I have just done a section of the Mawson Trail for my first bike touring trip. Being nearly 50 and only started riding again last January it is doable I stay within my limits and do a bit of hike a bike when it gets steep. My first day was 59 km which I walked on and off for the last 9 km to get into camp 🏕️. I was also towing a trailer instead of having bags on the bike so had a weight penalty and drag of a third wheel. I still managed to cover about 350 km mostly off road over 6 days and I don’t consider myself highly fit.
70 year old here, good for you, get out there! This summer I'm riding the GDMBR route again. No crocodiles over here, just a few pesky grizzly bears. Happy trails. 🙂
Great video 😊 was getting bogged down watching tent reviews from influencers, so this was great to see. What bikepacking is all about. Send us some sun and dusty gravel to the UK please
Thank you for making and sharing this excellent video. I thoroughly agree with all your answers. I’m 72, and still getting out there solo bikepacking. Happy travels.
Great video! Very informative and well presented. Loved the videography, editing and music choice. Nailed pretty much everything for me. Thank you sir 🫡
Ps two years ago i did four months of bikepacking at Hill end including the bridle track, Hawkins hill is still the hardes day ive ever done 👍 Im still going and just started my fourth year. I'll keep an eye out for you, you seem a great guy to ride with🏆☮️
Great video. I'm in my late 50's and I agree, you have to go on these adventures instead of sitting at home. You remind me of the adventures I go on, although I use an ebike.
Slowly getting back into cycling after a couple years off. This looks fantastic! Very practical advice and I like your relaxed style. Look forward to other videos.
Hi Mike, I just came accross your video, I have to say this is one of the most informative I've seen. You have a great way of calmly and simply explaining what you do. Well done. I'm a youtuber too and Bikepacking quite a bit so appreciate the time it takes to make videos. I'm in the UK so don't have a lot of the wild open spaces you guys have in Oz. I'm over in September, with my wife to see our children. I've subscribed so looking forward to more and I'll have look back over your others. Keep it up and stay healthy in body and mind Mike. Take care. Graham
you rule mike, I live in wa and left that same day for my first trip, hoping to continue through my golden years with a great attitude like yours. was going to ask about food but you're on it now // cheers mate
Thanks for the videos , we came to bike touring later in life , but now my partner and i just love it . Where always looking for new places to go and explore.
Your videos are inspiration. I am totally new to bike packing but am planning on starting to take baby steps to carry more weight and cycle a bit further in my urban neighbourhoods, until I am comfortable with the set-up/like doing it, before committing to a full-blown bikepacking trip. How good is a water filter plunger for Australian inland creeks ? They are very muddy and slow moving, so does it remove all nasties ?
I agree, baby steps are the best way. Find the version of bikepacking that you like. Motels vs tents, fresh food vs dehydrated meals, etc. As for water, the cleaner and faster the water is moving, the better. You cannot guarantee a filter system will remove everything, but grotty water is better than no water. If in doubt, boil it first, then filter it.
G'day Mike, this answered quite a lot of questions for me as well. I'm a well rounded bloke at 64, a bit creaky and bent over from too many hours in a Bus seat but have wanted to do something like this for years but work and life just keeps getting in the way. I want to be able to tour off my Vivente Touring bike (probably not designed for your type of travelling) but I also want to do some motorcycle camping as well and both would use similar kit except the clothes required. My question to you is,(and please don't take this the wrong way) due to your vintage and size, do you have any issues with Obstructive Sleep Apneas and/or heavy snoring that might make you feel a bit tired and washed out the next day? I do have sleep apnea and use a machine at home but to buy a machine for camping, even a travelling CPAP device would take up a considerable lot of space, possibly more than your camera gear. With Battery for a couple of off grid nights would set me back nearly $2K so I'm sort of reluctant if you know what i mean. If you don't have anything like OSA then i understand. Cheers...love your videos Mike.
Yes, left the car at Capertee rest area. Can’t promise it’s safe, but as I was driving an old Toyota YARRIS, I thought it was unlikely to have too much interest.
@@mike-coles have you thought of riding from Capertee to Sofala via Turon Gates? If you could leave a car at each end it would be a great ride. The road is smooth gravel and follows the river a lot of the way.
