Crossing Tasmania

MTB rider Payson McElveen aims to bring a different philosophy, one unbound by a racing mindset, to his latest expedition ride - crossing Australia's least populated state: the island of Tasmania.

[@lewis4175]

Really great film from the videography to the emotional journey. Thanks for taking us along!

[@thomalger]

Thank you for sharing this experience. Great job! This last year I started bike packing and didn't think I could love riding bikes anymore than I do. Slowing down, riding for the experience, and not having some external goal of achievement is very liberating. I look forward to your next one, Payson.

[@slickster3211]

Amazing film! Thanks for taking us for the ride!

[@wianeloff5815]

Crazy!!! By far one of the most inspiring people out there ,always standing up no matter the setback Well done Payson!

[@PaysonMcElveen]

Thank you for the kind words! So glad you enjoyed the film.

[@frida12349]

Flukesy is a legend over here in Tassie. Great ride Payson... inspirational mate.. cheers.

[@PaysonMcElveen]

This project wouldn't have been close to the same without her. Collaborating and working with local riders is one of the best parts of these adventures.

[@eyeninja3043]

Yeah I love the fact you Strava stalked someone to chat to about it. I’ve made some good Strava friends doing that because they are interested in the same crazy adventures. Top work on the ride and the production

[@terrymartin2156]

I’ve been looking forward to this for so long Payson thank you so much! I bikepacked for 2 weeks around Tasmania last December and had the best time I’ve ever had, so happy you’ve showcased it in this light. Exceptional film 🤘

[@PaysonMcElveen]

That’s awesome. So glad you enjoyed it!

[@reesfowler6935]

Your vids are so inspiring and visually stunning. Keep these rides coming man!

[@MrGriff4256]

Great documentary. I love your description and consideration of time. The competition isn't always with the clock. There are many other challenges. I find the story more entertaining when these other challenges are addressed, along with experiencing the place, culture, and environment. Cycling as the muse brings it all together. Great story, and it is inspirational to know I can craft my own without being the uber-athlete Payson is.

[@dannydecker108]

So cool to see Emma Flukes featured in the video!

[@PaysonMcElveen]

She was so key to everything coming together!

[@alexstevens479]

Magnificent! Worth the wait, thank you and congratulations on another job well done.

[@nickireed5365]

I’m hooked on you, Payson! You’re attitude and you’re riding, but you’re attitude! are inspirational. I am so happy I found your channel.

[@PaysonMcElveen]

Thanks so much!!

[@harrybrennan5896]

Incredible ride, and thanks for sharing, the best video I've watched in years!!!

[@bennyw5041]

Congratulations on crossing such an amazing state of Australia. The harsh beauty of this island is something else and a crossing you will no doubt never forget. Just real wilderness and adventure to keep you driven. Thanks for sharing your journey and your support team with Pete and Gareth were on point😉👍🏼

[@PaysonMcElveen]

Those guys are legends.

[@brianpage7443]

Awesome ride and phenomenal scenery!! What you state about the race mentality and to "just enjoy the ride" is such a struggle. Bikepacking seems to level set the playing field and keeps us grounded for better or worse. Keep the videos coming, they're inspirational.

[@patrickharte779]

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing the inspiration. Happy trails!

[@ultimatist]

Beautiful country, beautiful journey! Being able to "just enjoy the ride" is not easy for a competitor, but we need more of this in an age obsessed with Everesting and FKTs.

[@TheCamb0910]

Hats off to you mate. Super effort & definitely makes me want to lock in the next “life highlight mission”

[@PaysonMcElveen]

Go get it!

[@streddaz]

Well done mate that was absolutely epic. So cool to see this in my home state!

[@keven-matthewlarrivee-font2678]

Wow! Just went on a long solo 76hours ride of 1100km and this feels so relatable. The hug at the end made my eyes wet a bit. Good job!

[@PaysonMcElveen]

Love to hear it.

[@litchte]

Glad to get to see this adventure at long last. You probably saw phantom joeys in your peripheral sight for days after. Poor Nichole, hoarse but happy to see you at the terminus.

[@rmc2227]

Brilliant and epic and also inspiring. Cant wait for the next one.

[@movingpointcc]

🚴‍♂💨 Absolutely in awe of this cycling journey! It's a must-have in our collection. Fantastic work, and we're eagerly awaiting more! 🌟

[@BenBike]

So well made, and impressive as hell! What a gorgeous place, thank you for sharing 🎉

[@PaysonMcElveen]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TerryB]

Yes happy to see this on your channel ❤

[@user-pk1ly4iy7w]

Really enjoyed you sharing your experience.

