Around the Bay 2021 is go

[Coffee_Jimmy]

Just got the email confirming the date for the 2021 Around the Bay event.

Having never done anything like this I'm looking to do the 100k ride as a start then slowly build up to the full ride sometime in the future.

Anyone recommend doing this or want to talk me out of it?

Cheers

Jimmy.

[Calvin27]

Go for the full 210km. You've got plenty of time to train for it.

[cyclotaur]

The 100km option is pretty basic. If you're not up for the full loop inc ferry etc enter the 200 Sorrento return. Its a good day out, lunch at Sorrento good support up and down, and always the option to bail out and take the train on the way back this side of Frankston.

I've never bothered with the loop but done the 200 many times.

[P!N20]

I've always thought I should do this one day...maybe this is the year?

[Arbuckle23]

I agree, train up for the 210 loop, plenty of time.
I might have another go myself, have enjoyed the two I have done (should have been 3, but we won't go there will we mister left hip )

[Calvin27]

I've always thought I should do this one day...maybe this is the year?

I thought about repeating it this year with some of my mate who haven't. But being a big bicycle year with lots of new riders, I can't imagine the carnage and group pile ups. It's the bit about ATB most don't talk about. Get use to riding in a bunch is minimum.

[Coffee_Jimmy]

Problem with training for a longer ride is winter is coming up and I normally leave the house at 530am and don't get home till 7pm each day.
Not going to be able to do the required training on the weekends and be able to pull it off.
Plus I currently average 25kph by myself so a 210k ride is 8 hours in the saddle not including breaks.
Spoke to a few guys at work today about it and they are keen for the 100k.

[find_bruce]

Around the Bay 2021ist got

I'm confused - can't figure out if the subject was meant to be in German "ist gut" or a case of the galloping t's & meant to be a thunderbirds nod with "is go"

[Coffee_Jimmy]

Should have been 'is go' but stupid autocorrect and I can't seem to work out how to change it.

If someone with a higher pay grade than mine can change it would be tops.

[DavidS]

I've signed up for the 210, done it 3 times before. I normally average about 25KMs/h on my commute although a bit slow at the moment as only back to work on site recently. Around he Bay I tend to have a higher average because less stopping and starting.

It is quite an achievement to go around the bay in 1 day, it is a very long day though.

I ride on my own because that is what I am used to and it means I can make my own pace. In any case, I know very few people who would be up for this.

It is good fun, even if you end up with a sore rear end (I wear unpadded shorts and ride on a Brooks) and well worth doing.

Of course, if you are really crazy you can sign up for the 300KM!

DS

[Calvin27]

Plus I currently average 25kph by myself so a 210k ride is 8 hours in the saddle not including breaks.
Spoke to a few guys at work today about it and they are keen for the 100k.

If you can clear the 100km mark comfortably the 210 should be doable. Don't underestimate the lack of effort required to draft lol.

[nemo57]

I set myself for the Sorrento return in 2018, had lots of encouragement from wise heads here, and enjoyed a sense of achievement and several beers at the end.
Was warned against the round trip on the basis you can be waiting a long time for the ferry if you miss the first wave and cool down something chronic while doing so.
Worked my way up to doing 100+ every 5 days or so by mid-August, longest about 140, eased off a lot in the fortnight before the big day.
Would really help to have at least one companion to share, tho you can pick up plenty of cheery company en route. By Mornington on the return there are plenty of tired legs, and friends become very welcome.
It helped that the weather was good - I believe that the previous year a howling northerly struck in the PM and was no fun at all.
Might go it again yet.

[DavidS]

Yep, depends a lot on the wind. A Northerly makes it damned hard. No escaping from the wind when you're going close to the beach for a lot of the ride.

DS

[Golfer]

Hey Everyone,
I’m relatively new to cycling, I guess you could say that I’m a Covid cyclist lol. I borrowed a bike in the early stages of the first lockdown last year when golf courses (my chosen sport) were closed and I haven’t looked back. I’ve since purchased my own bike, a 2021 Trek FX2 disk and have worked up to some pretty decent rides. I mainly stick to trails and I’ve completed a few 100k trips along the Eastlink trail between Ringwood and Frankston averaging a touch over 25km/h on these 4 hour rides.

