We're all going on a summer holiday, no more working for a week or two.

[enzed]

I got some emails tomorrow, concerning volunteering on supported cycling holidays. It got me thinking that the next one is getting closer.

So I thought it'll be a good idea to plan my cycling events for the next twelve months.

Goal 1) - Ride and volunteer on Cycle Queenland. I've got around a month to come with the entry fees money, which might be an issue.

Goal 2) - Volunteer for the Sydney Spring Cycle, perhraps route marshall.

Goal 3) - Ride the "Sydney to the Gong" ride, and try not to come off my bike this time.

Goal 2) - Volunteer on the Great Victorian Bike ride (Maybe try another volunteer job, instead of my usual catering gig). This is depends, if I can get time off though.


Goal 5) - Volunteer and ride on the 'Great Escapade 2008". This will be handy for me, since I won't have to travel too far. Katoomba (the starting point) is only a 3 hour train trip from Sydney.

Does anyone else have "social" cycling plans?

[kiwi girl]

oooh I am jealous. BF and I have decided we can't do Queensland this year (BF is a politcal journalist and we have local elections this year).

I'm eyeing up the Great Escapade though

Thanks for all your volunteering

[enzed]

Don't be too jealous.
I'm sure there heaps of things to see & do near Christchurch.
I reckon the South Island has the best scenery, and have spent some time in Christchurch with my cousins.
You can't be that away far from Queenstown, the Otago rail trail and heaps of other cool stuff.


To fund my camping trips, I have to save up for ages since I'm on a limited budget. My 'big Rides" are my only holidays I have.As soon as I know when each ride is on, I set aside the dates in my calender.

Volunteering is fun, and it's great that people appreciate it. But, to be honest, one the reasons I do it, is that I have alot of volunteer friends, and these events is the only chance we ever get to hang out together. Not, that I don't enjoy looking after hungry cyclists though



The Great Escapade looks very interesting. I've been to Katoomba a few time, but haven't had the chance to really explore the area. Here's a strange idea I have - To ride from my house (wirh panniers) to Katoomba, do the "Ride" and then ride home from Newcastle. That way, I'll get to do the complete loop & will be able to brag to my non-cycling flatmate

[redrover77]

This is slightly off topic enzed, but since you're from my hometown...

I'm an Aussie currently living in the UK... have picked up the cycling bug here (mostly road)! Question is, I'm planning to return to Sydney at some stage and am wondering what the cycling situation is like back there... All I remember is traffic traffic traffic! Can't seem to remember if there are good cycling routes in and out of Sydney? Living in Edinburgh at the mo, so it's nice and quiet in comparison... can't imagine cycling amongst Sydney traffic

[enzed]

If I said cycling was perfect in Sydney, I'll be lying.

That said, I live in the Northern Beaches, in the suburbs.
Local cycling is reasonbly safe, but the main road at peakhour can get a bit
hairy.

Riding in the city is another matter, but it is slowwwwly improving.
There are a few bike friendly routes out there & the sydney council have made some plans to make the CBD more bike friendly (though I won't believe it until I actually see it).

Happy riding

[redrover77]

Thanks enzed.

Northern Beaches... hilly! If I remember correctly... I used to live in Queenscliff... gosh I miss the beaches.

Have to say I don't fancy the idea of cycling in Sydney at all, what with the traffic and the heat/humidity (yeah I've acclimatised to UK weather, believe it or not)... for this reason alone I'm considering Melbourne, which seems a lot more cycle friendly. Seems a bit crazy to choose a city by how cycle-friendly it is... I should consider my family who lives in Sydney, I spose...