7 replies to this topic

[steenbokpixie]

Hi guys,

I have a mountain bike and really want to do the Great Bike Ride in Perth for fun. I'm not active in the cycling community and only got my bike a few months ago, so not sure what it's like at all! I was wondering if it's like a requirement or is very "strongly suggested" to do it on a racing/road bike, or if it's acceptable to do it on a mountain bike. I'm not one to care what other people think so much, but I'm not too keen on being the only one doing it on a mountain bike with these racing bikes all around me >.< And I also don't want to come in dead last on my little Merida Matts. I'm interested in doing the 1 lap ride - 53km.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[SirPlod]

Hi SBP,

Here’s my 2c for what it’s worth.

It’s far, but it’s possible. It’s slow going though, you could well be last depending on how many slow road-bike riders there are. The friction of the wide tires and knobblies (if you have them) slow you down a lot. I’ve done nearly that distance on my MTB, and although I was buggered, I could stretch it to do 50-odd km.

If you do decide to do it I would try to see if you can do close to that distance before the day.

If I can suggest two definite things though - if you are going to attempt it on a MTB – get slick road tires (the difference is huge compared to knobblies, feels like you’re on a road bike!) and get a decent seat.

[steenbokpixie]

SirPlodAlong, on Nov 12 2009, 06:17 AM, said:

Hi SBP,

Here’s my 2c for what it’s worth.

It’s far, but it’s possible. It’s slow going though, you could well be last depending on how many slow road-bike riders there are. The friction of the wide tires and knobblies (if you have them) slow you down a lot. I’ve done nearly that distance on my MTB, and although I was buggered, I could stretch it to do 50-odd km.

If you do decide to do it I would try to see if you can do close to that distance before the day.

If I can suggest two definite things though - if you are going to attempt it on a MTB – get slick road tires (the difference is huge compared to knobblies, feels like you’re on a road bike!) and get a decent seat.

Thanks, SPA!

I actually got some road tires for the bike yesterday and rode 30km in to work this morning. It took me 1 and a half hours overall, though I got lost for some of the time and had to slow down/stop/backtrack/etc. I'm still thinking about it :S

Edited by steenbokpixie, 12 November 2009 - 04:25 PM.

[20thCenturyBoy]

steenbokpixie, on Nov 12 2009, 02:23 PM, said:

Thanks, SPA!

I actually got some road tires for the bike yesterday and rode 30km in to work this morning. It took me 1 and a half hours overall, though I got lost for some of the time and had to slow down/stop/backtrack/etc. I'm still thinking about it :S

If you can do 30km to work you'll have no trouble on the Great Bike Ride.
Nice to see someone do a big commute like that, I'm psyching myself up for a 38km cycle to work soon!

[SirPlod]

steenbokpixie, on Nov 12 2009, 05:23 PM, said:

Thanks, SPA!

I actually got some road tires for the bike yesterday and rode 30km in to work this morning. It took me 1 and a half hours overall, though I got lost for some of the time and had to slow down/stop/backtrack/etc. I'm still thinking about it :S

Ah, that's good - did you find that they made a big difference compared to your knobblies?

Well done on the commute - I reckon 53k will be no problem for you by the sounds of it!

[Simlin]

I recently started riding to work on a steel frame clunker of a mountain bike with large (say 2 inch wide) nobbly tyres. It would take me about 33 minutes at my fastest (for 11.5km). When I had my rear rim changed last week because it was an el-cheapo and snapping spokes all over the place I had 1 inch slick tyres put on...woosh...the other day I rode home in 26 minutes.

If you are going to do it...and I say WHY NOT!...then the slicks are the way to go...I have been considering doing the tour down under community stage (only the 110km section) on the MTB...but don't think I want to part with the entry fee at this point.

[FlyingFossil]

Hi steenbokpixie

I have a $300 mountainbike I use to get to work & back everyday. Never bothered buying any fancy bits as it's just my steed to save on bus fares. Did the 50km BBR last year as work was paying for it. Met someone from work, at the start, who marvelled at my offroad tyres and said I should have 'slicks'. My reply was surprise, I never knew there were people who had more than one pair of tyres! Up till then I had not cycled more than 20km, just there for a fun day out really.

I passed the workmate who'd criticised my tyres, at the big hill in Mosman Park. And finished under 2hrs. Quite happy with that, and the free grub provided by work, then cycled home. Seems a runners fitness is all you need

[steenbokpixie]

Thanks for all your advice!

20thCenturyBoy, the way there wasn't so bad, but my legs were already starting to ache on the 30km ride back! I think I'll really feel the brunt of the pain tomorrow. No idea how I'm going to get through the 2 hours of Sun Salutes for the Yoga Challenge on Sunday :S I don't even do Yoga.

I think I'll do it if I can justify spending the entry fee, it seems like quite a lot.