MS Gong Ride 2011 - 06/11/2011 (Sunday)

[bigfriendlyvegan]

Here's my annual message for Gong riders from an on ride mechanic:

1. We wear red jerseys and have floor pumps. Wave us down if you need a pump up.

2. Carry a spare tube or two. I'm happy to change it for you, but it helps if you have your own tubes.

3. If you can, carry a quick link or at least a joining pin specific to your chain. I will put it in for you if you'd like. If your chain breaks and you don't have a proper pin/quick link then I can only bodgy it up and hope for the best (except if it's an older chain, in which case I can easily reset the pins).

4. Carry some jelly beans or other sugary snack with you. You don't know when you'll need it.

5. Say hi if you see me out there. If it's sunny, I'll be on my touring bike, other wise on my commuter. I will be sporting a red MS Mobile Support jersey and red panniers.

David

[Manuel]

Thanks for the tips bigfriendlyvegan!

It'll be my first time doing the ride; I have been allocated a starting time of 7:30, but have planned to be there much earlier with all the CityRail trackwork going on this weekend. Doing it alone as all my mates scoff at any ride over 10k's.

I'll see how I go but I'm planning on riding back to Liverpool (somehow!). Probably head back to Sutherland and then head towards Menai/Alfords Point.

Jonw; I was just planning on tagging along with others sticking to the Princes Hwy from Waterfall onwards.

If you pass a guy with a plain white jersey on a black Bianchi roadie, please cheer me on!

[peter]

Not sure if this is something new for this year, on the ride preparation page:

http://www.gongride.org.au/about/ride-preparation.asp


It says:

Pin your Ride Bib on your front. Safety pins are available at each start site
– DO NOT ATTACH YOUR BIB TO YOUR BIKE


Any idea why so? You carry the emergency contact card with you, if the intention is for identification in case of emergency.

[peter]

If you can, carry a quick link or at least a joining pin specific to your chain.

I have taken your advice from last year and ordered some. I actually forgot about them and re-ordered.

Carry some jelly beans or other sugary snack with you.

I have ordered a box of Honey Shotz, time to put them to test.

Say hi if you see me out there.

Will do!


Just to add, if you are riding alone, bring a light duty cable lock, in case you need to walk away from your bike for whatever reasons.

[bigfriendlyvegan]

Not sure if this is something new for this year, on the ride preparation page:

http://www.gongride.org.au/about/ride-preparation.asp


It says:

Pin your Ride Bib on your front. Safety pins are available at each start site
– DO NOT ATTACH YOUR BIB TO YOUR BIKE


Any idea why so? You carry the emergency contact card with you, if the intention is for identification in case of emergency.

It's because bikes don't walk up to the stalls along the way and at the end, people do. Some non-Gong riding lycra (or other material) clad people take advantage of the freebies on offer to the riders.

[wombatK]

It's because bikes don't walk up to the stalls along the way and at the end, people do. Some non-Gong riding lycra (or other material) clad people take advantage of the freebies on offer to the riders.

I've got an alternate theory. Last year, their photographer was using software to recognize bib numbers, so you could find
your photo if you knew your bib number. And if it was clear enough in the photo. Mine was on my handlebars, and was clear
enough - but many weren't.

But then, I didn't see any "freebies for the riders". Mud/slush at the finish meant I didn't look real hard. What should
we be looking for ?

I'll be wearing a yellow jersey with a "High Voltage Peddlers" slogan on it and riding with me 24 yo daughter. Say hi if you see us !

Cheers

[peter]

If you were to cable tie the bib on the handlebar, glue some thin plastic or whatever at the back to re-enforce the bib so it doesn't fold up.

[bigfriendlyvegan]

It's because bikes don't walk up to the stalls along the way and at the end, people do. Some non-Gong riding lycra (or other material) clad people take advantage of the freebies on offer to the riders.

I've got an alternate theory. Last year, their photographer was using software to recognize bib numbers, so you could find
your photo if you knew your bib number. And if it was clear enough in the photo. Mine was on my handlebars, and was clear
enough - but many weren't.

Possible, but I don't see how bent over rider's numbers would be an more visible in photos. The organisers are quite keen on the no bib no ride idea which is what led me to my hypothesis.

