Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

Hey im only 15 and am planning to go on a 5 day 440 KM ride after year 10 during the holidays- Crazy? Yes I am. I am planning: Day 1-Canberra to Cooma, Day 2- Cooma to Bega, Day 3-Have a MASSIVE rest, Day 4: Bega to Cooma, Day 5: Cooma to Canberra. Thats my planner. But why do this you are asking yourself, Well I've always wanted to travel LONG distance by bike. I've always wanted to go camping but travelling with my bike. Why do i bring this up. SIMPLE, For all you cyclists which have done somthign like this before then please give me any little advise. Example; which bike would be best, what would i need and wot should i keep in mind.
***Here is the best part. Its a fundraiser for charity. All Will go towards makePOVERTYhistory***
I will be going door knocking and ask how much people would like to bet that i can do it...if any complaints please dont be afraid to tell me.

Cheers, Mark.

Suggested ride? Well, my Falcon would do the trip easy ... but you're too young to have a licence

Wait for the tourers to chime in. Personally, I think you'll be amazed what you can achieve. The only thing you need to seriously think about is your safety net ... and a mobile phone and someone able to pick you up from the side of the road is all you need, that and plenty of water (never underestimate the aussie countryside when it comes to water).

Go for it. Make us proud. Then come back here and brag about it.

Richard

Any chance in finding a buddy to ride with? Otherwise a few months of cycle training would be important or you may be totally out of puff climbing back to Cooma. And don't forget to learn how to fix and adjust the various components on your bike. You won't want to be in the middle of nowhere and get stuck with a minor problem that you can't touch up. For repair know-hows, check out Park Tool's site <http://www.parktool.com/repair/>. Also, you probably won't want to take a brand new bike on the road, ride locally for a few hundred km to run all the components in and then readjust them before you leave.

Good luck!

hey biker_4_fun, email me the details I a can make a page for you on bicycles.net.au where you can promote and provide info about your ride.

Cheers
Christopher

As a fellow long distance tourer, I do 600 kms in 5 days. It's easy. Remote WA makes it necessary to carry more water and supplies, but 440 km/h is easy.

Do not let anyone dissuade you, this is easy.

There is no way to train for a tour. The only way to train for a tour is on tour. So in the lead up to the point before the tour, train with the bike fully loaded. This will highlight any problems with the bike, and get you used to the bike in it's loaded state.

You will need to have low granny gearing with a load, but if most of the route is bitumen, you can get away with using a road tourer bike. The main thing to watch will be rear wheel strength. They will pop spokes under extreme loads.

What sort of bike do you plan to ride on?

bicyclewa wrote:440 km/h is easy.

At that pace you could do Perth to Darwin in about 10 hours. With a loaded touring bike that's pretty impressive.

Hotdog wrote:

bicyclewa wrote:440 km/h is easy.

At that pace you could do Perth to Darwin in about 10 hours. With a loaded touring bike that's pretty impressive.

Don't forget the panniers full of styrofoam trick

Richard

bicyclewa, you can't be serious right? Going from Canberra to Cooma and Bega to Cooma both involve a significant amount of climb. It's not flat riding in the WA desert for 100km/d. And for a 15 years old who obviously haven't done much longer distance endurance rides, I predict it'll be a challenge but a great experience. Making it sound too easy won't help attract much sympathy sponsorship money either.

I say go and tell the potential sponsors that this is an almost impossible task!

