Bike boxes

We have received an email from one of our forward thinking cyclists who will be travelling from Melbourne to Broome. His suggestions are good and could be incorporated with some coordination. Collis and I are contacting cycle shops in the major cities regarding assistance with the assembling of bikes and we will also ask if they are able to supply bike boxes as required. We will forward on the names of these shops as they reply in the positive to us.

Here is the letter:

  Just wondering if there’s been any thought about getting bike boxes as people finish stages. In my case, I’ll be looking for a bike box to fly back from Broome. I’ll have a bike box when I arrive in Melbourne which someone else is welcome to use when they leave Melbourne – either at the end of the ride, or to join one of the stages. What would be ideal is if someone Melbourne who’s joining the ride in Broome could use my box so I can use it from Broome to home!

Alternatively, any thoughts on obtaining a bike box in Broome would be appreciated (My bike has a big standard frame and is difficult to  pack into a bike box typically available from bike shops -  an ‘airline’ full size box is good (140cm long x 80cm high x 30cm wide) – or a bike box from a cycling organisation (eg. Bicycle Vic, or Bicycle Qld) that organise bike transport for tour events).

Would you think about shipping (new?) bike boxes to ride departure points (stage ends) for people leaving the ride at the stage points (with cost to be paid by riders using the ‘service’)?

Riders who are interested in these suggestions can let us know and we will see how we can organise this.

Xmas shopping list for 2013 ride.

If family and friends are having trouble thinking of something for you for Xmas then this list might help.

From past experience, riders do tend to bring more equipment than they need. As we are limited for room, it is important that you keep equipment to a minimum.
Cycle Across Oz will only carry a maximum of 15 kgs per rider which includes all camping equipment but not your bicycle.

Essential items are:
Multi tool
Patch kit and spare tyre, 2 tubes, spare cables, spokes and nipples.
Bike lock & pump
HELMET- must be worn in Australia whilst riding.
Minimum of 2 water bottles.
Tent
Sleeping mat & sleeping bag
Crockery & cutlery for one
Insect repellent, bum cream & sunscreen
Clothing & toiletries
All bicycles must be fitted with a mirror or helmet mirror.

This all MUST fit into one bag per rider- sausage bag or equivalent. If using panniers, no more than four will be carried in vehicle. No bicycle boxes, bags or cases will be carried by Cycle Across Oz.

Xmas is nearly here and then it's 2013!!

While Collis doses quietly in front of the TV watching Australia get slaughtered by South Africa, I thought I would just summarise where we are up to in our preparation for next years trip.

Number of sleeps to go before we leave Melbourne: 110
We leave Melbourne 23rd March 2013

Number of sleeps until the training ride: 45
Training ride is 17th January to 19th January 2013 inclusive.

Number of weeks before the final payments due for the first three stages: 8 1/2 weeks
Stages 1, 2 & 3 full payment due by January 31st 2013.
Stage 4 full payment due by June 1st by cheque or cash.
Stage 5 full payment due July 1st 2013.

Total number of riders officially booked into the ride: 27
16 males- one more male is very interested.
11 females- one more female recently enquired.

Number of riders doing the whole ride: 6
Six riders so far booked in for 14,000 plus kms.
1 rider booked in for 4 stages.

Stage that is full and still receiving enquiries: Stage 3 Darwin to Broome.
If further riders wanting to do the whole trip they will still be able to do Stage 3.

Average age of riders: 54

Number of nights with confirmed accommodation bookings: 128 nights

Number of bush camps for the whole trip: 16 nights
2 further bush camps recently added due to NO other accommodation available.

Number of meals provided: 37
Cycle across oz has added some breakfasts into the itinerary this trip and some BBQs.

Number of Rest Days: 27
We organise a rest day at towns that are places of interest and normally every 4 or 5 days.

Days under 50 kms: 3 days
50 - 100kms: 21 days
100- 150 kms: 58 days
150 kms plus: 31 days

Longest stretch: Mt Isa to Three Ways Cairns to Darwin
Mt Isa to bush camp 150 km, Bush camp to bush camp 150 kms, Bush camp to Barkly150 kms and finishing with Barkly to Three ways 185 kms.

2nd longest stretch: Kalgoorlie to Eucla (Perth to Melbourne)
895 kms over 6 days then a rest day.
Need lots of bum cream here.