Roll call !

Mango, brother Mango & I will be doing the Sydney to Gong ride this year. It's been my goal for the last few months so I'm excited & rather nervous. It will be my longest ride (both time & distance) so no land speed records will be set. Our only goal is to enjoy the experience & finish smiling !

Anyone else planning to do it ?

This one had crossed my mind but I seriously doubt my butt could cope with that long in the saddle just yet

There is a 56k option Beki which starts at Heathcote. Otherwise what about one of the Spring Cycle events on 21 October which has distances from 5 to 50k

5k sounds good

Jen_Runs,

I'll be there with my youngest daughter Christine. This will be my third and Chrissys 1st. We're doing the 90km and leaving St Peters at 7.00am. Our plan is to do it with 5-6hrs

It's a great event for a good cause.

You will enjoy the experience just be very careful on the down hills as I've seen some Kamakazi bikers stack it and take a couple of bikers with them.

Fingers crossed that the weather is just right on the day

I've never done the Sydney to the Gong ride but I did do the Spring Cycle last year. My advice for the Spring Cycle would be to start early. There were heaps of "occasional riders" out there with no idea of road/cycling rules who were very dangerous. One of our group was knocked off her bike and I had a number of close calls.

I can't speak for the Gong ride.

Great concept but not for me again!

wt

If the conditions are anything like yesterday on the M7 cycle path Jen and I have got it covered. It was blowing a gale with the occasional gust that almost blew us off our bikes into the guard rails.

It is actually quite a strange sensation to try riding in a straight line whilst leaning your bike at an angle

WT - I couldn't agree more, we shall stick to Akuna Bay.

Myself & D have talked to numerous people about this particular ride when we were newbies, as at the time we were keen to ride it.
We were advised to give it a miss.

It is indeed a great concept but not for us!!

AK

I'll be out there, but we'll be away pretty early. Looking forward to it.

M7 was as still as I've experienced this morning, it was a great morning to be on the bike.

Can't agree with that Auntie K.

I have done the Gong ride several times on different racing bikes and on a full suspension mountain bike and Spring Ride on mountain bikes (and previous branded rides like the Sustain one which went from Hornsby up to Gosford way and return on a racing bike).

They are much safer than riding on open road with cars zooming past you.

Yes, you need to be aware of people around you. If you have to zig it will not be into a path of a truck or car.

So I recommend people give it a go and enjoy.

Thomo - sorry, I don't understand your point at all, each person has their own opinion & I want to stay upright!

K

My point of view was riding in a controlled environment i.e no cars; is safer than an uncontrolled environement i.e riding Akuna Bay.

We both were expressing our opinions.

I'll be giving it a go for the first time as well!!

Wont have ridden that distance or time before so have the pillows ready for my work chair the next day!

looking forward to it....hope to see some fellow CR's out on bikes!

Cheers,
Billsy.

This will be my 4th Gong ride, having done it 3 times in the past with Sailaway. Love it. I just hope it isn't as windy over the last stages as it was last year. Just a word of advice to all riders, ride to enjoy it & be aware of all the other riders around you as it can get very congested at times. Think City-to-surf on wheels. I have seen some very nasty collisions & falls in the past. Wollongong, here I come.

I'm in for the Gong ride this year. I did my first one last year and it was fantastic - although trying to ride into that howling headwind for the last half of the ride was a rather special experience!

Sure there's bikes everywhere and riders of all different levels with varying grasps on ride etiquette, but that's part of the charm of the whole thing. As thomo was saying, it is nice to feel safe from motorised vehicles. Keep your wits about you and ride with awareness and courtesy and you'll be fine and have a great day!

Get yourself to the M7 and do the distance and time next weekend! I specifically got out there yesterday to knock out 100k just to make sure I had done the the time and distance comfortably - I'm probably on the bike a bit more than you are (nowhere near as much as some, eh, AK?) so I've pulled up fine (the bike's so much easier on the body than running...) but it's nice to know I'll be able to walk, and don't need to borrow the donut-shaped pillow for the following day.

Vat,

You can say that again - no pillow for other people either.

Cheers

Cheers for the advice vat....might have to give that a go this weekend! I guess that means a training ride from the start to the finish of the M7 and back again!! Sounds fun!!

might see some of you out there!

Cheers,
Billsy.

