Cycling in Sydney Australia
2009 Gong Ride
Can anyone give me advice on which bike I should use for the 2009 Gong Ride? Road or Hybrid?
I haven't done this ride before but have lots of experience riding similar events in the UK, but with fewer numbers. Sounds like the going will be fairly slow at the beginning unless I'm lucky and get off very early. If the going is slow it negates the need for a super fast road bike so I may as well take it w=easy on the comfy bike and enjoy the views.
What about starting late? Would that avoid some of the early bunching and allow me ride at a reasonable pace?
The distance and hills don't bother me at all.
I haven't done this ride before but have lots of experience riding similar events in the UK, but with fewer numbers. Sounds like the going will be fairly slow at the beginning unless I'm lucky and get off very early. If the going is slow it negates the need for a super fast road bike so I may as well take it w=easy on the comfy bike and enjoy the views.
What about starting late? Would that avoid some of the early bunching and allow me ride at a reasonable pace?
The distance and hills don't bother me at all.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Michael O' on -
From previous experience I would thoroughly recommend
1. Take the roadie
2 Ignore your allotted start time (everybody else does) and leave as early as you can.
3. Don't bother starting at the start, just jump into the line somewhere in the 'burbs.
A lot of people go v. slow and start v. early, so the later you leave, the worse the bunching will be.
But the field does tend to spread out once you're out of the suburbs and you can get on the hammer through Royal National etc.
See you there!
PS ain't it a bit early to be making bike choices? :-)
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Permalink Reply by Paul S on -
I agree with Michael O. Except for point 3. I have only done it twice. The first time I started later and at Heathcote I got stuck for ages behind about a group of at least 100 blokes in lime green thong womens swim suits. It wasn't a great experience for me even though they did win the 'best dressed' prize. Also if you start later there is a huge bottleneck that develops at Waterfall that can get very long and tedious.
The second time I did it on a road bike, started at 6.00 through the gate and had a great fast ride down. The only issue was some people very close after the start trying to join in the stream instead of going round through the gate. That seemed to be the cause of a bit of angst and aggro and some near misses.
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Permalink Reply by Stuart M on -
Thanks Michael (and others),
The late start sounds like a real no-no as I hate getting stuck too. I like the idea of jumping in a few Ks down the road to avoid the melee in the park. The road bike would be a good option then.
As I'll be doing this on my own (just call me Billy-No-Mates) I could probably tag on to similar paced group.
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Permalink Reply by Astro Boy on -
I have a similar question to Stuart.
I haven't done the Sydney to Gong ride before and will attempt it this year. I have two road bikes, a 20 year old heavy steel bike and a new lightweight carbon bike. Which bike do people recommend I take? The new bike will obviously be easier to ride, however, my fear is that with so many other riders someone will crash into me and damage my fancy bike. Am I being a bit precious about this or has anyone had this happen to them?
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Permalink Reply by Dabba on -
The last time that i rode the 'Gong ride was its 10th, so it was a fair while ago. It was my last because I got knocked off about 3 times. One nutter riding with a boom box on his handlebars pumped up loud was the first who clipped me near Sutherland. The next clipped me and brought me down in traffic just before Waterfall, and the third was down near the gong somewhere. All of this while I was riding a straight line.
If you're not used to riding in groups, I'd suggest that you get a bit of practice beforehand and then expect the unexpected.
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Permalink Reply by Josh on -
No wonder it was your last time!
Believe me, with the "once a year crowd" taking on 80+ kms, is not where you want to be. They don't just walk up hills. Many of them walk down hills, as well. The best way to avoid that sort of thing is to be several hours up the road by then.
The four times I did it, started early, early as possible. One year Dr Jones and I were at the finish before 9 AM. I did the ride back three times as well. It's fine, except that oncoming cyclists keep yelling "You're going the wrong way". Hohoho.
On the way back we even stopped for a beer at that old pub... although, for avoidance of doubt, beer will not improve your cycling.
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Permalink Reply by Bob Moore on -
I think the Gong ride would be vastly improved if the RTA gave us the whole road or at least 2 lanes from the start to say Captn Cook Bridge. City to Surf get the whole road, about time cyclists got a better deal too.
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Permalink Reply by Michael O' on
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"A ship is safe in harbour, but that's not what ships are for ...."
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Permalink Reply by Stuart M on
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Hi Astro Boy,
I see you have the same dilemma as me. I really want to use my carbon bike but have concerns for it's (and my) safe passage. Having done a number of these mass rides before in the UK I'm aware of the "clowns" who arrive with little expertise and no idea how to ride in a bunch. That said however, it's meant to be a fun day out and not just a blast down the road. So I don't think you are being precious, just sensible.
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Permalink Reply by Richard (Poncho) on -
Here's 7 reasons.....
Take the hybrid if:
1. Somebody steals your ROAD bike on the day of the event AND despite begging and offers of cash, nobody will loan you a ROAD bike.
2. You want to set a personal best that you'll easily beat next year on your ROAD bike.
3. You've studied the course and found that the overwhelming majority is defined as neither ROAD or CYCLEPATH but as HYBRID.
4. You enjoy hauling additional weight for no good reason.
5. You enjoy the challenge of turning inefficient wheels for no good reason.
6. You enjoy being left behind by similar riders on their ROAD bikes.
7. You relish the prospect of puncturing your last tube and finding nobody in 10,000 riders that has a spare compatible tube to loan you.
8. Your only riding kit is a safari suit, pith helmet & pipe.
OK there's 8.... but you know there's many more.....
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Permalink Reply by Stuart M on
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Thanks Richard,
Obviously you are a confirmed roadie. I love my fast carbon bike but also really enjoy the slower pace of cycle touring and having time to look around. My concern is that other less experienced riders spend too much time looking around and not looking where they are going.
I left my pith helmet back home in Scotland. Would it be such a fashion gaff to use plastic corks in my Aussie hat?
Still undecided.
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