I’m keen to complete the classic 210 around the bay and I guess my question is would my hybrid bike be suitable for this? I feel like it shouldn’t be a problem for me based on the rides I’ve completed but would be interested in hearing thoughts on if I should look at a road bike for this event or potentially any modifications to my current setup. I’m not too interested in speed but just want to be able to complete occasional rides like this in the future.

I still have a bit to learn but I’m enjoying this new found passion of mine and looking to push myself as much as possible.

Cheers,
Ben

[Calvin27]

I’ve since purchased my own bike, a 2021 Trek FX2 disk and have worked up to some pretty decent rides. I mainly stick to trails and I’ve completed a few 100k trips along the Eastlink trail between Ringwood and Frankston averaging a touch over 25km/h on these 4 hour rides.

I’m keen to complete the classic 210 around the bay and I guess my question is would my hybrid bike be suitable for this?

Should be fine. One year a group rode the absolutely terribly blue city bikes 210km for reference.

[queequeg]

I have wanted to do this for a number of years but something has always come up. I was off the bike in 2017/2018 with injury, 2019 I was doing another event the same weekend, it was cancelled in 2020 and now the weekend it is on I am already doing another event (Gears & Beers 130km Gravel Event in Wagga).
If not for that I' be doing the 200 or 300km events.
All is not lost though, I'll be down in November for the Great Southern Randonee (1200km) which Starts/Finishes in Anglesea. 90 hour time limit, but I am sad to be missing the opportunity for a fast 300km. I'd normally average low 30's solo for a flat ride so it would have been great in a bunch, even with the climbing on the 300km loop at Arthur's Seat

[P!N20]

Great Southern Randonee (1200km)
fast 300km

You're insane.

[queequeg]

Great Southern Randonee (1200km)
fast 300km

You're insane.

I'm headed to Central West NSW in a few weeks to do my 600km qualifying ride for the GSR1200. I did the same ride last year in September, and it was cold, wet and windy. The 30-40km/h westerly headwinds were awful, but when we turned easterly on each loop it was amazing. Only time I have gone 2nd on a Strava leaderboard during an Audax ride! I knocked off the first 300km at over 32km/h average, and managed to finish the 606km course right on 30km/h avg speed (moving). Hoping for more favourable conditions this time out!

[Golfer]

Should be fine. One year a group rode the absolutely terribly blue city bikes 210km for reference.

Cheers, thanks for that. I’ve been pretty comfortable doing 100ks or so on my bike so assumed it’ll be ok for the 210. I’m not in a position to buy a road bike as yet so will def give it a go with what I’ve got. Plenty of time to train up so I’m ready for the full distance.

[Coffee_Jimmy]

Golfer, I currently have a flat bar too and will do the 100k this year. Currently got 4 people lined up to join me who are keen on the 100 but not 210.

Would love to do the 210 maybe next year.

[10speedsemiracer]

Great Southern Randonee (1200km)
fast 300km

You're insane.

+1

[DavidS]

I have 2 bikes: a flat bar and a drop bar bike.

I do rides like Around the Bay on the drop bar.

However, the flat bar is an aluminium bike and the drop bar is a steel frame. The flat bar is definitely lighter.

Really, the flat bar may well be an easier and/or quicker option. It depends more on the bike than the style of bike. I have thought about doing Around the Bay on the flat bar, I'm sure it would be fine.

DS

PS: Yes Queequeg is definitely insane.

[djw47]

Just got the email confirming the date for the 2021 Around the Bay event.

Having never done anything like this I'm looking to do the 100k ride as a start then slowly build up to the full ride sometime in the future.

Anyone recommend doing this or want to talk me out of it?

Cheers

Jimmy.

I remember getting all hyped for the 100km a few years ago when 100km was going to be my longest ride at that time. It was one of the easiest rides I've ever done. The roads are pan flat and it's not particularly challenging. As others have suggested, skip the 100km and do the full ride, you'll be fine.

[queequeg]

Around the Bay, the Fitz Challenge and Wagga Gears and Beers Festical are all on the same day this year

I'd like to do all of them, but this year we decided on making a weekend out of it in Wagga due to it being a gravel event and more of a festival than a full day cycling event (the big ride is only 130km). Not sure why they moved the Fitz Challenge from it's usual last week of October date, and no idea what sort of overlap they'd have anyway with the other events.

For me, ATB would be a chance to see what I can go going full gas for 300km in a group, though it would probably be a small group doing that.