Touring Questions

[Maty10]

I've been meaning to pick up where I left off back in May with the half attempt at the Alpine Road. Now though I'm thinking of adding a few extra days to the trip and including the snowies.

So the questions are.

1. How many ks are doable in a day? Twisty riding, no highway drones. Example: Is Bright to Canberra possible at 573ks?

2. Would you prefer riding in leathers and packing a "somewhat" waterproof oversuit, or living in a full dririder or joe rocket kit?

3. What's the best way from Canberra down Brown Mountain, having a full day to play with?

4. What tools would you pack?

I have a fair idea to the answer to all my own questions, I'm just seeking opinions from others.

[FrogZ]

1. Easy, but if you have only ever done 100k a day type rides (you city guys ) DO build up to it, that is only a tank of juice for some BM's after all. But I did balk at one 1000k day to get to PI and some ppl would laugh at that.

2. In Summer do NOT do the full wet gear, even leathers "breath" a bit while moving, plastic stuff doesnt, you will sweat, get dehydrated and look like a gumby too. You will normally get warning before it rains, get into your wets then and get p*ed off when it doesnt hit like the rest of us

3. NO idea, but get out a set of maps and go via the squiggly bits. Or use the I'net, I use RACQ Trip Planner but it links to whereisit or some such thing.

4. The ones that fit your bike and none that dont (sounds silly but ) obv something to tighten the chain. Normally a 10, 12, 14, 17 and 19 (depending on bike) plus some allen keys. AND a rag, comes in real handy. Replace the ones the bike came with, with good quality ones.
OR just join something like RACQ Ultracare and just take your mobile

[jewjew]

don't forget a tyre plug kit and inflator, just put one under your seat and keep it there forever, they cost about $40-$50 but better than sleeping on alpine way

[balanse]

Flat tyre will get you when you least need it every time.

[FrogZ]

..and it pays to have ppl know your itinerary and a time to call someone each night.
You DONT want to be lying off the road somewhere in the middle of Backwater, SA with no traffic and no hope of ppl missing you for a month (or two) because Skippy like the same bit of road you did.
Same goes for a normal ride too actually.
A riding partner is great but we all need some "alone time" too.

[MickLC]

1. It's a piece of piss mate, and there are some very nice roads through there. The only killer is the 100km from Cooma to Canberra which feels longer than the rest of it combined cos it's at the end of the trip and boring as batshit.

2. Leathers and a waterproof suit is fine. Like Frog said, you'll put the suit on then not get rained on, or you'll decide it's just a shower then get pissed down on, then dry out anyway.

3. Plenty of options, but a good one would be avoiding Cooma (see 1.) and going via Batemans Bay etc.

4. Puncture repair kit, bike pump, mobile phone.

[photomike666]

What happened to the good ole Aussie spirit; "No worries, she'll be right mate. Got swag, got tinnies, turn key, no fuel warning light - good to go"!

[Strika]

I've been meaning to pick up where I left off back in May with the half attempt at the Alpine Road. Now though I'm thinking of adding a few extra days to the trip and including the snowies.

So the questions are.

1. How many ks are doable in a day? Twisty riding, no highway drones. Example: Is Bright to Canberra possible at 573ks? Bright to Canberra is a piece of piss. 600k's up there is easily doable!!!

2. Would you prefer riding in leathers and packing a "somewhat" waterproof oversuit, or living in a full dririder or joe rocket kit?I used leathers last trip, but would probably go Jeans, t-shirt and Joe rocket Kit next time. (I have one which is waterproof and vented for hot weather)

3. What's the best way from Canberra down Brown Mountain, having a full day to play with? Best way is to go down Brown Mountain. You could do it four times in a day mate.

4. What tools would you pack? Tool kit the bike comes with, plus tyre repair kit, pump, chain lube, Mr.Sheen, spare chain link joiner.

I have a fair idea to the answer to all my own questions, I'm just seeking opinions from others.

Based on recent experiences....................Answers are inserted!

[Wattie]

i rode sydney to PI in a day last year, but the Z isnt exactly dead down arse up touring...

i reackon you should be able to knock over 6 hours of riding a day quite comfortably...

whatever the speed may be...

[mohawk miss]

Thanks for asking this, Maty10.

I'm planning on riding out to Gil over Easter.

The answers will come in handy.

[MrStompy]

We did Syd to bright in one day on the GP ride last year.
left sydney about 9 got to bright at 8.

we went through tumut cause we thought alpine way was closed. we still did the walwa granya stuff etc so it wasnt all boring roads.

stopped heaps for drinks/fuel/food etc

i think that canberra to bright is very achievable and you should be able to get to bright and to the pub at a reasonable hour.

2) I wear full leathers on long rides. I take the dririder rain suit along incase of rain. if it only looks like a shower i just ride through in the leathers.

3) dunno

4) tyre repair kit or join the NRMA road side assistance thing.

[photomike666]

The Melbourne crew have been known to go Halls gap and back in a day, and that's best part of 600k once you add in the back road detours.

[Whitey]

573kms in a day is not difficult if you...

- Take frequent short breaks (as opposed to infrequent longer breaks).

- During breaks, stretch and walk around a bit.

- Between breaks... change your position in the saddle, change the position of your feet on the pegs, Stretch your legs, and stand up on the pegs when it's safe to do so (those 60kph towns are a good time to do this).

- Stay hydrated and fed.

Don't wait until you develop aches. On long trips I begin doing these things within the first hour. Waiting for the aches to develop before taking a break is a bit like waiting for a thirst to develop before taking a drink... it's too late !

If you're heading through the Snowy, take care between Khancoban and Cabramurra. Sections of the road have recently been resealed. There was a layer of ball-bearing like stones when I was there two weeks ago. Best take the Alpine Way instead - more fun too .

[Wattie]

573kms in day is not difficult if you...

- Take frequent short breaks (as opposed to infrequent longer breaks).

- During breaks, stretch and walk around a bit.

- Between breaks... change your position in the saddle, change the position of your feet on the pegs, Stretch your legs, and stand up on the pegs when it's safe to do so (those 60kph towns are a good time to do this).

- Stay hydrated and fed.

Don't wait until you develop aches. On long trips, I begin doing these things within the first hour. Waiting until the aches develop before taking a break is a bit like waiting for a thirst to develop before taking a drink - it's too late !

If you're heading through the Snowy, take care between Khancoban and Cabramurra. Sections of the road have recently been resealed. There was a layer of ball-bearing like stones when I was there two weeks ago. Best take the Alpine Way instead - more fun too .

theres some good advice....

[Maty10]

Thanks for asking this, Maty10.

I'm planning on riding out to Gil over Easter.

The answers will come in handy.

The only stupid question is the one not asked, I guess that makes HP our resident genius