That’s part of what we were going to do in January (but got rained out) Portland > Capertee > Sofala > Hill End > Bathurst rough, tough but beautiful country
@@mike-coles I wouldn't like to ride from Sofala to Hill End. The road isn't cycle friendly in my opinion,. It's tarmac all the way, winds around a lot, doesn't seem to have a lot of verge and the cars are going full bore on it. It will also feel like you're climbing for 30kms I reckon. Hill End to Bathurst via the Bridle Track would be wonderful with many great camp sites on the way. I look forward to your video of it when you do it. Keep up the good work.
I’ve been a cyclist my whole life really, now riding mainly road bikes, always wanted to get into bike packing even bought a salsa Marrakesh, in the states I never used the bike for touring, mainly commuting, reasoning I myself never felt safe camping, bunch of weirdos out there.
Ha ha! Well spotted. That was two meals (800 calories per meal). There was one more as I was in the valley from lunchtime on one day until lunchtime the next day. I also had two mandarins, but I’d eaten them already!
I’m 76 and have just done the MundaBindi trail, life is good.
I’d love to ride the Munda Biddi. Definite bucket list adventure for me 👍
I have just done a section of the Mawson Trail for my first bike touring trip. Being nearly 50 and only started riding again last January it is doable I stay within my limits and do a bit of hike a bike when it gets steep. My first day was 59 km which I walked on and off for the last 9 km to get into camp 🏕️. I was also towing a trailer instead of having bags on the bike so had a weight penalty and drag of a third wheel. I still managed to cover about 350 km mostly off road over 6 days and I don’t consider myself highly fit.
Goodonya. I am 72, and just did some Mawson trail riding in the Flinders Ranges. It is all about pace. Keep up the good work.
As a solo female rider, I always get "But aren't you scared?" TBH Feel safer camping solo in my tent than walking in some parts of the city!😂
Solitude is security.
70 year old here, good for you, get out there! This summer I'm riding the GDMBR route again. No crocodiles over here, just a few pesky grizzly bears. Happy trails. 🙂
Great video 😊 was getting bogged down watching tent reviews from influencers, so this was great to see. What bikepacking is all about. Send us some sun and dusty gravel to the UK please
Nearly 50 discovered bike packing in 2022. Completed 2 rides and i love it.
Bike packing isnt easy but i do for the adventure and to clear my brain.
What a healthy, sensible and practical outlook. Thanks.
You have a unique and very effective presentation.
Thank you for making and sharing this excellent video. I thoroughly agree with all your answers. I’m 72, and still getting out there solo bikepacking. Happy travels.
Enjoyed watching. Love your attitude.
Good Mr Coles, I enjoy your videos so much. They are relaxed, I have started bikepacking myself. With love all the way from South Africa
Great content! Thanks for sharing!
Pro tip.... I carry a small jar of Nutella to dip the Scotch Finger biscuits in.... makes a coffee just that little bit nicer 😋
Oh no! New luxury level unlocked! Sounds brilliant
Great video! Very informative and well presented. Loved the videography, editing and music choice. Nailed pretty much everything for me. Thank you sir 🫡
Sydney resident (Hills district) here, I REALLY appreciate your videos! Useful and motivating information.
Ps two years ago i did four months of bikepacking at Hill end including the bridle track, Hawkins hill is still the hardes day ive ever done 👍
Im still going and just started my fourth year. I'll keep an eye out for you, you seem a great guy to ride with🏆☮️
Just found your Chanel mate, excellent content keep them coming.
Great video. I'm in my late 50's and I agree, you have to go on these adventures instead of sitting at home. You remind me of the adventures I go on, although I use an ebike.
Slowly getting back into cycling after a couple years off. This looks fantastic! Very practical advice and I like your relaxed style. Look forward to other videos.
Hi Mike, I just came accross your video, I have to say this is one of the most informative I've seen. You have a great way of calmly and simply explaining what you do. Well done. I'm a youtuber too and Bikepacking quite a bit so appreciate the time it takes to make videos. I'm in the UK so don't have a lot of the wild open spaces you guys have in Oz. I'm over in September, with my wife to see our children.
