Outback Australia is isolated and, umm, remote.
Well, that’s why you are going.
Travellers need to be self sufficient, resourceful and endowed with enthusiasm and determination.
Good equipment helps if you are out there for weeks, or months.
Weight isn’t supercritical.
Reliability is.
And there’s not a lot of bike shops out there. Particularly for specialised bits and pieces.
A whole lotta preparation before you set sail can make life a lot easier in the back of beyond.
Spend some on your shelter. You deserve it.
Look at the blogs of happy travellers on long-distance treks, and the only point of agreement about equipment is that they all rejoice in having a big enough tent.
You have to value a decent night’s sleep.
Remember, it’s a bitch to be cold night after night.
Yeah, food is a real issue.
Food takes a bit of planning when the next supermarket is 2 weeks away.
Moral of this story: country stores and roadhouses have patchy supplies. Be prepared to carry a lot of food, particularly any delicacies.
The choice of stove really comes down to what types of fuel are commonly available in Australia.
Less of a problem than you might think.
When it’s warm, you often need 9 litres per person per day. That doesn’t include a daily shower.
It’s rare to find that it’s more than a 3-day ride between water points. When you know that, you stock up accordingly and don’t waste a drop.
“Where did you carry your water for those long sections between water sources?”
“Oh, I strapped 2 eight litre water bags under the handlebars.”
Gatorade is for the drivers.
Just make sure you really look after yourself.
The two biggies to take and never run out of are sunscreen and insect repellent.
Remember, it’s important to clean your hands afterwards, despite the limitations of the sometimes precious water supply.
The removal of the grime can last, well, minutes, until you step out into that heat and dust once again.
Some things can’t be sacrificed.
Some risks aren’t worth taking.
Quality gel fingerless gloves that cover the backs of your hands are a good investment.
A good seat and bike shorts are integral parts of biking comfort.
A decent rain jacket is a good investment. Not to keep you dry so much as to block some of the wind.