2008 Gong ride - should we enter a team?

[Jono]

I discused the idea of a DHBC team with somone on Saturday - I think it was Belinda and have given it more thought and think it is a good idea. It is a good ride - I did it in 2006 (I couldn't do it last year because of an injury) There are some hills on the ride and it was my longest ride (only surpassed by the Great Escapades century + rides and the Central Coast century ride).
They usually advertise the Sydney Spring Cycle as a warm up (it is too small but it can be made longer with some options - Bicycle NSW politics may be an issue!). There are a couple of similar rides I am looking at doing around that time. One is in the ACT and I am looking at another in QLD.
I am willing to sign up as the team leader/captain if enough people are interested.

[timyone]

if you think we can win, i think we should enter

[lindsay]

if you think we can win, i think we should enter

I won it back in 1998 & it's brought me nothing trouble ever since...

Yes I think we should have a team & I'd love to ride it. I think it'd be great if you'd captian'ed it.

[FAswad]

We had a team last year. It was fun. Will do it again this year.

[weiyun]

The plan for this year has long been brewing and it's a return ride.

[mikesbytes]

I'm in, including the return ride

BTW, we save $5 if we enter in the next 2 weeks http://www.msaustralia.org.au/gongride/entry-fees.asp

[weiyun]

Then we better enter it soon.

[micklan]

arrrh - the return ride - i would plan to turn around straight away and head back - thats if I was up for that torture

[Simon Llewellyn]

I"m planning to ride as well. But i don't know if I would be any good to the team? I've got a friend interested who wants me to ride and we'll be going at her pace. Which probably won't be very fast. Which will probably rule me out of riding back also as by the time we get there, there probably won't be enough time to ride back.

I'm thinking of doing the ride fixed. There's one little ankle snapper on the great ocean which I"m not sure will be particularly easy to get over, but I might be able to flip flop it.

[Stuart]

I'm in & I'm sure Jo will be too but not for ride back as well I wouldn't think - depends how my fitness is going and what route you plan to take on the return. The train is always a good idea - one thing though is we should leave early as possible to try to avoid some of the crowds.

[weiyun]

The return route we took last year was essentially the same coastal route on the way down except for,
1) Avoiding the bike path.
2) Avoiding RNP.
Further, Bulli Pass was avoided at all cost.

Early start and early return is advisable as it got to be very hot in the early afternoon. Not very pleasant.

[Adrian E]

Yeah, I thought if I did I'd also do it fixed. It'll make it more fun.

[williamd]

I would like to go there and back but not up Bulli Pass.



There was a boy named Bill who was riding on an atomic pill , it blew his arse to Bulli Pass and his b-lls to Broken Hill.

[PeterOS]

I'm also interested in doing the the ride.
How far is it including the return ride and how long did it take everyone?

[Stuart]

I'm also interested in doing the the ride.
How far is it including the return ride and how long did it take everyone?

It's about 90 k's one way and it took me ages last year - at least 4 hours as there's lots of cycle traffic and it was raining quite hard till just after Sutherland. The return trip was much faster given that I was on the train which will be my preferred means of return this year as well as I'm not in the 180km in a day league.

[mikesbytes]

Time taken to ride down, is dependent on the pace of the slowest rider, its a fun ride.

I'm assuming we would cruise back, so say 1/2 hour longer than the ride down. Also on the way back we would probably stop a bit more, so add another 1/2 hour.

Unless there is a better route suggestion, I'd say that we ride back to Stanwell tops, then turn left to Hellengsburg and take the old princess hwy back to Waterfall.

[mikesbytes]

I'm thinking of doing the ride fixed. There's one little ankle snapper on the great ocean which I"m not sure will be particularly easy to get over, but I might be able to flip flop it.

Simon, there's probably a good chance that your co-rider will walk up any hill that's too steep for "Mr 81 inch"

[Camilla]

I'm in. Not sure about riding home though. Depends on my mood & the weather. I recall a rather unpleasant headwind last time I did the Gong, and a rather pleasant beer waiting at the end for me.

[weiyun]

I'm in. Not sure about riding home though. Depends on my mood & the weather. I recall a rather unpleasant headwind last time I did the Gong, and a rather pleasant beer waiting at the end for me.

Southerly starts by mid-morning, so the later you leave, the more painful the headwind will be.

[Camilla]

Oh. Just looked at the date. I might be a tad rusty. I'll just be home from 2 months overseas, sans bike. But what better way to get back into things than a gentle 90 kms! It looks like the beer option for me, rather than the return.

