4 Day Tour October LWE + Tuesday

[MarkL]

Hi all,

We are planning a 4 day tour over the October LWE and Tuesday to Batemans Bay and back.

The plan is: Sat. leave from MM at 7am and stay at Bundanoon pub, $60/p + $20 for breakfast, ~160km.
Sun. stay at Batemans Bay pub, $95/twin, $95/triple, ~240km, flat with a downhill near the end
Mon. stay at Jamberoo pub, $35/p, third person $15, ~170km.
Tues. back to the big smoke, ~130km.

There could be an option for some to train back on Monday from Kiama/ Albion Pk, however, services are limited.

We will be riding road bikes and travelling light, however, you should ensure you have enough warm clothing and a rain jacket.

Accomodation is presently available and l'd like to book by the end of the week to secure accomodation.

Links with profiles to come.

Please add your name to the list if you're up for this ride.

1 Mark L
2 Amy
3 Lindsay

Cheers,
Mark

[orphic]

Are you people mind readers or something? I was thinking about a LWE tour the other day, but I'm not sure if I can do that weekend

Are you saying you're riding your road bike instead of touring bike?

[kiwiames]

Yea im gonna try and get a small saddle bag that hangs back from the seat post, so we'll be travelling superlight as we wont have panniers.

[MarkL]

Here are the links, distances for Sat and Sun have changed:

Sat. Syd to Bundanoon ~170km

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/458707

Sun. Bundanoon to Batesmans Bay ~208km

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/458710

Mon. Batesmans Bay to Kiama

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/458714

Tues. Kiama to Syd

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/458715

We're staying at Jamberoo on Monday night but you get the idea of the profiles.

Mark

[weiyun]

Tues. Kiama to Syd
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/458715

Hi Mark: Just to let you know that there are sections on the freeway b/n Wollongong and Waterfall that leaves no breakdown lane for cyclists and you'll have to mix with semi-trailers eg. The major climb out of Wollongong north on the "Southern Freeway" <http://goo.gl/maps/0AkW>. You might care to review.

[T-Bone]

I agree, best to stick to the Princes Hwy, and travel via Mt Kiera, Bulli Pass, or Stanwell tops.

[Adrian E]

Hi Mark,
Please count me in. Looks like a fantastic ride!

[MarkL]

Hi Mark: Just to let you know that there are sections on the freeway b/n Wollongong and Waterfall that leaves no breakdown lane for cyclists and you'll have to mix with semi-trailers eg. The major climb out of Wollongong north on the "Southern Freeway" <http://goo.gl/maps/0AkW>. You might care to review.

Opps, wrong map, thanks Weiyun and James. Definitely not riding on Mt Ousley Rd.

After Wollongong we'll be riding back via the Princes Hwy and Lawrence Hargrave Dr (coastal road) via Helensburgh.

So far we have:

1 Mark L
2 Amy
3 Lindsay
4 Adrian E

Cheers,

Mark

[Camilla]

I'm in, with the train home option on Monday night (pending approval from Ted). Need to work off my Belgium beer excesses.

[michele]

If I can get myself to Bundanoon Sat night (on a course for work Sat) will join you and also come back Mon with Camilla!

[mikesbytes]

1 Mark L
2 Amy
3 Lindsay
4 Adrian E
5 Camilla (home Monday night)
6 Michele (arrive Saturday night, home Monday night)
7 Mike Cl (leave Sydney Saturday 10.30am catch up somewhere, home Monday night)

[MarkL]

Thanks for updating Mike.

l'll book accomodation today or tomorrow.

[MarkL]

Camilla, Michele and Mike,

l just noticed on the Cityrail site that they have trackwork over the LWE with buses replacing trains between Wollongong and Waterfall.

Bikes and bulky items carried at the bus drivers discretion, may have to wait.

You could add some more k's and ride the missing link?

l'll hold off booking till l speak to or hear from you.

Mark

[mikesbytes]

I'm still in, worse case is that I have to ride to Waterfall.

I've struck that problem in the past and the bus took me and my bike

[MarkL]

Ok, that's good news Mike.

[mikesbytes]

The bus took 4 bikes that time

Edit: 5 bikes

[mikesbytes]

Alternative route Bundanoon to Briadwood using Oallen Ford Rd. Cuts the distance on the Hume Hwy considerably.

It's sealed but I'll find out more info.

Google map Bundannon to Braidwood

[MarkL]

Looks like a good route Mike.

Accomodation is sorted, details to come.

[mikesbytes]

The bottom end of that route is dirt road. We can get around it by going this way

Bundanoon to Braidwood via Nerriga rd

Google street view shows quiet sealed roads

[Adrian E]

Btw: I'll be coming back Monday night too (i.e. train from Kiama/Wollongong etc).

[MarkL]

Ok Adrain.

1 Mark L
2 Amy
3 Adrian E (home Monday night)
4 Camilla (home Monday night)
5 Mike Cl (leave Sydney Saturday 10.30am catch up somewhere, home Monday night)


Accomodation booked:

Sat. 2nd Oct. Bundanoon pub: 1st room, D + 3S with ensuite, $60/p
2nd room, 2S w/o ensuite, $45/p
Breakfast (8-9:00) $20

Sun. 3rd Oct. Bay Waters Hotel, Batemans Bay: 3 rooms (D + S in each) $110/room

Mon. 4th Oct. Jamberoo pub: 2 twin rooms, $35/p

l'll adjust accomodation as needed after seeing you guys on the w/e.

Mark

[mikesbytes]

I have a seatpost bolt on carrier that's available as a loaner if anyone wants it.

