OzSTOC
OzSTOC Events National & Local => VICTORIA => Topic started by: Williamson on July 13, 2021, 03:46:11 PM
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See reply #45 for update
This an RTE with a twist - on bicycles.
Just a short reccy ride to check out the Tallarook - Mansfield Rail Trail, to see if I / we can handle the approx. 134km of overall rail.
https://www.railtrails.org.au/index.php?option=com_railtrails&view=trail&id=90&Itemid=243 (https://www.railtrails.org.au/index.php?option=com_railtrails&view=trail&id=90&Itemid=243)
Wednesday's ride is just Yea to Cheviot Tunnel, then to Native Dog Road or Molesworth and return.
Planned itinerary is:
8:30am: Meet at Yea Railway Station - https://goo.gl/maps/ShAYqbFkmfKjPwuTA (https://goo.gl/maps/ShAYqbFkmfKjPwuTA)
9:00am: Commence ride to Cheviot Tunnel - https://goo.gl/maps/D45GAhGKSgoTRbTL7 (https://goo.gl/maps/D45GAhGKSgoTRbTL7)
9:45am Arrive Tunnel - only a 33 minute ride, but allows time for pics
10:15am: Arrive Molesworth - only a 20 minute ride, but allows time for more pics - https://goo.gl/maps/Vp5nUFFqHRzhVEdd6 (https://goo.gl/maps/Vp5nUFFqHRzhVEdd6)
11:30am: Arrive back at Yea - coffe, lunch or whatever.
Participating so far:
- Michael
- Pete - from AusTouring
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Don't tire yourself out too much before the Toora RTE, Michael! :whistle
Actually...instead of bringing your ST, perhaps you could bring the pushy and ride from Leongatha through to Toora on the Great Southern Rail Trail??? :grin
I'll shout ya a beer if you do that... :beer
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Don't tire yourself out too much before the Toora RTE, Michael! :whistle
Actually...instead of bringing your ST, perhaps you could bring the pushy and ride from Leongatha through to Toora on the Great Southern Rail Trail??? :grin
I'll shout ya a beer if you do that... :beer
I have a better idea. You can join me on the pushie ride, and I'll shout you two of your choice.
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Throw in a couple of MICA paramedics and I'll think about it... :p :grin
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Throw in a couple of MICA paramedics and I'll think about it... :p :grin
With a bit of training and conditioning, we can avoid the need for any MICA support. You can commence with joining us Wednesday next week. So dust off the pushie in the garage, if you don't have one, I have a spare or two. You would be the youngest.
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More than a bit, me thinks, Michael!
While the thought of wearing lycra is very tempting, but knowing that I'd probably look stunning and all you blokes would be so jealous, sadly I'm going to have to decline your kind offer... :Blow
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Would love to but have a chiro appointment in the morning
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Due to Garry's prior committment ...
Would love to but have a chiro appointment in the morning
... weather forecast, and 5 day COVID lockdown, this RTE is re-scheduled to Wed 28 July. All other details unchanged.
Push bike riders, add your name to the attendee list:
- Michael
- Pete - from AusTouring
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With the change of date I am a possible starter for this.
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With the change of date I am a possible starter for this.
:thumbs
Push bike riders, add your name to the attendee list:
- Michael
- Pete - from AusTouring
- Garry - possible starter, and finisher too, we hope
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Would love to join you but can’t due work and all, ok if it were on a Saturday or Sunday. Do you have road or mountain bikes?
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Would love to join you but can’t due work and all, ok if it were on a Saturday or Sunday...
This is a reccy ride. From this we may be able to determine if we are fit enough for the whole trail - Mansfield to Tallarook, at some stage in the near future. That would be at least a three day ride, two overnights (Alexandra and Yea), timing of that (week and/or weekend) may depend on availablity of accomodation. If the itinerary works for you, you will be very welcome.
Some details on the route here: https://www.greatvictorianrailtrail.com.au/trail-map-distance-and-gradient/ (https://www.greatvictorianrailtrail.com.au/trail-map-distance-and-gradient/)
... Do you have road or mountain bikes?
I'll be on my trusty 30 plus year old Giant hybrid.
(https://i.ibb.co/b5HtkfH/IMG-1574.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RTh8q5h)
The trail is compacted sand so I have changed over the 700 x 23 high pressure tyres (in the pic) with 700 x 38 75psi all terrain tyres.
Not sure what Pete and Garry ride. Garry will be along soon to advise.
