How Our Self-Guided E-Bike Tours Work
We pick the best routes, so you don’t have to worry
There is a big difference between hiring an e-bike and being handed a map, and setting off on a properly planned self-guided adventure.
At Escapegoat Adventures, we have spent years riding the roads, trails and hidden connections around Belair National Park, the Adelaide Hills and southern Adelaide. We know which routes are scenic, which roads are pleasant to ride, where the awkward intersections are, which trails suit different levels of rider—and, importantly, where to stop for coffee, cake or a glass of wine.
Our self-guided e-bike tours give you the freedom to explore independently, without leaving you to work everything out for yourself.
We choose the routes. We prepare the bikes. We provide the navigation. You just ride.
Why we developed our self-guided tours
Traditional guided tours are brilliant for people who want a guide with them throughout the day. But plenty of travellers want something different.
They want to:
- Start when it suits them.
- Ride at their own pace.
- Stop when they find a great view.
- Spend longer over lunch or wine.
- Enjoy some quiet time together.
- Explore without being part of a larger group.
Ordinary bike hire provides freedom, but it can also leave visitors wondering where to go. A route that looks simple on a map can include busy roads, unexpected climbs, confusing trail junctions or a café that closed three years ago.
Our self-guided tours sit neatly in the middle: the independence of bike hire, with the route planning, equipment and local support of an organised tour.
Choose the type of ride that suits you
Not everyone wants the same day on a bike, so we offer several different styles of ride.
Scenic and wildlife rides
Explore Belair National Park and the Adelaide Hills on relaxed routes featuring forest, parklands, quiet roads, viewpoints and opportunities to spot koalas and other native wildlife.
These rides are ideal for visitors who want beautiful scenery and a manageable day out without making wine the main event.
Winery and scenery rides
Ride through the Adelaide Hills toward cellar doors such as Deviation Road or Tapanappa, with scenic country roads, vineyards and a relaxed lunch or tasting stop along the way.
This is a proper ride through wine country—not simply a transfer between wineries with bicycles added for decoration.
Adventure and trail rides
For riders wanting something more energetic, we can provide routes incorporating trails and more adventurous terrain around Sturt Gorge, Shepherds Hill and surrounding reserves.
We will help you choose an option that matches your experience, confidence and available time. Nobody earns bonus points for accidentally selecting the heroic route after insisting they “ride a bit at home.”
Navigation that works the way you prefer
We have upgraded our self-guided tours using Ride with GPS, allowing us to provide clearer routes, turn-by-turn directions and useful route information.
You can navigate in whichever way works best for you.
Use your phone
You can access the route through the Ride with GPS app and follow turn-by-turn navigation on your smartphone.
This is convenient for riders who are comfortable using their phone and want access to the route map, ride details and cues in one place. Phone holders are available so you can see the directions while riding.
Use your own GPS device
Already use a Garmin, Wahoo, bike computer, GPS watch or another compatible device?
We can provide access to the route so you can load it onto your own equipment. This is a good option for regular cyclists who prefer using a device they already know.
Borrow one of our Wahoo GPS units
For the simplest, most distraction-free option, we can provide one of our dedicated Wahoo ELEMNT GPS units.
The route is loaded and ready to use. Follow the directions on the screen, enjoy the ride and avoid draining your phone battery while simultaneously taking 143 photos of koalas.
We will explain the controls before you leave and make sure you are comfortable using the unit.
More than a line on a map
Our routes are not random GPX files downloaded from the internet.
They have been selected and tested using years of local riding experience. We consider:
- Scenery and points of interest.
- Road and trail surfaces.
- Traffic levels.
- Distance and climbing.
- Suitable food, coffee and winery stops.
- Safe and enjoyable connections between sections.
- Seasonal conditions and route changes.
- Different rider abilities and e-bike battery requirements.
Routes are also reviewed and updated when conditions change. Trails close, roads are altered and businesses change their hours. We keep an eye on the details so guests are not sent enthusiastically toward a locked gate and a café last seen serving customers in 2019.
Premium e-bikes prepared for your ride
Navigation is only part of the experience.
Our self-guided tours use quality electric bikes selected and prepared for the route. Before departure, we adjust the bike to suit you and explain:
- How the electric assistance works.
- How to change support modes.
- Gears and braking.
- Expected battery range.
- Basic safety and trail etiquette.
- How to use your chosen navigation system.
Helmets are included, and we can help with route selection based on your height, riding experience, interests and the sort of day you want.
You are independent—but not abandoned
Self-guided does not mean unsupported.
Before setting off, you receive a proper briefing and the information needed for your chosen route. During the ride, you also have our contact details in case you need assistance or advice.
The goal is not to hold your handlebars all day. It is to give you enough planning and support that you can ride confidently without needing us to.
Who are these tours suitable for?
Our self-guided e-bike tours work particularly well for:
- Couples and friends who prefer riding independently.
- Visitors who want flexibility rather than a fixed group schedule.
- Recreational cyclists who enjoy exploring.
- Travellers interested in scenery, wildlife, food or wine.
- Regular riders wanting a longer or more adventurous route.
- People who want more than basic bike hire but do not require a private guide.
You should be comfortable riding a bicycle and following basic navigation instructions. Beyond that, we can help you choose an appropriate route.
Why choose an Escapegoat self-guided tour?
Because finding the best ride in an unfamiliar place should not require three hours on Google Maps, six contradictory blog posts and an argument beside an unsigned junction.
With an Escapegoat self-guided experience, you receive:
- A premium e-bike.
- A route selected by local cycling specialists.
- Several ride styles and distances.
- Detailed GPS navigation.
- The choice of phone, personal GPS or supplied Wahoo.
- A pre-ride briefing and bike setup.
- Recommended cafés, wineries and places to stop.
- Local assistance if required.
- The freedom to enjoy the day at your own pace.
We do the route planning and remove the uncertainty.
You get the fun part.
Ready to ride?
Our self-guided e-bike adventures begin from the Escapegoat Goat Shed at Belair, on the edge of Belair National Park and within easy reach of central Adelaide.
Choose a scenic ride, a winery adventure or something with a little more dirt under the tyres—and let us help you find the right route.
Explore our self-guided e-bike tours and book your Adelaide adventure.