include bikes, as many people prefer their own bike for extended riding periods. However, for these tours, you may choose to hire a bike from us at a cost indicated on your booking form. These bikes are lightweight, dual suspension mountain bikes with lock out forks and rear shock. You will need to bring your own helmet and we also recommend you bring your own pedals.

Many people ask about bike boxes. We are able to transport flat bike boxes on most our Outbike and Epic trips, so that you can pack your bike at the end ready for your trip home. You can usually pick up a bike box from your local bike shop – ask them to put one aside for you, or find out when they put them out for recycling and you should be able to pick one up.

Helmets

It is compulsory to wear a helmet when cycling in Australia. Your helmet should be lightweight and well ventilated to keep your head cool. Wearing a hat underneath your helmet is not recommended as it prevents your helmet from fitting correctly; however there is a variety of sunshade headwear designed to be worn underneath helmets while keeping your head cool.

We recommend Specialized for lightweight, well-ventilated helmets with removable visors, such as the Air Force, Propero and 2D models. These can be viewed at www.specialized.com and are available across Australia and New Zealand at all AvantiPlus bike stores www.avantiplus.com

Buff is a company with a range of versatile headwear for outdoor use including models designed for cycling and with visors. See www.buff.com.au for information and details on where to buy. Another under-helmet option is ‘Halo’ headwear, which catches sweat before it drips into your eyes, and is available from bike stores.

Sleeping Bag

You can either bring your own sleeping bag or hire one from us. Generally the climates of the regions through which we travel consist of warm days and cool nights. A 5° Celsius sleeping bag should suffice, and a 0° Celsius sleeping bag would be fine also. We also recommend you bring a sleeping bag liner / inner sheet with you as well.

Day Pack

A small daypack to carry on board the support vehicle and also when riding is extremely useful to store your camera, sunscreen, lip balm, glasses and anything else you want to keep handy. We highly recommend the use of a hydration backpack, particularly on our longer trips. 

Panniers / Bike Bags

Panniers are not required for our cycling trips as all your luggage is carried by the support vehicle/s. On all ROC trips, we can provide you with a small bag that fits underneath your saddle – this will fit a small camera inside.

Water Bottles / Hydration Backpacks

Cycling in general, and particularly in warm conditions, requires you to drink plenty of water. If you are taking part in a ROC tour, you will be provided with water bottles for your exclusive use during the trip. For all our other tours, you will be required to bring your own water bottles. You may also bring a hydration backpack (as mentioned under the ‘Day Pack’ heading).

Camera

If you plan to bring a camera (and we suggest you do!), make sure you have plenty of film or memory available as it is unlikely that you will be able to purchase any en route. We also advise that you bring spare batteries; while there may be opportunity to charge your batteries it may not always be possible.

Charging personal electronic devices

During your trip there will be some opportunities to charge personal electronic devices such as camera batteries, iPods and mobile phones, however please be aware that this cannot be guaranteed and does depend heavily on the particular campgrounds that you stay in. Your guide will be able to advise as to where and when charging and power outlets will be available.

Flies & Mosquitoes

Flies (and, depending on where you are, mosquitoes) are a part of outback life and can bother some people. If you are one of these people, ensure you purchase a fly net, particularly if your tour takes you through central and outback Australia.

To avoid being bitten by mosquitoes (particularly in the northern parts of Australia in warmer months), wear loose, light-coloured clothing and use an insect repellent containing diethyl toluamide (DEET).

Money

The currency used in Australia is Australian Dollars (AUD). This is the only currency accepted. Most major credit cards, i.e. VISA, MasterCard and Bank Card, are widely accepted, while American Express and Diners Card are not widely accepted outside major cities. Please note that on some of the days during your tour, not all of your meals will be provided. Please check the itinerary for your chosen tour(s), and allow some extra cash to cover this expense. The tours will always stop at a convenient place for you to purchase a meal not listed as part of the tour’s cost. Other additional costs are national park entry fees and optional cruises / flights / tours. These are itemised on the individual tour’s fact sheets. ATM cash withdrawal facilities are not always available in remote regions so it’s best to ensure you have an appropriate amount of cash with you from the start of the tour.

