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

[peter]

Registration is open: http://www.gongride.org.au/

But right now you need a priority code (emailed to people who fund raised $200 and more last year). Priority registration will finish on 22/July at 5:00pm. In other words registration will be open to the general public on 23/July (no harm trying after 5pm on the 22nd).

[familyguy]

Entered. If my LBS is doing start line servicing I'll be wearing their jersey. If not, I'll wear my BNA jersey this time around.

Jim

[peter]

I didn't raise enough money last year to receive a priority code, so still waiting.

[bigfriendlyvegan]

I think I may have agreed to ride this year on a tandem (as pilot)! I will probably be in my normal Mobile Service role, so look out for the red jerseys. (Actually, I think there might be two mobile support tandems this year - say hello to all four of us anyway).

David

[laufmaschine]

Has anyone had problems registering?

I have made many attempts since last nights open entry using many different Internet browsers and every time I finish the first page and hit the NEXT button T bottom of page it gives me an error message saying that I need to fill out all fields with an asterisk next to them.

I have checked, double checked and tripple checked all fields and tick boxes and I have filled everything out but no joy.

Cheers

[laufmaschine]

SOLVED..... by some experimentation

Very wierd but in order to register I had to fill everything out and NOT TICK the agreement to raise $250. Then hit NEXT button at bottom and allow it to fail and then
tick the agreement ti raise $250 and then hit NEXT button and all good

[hartleymartin]

If I go this year, it won't be on my heavy trekking bicycle, but on my Raleigh Royal. About 10kg lighter I think.

[gorilla monsoon]

I didn't raise enough money last year to receive a priority code, so still waiting.

I did but no priority code was sent.

[Ellipsis]

Am I correct in understanding if you can't raise $250 you have to make up the short fall?

[BigBadWOLF]

i just registered and from what i understand if you don't raise the $250 those who raise the $250 get priority over you

[Ellipsis]

It states on their website that "To enable MS Australia to continue supporting the increasing number of people living with multiple sclerosis it is a condition of entry for participants to fundraise a minimum of $250."

I'm all for trying to raise money for a charitable cause. But setting a minimum limit is a bit off...

A colleague of mine said that you had to kick in if you didn't meet the required minimum. Might write to the organisers to clarify this. Will post response.

[Old and Rusty]

The number of participants is capped so they have to make the most out of the event. It's pointless having several thousand participants pay $60 so they can ride the route with traffic control when there are people who are willing to fund raise and get across the line for $250. Remember it's a user pays scenario for police and traffic control, RTA consultancy etc etc etc. Last year they raised over $5mil, 10,000 people x $60 = $600,000 which buys about sweet Fanny Adams in research and assistance for MS sufferers.
I'm all for the $250 target, I had no problems getting over that just with facebook friends donations and I paid for the full kit entry, jersey etc. On the ride I enjoyed the company of Wombatk, his daughter and Lovemybike from this forum and apart from the odd chubby bloke pushing Pinarellos up the big hills everyone seemed to have a great time.

[gorilla monsoon]

Sadly, I have to be a non-starter this year.

[daniel.s]

I've registered for this year. Looking forward to it.

[peter]

Look out for the entry kit in your letter box. If you have opted for train ticket, there's an arm band in the envelop.

[BigBadWOLF]

with just over 4 weeks to go entry kits arrived..

how is everyones training and fund raising going.. got a newsletter from MS today saying only 1000 odd spaces left from this years ride

[coreBean]

Afternoon all - am new here so please excuse this post if it is in the wrong section.

Simply put, I am in a bit of a bind for transport to the start location for the ride and wanted to know if anyone lives on the northern beaches area and has room for one bike + rider. I am willing to chip in for parking/petrol/toll fees.

If this is not the place to ask, can you point me in the right direction perhaps?

Thanks in advance

[timbo]

According to the Gong Ride website, entries have now closed, so I presume they have their 10,000 riders.

Good luck, good riding and good weather for all those on the ride.

[peter]

Entry closed but not quite 10,000 riders, but 9,785 according to the leaderboard.

http://register.gongride.org.au/2011-Sy ... ffset=9780

Given that it's only a couple of weeks away, they have to finalise and mail out all the entry kits right about now, so can't leave it open forever.

[peter]

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.

[blc]

Hi Peter, I agree it looks daunting when viewed like that! The big climbs are actually pretty gradual and not too hard. The hill on the south end of the sea cliff bridge is probably the toughest but it's only short.
Cheers,

Ben

[wombatK]

Hi Peter, I agree it looks daunting when viewed like that! The big climbs are actually pretty gradual and not too hard. The hill on the south end of the sea cliff bridge is probably the toughest but it's only short.
Cheers,

Ben

If they can get up the M7 cycleway to Elizabeth Drive, the hills won't daunt them. The hill after Sea cliff bridge is no worse than the steepest bit of the M7 cycleway. Just have to make sure you give other riders plenty of clearance in case they start a death wobble part way up.

[jonw]

Anybody have a good route for the ride back? I'm thinking of retracing the route back as far as the entrance to the NP (waterfall?) but after that I don't know. I don't want to ride along the highway any more than I have to.

Cheers,

Jon

[Gamecat]

Anyone know anybody riding a singlespeed or fixie starting from Sydney Park? Looking for company on those climbs!

[timbo]

Latest weather forecast for the Gong Ride is for sunny skies, north-north easterly winds and 26C. Great conditions.