Canberra to the Coast
- LuckyPierre
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Canberra to the Coast
Postby LuckyPierre » Tue Jul 03, 2007 7:42 am
The '30 second elevator speech' version - "Ride from Canberra to Moruya via Captain's Flat, Major's Creek and Araluen, covering the 160 km in 8 - 10 hours. Overnight in Moruya, then catch the bus back. Be prepared to bail out if it looks like taking too long. Rather than dwell on it, tackle it soon."
I'll post a trip report when I get back - if I get back!
Alchemy Diablo - Columbus Zonal tubing, Ultegra 9-speed groupset, UltraGatorskins
Gitane Rocks T1 - U6 tubing, Deore/XT groupset, CrossMarks
- mikesbytes
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Postby mikesbytes » Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:12 am
- LuckyPierre
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Postby LuckyPierre » Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:47 am
In a word, "No" - I'll either catch the bus or get picked up.mikesbytes wrote:Are you going to do the return journey?
Alchemy Diablo - Columbus Zonal tubing, Ultegra 9-speed groupset, UltraGatorskins
Gitane Rocks T1 - U6 tubing, Deore/XT groupset, CrossMarks
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Postby mikesbytes » Tue Jul 03, 2007 10:28 am
- LuckyPierre
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Postby LuckyPierre » Tue Jul 03, 2007 1:08 pm
Some people think that the 'Gong ride has enough climbing, but the maximum elevation gain over the long course is only 250 metres. The return trip on this ride would mean a 1,200 metre gain - and it puts the lumpy bits at the end of the ride.
If I go, one way will be enough.
Alchemy Diablo - Columbus Zonal tubing, Ultegra 9-speed groupset, UltraGatorskins
Gitane Rocks T1 - U6 tubing, Deore/XT groupset, CrossMarks
- europa
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Postby europa » Tue Jul 03, 2007 1:17 pm
Richard
- LuckyPierre
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Postby LuckyPierre » Tue Jul 03, 2007 1:33 pm
That's what I / we intend to do! Sadly, it will have to be a sensible night, because the bus to Canberra leaves Moruya at 6:00am.europa wrote: ... Spend the night in a pub? ...Richard
edited to add
You beauty - I just found another bus that leaves after lunch. That's more like it!
Alchemy Diablo - Columbus Zonal tubing, Ultegra 9-speed groupset, UltraGatorskins
Gitane Rocks T1 - U6 tubing, Deore/XT groupset, CrossMarks
- LuckyPierre
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Postby LuckyPierre » Tue Jul 03, 2007 6:03 pm
In my best argumentative tone: "How about you do it!"europa wrote:I'd do it from coast to home
This isn't like riding from Glenelg to Murray Bridge - well, the Canberra to the Coast leg is, being a gain of about 600 metres, but it is twice as far. The Coast to Canberra leg would have a gain of 1200 metres, with 500 - 600 metres of that being a bl**dy cliff face. That bit (just outside Major's Creek) is going to be hairy enough going down, let alone going up!
I'm going to have a look at whether there is a similar profile in South Australia - I'll come back and whinge some more if there isn't!
Alchemy Diablo - Columbus Zonal tubing, Ultegra 9-speed groupset, UltraGatorskins
Gitane Rocks T1 - U6 tubing, Deore/XT groupset, CrossMarks
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Postby mikesbytes » Tue Jul 03, 2007 7:39 pm
Yeh it leaves the cork screw for dead.LuckyPierre wrote:In my best argumentative tone: "How about you do it!"europa wrote:How about riding there, overnighting and riding home
This isn't like riding from Glenelg to Murray Bridge - well, the Canberra to the Coast leg is, being a gain of about 600 metres, but it is twice as far. The Coast to Canberra leg would have a gain of 1200 metres, with 500 - 600 metres of that being a bl**dy cliff face. That bit (just outside Major's Creek) is going to be hairy enough going down, let alone going up!
I'm going to have a look at whether there is a similar profile in South Australia - I'll come back and whinge some more if there isn't!
Should be able to climb it in around an hour.
- LuckyPierre
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Postby LuckyPierre » Fri Jul 13, 2007 10:57 am
I will try and drum up some interest when I find another weekend to try it.
ps. I found a way to put in more gravel, the same (or roughly) amount of up and downs and cut off 10km.
Alchemy Diablo - Columbus Zonal tubing, Ultegra 9-speed groupset, UltraGatorskins
Gitane Rocks T1 - U6 tubing, Deore/XT groupset, CrossMarks
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Postby mikesbytes » Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:07 pm
Not taking the road'ie ?LuckyPierre wrote:Sadly, my Canberra to the Coast trip is on hold.
I will try and drum up some interest when I find another weekend to try it.
ps. I found a way to put in more gravel, the same (or roughly) amount of up and downs and cut off 10km.
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Postby BigClimbs » Sat Sep 22, 2007 8:38 pm
- s-s-a
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Postby s-s-a » Thu Nov 29, 2007 9:58 pm
- Take Briars Sharrow Road to the left on your way to CF and about 1km down there turn right onto ?Plains Road (which used to be horrible rough dirt but is now sealed).
- At the end of this road (Hoskinstown) turn right and follow signs to Rossi.
- Continue into Tallaganda SF which you will enter from the north up a longish consistent but not steep climb.