Oh, you're in for a treat. Especially if you start from Old Windsor Road, the hills coming back up to the M4 at Cecil Hills and Horsely Park are a bit of a nasty surprise! It's pretty quiet, you can take an iPod without any dramas.

Hey Vat, I ran the Cities marathon along most of the route a few months back so know exactly what you mean about the hills! They are quite deceptive!

The iPod could definitley be a goer!

I've joined my work team for the ride and get a shirt and some knicks to wear so its not all bad!!

Cheers,
Billsy.

Just put my entry in for my first Gong Ride, and I'm looking forward to it.

Great news Nando !

Roll call time -

Jen_runs
Mango
Brother Mango (lurker)
Sailaway & daughter Christine
Vat
Billsy
SMC42k
RaceMikeRace
Nando

(as at 19/10/07)

Anyone else ?

Yep....definitely in.....Have a start time of 7.15 and am bib #8512. I only have a CR cap and cant really wear it under my helmet so dont know how any of you might recognise me!I'm excited about this ride!! :DOh yeah.....I know that CR Moh is also doing it! We'll probably ride it together.

Hi there

I'm in for my first Gong ride, too. Complete with trainer in tow (although it will probably be the other way around).

Will be on my hybrid as after spending 9km on my road bike this morning, there is no way i'd be able to last the 96km on it (and be able to sit down afterwards).



Boney

Yes you can! I wear mine backwards under my helmet - means the head's covered, and the peak of the cap covers my neck. Don't give a rat's how it looks - but then, fashion was never my strong suit.

Hehehhee....nice call Vat! Might give a try this week and see how it goes! keeping the sun off the neck will be an added benefit!

HI all,

I was riding down a steep hill to Bobbin Head on one of the PMC days with the Cool Running cap the right way around under the helmet. The visor part came down over my eyes and obscured my view - quite scary for a moment or so.

Vat's way sounds safer.

cheers Plu

I will be there for my first gong ride. Looking foward to the ride but not the people changing direction without warning. Not usually a fan of events with huge amounts of people (SMH half is about my limit) but I thought I would give this a go to get me back on the bike. I was a much better runner when I trained mostly for cycling. Havent ridden this sort of distance for about 7 years, and barely ridden at all since I have been in Aus, but if I can run 42km then im sure I can ride 90km. Ive got a 7:00 start and looking to fininsh in a bit longer than a marathon.

I will be there for a 7:15 start. This will be my first attempt!!!

Roll call update - great to see so many people supporting a great cause!


(as at 24/10/07)

Entries close on Friday I think - anyone else joining us ?

C'mon, if anyone else is wavering my advice is to fire up and enter! Even if you're doubtful about your ability to do the distance, in fact especially if you're in that category. You'll be so happy and proud of yourself when you finish and really it's not a race and there's plenty of places to stop and take a rest so you'll get there eventually!

I just did the Round the Bay in a Day ride on Sunday in Melbourne which was 210km in 33 degree heat. I've never done anywhere near that distance before, it nearly killed me. But on the plus side it means the Gong ride will feel short in comparison!

One thing I'd say is definitely make sure you're drinking enough on the ride. I didn't take in nearly enough fluid and I really felt it. You don't get as hot as you do running because you have more wind flowing over your body, so you can tend to forget to drink enough unless you make a conscious effort to keep sipping away.

I'm in!!

My hubby does this every year and thinks this ride is great so I'm looking forward to my first Syd to Gong ride!!

See you out there!

Gotta say, if it's coming down like this when the alarm goes off tomorrow, this little black duck's a non-starter - it's frikkin' pouring! I just drove back from Parramatta and Victoria Road's just awash!

Yeah I have to agree Vat. It's been pouring with lightening and thunder here in parra for the past hour or so. Will definitely make a call in the morning when i see the weather.

Is there any chance it will be called off? It says on the web site it goes ahead rain or shine unless there are saftey issues around visibilty, storms, lightening and wind....

There is going to be plenty of water running across the roads through the nasho park!

Hoping for a sunny morning!!

Cheers,
Billsy.

C'mon guys, it's just a little water on the road - a bit like the Striders 10k this morning!!

I gotta admit, I was leaving announcing my entry to the last moment just to make sure I was going to be there....then 5 mins bfore I posted, the storm you guys are talking about hit Drummoyne. Mmmm. Was that an omen or what??

