Gravel biking is taking over cycling. Races are popping up left, right, and center, and even professionals are trading in tarmac for dirt roads. What’s really exciting is seeing all these new trails available, which used to be too rough for a road bike but a little too easy for a mountain bike but perfect for a gravel bike.
Australia is an amazing place for gravel cycling with its long dirt roads and vast outback. In this article, we’re going to be answering some gravel bike questions you have been asking us and also telling you about some of the best routes you might want to tackle in Australia. Here’s what we’re going to be speaking about:
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Our readers and subscribers get asked some great questions, and we love to answer them. Here’s what we have been asked recently about gravel bikes and riding.
Is Gravel Cycling Harder Than Road?
In our opinion, gravel cycling is generally harder than road cycling. There’s much more to think about, and it can be more technically challenging. Here’s what you need to know:
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Technical Ability
We have seen many road cyclists go over to gravel in the past few years, and it’s not the fitness they struggle with. It’s technical ability. Riding on loose terrain can be very challenging, and it takes time to learn how to stay upright and keep everything controlled when the ground is moving under you.
Being Off-Road Is Harder
Riding on gravel trails is more technical and comes with a few other challenges you will need to face. Riding on off-road trails means there’s less resupply. You face challenges such as sand and rock gardens The hills can get much steeper, the descents rougher, and fewer options to bail out and get collected by a car.
Gravel Bike Types
Gravel bikes come in all different shapes and sizes. Generally, they weigh more than road bikes and vary in ability. Some will have mountain bike tires and suspension with excellent off-road ability. At the same time, others will have slightly larger tires than a road bike and only be good for light dusty roads. You won’t always have the right gravel bike for the terrain, which can push you well out of your comfort zone on mixed trails.
Can Gravel Bikes Go On Mountain Bike Trails?
Gravel bikes can go on mountain bike trails, but it’s important to understand you might not have the best experience. Mountain bike trails are designed for mountain biking and sometimes MTB events, not gravel bikes. This can make the ride a little rougher and slower than you might like.
You will find the lack of suspension will rattle you a little more, the gearing you have might not go as low as you want, and you won’t have as much control with the narrower stance on the front.
Theoretically, gravel bikes can go on mountain bike trails, but if the trail is technically demanding, you might have a tough time. If it’s a light trail, the gravel bike could be the perfect solution to completing it quickly.
How Rough Can Gravel Bikes Handle?
Gravel bikes can tackle much more than most people think, and you can take on some very challenging terrain. They will be much more capable off-road than a road bike, but you will need help to beat a mountain bike on anything too technical.
Related Reading: Best Tires for Gravel Bikes
Best Gravel Bike Trails In Australia
Now for the fun bit, let’s speak about some of Australia’s best gravel rides. Here are our favorites.
Munda Biddi Trail
If you enjoy a long trail, the Munda Biddi Trail could be perfect for you as it stretches over 1000 km from Mundaring to Albany. Taking in incredible coastal scenery, beautiful landscapes, forests, wildlife, and amazing historic towns, it’s not to be missed. It’s an incredibly well-maintained trail, and the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation does a great job of staying on top of it.
It’s ideal for multi-day adventures and can suit riders of all abilities. It offers an amazing gravel biking experience and the kind of adventure that isn’t easily forgotten. If you want to discover the stunning landscape of Western Australia, then the Munda Biddi Trail is a great way to go.
The Canberra Centenary Trail
The Canberra Centenary Trail comes in a little shorter compared to others in Australia at 145 km, which makes it ideal to be covered in a day if you are looking for a fast, fun-filled adventure. This route will tell you everything you need to know about the Canberra region while passing through many iconic landmarks of the ACT (Australian Capital Territory).
You will be visiting many varying landscapes from forests, farmland, lakes, reserves, and even some urban areas. It’s a unique experience that offers a gravel rider a lot of different terrains on one single short route. We highly recommend it for a long day out on the bike.
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail (New South Wales)
The Great North Rail Trail is a 130 km route that starts in Casino and extends toward Murwillumbah. It’s a well-maintained trail with perfect terrain for gravel bike beginners wanting a semi-challenging ride or experts wanting fast fun.
You get some beautiful scenery from panoramic views, charming towns, rolling farmland, and lush forests. The region is rich with heritage, and you get to pass through some amazing places such as Byron Bay and Crabbes Creek. It’s got slow gradients and a great way to see the best of what New South Wales has to offer.
The Mawson Trail
The Mawson Trail is another long trail that could offer a long adventure if you were to scale all 900 km. It’s in South Australia and named after the renowned explorer Sir Douglas Mawson. It begins at the Adelaide Hills and takes you through farmland, wine regions, and the Flinders Ranges, which is just jaw-dropping.
The breathtaking vistas, charming towns, historical sites, and wildlife make this a trail you’ll want to see at some point. It’s an excellent trail for a gravel bike and is well signposted with many options for resupply and accommodation. If you want to enjoy the rich heritage of South Australia, then the Mawson Trail ticks a lot of boxes.
The Bicentennial National Trail
If you are all about distance and want a trail that is going to offer you not just a quick escape but a long time away, consider the Bicentennial National Trail. Coming in at 5330 km, it’s not something you’ll cover over a weekend. This incredible trail spans Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria and offers a unique Australian experience.
It follows fire trails, quiet country roads, historic stock routes, forests, and farmlands. There’s a lot of remote riding to be done, so it offers a great escape from civilization. It’s not the easiest ride, and we recommend getting some experience before tackling this long journey, but it’s definitely worth the training.
Related Reading: Exploring New Trails Near Me
What Is The Best App To Find Gravel Bike Routes?
When it comes to finding routes, a great way to go is by using many of the applications that are available. I have been lucky enough to use many from All Trails, Gaia GPS, and many more. In my opinion, one of the best applications you can use is Komoot.
It not only gives you a huge amount of routes, but it can also help you plan your own routes. You can also use it as a sat nav to help you navigate those routes too. The best part of the application is the community that it offers. It doubles itself as a social media for explorers, and you get to enjoy write-ups and pictures of other routes people have gone on.
It costs around $70 a year, but it is worth the money if you love to adventure. You will always see routes pop up, and it even gives great recommendations in your local area that you might not know about.
Riding Gravel Bike Trails In Australia
It’s important to understand that trail riding in Australia can differ slightly from riding trails in places such as the US and the UK. Here are our top tips:
Do Your Research
If you’re planning an epic Australian adventure, then doing some research before you start is a good idea. Knowing where you will be able to sleep and resupply is vital, especially if you’re heading into remote regions.
Take All The Supplies You Need
It’s very important to take what you need and try to avoid leaving anything up to change. If you’re unsure if there are places for food or a coffee shop, take some extra with you. Unsure of the terrain, you might want some extra inner tubes. Not sure how well the route is signposted? Take a GPS device.
Safety And Emergency
If you are heading into the wilderness, people must know where you are going and when you expect to finish. You will also want to take a first aid kit and ensure your phone, and GPS are fully charged.
The Right Tools For The Job
When you have chosen the trail you think will be perfect, it’s a good idea to ensure that you are taking a bike that will work well on the terrain. You might feel the need for larger tires or even a mountain bike if the terrain is going to be extra challenging.
Respect The Environment
It’s also very important to respect the environment. Do not leave any litter on the trail, and try to avoid any disruption to wildlife. Always think of exploring a trail like taking a trip through somebody’s garden. We hope you enjoyed our article on Australia’s best gravel bike trails. It’s an incredible country to explore, and we highly recommend taking the time to visit and enjoy it.
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