Build mechanical resilience where it matters: in the wild.
Expedition Mechanics Course
A 2-day immersive field course in Victoria Australia, for bikepackers and aspirants for the Hunt 1000, Tour Divide and Silk Road Mountain Race.
Workshop Stands Don’t Exist in the Wild
You have the bike. You have the dream. But do you have the mechanical autonomy to survive when things go wrong 100km deep in the mountains?
Most mechanics courses are taught in professional workshops with pristine tools, perfect lighting and unlimited coffee. But mechanicals don't happen in workshops. They happen on the side of a fire trail, in the rain, with muddy hands and fading light.
The Expedition Mechanics Course bridges the gap between the classroom and the continent. We take you out of the comfort zone and into the environment you are training for. We ride out, establish a "Base Camp" and master the dark arts of expedition survival using only what you carry on your bike.
This is not just a lesson. It is a shakedown.
Ride. Learn. Camp.
Strictly limited to 5 riders per cohort for high-fidelity mentorship.
We treat this weekend as a micro-expedition. You will test your packing systems, your sleep setup and your mechanical resilience under the guidance of a professional expedition mechanic.
Saturday: The Insertion
Morning - Rendezvous: Meet at the designated V-Line Station (e.g., Castlemaine, Birregurra, Wodonga).
The Shakedown Ride: A 2-3 hour mixed-terrain ride to our field site. We analyse your packing stability and bike handling in real-time.
Module 1: The Philosophy of Prevention: Component selection, spares strategy and forensic bolt audits.
Module 2: Tyre Trauma: Fixing catastrophic sidewall failures without a workshop.
Base Camp: Set up camp, cook dinner and debrief around the fire.
Sunday: The Triage
Morning - Campfire Coffee & Diagnostics: Morning briefing.
Module 3: Drivetrain Triage: How to single-speed a destroyed derailleur and manage broken chains.
Module 4: Wheel Resilience: Truing a "taco'd" wheel with a zip-tie and replacing spokes without removing the cassette.
The Final Test: "The 15-Minute Readiness Audit." A simulated high-pressure mechanical failure you must fix to "finish" the course.
Extraction: Ride back to the train station.
You’ve invested in the best bike. Now invest in the skills to keep it moving.
1. Forensic Prevention, Spares Strategy & Component Choice Reliability starts before you leave home. We analyse the philosophy of resilient component selection: why a 32-spoke rear wheel saves your ride, why metal survives where carbon cracks, why mechanical shifting beats electronic in the remote wilderness and why you should always choose tough casings over lightweight rubber.
Crucially, we define your "Non-Negotiable Spares Inventory." You will learn exactly why and how to pack a dedicated derailleur hanger, spare gear cables and fresh brake pads—and which "essential" spares are actually just dead weight. We finish with a "Bolt Audit" to vibration-proof your luggage system against the corrugations of the Monaro or the Mallee.
2. Catastrophic Tyre Failure Forget standard punctures. You will learn "Sidewall Surgery"—stitching a slashed tyre with dental floss—and the "Dirty Tube Install" technique for when sealant fails in the middle of nowhere.
3. The MacGyver Protocols What happens when you snap a derailleur hanger in the Victorian High Country? We teach you how to bypass a destroyed drivetrain, convert to single-speed and use fibre-fix spokes to limp home.
4. Braking & Field Diagnostics Manage pads and pistons to ensure safe descents on loaded bikes. Learn to diagnose creaks, cracks and rattles before they become terminal failures.
Software for Your Hardware
Who is This For?
The Ultra-Endurance Rookie
You are signing up for events like the Hunt 1000, Monaro Cloudride, Mallee Blast or Ride to the Rock. You need to test your camping gear and your mechanical skills in a safe but realistic environment. This weekend kills two birds with one stone.
The International Aspirant
You are dreaming of the Silk Road Mountain Race, Tour Divide or a big international bikepacking trip. You realise that in Kyrgyzstan or the Rockies, there is no sag wagon. You need "Expedition Insurance."
The Time-Poor Optimiser
You are a busy professional. You struggle to find time for a mechanics class and a training ride. We combine both into a high-efficiency weekend package that respects your time and accelerates your learning curve.
Logistics & Investment
Upcoming Dates & Locations* (2026 Season):
Feb: Forrest / Otways
Mar: Castlemaine / Goldfields
Apr: Beechworth / High Country
Oct: Halls Gap / Grampians
Nov: Yackandandah / High Country
What You Bring:
Your bike (fully loaded as if for an expedition).
Your camping gear (Tent/Bivy, Sleep system, Cooking gear).
Food for 2 days (Self-catered to test your nutrition strategy).
Your tool kit and spares (We review your hanger, cables and pads on-site).
What We Provide:
Field Instruction (1:5 ratio).
Sheltered workspace for technical sessions.
Consumables (Practice tyres, chains, sealant, rags).
Campsite fees.
The "Expedition Readiness" Field Manual.
Price: $495 AUD
An investment in autonomy. Cheaper than a rescue.
*Private group bookings available on request.
Apply Now
This course is strictly limited to 5 riders per cohort to ensure high-fidelity mentorship. We curate groups based on experience level and expedition goals to maximise the value for every participant. Please complete this form to join the waitlist for the 2026 season.