I should be there - well, rain yes...storm abit iffy...

Prof

Sorry, lads - I'm going to wimp it. I could go into my reasons, but I don't want to influence anyone else's decision.

The rain and thunderstorms woke me up numerous times last night and I was thinking of you lot, not me about to go out in it for 4 hours! Best of luck to all and forget about doing it fast, just be safe!!

Last year and this year haven't been kind to Syd to Gong. However as I write this sunshine has appeared.

Remember it isn't a race but an adventure.

Vat, hope it was nothing serious and you just wimped it (your term, not mine!)...I spent about 10 mins at the start searching for you but assumed you'd gone early...

My first Gong ride...and Ive gotta admit I did enjoy it. I rode from home to St Peters for the start, the drizzle getting heavier by the time I started at 6.50. By West Botany St, it was quite heavy but soon returned to just showers. Essentially just rode following the crowd in front (a few galahs out there who have to be brain dead to do some of the things I saw!) and by the time we entered the National Park the blue sky was appearing. The Park was stunning, wet and plenty of water still flowing everywhere, but the sun peeking through making it a highlight of the ride. I wasn't quite ready for all the hills at the southern end of every beach, but kept it ticking and made it home at 10.20, with about 20 mins in stoppages, for a ride time of about 3.10. Didn't hang around at the finish and headed for W'Gong stn for the train back....had to wait about an hour but got on a special service for riders only that had me back at St Peters at about 1pm. Quick 8 k ride home and made it about 110k for the day. Loved the shower!

Saw Col at the start and the finish (he said something like "cant talk...chasing buggers in front!) an another CR at the start, keeping dry under the brickworks, in CR shirt but missed evrybody else. Hope everybody made it home safely...

Prof

Prof,

We missed of just missed each other. Jen, Mango and myself started just after 7am. We were probably having our team photo taken while you were starting.

Couldn't have been a better day for it.

Nah, just wimped it. I'm not confident on my thing in the wet and the prospect of 4 hours out in it (plus what I saw on the weather radar at 5am) was enough to see me go back to bed. Looks like it fined up into a beautiful day, bit dark on myself for not heading out, to be honest.

Thomo, it certainly was an adventure and I enjoyed it!

Started at 6.30am in the spitting rain which very quickly turned into a down pour! Honestly thought of bailing out after an hour of rain and with my sunscreen running into my eyes and finding myself in the middle of a pack of riders and not being able to see properly. Found a large, slow, mountain biker on the left hand side of the road and rode behind him until it was safe to pull over and get myself back on track. When the rain cleared my spirits lifted. I took it very easy going down the hills in the National Park (saw one spill on the side of the rode) and just basically enjoyed being out there and riding to the Gong.

It was a great ride with many thanks to the volunteers and my fellow cyclists. Many cyclists around me were following the rules and doing the call outs. It was a pleasure to be out there today and the first hour of rain was quickly forgotten when the sun came out along with the beautiful coastal views!

Getting from the Gong back to St Peters on the train was a breeze!

A well organised event!!

Nando,

I never realised you were a kiwi mate....or just a little tired perhaps!

P

My first Gong ride and I enjoyed it heaps!

Had to push myself out of bed after hearing the storms during the night and seeing it still drizzling in the morning. I managed to force myself up and made it St Peters thinking if it keeps raining like this I will pull out at Sutho and get a train home and go out for lunch! It wasnt to be as the skies cleared and the day was awesome!

Really enjoyed the downhill from Waterfall and riding through the nasho park...awesome. Luckily the roads were all dry which was alot more comforting for us less experienced riders!

Excellent volunteers and rest stops. Cant stop for a muffin break during a marathon!!

Only feedback for next year is that i couldnt find a proper drinks cart at the finish area to get a cold gatorade or something.....maybe i didnt look in the right place....there was a beer tent i saw! And why cant we have public transport included in these events? It was inlcuded in the Spring Cycle from what I have heard but its a pain in the butt to have to buy a ticket to get on the train at the end of the event. Beats me why this cant be organised better by CitySnail and/or the NSW government.

Great event and i will be back next year!

Cheers,
Billsy.

Started just before 8 this morning and had a few spots of rain at the start area and then it fined up for the whole ride. After having my bike for 4 years I finally worked out today how to use the gears. It was a matter of having to learn how to use them - them are big hills!!!! Managed this time to ride up all the hills and it was great passing people who took the "easy" way out and walk up them.

