Central West Cycle Trail - Supported Cycle

The tour is 8 days long with 6 cycling days.

This escorted self guided trip involves 6 days of cycling, generally on bitumen or well graded dirt roads with daily ascents of 172m (564ft) to 463m (1,519ft). Some sections of the daily cycles may have traffic, including trucks. Daily activity is usually between 4 and 7 hours but some days might be longer depending on your overall pace on riding.

You will need a reasonable level of fitness, good health and be a capable cyclist. Be prepared for potential variable weather conditions which can also add to the timing and comfort of a trip, for example riding into a head wind will take more time than when the wind is behind you.

If you decided to bring your own bike and it is not an e-bike, the overall grading of the trip changes to moderate to challenging mainly due to the last cycle day of 78km (48mi). Please ensure that your bike is fit for purpose - road bikes are not suitable for this trip unless they have been fitted with wider tread tyres. The best bike is a hybrid or a gravel bike.

Your luggage will be transferred between each hotel. Please keep your luggage to one bag per person, that weighs less than 15kg.

Breakfasts when provided are simple continental style - think cereal and toast. There is usually a cafe nearby to purchase a more substantial breakfast with good coffee. Picnic lunches are provided by the support driver and these are well received - fresh salad, sliced meat, wraps or bread, tea, coffee and fruit. For the evening meal, this is usually taken at your expense in the pub restaurant when staying in a pub or at a restaurant in town when staying in larger centres. The group generally eats together.

Fortunately this is rare. The support driver is there to assist during the days cycle and can help with minor repairs. Spare bikes are usually carried in the event that the bike is un-rideable. This is of course one of the great benefits of joining a supported cycle trip. Help is always close at hand.

Yes, you need to be a capable cyclist. You will cover up to 78km (48mi) in a day, across undulating terrain, and you will need to be confident cycling on roads. There is lots of cycling on the road in this trip. There are also some stages on well graded dirt roads where there may be soft sections to look out for. Excessive rain will always require more cares while cycling whatever the surface and there may be times when you will need to walk your bike for short stages if the road is difficult to navigate due to the conditions (eg. heavily rutted or muddy).

This trip operates from March to December. Summers can be very hot with the occasional thunderstorm, however nighttime temperatures are still cool.

Winters are relatively cold, with frosty mornings and sunny days, interspersed with periods of heavy rain. Rainfall is moderate and falls fairly evenly all year round, with a slight peak in summer.

A supported cycling trip in Australia is ideal for those of you who love being able to explore at your own pace, while still enjoying the camaraderie of like‑minded travellers and appreciating the support from a knowledgeable driver/escort.

On a supported cycling holiday you get to experience the freedoms of a self‑guided bike tour with the social aspects that come with a small group tour. Along for the adventure is your driver/escort, who provides daily luggage transfers, itinerary briefings, coffee breaks and picnic lunches while also offering the peace of mind that comes with break down assistance and battery charging.

A supported bike trip is an unforgettable Australian experience.