Canberra Trip

[turbus]

Coming down to Canberra for a family holiday at the start of July.(4th to 18th)
Staying in Crestwood.....i think thats what it's called
Obviously the bike is coming
So what are some good rides to do?
And where are the Bunch rides?

Cheers

[HAKS]

Crestwood in Queanbeyan?

There is a forum ride on the 9th from Stromlo Forest Park on nice undulating roads to Tharwa and back, about 80-90km. See the separate thread if you are interested

I'll let others tell you about bunch rides and I don't do them

[Robdog]

No bunch rides here either, but the favourites are Black Mtn, Mt Ainslie and Mt Stromlo, and if you head out past Stromlo you start to get into some more challenging terrain found in Fitz's Challenge. South out of Queanbeyan towards Googong Dam is a decent ride too (Old Cooma Rd and turn back toward QBN on the Monaro Hwy) of about 50kms. I wouldn't advise heading east as there isn't much by way of bike lane on the Kings Highway. Along the Federal highway is OK, although very boring and you can go as far as you want then turn around

[turbus]

Yeah its Crestwood Queanbeyan

[jcjordan]

Depending on your strength will depend on if you’re interested but I know of three good bunch rides
On Wednesday and Fridays there is a ride which leaves from the car park in front of the Bike Shed in Phillip. Both bunches are pretty hardcore and push along at a fair clip. The Wednesday bunch is a hilly one, but does have a halfway point which everyone meets up again. The Friday bunch is a very fast pace run with a sprint point.
There is also a ACTVETs Sunday bunch which meets at Lennox Gardens (near the back of the Hyatt Hotel) which is considered a recovery ride for all grades. General speed is around 25-28 km/hr and all are welcome, even non members of the club.

[Librarygirl]

Queanbeyan is officially NSW, but pretty much right next door to Canberra, takes maybe 45 mins to an hour to ride into city, depending on your speed.

As far as bunch rides, there are quite a few options...if you want 'proper' bunch rides, Vikings club do rides that are open to public on Fridays and Sundays. The Friday ride is called the 'Norman', leaves 6am from ANU (Australian National University) in the centre of Canberra - near the Purple Pickle cafe and Union Court. There are the recovery ride group, medium and fast groups. Goes for a little over an hour and finish up with coffee at Purple Pickle. Sunday ride is called the PROD and leaves from the same spot at ANU at 8am during winter. Usually head out to Lake George along the Old Fed Highway. Generally recovery speed.

See: http://www.vikingscyclingforum.org.au for more details - it's under 'training rides'.

Otherwise, Pedal Power offer a wide variety of social rides - tend to be what I would call group rides rather than bunch rides - on Sat and Sun. If you go to http://www.pedalpower.org.au you can see the ride schedule.

Enjoy Canberra! And pack all the layers you've got - our Friday ride was at -3 degrees!

[turbus]

Thanks heaps for the suggestions guys
currentley race b grade so am used vto some fast pace bunches
really looking forward to some new rides
not looking forward to low temps though


paul

[rockviewau]

Queanbeyan is officially NSW, but pretty much right next door to Canberra, takes maybe 45 mins to an hour to ride into city, depending on your speed.


Enjoy Canberra! And pack all the layers you've got - our Friday ride was at -3 degrees!

Im a slow rider, and it takes me about 25-30mins to ride into town from queanbeyan (work) via bike paths and canberra ave. going via the airport would take about the same on pialligo ave.

just as a guide, it took me 1hr 10mins to ride from queanbeyan to mawson (which is south canberra about 10-12kms to city) via the lake/ parliament house
and please remember, im slow!!!

and yes, pack EVERYTHING you own. its freezing in the mornings, but geez, the day hours have been magnificent the past few days, around 15-17 degrees.

[turbus]

Sounds freakin cold

[jcjordan]

Sounds freakin cold

It’s only considered cold if your water bottles start to freeze while you’re on your ride.
It hasn’t gotten that cold yet this winter, but there is still time 

[turbus]

Did the Cooma Rd-Monaro Hwy loop this afternoon
great ride but the winds are crazy! side winds pushing me of the road wasn't fun
Thinking bout doing some climbing tomorrow

Paul

[turbus]

Mt Majura,Mt Ainslie,Black Moutain and Red Hill today

[HAKS]

What's your favourite out of them?

[Robdog]

What's your favourite out of them?

Don't start....

[turbus]

What's your favourite out of them?

Don't start....

Ahhh can of worms hey?
My opinion on the climbs (and its only the opinion of a sprinter)
Mt Majura:
Bad points: The road leading to the climb Majura Rd it think? is crap,Heavy traffic,no shoulder at times
Gate part way up you have to climb over
Surface is pretty ordinarry lots of leave and crap covering the road (green moss type stuff growing in places)
Crappy Decent
Good Points: No cars on the climb was a pleasant change
View was awesome
Mt Ainslie:
Bad Points: ummmm none really ...a few cars (not many though)
Good Points:Great surface
Good solid climb
Light traffic
Great decent
Amazing view from the top
Black Moutain:
Bad points:Quite a few cars
Not much of a view unless you wanna pay $7.50(i'm so cheap )
Good points:good surface
Good decent (slow down before the t intersection though)
Good climb
Red hill:
Bad points:none really ...a bit short (good for repeats,good for repeats)

Good points:short and sharp
Good surface
Good decent
I thought AInslie was the best climb but it was hard to judge the toughtest cause by the time i got to Red Hill i was feeling it