In the past two weeks it’s become appreciably cooler here in Brisbane earlier in the morning with enough clear weather to convince even the least audacious to venture out on their velocipede. And so I did, and you can read about it below. I’ve also provided the most current Oppy information including where to watch the spots, and where you need to be at about 0700 this Sunday to cheer the finishers home and hear their tales from the road first hand.
Many of our bikes are tweaked to suit our needs and personal preferences. I’ve prepared a summary on the mods performed to my bike which won’t take long to read, but there is some additional information buried in links within the text which probably will.
Did I mention the Oppy is on this Sunday. Whether you’re riding, spotwatching or supporting, enjoy.
Are you ready? The Oppy will start at 8:00 am Saturday 24th March; and finish 24 hrs later. The Oppy regional organisers and finishing locations are:
| SEQ | Mark Riley | St Lucia | St Lucys for breakfast from 0730 |
| FNQ | Gayle Sticher | Port Douglas | The Lure Restaurant, Port Douglas from 0700 |
Follow the teams here: 2018 Oppy Tracker Page
At the moment 12 teams have registered Australia-wide, including 5 of the 6 SEQ teams: 2 SPOT, 2 Bubbler (Android), 1 SWconnect (iOS).
The team identifiers on the map in SEQ are:
If you are not riding, consider joining the teams for the post ride event at the locations shown.
And a little reading for you to really get in the mood.
The Oppy is not to be underestimated. Massive distance, long hours on the bike in potentially tough conditions are just some of the challenges that Team Brevet will face. Of course, the 24 hour ride itself is only the finale in what has been a year of preparation for the guys.
Mark Croonen takes on the Yeronga Medley 400km in preparation for the IPRW.
After a short commute to the start, we pushed off at 0600h with 22 riders all doing distances from 110k to 600k. The pack quickly sorted itself out, and I was out front with James Nitz (200k ride) and (Nick Booth 600k).
John relates his Berry Good day out.
The start was much like any other – new riding shoes, all gathered for the pre-ride briefing, a photo then the sendoff as we headed northwards from Lowood. We soon found Vauhgan being our cheer squad for the tour de berry a few k’s out (well, actually taking photos) and after a while David Booth and I kept each other company along the way.
Keith survives the Mangroves and the Mountains, and a dose of sunburn as well.
We remained with the group until Albany Creek at which point the faster riders vanished into the distance as the road pointed upwards into the hills. This was expected as our pace is typically “leisurely” to “even more leisurely”…
Posted by Keith Heinrich on Saturday, 17 March 2018
Keith discusses a path to cycling nirvana.
The Curve Belgie Spirit. I must have one.
Click on the ride name for online registration.
Petit Opperman – QLD (2018)The Petit Oppy challenge is to ride 180km together in a group of 3 to 5 bikes to finish at St. Lucia riding for the first 12 and the last 2 hours of the Oppy. Join the other teams for breakfast at St Lucia Please check the Audax Lighting Rules and the Reflective Garment Guidelines.
Start LocationAnywhere ContactMark Riley Ph: 0416802834 Email: m.riley@uq.edu.au Event Date: 24-Mar-2018 8:00 am |
Opperman All Day Trial – QLD (2018)A team must consist of 3, 4 or 5 bicycles. Each team chooses its own start point and course. A minimum of 360 km must be ridden in 24 hours from Sat morning and all teams finish at the same point (St Lucia) for breakfast at St Lucys. Please check the Audax Lighting Rules and the Reflective Garment Guidelines.
Start Locationanywhere ContactMark Riley Ph: 0416 802 834 Email: m.riley@uq.edu.au Documentation:https://www.audax.org.au/public/index.php/fleche-opperman Event Date: 24-Mar-2018 8:00 am |
March Madness (2018)A scenic ride to Kilcoy for lunch, folowed by tea at Mooloolah. Then it’s all flat back to Banyo. Please check the Audax Lighting Rules and the Reflective Garment Guidelines.
Start Location10 Sunwell St. Brighton ContactPeter Jenkins Ph: 0407149375 Email: berlioz@bigpond.net.au Event Date: 31-Mar-2018 7:00 am |
River Loop April (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: 03-Apr-2018 5:30 am |
Yeronga Medley 2 – 2018 (2018)Reasonably flat course with distances of 110, 200, 300, 400 and 600 km. We start with part of the river loop, and then head west, taking in the Scenic Rim and the Brisbane and Lockyer Valleys. Please contact me if you need sleeping arrangements. Please check the Audax Lighting Rules and the Reflective Garment Guidelines.
Start LocationYeronga ContactAnthony Richardson Ph: 0467771869 Email: anthony.richardson@csiro.au Event Date: 07-Apr-2018 6:00 am |
Far North 600 (2018)Are you up to it ???? The big challenge of 2018 – The Far North 600km!! Ride from Atherton to Cairns in 40 hours, with a few little meanders in between. Start with a quick visit to Herberton (possibly up a range) and along the Crater Loop – a much loved local favourite. Descend through the rainforests back towards Atherton, and enjoy a loop around the Central Tablelands, before heading west to the outback railway town of Dimbulah. Ride back through Mareeba, and start heading downhill to your overnight stop in Mt Molloy. Have an evening meal in Mt Molloy while you decide whether to include the next leg to Mt Carbine and return before you head to bed on Day 1, or start this leg early on Day 2. After breakfast at the classic country pub of Mt Molloy, head across to the Rex Range for a quick descent to the coast and north for some spectacular riding up to the rainforest of Daintree Village. Have a break at Port Douglas on your way back south, and take in the spectacular views across the waters of the Far North as you finish your big adventure into Cairns along the Cook Highway. Arrive to a warm reception and a hot meal in Cairns. This is a fully supported ride, with volunteers at all Controls and a catered overnight stop (evening meal and breakfast) at Mt Molloy. Finish on the Cairns Esplanade in style, enjoy an included meal and a well-deserved rest overlooking the Cairns waterfront. Costs include: Ride fee, gear transport (from Atherton), supported controls, overnight accommodation in Mt Molloy, evening meal and breakfast in Mt Molloy, and arrival meal in Cairns. Transport to Atherton: Trans North buses operate between Cairns and Atherton weekdays at 6am, 9am and 3.30pm. Ph (07) 4045 3800 Pre-ride Accommodation: Atherton Woodlands Holiday Park (not included). Ph: (07) 4091 1407 Gear Transport: Small bags and sleeping gear will be transported from Atherton to Mt Molloy and Cairns. Storage for bike boxes will be available in Cairns. Saturday 14 April 2018 – 5.00am – Rider check-in at Atherton Woodlands Holiday Park 5.15am – Ride briefing 5.30am – Ride start Sunday 15 April 2018 – 9pm – Ride finish – Cairns Holiday Inn, Cairns Esplanade Riders numbers are limited. Please email the Ride Organiser with Expressions of Interest. Please check the Audax Lighting Rules and the Reflective Garment Guidelines.
Start LocationAtherton Woodlands Holiday Park ContactGayle Sticher Ph: 0428 440 411 Email: gayle.sticher@bigpond.com Event Date: 14-Apr-2018 5:30 am |
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 |
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 |