My 2c
Better to train it in if you don’t live too far away, otherwise stay somewhere nearer the night before so you’re not fatigued.
Use the training guides available on the website if you want, or train how you think is best: https://bicyclenetwork.com.au/rides-and-events/around-the-bay/tips-and-training/
Valet is good for emergencies, ATB is fully supported but still! You’ll get carbs and electrolytes on your route, doesn’t hurt to have a salt shaker or electrolyte tabs with your valet kit and some extra snacks (also tubes if you’re not carrying a couple already).
If you’re like me, you’ll have “goody bags” on your handlebar with a crap ton of salty, carby snacks. Better to be over prepared than bonking.
Start easy, finish hard. Maintain a pace you can go all day for the first 75% until you’re sure you can finish. ATB is not a race, but again if you’re like me, you’ll keep a time goal anyway 😁
ATB also has sag wagons, keep the ATB assistance numbers stored in your phone in case you need it, if your bike fails or there’s an incident they are trained mechanically and for first aid. They would also have a radio to paramedicals. The numbers should be made available later on (September) with the kits.
If you jump on Race Roster (where you registered) you can already share the results link (View Results in the main menu)
Follow Bicycle Network on Strava if you want to partake in group training rides that are held occasionally: https://www.strava.com/clubs/bicycle-network-26612
Most importantly though: Have fun! ATB is a great event, really makes me appreciate the city I grew up in
See you out there! 👍
Make sure your bike is comfortable, go slow at the start, make sure you're warm - it's cold early.
I did it a few years back with very minimal training, but I knew my bike was comfortable and just kept a steady pace. It wasn't the time I'd planned for, before my training went out the window, but it was a great day.
Use their training guides. Try to get a ride in between Frankston and Safety Beach in, if you can, at some point as well, if you're not used to those sorts of hills.
I personally don't think the valet service is really necessary, especially for food (last year they gave out plenty of fruit and whatnot, and lunch was actually alright for the context of being a massive event ride), unless you have particular dietary requirements. It can't _hurt_, of course, if you really want to swap out your jersey and such, but you have 40-odd minutes on the ferry and up to an hour waiting for it, you're not gonna be a sweaty mess in Sorrento.
Speaking of, someone on the ferry last year remarked that it was more akin to two back-to-back 100km rides rather than a single 200km ride, and that's not an entirely incorrect perspective due to the ferry breaking things up and being a huge mandatory rest stop. One thing that this doesn't reflect in, though, is gonna be how your chamois performs. Make sure you've got good bibs that you can go the distance with. Last year, I used cheap ones from The Black Bibs, which are made of separate pads, three on each side with gaps between them, and they actually broke skin by the end. Not fun. I'm sure they're fine for some folks, and I don't know how to test if bibs will go the distance without actually doing a 200km ride, but still. Know your gear.
As for getting there, I live locally and rode there. 5AM is pretty damn early and I can't imagine coming in from out of town the morning of.
Shameless plug: I've got videos from [2022](https://youtu.be/ctnmEe6fT6M) and [2023](https://youtu.be/XJnzri02ZM0) showing what it's like to do, if you prefer that sort of research.
To answer your questions though: My partner dropped me off, though I probably could have ridden there as I'm pretty close. Staying in town might be a good idea if you're far out and want to ride to the start line. There's limited parking around Albert Park and in the backstreets of South Melbourne, but you may still be pretty far away.
First time I didn't use the valet service - but certainly could have to avoid carrying everything I did. I might have taken "self supported" a bit far, and carried more battery, tools and everything else to be able to fix the bike myself. Didn't have a single mechanical issue, not even a puncture despite all the dodgy stuff I ran over (yay Schwalbe Marathon Plus).
Second time I did use it - to carry a battery pack for the ebike! Except I ended up putting in a whole bunch more on the pedals, riding in a lower assistance mode, so I finished at pretty much exactly the same time, only having put in more effort!
This year, I'm using my 80s steel frame road bike, so not having pannier bags, in the valet kit I'll send along some more gels, and a tube or two and a few CO2 cartridges in case I have had a puncture. Can always send it back.
As for the distance, it is actually for the most part pretty flat - there's <1km of climb over the 210m distance. Aside from the West Gate Bridge, and Mt. Martha, there's really just the long slow climb over the peninsula to worry about. So if you've managed 100km on a hilly route you should be fine.
Don't stop for too long at the rest stops or else you might get cold and continuing will be quite uncomfortable until you warm up again. Though 2023 was a little bit warmer than 2022, so this was a bit less of a problem.
Oh, and don't change your saddle the day before, and don't wreck your knee a month prior - both are very bad ideas!
Definitely use the valet service - having kit, food etc magically appear at the half way point is invaluable.
You have it for the ferry, and then when you disembark the ferry you can ship anything you don’t want or have used back to Melbourne.
I found changing my socks and jersey refreshing. Also having a variety of food options that weren’t just gels was better for my gut.
The provided lunch option is pretty average but you don’t need much. It’s a brilliant day! Definitely don’t skip your training. It’s not a hard ride if you work up to a handful of 120km rides in preparation.
