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What do I need for the ride?

by Evan Wills ()
  1. to be committed to making Australia Nuclear Free
  2. a bike
  3. your own sleeping gear
  4. a tent or swag that is waterproof for yourself or that you can/are able to share with others or a swag and fly.
  5. clothing to keep you warm and protect you from the sun while you're on the ride.
  6. eating equipment
  7. things we don't recommend

Details

Bicycle

Essential

  • Your bike must have working breaks for both the front and rear wheels.
  • Although it won't happen very often we will occasionally ride at night. Your bike will have to have both front and rear lights that work.
  • An approved helmet (we won't stop you riding without one but you'll probably get fined in towns)
  • At least 2 litres of drink carrying capacity.
  • Bikes are required to have a working bell or horn plus they are fun.

Highly Recommended

  • A basic repair kit that includes, tyre leavers and patch kit, pump and small tools for your bike.
  • A seat with a hole in it (to protect your delicate bits)
  • Mudguards on both the front and back wheels
  • A reflective safety vest
  • Reflectors on your wheels
  • Pannier rack and panniers (panniers are bags for the bike) with sufficient carrying capacity for all your gear.
  • Sunglases
  • Cycling gloves
  • Cycle pants - not very stylish but if you're sitting on your bike for a couple of hours every day they make a big difference to your comfort.

Recommended

  • New or fairly new tyres
  • Two spare inner tubes
  • 3 spare spokes of each size (front wheel, back wheel chain side & back wheel non chain side)
  • If you have non shimano "Hyperglide" gears the appropriate tool for removing the "cluster" or "freewheel". (ask your bikeshop if unsure)
  • Wet weather gear
  • Occy straps (Octapus Straps)/Bungie Cord/stretchies or the like to tie excess stuff down
  • heavy duty garbage bags or unused large dog body bags (ie bags to put dogs in after they've died - from your local vet) the size of the bag should be related to your panniers
    I will ask my vet friend what sizes they come in and recommend suitable sizes for panniers

Recommended luxuries

  • Bike shoes and clipless peddles
  • Cycle computer/Speedo (to see how far you've come and how far you need to go).

Sleeping gear

  • For both rides there will be some cold sections. You need to have a suitable sleeping bag.
    The southern ride can expect to have heavy frosts for some or most of its trip. The northern ride can expect frosts for the last couple of weeks.
  • You need an addequate sleeping mat
    In cold areas you can get kidney damage from sleeping on the ground without insulation.
    I'm a bit of a scrawny runt so I usually camp with a foam mat and an inflatable mat
  • If you have an inflatable mat you should carry a puncture repair kit for that (note these are not the same as tyre puncture repair kits - speaking from personal experience tyre patches have no effect on inflatable mat punctures)
  • I'm also a very big fan of pillows. On a bike weight and space are not at too high a premium so I always travel with a full pillow.

Tent

Although it's not essential to have your own tent. If you don't bring your own or swag you need to let us know so we can organise a tent space for you.

Things for people with tents to keep in mind:

  • Your tent needs to be water proof (not all tents are)
    Particularly the floor of your tent needs to have a waterproof floor.
  • Your tent needs to have all the essential pegs and ropes, plus a couple of spares because you will probably lose a couple along the way
  • Your tent should also have a good mosquito screen and zippers that are in good working order.
  • If you're going to use a swag you'll probably need a fly as well. A swag won't keep you dry in a heavy rain

Clothes

The following is just a recommendation

It's recommended that you have at least two full sets of clothes so that if you get saturated in the rain you have some dry clothes to change into

  • Light weight pale long sleeve shirt (probably two or three)
  • Thermals
  • At least one pair of long pants
  • Jumper
  • Scarf, warm gloves and beenie (for everyone traveling south of Coffs Harbour)

Eating Equipment

Cyclists will be expected to carry their own eating equipment including

  • Knife, fork, spoon
  • Bowl and or plate
  • a mug if you want hot drinks

Not recommended

This is a list of stuff we recommend you don't do or bring:

  • don't ride with a large backpack (or even a small one)
    (it can be done but it's not pleasant, especially if you planning to ride for more than a day or so)