Great Outback Escape
Thursday 23 March 2023
Info night
Missed our Great Outback Escape 2023 info night? Watch a recording of the presentation here.
If you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly escape team for a chat.
COVID safe events
At Bicycle Network, we see events as an important opportunity to bring the bike riding community together and share the joy of riding bikes. While 2020 saw dramatic changes to the event landscape, we’re busy planning our upcoming event program with the health and safety of riders, volunteers and spectators at the forefront.
Across all of our events, the below key operations will be in place to keep you safe and our events running smoothly. We ask everyone to familiarise themselves with these guidelines and keep up to date with information provided by relevant governments regarding COVID-19 regulations.
Our team want to make your riding experience as enjoyable as possible, so please follow their instructions as we tackle these challenges together.
Social distancing
Please remember to stand and ride at least 1.5 metres apart at all times. To avoid congestion, start line procedures will be spread out and in waves.
Hand sanitiser
All our events will have hand sanitising stations across the course and conduct regular cleaning of all surfaces.
Follow the signs
Event sites are designed to prioritise safety and keep everyone moving in the right direction. Please look out for directional signs and follow our team’s instructions.
Support staff
Our support crews will always have your back, but some things may look a little different or take a little longer than you’re used to. Thank you for your patience.
On route
All rest and lunch areas will have a new layout to assist with flow and social distancing, but we’ll still have all the essentials readily available.
Joining our COVID safe events
We love that we are able to hold events in 2021 and celebrate everything that is great about riding a bike. While you're riding with us, we'd like you to help reduce the risks of coronavirus by maintaining physical distancing, good hygiene and following COVID safe instructions.
Our rider promise
Along with these key changes to our events, we've created a COVID-19 refund policy so you can sign up with confidence.
What's included
You can’t visit Central Australia without experiencing the awe-inspiring and ever changing colours of the landscape, sacred Aboriginal culture, clear starry skies and the red dirt between your toes.
As part of your Great Outback Escape booking, you’ll receive meals each day, stay in three to five star accommodation and take part in a number of unique Red Centre experiences. Some of these include:
- Welcome to Country at Mecure
- Didgeridoo performance
- Welcome drinks and canapes
- Self-guided tour to Desert Park and telegraph station (optional)
- Unforgettable bike riding experiences
- Bush food BBQ
- Standley Chasm walk
- Angkerle Artists art project
- Standley Chasm art show
- King Canyon Rim Walk and champagne on the viewing deck
- Kings Canyon Helicopter ride (included in deluxe package)
- Field of Light Sunrise breakfast
- Sounds of Silence dinner
- Bike transport (Melbourne to Alice springs return)
Event Info
FAQs
Here are the answers to your most common questions. If your question isn’t in the list, please contact us
What type of bike should I bring?
We recommend bringing any bike that you feel comfortable on for riding 100km+. If you opt for a road bike, we suggest using wider tyres of around 28mm for the best riding experience.
Can I ride an e-bike?
Ebikes are welcome on the Great Outback Escape, subject to our event ebike policy. Batteries can be charged in hotel rooms each night.
We will be able to sag your e-bike if required, but because they are heavier than most bikes, our team may need your help to lift the bike.
Can I hire a bike?
We’ve partnered with Rent My Bike Australia to help take the hassle out of transporting your bike to and from the NT. For more information and to book your bike, please follow this link.
How can I get my bike to Alice Springs?
Most airlines will allow you to travel with your bike for a handling fee (about $25).
Bicycle Network will also be able to transport your bike from Melbourne to Alice Springs and back. Please contact the team if you would like to use this service.
Drop-off dates pre-event:
- Wed 19 April (9am -12pm)
- Sat 22 April (9am -12pm)
Collection dates post-event:
- Sat 13 May (9am -12pm)
- Wed 17 May (9am -12pm)
What should I pack?
The weather in Central Australia in May can be both cold and hot. We recommend being prepared for all weather conditions and using layers of clothing so you can easily dress up or down as the weather changes.
Here’s a list of the essentials:
- Riding gear (consider all conditions)
- Helmet
- Bike lights
- Two water bottles
- Bike lock
- Spare tubes, repair kit, bike tools
- Gloves
- Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Swimwear and swimming towel
- Small day pack – for change of clothes on swimming days
- Neat casual clothing for evening meals and non-riding activities
Is the bus transfer to Alice Springs from Yulara included?
Yes, all coach transfers are included with your booking.
You may also elect to book an extra night with us in Yulara. We suggest pre-booking flights for your return leg well in advance.
