Cape York, it's a cracker
- GJ_Coop
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Cape York, it's a cracker
Postby GJ_Coop » Wed Jul 25, 2012 9:51 pm
Reckon everyone should experience the thrill and joy of being out there on the Telegraph Track but have to admit the ride is a bit of an effort.
The major issue is that it's a fair distance and if you take a few side trips, where all the fun is, ie, going out to Iron Range National Park or through Cape Melville National Park it can be 1500km each way from Cairns to The Tip and because of the sometime soft road surface, numerous creek crossings and general terrain, ie, it's a bit hilly, you really need a month for each direction. You can always fly back from Bamaga or Horn Island so only need to do it one way.
Start training today for giving it a run next year: June, July and August are the best months.
I've got a new writeup on my site: Cape York.
- il padrone
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Re: Cape York, it's a cracker
Postby il padrone » Wed Jul 25, 2012 11:34 pm
When he came back from this tour (the whole Around Oz route) he was as fit as a mad bugger. In 1984 I toured the Snowy Mts with him, in 1985 we did Tassie . In 1987 he rode the Audax Paris-Brest-Paris 1200km 96hr tour.
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
- christophers94
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Re: Cape York, it's a cracker
Postby christophers94 » Fri Jul 27, 2012 6:11 pm
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Re: Cape York, it's a cracker
Postby Meditator » Fri Jul 27, 2012 7:29 pm
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Re: Cape York, it's a cracker
Postby Scotness » Tue Jul 31, 2012 10:47 am
You can cycle down the Bicentennial National Trail - I know someone who went from the tip of the Cape right through to Tassy - most of it was on the trail.Meditator wrote:I don't think i can face all that dust, having done the GRR. Take most of the 4WD off the road and I would probably love it as much as anyone. But dust is exhausting. It would be great if a track could be developed on which cars couldn't go.
Il padrone - have you got any photos from the trips you and Tony did? I'd love to see them.
Scot
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Re: Cape York, it's a cracker
Postby Meditator » Tue Jul 31, 2012 11:35 pm
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Re: Cape York, it's a cracker
Postby ozjolly » Tue Feb 26, 2013 11:51 pm
Brand new to touring so for starters looking to get myself a rig that would be suitable and that I can fine tune with a few shorter trips between now and then. Any recommendations on the type of bike? Not so much interested in brands, but really wondering whether a fat bike would be suitable. Do you think it would be worth the effort of pushing a bit of extra weight on the smooth sections to save the hassle over the soft stuff?
Any comments more than welcome.
- WestcoastPete
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Re: Cape York, it's a cracker
Postby WestcoastPete » Wed Feb 27, 2013 11:04 am
Between them, I'm sure they'll be able to help you out. I'd do it. I'd like you to do it and tell us all about it. I reckon it'd be great for such a trip.
- GJ_Coop
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Re: Cape York, it's a cracker
Postby GJ_Coop » Wed Feb 27, 2013 3:59 pm
If you want any smooth sections I wouldn't suggest Cape York as a place to ride, there's buggar all of that.
The best bits of the trip, for me, were the places where there was less traffic and for some reason plenty of sand.
Even the main road is pretty soft in places.
The fatter the better.
GJ
PS Hi Pete!
- WestcoastPete
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Re: Cape York, it's a cracker
Postby WestcoastPete » Wed Feb 27, 2013 4:19 pm
Gudday.GJ_Coop wrote:
PS Hi Pete!
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Re: Cape York, it's a cracker
Postby ozjolly » Thu Feb 28, 2013 10:56 pm
GJ, I did follow your CGOAB blog for your trip and saw your Cape York trips. Super blog btw. Definitely not chasing the smooth stuff!
I was never going to take much convincing, but I think fat is going to be the way to go.
- GJ_Coop
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Some images
Postby GJ_Coop » Sat Mar 02, 2013 7:45 pm
Started getting all nostalgic putting these together, all that sand.
I reckon Cape York is one of my great Oz biking experiences, the fun bits were more the Cape Melville, Iron Range, Frenchman's Track, Telegraph and then the Pascoe River Station Track rather than just hacking my way up the dusty Peninsular Development Road with all the other motorised travellers.
Start training now for this year's Dry Season!
GJ
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Re: Cape York, it's a cracker
Postby FatGuts » Thu Mar 14, 2013 9:34 am
GJ_Coop wrote: I've got a new writeup on my site: Cape York.
Man that is an epic read, I am still going ..........
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Re: Cape York, it's a cracker
Postby Bullwinkle » Wed Oct 02, 2013 8:16 pm
Having just done the ride from Cairns to the Tip, I have to agree, it's an awesome experience.GJ_Coop wrote:I reckon Cape York is one of the best rides in the country and I wonder why it's taken such a long time to find this out.
Reckon everyone should experience the thrill and joy of being out there on the Telegraph Track
It took me 2 weeks on a standard Giant Roam XR2 hybrid. No breakdowns or punctures whatsoever. The tyres were Continental CycloCross 700 x 35. If I was doing it again (which I probably will one day) I'd try and fit fatter tyres as there is a lot of sand on the Telegraph Track. The Peninsula Development Road was in pretty good condition, even in September, it would probably be even better (but busier) earlier in the dry season.
I returned to Cairns on the supply ship MV Trinity Bay which was a very enjoyable and relaxing end to the adventure and I would recommend this if you do ride up there.
If anyone's interested, my blog of the trip is here
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