Footwear

It is more efficient to cycle in stiff-soled cycling shoes with cleats that attach to the pedals (called ‘clipless’), particularly for cycling longer distances. If you are using a clipless pedal and shoe system, make sure you are comfortable with clipping in and out of your pedals. You should also ‘break’ your shoes in prior to the trip so that you are comfortable. Shoes, whether cycling or non-cycling specific, should be well ventilated, particularly for warmer climates. Cycling specific sandals have a stiff sole and cleats and may be an option for warm weather trips. Outdoors sandals or Crocs are comfortable for off the bike, and you should also bring a pair of sturdy walking shoes (not necessarily hiking boots though) for any walks that you may undertake whilst on your tour.

Pedals

On ROC tours, our hire bikes have either standard platform pedals, or double-sided pedals with SPD on one side and platform on the other side. Hire bikes on our other tours come with either platform or SPD pedals. If you use a pedal system different to this, we recommend you bring your own pedals that can then be fitted to your bike.

Saddle

All our bikes come with quality saddles that are anatomically designed, however the reality is that different types of saddles suit different people. It may be useful (and more comfortable) to bring with you either your own saddle or a gel cover to be fitted to your bike (if you are on a ROC tour or hiring a bike from us).

 

 

 

Riding & Fitness

Our trips are suitable for anybody with a good level of general fitness and some cycling experience. Our ROC trips are designed so that you can cycle as much or as little as you like, and combine mountain biking with four-wheel-driving. Other trips, such as Desert Dreaming or the Bike ‘n Wheels Expedition, are designed so that participants endeavour to cycle the whole distance. Please note that a support vehicle is always available to pick up any riders who need a break during the day and cycling the entire distance each day is not compulsory. It is your holiday, after all!

Remember that on the trip (excluding ROC trips), you'll have all day to cover the distances and riding is broken up into 20-40 km stretches with meal and water breaks in between. The riding isn’t about being fast, it’s more about being steady and energy efficient. If it’s a longer ride you’re doing, you’ll notice yourself becoming fitter as the trip progresses.

 

For more information about riding and fitness, please download your copy of The Adventure Guide (link at top of page)

Travel Connections

When planning your connecting transport to and from the tour, we recommend you don’t schedule connections on the same day as the tour starts or finished unless specific arrangements have been made with The Adventure Collective well in advance. We will not take responsibility for missed travel connections are scheduled for the same day as a tour starts or finishes. Please advise us of your travel arrangements prior to a tour’s departure, including arrival details (e.g. flight or train times, etc) and accommodation.

Pre- and Post-Tour Accommodation

We are often asked to recommend pre- and post-tour accommodation. There may be some accommodation providers we have arrangements with, in which case there may be a discounted rate available. Please contact us for further information.

On ROC tours, camping with the tour guide at Yulara is available between the RT1 Great Victoria Desert Cycling Experience and RT2 MacDonnell Ranges Cycling Adventure. Cost is $25 / night and includes use of tent and mattress and a light breakfast. You will need to use either your own sleeping bag or one you have hired from us. This camping option should be indicated at time of booking.

 

 

Climate & Weather

It would make our job a whole lot easier if we could control the weather, but let’s face it – it’s part of the appeal of spending time in the ‘great outdoors’. All our trips are planned around each area’s ideal season; for instance, our trips in the ‘top end’ are during the dry season. In general, no particular or predictable wind pattern affects any of the cycling components of the tour. Obviously we want our tours to show the regions through which they travel in their best light, and we design our schedule of trips accordingly.

Generally speaking, our outback trips occur during the winter months (i.e. April to November) and our northern Australia trips during the dry season (May to October). Our southern and coastal trips are held during the warmer months, i.e. November to March.

To monitor the weather and climate averages prior to your trip, please visit the Australian Bureau of Meteorology website at www.bom.gov.au and climate information is found at www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/