But then, I didn't see any "freebies for the riders". Mud/slush at the finish meant I didn't look real hard. What should
we be looking for ?

Beroccas and such at the start line. Fruit along the route. Newspapers, gatorade, fruit etc. at the finish line.

I'll be wearing a yellow jersey with a "High Voltage Peddlers" slogan on it and riding with me 24 yo daughter. Say hi if you see us !

I'll keep a good eye out for 24 y.o. female riders and make sure I carefully read their jerseys. If anyone looks at me strangely, I'll just say I'm looking for wombatk.

[redcorpsjames]

I will be in a green rock racing jersey with a skull on it and fluro oakley jawbones. sayy hello if you see me, il be on my own

[BigBadWOLF]

good luck all of you. i am starting around 8 from sydney park in the white Air Pacific Jersey.. say hi

[snowmaan]

I'm team captain of my team in the Gong Ride, so have been working hard at training and raising sponsorships, my sister has MS so it's something I like to do
We are wearing REMOVED white and blue jerseys, 17 of us I roped into it, so say g'day if you see us.

My second time riding it, and been commuting to the city from Brighton Le Sands 3 days a week for a month or so, so feeling fitter and more ready than last time
Need some cheap glasses to replace my good ones I broke yesterday, if anyone has any suggestions lol

[snowmaan]

Oh yeah, raised over $1,200 so far myself, so stoked about that
Now for the ride...

[Alycat]

BMC jersey, BMC shorts, Trek 4.5, 6am start, wave if you see me!

[familyguy]

Oh yeah, raised over $1,200 so far myself, so stoked about that
Now for the ride...

Nice work. Had a bit of a donation-spurt last couple of days, so am nearing $400.

I'll be wearing my Dee Why BikeHub shirt and riding the C5. Meant to start at 6:30, but I'll probably be late and roll out at 7:15 like I do every year

Jim

[stylo]

Hey all,

does anyone who has previously done this ride know how fussy they are with start times ?

I am riding with a few mates and although we rego'd at the same time we got start times of 630 645 and 715 !!!

Do you think we'll all be OK to start at the later time of 715 ?

[familyguy]

I've never been asked for proof of start time. But any later than 7-7:15am and you're pretty much starting with the majority. Just dont expect to attain cruising speed for the first 10-15km and you'll be right. The only people I've seen fall off in this ride are in the first few km, trying to bust a gut and get around groups of riders.

Jim

[snowmaan]

Yeah you should be right I'd say
It's mainly just to load balance everyone overall, of course not everyone can stick to it, and with 10,000 people riding, it's impossible to govern it imo

I got our corporate team starting at the same time but initially we had all different times can you believe it.
I rang and did it, but for just a few I wouldnt worry

[257LL]

I'll be there in the event jersey, on my white and red Argon 18. I cant wait and looks like it will be a great day

[stylo]

Great, thanks guys. I didn't think they'd be too narky but better to know first hand !

[stylo]

A couple of friends are joining this year, both are first timers. We regularly ride M7 cycle way and just finished Spring Cycle last week. I showed them the profile comparison, will be an "interesting" experience for them.

Oh my ....... I've done the M7 numerous times but those 2 inclines to gong do not look too good !! Have done the Berowra / Pac Hwy side up from the punt and that was not fun yet that was only 3.5 kms or so !! These look like they go for 15-20 kms !

Is there usually a clear enough path when riding up the inclines or will there be bodies with bikes littered everywhere (me possibly being one of them LOL).

[Mugglechops]

The hills are not too bad. I have done the ride SS the past few years with no issues on the hills.

This year I have gears.

[goneriding]

The chart makes them look far worse than they really are. Although the up goes on for 15 km's, it's only 200m up so relatively gradual and easy if you pace yourself. The climb out of Audley is the nasty one!There will definitely be bodies and bikes scattered all over that!

Good luck and enjoy.

[stylo]

Can't wait !

[timbo]

Latset weather forecast is for 25C, mostly sunny and a 15km/hr n-nne breeze. Beautiful.

[gorilla monsoon]

Good luck to all. Stay safe and have a great day. Wish I was doing it again but, sadly, I have had to bow to work pressures and minor health concerns. Next year.