Brisbane to Gold Coast (and back again)

[brades68]

Righto, who is keen, or crazy enough, to complete the Brisbane to Gold Coast (100km) and then ride back (80km)?
I'm interested at this stage - and by posting here, should now have the motivation

Cheers
Mick

[Max]

I'd give it consideration. It's a much longer ride than I've ever done before though (123 Km). Might have to work up to it. But hey, even if I only get halfway home, there's always the train

Max

[whichway]

Hi

I did this ride last year.

Make sure that you have the return route thoroughly worked out - you have to get the Pacific Motorway crossings just right or you can end up going down a lot of wrong roads and add a lot onto the trip. Most of the GPS sites have the route, but it is easy to make a wrong turn

Wear sunscreen

The southeaster that you bash into from Coomera on the way to the coast is your new best friend on the way back - I was doing 38 kmk/hr on the flats on the way back which was faster than on the way down

Know where the service stations are for that essential toilet stop

Make sure that you have your hydration, electrolytes and gels all sorted out. 180km in one day is an endurance ride for most of us mortals.

It's a kind of flat and boring ride. Good to say you've done it, but I'm not sure if I'd do it again, Maybe that's just me

It feels great when it's finished.

[Comedian]

Hmmm... I'll think about it. I've done 170k on the Ipswich 160 (!!) and for me it was getting pretty hard by the end. I mean I know I can do it... I'm just not sure how pleasant it would be

I mean by the time you've ridden to the start for me I've already done 15k. Nice warm up, but I reckon it would be a long ride home.

Plus, last year the wife and kids came down to watch me cross the line. Unfortunately they looked away and missed me... just as they did for the Noosa 160 too.

[winstonw]

I am up for it. My longest one day ride is 200, but broken into three bits with 3 45+ min breaks.

Some provisos though:
- we won't all get down the same time, so what ETD for coming back?
- I'd prefer to leave Southbank for the GC as early as possible (less wind and traffic on way back), even though I am unlikely to average > low 30s.
- I'd prefer 60 minutes for lunch and break, maybe 45mins.
- Would have to be 100% clear about route back beforehand, and traffic density and safety of such. This way we can plot a few outs to train stations for anyone who doesn't want to go on.
- Depending on wind, I'll probably only be able to average high 20s on the return trip, even with irregular drafting.

I'd suggest in addition to lunch, anyone doing the return leg start with at least 1.5 litres of electrolyte, a couple of gels/bars/fruit. If cramps or bonking is going to hit anyone, it'll be on the return trip. There was a lot of cramping at the finish last year.

Apart from that, if it rains or there's a grueling headwind, will reconsider on the day.

[marinmomma]

- Would have to be 100% clear about route back beforehand, and traffic density and safety of such. This way we can plot a few outs to train stations for anyone who doesn't want to go on.
[snip]

I'd suggest in addition to lunch, anyone doing the return leg start with at least 1.5 litres of electrolyte, a couple of gels/bars/fruit. If cramps or bonking is going to hit anyone, it'll be on the return trip. There was a lot of cramping at the finish last year.

Apart from that, if it rains or there's a grueling headwind, will reconsider on the day.
How about we call it the Brisbane Bound Bike Bus.

The easiest way back is to ride back the same way...back up to Paradise Point to Oxenford then back up past Dreamworld, Coomera, Yatala, through to Beenleigh, to Logan Rd all the way to the Gabba...traffic wouldn't be too bad, there will still be riders heading toward the coast.

The train stations aren't too far off the main way back if anyone gets to the end of their limit for the day.

I'm considering riding back but I'd be turning off at 8 Mile Plains.

[Comedian]

Thing is I wanted to try and go hard on the trip down. If I know I'm going to be riding back I'd probably be more likely to hold back a bit I think.

[nitramluap]

Righto, who is keen, or crazy enough, to complete the Brisbane to Gold Coast (100km) and then ride back (80km)?
I'm interested at this stage - and by posting here, should now have the motivation

Cheers
Mick

I'm planning on doing just that. I've done it before

[winstonw]

The easiest way back is to ride back the same way...back up to Paradise Point to Oxenford then back up past Dreamworld, Coomera, Yatala, through to Beenleigh, to Logan Rd all the way to the Gabba...traffic wouldn't be too bad, there will still be riders heading toward the coast.

Gold Coast Hwy looks shorter than going via Paradise Pt, but presume it gets complicated near the freeway, and the shoulders aren't as nice.

Just had a quick look for a map, and found this
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/403178
This guy avoids much of Logan Rd it seems.

[marinmomma]

The easiest way back is to ride back the same way...back up to Paradise Point to Oxenford then back up past Dreamworld, Coomera, Yatala, through to Beenleigh, to Logan Rd all the way to the Gabba...traffic wouldn't be too bad, there will still be riders heading toward the coast.

