Cycling is my favourite way to travel. It is a simple matter of packing the bike and going. But the luggage, the itinerary, the bookings, the bike….. there are many good reasons to work with a bike travel company if you have the funds to allow. Having said that, I can also highly recommend planning your own independent trip – it certainly can be a lot more cost effective.

So, here are my bikepacking trips so far, followed by some companies I can recommend…..

Flash bikepacking: Bali

Bali has awesome beaches, fantastic food and stunning mountains. But what is it like for bike travel?

Flash bikepacking: South Korea

CyclingGravel’s first overseas flash bikepacking adventure – taking in some of the best parts of this tremendous cycling destination.

If travelling on your own is not really your idea of fun, I get it. Particularly when you are overseas. I’ve enjoyed cycling with some professionals that organise everything for you, particularly when I was seeking to gain some confidence in seeing the world by bike. The following organisations are ones I would not hesitate to use again, and therefore can highly recommend (including one not overseas!).

SpiceRoads

Brilliant in South East Asia

I’ve taken three trips with SpiceRoads, and each has been fantastic. My favourite was from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, which did involve a number of off-road sections, including the pictured one! I’m hoping to go on a Thai road bike tour with them again sometime soon….

Outdoor Samoa

Unbelievable South Pacific paradise

After a day of cycling, how does a sandy coral beach sound? Samoa is incredible, brought to life on the Savai’i escape island circumnavigation. We liked it so much we went back and did the Upolu Encounter.

CyclingGravel receives no commission or payment from these companies, and paid for travel at own expense.

Apparently Molesworth station is the largest farm in NZ. I can believe it, although what it clearly should be known for is the epic views - across all parts of the Molesworth Muster trail Staying on the #WestCoastNZ, the Old Ghost Road was mind blowing. A bit of #hikeabike but so worth it. The Heaphy Track is an amazing cycle. I’m already plotting a return. Special highlight other than the trail was seeing a rare Takahe!! The weather was challenging but the scenery is unbelievable. Another Gears and Beers Dirty130 done. Epic as usual. Thanks to the Rotary folk for organising an amazing day out, and to the breweries that came. Particularly @tumutriverbrewingco for the Hitchhikers, @kr.brewing for Kolsch and Pilsner and @brightbrewery for the top of the class Japanese dark lager. Took some time to bikepack around Cootamundra, Jugiong, Tumut and Gundagai on way to Gears & Beers. Epic canola, particularly after storm! Swiss alpine climbs and descents. Blow your mind kind of stuff. Just completed the Route des Grandes Alpes from Lake Geneva to Nice - what has to be one of the most epic bike trips in the world. Blessed with clear weather and the company of a great mate. One of the most epic rides I’ve done - Swiss Route 9 from Zurich to Lausanne. The Grosse Scheidegg detour is out of this world. Lots of backroads, unsealed farm roads and even a bit of single track. Cycling up one of my favourite valleys - Eurobodalla Road. Single track and mountain views Moreton Island (Mulgumpin) is a fantastic place to fat bikepack. Epic beaches, great camp sites and only a short ferry ride from Brisbane. Bali bikepack complete. More details and routes to come on cyclinggravel.com in coming weeks. First week cycling up and down and around and through Bali is done. Epic. Time for the next CyclingGravel adventure. Warm up around Ubud. There’s dairy in them thar hills… Beach time…. Time for another bikepacking adventure. I think Bob would have been into fat biking. Gravel & wildlife. What a city. Epic climb to Mount Buffalo Horn. Tried the Brindabella National Park route to Wee Jasper. Some hike-a-bike required due to gradient, but awesome off-road ride. If you like your gravel with an incline, Mount Porepunkah fits the bill…. Christmas send it Sneaky gravel in the heart of the city: Mount Ainslie Nature Park. Bikepack your own way in NZ. First trip on my folding bike - a bit of an experiment. Plane, train and pedal-mobile. The beer festival was so good (thinking of you @kr.brewing Kolsch) that this post is late! The #Dirty130 gravel this year was epic at @wagga_gearsandbeers. Thanks to the folk who organised, opened their farms and provided on route supplies - including great sausages and @bridgeroadbrewers Free Time around 95km!! Spring time evenings = time for single track. Erie Canalway Trail is CyclingGravel’s current adventure. Buffalo to Geneva so far, with brief Canada diversion thrown in… Winter solstice no camping Attack of the Buns? Yes with some modifications given weather and trail, but still epic.