[T-Bone]

i might be able to do it, but i'll wait until a bit closer to decide. Of course, i'll be riding back (i prefer the Bulli Pass route), but i'm interested in the beer option in between.

[Simon Llewellyn]

Simon, there's probably a good chance that your co-rider will walk up any hill that's too steep for "Mr 81 inch"

I won't be riding 81 inch, probably more high 60's, low 70's. It's a good way to slow myself down a bit. I've ridden waterfall on mid 60's before and it took for ever, probably a good speed for a social ride .

[T-Bone]

It'll slow you down on those descents too.

[geoffs]

We'll both do the ride. I'll see how I go for the ride back. Last time we did the ride we had some good food and beer at the Five Islands brewery. Didn't feel like a long ride afterwards

[SuzieSpiro]

Hello All
I'm happy to do the 56kms 'Short and Scenic' Gong ride (which I did last year) from Heathcote to Wollongong.

Last year we left Heathcote at 8.30am, had a short break in the Royal National Park for an early pre-ordered lunch and continued on to cross the finish line just on 12noon. Then caught the 'Gong Express' train back to St Peters (got home around 3.30pm).

If you know of anyone that would like to be part of a 'Gong Slowies' group, happy to have some company! 90kms is a bit ambitious on a hybrid me-thinks... but 56kms is quite do-able and last year was a great experience.

Cheers
Suzanne

[Adrian E]

Last year, I remember that we all meet up at the Conchordia club, Tempe after the fixie century between around 4-5pm in the afternoon. Some had done the fixie ride, some the Gong ride, others had ridden back from the gong etc.

What if we tried something similar this year and organise a place to meet up after the ride?

btw: I'm interested in riding back from the gong provided i'm not fixed.

[Camilla]

We were talking on Saturday how you go about entering a team. It's pretty easy. An abbreviated version off the web:

1. The team captain has to register themselves before they can create a team.

2. Each team member has to register themselves individually for the event (either online or manually). This is a safety issue as everyone must be made aware of the event terms and conditions.

3. Turn up on Sunday 2nd November and ride to the Gong! All team captains will receive a free team photo. Just turn up on the day with your team and make your way to the 'team registration' area (both start sites), we will have a team sign waiting for you and then send (and email) the photo out to you after the event.

So once someone (Jono? Lindsay?) has registered & created the DHBC team everyone else goes to this page
http://www.msaustralia.org.au/gongride/entry-fees.asp
hits the "enter" button on the left hand side and then, rather than filling in the registration form that comes up, you select "find a team/participant" at top right and take it from there.

If we enter by August 1 it's $45 each.

[micklan]

entered - waiting for team "El Capitan" to set up page to join team

[The formation was named "El Capitan" by the Mariposa Battalion when it explored the valley in 1851. El Capitan ("the captain", "the chief") was taken to be a loose Spanish translation of the local Native American name for the cliff, variously transcribed as "To-to-kon oo-lah" or "To-tock-ah-noo-lah". It is unclear if the Native American name referred to a specific Tribal chief, or simply meant "the chief" or "rock chief".[1] In modern times, the formation's name is often contracted to "El Cap", especially among rock climbers].

[lindsay]

Ive entered & made a team.... Sorry for the boring name but I made it Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club (yawn). Other teams have cool names but I'm terrible at thinking things up. Up until 1 Aug is the discount entry fee.

So enter away is my advice....

& we have a team webpage which we can decorate as we like (I need help with this as well).

http://register.gongride.org.au/?Dulwic ... cycle+Club

& I said we'd raise $2000

[tedrobin]

I'm all signed up. I see that Peter, Fiona and Michael L are there too, so that makes 5 of us! As soon as Ted wakes up from "watching the footy" I'll get him to register too.

[Camilla]

that was me, not the the cow man.

[FAswad]

Hi

I'll be entering this year too. I always plan to start as early as practicable ride fast and return at an easy pace.

BTW I will be overseas during the entire month of August. So take care and ride safe and I will see you in September.

[malee]

We've now signed up also.

and then there were 7

See you tomorrow

[tedrobin]

I was just resting my eyes. Now I've registered too.

[Simon Llewellyn]

I'm enetered along with my friend Viv, we'll be doing the coffee tourer style ride along with Lindsay & anyone else who is looking for a social day out....

We plan to train it back.