Took it really easy and made it in 7 hours - but hey I did ride ALL the way and 90km is a long way too.




Boney

PS: The only thing left to achieve this year is an injury-free half marathon.

I was with two guys (club riders) from my way who were going sub 2:30 and then riding home (which I wasn't) , so had to stay with them. When you saw me in your last couple of k's to finish, I was heading back with them, but only until I got to Luis, SMC42K, Luis's daughter etc, which was around another 30 k's , and then back. Ended up with about 135km for the day, still in a ride time of 4:30.

I was put to the sword by the bikers who I think enjoyed inflicting pain on a runner! I finished about a minute behind them in 2:23 , ave 35km/h. It was only 84km, so we would have missed 2:30 for 90km, but the first 10km were very slow. I was in good pain that last 20km.

It was fast out to Waterfall, but got very wet, not so much the rain, but they spray from being close to the guys at 45km/h. it was great riding behind/with experienced riders as opposed to a lot of the Galahs I saw out there. You could be close to them , yet know they won't do anything silly.
The ride back up from the causeway was also seriously fast, and even with a puncture near the outward gate of Nat pk,the other two still picked me up (after allowing me to ride on).

Saw Nando, jen and Mango at the finish.

The day ended up being one of the best of the year. Rode back with Luis the last 20km (seconf time), then headed back to Coledale with them and SMC42Kto a mate next to the RSL, showered and changed at his place, enjoyed lunch, beers at RSL etc.

Was dropped at home by Luis at around 6:30, just in time for another beer or two.

LG

Was a great ride, apart from being soaked at the start, it fined up to be a great day...Finished it in 3 hrs and 20 mins, I think I was happy with my first attempt

This was my first Sydney to the Gong ride and my longest ride in many years. Finished in 3:44 which is about what I expected for 90km, so abit slow for 84, but didnt give it erverything. I enjoyed it, but undecided if I will do it again. There was a fair amount of scary riding but the general standard was better than I had expected. There was one girl near Coalcliff who pulled out from the kerb and proceded to cut across a lane without looking in front of a bunch of us coming through at 35km/h.
There were a few who ran out of ability on some of the descents which I also nearly did near the bottom of the hill from Stanwell Tops.
Never really got the chance to ride with anyone becuase I started 30mins later than I had planned and therefore most were too slow for me and the faster people coming through were way to quick.

What a great day it turned out to be - though I must say when I was standing in the rain at the start I was beginning to ask whose silly idea it was (t'was mine of course!)

The plan all along was simply to enjoy a comfortable, relaxed & enjoyable ride without regard to the time it took. I was pretty nervous about this ride, particularly given that I had never ridden in conditions like those we faced yesterday morning. But fortunately by the time we got to Brighton blue sky could be seen to the south, the sun just started to poke out from behind the clouds & the roads started to dry out. By Loftus, the sky was almost clear, the roads were dry & the choc chip muffin was hitting the spot !

It is an absolutely beautiful course - I loved the section through the national park and the view along the coastal road from Otford south was stunning - more than enough to take your mind off all those short, sharp hills over the last 30k.

While there was the odd peanut out there, almost everyone was courteous, considerate & stuck to the rules. I really loved the whole day!

We caught up with Sailaway at the start & Colin at the finish. I saw another CR at the start but didn't get a chance to pop over & say hello.

A few thanks - to my domestiques Mango & Nando for their company on a really enjoyable day & for keeping an eye on me. To TigerAngel for your help. And to everyone who donated - ultimately I raised almost $1,200

Great reports everyone!

Having done last year's ride into a horrendous headwind I was a bit nonplussed about the rain at the start, but as everyone has already mentioned, once it cleared up as we hit the national park it was absolutely glorious!

The vast majority of people were riding safely and courteously and everyone seemed to be having a really good time. There's always the odd fool, but considering the amount of riders it was a very small proportion.

Apart from one mate who had his back wheel rim split and had to pull out, my group managed to stick together and had a great ride. A couple of us decided to ride halfway back to Waterfall and I have to tell you - as much fun as the two hills are at Waterfall and Stanwell Tops to come down, they are a pain in the a*s to go up!

I'll be back next year for sure.