Around the Bay in a Day
G'day Gang,
Am heading over to Mexico next week to do the Around the Bay in a Day with a mate and as it is my first time I was wondering if there were any other Adelaide Cyclist members that have done it before that might be able to provide some tips/hints/insights?
Anyone else from here doing it this year?
Cheers
Brenton
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Derek Hasel on -
Hi Brenton. My advise is to get the the Start EARLY and get as close to the front as you can prior to the start. Don;t worry about being told that you need to be at your estimated completion time, start point. If not near the front at the start you will wait forever to get going and then 'bunny hop' on one foot for the first 500 metres. Also take it easy early. There were an awful lot of crashes with fools thinking that there were all Robbie McEwen and had to race thru riders, left/right and centre. Pray to your God for calm weather. We had a ball. Well organised with lots of 'rest points', although we did not stop until Queenscliffe, Have a great time. And enjoy the view from Westgate Bridge.
I put new tyres on and did not get a puncture. This ride is well known for the "Fankston Ferals" who each year, scatter 'tacks' on the road thru Frankston. Hoperfully that won't happen to you.
Derek,
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Permalink Reply by Mike Brisco on -
I am thinking of starting an Adelaide version.
Starting at Goolwa, we catch the tour boat past the Barrages, down the Coorong, to Narrung, and unload our bikes near the Pelican Point Picnic Site.
Then cycle back to Goolwa, via Raukkan, the Lake Albert Ferry, the old Princess Highway; Medindee, Wellington, and Clayton.
Last year it was going to be "around the clay in a day" as the dry lakes were more like claypans. Unfortunatley low water in the Coorong, meant the tour boat didnt go, so had to cancel.
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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Champion on -
I'm doing it but I'm starting in Melbourne the Mexico start will be a bit different.
My third time but have not done it for the last 2 years. I read Derek's comments below and to be honest that is the first I have heard of the Frankston ferals but somehow it does not surprise me. I go anti clockwise so by the time I get to Frankston it might be all cleared up. The ride is well organised and a lot of people avoid the start including me and join in further up the road and earlier. This year maybe different because of the timing. The ferries can be a bit hit and miss so far I have just ridden up and got straight on a ferry but I have heard of some people waiting an hour or more to get going particularly on the Sorrento side. The toilets on the ferries are also very popular I would avoid them if possible and one word of warning some of the toilets along the beach on the Mornington Peninsula have a grate at the urinal and I found that my cleats clicked in perfectly which made for a few interesting moments.
It's a huge day and you will have a great time. Unless it is wet.............
Cheers Jeremy
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Permalink Reply by Ol' Dr. Cadence (Mathew) on
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Enjoy the Cervesa's and backward people in Me"h"ico! I wish i could come..waaah!
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Permalink Reply by Nathan Ross on -
Hi Brenton,
I will be heading across for the ride. I agree with Derek, start about 500 metres before the start line.
Last year the first 20km is madness, but still good fun. You will find that no matter how hard you try people will always sit on your wheel, and you might not see the front of a group for about 20km...I love this ride it is very well organized, and a good day had on the bike.
Enjoy!
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Permalink Reply by Juz on -
If you see a Gawler Wheelers jersey, that'll be Lindsay, my next door neighbour from Brisbane! Say hi to him! :-)
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Permalink Reply by Ian Clifford on -
I am heading across for the ride; I am looking forward to the challenge. This weather is not helping my preparation, but I think that I am ready. As this course is essentially a circle I expect to get a head wind somewhere, but am hoping for little to no rain. The Mexican weather is synonymous with being somewhat un-predictable
I will more than likely pull on the Gawler Wheelers jersey as the official one is not all that appealing. I guess it will look better when it's surrounded by 10000 others. If nothing else it will get a run down St Kilda road on Saturday when I go out to stretch the legs. I would take some pictures, but there is no need to subject normal people to that.
Good luck to all that are heading across, and stay safe. If you see the GW Jersey, roll up and say G'day; its either going to be me or Juz's family friend.
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Permalink Reply by Ian Clifford on
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For those that have done this ride before,and those that are having a go at this one I am looking for some advice as well. Did you carry a back pack for the ride? I am not sure that I have enough space in my pockets and sadle bag, but I am not sure a back pack would be very comfortable for that long.
What are you planning to do?
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Permalink Reply by Derek Hasel on
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Ian I did not carry a back pack and I would suggest you do not, either. There are 'fuel stops' along the way. Water, banana's (well maybe not banana's) cake etc. There are Service Stations. etc. You are provided with a very good meal at Queenscliffe and if you take a couple of tubes and a repair kit, and pump.what else would you need, Don;t ride to much coming up to the event and relax about the whole thing , it is a hoot. Saying that it is also tiring so eat lots of good stuff during the ride. I can vouch for Winners Bars , or similar. Stay clear of 'lollies' they might have sugar but that is not what you need. Something a bit more substantial is required. Have a really good breakfast- Weetbix (lots) and muesli is a good tip. (lots of it , too).
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Permalink Reply by Clyde.S.Dale on -
Thanks for all the replys - am really looking forward to this but have not had the most ideal preperation either (surgery last week to remove my wisdom teeth) but when I see the ride profile that it is pretty flat I am hoping that all my hills work will put me in good stead. Long range forecast is not looking real flash but I suppose as long as it is not raining the whole 210kms then it should be good.
Re taking a backpack, I also considered this but decided against it and have decided to fit a large underseat saddle bag that I have on my commuter, mainly to hold a rain jacket, tubes etc. Will put food etc in my jersey pockets.
Will definately yell out if I see any GW jerseys out there, I am considering wearing my retro Adelaide Cyclist jersey so if you see that come & say G'day.
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