What to Bring

Hate packing and getting organised for a trip? We've made it easy with a list of everything your need to bring for
Your Bike
Camping Gear
Clothing
And because we've got a lot of people's gear to move
Tips for keeping it light

Like making ticks on a list? Here is a printable checklist of everything you need:

  What to bring Checklist Great East (81.90 KB)

Your luggage allowance

Luggage is limited to 1 bag per person, weighing no more than 15 kg. Everything needs to be contained IN your bag – including tent and sleeping bag. Remember that if you are coming with friends or family, you can share the load around – 1 person might have the tent while others carry their personal effects etc. We do have a bit more leeway for solo travellers who can't share their load around.

Overweight bags are really tough on our crew who have to lift them, so please keep within the weight allowance. Extra bags will incur an extra fee of $20 each.

Your Bike:

You must get your bike serviced in the month prior to the ride: three continuous days riding will most definitely show up problems if they haven't been fixed before the ride!

  • A mountain, gravel grinder, cyclocross or hybrid bike - we recommend tyres of at least 32 mm wide with some depth and chunkiness in the tread for cushioning and grip on gravel tracks.
  • Approved cycle helmet
  • 2 Water bottles
  • Spare tube – even if you don’t know how to replace it, someone near you will. And ideally one that holds air - check before leaving home!
  • Small day pack, pannier or other bike bag to carry jumper/ snack / camera as you ride.
  • Snack food to munch as you ride: muesli bars, bananas, chocolate, fruit or something delicious that will travel well.
  • Magpie repellant, design of your choice. Consensus is that the daggy 'cable tie spikes' may not stop them swooping but could stop them striking.

If you don’t own a suitable bike, you can hire a mountain bike for the duration of the
tour .

Camping gear

  • Tent: preferably a lightweight hiking type tent
  • Sleeping mat
  • Sleeping bag and pillow
  • Torch
  • Plastic bags for damp towel or clothes

Not into camping? You can book a cottage or a room in the pub each night as an alternative (but get in early).

If you have booked into 'Easy Camp' you just need sleeping bag and pillow, plus torch from the above list.

Clothing

  • Comfortable cycling clothes for both cool and hot weather. Lightweight long sleeved tops with collars are recommended for sun protection in summer.
  • A thermal top and legs in case weather gets cold.
  • Warm jumper – at all times of year – this is Victoria.
  • Water proof jacket (see comment above) , pants also recommended if the forecast is looking soggy.
  • Casual après cycle wear – formal attire not required.
  • Bathers if you enjoy cooling off in rivers – and the weather forecast is warm.

Keeping comfortable

  • Sunglasses are recommended to protect your eyes from grit and glare
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellant. (At some times of year the mosquitoes in the forest are very persistent!)
  • Toiletries and personal effects.
  • Torch
  • Earplugs. There will be lots of people sleeping close together, and some of them will snore.

Keeping well:

  • Basic medications such as soothing ointments, painkillers, bandaids.
  • Your Medications: Bairnsdale and Orbost have chemists, but they are not open 7 days per week. Carry a sufficient supply of all medications even if they are ones you use only occasionally. Particularly in spring, the many flowering plants in the bush can kick off allergies for those with hay fever and asthma, so come prepared!

Tips to keep it light.

To keep the logistics of moving everyone's luggage every day manageable, we need you to pack efficiently. Ditch the tiara and evening gown - you won't need them!

Camping equipment:

  • Tent: nylon hiking type tents are the lightest. Sharing a tent will keep you much warmer at night than sleeping alone, so if you are coming with friends, buddy up!
  • Sleeping mats: look for a self inflating hiking mat to combine comfort with light weight and low volume.
  • Pillow: Try a small cushion instead of your full sized one.
  • Towel: Science has proven it is possibly to dry your whole body with a hand towel. Much less bulky, quicker to dry, fits into a small plastic bag if it needs packing when damp.

Clothes

  • Keep warm with layers of lighter weight clothing, rather than packing lots of heavy jumpers or a bulky jacket.
  • Thermals are outstanding for providing lots of warmth for little weight.
  • A waterproof jacket plus jumper will keep you as warm as a thick padded jacket.
  • Lightweight nylon waterproof jackets are far lighter and more comfy to ride in when it's wet than heavy canvas / oilskin type jackets. Leave them for the Man from Snowy River.
  • We will all be sweaty. Consider having just 1 set of riding clothes for the weekend (knicks / liners can be rinsed out overnight) and a second set for 'off bike' wear.