Mark, I think that there's a few things for you to consider (but remember, I'm no tourer).
First, the route. There is substantial climbing on all four days that you are going to ride. Plot your route out on bikely.com and you will see that it is continuously up and down. You might find the days a bit long, but there are reasonably well spaced rest points and places where you could stop if it gets too tough. Is it possible to fit in an extra rest day at Bega? Or you could do Bega to Tathra on day three, overnight at Tathra, then back to Bega the next day. They'll still seem like rest days after the first two!
Second, your bike. You're into downhill aren't you? I think that a downhill / dual suspension mtb would be too heavy and you'll be on bitumen all the way, so you won't miss suspension. So, unless you're made of money, check out Revolve for a reasonable steel frame and refurbish it. Talk with Paul and the guys at Smith Cycles in Fyshwick about second hand parts - they'll probably think that you're mad, but they'll work with you anyway.
Third, the weather. It's going to be hot and sunny. So, lot's of water and electrolytes and lot's of sunscreen, because it will sweat off. Are you going to cook when you camp? You'll have to check fire restrictions and what you can and can't do. I could go on and on - it's the Scout leader in me.
Finally - I wish I could come with you! I think that it will be a great trip, but it would be sensible to find some-one to do it with, as it is a pretty big thing to tackle on your own (or are you hiding the fact that you're into bushwalking and are used to multi-night hikes).
If there are any bike bits I can help with, just let me know.

bicyclewa wrote:but 440 km/h is easy.

Typo, Sorry, mean't to read 440 kms

sogood wrote:bicyclewa, you can't be serious right? Going from Canberra to Cooma and Bega to Cooma both involve a significant amount of climb. It's not flat riding in the WA desert for 100km/d. And for a 15 years old who obviously haven't done much longer distance endurance rides, I predict it'll be a challenge but a great experience. Making it sound too easy won't help attract much sympathy sponsorship money either.

The WA desert is not flat, and 180 kms a day is the average. I lived in Tassie and 100 - 140 kms is easily obtainable and thats at my age.

The secret for hill climbs is granny gears. As low as possible. 17 inch gearing is the best. You don't need to have high gears for high speed as the law of gravity will take care of downhills.

I used to ride those distances alone as a 14 year old in eastern victoria in the strezlecki ranges. Many negative people said it was impossible.

biker_4_fun has obviously heard and felt the call that only us long distance heavily loaded crazy cycle tourists understand. I can't understand why people race, but each to their own I suppose.

The fact that he is doing it for charity is also a good thing.

Recommendations for a bike, steel frame, 17 inch gearing, (ie 22 Tooth small front chainring, 34 T rear large), rear wheel strength will depend on whether a trailer is being pulled along. If using front and rear panniers, the rear wheel will need some strength.

Try and use a bike with wheels that have at least 36 spokes. By training on the bike with it loaded it will show up any issues before leaving.

bicyclewa wrote:I used to ride those distances alone as a 14 year old in eastern victoria in the strezlecki ranges. Many negative people said it was impossible.

biker_4_fun has obviously heard and felt the call that only us long distance heavily loaded crazy cycle tourists understand. I can't understand why people race, but each to their own I suppose.

The fact that he is doing it for charity is also a good thing.

Recommendations for a bike, steel frame, 17 inch gearing, (ie 22 Tooth small front chainring, 34 T rear large), rear wheel strength will depend on whether a trailer is being pulled along. If using front and rear panniers, the rear wheel will need some strength.

Surely you didn't do a 440km multi-day tour on your first ride out.

Given that he is a 15 yo, I'd be surprised if there's a lot of budget for a major refit for that ideal tourer's bike. But we'll see.

And what's wrong with discovering mechanical issues by the side of the road, miles away from anywhere in country infested with serial killers? Oh, I see your point.

Richard

europa wrote:And what's wrong with discovering mechanical issues by the side of the road, miles away from anywhere in country infested with serial killers? Oh, I see your point.

Please don't scare teenagers!

We are responsible adults and should try to portray the world we live in in a positive way. Damn those vicious dingos!

Well i say do it ..
Just a few things to remember WATER / food / spares / phone / WATER
Most of all have fun. If you want all real info on touring check out
www.bicyclewa.com.

Hey guys its me again...yeah i know wot your thinking any hoodle doodle umm thanks for all the help anmd info keep it commign but what bike should i use, and where to get it, and what specs should it have? i will have my mobile with me and i have a hydration back pack and wil be having 2 drink bottle holders(with drink bottle with woater inside ) Also i was thinking of a trailer actully. A trailer to pull all the equipment along. How much or where could i get one? where abouts in fyshwick is 'Smith cycles' peter? Oh bicycles.net.au admin(sorry forgot name ) i would love to have a page on this ride leading upto it and too keep you guys into information before and after the ride.
By the way I am VERY excited.

