Cycling Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Cairns to Karumba Ride

The Cairns to Karumba Bike Ride is an incredible adventure, and with the right preparation you can make it both safe and enjoyable. Below are essential cycling tips, gear recommendations, and pack riding safety guidelines to help you get the most out of each day on the road.

Pre-Ride Bike Preparation

Before you hit the road, make sure your bike is in top condition:

  • Service your bike with a qualified mechanic.

  • Fit slick tyres – less tread means less rolling resistance.

  • Pump tyres to maximum pressure each morning (more air = more speed).

  • Use proper bike chain lube.

  • Choose a comfortable saddle designed for long-distance cycling.

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Escort Drivers & Safety

The Cairns to Karumba ride is supported by incredible escort drivers who dedicate their week to rider safety. They travel at 15-25 km/hr in front of and behind each pack, communicating via UHF radio with pack leaders and police.

👉 Please follow their instructions at all times, and don’t forget to thank them at the end of the day!

Pack Riding Etiquette

Riding in a pack is social, fun, and safe when everyone works together. Keep these pack riding safety tips in mind:

  • Communicate clearly: pass messages along, call out hazards (“Rock!”, “Pothole!”) and use hand signals.

  • Maintain safe spacing: ride about one metre behind the front rider, avoiding wheel overlap.

  • Stay positive: smile, encourage others, and make new friends.

  • Support slower riders: wait at the top of hills so the pack can reform.

  • Remember: this is a ride, not a race.

Pack Selection & Speeds

Choose your pack based on the speed you can maintain comfortably all day:

  • Pack 1: 30+ km/hr

  • Pack 2: 25–29 km/hr

  • Pack 3: 20–24 km/hr

  • Pack 4: 18-20 km/hr

👉 You can change packs at drink stops or before departures by informing your pack leader.

Rider Health & Comfort Tips

  • Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

  • Eat a solid breakfast before departure.

  • Stretch before riding and during breaks.

  • Pack bedding before breakfast to save time.

  • Wear padded cycling shorts (knicks) – no underwear (to prevent chafing).

  • Use Bepanthen cream for prevention and treatment of saddle soreness.

  • Apply sunscreen generously, especially to neck, arms, and legs.

  • Add your name plate (supplied) to your helmet, shirt, or bike to make it easy for others to connect with you.

  • Always carry a spare tube for punctures.

How the Packs Work

  • Packs ride two abreast, rotating positions every 30–60 seconds.

  • Riders on the inside move forward, while riders on the outside rotate back in a clockwise motion.

  • Hills naturally stretch the pack, but leaders will guide reformation.

  • Downhill momentum is used to help carry the group up the next hill.

  • By Day 3, most riders are comfortable with the rhythm of pack riding.

Communication & Hazard Awareness

Trust and communication are the foundation of pack riding safety:

  • Call out and point to hazards such as rocks, potholes, or roadkill.

  • Even if it feels repetitive, calling out prevents crashes and injuries.

  • The road is in good condition but debris can still be common on some sections.

Braking Safety

Braking is the hardest part of pack riding to master but also the most critical:

  • Avoid unnecessary braking—packs should flow smoothly without stop-start riding.

  • If you must brake or slow down, loudly call “Braking!” or “Slowing!” so riders behind can react safely.

  • Remember: sudden braking creates a ripple effect that can stretch or destabilise the pack.

Rider Support & Logistics

  • Each pack has escort vehicles front and rear with flashing lights, signage, and radio communication.

  • A sweep vehicle (Tail End Charlie) assists riders with bike problems.

  • Escort vehicles can collect riders who need a break.

  • Riders may have lunches and small essential supplies carried in escort vehicles (check with your driver).

Final Word

The Cairns to Karumba Bike Ride is all about safety, teamwork, and adventure. By following these cycling tips and pack riding guidelines, you’ll have an unforgettable journey across Far North Queensland.