flipper wrote:
Quick question to both of you - what size gear bag did you take on the actual tour?
The packing list suggests a 'sports bag', but I will only have a full-sized bike gear bag on the flight up, so I'm hoping that won't be too big for them. Obviously it will be half empty with the bike gear out...
The sports bag they are referring to is something the size of carry on luggage.
I took my normal gear bag with me in the plane, once I got to the hotel (tropical heritage in cairns) I unloaded everything and swapped out what i needed into the carry on bag, left my gear bag at hotel reception and wore my gear and carried my gloves, goggles, helmet and camel back on the shuttle bus. Once you get to the factory that you leave from your only there for 20 minutes before you head off on the bike. Sounds silly to be sitting on a bus in your gear but it worked well.
They'll give you a duffel bag to throw all your stuff in for the plane ride home and again you'll carry on your sports bag. Get back to the hotel, swap out your duffel into your gear bag and your good to go.
MASSIVE tip for you, take a fresh pair of socks for each day!!