Cheers, Mark.

hey guys im actully looking at THE bike wich i shall be riding...i dont want to spend too much so i chose these tell me anything your thinking good and bad and then which ud preffer:

*Avanti Blade: http://www.riders.com.au/product_info.p ... 70731ca020
*Giant CRX Four:
http://www.riders.com.au/product_info.p ... 70731ca020
*Apollo Allegro:
http://www.riders.com.au/product_info.p ... 70731ca020
*Apollo Fiamme:
http://www.riders.com.au/product_info.p ... 70731ca020

Please get bqack to me asap:

Cheers, Mark

Of these, only the Apollo mentions carrier mounts - make sure what ever you buy has them. For a ride like this, you might want a front carrier as well and none of them appear to have the mounts for them (though the last Apollo might judging from a speck on the picture).

Why the preference for the flat bar? You can tour on dropped bar bikes and the arguments about which is better have kept many a pub open late at night.

How accurate are the prices shown? ie, what do you pay for these in the shops? Also, check out clearances of last year's models (it's that time of year).

If you're in a hurry, how soon can one be delivered? Trek have been promising me a bike for a month now and it's only just turned up in the bikeshop. One couple on this forum have been given a two week delivery time on two Avanti bikes.

Budget? I know that's an issue but if you can finance it, you'd be better off with this:
http://www2.trekbikes.com.au/catalogue. ... gory_id=32
Purpose built, with good quality components (ie, they won't let you down in the middle of nowhere), front and rear racks, steel frame, great reputation as a tourer and a good reputation as an alround bike. However, at two grand, she's a wee bit more than expensive than what you're looking at (always look at what you NEED, regardless of budget, then look for ways to fit into your budget - this gives you a better feel for the compromises you have to make).

If that $600 price is your budget, I'd also be looking around for a second hand steel framed bike - you'd get a far better bike for your money (steel for strength and a better ride, better components though worn because they are second hand). You might even find one set up for travel already. Again, time becomes an issue.

Do a search of the not only the papers but the pawn shops (such as Crime Converters) - most pawn shops have a heap of bikes, usually rubbish and way overpriced, but I've also seen some beauties that have given me wallet itch.

Richard

+ 1 on carrier mounts. Back pack ok for commute, but a carrier is a must for touring.

Mike, your OCR2 - bung a carrier on that, pack lightly (he is only going for four days and will be in towns so he doesn't have to carry a lot of grub). How would your OCR2 go? Twice his budget but a good quality, honest bike that'll do a lot more when he gets home.

Richard

europa are you asking mike to lend me his OCR2? Mike if you could it would be very appreciated ill do anything in return...ill pay for postage haha but then again its upto you, but just so you know im not a junkie i actully would really take care of the bike...the bike ive got atm hasnt got one light scratch on it...i clean her and polish her...shes my second priority (first being trying to to get it scratched )
Any way again mike its upto you.
OR infact if any would like to lend me thier bike for 5 days i would kiss you shoes!! im nto kidding you can oput them in dog poo and id still kiss them!

Cheers, Mark

Well, I'll give him this, he'll try anything

Richard
no, you can't borrow the Europa

haha aww that was gunnu be my second question-how about that europa Haha...i found a trailer for $290...And heading back to the OCR2 no panniers would be hooked up onto it...only a trailer and myself...also for saftely lights but opther wise im garunteeing thats all would be hooked up to it...please have a deep think about lending me your OCR2...Ill do anything

Cheers, Mark

heres the link to trailer:
http://www.bicyclestore.com.au/Bikecorp ... 21121.html

Deleted - double post

What Europa is pointing out is that the OCR02 06 model has the lugs for fitting a carrier.

What I don't know is whether the backs of your feet would hit the panniers or not, as road bikes are generally shorter in the rear.

oh...well i didnt want pannier anyway...i wanted the trailer because more stuff will fit into it and it will put less stress onto the bike frame...But apparently they do drag...all well...wot you think of that trailer?? worth it...?
Hey Mike what bike you got?
Cheers, Mark