[simon.sharwood]

I'm entered too, although with a team of computer industry people under the name geeks on bikes. Long story behind this, too boring to recount here ...

[Jono]

Hi Guys

Please accept my apologies. I have been away for a couple of courses for work both of which were intense . I have now registered for the ride. I will see you on Saturday.

[Camilla]

Someone just sponsored me $120! How completely strange and unexpected. The pressure is on ... only $1880 to reach the DHBC goal.

[Camilla]

I completely apologise. It looks like we only have $1585 to go! Isn't that fabulous.

I may have gloated to the person I suspect to have sponsored me that I was no.1 sponsoree in our club, quickly resulting in Ted overtaking me on $125. Thankfully our friend not only has deep pockets but a healthy sense of humour.

[tedrobin]

Whoa, I just checked it out! $125! I didn't know that we lived amongst such philanthropists. Apparently "bros before hos" was the principle applied when deciding the amount of our respective donations.

[weiyun]

Ok boys and girls. Last year our DHBC team raised $3365 with 6 members in the team. So don't stop!

[Adrian E]

I'm in now...

[Camilla]

Bouyed by Wieyen's comment of the $3365 DHBC raised last year, I suddenly feel the need to mention I have a vested interest in this. One of my very closest friends was diagnosed with MS about 5 years ago, then his sister 3 years ago, which is why my other friend has seen fit to donate $245 to the cause. It's also why I'm more than willing to ride straight off the plane and 8 weeks off a bike. I am now inspired to actively seek out further sponsorship and try to better DHBC's 2007 sum. It's not an abstract disease to me, it's John & Lucy. That said, I'm still going to be happy to get to $200 because I'm really dreadful at this sort of thing. All help much appreciated!

[Stuart]

Jo & I are entered - we'll be in the social group. Beers and food afterwards sounds excellent.

Update Wed 13th: Things have really picked up! I sent an email to 100's of IBM colleagues and some friends last night after registering and my personal total is now $450, largely due to an anonymous $300 donation. DHBC now sits at $960 - go team!

[Stuart]

Update - we are 17th with $2225 - go team!

[tedrobin]

Two years back, Camilla and I had a merry time in the pub under Win Stadium, not far from the finish line. Huge range of local boutique beers, which were all pretty darn good. And we got on the tooth as well. Food wasn't too bad (1.5/20 on the Stuart scale, 7.5/10 on the pub bistro scale).

[Stuart]

Last time we did the ride we had some good food and beer at the Five Islands brewery. Didn't feel like a long ride afterwards

So Ted - would that be the place?

[tedrobin]

I've just looked it up on the web, and it is indeed the same place. I heartily endorse Geoff's opinion (with the exception of the stuff about riding back to Sydney).

[Stuart]

Ted - I believe that Geoff wrote "didn't feel like a long ride afterwards" meaning he got the train which I'm sure is what all of the social riders will be doing - I know Jo & I will be. I have checked the menu and it does look pretty bleak from a foodie point of view but the wedges and S&P squid will suffice this time I'm sure.

[williamd]

Going back is downhill after you get to Waterfall.


Don't finish horizontal

[tedrobin]

Hmm, yes, I see that I misunderstood. On the subject of pub food, the only time I've done the Gong ride was two years ago, and it was longest ride I'd ever done. I was a bit traumatised after slogging into a ferocious headwind for about 6 hours, and being rained on intermittently. So, after I had dealt with the comely physiotherapists at the finish-line, offering to massage my thighs for a small consideration, the main priority was carbohydrates, and I was more interested in quantity than quality.

[weiyun]

Going back is downhill after you get to Waterfall.

But the killer hill is just before Waterfall on the return.

[mikesbytes]

But the killer hill is just before Waterfall on the return.

Nah, just go via Hellingsburg

[weiyun]

Nah, just go via Hellingsburg

That's the unavoidable hill, doesn't matter if you go Hellingsburg or RNP. The alternate hill is called Bulli Pass.

[mikesbytes]

That's the unavoidable hill, doesn't matter if you go Hellingsburg or RNP. The alternate hill is called Bulli Pass.

Just a we wipper snapper of a hill

[malee]

It was 2 years ago that we last did the ride which was the first year the Sea Cliff Bridge was used.
Horrible weather from memory so the Five Islands Brewery made a great place to meet all our friends.
We will be taking the train back as these days it's very bike friendly with a lot of organization from the SRA.. I've been doing the Sydney to gong on and of for many yrs and in the early days bikes were banned from the trains for the return trip. cyclists would back a few stations and then jump on. I've had a few heated arguments with rail staff when I've been trying to get back sans car.
Geoff

[williamd]

There is always the train back to waterfall.


