Preparing for a major adventure ride isn’t just about throwing luggage on the bike and heading off.
When you’re committing to something like the Great Divide Ride Ultimate — 30 days and roughly 8,000km across Australia — preparation becomes part of the adventure itself.
The goal isn’t perfection.
It’s reducing risk, improving comfort, and making sure the small problems don’t become trip-ending problems.
Recently I filmed a full walkthrough showing exactly how I prepare my Ducati DesertX before a major expedition.
🎥 Watch the full video here:
https://youtu.be/cXaxIUecpz4?si=oyVnphT49aWn2RGU
What I Focus on Before a Big Ride
1. Reliability First
Long rides expose weak points quickly.
Tyres, chain and sprockets, wheel bearings, brake pads, battery condition and fasteners all deserve attention before departure — especially if you’ll be riding remotely.
Preventative maintenance is always cheaper than recovery.
2. Reliability First
Adventure riding is endurance riding.
Small improvements to comfort can massively reduce fatigue over multiple weeks:
- Ergonomics
- Weather considerations
- Wind protection
- Seat comfort
- Riding gear layering
3. Systems & Routine
Preparation isn’t just mechanical.
I like having systems:
- Packing routine and checklist
- Daily bike checks
- Tool organisation
- Charging systems
- Navigation backup plans
The less mental energy wasted each day, the more enjoyable the ride becomes.
Download The Free Bike Prep Checklist
To help riders prepare for their own adventures, I’ve created a FREE downloadable Bike Prep Checklist based on the systems I personally use before major rides.
📥 Download it here: https://mailchi.mp/99aa86ac82b0/bike-prep-checklist-form
Final Thoughts
Adventure riding rewards preparation.
Not because everything will go perfectly… but because good preparation gives you a better chance of enjoying the unexpected when it happens.
If you’ve got questions about bike setup or preparation, drop a comment on the video — I’d love to hear how you prepare for your own rides.