As the keen eyes for detail may notice, this is the first Queensland Newsletter from the new Audax Australia website. This has been a 2 year journey. Russel Noble and Thomas Price have been instrumental in implementing the new site with many others helping out with testing and providing feedback and suggestions.
We are on the cusp of the new riding season so please expect some emails in the near future about applying for awards – some will be on-line, others will require completion of forms and supporting details. For full details, have a look at https://audax.org.au/ride/applying-for-awards/
Ride Reports
We have a request for a ride report for the Dirty Boonah Double. If you can help out, please send your report to qld.communications@audax.org.au
Inglorius Mee
Brett Fyfield has shared his insights from this ride
“When the ride organiser tells you there is no point avoiding hills, then you know you’ve come on the right ride. This was a big ride over some challenging terrain. I was glad not to have to rely on the Garmin for a change. Thanks to Single Speed Scott for sharing his local knowledge, I rode a few places I have never seen before. There are some good descents too, back of Glorious and Mt Mee into Dayboro. “”
See the full route on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/2763680126
You can view Brett’s video here: https://www.youtube.com/c/brettfyfield
If you liked this video, make sure you give it a thumbs up, subscribe and hit the bell to be notified when I upload next.
Beaudesert Bash
I rode the Beaudesert Bash – the half puddle splash this year in lieu of the full puddle as I am still building up my strength after a light year in the saddle. Just like last year, the rain drizzled down and soaked everyone, at least those that didn’t pull out.
I find the bash an interesting ride in that it is a relatively low elevation ride but it is very lumpy. This week’s banner photo is in the last 40km of the ride.
I did like the company at the start of the ride as we headed north from Beenleigh. Just like last year, there was a little confusion at a couple of locations early in the ride allowing me to keep up for the first 15km until my first pit stop. Raoul was the last of the riders with me and I watched as he slowly gained distance after Chambers Flat Road.
I found that some of the roads were very busy (Teviot Road, Brookland Road – a normally quiet back road, Mt Lindsay Highway and Wuruga Rd.) and was thankful that most drivers were patient or I could take my time when crossing roads. I elected to walk the Veresdale Scrub rd pinch due to road conditions – steep, wet, busy and with a tight turn at the top didn’t want to push any-one’s luck.
As I arrived at the control at Gleneagle, I was delighted to see an exceptionally well trained dog ‘guarding’ a mobile home – sitting patiently, looking around at the passers by – I was impressed.
After the control, my niggling high gear problem re-surfaced. It didn’t stop me completing the course, just made some descents annoying. Despite Peter’s best intentions of a route change at the end, one of the roads was closed to traffic. Fortunately I received a text message, unlike the first two riders who had descended and needed to climb back to the top (with a really horrid turn afterwards).
I completed the ride with a pleasing hour or so to spare. A good if soggy ride.
Completed rides
Hippy Highway 200km BRM two intrepid riders with a time just under 13 hours. This is one tough ride with 3500m of climbing
Dirty Boonah Double 64km / 109km BG 11 riders completed the 64km route from just over 2 3/4 hours to just under 4 3/4 hours. 19 riders completed the 109km route in times ranging from just over 4 1/2 hours to just over 8 1/2 hours.
River Loop October 50km BA 9 riders completed in 2 1/4 hours. I didn’t even sway the average completion time for this ride!
Beaudesert Bash 114km BA / 200km BRM 3 riders completed the 114km route between 5 1/2 and just over 6 3/4 hours. The two 200om riders completed in about 9 1/2 hours.
Cane Farms and Beaches 105km BA an amazing 35 riders completed the ride in times ranging from just over 3 3/4 hours to just under 6 hours.
More maintenance – still the high gear
I discussed my ongoing problem with a colleague from work (who had completed his first 200km ride the week before) and he agreed to lend me his derailleur hanger straightener. Having done everything other than check the hanger and replace the derailleur this was the next step in the diagnostic path.
These are relatively straightforward to use but do require you to remove the chain and rear derailleur from the bicycle. The tool has a threaded section that screws into the derailleur hanger, a bar to both align and measure and a probe to align with the rim.
Once attached to the hanger, you use the pin to check if the hanger is aligned vertically by checking both the top and bottom. On the side with the largest gap, a bit of brute force is used to true up the hanger. The process is repeated in both the vertical and horizontal plane until the hanger is true. Needless to say, the gap was about 30mm on one direction – enough to cause issues. I repeated the process on my other bike while I had access to the tool. I guess the bike falling over with and without rider can cause these alignment issues. Due to the shape of some hangers, it is difficult to visually inspect the alignment.
Next test ride is the Midnight Century Supporters ride. It will either be good or annoying….more to come.
Upcoming Rides
To view the full calendar, please head to https://www.audax.org.au/portal/rides/calendar
You may need to clear your browsing history and cache to be able to see the new website.
Saturday October 19th – Broke back Mountain – 244km BA
6am start at Crows Nest with a scenic and hilly ride over the Bunya Mountains before returning to Crows Nest.
5:30 am start opposite the Regatta Hotel. This is a loose group ride with assembly locations at key points along the ride. Breakfast at Plenty in West End.
Saturday October 26th – Yeronga Medley 4, 110km BA, 200km, 300km, 400km and 600km BRM
Reasonably flat course with distances of 100, 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 & Lockyer Valleys. Please contact the RO if you need sleeping arrangements.
Tuesday October 29th – River Loop Social Ride – 35km
5:30 am start opposite the Regatta Hotel. This is a loose group ride with assembly locations at key points along the ride. Breakfast at Plenty in West End.
Saturday November 2nd – Mulgowie Meander 100km BUAF
From Rosewood over the Grandchester Range past Mulgowie and Thornton, then return.
Tuesday November 5th – River Loop 50km / 100km BA
5:30 am start opposite the Regatta Hotel. This is a loose group ride with assembly locations at key points along the ride. Breakfast at Plenty in West End at the 50km control
Saturday November 9th – Midnight Century 100km / 100Mi BA
Start at midnight and ride through the Lockyer and Brisbane Valleys to finish on Sunday morning after competing three separate loops at the same place you started in Fernvale.
Tuesday November 12th – River Loop Social Ride – 35km
5:30 am start opposite the Regatta Hotel. This is a loose group ride with assembly locations at key points along the ride. Breakfast at Plenty in West End.
Rocky Gully Ramble 100km BA / 200km BRM
Choice of distances around the Brisbane and Lockyer Valleys. The long version explores the gastronomic delight of Barb’s Kitchen and Gatton
If you have any contributions, please send them to qld.communications@audax.org.au