- Veer right at the top of the hill (in theory you can go left but I've never explored this one) and follow to the end at a T-junction where you turn left (turning right would take you to CF).
- Follow your nose along here back into farmland and pop out on the Captains Flat-Majors Creek road at the top of the final descent to the bitumen road that goes across the Shoalhaven.
I have ridden Canberra to Moruya twice around this time of year and once on the long weekend in June when we left the burbs in the dark and the sun rose when we were out on Plains Road - boy was it COLD! It's about 170km along the route I described above.
Steph
- Blazing Saddle
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Postby Blazing Saddle » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:41 pm
I drank about 6 beers when we finished the ride and they never touched the sides...Thank god the hotel had a pool and an understanding manager.
Cheers,
Rowan
- LuckyPierre
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Postby LuckyPierre » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:46 am
I'll probably get dropped off at the Captain's Flat turn-off and use the alternate route that s-s-a mentioned to make it a bit shorter day.
Same basic plan - mtb with semi-slicks; only carry fluids, energy foods and camera (plus my credit card); bail out at Major's Creek or Araluen if it all get's too much; try for some-one to pick me up or catch the bus back.
If any-one's interested in loosing a day (or two) over Easter, let me know.
Alchemy Diablo - Columbus Zonal tubing, Ultegra 9-speed groupset, UltraGatorskins
Gitane Rocks T1 - U6 tubing, Deore/XT groupset, CrossMarks
- LuckyPierre
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Postby LuckyPierre » Wed Mar 12, 2008 2:01 pm
It looks like I'll have to talk my son in to coming to get me.
Alchemy Diablo - Columbus Zonal tubing, Ultegra 9-speed groupset, UltraGatorskins
Gitane Rocks T1 - U6 tubing, Deore/XT groupset, CrossMarks
- DavidH
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Postby DavidH » Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:45 pm
When I finally do get a decent MTB (next year at this stage) this sounds like a "must do".
- LuckyPierre
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Postby LuckyPierre » Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:45 pm
Sounds like a cop out to me!DavidH wrote:I would seriously consider joining you but for one small detail...I don't have a MTB (or at least I don't have a MTB that I would consider rideworthy for a trip like that) ...
Anyway, who says that my bike is particularly rideworthy? I'll be riding a pretty basic alloy hardtail - and I could easily arrange the loan of another one.
Alchemy Diablo - Columbus Zonal tubing, Ultegra 9-speed groupset, UltraGatorskins
Gitane Rocks T1 - U6 tubing, Deore/XT groupset, CrossMarks
- LuckyPierre
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Postby LuckyPierre » Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:51 pm
My son's response was: "As if!".LuckyPierre wrote:Since I first planned this trip (last year), the bus I intended to catch back to Canberra has stopped operating - and the only alternative that I've been able to find will only carry bikes if they're in a bike box ... It looks like I'll have to talk my son in to coming to get me.
Plan B (inspired by the fact that I was prepared to catch the bus anyway) is to drive down the day before, catch the bus back, ride the next day and then drive home. A bit of 'to-ing and fro-ing', but keeps the dream alive.
Alchemy Diablo - Columbus Zonal tubing, Ultegra 9-speed groupset, UltraGatorskins
Gitane Rocks T1 - U6 tubing, Deore/XT groupset, CrossMarks
- DavidH
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Postby DavidH » Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:31 am
Of course it's a cop out!LuckyPierre wrote:Sounds like a cop out to me!
But I will be taking part in the Vets road race at Dalton over the Easter weekend. Apparently it's 60km. The longest ride I've had this year is 65km so it's going to be a struggle.
Mind you I have one less competitor. Brad White was upgraded to D at the same time as me, won two races, and has been upgraded to C. A bit harsh?
Anyway...as far the coast ride goes...next time?
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Re: Canberra to the Coast
Postby Danter » Sun Aug 21, 2022 6:42 pm
What are the road conditions like? How would a gravel bike go with big bag hardpack tyres? Would I better off on a mtb?
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Re: Canberra to the Coast
Postby Dervish » Thu Feb 23, 2023 9:27 pm
I've probably missed the boat on replying to Danter, but for future reference I did the route as described in the first post in December 2021. You will be fine on a gravel bike. We had a gravel bike in our pack, along with a basic hardtail MTB and the three of us on steel touring bikes. There's nothing more extreme than fire trail. There are some long climbs and one very long, very steep descent into Araluen. Make sure your brakes are in prime condition.
Otherwise, enjoy it - it's a fantastic ride; lots of very quiet unsealed roads and beautiful countryside.
- baabaa
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Re: Canberra to the Coast
Postby baabaa » Fri Mar 03, 2023 4:18 pm
Still a good ride from Moruya up to close to the point of the road block
(Pic from the Araluen side and the Queanbeyan–Palerang council road workers let you get close to the barriers on a bike but not pass while the Eurobodalla Council keep all road users well away from the landslip. Talk in late December 2022 was it will still take a few months to Araluen Road to reopen)
https://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/council/majo ... aluen-road
Oh and when it does reopen my call is any bike mtn, 29er, touring or gravel / all road bike is the go but think plus 35 mm width is best over the corrugated bits. Kinda worth noting have seen lots of red bellies and death adders on the road this year so get those disc brakes set up to extra screeching or ride with a loud rear hub ...maybe??
A good ride and extra special when you are riding close to the Araluen Creek and then the Deua River (which the road more or less follows down into Moruya)
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