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Would love to join you but can’t due work and all, ok if it were on a Saturday or Sunday...
This is a reccy ride. From this we may be able to determine if we are fit enough for the whole trail - Mansfield to Tallarook, at some stage in the near future. That would be at least a three day ride, two overnights (Alexandra and Yea), timing of that (week and/or weekend) may depend on availablity of accomodation. If the itinerary works for you, you will be very welcome.
Some details on the route here: https://www.greatvictorianrailtrail.com.au/trail-map-distance-and-gradient/ (https://www.greatvictorianrailtrail.com.au/trail-map-distance-and-gradient/)
... Do you have road or mountain bikes?
I'll be on my trusty 30 plus year old Giant hybrid.
(https://i.ibb.co/b5HtkfH/IMG-1574.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RTh8q5h)
The trail is compacted sand so I have changed over the 700 x 23 high pressure tyres (in the pic) with 700 x 38 75psi all terrain tyres.
Not sure what Pete and Garry ride. Garry will be along soon to advise.
Hmmm depending dates and Lockdowns .. I could be a starter for the 3 day pushy ride! Now which bike . . Mountain, road, tourer . . Or Electric Mountain . . . A hard decision . .
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Hmmm depending dates and Lockdowns .. I could be a starter for the 3 day pushy ride!
If the itinerary (when determined) works for you, you will be very welcome.
... Now which bike . . Mountain, road, tourer . . Or Electric Mountain . . . A hard decision . .
Mmm ... may have the same problem here. I have been struggling a little on the Giant hybrid on the last few rides. Not sure why, but I've concluded this could be due to the weight (it's quite a few kg heavier than the Giant MTB). I'll take the MTB for a few rides, see if I can cope with it a little better.
I was Googling eBikes a coupla days back, I can see one of these in my future, but probably when I get old, in my 70's.
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I bought mine in my 75 th year, I bought a Dyson with a rear wheel hub motor for around $2,889. Their HO and sales are located in Melbourne, prob not far from you. Dysonbikes.com.au they have a good range.
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I bought mine in my 75 th year, I bought a Dyson with a rear wheel hub motor for around $2,889. Their HO and sales are located in Melbourne, prob not far from you. Dysonbikes.com.au they have a good range.
I was looking at some on this website - https://www.bicyclesonline.com.au/bikes/electric-bikes/?sort%5B0%5D%5Bfield%5D=price&sort%5B0%5D%5Border%5D=asc (https://www.bicyclesonline.com.au/bikes/electric-bikes/?sort%5B0%5D%5Bfield%5D=price&sort%5B0%5D%5Border%5D=asc)
My son-in-law just bought an up-market MTB, for what he paid, coulda got an ST1300.
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I have a mountain bike which is currently in Bendigo with the caravan, a road bike and a single speed flat bar. Not sure when I can get to Bendigo but would normally use mtn bike for trail rides.
Its looking like the lockdown may affect the 28th
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Whatever you chose to ride make sure it has off road tyres.
We did this Cheviot ride a few years' ago , I was on my 1100 at the time sure wish I`d taken the XT. :grin
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... been struggling a little on the Giant hybrid on the last few rides. Not sure why, but I've concluded this could be due to the weight (it's quite a few kg heavier than the Giant MTB). I'll take the MTB for a few rides, see if I can cope with it a little better ...
The Giant Hybrid is a heavy old bike (hi-ten frame and forks, but with alloy bits 'n' bobs), I just didn't realise how heavy until I weighed it this AM, and then compared it to the Giant MTB. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, around 9kg heavier.
The combined weight of the road bike and the MTB is less than the hybrid. So a minor service needed on the MTB before our
reccy ride.
I have a mountain bike which is currently in Bendigo with the caravan, a road bike and a single speed flat bar. Not sure when I can get to Bendigo but would normally use mtn bike for trail rides.
What size and sort of tyres do you have on the MTB and the road bike?
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The road bike is 700c X 25 which is not particularly suited to gravel paths amd the mountain bike is about 195 X 29. Is has a fairly non aggressive tread suitable for most surfaces.
The mtn bike is a Reid brand which are cheap and not too nasty. Had it a few years and it has only cable disc brakes. Ok for trails but barely enough brake power on a steep descent.
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The road bike is 700c X 25 which is not particularly suited to gravel paths amd the mountain bike is about 195 X 29. Is has a fairly non aggressive tread suitable for most surfaces.
