Cycling from Sydney to Cairns

MadMardegan

Hey guys, I'm from Ireland and am currently living in Sydney, Australia. Have been giving it a serious amount of thought and I think I will cycle from Sydney up the coast to Cairns, a distance of approx 2200kms (if driving, but may be well more cycling) in and around June/July of this year.
Obviously I'm not looking for info on routes (although if anyone here has any experience about this particular trip that would be amazing) but more so info about what kind of bike would be needed/other equipment/good training routines etc.
So, little background about myself. I have no experience cycling and know very little about bikes. I can cycle a bike of course, but I mean doing actual tours. I've been training martial arts for a number of years and have ran and completed marathons, so my cardio is decent. And I'm pretty stubborn, so if I set myself this challenge I know I can do it. Maybe slower than I anticipate but I'll get it done.

I'm just looking for recommendations on what kind of bike would be best? Budget would probably be up to 1000AUD for the bike and then whatever the cost for extras. Would a hybrid be preferable over a standard road bike?
Obviously will want to travel as light as possible and will need to bring a tent and sleeping bag. Tube repair kits and spare tubes. Clothes. Anything else? Besides water and food of course.

Time frame I'm looking at 5 weeks, give or take. Maybe longer.

I know a lot of people will probably say I'm crazy to do it but it's something I feel I can do if given the right guidance.

Thanks a lot for any help, and sorry about the long post. Happy new year!

Bigus

Road bike and time in the saddle starting now and that trip,should be no bother over five weeks , is there somewhere along the route that you could post yourself stuff to lighten the load ?

MadMardegan

Bigus wrote: »

Road bike and time in the saddle starting now and that trip,should be no bother over five weeks , is there somewhere along the route that you could post yourself stuff to lighten the load ?

Not really no.

Will have a 35lt backpacker with a platypus for water (will keep the load as light as possible) and maybe some saddle bags for bike repair kit, etc?
As far as I've read, Sydney to Brisbane (about 1000kms) isn't too bad as the highway has a cycle lane but after Brisbane it doesn't, so would have to go inland through smaller towns, so could end up being a lot closer to 3000kms, or even more if there's things I want to stop off and see along the way.

Bigus

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b049fhzn


Sep 3, 2014 - Series following comedian John Bishop as he embarks on an Australian adventure, cycling from Sydney to Cairns. ... This programme is not currently available on BBC iPlayer. ... See all clips from John Bishop's Australia (7)

MadMardegan

Bigus wrote: »

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b049fhzn


Sep 3, 2014 - Series following comedian John Bishop as he embarks on an Australian adventure, cycling from Sydney to Cairns. ... This programme is not currently available on BBC iPlayer. ... See all clips from John Bishop's Australia (7)

Thanks a lot bud, will definitely check that out!

Cee-Jay-Cee

MadMardegan wrote: »

Thanks a lot bud, will definitely check that out!

I watched that series when it was on last year, it's more about the places he visited and people he met along the way than the actual cycling or route but still a good programme to watch.

I drove Brisbane to Sydney a few years ago sticking to the actual coastline and off the highway (as much as possible) there are some beautiful towns along the way and June/July will be perfect weather wise in Australia.

MadMardegan

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

I watched that series when it was on last year, it's more about the places he visited and people he met along the way than the actual cycling or route but still a good programme to watch.

I drove Brisbane to Sydney a few years ago sticking to the actual coastline and off the highway (as much as possible) there are some beautiful towns along the way and June/July will be perfect weather wise in Australia.

You have to buy it on BBC player for some reason. It's only 5 pounds so I may get it but do you think it'll be worth?

Yeah it'll probably be cold and wet in Sydney but will be the perfect time the closer I'm to Cairns with the dry season being around then.

wanderer 22

If you haven't already , take a look at https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/ and browse to the Australia section - it's a great resource for cycle touring.

MadMardegan

colm18 wrote: »

If you haven't already , take a look at https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/ and browse to the Australia section - it's a great resource for cycle touring.

That looks like an excellent website, thanks!!

Cee-Jay-Cee

MadMardegan wrote: »

You have to buy it on BBC player for some reason. It's only 5 pounds so I may get it but do you think it'll be worth?

Yeah it'll probably be cold and wet in Sydney but will be the perfect time the closer I'm to Cairns with the dry season being around then.

To be honest, no it's not going to enlighten you much about the trip but you may learn about a few places you pass by and would be worth visiting.

I was in Australia in 2009 during June/July and it was like our summer. Average daytime temps In Sydney were from 18-22C and slightly warmer in Brisbane but maybe that was an exceptional year.

MadMardegan

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

To be honest, no it's not going to enlighten you much about the trip but you may learn about a few places you pass by and would be worth visiting.

I was in Australia in 2009 during June/July and it was like our summer. Average daytime temps In Sydney were from 18-22C and slightly warmer in Brisbane but maybe that was an exceptional year.

Might give me some cool ideas, think I'll get it anyway!

