Canberra to the Coast
Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:34 am
I'm just dipping my toes into the mtb waters - if you'll pardon the mixed metaphor, and I'd like to do day tour.
Although it's probably a bit too much, too soon, I have a 'Canberra to the Coast' trip in mind. The most likely dates are Monday 16th or Sunday 22nd July.
If anyone wants to join me, just let me know.
I recognise that the route is a pretty big ask first up - but I have a back up plan that's a good bit shorter.
If anyone has any tips for a 'newbie' mtb tourer, just let me know - even if it's just to say "Use your back-up plan".
Here's my thinking to date.
The trip is a bit over 160 km and I'm hoping to maintain 15 - 20 km/hr, so it should be possible in one day. There are bail out points at Captain's Flat (60km), Major's Creek (95km) and Araluen (105km). There are water points and even toilet stops on both the longer legs. The route is road-based, rather than trails, with bitumen to Captain's Flat then gravel to Moruya. I think that I'll put semi-slicks on my mtb, rather than the Vapours. I got some 'el cheapo' Innova's from Torpedo7 a while back that I haven't used, or I could get something like the Continental Town and Country. The route is even downhill (except for the hump in the middle!). I plan on staying overnight in Moruya, then catching the bus back, unless I can talk my son into coming to get me. I only intend carrying fluids and energy foods, as I can buy stuff at each of the bail out points - and I'll be carrying weather-proofs and some basic first-aid gear (my Scouts would never stop laughing if I didn't live up to the 'Be Prepared' motto).
So, other than being generally crazy, is there anything glaringly obvious that I've overlooked?
ps. I've tried to smooth out the spike on the route's elevation profile, but I think that it is just bikely misbehaving - I sure hope so!
Although it's probably a bit too much, too soon, I have a 'Canberra to the Coast' trip in mind. The most likely dates are Monday 16th or Sunday 22nd July.
If anyone wants to join me, just let me know.
I recognise that the route is a pretty big ask first up - but I have a back up plan that's a good bit shorter.
If anyone has any tips for a 'newbie' mtb tourer, just let me know - even if it's just to say "Use your back-up plan".
Here's my thinking to date.
The trip is a bit over 160 km and I'm hoping to maintain 15 - 20 km/hr, so it should be possible in one day. There are bail out points at Captain's Flat (60km), Major's Creek (95km) and Araluen (105km). There are water points and even toilet stops on both the longer legs. The route is road-based, rather than trails, with bitumen to Captain's Flat then gravel to Moruya. I think that I'll put semi-slicks on my mtb, rather than the Vapours. I got some 'el cheapo' Innova's from Torpedo7 a while back that I haven't used, or I could get something like the Continental Town and Country. The route is even downhill (except for the hump in the middle!). I plan on staying overnight in Moruya, then catching the bus back, unless I can talk my son into coming to get me. I only intend carrying fluids and energy foods, as I can buy stuff at each of the bail out points - and I'll be carrying weather-proofs and some basic first-aid gear (my Scouts would never stop laughing if I didn't live up to the 'Be Prepared' motto).
So, other than being generally crazy, is there anything glaringly obvious that I've overlooked?
ps. I've tried to smooth out the spike on the route's elevation profile, but I think that it is just bikely misbehaving - I sure hope so!