The mtn bike is a Reid brand which are cheap and not too nasty. Had it a few years and it has only cable disc brakes. Ok for trails but barely enough brake power on a steep descent.
Around 20 - 25 years back (in my bicycle shops days), I swapped the original 700 x 35 tyres on the hybrid for 700 x 23 HP (around 120psi) road tyres. With a few other changes, it was a very, very fast road bike, would've been even faster with a better, fitter, stronger rider. Anyway, it was good enough to take me Around the Bay in a Day a coupla times. Mid-2020, I put on about the 4th or 5th set of the HP tyres, only done 50km on these so far.
In preparation for the Mansfield to Tallarook ride and thinking I would ride the hybrid, I've swapped back to some 700 x 38 tyres. I'm not sure if you could fit 700 x 38 tyres to your road bike, it might be worth some effort to investigate. Failing that an option may be some 700 x 28, 700 x 35 or 700 x 35 tyres, any of these would be better on the trail than the 700 x 25 tyres.
I might have a fiddle around in the garage tomorrow to see if the 700 x 38 tyres will fit on my road bike - they only need an addition 13mm clearance - it'll be interesting. If they do, you are quite welcome to try them on your bike. The logistics of this may be difficult as there is around 5km between our 5km bubbles, but when we can break-out we can have a chat.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/324135301574 (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/324135301574)
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I was thinking of 28s on the single speed. Not sure if a larger size would fit that or road bike. Be worth checking.
I should get the van and mtn bike as soon as allowed outside the bubble. I havethe van booked for a new awning early August so hopefully it All works out.
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... I'm not sure if you could fit 700 x 38 tyres to your road bike, it might be worth some effort to investigate ...
Well the 700 x 38mm don't fit, but only missed out by 2 or 3mm.
... Failing that an option may be some 700 x 28, 700 x 32 or 700 x 35 tyres, any of these would be better on the trail than the 700 x 25 tyres.
Mmmm ... the 700 x 35mm may be okay, but to be sure (to be sure), I will try the 700 x 32 tyres in the link, available on eBay at the moment. These have a reasonable tread for a compacted granitic sand track and at 75psi would still be suitable for sealed path use without too much rollong resistance.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/223907357960?hash=item3421eb2508:g:5WsAAOSwCh1gUtQp&frcectupt=true
Garry, let me know if you want me to order a pair for you - there would be at no cost, as you gave me a new battery (which is in my trailer), and if you bring your bike to me, I can fit 'em.
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Theywould be worth a try. So if you could get me two that would be great.
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... if you could get me two that would be great.
Done! Should be here between Mon 26 Jul and Tue 27 Jul, I'll let you know when they arrive.
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Perhaps you can amuse yourself playing "quoits" with all these tyres when they arrive, Michael! :grin
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... if you could get me two that would be great.
Done! Should be here between Mon 26 Jul and Tue 27 Jul, I'll let you know when they arrive.
Tyres arrived, fits okay to front of my road bike, but not okay on rear. When we're outta lockdown, you can still bring your road bike over and we can see if they fit okay on yours - perhaps there's a bit more clearance.
Re. RTE Wed 28 July, this is not looking good, may not be outta lockdown, and even if we are, weather forecast is shouse! We can leave the final call to Tue evening, but I'm not confident.
Perhaps you can amuse yourself playing "quoits" with all these tyres when they arrive, Michael! :grin
Spare tyres, tubes and other spares are put aside for a few bike repairs and servicing that I do on-the-side.
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Looks like Wed is an ordinary weather day. Wait and see about the lockdown etc.
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Mountain bike has been delivered to Ringwood so I can pick it up soon, so no rush on tyres but keen to try them on road or single speed(shopping bike)
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Well Dan-the-Man has smiled upon us, but unfortunately the weather gods have not. Next week's forecasts are not much better, will keep fingers crossed for the following week.
Mountain bike has been delivered to Ringwood so I can pick it up soon, so no rush on tyres but keen to try them on road or single speed(shopping bike).
Regardless of weather, and when home visits are permitted, we can make a time and date to do the tyre swap / trial.
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Ok. I will see how that other date looks. Most Wednesdays are ok.
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Forecast for Wed 11 Aug is looking good, until 1:00pm. Allows a good 4 hours for a ride.
(https://i.ibb.co/Jrc1wfd/Forecast-Yea-11-Aug.jpg)
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Forecast for Wed 11 Aug is looking good, until 1:00pm. Allows a good 4 hours for a ride.