Bulli pass will test your ars.

[weiyun]

There is always the train back to waterfall.

Just one station?

[weiyun]

Just received an email reminding me that the last day for early birds discount is Fri 12th. $50 entry. Still have to work out my availability...

[mikesbytes]

How much is it after the 12th ?

[weiyun]

$45 by 1 Aug. $50 by 12 Sep. $55 after. Cost of a cup and half of coffee difference.

http://www.msaustralia.org.au/gongride/entry-fees.asp

[mikesbytes]

$45 by 1 Aug. $50 by 12 Sep. $55 after. Cost of a cup and half of coffee difference.

http://www.msaustralia.org.au/gongride/entry-fees.asp

Not a big deal if you are unsure

[Stuart]

BTW - what time is the social ride group planning to leave? (as opposed to the fast team who plan to also ride back). I was hoping to meet at St peters @ 06:00 for a 06:15 kick-off to avoid the worst of the crowds. Are people planning on leaving later or earlier or what?

[mikesbytes]

You are better off leaving as early as possible, so to avoid riders who aren't experienced with riding in large groups.

[tedrobin]

When I last did it I was allocated a start time (which was much later than 6.30, that's for sure). But I cannot see how they could ever police something like that, and I'm sure that we can essentially start whenever we like.

[mikesbytes]

Don't worry about the allocated time, its not enforced.

When I did the gong ride (only done it once, prior to DHBC membership, when it turned around and came back to Sutherland), I ticked the fastest box, which was under 3 hours and was allocated 6.30am. However I was advised by riders who know me to turn up at 6am and sure enough there was no policing, so I ended up going out with the faster riders.

Riding back I could see how crowded it was, so it was clear how much better it was to be early.

[weiyun]

Early birds get the nice road but last year, when early starters all got rained on and late starters had clear sky. Otherwise, the coastal wind picks up by mid-morning, so late starters will enjoy strong head winds after half way.

[williamd]

Weiyun said:
Why is the wind always against me.

The early bird always avoids the head wind and gets the tail wind when going back.


Don't finish horizontal.

[Stuart]

I have received a $250 donation from a company called QR Concrete - they are located in Northern NSW and Southern Queensland - anybody have any idea about this company or know anyone that may be associated with them because I'm at a loss to understand why they have sponsored me? Nice of them but maybe a mistake? Anyway , we'll take it.

[weiyun]

Stuart, you know what sponsorship means right? It's to force you to ride harder and faster and then ride back to Sydney. Don't get too happy with these high value ones.

[Daryl]

Guys. I've finally signed up for the Gong Ride.

Prob a silly question, since we entered as a team, is everyone wearing their DHBC jersey? I will need to get one if we all are. If I wear my CSC jersey, I might get lost in Team CSC with over 200 riders.

Since I've signed up I've been out getting more sponsorship money...we've hit our target already! 2 weeks to go...any idea for the new target?

[Stuart]

Guys. I've finally signed up for the Gong Ride. Prob a silly question, since we entered as a team, is everyone wearing their DHBC jersey? I will need to get one if we all are. If I wear my CSC jersey, I might get lost in Team CSC with over 200 riders. Since I've signed up I've been out getting more sponsorship money...we've hit our target already! 2 weeks to go...any idea for the new target?

We will be wearing our jerseys so you should buy one now! Only $100. As far as targets go, Mine started at $200 but when i went over that the site itself kept raising it - now it says my target is $1350 - it's always just about my sponsorship level.
BTW all, we haven't agreed a start time? I'm still keen for meeting at 06:00 to get away by 06:15 so we miss the huge crowds, even though I have my high school 30 year reunion the night before so I might not be in the best shape - slow and steady for me!

[Daryl]

Cool...who do I need to contact to pick up a jersey or is there a shop? I'll be riding Saturday Slowies this weekend, so I can grab off anyone who can bring me one. Or I could meet after work. Let me know

I'm up to meet at 6am too...

[insomniac]

Daryl you need to contact Lindsay. If he rides Sat Slowies - he'll probably be able to fix you up after the ride.

Sorry to hear you punctured on the Waterfall ride, unfortunately I didn't make the ride(didn't sleep lol). See you on Sat - looking forward to doing Sprinters Hill again. Hopefully make Waterfall this Sun.

