Melbourne Australia group ride April 2012

[Samd]

Well, it's been a good turnout to the last two!

I'm setting this up to take a poll on dates and locations. Happy to do another inner city route, or NE area if that suits some riders, or Ballarat has been suggested (maybe the rail trail). Feel free to add a location or propose something else.

I will update the image as people respond.

I've also had a lot of interest from people who want to get into ebiking. Perhaps we need to whip around for parts bin leftovers and build a frankenbike. Might be a good way to corrupt those outsiders into our evil ways of thinking. I know I've got a spare frame behind the shed, some motors, some batteries, even a bodgy controller or two. And a sticky thumb throttle, if there's someone you don't like coming along

CYA.

(Ballarat Rail Trail info here. There's a bloody good pub in Smythesdale.)http://www.bv.com.au/general/bikes-and-riding/42407/

[ElectricEd]

Hi Sam,
Here are my preferences.

Melbourne Australia group ride April 2012.jpg (38.36 KiB) Viewed 1352 times

[kiqnkf]

Last election, (I swore I never would, being a "constitutionalite") I couldn't decide which group of clowns was least offensive to me, so I wrote nothing on my voting slip, and handed it in, figuring that people that were smarter than me would make the right decision.

Clearly, I, and they, were right - it was hung!!! That green senator retard ended up deciding that fanta pants was gonna run the country. I am hoping he is not part of this forum, so, reluctantly, I will default to plan "a", but this time I know that this forum is filled with some of the greatest minds in the world, so I will let everyone else decide, then I will decide if I will go or not!!!

I figure anything you fellow members decide will be fantastic.... It wouldn't be an option if it wasn't gonna be!!!

I especially liked the patented "Samd wing it" policy on the first few k's of the last ride, thankyou to the lady full-throttle found en-route!!!

[t3sla]

I'm going to level with you.
I highly doubt I'll have anything better to do than group ride, plus my new bike should be built by then.

If I were to weigh in i'd say later on in the month (for fear of not having finished by new build, which is unlikely at this rate)

Not phased by location either.

[kiqnkf]

Don't forget (not that it isn't a lucky dip anyway) that the longer we leave it, the more likely the weather will be crap, and also Ballarat is a bloody cold place already, if that's where we decide to head....

Also, a week or 2 notice would be nice, we can group book a motel or something, and spend the evening before doing, um.... er..... PUB!!!!

[AussieRider]

I just read about the Multiple Sclerosis Society's Melbourne cycle day in the Sunday paper. The date is Sunday, March 25 2012. 2 courses, 46km & 15km. Being a charity ride, there's an entry fee. Maybe we should look in to it. Could be a good showcase for the EV grin. Comments anyone?

[t3sla]

was going to do that with a mate (he's non-electric) but yeah ES should do something.

Anyone else keen?

[kiqnkf]

It's March tomorrow;

Potentially that means there is only 4.sumfin weeks until we go on the next ride....

It looks as if a decision is far from being made about location/date.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Samd]

Happy to make the call. Looks like being a nice week however - so it would seem winter isn't here yet.

For another future ride idea - perhaps a Friday or sat night thru the suburbs somewhere?

Although I am thinking that a snow trip with snow tyres would be kinda fun in July! No, I'm not kidding!

[ElectricEd]

Hi yall,
Anyone thought of a venue for the ride yet? Any more thoughts about around Ballaarat Sam?

Or what about the Yarra trail out and back? Full-Throttle could show some of the more 'off-road' of us his ride along the single-track that he shoots his YouTube vids on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW9b_exuxJU&feature=player_embedded

It's time to start planning.

[adrian_sm]

Sounds like I should resurrect my FS MTB since I sense some off-roading on this ride.

I managed to kill my headway pack through neglect, and a dodgy BMS driving a cell into the ground. Again.

Might be an excuse to convert to 16s LiPo the 4s hardcases are just way to tempting at this price.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... duct=19499
For $200 (inc. shipping) I can get a 16s 10Ah pack, giving me 500-600wh.
[EDIT: Make that $250 for 20s10Ah ]

BTW if anyone wants to go through the effort of building a pack from headway cells and is in Melbourne. Let me know I have heaps that are looking for a home, and I jsut don't ahve the time to do anything with them.

- Adrian

P.S. I vote local to melbourne. Yarra single track sounds cool.

[Samd]

Melbourne fine by me. Just looked at the Yarra Trail online - is that the one that goes out to Eltham?