(https://i.ibb.co/Jrc1wfd/Forecast-Yea-11-Aug.jpg)
Looks very possible for me.
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Forecast for Wed 11 Aug is looking good, until 1:00pm. Allows a good 4 hours for a ride.
Looks very possible for me.
Current plan is to meet a mate here at 7:45am - https://goo.gl/maps/M9Sw87iH8bnqDTaD9 - swap his bike onto Pajero.
Should be able to put three adult bikes onto the bike rack - so room for yours.
The rest of the morning something like this (plus or minus 10 min) ...
* 8:45am: Arrive at Yea Railway Station - https://goo.gl/maps/ShAYqbFkmfKjPwuTA
* 9:00am: Commence ride to Cheviot Tunnel - https://goo.gl/maps/D45GAhGKSgoTRbTL7
* 9:45am: Arrive Tunnel - only a 9.3km / 33 minute ride, but allows plenty of time for pics
* 10:15am: Arrive Molesworth - only another 8.3km / 20 minute ride, but allows time for more pics - https://goo.gl/maps/Vp5nUFFqHRzhVEdd6
* 11:30am: Turn around and ~ 17.6km / 50 - 60 min ride back to Yea - coffee, lunch or whatever.
* 1:00pm: Back at Yarra Glen
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Oh well, here we go again (again), Wed 11 Aug ride is postponed (again). I'll keep my eye on the weather forecast for Wed 18 Aug, and let's all keep our fingers crossed.
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(https://media4.giphy.com/media/Cm9wKmKMUlRPvdoHgU/giphy.gif)
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Forecast for Wed 18 Aug looks okay so far. All we need now is to come outta lockdown. Save the date if you can, final call may be as late as PM Tue 17 Aug.
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Already in the calendar. Not looking good for Saturday 14th but we may be free ish by the 18th
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Forecast for Wed 18 Aug looks okay so far. All we need now is to come outta lockdown. Save the date if you can, final call may be as late as PM Tue 17 Aug.
Well Wed 18 is out, I'll plan for Wed 25 - subject to weather and Covid. I'll make the call PM Tue 24 Aug.
Sorted out my road bike today, will see how it behaves on the HP road tyres on the Yarra Trail gravel. If okay, may take it to Yea.
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Road bike should be ok on light gravel. Not so good when its deeper. Yea trail looks hard and easy going.
Already on calendar for 25th.
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And, I've been eyeing-off the Great Southern Rail Trail, we might get Russ joining us, or at least get lunch.
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Road bike should be ok on light gravel. Not so good when its deeper. Yea trail looks hard and easy going.
Already on calendar for 25th.
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Remember, the cheviot tunnel was done by 1100s and 1300s, so your treadley will be fine. :eek
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Remember, the cheviot tunnel was done by 1100s and 1300s, so your treadley will be fine. :eek
I've got a spare bicyle for you.
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Remember, the cheviot tunnel was done by 1100s and 1300s, so your treadley will be fine. :eek
I've got a spare bicyle for you.
Nice offer, but my Trail bike is more suited to this terrain.
Wonder if Garry remembers three road bikes coming out of the bush, as he rode by? Me, I would have thought, WTF ! :grin
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And, I've been eyeing-off the Great Southern Rail Trail, we might get Russ joining us, or at least get lunch.
If only the extension of the rail trail to Korumburra was complete... :fp
But...I could shout you a cuppa or two and then perhaps we could have a "WTE" at the pub which is just around the corner... :whistle
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The RTE was originally planned as a mid-week ride to suit my partner in crime, Pete. Now due to his current business and work committments, it will now need to be on a weekend.
Also, as timing of this ride will be dependent on a relaxation of COVID restrictions and a forecast of good weather conditions, a date will not be set until both are suitable. So whilst I'll set a date around a week in advance, we will most likely not know until a few days in advance of COVID restrictions being relaxed, weather forecast likewise, a call may not be made until the night before.
The other good news is, being on a weekend (a Sat or Sun) this will allow an opportunity for a few others, who are normally working during the week, to particpate.
In the meantime, likely attendees are:
- Michael
- Pete (AusTouring)
- Ken (AusTouring)
- Richard (AusTouring)
Plenty of space and time to add more names.
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And me and maybe a another Mike (or two)
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And me and maybe a another Mike (or two)
So that could mean that likely attendees are:
- Michael
- Pete
- Ken
- Richard
- Garry
- May be another Mike or two
Plenty of space and time to add more names.