Bicycling to Hamilton advice?

**Max Preload** · 14th January 2009, 12:45

Originally Posted by jrandom

80% of bike shop employees are spotty idiots on minimum wage, and the other 20% are snobby elitists with no time for anyone who isn't either a sponsored racer or a weekend warrior with a fat chequebook and a bike frame made in Italy.

That sounds remarkably like motorcycle dealers too...

**ManDownUnder** · 14th January 2009, 12:46

And all said and done it'll be cheaper on the bus mate.

Cycling you're going to need spares, more food, possibly somewhere to stay depending on whether it's more than one day's ride each way... not to mention your dodgy heart (per your mention - I have no idea what the story is but... y'know)

Cheaper and easier on the bus - sounds like your heart's in the right place but you'll save moneya nd get more time with your sis if you take the bus.

Ever considered hitching? Seriously - it's a bit of fun, always an adventure and the weather's good for it. Take a lid with you and opint at bikes as they approach while holding your lid out (showing them you're ok to go on the bike too).

Take a sign, one side with "Hamilton" on it, the other with "Auckland". Make sure you can reasd it from a long way off... you'll be sweet mate

**nodrog:Me** · 14th January 2009, 12:48

Originally Posted by jrandom

I don't think anyone (apart from me, because I was wasted last night and woke up with a glazed brain, and vtec, who hasn't learned about you yet) really thinks that you're going to ride a five-ton rigid MTB on knobblies from Auckland to Hamilton and back.

i do, i think he has a good chance of making it (if his legs dont snap on the bombays)

**jrandom** · 14th January 2009, 12:52

Originally Posted by nodrog

i do, i think he has a good chance of making it (if his legs dont snap on the bombays)

He'll bonk after less than 100km and start txting people begging for a lift.

**nodrog:Me** · 14th January 2009, 12:56

Originally Posted by jrandom

He'll bonk after less than 100km and start txting people begging for a lift.

where has your faith in the young generation gone Dan?

**Storm** · 14th January 2009, 12:57

Is this jealousy over Carvers 600km on a scooter mission?
$24 return vs wrecking yourself for days?
Best of luck, you wouldn't catch me doing that one

**MisterD** · 14th January 2009, 12:57

Originally Posted by jrandom

He'll bonk after less than 100km and start txting people begging for a lift.

Do I detect the wisdom of someone who headed off around Taupo without sufficient training?

**Stirts** · 14th January 2009, 13:03

Originally Posted by jrandom

He'll bonk.....

I thought Skiddies was a virgin still?!

Skiddes if you are doing this for real, best you invest in some serious bike shorts or your arse gonna look along the same lines as this....

**jrandom** · 14th January 2009, 14:27

Originally Posted by MisterD

Do I detect the wisdom of someone who headed off around Taupo without sufficient training?

Not really... I did a reasonable amount of training (I didn't really just decide to 'give it a go'; that was a rhetorical flourish for the report) and took it easy all the way round in the knowledge that I had to get up the next morning and go motorcycle racing!

That approach worked, too. I wasn't sore at all the next day.

I'll be riding round the lake at least two and a half hours faster this year.

**Squiggles** · 14th January 2009, 16:55

Originally Posted by ManDownUnder

Take a lid with you and opint at bikes as they approach while holding your lid out (showing them you're ok to go on the bike too).

Best idea so far.

**EJT** · 14th January 2009, 20:53

I did Hamilton to Pukekohe bike race a couple of years ago. Most of the course was on the road that runs beside SH1 so much quieter. Pretty hilly in parts but not too bad. I couldn't find a map of the course but found a description which is pasted below. Is back to front of course but you should be able to follow on a map once you get to Puke (on Gt South road is the easiest).

Good luck!

"The course is fast, fun and very scenic - a total of 100km and open to everyone with a bike! You start on Sir Tristram Avenue outside the Te Rapa Race Course in Hamilton. You ride 15km to Ngaruawahia then cycle across the Waipa River bridge and enjoy peaceful magnificent countryside riding the western side of the Waikato river to Rangariri. Here you turn west and join Highway 22. You then turn right and travel through Opuatia, Pukekawa, Tuakau and Buckland before enjoying a spectacular street finish in Pukekohe. The first 55km is very flat with the final 45km undulating countryside with some long gradual hills."

**skidMark** · 14th January 2009, 23:17

Yeah having 2nd thoughts now, back tyre is almost bald, and well the kumeu car show is on...

It was more for the adventure hence not catching a bus...

Will do it another time for shits and giggles...

Possibly someday when between flats... then can go around the north island for a couple of months or something, not paying rent in the meantime etc.

Thanks for the enlightenment guys, requires a bit more planning than spur of the moment i think.

**carver** · 15th January 2009, 19:22

Originally Posted by skidMark

Yeah having 2nd thoughts now, back tyre is almost bald, and well the kumeu car show is on...

It was more for the adventure hence not catching a bus...

Will do it another time for shits and giggles...

Possibly someday when between flats... then can go around the north island for a couple of months or something, not paying rent in the meantime etc.

Thanks for the enlightenment guys, requires a bit more planning than spur of the moment i think.

a long time ago, some said the mormon few would ride (sidewinder and i had faith)

now, its rising even faster