Sunday is daylight saving

Micklan might ride over and have lunch with us in Braidwood - TBC

[Adrian E]

Hi Mike,
I might take you up on the loan of the carrier. I've ordered one in the mail but it may not arrive in time. Btw: It looks like there is track work between Wollongong and Waterfall so we might be up for a long ride home on Monday.
http://www.cityrail.info/service_update ... 144F44239C

[mikesbytes]

No probs, you should pick it from me ASAP to confirm it works for you. I won't be home until about 10pm tonight, but I'll put it out around the back of my place and you can pick it when suitable for you.

[Adrian E]

thanks mike. have messaged you for details.

[Camilla]

Hey all,

I've been thinking, I really don't fancy carrying a back-pack, no matter how small. The scoliosis just doesn't like it and I'll be in pain within 30 minutes. Any reason I couldn't ride my Trek flat bar roadie? It's not as light and nippy as my Teschner but it's set up for touring. It suddenly hit me that Mark & Amy are probably only taking their road bikes because they have no other choice.

Unless you were serious, Mike, about carrying my stuff on your Giant!

Camilla

[mikesbytes]

Hi Camilla, I'm happy to carry your stuff. We are going the minimalist path anyway (no laptops, hair dryers, spare undies etc). You will need to drop it over to me before Saturday as I'm not riding with you on the first day but will be meeting you there.

Adrian, sorry about getting home so late last night, the carrier is now on the back table. The pannier rails are removable.

Mark and I are reviewing the route options between Bundanoon and Braidwood.

[mikesbytes]

I'm going to wear crap lycra & socks on the first day and biff it

[mikesbytes]

Minor correction to the route, it had us doing 6k of gravel, cos we were on the wrong side of the railway tracks

Bunadoon to Braidwood

[MarkL]

Updating:

1 Mark L
2 Amy
3 Adrian E (home Monday night)
4 Camilla (home Monday night)
5 Mike Cl (leave Sydney Saturday 10.30am catch up somewhere, home Monday night)


Sat. 2nd Oct. Depart MM 7am.
Bundanoon pub: 1st room, D + 3S with ensuite, $60/p
2nd room, 2S w/o ensuite, $45/p

Sunday's plan:

1. Depart Bundanoon really early

(30 odd ks from Bundanoon) - say 1 hour

2. Breakfast at Macca's at the hume hwy
1/2 hour

(115 odd ks from Macca's) - say 5 hours including a scenic stop or 2

4. Lunch at Braidwood, possible guest appearance by Micklan- TBC
1 hour

We take some snacks for in between Macca's and Braidwood

Sun. 3rd Oct. Bay Waters Hotel, Batemans Bay: 3 rooms (D + S in each) $110/room

Mon. 4th Oct. Jamberoo pub: 1 twin room, $35/p


The forcast is mainly sunny with a slight chance of showers and the UV index will be high, so remember the sunscreen.

[Camilla]

Thanks Mike! I'll drop a discreet package around to your place in the next few days. I've got your mobile now so will ring before coming. Have to fish that hair dryer and foot spa out first ...

Looking forward to it! Except perhaps the bit about "really early" and Maccas. Presumably by then even a big mac will look appetizing though. I assume we can buy the required Sunday snacks sometime on Saturday. Or should I pop a fully-laden picnic basket in for Mike to carry as well?

Expect me to go shopping for an alpaca beanie in Braidwood.

[mikesbytes]

"discreet package" um as long as it hasn't been posted from the ACT

"picnic basket" now that's a great idea, can you get one in CF?

[MarkL]

I'm sure we'll be able to get snacks on Saturday, if not we'll be able to get them near our breakfast stop on Sunday- not Maccas snacks for me!

[mikesbytes]

I think there's a servo where macca's is

[timyone]

im totally not in for this now.

[micklan]

Mike - I will meet u guys somewhere prior to Braidwood on the sunday, the Gas Gas ute will be a support vehicle as I will be driving it. This as I will do a training ride on Sat. So i will check your timings and route and intercept the peleton well before Braidwood and lunch - see u sunday - advise of supplies required if any.

[mikesbytes]

Michael, we have 2 options on the Sunday route and will decide Saturday night which one to take. I've emailed them to you. There is no phone reception at Bundanoon, so I'll sms you once we get to the Hwy on Sunday morning

Adrian, the carrier is still there, guess your picking up tonight

Camilla, didn't find any secret package

[Adrian E]

Thanks Mike, Sorry I got home in a thurderstorm weds and had a dinner on lastnight. Will be there tonight!

[MarkL]

All,

MSN weather says there is an increased chance of showers and temperatures of 10 to 22 over the w/e and high UV index.

See you at MM for a 7am departure

Micklan, it's great that you can make it

[mikesbytes]

I'm back, Mark, Amy and Adrian are still riding

Saturday
18.4 Tempe to marrickville to Brighton Le Sands to Rockdale Fitness First to Tempe to Wolli Creek train station
RPM Hi Perf (60 minutes)
RPM (45 minutes)
96.6 Macarthur Station to Bundanoon

Sunday
210 Bundanoon to Batemans Bay via Braidwood

Monday
206 Batemans Bay to Wollongong train station
2 Wolli Creek train station to Tempe

Total
533K + 2 spin classes

[Adrian E]

It's good to be home. That was a fantastic super tour. Thanks so much to Mark for organising the accommodation and for Lindsay and Michael for checking the route.

Full tour report to come!

[MarkL]

Woohooo, home and stretched.

Now to continue work on recovery