Cycling around Australia

Hi everyone,

I'm interested in hearing from anyone that might be able to help with useful hints, information from
their experiences on long bike trips. I've just in the last couple of days decided to take a trip
around Australia on bicycle myself. Unfortunately due to commitements unless some big sponsor comes
onboard ( GRIN ) it will be probably at least a few years away.. possibly as long as 2008.. but I'm
starting to gather information ideas.. hopfully a sponsor or two.. and starting to buy equipment..
so any help anyone can give would be greatly appreciated..

I've got a temporary website up

http://au.geocities.com/cycleaustralia/

we'll be most likely getting a dot com later so it will be easier to promote the site and easier to
remember the name!

Please email me if you wish. I'd be happy to hear from anyone into cycling.

Thanks again..

Regards Greg

My advice is that if you gonna go, JUST GO!.

You do not need sponsors or equipment or special education. There are bicycle shops in Australia
selling cheapo made-in-taiwan stuff, which due to moderate climate and flat scenery is quite enuff.
If you can afford the $1000 ticket to Australia, another $1000 would suffice for equipment and food
for 3 months. Just go... Go now.. And goodbye..

In article <9RaJb.74025$aT.35190@news-server.bigpond.net.au>, Cycle Around Australia wrote:
>Hi everyone,
>
>I'm interested in hearing from anyone that might be able to help with useful hints, information
>from their experiences on long bike trips. I've just in the last couple of days decided to take a
>trip around Australia on bicycle myself. Unfortunately due to commitements unless some big sponsor
>comes onboard ( GRIN ) it will be probably at least a few years away.. possibly as long as 2008..
>but I'm starting to gather information ideas.. hopfully a sponsor or two.. and starting to buy
>equipment.. so any help anyone can give would be greatly appreciated..
>
>I've got a temporary website up
>
>http://au.geocities.com/cycleaustralia/
>
>we'll be most likely getting a dot com later so it will be easier to promote the site and easier to
>remember the name!
>
>Please email me if you wish. I'd be happy to hear from anyone into cycling.
>
>Thanks again..
>
>Regards Greg

Thanks. Good Advice. Would love to go now for sure. But I have contracual obligations that I must
finish first for work etc.. so unless I break the contracts or at least pay them out to release me..
I'm stuck here for a while yet. One reason I'd like to get a little sponsorship help towards me
hitting the road earlier..

"Timo Noko" <timo.noko@kkkolumbus.fi> wrote in message news:bt3rp9$mso$1@phys-news1.kolumbus.fi...
> My advice is that if you gonna go, JUST GO!.
>
> You do not need sponsors or equipment or special education. There are bicycle shops in Australia
> selling cheapo made-in-taiwan stuff, which due to moderate climate and flat scenery is quite
> enuff. If you can afford the $1000 ticket to Australia, another $1000 would suffice for equipment
> and food for 3 months. Just go... Go now.. And goodbye..
>
> In article <9RaJb.74025$aT.35190@news-server.bigpond.net.au>, Cycle Around Australia wrote:
> >Hi everyone,
> >
> >I'm interested in hearing from anyone that might be able to help with useful hints, information
> >from their experiences on long bike trips. I've just in the last couple of days decided to take a
> >trip around Australia on bicycle myself. Unfortunately due to commitements unless some big
> >sponsor comes onboard ( GRIN ) it will be probably at least a few years away.. possibly as long
> >as 2008.. but I'm starting to gather information ideas.. hopfully a sponsor or two.. and starting
> >to buy equipment.. so any help anyone can give would be greatly appreciated..
> >
> >I've got a temporary website up
> >
> >http://au.geocities.com/cycleaustralia/
> >
> >we'll be most likely getting a dot com later so it will be easier to promote the site and easier
> >to remember the name!
> >
> >Please email me if you wish. I'd be happy to hear from anyone into cycling.
> >
> >Thanks again..
> >
> >Regards Greg
> >
> >

If you have access to the Ntional Geographic archives, there were a few extended articles a few
years ago by a guy who did the circumference of Australia. It sounded like quite a challenge - hot
temperatures, strong winds, long distances with no facilities, gouging prices even for water, sand
storms are items that come to mind that he reported.

