MS Gong Ride 2022 (Postponed 2021) - New Date: 06/11/2022

[trailgumby]

I'm looking forward to this event, although it's going to be a stupid o'clock early morning start to get the train from Chatswood to Tempe.

[peter]

It would be easier for me to ride to Loftus Oval directly.

[familyguy]

My school reunion has been scheduled for the Saturday night, so the chances of me making it are probably 0% about now. Missed the SCBS last weekend due to a wedding, miss Gong Ride due to reunion, I'm sure there's something else I'll miss due to rain or a sick relative soon to complete the three.

[tubby74]

doing the shorter route, is there plenty of parking in the engadine area or better off parking up the train line at mortdale? full public transport shows as taking 2 hours each way

[peter]

doing the shorter route, is there plenty of parking in the engadine area or better off parking up the train line at mortdale? full public transport shows as taking 2 hours each way

There are plenty of parking alongside Engadine station and nearby residential area, and you don't have to worry about commuters on a Sunday, so don't think it will be an issue, especially if you can be there early. Why do you want to park at Mortdale? I would just ride to a nearby station and take the train.

[tubby74]

There are plenty of parking alongside Engadine station and nearby residential area, and you don't have to worry about commuters on a Sunday, so don't think it will be an issue, especially if you can be there early. Why do you want to park at Mortdale? I would just ride to a nearby station and take the train.

Mortdale is on the way from home and was thinking half a dozen stops up the line would have more space. If plenty of space within a short ride of the start line, somewhere close by engadine would be better

[peter]

Mortdale is on the way from home and was thinking half a dozen stops up the line would have more space. If plenty of space within a short ride of the start line, somewhere close by engadine would be better

That's not a bad idea, it's quite a bit further to drive to the other side of Georges River.

[andrei]

Mortdale is on the way from home and was thinking half a dozen stops up the line would have more space. If plenty of space within a short ride of the start line, somewhere close by engadine would be better

Mortdale only has a small carpark, but plenty of parking on the side streets. Not sure if there's any hourly restrictions, especially on a Sunday but I can check it out if you want.

https://goo.gl/maps/fiVZdppzUEMRVXWt8

Edit: Can confirm no hourly restriction on Sunday.

Other alternatives would be Bridge Street Penshurst or Oatley, though seems trains only run every half hour going south to Waterfall.

[trailgumby]

Well, that was a lot of fun. Second time's a charm. Spectacular weather, the views were gorgeous and Seacliff Bridge is always a highlight.

Left in the second wave after 6 am from Tempe. There was a 15-minute hold at the top of the Waterfall descent into the Nasho while a group of cars was allowed to shuttle up and our motorcycle escort returned.

The Nasho descent was quite fun. The motorcycle cop kept the pace up instead of forcing us to ride the brakes like last time I did this event over 10 years ago. There was some concern about a gravel section but it was pretty minor. I was able to get away quickly and was second wheel behind the motorbike, behind my mountain biking buddy Rob. We were both really surprised no-one passed us. Being at the front of that group rather than at the back of the previous group was definitely a better outcome despite having cooled down so much.

There was another point where we were held for several minutes by a couple of police closer to Wollongong, which seemed a bit strange from a safety point of view. I'd have thought it more prudent to allow riders to continue dribbling through, spaced out in ones and twos, instead of bunching everybody up in a large group.

We did hear once we got to Wollongong that the Nasho was shut for an hour and a half due to a crash, which didn't sound good. Hopefully nobody suffered anything life-altering.

The 6am departure was definitely the right move and we had no sketchy moments. We were glad to get the 81km (including the departure from Tempe Station) done in a bit over 3 hours' moving time.

[tubby74]

Got to engadine about 7 and parked w0m from the start site. Got to waterfall in 20 minutes then waited 45 standing in the carpark. Only vague rumours if injured riders vs alternating traffic flow.

The sections along the beaches were very nice riding. But of a hassle with the trains home.and doors that wouldn't close but a good day out. Now I just need to lose 10kg since I've been pretty much off the bikes for 5 years. Wife already says she wants to do it again next year

[andrei]

Wow you guys were lucky, left Tempe at 7 and got to Waterfall at 9, only to have a 90 minute wait.

We did hear once we got to Wollongong that the Nasho was shut for an hour and a half due to a crash, which didn't sound good. Hopefully nobody suffered anything life-altering.

We heard different things, from an accident, to road was closed due to gravel, to traffic. The other controlled descent at Bald Hill was fine.

