RE: Cycle Queensland 2005

[enzed]

Hi, everyone.
I've been involved with organised bike trips in Oz for the last 4 years, with a combination of the Great Vic Bike Ride, NSW RTA Big Ride and Cycle Queenslands. I'm one of the "regular" catering volunteers. I keep coming back because of the great fun & the friendly people I meet.
But for this years Cycle Queensland, I've decided to ride a bike for a change, just to see what it's like. This is where I need some advice.
Like ,what sort of fitness is required so I don't end up in the sweep bus?
And, what's the ride like from a cyclist's point of view?
Does anyone have any general tips, for an enjoyable, hassle-free Cycle Queensland?
As I've already pledged my intent to bring my bike along to some of my volunteer "network", I want to make my attempt to look good.
Thanks

 

[Turtle74]

Hi Enzed,

I've just faxed off my entry for the Cycle Qld trip this morning. I've only done 1 other tour which was the Great Tassie Bike Ride with Cycle Victoria in February this year. I absolutely LOVED it but it was sooo much hard work. So many people were saying its the hardest ride they've ever been on as there is some pretty full on mountain climbing in Tassie. I'm really looking forward to the much easier flat days and even the hard days look easier than the average Tassie day. My goal for this trip is to have enough energy at the end of each day to enjoy a drink and a bit of socialising & to not have to resort to using the SAG wagon (which sadly I did in Tassie).

You've been on these trips b4 so I guess you know how to pack your bag. I got a lot of tips from previous riders b4 leaving on what to bring with me (and how to pack my bag) and was happy to say that I didn't wish I'd brought anything else the whole time.

Before going to Tassie the biggest ride I'd done was 60kms and I'd only done that once so I was certainly under prepared for the trip. I'm now doing 4 x 20-30km rides during the week + 1 x 60km ride on the weekend and I'm feeling much stronger about this ride. After the 60km ride I still have plenty of energy. If only it didn't take up so much time I'd cycle more but life seems to get in the way (bugger!). I got a really good training program from the Great Tassie Bike Ride website (no longer there) which involves basically 4-5 rides per week building up to 4 x 30kms rides & 1 x 80km ride. I'm doing this program now so hope to be even stronger by the time we leave.

A few pointers - make sure your seat is comfortable, take 4 sets of cycling clothes so you don't have to do any washing after the ride. I'm going to take a bowl that has a lid this time so I can use it for meals & also pack food it in at breakfast to take with me for the day. Sunscreen!!! - I've still got obvious tan lines from the last trip.

For a cyclists point of view I absolutely loved the trip and plan to do as many cycle tours as I can. It's so much fun, very rewarding and you meet some wonderful people along the way!

Good luck with the training. I've recently bought a new bike which is now in the shop getting its first maintenance. Getting my new 725 bike computer installed on it today so I can really improve my cycle fitness.

Happy Cycling.
Kathy

 

[enzed]

Hi Kathy, thanks for the reply.

I had my eye on cycling a big ride since the 2004 Great Vic. As I was stuck in the volunteer bus every day, we took the inland roads hardly seeing any of the Great Ocean Road. So not fair. I couldn't help but feel envy for the riders.
So on this Bike tour I will be able to enjoy the scenary properly.

About packing my bags, overtime I've got a system sorted out. But, I have no idea how much my stuff weighs. Regarding volunteers, luggage is never weighed or anything. It never ceases to amaze me, the amount of stuff some vollies bring along.

Your training plan seems alright. I'm currently ride 30Km x 3 and 50km on Sunday. My trusty pre-loved Scott (Trek) mountain bike (with semi-slick tyres), needs a little work done on it. My Scotty's alright for my commuting, but not for touring. The money I was going to spend on tweaking & upgrades, has gone towards a deposit on a Trek 7100fx (with bar ends & Toe clips).

And it looks like I'll need more than the 1 pair of shy shorts, I currently use. They're have to moderately priced (ie Cheap). Cycling can tend to be a expensive hobby, what with the cycle queenland entry fee, transport to/fro
Queensland, and socialising costs (ie cafes/pubs).

Packing/unpacking the bike box worries me a little. Mechanically I'm a bit useless. I daresay there're be people to help you at the start.

I'm not exactly a born athlete, so the ride should be a challenge. But if an eighty year old guy can do it (as on last years cycle queensland), I should be able to at least try.

Good luck with the new bike and bike computer.
Happy cycling

 

[Turtle74]

Hi again enzed,

I spent the Great Tassie Bike ride on the bike pretty exhausted most days so I'm planning on enjoying more scenery this time myself!!! I'm def no athlete either and only started cycling to improve fitness - I've found that I absolutely love it and am slowely turning into a roadie - I don't look very good in lycra though so I definetly don't look the part

I've been buying cycle clothes online from Melbourne as I find they are cheaper than the local Brisbane stores (not sure where you are).

The last trip was quite expensive for us so I'm glad that this time we've got most of the items we need already. We've sold a few of the items that were no good last time - very dodgy sleeping mats, tent that was a bit too small for 2 & have upgraded them. Instead of sleeping mats we're taking a decent air bed and the rechargeable pump so we can be comfy. Last time we ended up spending $300 on a hotel room for 2 nights at the rest stop so having a comfy bed will make it easier to sleep in the tent the whole time.

You can probaly get away with 2 pairs of cycle shorts - I just find that its nice to not have to worry about washing each day.

Happy cycling
Kathy