Go for it!

"Cycle Around Australia" <cycleaustralia@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message news:9RaJb.74025$aT.35190@news-
server.bigpond.net.au...
> Hi everyone,
>
> I'm interested in hearing from anyone that might be able to help with useful hints, information
> from their experiences on long bike trips. I've just in the last couple of days decided to take a
> trip around Australia on bicycle myself. Unfortunately due to commitements unless some big sponsor
> comes onboard ( GRIN ) it will be probably at least a few years away.. possibly as long as 2008..
> but I'm starting to gather information ideas.. hopfully a sponsor or two.. and starting to buy
> equipment.. so any help anyone can give would be greatly appreciated..
>
> I've got a temporary website up
>
> http://au.geocities.com/cycleaustralia/
>
> we'll be most likely getting a dot com later so it will be easier to promote the site and easier
> to remember the name!
>
> Please email me if you wish. I'd be happy to hear from anyone into cycling.
>
> Thanks again..
>
> Regards Greg

Thanks for the info. I will see what I can come up with. One thing I have decided is to basically
document the trip very carefully, using GPS, places to stay, photo's, and as much detail as I can
gather. Then catalogue it all in one place for people to use. Just searching the net myself I've
noticed a little bit of useful information here and there but not a lot of detail in one spot. I
hope to change that. Thanks for the reply.

Regards Greg

"Ron Wallenfang" <roboron@execpc.com> wrote in message news:vvc2f7kkpecm48@corp.supernews.com...
> If you have access to the Ntional Geographic archives, there were a few extended articles a few
> years ago by a guy who did the circumference of Australia. It sounded like quite a challenge - hot
> temperatures, strong winds, long distances with no facilities, gouging prices even for water, sand
> storms are items that come to mind that he reported.
>
> Go for it!
>
>
> "Cycle Around Australia" <cycleaustralia@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message news:9RaJb.74025$aT.35190@news-
> server.bigpond.net.au...
> > Hi everyone,
> >
> > I'm interested in hearing from anyone that might be able to help with useful hints, information
> > from their experiences on long bike trips. I've just in the last couple of days decided to take
> > a trip around Australia on bicycle myself. Unfortunately due to commitements unless some big
> > sponsor comes onboard ( GRIN ) it will be probably at least a few years away.. possibly as long
> > as 2008.. but I'm starting to gather information ideas.. hopfully a sponsor or two.. and
> > starting to buy equipment.. so any help anyone can give would be greatly appreciated..
> >
> > I've got a temporary website up
> >
> > http://au.geocities.com/cycleaustralia/
> >
> > we'll be most likely getting a dot com later so it will be easier to promote the site and easier
> > to remember the name!
> >
> > Please email me if you wish. I'd be happy to hear from anyone into cycling.
> >
> > Thanks again..
> >
> > Regards Greg
> >
> >
>

In article <WUtJb.75514$aT.56117@news-server.bigpond.net.au>,
Cycle Around Australia wrote:
>Thanks for the info. I will see what I can come up with. One thing I have decided is to basically
>document the trip very carefully, using GPS, places to stay, photo's, and as much detail as I can
>gather. Then catalogue it all in one place for people to use. Just searching the net myself I've
>noticed a little bit of useful information here and there but not a lot of detail in one spot. I
>hope to change that. Thanks for the reply.

There is not much to document and I have already done that:
http://www.kolumbus.fi/timo.noko/cas...alia/INDEX.HTM

These immigrant-landrobber monocultures are inherently boring -- once you have seen one place, the
rest is the same.