Otherwise gorgeous day and fun ride.

[Retrobyte]

Wow you guys were lucky, left Tempe at 7 and got to Waterfall at 9, only to have a 90 minute wait.

Not sure what was going on there as the other controlled descent at Bald Hill was fine.

On Facebook it was mentioned the delay was so an ambulance could get down to RNP to tend to an injured rider.

[peter]

A good day of riding. Left Tempe at 6, was taking it easy and spent a lot time eating and talking at Loftus, so ended up having to wait at Water Fall for a long time. We saw the ambo leaving, probably same incident, but another 2 riders fell on the descent, one older bloke looks bad.

The rest the ride was pretty uneventful, enjoyed the scenery and breeze, finished in just under 4 hours (riding time). Decided to ride to Flagstaff Hill for photos and food, and took train from Wollongong Station. Worked out nicely, avoided the big queue at Fairy Meadow.

The ride, plus cruising around at Wollongong, and the ride home just made a 100km day. Can't complaint.

[trailgumby]

The sections along the beaches were very nice riding. But of a hassle with the trains home.and doors that wouldn't close but a good day out. Now I just need to lose 10kg since I've been pretty much off the bikes for 5 years. Wife already says she wants to do it again next year

Awesome! That's a win!

[g-boaf]

Well, that was a lot of fun. Second time's a charm. Spectacular weather, the views were gorgeous and Seacliff Bridge is always a highlight.

Left in the second wave after 6 am from Tempe. There was a 15-minute hold at the top of the Waterfall descent into the Nasho while a group of cars was allowed to shuttle up and our motorcycle escort returned.

The Nasho descent was quite fun. The motorcycle cop kept the pace up instead of forcing us to ride the brakes like last time I did this event over 10 years ago. There was some concern about a gravel section but it was pretty minor. I was able to get away quickly and was second wheel behind the motorbike, behind my mountain biking buddy Rob. We were both really surprised no-one passed us. Being at the front of that group rather than at the back of the previous group was definitely a better outcome despite having cooled down so much.

There was another point where we were held for several minutes by a couple of police closer to Wollongong, which seemed a bit strange from a safety point of view. I'd have thought it more prudent to allow riders to continue dribbling through, spaced out in ones and twos, instead of bunching everybody up in a large group.

We did hear once we got to Wollongong that the Nasho was shut for an hour and a half due to a crash, which didn't sound good. Hopefully nobody suffered anything life-altering.

The 6am departure was definitely the right move and we had no sketchy moments. We were glad to get the 81km (including the departure from Tempe Station) done in a bit over 3 hours' moving time.

Big groups on descents make me nervous. Haven't had any here but have had them overseas. Everyone was okay but with high speeds and road furniture it counts on everyone being alert and considerate. Sure we had Police and officials calling out median strips and dividers (whistles and flag waving), but thankfully everyone calls out and indicates everything.

But when you hear the screeching of brakes you hope people behind are alert because you often don't have that much room to move with 50 ahead and maybe 50-100 behind.

[peter]

Some groups ran out of patience waiting for the descent at Water Fall, they went back to Princes Highway, completely missing the good bit. It's not a Gong ride without the descents and climbing backup to the lookout.

Found out wider tyres roll faster down hill, or maybe others brake a lot.

[AndrewCowley]

The Gong ride needs to sort itself out. These delays occur every year. And the course seems to get shorter and shorter.

Seems like they need to restrict the numbers ... But that is at odds with the fund raising aspect of it. From a pure cycling point of view, bigger is definitely not better.

The Bobbin Head Classic is 1000% a better ride and a better event. Smaller numbers. And a proper distance (105km).

[peter]

But Bobbo is also 1000% harder

[AndrewCowley]

Bobbo has shorter options that are easier. And with the Bobbo you don't get spammed 1000x over by Fleur in the months leading up to it.

I think the Gong ride is taking the pi$$ a bit to be honest. Year on year, it gets worse from a cycling point of view; crippled by too many participants, delays on the descents and the route being made shorter and shorter. And as a reward for all that, there is the omni-present Fleur.

[peter]

I have to agree, really annoyed by all the "updates" from Fleur. Had to mark as spam but end up missing important updates (actual ride updates).

Too much commercialised, also this year's photos are no longer free.

But probably will continue going.