I've subscribed so looking forward to more and I'll have look back over your others. Keep it up and stay healthy in body and mind Mike. Take care. Graham
Thanks for kind words Graham and glad you like video 👍
you rule mike, I live in wa and left that same day for my first trip, hoping to continue through my golden years with a great attitude like yours. was going to ask about food but you're on it now // cheers mate
Lovely upload my friend! Stunning scenery
Now just retired I found the content amazing.Right up my street, have subscribed.
Thanks for the videos , we came to bike touring later in life , but now my partner and i just love it . Where always looking for new places to go and explore.
Cool Mike thanks for the info.
Very informative and interesting video Mike
Hi Mike, thanks, another interesting video.
Thanks Mike. I liked that one.
Your videos are inspiration.
I am totally new to bike packing but am planning on starting to take baby steps to carry more weight and cycle a bit further in my urban neighbourhoods, until I am comfortable with the set-up/like doing it, before committing to a full-blown bikepacking trip.
How good is a water filter plunger for Australian inland creeks ?
They are very muddy and slow moving, so does it remove all nasties ?
I agree, baby steps are the best way. Find the version of bikepacking that you like. Motels vs tents, fresh food vs dehydrated meals, etc. As for water, the cleaner and faster the water is moving, the better. You cannot guarantee a filter system will remove everything, but grotty water is better than no water. If in doubt, boil it first, then filter it.
G'day Mike, this answered quite a lot of questions for me as well. I'm a well rounded bloke at 64, a bit creaky and bent over from too many hours in a Bus seat but have wanted to do something like this for years but work and life just keeps getting in the way. I want to be able to tour off my Vivente Touring bike (probably not designed for your type of travelling) but I also want to do some motorcycle camping as well and both would use similar kit except the clothes required. My question to you is,(and please don't take this the wrong way) due to your vintage and size, do you have any issues with Obstructive Sleep Apneas and/or heavy snoring that might make you feel a bit tired and washed out the next day? I do have sleep apnea and use a machine at home but to buy a machine for camping, even a travelling CPAP device would take up a considerable lot of space, possibly more than your camera gear. With Battery for a couple of off grid nights would set me back nearly $2K so I'm sort of reluctant if you know what i mean. If you don't have anything like OSA then i understand. Cheers...love your videos Mike.
Great question, but no, I don’t snore enough to require a cpap machine. (Although my wife might think otherwise some nights!)
You're a lucky man, it's one of my Achilles heels when it comes to complete freedom @@mike-coles
Sitting on the couch isn't all that safe in the long run either.
Better to wear out than rust out😂
I've camped and 4wded a lot there. The hills are killers for sure. 😊 Did you leave the car at the Capertee rest area....is it safe? 😊
Yes, left the car at Capertee rest area. Can’t promise it’s safe, but as I was driving an old Toyota YARRIS, I thought it was unlikely to have too much interest.
@@mike-coles have you thought of riding from Capertee to Sofala via Turon Gates? If you could leave a car at each end it would be a great ride. The road is smooth gravel and follows the river a lot of the way.
That’s part of what we were going to do in January (but got rained out) Portland > Capertee > Sofala > Hill End > Bathurst rough, tough but beautiful country
@@mike-coles I wouldn't like to ride from Sofala to Hill End. The road isn't cycle friendly in my opinion,. It's tarmac all the way, winds around a lot, doesn't seem to have a lot of verge and the cars are going full bore on it. It will also feel like you're climbing for 30kms I reckon. Hill End to Bathurst via the Bridle Track would be wonderful with many great camp sites on the way. I look forward to your video of it when you do it. Keep up the good work.
I’ve been a cyclist my whole life really, now riding mainly road bikes, always wanted to get into bike packing even bought a salsa Marrakesh, in the states I never used the bike for touring, mainly commuting, reasoning I myself never felt safe camping, bunch of weirdos out there.
You don’t eat breakfast or lunch?
Ha ha! Well spotted. That was two meals (800 calories per meal). There was one more as I was in the valley from lunchtime on one day until lunchtime the next day. I also had two mandarins, but I’d eaten them already!
great video thank you👍
Thankyou that was a fun watch.
Good luck in your adventures mate
P.T trying 🦘