Welcome to the last Queensland newsletter for the 2018-2019 Audax season. In this edition we have a little maintenance, some ride reports and importantly, a bit of a how-to to add your own ride reports on the new Audax website.
Ride Reports
I have two ride reports this week from riders using the new Ride Reports function on the Audax web page. These are accessible from the Audax website by selecting Media at the top right, then ride reports.
11 Out of 11
Brisbane hosts the first Audax worldwide in the new year with the 11 Out of 11 audax which crosses 11 of the bridges across the Brisbane River. Keith Heinrich tested the new ride report feature of the Audax website with his recollection from the beginning of this year. Have a read here
Midnight Century – a supporters ride
The Midnight Century is an iconic Queensland ride, having undergone a route change in the last few years. This year, I volunteered to be the ride organiser so I rode early. You can read my story here:
Yeronga Medley 4
The final Yeronga Medley for the year had keen riders taking part in all bar the 300km course. I took part in the 200km ride with my GPS reporting 44 degrees of road temperature just after Harrisville with strong headwinds for more than half the distance. Ant Richards gave this wrap-up of the ride:
We had 27 registered for the Yeronga Medley this time around. Jeff Franklin was feeling sick (maybe too much riding ??) and texted in before the ride. We had 12 x 110 km riders, 9 x 200 km riders, 2 x 400 km riders, and 3 x 600 km riders start. Conditions were warm – 30oC in Brisbane but 35oC out west of Brisbane. The wind was also a problem for the 200 km+ riders, as it was getting up to 30 km/hr and was a head wind for much of the time.
I think everyone had a good time. A number of people availed themselves of a beer, wine or soft drink at my place when they finished. By the end of the evening I was feeling pretty happy… ?
We had one DNF. Well done to everyone who finished. Some notable rides were Paul Witzerman for completing the 600 – not an easy feat considering the conditions and the lack of hills that Paul loves! And it was good to hear Mark Croonen’s stories about his Indi-Pac ride after his 600.
Finally, I’d like to thank Scott and Tara for providing me with a slab of Newstead Brewing Company beer for me, to replenish my stocks! Thanks very much.
Write your own! (ride report that is)
The new website allows you to write your own ride report. This is quite simple so here is a quick howto:
Navigate to www.audax.org.au and then from the menu at the top log in to the website using the login option.
From the menu across the top, select Media then My Ride Reports and finally Create a Ride Report
This will bring you into a new page that has an area at the top to name your report, a big area to write the words and a summary box at the bottom. There is the ability to insert pictures however the file size permitted is quite small and you must have a ‘feature picture’
The titles of the areas tell you what goes where. and by looking at one or two you will soon get the idea of what is required.
I will check each fortnight for new ride reports and include them in the newsletter so if you have created one there will not be a need to let me know.
Maintenance thingies
Derailleur hangers
In the last newsletter I covered off my issues with my high gear reliability and I had success with my efforts after straightening the hanger. After reading the newsletter, Duncan sent me a link to a Wolf Tooth derailleur hanger alignment tool – one that is small enough for a bikepacker to take with them. They are a bit more expensive than other tools, but significantly more compact. You can watch the Youtube video here I think you may need to install part of it before you lift the bike off the ground.
Derailleur adjustment
I am sure that many ‘tinkerers’ have watched the youtube videos on various bike adjustments. In my searching, I have found some of the Shimano dealer service documents for installing and adjusting the derailleurs and these differ from the videos on the web and are more complex in the setup and adjustment procedure than the videos. If you want to have a look, do a search for the manual for the series for example ”Shimanu Ultegra Rear Derailleur manual” and you should get a few available documents. Pick the one that starts with DM (for dealer manual)
Audax Australia is on Wikipedia!
While doing a bit of research for this edition, I found us on the Wiki site. If you are interested in a bit of extra reading, look at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audax_Australia
Upcoming Rides
For a full roundup of all calendar events, have a look at the Audax website https://www.audax.org.au/portal/rides/calendar
Mulgowie Meander
Time is running out for the first Queensland ride of the new season. This is a UAF ride so it must have 4 starters and at the moment there are only two registered. Vaughan has extended the closing time til midnight this Friday to give more time to register.
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.
Saturday November 16th – Rocky Gully Ramble 100km BA / 200km BRM
6:30am start at Fernvale .Choice of distances around the Brisbane and Lockyer Valleys. The long version explores the gastronomic delight of Barb’s Kitchen and Gatton
Tuesday November 19th – 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 23rd -The Wonders of Glorius Mee 217km BA / BRM
6am Start at the Gap. A Blast from the Past! A Jolt from the Vault!! Who can forget the original version of this iconic test of the randonneuring spirit?
Tuesday November 26th – 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 30th – Smashing Mee 210km BRM BA / BRM
6am start at Arana Hills. A scenic hilly 200 km that will give you plenty of excuses to get off your bike to take a photo or two. Dayboro and Mt Mee with a few dirt roads and 4500 m of vertical gain. What else could you ask for? The only way is up!
That is a wrap up for the last newsletter for this season. If you have any articles, please send them to qld.communications@audax.org.au