[Daryl]

Cool. I'll drop Lindsay a line.

Thanks. Sorted out the puncture now but has a little bit of a bulge in the tyre. Just to make sure it will be ok for the gong ride.

I'm sure Jo will work out a new way to make us work even harder

[weiyun]

You guys better be quick re jersey purchase. Lindsay et al are all off to the Fixie Century this weekend and they'll be pushed for time to serve you guys this weekend.

[mikesbytes]

Gong ride entries close this Friday

[mikesbytes]

Signed up this morning

[Stuart]

OK - I say that DHBC meet time is 06:00 for a 06:15 start - we'll be there. Lets get going early and get the the beer faster.

[christian]

It was a last minute decision, but I'm now entered as well.

[Toff]

I just signed up too.

I noticed we have 40 riders. It would be great for everyone to get down to the start at the same time to take a ripper of a team picture.

[weiyun]

Ok, I am in too. Was going to take a break after last year's effort http://dhbc.org.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=288, but decided to not miss out on a DHBC team of 40+.

Let's just pray that there's no more rain this year!

[insomniac]

OK - I say that DHBC meet time is 06:00 for a 06:15 start - we'll be there. Lets get going early and get the the beer faster.

I'll have a schooner of New, thanks Stuart.

[Simon Llewellyn]

OK - I say that DHBC meet time is 06:00 for a 06:15 start - we'll be there. Lets get going early and get the the beer faster.

That just sounds too early for some reason....

[williamd]

Insomniac

You need to get some sleep.

[weiyun]

To get photos done and get away in the first group, 6-6:15 is about right actually.

[micklan]

To get photos done and get away in the first group, 6-6:15 is about right actually.

Weiyuns right = there's a case of 1000s, best get started early

[weiyun]

Just saw weather prediction for late next week... RAIN!!! I don't want to get rained on again.

[williamd]

I wouldn't mind a small shower if it has to rain.

[jimmy]

Will

You don't want it to rain.

The road through the National Park is tricky enough without adding inexperienced riders on a wet surface. As that road is fairly shaded, it isn't uncommon to have a lot of leaf litter on it as well as moss growing in some spots. It can get really, really slippery.

James

[tedrobin]

Camilla alas is detained in Italy, so won't be riding to the Gong. If anyone (female, i.e. who can plausibly impersonate someone called Camilla) wants to be her on the day instead of signing up, just let me know.

[insomniac]

there's a guy (yeah yeah I know Camilla's a girl) who did last Sunday's Waterfall ride - his name was Ian (I think) and he has just rejoined the club. Although he missed the cut off date for entry, he still plans to try and do the ride. So if you bring Camilla's entry no, he might be able to use it.

I know it all sounds suss doesn't it.

[Toff]

You can enter up to 8.00am on the day. Just not online.

[Stuart]

Camilla alas is detained in Italy, so won't be riding to the Gong. If anyone (female, i.e. who can plausibly impersonate someone called Camilla) wants to be her on the day instead of signing up, just let me know.

I suppose it's more that Camilla is sponsored so somebody should ride in her place! On that note, DHBC is currently 27th overall and is first cycling club (that I can see anyway).

To all those who entered but didn't even sponsor themselves the $25 why don't you do so now and lift DHBC up into the top 20!

See you all at 06:00 in the park near the start line.

[williamd]

Stuart

I believe that Peter O'Sullivan hasn't entered but would like to go.

[weiyun]

BOM forecast for Sun... Chance shower or two.

[micklan]

BOM forecast for Sun... Chance shower or two.

whats is it with the first sunday in November each year?

[tedrobin]

Are we going to just take off from our meeting-place, or front the official start-line? I was thinking of sending a bag down on one of their trucks so I have something warm, something to read on the train, and something to lock the bike up outside the boozer. I wonder if I should do that first, or will be going back to that area as a red-and-black phalanx?

[Trouty]

Check out my 'gong ride form guide in the road section >>

http://dhbc.org.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=849

[Stuart]

Are we going to just take off from our meeting-place, or front the official start-line? I was thinking of sending a bag down on one of their trucks so I have something warm, something to read on the train, and something to lock the bike up outside the boozer. I wonder if I should do that first, or will be going back to that area as a red-and-black phalanx?

I would suggest we'd leave straight from the car park as IMO there's no use doing walking loop paste the official start line - good idea re the lock though, hadn't thought about that. Geoff, what say you as you were at the pub last year - is there a safe place for bike storage?