[familyguy]

As an event, I get that it's a major focus, probably due to it not being a loop. It attracts a lot of riders keen to take advantage of that nature, being able to traverse roads and areas they may not feel safe/happy doing so the rest of the year. The fact they held people for so long seems odd. I've never waited more than ten minutes at Waterfall, regardless of start time. Were they escorting vehicles in waves up and down the route this year? That's something that they've not done before, it's always been 100% closed from Waterfall Station to the top of Stanwell park, which was a big part of the appeal. Maybe the damage to other roads meant the RMS made it all but impossible to manage a closure this year. Given the delay from last years damage (both November and May this year), that wouldn't surprise me. Also wouldn't be surprised if part of the council payoff for the Road Champs was not interrupting Lang Park for three weekends in the space of a month.

I had to make a road trip to Wollongong at 1pm yesterday, coming back about 5:30. All roads open heading down, so no delays for the whining minority to complain about again. There were quite a few riders making their way back/home/wherever along the highway in various pairs and singles from Heathcote all the way to Sutherland.

[peter]

The Water Fall descent was fully closed, only ambos and motorbike escorts.

The held up was most likely due to the bottleneck near National Falls, one lane disappeared, the road work has been going on for months.

Clipless pedals fail while waiting (been there done that)

[SheikYerbouti]

Left Chatswood at 0600 to ride to the start, as of course there was trackwork meaning no North Shore riders could get the train to or from the event.

Our plan was to bypass the !! BAN ME NOW FOR SWEARING !! and queues in the start chute but the lane closures made it almost impossible, so we were inadvertantly funneled into the start and physically blocked from exiting by an organiser, so lost 20 min there.

Had a couple of photo stops, caught up with a mate's wife at Loftus who was on muffin duty, and a fun ride through to Waterfall where we joioned the queue approx 300m(!) up the highway from the off-ramp around 0930.

2 hours and 5 mins later, at 1135, after standing in the blazing sun the whole time with no information, no messages, and nothing on social media (and no sign of ambulances), we were about 100m back from the front of the queue to descend into the NP... then because of the need to reopen the road at midday, the whole lot of us were sent down the hill in one go. A few hundred riders at least.

I didn't find the descent even vaguely dangerous or difficult, and everyone was sensible in the narrow section. Nothing even close to a hairy moment occured. The rest of the ride was a normal Gong ride. Spectacular scenery, decent road closures and traffic control, and a moderately challenging route.

There was a deja vu moment when we went to get the train back to Sydney and the queue went down the street, but within half an hour we were on a train and heading home, total around 105km done.

The Waterfall issue really soured the ride for us, as well as making it a full day event as we had expected to be home around 3pm (in time to watch the A-League), not 6pm.

Quite a few riders abandoned at Waterfall and hopped on the next north-bound train. Word was that because there was no information about the wait time, or what was hapening, they guessed we could have been waiting for 3 or even 4 hours and that is nearly as long as it takes to ride the whole thing. Fair enough too. Very unsure if I'll do it again, not because of the ride or riders, but because organisational messaging left a lot to be desired.

[AndrewCowley]

Quite a few riders abandoned at Waterfall and hopped on the next north-bound train. Word was that because there was no information about the wait time, or what was hapening, they guessed we could have been waiting for 3 or even 4 hours and that is nearly as long as it takes to ride the whole thing. Fair enough too. Very unsure if I'll do it again, not because of the ride or riders, but because organisational messaging left a lot to be desired.

Maybe it was communicated in an email from Fleur.

Anyhow, what you describe sounds pretty bad. Per my earlier post, the event has serious issues IMO. It really doesn't make any sense any more. It needs a big reboot.

[trailgumby]

I agree that the communications with those riders who were held at the top of the Waterfall descent were pretty poor. We were advised the reason was a crash, but all I saw was a single female rider descending slowly, being escorted by a motorbike rider with hazards blinking (first aid responder I suspect).

I'm not sure it was the organisers who were responsible for the mess. The police were the ones managing the communications and releasing groups at that point/point in time, and the event organisers have no power to override. They were saying there was a serious safety issue with gravel. As a result I was expecting it to be on a bend hidden in shade, but it was on that single lane section. The event rep was merely parroting what she'd been told.

They were also saying it was 2/3rds of the way down. Not being familiar with the descent (ridden it twice before, last time 3 years ago) I had to buttonhole a cop to ask "that's meaningless to me, I'm not familiar with the descent - what's the actual distance?"

My question is: if it was that bad, why not sweep up the gravel?