Yeah I'm just about to finish up my first year here this week. I don't know if winter gone was just particularly bad but I was shocked by how cold winter actually got here. Sure it's summer here now and it's been lashing here the past 3 days, freezing too! Ha
No doubt I'll be kept warm on the bike though!

iwillhtfu

MadMardegan wrote: »

Will have a 35lt backpacker with a platypus for water (will keep the load as light as possible) and maybe some saddle bags for bike repair kit, etc?

I'd get some pannier bags if I were you. A backpack will be very uncomfortable cycling long distances.

Sounds like a great a great trip.

Another thing to consider is that your arse will be tender if you haven't spent a lot of time in the saddle. You may not like the look of bib shorts but these and some chamois cream will save you a world of hurt.

Good Luck

BoardsMember

As iwillhtfu says, panniers are a must, I don't think you will be able to do it with rucksack.

I'd definitely go with a road bike.

I'd also start looking at youtube videos so that you're able to do at least basic maintenance on the bike. Ideally you'd pick up what spare parts you'd need too.

MadMardegan

BoardsMember wrote: »

As iwillhtfu says, panniers are a must, I don't think you will be able to do it with rucksack.

I'd definitely go with a road bike.

I'd also start looking at youtube videos so that you're able to do at least basic maintenance on the bike. Ideally you'd pick up what spare parts you'd need too.

Yeah panniers definitely seem like the way to go.

Obviously I'm completely new to this so I'll take your opinion for what it's worth but would a hybrid not be better?
There may be times I'm on less than ideal roads, or with some gravel etc. Plus any videos I've been watching of people doing long tours like this they've all been hybrid bikes.
Just trying to get as much info as I can.

mal1

Personally, I wouldn't go near panniers, but that's just my preference. I'd rather the weight on my back, bringing a very small bag with only the essentials and washing my gear every night. Then again, I would probably try doing it in 2-3 weeks as opposed to 5 weeks so you might be planning a very different trip then I would consider.

I've done similar trips, this year a very fit runner tried to join us. He quit after three days because of issues with being on the saddle for so long every day. So for me, provided that you are reasonably fit, then the most important issue will be making sure your body, knees and ass are comfortable with being in the saddle for so long.

Lumen

MadMardegan wrote: »

any videos I've been watching of people doing long tours like this they've all been hybrid bikes

I would pick whatever bike you're comfortable with, otherwise when you run into difficulty you'll end up blaming the equipment choice.

Cee-Jay-Cee

mal1 wrote: »

Personally, I wouldn't go near panniers, but that's just my preference. I'd rather the weight on my back, bringing a very small bag with only the essentials and washing my gear every night. Then again, I would probably try doing it in 2-3 weeks as opposed to 5 weeks so you might be planning a very different trip then I would consider.

I've done similar trips, this year a very fit runner tried to join us. He quit after three days because of issues with being on the saddle for so long every day. So for me, provided that you are reasonably fit, then the most important issue will be making sure your body, knees and ass are comfortable with being in the saddle for so long.

This^^^^

I know an extremely fit inter country footballer who spends 6 days a week in the gym, playing football, running and generally working out who had to give up after 3 days on Mizen to Malin last year as he wasn't 'bike fit' and couldn't hack 4hr+ bike rides.

Get your bike now and get used to cycling, you already have the cardio fitness so you need to train ass legs and core to get used to cycling long distances.

ford2600

If your going to camp, you'll need to spend quite a bit on gear to keep weight reasonable(unless you already have pretty light camping gear).

I'd be inclined to use hostels (not expensive, less time wasted compared to tent and get someone else to prepare your meals) and ride more.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=96595020&postcount=4192

The bike in that photo including 1.75kg of water, spare spokes on top tube, tools and clothes was heading towards 20kgs. If your going to bring a cheapish hybrid and camp you'll be hitting 30kgs pretty easily. I'd at least practice packing light.

Washing gear each night is good, but they would need to be good quality shorts, 35 handwashes will take their toll!

If you keep weight reasonable and roads are decent, with all day in front of you and being comfortable on bike up to 150km per day wouldn't be that hard. Route once your couple hundred km north of Sydney is fairly flat. It's also about 2800km I think

This type of thing isn't an aerobic challenge, more a comfort one(which is easy to get right).

Reliable bike with low puncture/spoke failure issues would be a must

Enjoy

ford2600

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

This^^^^

I know an extremely fit inter country footballer who spends 6 days a week in the gym, playing football, running and generally working out who had to give up after 3 days on Mizen to Malin last year as he wasn't 'bike fit' and couldn't hack 4hr+ bike rides.

Get your bike now and get used to cycling, you already have the cardio fitness so you need to train ass legs and core to get used to cycling long distances.

I agree, but there is always one to break the mould.

While cycling in Pyrenees in summer I met a French rugby player doing the Raid, he was No.7/centre type build. Backpack with all his camping gear on a cheap Trek alu bike. Athletics shorts also! Met him on way to Col du Solour and he didn't seem in any distress

Planet X

ford2600 wrote: »

I agree, but there is always one to break the mould.

While cycling in Pyrenees in summer I met a French rugby player doing the Raid, he was No.7/centre type build. Backpack with all his camping gear on a cheap Trek alu bike. Athletics shorts also! Met him on way to Col du Solour and he didn't seem in any distress

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