I'm keen for a night ride sometime in the future!

And if we get really whacky oneday - a winter trip to the snow. Just need to bang some self tappers thru the walls of my 26" x 1.95's....

[full-throttle]

The Main Yarra Trail goes from Fed Sq to Templestowe. We rode the first part of it on our first ride. The singletracks along it are referred as Yarra Trails, generally - slightly technical and exposed up to Chandlers Hwy and flowy from there on. It's a very nice ride with both options of singletracks or on-path. The only down side is the lack of public transport past Heidelberg.

There are a couple of other options:
2) Main Yarra Trail towards Hawthorn -> turn off at St Kevin's College onto Gardiner's Creek trail -> torn off at Great Valley Rd and link to the Anniversary Outer Circle -> ride back along the Main Yarra Trail from Kew
It's not a bad loop, but gets busy and it's disjointed in some places
3) Lilydale to Warburton Trail 38km each way for the complete trail, could just go to Woori Yallock or Launching Place, hit the pub and ride back Awesome wide gravel trail

[full-throttle]

On a slightly related note - I've got a bunch of tyres I'd like to get rid of:
* pair of Maxxis Hookworms 26" x 2.5" dual ply
* pair of Maxxis Hookworms 26" x 2.5" single ply
* pair of Schwalbe BigApple 26" x 2.15" [EDIT ***SOLD***]

all tyres are lightly used, in good conditions, $30 for a pair, pick up only or can bring them to the start of the ride

reason for selling - not being used, prefer Schwalbe Marathon Supremes

got plenty of tubes if required - 26" x 2.1-2.6" car valve, brand new still in box, $5 per tube
ordered 2 boxes of 10 by mistake

[Samd]

Gee that crept up quick.
It's my wife's birthday this weekend and I have a conference all weekend of the 14th/15th, so I am out for both the original dates.

If you guys want to head out on the original dates please do go for it.

Otherwise I propose a ride On Sat 21st along the Main Yarra Trail from the city to Heidelberg and beyond. Or we could start at Eltham station end and ride back towrds the city.

Sorry for leaving it so long!

[ElectricEd]

Hi Sam,
No worries, I am happy to postpone until the 21st. Count me in.

[t3sla]

in for 21st

[shorza]

I guess i really should come to one of these to introduce myself and meet fellow electrics. Unfortunately, I am working on the 21st, and doubt my 10ah battery would keep up with everyone.
Have fun, I look forward to watching the videos.

[full-throttle]

I should be good for the 21st

Run into shorza this morning. Conveniently right next to a velodrome. We swapped bikes and done a couple of laps - your bike goes well! Hyena's 200W sticker is a nice touch

Also run into another e-biker on Fri night, hopefully he can find this thread and join us.

[shorza]

Cheers Full-throttle, it was nice to meet you.
It's a great community here.

[kiqnkf]

So... 21st it is then.

AussieRider, are you in?

FullThrottle, what monster have you fabricated?

Kepler - joining us again?

[adrian_sm]

Count me in.

I vote heading out the Yarra Trail but rather than doing a long range ride, we stick in close around Yarra Bend and get full-throttle to show us some of the single track stuff. This will motivate me enough to get my full suspension bike up and running again, so I can play with some off-road stuff. Will give people a chance to see what off-road ebiking is about, rather than commuter style riding.

Maybe grab something to eat at the boathouse.
http://fairfieldboathouse.com/



Where are the good tracks full throttle?

[full-throttle]

FullThrottle, what monster have you fabricated?

No monster yet

I'll be riding my commuter or something else. If the spokes arrive in time and the bike survives the weekend prior to the ride

[full-throttle]

I vote heading out the Yarra Trail but rather than doing a long range ride, we stick in close around Yarra Bend and get full-throttle to show us some of the single track stuff. This will motivate me enough to get my full suspension bike up and running again, so I can play with some off-road stuff. Will give people a chance to see what off-road ebiking is about, rather than commuter style riding.

Good idea! If we head upstream from the boathouse people can do either path or singletracks - they run next to each other. When we come back could hit more technical tracks. Most of the tracks are on the eastern banks, then change over to the other side just before Burke Rd and back again further up.

[adrian_sm]

How about the usual meet at Fed square for those training it in, then head along the Yarra to the Boat House at Yarra Bend, and meet up with the rest that live out East or drive in. Then follow full-throttles plan above. This leaves maximum watt-hours for the fun stuff.

Looks like I better hit up Hobby King for my 20s LiPo pack.