The 2018 Oppy has been a great success with some interesting tales from the road and a raft of pictures for you to enjoy. I’ll leave the ride reports in the usual place, but you can click here to read more about the Oppy. Aside from ride reports, you’ll find technical articles and a book review in this edition. Don’t forget to check out the upcoming events and if you are planning to attend the 6 Pack, get onto it now as applications close soon.
The Great Northern 6 Pack 2017 starts from Cairns, and visits Mossman, Mareeba and Atherton. Choose from a 100 km or 200 km ride for each of the six days of the series. You can even split your day into a 50/50 km adventure, or have a day off. It’s entirely up to you.
For those of us in the south (and the north too I guess), this is an awesome opportunity to take in some spectacular cycling. Registrations close 30 April so check your schedule now and make sure you get there if you can.
1 September – 6 September 2018
The website has had a bit of a tweak recently. You will find one new menu for technical articles and other items of interest. I noticed the Oppy page has a lot of great material. And quite unbelievably, I even found the date for next year’s Oppy there. Check it out and start planning your 2019 campaign now.
Once again Leonie Lucas solves the problem of what to read in the downtime between brevets. Read her book review at the link below.
John promised a technical article and he has well and truly delivered. Allow plenty of time to read his lighting dissertation – it’s quite illuminating.
I’d think a cup of tea and a few biscuits while you take it all in might be a good idea as well.
I’ve shared some information on the latest developments in multi chainring cranksets which promises greater versatility to the dedicated long distance cyclist. Such thoughtful designs and impeccable craftsmanship. You should check the article carefully since such a thing is rarely seen.
And for those with exotic tastes and deep wallets, Campagnolo recently announced a 12 speed update to its top end Record and Super Record groupsets. Does anyone actually need all those gears? What about those eye watering prices?
Lots happening. Oppy of course. Laura boldly completes her first 200km ride. And while not an Audax ride, I’ve shared a ride in the Audax spirit and a thing I needed to do. The FNQ Banana 100 has come and gone and you can read about it here.
So it seemed like the perfect storm for Audax to launch into a new location with the inaugural Banana 100. I can now publicly assert that the February timing and the Cassowary Coast location was all Wil’s idea. Against a backdrop of murmurings of “foolhardy”, “suicidal” and “ill-conceived”, let the record show what a great idea it proved to be !!!
The team enjoyed a short tailwind before contending with warm conditions and tough crosswinds for the remainder of the event. The difficulty of the challenge rose as the hours and kilometres ticked by.
The first time the team would all be together would be for the start of the Oppy. We agreed to meet near the ferry terminal but due to some other sporting event being on at St Lucia I ended up parking opposite the bike exit to the Green Bridge.
This was my first Oppy and longest ever ride. We set off from Ant’s place at 7:59am according to my Strava (ok we jumped the gun) on what was to be a fun filled day and my longest ride to date.
The weather hadn’t been great during Easter, so I was worried we were going to cancel. I then remembered Brian rides anyway (remember Esk at Night 2017 and a massive storm?).
This is a ride of 112km on roads familiar to many. It’s not an Audax event, and so you might wonder why it’s here. It was one of those “things I had to do” and it represents a transition from a situation beyond my control that might have robbed me of the enjoyment of cycling.
Click on the ride name for online registration.
Freedom Ride 300 (2018)A scenic ride around the mountains North West of Brisbane. Please check the Audax Lighting Rules and the Reflective Garment Guidelines.
Start LocationFerny Hills ContactBrian Hornby Ph: 0418 711 417 Email: brianhornby19@gmail.com Event Date: 14-Apr-2018 6:00 am |
Brisbane Valley Rail Trail 100 (2018)Ride the first stages of the BVRT to Coominya and return. Plenty of dirt and some beautiful scenery (and bakeries of course) Part of the BVRT dirt series. Please check the Audax Lighting Rules and the Reflective Garment Guidelines.
Start LocationWulkuraka ContactSimon Faber Ph: 0448887839 Email: sasfaber@bigpond.net.au Event Date: 15-Apr-2018 6:30 am |
Eight Tablelands Towns in a Day (2018)Three all-new courses for the 2018 version of Eight Tableland Towns –200km road, 100km road and a 75km gravel/black stuff combo. The rides visit Eight Tableland Towns (or maybe localities, or maybe just stuff) at the Mareeba end of the Tablelands. Just the thing for staying dry and on flatter roads in the 2018 wet season. Everyone knows Mareeba, but what about Paddy’s Green, Mutchilba, Dimbulah, Springmount, Chewko and Walkamin. And don’t forget the great views of Mt Emerald Wind Farm along the way. There is a new addition for the gravel lovers. A 75km gravel/dirt combo visiting Rocky Creek, Barney Springs, Walkamin and Chewko, with lots of time in the dirt and plenty to see. Bring your mountain bike or gravel grinder and enjoy this great new course. Please check the Audax Lighting Rules and the Reflective Garment Guidelines.
Start LocationCoffee Works, 136 Mason Street, Mareeba ContactGayle Sticher Ph: 0428 440 411 Email: gayle.sticher@bigpond.com Event Date: 22-Apr-2018 6:30 am |
Marburg Warthog (2018)A medium hilly ride around the Lockyer Valley passing through Rosewood, Laidley, Ma Ma Creek, Gatton and Glenore Grove on quiet roads. The first part of this ride has a number of short steep hills. The second half is mostly flat apart from a steep hill near the end. Please check the Audax Lighting Rules and the Reflective Garment Guidelines.
Start LocationEdmond St, Marburg ContactPeter Watson Ph: 0466494910 Email: peter.bmwk75rt@gmail.com Event Date: 22-Apr-2018 6:30 am |
Mt Mee Dawn Service. (2018)Early morning we remember those that went before us to give and sacrifice so much. Riding from Samford to the Mt Mee service, opposite the Mt Mee School. Riders are free to ride their own path or go beyond on their return trip. Mt Mee is 50km return from Please check the Audax Lighting Rules and the Reflective Garment Guidelines.
Start LocationSamford ContactAndrew Bragg Ph: 0434284532 Email: andrewbragg1@yahoo.com Event Date: 25-Apr-2018 3:00 am |
River Loop May (2018)A social ride followed by a coffee somewhere interesting on Montague Rd Please check the Audax Lighting Rules and the Reflective Garment Guidelines.
Start LocationToowong ContactBrian Hornby Ph: +61418711417 Email: brianhornby19@gmail.com Event Date: 01-May-2018 5:30 am |
Downs & Back 200 300 400 600 (2018)Short 200, Medium 300, Long 400 or Longer 600. Westlake to Ma Ma Creek, Toowoomba or Dalby on Darling Downs and return. Please check the Audax Lighting Rules and the Reflective Garment Guidelines.
Start LocationWestlake ContactVaughan Kippers Ph: 0733766761 Email: vaughankippers@bigpond.com Event Date: 05-May-2018 7:00 am |
Bedrock (2018)Scenic rides over Mt Nebo and Mt Glorious. Please check the Audax Lighting Rules and the Reflective Garment Guidelines.
Start LocationFerny Hills ContactBrian Hornby Ph: +61418711417 Email: brianhornby19@gmail.com Event Date: 12-May-2018 6:30 am |