The immigrant mentality seems to continue for generations, because these people have tendency to
destroy all originality even when it concerns their own history, as deplorable as it admitedly was.

"Cycle Around Australia" <cycleaustralia@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:9RaJb.74025$aT.35190@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> Hi everyone,
>
> I'm interested in hearing from anyone that might be able to help with useful hints, information
> from their experiences on long bike trips. I've just in the last couple of days decided to take a
> trip around Australia on bicycle myself. Unfortunately due to commitements unless some big sponsor
> comes onboard ( GRIN ) it will be probably at least a few years away.. possibly as long as 2008..
> but I'm starting to gather information ideas.. hopfully a sponsor or two.. and starting to buy
> equipment.. so any help anyone can give would be greatly appreciated..
>
> I've got a temporary website up
>
> http://au.geocities.com/cycleaustralia/
>
> we'll be most likely getting a dot com later so it will be easier to promote the site and easier
> to remember the name!
>
> Please email me if you wish. I'd be happy to hear from anyone into cycling.
>
> Thanks again..
>
> Regards Greg
>
>

Suggested reading: Cold Beer and Crocodiles:A Bicycle Journey into Australia by Roff Smith. I read
it a few years ago and couldn't put it down. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...ef=sr_1_4/102-
1503554-3450550?v=glance&s=books#product-details

Howie

Cycle Around Australia wrote:

>Hi everyone,
>
>I'm interested in hearing from anyone that might be able to help with useful hints, information
>from their experiences on long bike trips. I've just in the last couple of days decided to take a
>trip around Australia on bicycle myself.
>
I guess Mike is on a bike trip or something; ...... he usually chimes in. Here's a link to his 2001
trip around Oz .... and then some.

http://www.mvermeulen.com/oneyear/australia.htm

--
*****************************
Chuck Anderson • Boulder, CO http://www.CycleTourist.com Integrity is obvious. The lack of it
is common.
*****************************

>>I'm interested in hearing from anyone that might be able to help with useful hints, information
>>from their experiences on long bike trips.
>>
>I guess Mike is on a bike trip or something; ...... he usually chimes in. Here's a link to his 2001
>trip around Oz .... and then some.
>
>http://www.mvermeulen.com/oneyear/australia.htm

Thanks Chuck,

I bicycled around Australia in 2001. Some quick thoughts and tips to think of:

* Study a bit about the climate, particularly in the tropics. There is a humid/wet season in November-
March and a dry season in rest of the year. I spent several months in the tropics without a single
drop of rain.

* The bicycle Fish web site is one of the better resources: http://users.chariot.net.au/~gloria/ For
example, postings can be found there about what water stops exist. There is also a book put out
for Caravaners about what is at each rest area.

* The north of Australia was one of my favorite places to ride, in part due to combination of
weather, culture (of caravaners, backpackers, gray nomads, britz vans, etc).

Let me know if you have some specific questions.

--mev, Mike Vermeulen

p.s. I just returned from San Diego where I cycled the 47th Annual HI Christmas Trip, trip
report pending.

Thanks alot. That is helpful information.

Look forward to reading information on your latest trip.

Regards Greg

"Mike Vermeulen" <mike.nospam@vermeulen.com> wrote in message news:3ff87fcb.4301093@news.4dv.net...
> >>I'm interested in hearing from anyone that might be able to help with useful hints, information
> >>from their experiences on long bike trips.
> >>
> >I guess Mike is on a bike trip or something; ...... he usually chimes in. Here's a link to his
> >2001 trip around Oz .... and then some.
> >
> >http://www.mvermeulen.com/oneyear/australia.htm
>
> Thanks Chuck,
>
> I bicycled around Australia in 2001. Some quick thoughts and tips to think of:
>
> * Study a bit about the climate, particularly in the tropics. There is a humid/wet season in November-
> March and a dry season in rest of the year. I spent several months in the tropics without a
> single drop of rain.
>
> * The bicycle Fish web site is one of the better resources: http://users.chariot.net.au/~gloria/
> For example, postings can be found there about what water stops exist. There is also a book put
> out for Caravaners about what is at each rest area.
>
> * The north of Australia was one of my favorite places to ride, in part due to combination of
> weather, culture (of caravaners, backpackers, gray nomads, britz vans, etc).
>
> Let me know if you have some specific questions.
>
> --mev, Mike Vermeulen
>
> p.s. I just returned from San Diego where I cycled the 47th Annual HI Christmas Trip, trip report
> pending.

