BACKYARD TOURS
Premium cycling experiences by Mitch Docker
Backyard Tours are premium cycling experiences built around the kind of riding most people only hear about inside the pro peloton.
Hosted by Mitch Docker, each tour blends world-class routes, considered hospitality, and a relaxed, design-led atmosphere. You’ll ride alongside Mitch, share stories over coffee, and settle into the rhythm of a proper cycling trip where everything just works.
No noise. No stress. Just good riding, good people, and the right setup.
WHAT IS A BACKYARD TOUR
Backyard Tours offers fully guided, small-group bike rides in Victoria’s High Country, on your local roads, and even further interstate or overseas. We focus on finding the coolest and most iconic places to ride.
Across 3–4 days, you’ll ride a mix of road and gravel routes, with everything taken care of:
Expertly guided rides on hand-picked routes
Premium accommodation
Hosted meals and local hospitality
On-road support and experienced ride captains
A curated rider experience from start to finish
It’s not just about the riding, it's about the full experience.
THE EXPERIENCE
This is where Backyard Tours stand apart.
You’ll spend your days riding some of the best terrain in the country, from alpine climbs like Falls Creek and Mt Hotham to remote gravel roads and hidden local loops before stepping into afternoons designed to be just as memorable as the ride.
It’s not just about where you ride, but how the whole experience comes together:
Long lunches, wineries, and brewery stop worth staying for
Relaxed evenings with the crew
Conversations, stories, and informal tech talks with Mitch
Massage and recovery services to keep you riding well each day
Premium rider packs and team kit options that feel considered, not disposable
A social atmosphere that feels more like a trip with mates than an event
Everything is curated from the roads you ride to the places you stop, creating a cycling experience that extends well beyond the bike.
TOUR STYLES
HIGH COUNTRY ALPINE TOURS: RIDE BIG, REST EASY
3 - 4 Days | Road
Big climbs, iconic roads, and premium comfort. Think Falls Creek, Mt Hotham, and the best of the Victorian Alps — paired with luxury stays and unforgettable meals.
Perfect for riders chasing a bucket-list road experience with a high-end finish.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
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Falls Creek, Hotham, Buffalo. If you know, you know. These roads are the stuff of Aussie cycling legend.
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We’re talking boutique hotels, hot showers, and a proper bed after a big day in the saddle. No roughing it here.
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Three-course dinners, post-ride grazing, local wines and craft beers. We’ll feed you well and finish every day with a touch of class.
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Whether you want to sip wine in Bright, visit a brewery, or just chill by the river, the afternoons are yours.
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Our High Country Alpine Tour blends the best of Aussie riding with the kind of post-ride experience you actually want. It’s the cycling trip your legs will remember.. and your taste buds will thank you for.
BACKYARD GRAVEL ESCAPES: DIRT, DETOURS & GOOD COMPANY
3–4 Days | Gravel
Off the beaten path and into the good stuff. Fire trails, ridgelines, and remote loops guided by locals who know exactly where to ride.
No pressure. No racing. Just adventure, connection, and a proper ride with your crew.
WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT
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We’ll design routes tailored to your region, or take you somewhere new. Think forest fire roads, hidden climbs, and those side trails you’ve always wondered about.
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Stay somewhere comfy and low-key with your crew. We’ll line up accommodation to suit your vibe.
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No one’s going hungry. From big breakfasts to post-ride feasts, we’ll keep everyone fuelled and focused on the fun.
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Ride guides, a support van, mechanical help, snacks, we’re with you the whole way. Even when you miss that “obvious” left turn.
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Our crew knows the lines, the views, and the sneaky detours that make a ride unforgettable.
RIDE 35: NEW ZEALAND EAST CAPE GRAVEL ADVENTURE
5 Days | 550km | Mixed Terrain (80% ROAD 20% Gravel) | Road & Raw Beauty | Level: Comfortable Rider 100+km a day
This beginner gravel ride is great for dipping your toe into some off-road riding, but not overdoing it!
Keen to get properly off the grid? Ride 35 is our big one, a 5-day gravel adventure through the wild, remote East Cape of Aotearoa (New Zealand). From Gisborne to the edge of the map, this ride takes you across sealed roads, gritty gravel, and winding coastal tracks through landscapes that feel almost untouched, all with the Pacific Ocean never far from sight. It’s raw, rugged, and absolutely unreal.
But Ride 35 isn’t just about the kms. This is an experience steeped in Māori culture, deep community connection, and the kind of riding that sticks with you long after your legs recover.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
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From smooth tarmac to loose gravel and everything in between, you’ll cover 550km through one of the most scenic corners of the Southern Hemisphere.
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We’ll sort shared accommodation each night (and yep, private upgrades are on the table too if that’s more your thing).
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You’ll be well-fed the whole way! We’re talking proper meals, good coffee, and no riding hungry.
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Ride leaders on the road, the LITP van in your corner, and a crew to keep everything rolling smooth, all you have to do is ride.
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We’ve built this trip with a real focus on connection; with the people, the places, and your fellow riders. Expect local stories, community moments, and shared memories over a cold one at day’s end.
CUSTOM TOURS
Have something specific in mind?
Whether it’s a birthday ride, corporate getaway, or a trip with your mates, we’ll build a fully tailored Backyard Tour around your vision, from your local roads to the High Country and beyond.
WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT
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Yep, I’ll be out there riding with you, sharing stories, setting the pace (or sitting on the wheel), and hanging out post-ride. It’s like an episode of the pod, but with a whole lot more sweat and snacks.
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We’ll build rides around your group, your goals and your vibe. From big-mountain road trips to dusty gravel escapes. Want wineries in the afternoon? Got it. Bakery tour? We’re into it.
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Luxury digs, shared lodges, whatever suits your style. With proper meals, local produce, and cold beers waiting at the end of each day.
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Our team will handle the logistics, transport, on-road support, and all the things you don’t want to worry about when you’re trying to enjoy the ride.
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Whether it’s 6 mates or 50 riders, we’ll make it work. We’ll even set up a custom event portal so your crew can register, pay, and pick their swag.
WHAT SETS BACKYARD TOURS APART
Ride with Mitch Docker — real access, real stories, real connection
A premium, curated experience — not just a ride, a full getaway
Local knowledge — the routes you wouldn’t find yourself
Small, like-minded groups — capped at around 50–60 riders
Seamless logistics — everything handled so you can just ride
JOIN A BACKYARD TOUR
We run a limited number of tours each year:
Road tours: February & March
Gravel tours: November & December
Or build a custom experience with your crew. Email us at events@lifeinthepeloton.com
