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| Murray to Moyne |
I have been cycling for many years and love it. I cycle to work every day and usually go for longer rides 2 or 3 times a week. On this page I have organised information about cycling things I am interested in as well as links to other cycling sites that have interesting stuff. Click on the thumbnail pictures/logos for further information and/or photos.
In 1988 I decided to get fit for the Melbourne to Sydney bike ride, one of the celebrations of Australia's bi-centenary. This ride (not a race) was an organised ride with several thousand riders from all over Australia, the USA and many other countries. It was a 2 week ride through all sorts of terrain and numerous towns along the way where we camped overnight. Click on the logo for pictures & information
I belong to Bicycle Victoria, a community organisation of over 34,000 members which promotes cycling and organises some great group rides and events. You can also get accident insurance and insurance for your bike. Check out their website for more information.
I participated in several other organised group rides, one of the most enjoyable being a 10 day cycle around the south island of New Zealand. Starting in Queenstown, a breathtakingly beautiful town on the edge of a lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains, we rode across to the west coast over the Haast Pass and along the coast to the Franz Joseph glacier, which extends almost to the sea.
After a few days riding we turned inland, over Arthurs Pass, a short but brutally steep climb which had many riders in trouble. From there it was a downhill coast all the way to Christchurch where the ride finished.
Another memorable ride was one I did twice, from Launceston in Tasmania (the southernmost state of Australia, which is an island), across to the east coast and down to Hobart. In this ride we tackled many long and steep climbs but they were of course followed by many long steep descents (what goes up ...!). The countryside is beautiful and makes the riding very enjoyable. Hobart is situated at the foot of Mount Wellington, a mountain often covered in snow at the top.
Riding to the top of this mountain is both taxing and rewarding with magnificient views.
Another ride I often do is from Lorne (south west coast of Victoria) to Apollo Bay along the Great Ocean Road, a round trip of 96 km along some of the most spectacular coastline in the world. It winds its way along the rugged coastline following the contours of the coast.
The experience of the Melbourne to Sydney ride got me hooked completely and I joined a cycle racing club called Forte Knox, located in Melbourne's eastern suburbs. I enjoyed some success as a club rider and our time trial team (of which I was a member), won a bronze medal at the Victorian state championships.
In 2001, after years of racing on a steel framed bike, I bought a Trek 5500 OCLV (carbon fibre). This is the same bike used by Lance Armstrong in winning 6 Tours De France except for the groupset! It rides beautifully. Check it out.
Without doubt the Tour de France is the greatest cycling event in the world and probably the greatest sporting event as well. The event lasts 3 weeks and consists of daily stages. As well as the competition for the winning rider, there are other competitions within the main race.
Each day riders also compete for the stage win, there is a competition for the best team, the best climber (King of the Mountains), the best sprinter (Points), the best young rider and others.
This is a gruelling event where the best riders rely on their team of riders to help them. Click on the logo to go to some great stuff on "Le Tour."
In 2006, I participated in an organised riding holiday following the Tour De France for the last two weeks. The trip was organised by The Adventure Travel Company Australia. What an experience that was! I was able to ride some of the famous Tour De France climbs (Tourmalet, Col d'Aubisque, Mont Ventoux, Col De Croix De Fer among them) and to see some of the beautiful French countryside.
Click here for more details and some pictures:
I participated for the first time in this event in 2003. A fund-raising event started in 1987, this is a team relay ride (not a race) where teams of riders leave from Mildura or Echuca along the Murray River and ride 520 km to Port Fairy, on the Moyne River in less than 24 hours.
Teams must undertake to raise funds for a health related charity and can have as few as two riders or as many as desired. In the four years from 2003 to 2006 in which I participated our team raised nearly $27,000 for the Breast Cancer Network, Kidney Health Australia, Angel Flight and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. Click on the logo on the left to find out about this event and see some photos of the ride.
The event is held on the last weekend in March each year. Check out their website for more details if you are interested, at Woody's Murray to Moyne.