Gold Coast Hwy looks shorter than going via Paradise Pt, but presume it gets complicated near the freeway, and the shoulders aren't as nice.

Just had a quick look for a map, and found this
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/403178
This guy avoids much of Logan Rd it seems.

Have you seen Rochedale Rd??? I know that I wouldn't have the legs to ride up a couple of the hills along it.....not after 150k's!!! And Mt Gravatt/Capalaba Road is busy and there isn't too much of a shoulder to ride safely up to Broadwater Rd.

Logan Rd isn't too bad, the verge is wide for most of the part up to 8 Mile Plains....ride to just before the Glen and then use the V1 extension to avoid the worst part of Logan Rd.

Less traffic going via Paradise Point and the road is in excellent condition with a nice shoulder for most of it. If you used the Gold Coast Hwy, would you need to ride through the Helensvale Estate to get back to the service Rd at Oxenford??

[RosscoG]

I have always been interested in doing this although have always decided against doing it on my own.
Having the train to bail out to is great backup.
Very interested although I would not be able for a while. I have a bit of work to do before I am up to it I know, and have to finish and iron out bugs on my bike yet.

[nitramluap]

I have always been interested in doing this although have always decided against doing it on my own.
Having the train to bail out to is great backup.
Very interested although I would not be able for a while. I have a bit of work to do before I am up to it I know, and have to finish and iron out bugs on my bike yet.

It's an easy ride and there are many spots where you can do a quick divert to the train station. I'm planning on doing the ride down, having a nice lunch somewhere and then taking my sweet time riding home. I've done it before and it is not bad at all. The more people doing it, the safer it will be for us. I'm happy to have some companions

[winstonw]

Less traffic going via Paradise Point and the road is in excellent condition with a nice shoulder for most of it. If you used the Gold Coast Hwy, would you need to ride through the Helensvale Estate to get back to the service Rd at Oxenford??

I'm happy to go with what others think is safest and simplest...

[nitramluap]

Less traffic going via Paradise Point and the road is in excellent condition with a nice shoulder for most of it. If you used the Gold Coast Hwy, would you need to ride through the Helensvale Estate to get back to the service Rd at Oxenford??

I'm happy to go with what others think is safest and simplest...

This is the way I've done it before (just shy of 80km): MAP

[Yongkun]

Cool, me and a few small group of friends are considering doing that, staying clear of heavily congested routes.

[brades68]

Remember.... it's not a race!
i'll be happy to make it back before nightfall and at this stage will ride the return to complete the challenge and cross a century ride off the list.
so i would not expect anyone to be wheelsucking me, unless it's a headwind and all the lightweights tuck in behind the clydesdale.....but no complaining about the speed, or lack thereof

cheers
Mick

[Max]

I'm planning on doing the ride down, having a nice lunch somewhere and then taking my sweet time riding home.

Sounds like my kind of return trip.

Can I assume we're talking about doing this as a return trip of the B2GC mass ride?

Max

[marinmomma]

and at this stage will ride the return to complete the challenge and cross a century ride off the list.

[snip]

but no complaining about the speed, or lack thereof

cheers
Mick

Me too, I'd love to get the 160 done...and I'll be slower for sure especially going up the short sharp hill on Fryer Rd and again on Logan Rd at Underwood

[nitramluap]

I'm planning on doing the ride down, having a nice lunch somewhere and then taking my sweet time riding home.

Sounds like my kind of return trip.

Can I assume we're talking about doing this as a return trip of the B2GC mass ride?

Max

That's what I presume we're all talking about!

[RosscoG]

Ah, missed that point, thanx max.
I was looking at doing it with just a small bunch of people at our own pace.
I'll be up for it if anyone else is planning something separately than the mass ride.
Otherwise, will post something when I am ready.

[nitramluap]

Ah, missed that point, thanx max.
I was looking at doing it with just a small bunch of people at our own pace.
I'll be up for it if anyone else is planning something separately than the mass ride.
Otherwise, will post something when I am ready.

I'll do it with you if you like. Saturday 18th June would work for me. Are you in a 'bent?

[RosscoG]

18th might be a bit soon! I am just starting the new build, yes 'bent.
Lets get something together for anyone interested in a couple of weeks.

[nitramluap]

18th might be a bit soon! I am just starting the new build, yes 'bent.
Lets get something together for anyone interested in a couple of weeks.

OK... No worries!

[brades68]

I'm planning on doing the ride down, having a nice lunch somewhere and then taking my sweet time riding home.

Sounds like my kind of return trip.

Can I assume we're talking about doing this as a return trip of the B2GC mass ride?

Max

That's what I presume we're all talking about!

Yep, that's the idea. i guess i should have made it clear in the title!

Cheers
Mick

[brades68]

Hi all, getting close now.
Has anyone found / got some easy to follow directions for return leg that avoid the crappy shoulders and high traffic areas for a non local?

Cheers
Mick