Traditional bikepacking demands a lot: time, fitness, and physical grit. For many riders, especially those juggling busy lives or getting back into riding, that can make backcountry adventures feel out of reach. 

But the rise in popularity of electric mountain bikes is fuelling a new era of exploration. 

We’re seeing an e bikepacking movement emerge that’s reshaping the bikepacking scene as we know it – making it more accessible, more enjoyable, and more inclusive than ever before. 

Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or just getting started, the combination of electric mountain bikes (eMTBs) and purpose built bikepacking gear is making it easier than ever to get off the beaten path and into the wild!

Dean Miller’s recent journey from mountain biker to e bikepacker, as featured in Australian Geographic Adventure, is a perfect example of this.

“I’m a mid to late 40’s professional dad that just can’t seem to find enough hours in the day to do all the things I used to. No surprise there but certain favourite activities and adventures have slipped by the wayside because of this.” 

Dean’s cross country bike had been sitting unused and neglected since the arrival of his daughter. 

“The truth is I just don’t have the time, nor the fitness, to hit the local bike parks and hundreds of kilometres of trails in far north Queensland with any regularity. I’d spend most of my time panting and wishing I was more fit so I could enjoy the downhills. I’d pretty much given up on mountain biking as one of my favourite activities because of this.”

After striking up a conversation with a mate at his daughter’s fourth birthday and hearing about how an eMTB had ‘changed his life’ Dean was intrigued. So, he hired a rig and after hitting the trails for a day he was hooked. No more gasping for breath, plenty of energy for the descents & attempting uphill climbs that he wouldn’t dream of on his analogue bike. He was sold and bought himself a Norco Range VLT C2. 

“Suddenly every bike park in Australia, NZ and the world is back on the radar, street riding becomes super fun around cities and suburbs, and even taking my five-year-old daughter with a backpack full of supplies on the bike with the Kids Ride Shotgun seat is now a regular activity, regardless of how strong the wind is blowing or how many hills are between us and the ice cream shop.”

Whilst Dean was enjoying riding again, he was craving more adventure. 

“Having spent so many years on multi-day expeditions all over the world trying to reach hard to access, remote locations, I started dreaming up all the places I could now access with this secret weapon.”

With that in mind, Dean set about equipping his new adventure rig with the ultimate e bikepacking setup. 

Dean chose our Spider Rear Rack, with 2 11L QuickLock Adventure Pods down the sides. This setup is popular for ebikepacking due to the stability of our QuickLock system to suit the more powerful eMTBs. The hardback of the adventure pods allows you to carry and protect hardware and soft goods needed to extend your adventure with ease. This setup also allows full use of suspension and dropper post. Dean also added an 8L Heavy Duty Dry Bag rotated 90-degrees along the top, providing over 30 litres of storage in total. 

Dean also kitted out his Toyota Hilux with the ability to charge his bike, a roof top tent from iKamper for sleeping, storage solutions, as well as a folding bike rack – creating a home away from home, for wherever he may want to explore. 

“It required almost no effort to charge the bike, and I had a comfy night’s sleep just about anywhere I wanted to go, while once again saving what little time I had to get out and play.”

In the weekends that followed, Dean set his sights on exploring the tracks and trails between Atherton and Cooktown in far north Queensland that take in coastal, tablelands and rainforest style riding. 

The highlight of his exploration, riding up to the Baldy Mountain Reserve and Herberton Range National Park near Atherton – high elevation areas in far north Queensland. 

Setting up camp in a central location, Dean was able to use his car to charge his bike overnight and set up his solar blanket during the day to replenish his lithium battery ready for the next charge – a game changer in how far and wide he could explore! 

The hills surrounding Mt Baldy and Mount Wallum are steeped in 1880’s tin mining history, where old tunnels, machinery, and railway remnants still linger in the landscape. But for Dean, the real magic lay in exploring the area’s diverse natural environments. Starting in dry eucalypt forest, he followed fire trails up to the cloud-covered peak of Mount Wallum, a refuge for unique flora and fauna. The lower trails revealed crystal-clear creeks, waterfalls, and lush wet sclerophyll forest.

“Riding the eMTB through areas like this is just so rewarding. You are essentially making no noise, having spent very little effort to be there and so all that’s left is being able to fully immerse yourself in the surroundings in which you find yourself. You hear bird and insect noises, you see things move, rustle and fly about, and you really take in any scenery that unfolds. It’s a beautiful way to cover plenty of terrain and be in the great outdoors.”

The real joy was in the climb, as Dean ascended into the Herberton Range, where wet sclerophyll forest gave way to cool, dense rainforest on what seemed like rarely ridden trails. 

“In this cool moist air, the world quietened down to just the sound of my tyres on the dirt and I smiled, happy in the fact I was surrounded by lush untamed forest, remote and on my own, yet moving at a pace that meant I was doing something super fun with what little time I had.”

While traditional bikepacking will always have its place (rightly so), electric mountain bikes are unlocking new levels of adventure – allowing you to cover greater distances in less time, climb with confidence and carry more gear. E bikepacking is an ideal option for busy parents, returning riders, and outdoor lovers looking to explore further! 

“That is what riding an eMTB gives you – unprecedented access over short timeframes while getting that essential hit of adrenaline riding the trails. It is the perfect outlet for a mid to late 40s parent desperate to reconnect with nature and adventures.”

Note: For a detailed account of Dean Miller's exploration through far north Queensland, you can read the article on Australian Geographic Adventure, here.