MSGong Ride

46kgToDate

Any advice for a newbie from any of you old hands out there?
Riding tips, training etc...

scotty72

Ride

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www.bikenorth.org.au

2006 Scott Speedstar S10

matagi

Ride lots.

Yes, sounds stupidly obvious, but that's it basically.

Depending on where you live, you could try hooking up with the local BUG and going out on rides with them.

Also, pay particular attention to your bike setup - make sure you iron out any niggling fit issues which might cause pain or discomfort when riding longer distances.

46kgToDate

Thanks for that have been riding, doing 50-60ks around Centennial averaging about 26kph each week on my MtB, hopefully faster on the new Flat Bar Road Bike. As for bike fit I've had the bike professionally fitted to me, cost a bomb but there was a 100% increase in comfort an efficiency.

Next few weeks going to do more hills and one week we'll try the hills in the National Park.

Thing is its hard to do long road rides around Sydney because of the damn buses and idiot motorists, somwhere like Centennial at least gives you some protection.

46kgToDate

Thanks Scotty.

I supose what I was wondering from people who've done it before is
where they go
how far and
how often.

See, if you look at the MSGong site and the suggested training sessions there, the longest pre ride session is 45k's.

Riding around Sydney you stop every so often because of lights, traffic, idiot motorists and buses, on the day presumably the stops will be limited.

alwaysmiling

The MS Gong Ride is going to finish in Wollongong for the first time in three years.

The course will go over the Sea Cliff Bridge.

matagi

You could always pack the bike in the car and take a quick drive to Calga/Peats Ridge on the Central Coast - Peats Ridge Rd is a really nice place for a ride on the weekends - fairly good surface, nice and wide, and very little traffic. There are also a few uphill sections. The loop from Calga to Peats Ridge and back is 25km, or you ride Peats Ridge Rd all the way from Calga to the Somersby exit and back, not sure what the distance is, but it would give you a fair workout.

The only thing to watch out for is that the Central Coast Cycling Club run their road races there on the weekends - usually Saturday afternoon, but sometimes on Sundays.

46kgToDate

thanks matagi great idea!

jock.c

You need to be able to ride at least 45km into a block headwind (if you can do 45 you can do 90, so goes the theory)

The 1998 Gong ride was the worst in history with an unbelievable 40kmh headwind from before Waterfall to Wollongong. Very tough going for the unfit and underprepared (like me!).

So find a nice headwind somewhere and work out how to make forward progress without destroying your knees/rest of self.

46kgToDate

ugly

mikesbytes

You are already fit enough to complete the ride. You have all day to complete, so even if the wind is up, you will get there. Anyway if its windy, just ride behind someone big.

matagi's suggestion for a ride sounds excellent.

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Training Log

46kgToDate

Thanx Mikesbytes, for the vote of confidence. But if bigness is desirable in the wind, I'll have a veritable peloton behind me sheltering in the lee...

sogood

I'll follow you...

matagi

+1

Can you post what you will be wearing on the day, just so we don't miss you?