What time should I book my flight home from Alice Springs?
The coach from Yulara to Alice Springs is expected to arrive at 3pm. It will do a drop off at the airport followed by a stop at the Mercure Hotel. Please allow time for delays and plenty of time to catch your flight.
I'm keen to volunteer. How do I get involved?
We welcome expressions of interest from volunteers from the local community. Applications will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Please send your details and experience through to volunteer@bicyclenetwork.com.au.
Is a COVID-19 vaccination required to partake in the event?
You do not need to be fully vaccinated to participate in Bicycle Network events.
Getting there
Bike transport
Bicycle Network is offering complimentary bike transport from Melbourne to Alice Springs and back. Your bike must be in a bike bag, box or wrapped, and the Bicycle Network team will help you reassemble your bike in Alice Springs.
Bike collection is available for the Bicycle Network workshop at the address 11 Hawthorn Ave, Sunshine North VIC 3020. Please contact the team if you need any assistance.
Flying with a bike
With a little bit of planning, flying with a bike doesn’t need to be an overwhelming, or expensive, option.
Most airlines will allow you to travel with your bike for handling fee. Each carrier has its own rules and pricing structure, which can change with little notice, so it’s best to confirm the latest charges directly with the airlines before purchasing a ticket.
All airlines require your bike to be boxed or bagged – learn more below.
Packing your bike
You can normally scrounge a cardboard bike box from your bike shop, and for a fee, they may also pack it for you.
The standard way of packing for a bike box is to remove the front wheel and pedals, drop the seat post down (or remove it), loosen the handlebar and turn it parallel to the frame, and take some of the air pressure out of the tyres.
A spacer to go between the front forks is a good idea (ask your bike shop for one) and be sure to cover or pad the bottom of the forks. Also consider using bubble wrap or foam pipe on vulnerable parts of your frame, cable ties to secure detached items to the frame and plenty of packing tape to keep everything secure.
Remember to:
- Place any loose accessories into a bag then place in the box
- Seal the box and label with your name and phone number
- Ensure no part of the bike is protruding from the box
- Take photos of your bike in the box for records in case of damage
- Pack some tools for reassembly, but don’t worry too much as we’ll have a team members on hand to help.
Riding on event
Road and route
The Bicycle Network team will be fully supporting you on your ride through Central Australia. On most days you be bused from accommodation to the ride start point. We will all start together, with a big cheer!
There will be directional signage, rest areas, nutrition, water and mechanics along the route. And, if it all gets a bit too much, give us a call and we’ll pick you up and bring you back to the accommodation.
Each day the route will have an official close time. This time is based on a slowest riding time of 15km per hour, plus plenty of time to stop for photos and admire the scenery. The times will have you back at the accommodation ready for activities and evening meals. It also allows the Bicycle Network team to pack down and set up the following day, plus enjoy the evening with you.
Road conditions
The riding surface will mostly be bitumen. There will be the odd bit of dirt as you enter/exit rest areas, or if you venture off the route for some extra sightseeing.
Keep in mind the surface is likely to be very coarse and the edges of the road can be a little uneven. We recommend bringing any bike that you feel comfortable on for riding 100km+. If you opt for a road bike, we suggest using wider tyres of around 28mm for the best riding experience. It would be ideal to carry one for two spare tubes with you each day.
Our mechanics will be available at the rest sites to help you out as much as possible, however stock and resources will be limited.
On-event bike transport
Most days we will transport your bike to the start location. All bikes will need to be packed onto trucks between 5:00PM – 6:00PM the previous night. Your luggage will be packed on buses each morning as you hop on.
Bikes do not need to be packed away in boxes during the event. The Bicycle Network team will assist in packing the bikes each night.
What to pack
The Great Outback Escape is going to be an unforgettable ride and we want to make sure you have the best experience by not forgetting anything. Visiting Central Australia in Autumn brings warm days and cooler nights, expecting a max high of 25, and min low of 8 degrees, please prepare to be enjoying the outdoors most days and nights. Here’s what we suggest to bring:
Riding:
- Riding gear
- Light layer for wind
- Helmet
- Bike lights
- Two water bottles
- Comfortable riding shoes
- Basic repairs kit
- Bike lock
Clothing:
- Smart casual clothes for dinner
- Comfortable shoes for walks
- Warm jacket for cool evenings
- Swimmers
Other:
- Hat
- Toiletries
- Personal medication
- Face masks
Missed out? Register your interest for our next Great Escape
Register interest