[@WoodworkingCyclist]

Just amazing❤🚵💪 what a ride,experience...a journey..wait that film for so long,..it awesome🤝👏👏👏

[@VeloObscura]

The part about your Australian race - flying in, doing your thing, flying out - is exactly why I choose bike travel. Bikepacking and Bike Touring let you actually experience a place. Spending a month or two months or more cycling from one end of a country to the other really allows you to get deep into that place, rather than just experiencing the surface. When I rode around Tasmania, I couldn't do it without taking a day off at Derby to ride the singletrack there - so glad I did. What a beautifully shot video.

[@PaysonMcElveen]

I hear that!

[@matthewn3109]

Think it’s time to do a colab Impossible Route with JB and Vegan Cyclist!

[@friendofships]

Unfortunately I think they can only collaborate on impossible routes with Canyon sponsored riders.

[@davidtt8372]

They have a better format. Always a little disappointed with 20 minutes videos of 27 hour route and only about 4 minutes of the actual ride.

[@PaysonMcElveen]

@@davidtt8372different filmmaking goals 🙂

[@slickster3211]

@@davidtt8372I would say a different format, not better or worse.

[@davidtt8372]

@@slickster3211 I guess I should have said my preferred format. This was a video talking about an adventure. I prefer a video showing an adventure. I guess I was disappointed because I've heard Payson's podcast talking about this adventure and I was hoping to see the adventure.

[@marcelleger471]

way to go!!..always an inspiration

[@stephentaylor3787]

Really awesome Payson!!!!

[@mwd21]

I could be wrong, but to me this reeks of a racing mindset. Why not slow down, stop occasionally and enjoy the scenery? So what if it takes 2 days.

[@dt5337]

Yep, keep these videos coming. Great for amateurs to see close up the micro tactics. Must remember “race head” as an excuse for not being the most sympathetic cycling partner on a group ride

[@Tre7we88]

Epic video, great production and another step along the journey. Loads of C2C opportunities in the UK!

[@PaysonMcElveen]

On the list. 🙂

[@do703ogan]

Dude WOW. This is amazing, Random coincidence - my wife and I (Americans) were riding in Wellington when you were there. Also, saw you in SBT today...I was so wrecked all I could say was "YES!!!" when you blew past lol. Hope the rest of your season goes well!

[@do703ogan]

We also considered flying to Tas and doing this ride while we were in NZ...but over like a week+ haha

[@brianward7724]

Wow! There's no doubt about it, Payson - you're crazy!! Fantastic job, just the same.

[@gsrossco]

Didn't understand how the philosophy was different from a racing mindset, still charged across an amazing landscape in a day. Not saying it wasn't an epic ride and each to their own. Having said that I still enjoyed the vid.

[@PaysonMcElveen]

This ride was right at the edge of what I could do physically, so I needed to ride efficiently to actually get it done in one go. I do enjoy going for multiday bike tours now and then as well, but there is something really special for me about marrying a test of my athletic capabilities with exploring a new place. Plus, the difference between "going hard" and taking it easy is probably just ~4mph... definitely not enough to miss the scenery!

[@gsrossco]

@@PaysonMcElveen Fair enough, I'm more a tortoise than a rabbit, but what matters is that we enjoy the experience and it certainly looks like you had an awesome adventure. I rode the Tassie Trail last year, what an amazing place to cycle. I look forward to seeing your next ride.

[@samsmall8912]

So cool that I met this guy at SBT GRVL!

[@Cole_Paton]

Sooo good!!

[@Britishnate]

Amazing! I don’t know how you do it but please keep sharing.

[@tdaubner]

How amazing. Your so lucky to have the opportunity to do these adventures.

[@tdaubner]

Congratulations 🎉

[@markanderson7412]

Well played PM and crew 🤙

[@stephenbrown5844]

An amazing adventure my friend,, brilliant efforts 😊👌❤️❤️🇬🇧

[@mikebird19]

AMAZING!!

[@TheLucateli]

Great video

[@craigivison2951]

big ol world out there, nice ride 🤙

[@PaysonMcElveen]

Sure is!

[@Kevin_Aus]

What a way to end. Bay of fires is epic.

[@luvtheceltics]

Top job Buddy - awesome filming by your crew. Don't go to the mainland or it will be Taipans, Redback Spiders and more 🤣

[@Yoda-em5mt]

Great watch guys your so lucky having a gf and team to make this possible. I know this area well and did think yeah thats pretty easy but the single track sections really kill your average spd. Had to laugh at wooolies staying open for you if it were an aussie they would just close. I look forward to you crossing the mainland from the east coast right thru the centre to the west coast that will really freak you out riding thru the desert in the dark and dodging around 50 snakes per kilometre . Well done again guys . 😁👍✌

[@budycelyn]

legend

[@jaredmasters1233]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ChamarKRC1945]

👍👍👍

[@Mon-ei3vk]

Wow awesome

[@houseonlittlestreet]

🤘

[@avga88]

Epic!!!!:)

[@jonpoon3896]

If ultra is the new gravel, and we get more films like this.. yes please

[@pgee70utube]

amazing. i did the last 40km into the bay of fires and it's brutal, i just don't know how you did that. Hope you went back later to do the blue tier down into Weldborough - its a great ride.