>If you have access to the Ntional Geographic archives, there were a few extended articles a few
>years ago by a guy who did the circumference of Australia. It sounded like quite a challenge - hot
>temperatures, strong winds, long distances with no facilities, gouging prices even for water, sand
>storms are items that come to mind that he reported.

The author was Roff Smith and this appeared in December 1997, February and April 1998. Roff wrote
the book Cold Beer and Crocodiles describing his journey (and from quick net search seems to write a
few more).

Some of my experiences Roff's items above:

> hot temperatures
I got lucky. This also depends on season, but didn't exceed 38 C on my ride and only once or
twice over 35C.

> strong winds
I was surprised to find how much of the outback has low scrub vegetation. I had expected more like
the US southwest with low plants. Definitely some winds over 8 months, but nothing unusual. I
believe Roff found himself in a tropical cyclone (which can be bad).

> long distances with no facilities
The distances are larger. If you stick to the main roads, then I found longest gap between
roadhouses to be ~300km or a two day ride. If you go on tracks into the Outback then becomes much
larger. Also, unlike the US southwest, those roadhouses are all there is (e.g. no power grid, they
generate their own power no other facilities). As consolation, since there is mostly one sealed road
this is the one with traffic. I always felt like if I got into complete trouble, I could wait beside
the road and an hour or two someone would drive by.

> gouging prices even for water
Water was frequently more expensive then petrol. The US $ was stronger but many other prices were
reasonable.

> sand storms
Fortunately missed these.

Other adversity that I did encounter included:
* Long distance between bike shops. For example nothing between Katherine and Broome. I cracked a
rear rim, and also a frame on the trip. Fortunately, I was able to duct tape the frame and ride
~300km and the cracks on the rim also held for ~300km.
* Bush fires. Nothing too close, but large parts of the north is burned each dry season.
* Travel disruptions. 9/11 and the demise of Australian airline Ansett made travel more
difficult for some.

I would also recommend reading some of Andrew and Joanne Hooker's journal at:
http://www.geocities.com/andrewhooke...leTouring.html They just completed a trip around
Australia on recumbent tricycles.

--mev, Mike Vermeulen

p.s. my journal http://www.mvermeulen.com/oneyear/australia.htm

Well. I had my first major set back for planning my trip . I got robbed last night and they stole my
laptop. So I'm pretty upset today. But life goes on.

Greg

"Cycle Around Australia" <cycleaustralia@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message news:9RaJb.74025$aT.35190@news-
server.bigpond.net.au...
> Hi everyone,
>
> I'm interested in hearing from anyone that might be able to help with useful hints, information
> from their experiences on long bike trips. I've just in the last couple of days decided to take a
> trip around Australia on bicycle myself. Unfortunately due to commitements unless some big sponsor
> comes onboard ( GRIN ) it will be probably at least a few years away.. possibly as long as 2008..
> but I'm starting to gather information ideas.. hopfully a sponsor or two.. and starting to buy
> equipment.. so any help anyone can give would be greatly appreciated..
>
> I've got a temporary website up
>
> http://au.geocities.com/cycleaustralia/
>
> we'll be most likely getting a dot com later so it will be easier to promote the site and easier
> to remember the name!
>
> Please email me if you wish. I'd be happy to hear from anyone into cycling.
>
> Thanks again..
>
> Regards Greg