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Long before Lycra, GPS computers and carbon fibre, Australia's shearers were racking up thousands of miles each year on bikes, pedalling across dusty outback tracks, through mud and across dry red dirt, all in the search for work.  

They were using their bikes to cover the many miles between shearing sheds, and carrying their food and water - along with camping, living and work essentials. In essence, they were pioneering bike packers, not carrying their gear in the latest saddle, frame or handlebar bags, but the rudimentary homemade ‘bike packing’ gear of the day. 

The tradition continues, with an annual ‘Shearer’s Ride’ taking adventurers on a five-day on and off-road journey from Quilpie to Eromanga in outback Queensland.

This year’s ride, held from June 20 to 24, covered 370km with highlights including visiting shearing sheds, sleeping under the stars and enjoying cool nights but warm country hospitality.

Organiser Lyle Paull told ABC Western Queensland that the group rode on historic bikes - some 100-years-old - visiting a different part of the country each year.

“This year we started at Quilpie, went south to Toompine on the bitumen, the next day went across the dirt to another sheep station called Mobile.”

“We had a bit of mud that day and ironically the support car got stuck, and not the bicycles,” he added.

The Shearer's Ride celebrates a fascinating chapter in Australian history and illustrates how the humble bicycle played an important role in one of our most significant nation building industries. It keeps bush folklore alive each year, in a different corner of the country, on timeless bikes that continue to creak, rattle and roll.