[@PaysonMcElveen]

To be honest, if felt like that section would never end! Ha! I did descend Blue Tier down to Weldborough as one of my first rides when we arrived. Totally underestimated the climb up Blue Tier and finished in the dark. Called Emma and was like "dude, wtf is this terrain." Haha. But also riding through the peaceful Tassie countryside at night showed me just how awesome all aspects of the big ride would be.

[@PaddyQuiggin]

Fkn love Emma, absolutely Queen of Understatement

[@ShiningTrapezoid]

The consistency of the audio quality between video dialog and narration is impressive. Do you keep a lav mic hidden on you or is it just captured with a shotgun mic or...? Kudos on the sick ride and great job to all involved in the video production.

[@PaysonMcElveen]

Good question. Ya we ran a lav mic for almost the entire thing. Poor editors had quite the file to work through! haha

[@ShiningTrapezoid]

@@PaysonMcElveen thanks for the answer! Keep up the great work.

[@haemstah]

Good stuff. Jack Thompson looks like attempting a FTK on the Biddi, but in Nov when things are pretty toasty here. Plenty of dugites and tigers out then. What was the crappy Aust ride prior?

[@PaysonMcElveen]

The other route we had in mind? Tasmania Trail. Definitely still need to go check that one out!

[@brosonwheels4105]

saw you at the preview at boa in denver

[@PaysonMcElveen]

Thank you for coming!

[@shovelgun]

Sweet ride... Dude's a massive ding-dong, though

[@tubesockets120v]

Salty foods are clutch!

[@bryanhutzler7010]

Funny. My wife follows Nicole on Instagram and I follow you. We both watch your videos. Thanks for sharing.

[@X1019703]

Great journey. Why not try NZ? South Island have some beautiful country and tracks especially in the South Island.

[@PaysonMcElveen]

Funny you say that. NZ is where we flew straight after this trip, and bikepacked Paparoa and Old Ghost

[@BIKENESS]

So if the Tiger snake is the 4th most venomous..what are the top 3 ? 😮

[@hinsontacp]

What hydration pack are you using in this video?

[@PaysonMcElveen]

It’s the Osprey Duro 1.5

[@Boomeronabike]

Awesome effort but I hope you actually took some more time and got to enjoy being in Tasmania.

[@arnautorra4295]

Amazing video! What’s the song starting at minute 11:00? Thanks!

[@PaysonMcElveen]

All the music is original from awesome California composer Jared Masters.

[@PeterPutz82]

Nice, now do it with mates 👍

[@petedog9581]

Happy biker, happy wife.

[@andygendron]

Crusher

[@energylab6277]

I loved this, but you don't hug your team for outside assistance, but accepted them arranging to keep a supermarket open late? Supermarkets never do that in oz.

[@PaysonMcElveen]

I agree that having them keep the Deloraine store open for me would have been super lame! That's definitely not the experience I'm looking for on these rides. I was prepared to miss that store, so had enough supplies to get to Derby. However, when the crew stopped to get dinner there an hour before I came through, the store clerks were very curious what they were up to. When they heard by my ride, they insisted on being part of the effort. I actually decided to keep rolling, but then saw how disappointed the employees looked when I made that decision. One literally said "this is the most interesting thing that's happened in our town in years!" Ultimately, I do these rides to immerse myself in the place, including interaction with the people that live there, so decided to turn around and head back into the store and share that moment with the employees. I'm so glad I did, as it clearly lit up their evening as much as it did mine.

[@energylab6277]

@PaysonMcElveen well that is outstanding! That should have made the doco! Keep it up dude

[@PaysonMcElveen]

I know. Lots of really hard decisions had to be made due to run time etc.

[@haydenjames1391]

Shouldnt have to justify your own journey and experience to other people. Who cares about outside assistance, you rode your bike across the state and enjoyed the local culture and embraced other peoples joy for your ride.

[@kylelinc7901]

Tassie Gift next time?

[@PaysonMcElveen]

You know that is VERY solidly on my bucket list : )

[@Hallsy6755]

She sent you down Black bluff and said it was easy. Massive stitch up. I've seen her on the socials bit of an attention seeker so she would of loved it

[@horaciodedona3912]

What about the guys who travel solo thru desoleted places, day after day no seen anybody. Sorry I,m not impresed.

[@froggy0162]

Great scenery, and sort of interesting I guess. But incredibly self indulgent trivial nonsense…

[@user-fv2co5bm9j]

All this product placement is making me thirsty. Time for a Monster or V energy drink. Cool story but too much red bull crap.