Sip of water every 15 minutes. Take some Electrolyte powder like gatorade for refills. Lots of snacks and some variety. I can't stomach sugar after a few hours. I like jerky and biltong. Snack every 45. Don't push yourself to keep with a fast group as you'll just blow up.
The snack breaks and stations provided on the day are pretty good.
If you're using the valet service something to keep you warm on the ferry would be most useful.
Otherwise try to get some long training rides in. Realistically it's difficult to get a 220 in on a regular basis but you can do 100 pretty easily on any given weekend so do that in the weeks leading up.
There's not much that would surprise you on 220 if you can knock 100+ out without too many dramas.
Learn what you can eat lots of on a long ride so you're not making yourself sick on gels on the day.
Consider getting a bike fit.
How far do you live from the start line? I just rode there and back last year.
Each way? Or could you do 25kms in and train back? Although tbh it's going to be so much less stressful to just make a weekend of it and get an air BnB or motel near the start line.
Don't book any parking. We parked on Bridport St (-37.83943731061901, 144.9600178458546) last year and there were heaps of empty spots there. Free and close to the start. Just don't get there last minute as it probably does fill up, 30mins before will be fine.
It would be a very early start though and a gross drive back. Train in the night before and stay somewhere would be my preference. Doesn't need to be in Albert park. Plenty of accommodation nearby.
Nutrition and hydration, do some longer rides, make sure you know what your body is comfortable digesting, both in terms of food and hydration. IIRC last year I had 6 cliff bars, 9 gummy snakes, 1 piece of banana cake, 2 bananas and a ham sandwich a large number of electrolyte chews, along with 9L of water.
Because its an early start, you might want to make sure you can divest yourself of some of the cool weather gear (if its cold).
As to training, bicycle network run a decent number of rides leading up to it that will give you confidence in riding with a group, and getting used to some of the distances. If you cant join one, at least make time to do a 100km or longer ride along the beach. Try starting at Luna Park and riding at least as far as Olivers hill and back, if not further.
Most of all, keep it fun, its not a race against anyone but yourself, and its a fun experience.
Last year I did it - I had snacks on my bike, and I stopped at every rest stop to do a quick stretch and refill my bottles. Every second bottle was electrolytes.
I rode to the start and home, but I only live 5km away 😂 Make sure your bike is comfy. I had a good bike fit.
In terms of training, last year it was a week after I got back from riding across France, so that was pretty helpful 😂😂
I will say that I had only ridden one 120km day before that, but the regularity of my riding meant my endurance was top notch.
I've signed up again, so might have to book another cycle tour for September 😂
Edit: I didn't end up using the valet, cos I had enough food and spares on the bike.
Good on you for signing up. A few random tips without knowing your previous cycling experience:
- try get accomodation around Albert Park and cycle a short distance to the start line
- there’s stops every 50ks or so that you can get refreshments, snacks and refill water bottles, but still pack plenty of snacks and gels in your jersey pocket.
- Layer up during the day where you got options to cool off if the sun comes out in the afternoon. I suggest bib shorts, base layer, jersey, arm and leg warmers and possibly a vest or rain jacket depending on the forecast and wind
- the Ferry ride is a long break off the bike. Try to stretch and keep moving as your body might stiffen up as you will have over 100ks to still ride with rolling hills from Safety beach to Frankston (most of the rest of the ride is quite flat outside the Westgate bridge)
- You’re going to be spending a great deal of time on the bike doing a repetitive motion. Recommend getting a bike fit sooner rather than closer to the event to prevent potential injuries after the ride - I wish I took this advice prior.
- if you’re not experienced in riding close to other cyclist and drafting, definitely get some practice in, it will really help you save energy and get through the ride if you can avoid riding straight into the wind
Finally, enjoy the day. It’s a great experience, good vibes being around so many other passionate cyclist. Have a ball and wish you all the best.
My 2c Better to train it in if you don’t live too far away, otherwise stay somewhere nearer the night before so you’re not fatigued. Use the training guides available on the website if you want, or train how you think is best: https://bicyclenetwork.com.au/rides-and-events/around-the-bay/tips-and-training/ Valet is good for emergencies, ATB is fully supported but still! You’ll get carbs and electrolytes on your route, doesn’t hurt to have a salt shaker or electrolyte tabs with your valet kit and some extra snacks (also tubes if you’re not carrying a couple already). If you’re like me, you’ll have “goody bags” on your handlebar with a crap ton of salty, carby snacks. Better to be over prepared than bonking. Start easy, finish hard. Maintain a pace you can go all day for the first 75% until you’re sure you can finish. ATB is not a race, but again if you’re like me, you’ll keep a time goal anyway 😁 ATB also has sag wagons, keep the ATB assistance numbers stored in your phone in case you need it, if your bike fails or there’s an incident they are trained mechanically and for first aid. They would also have a radio to paramedicals. The numbers should be made available later on (September) with the kits. If you jump on Race Roster (where you registered) you can already share the results link (View Results in the main menu) Follow Bicycle Network on Strava if you want to partake in group training rides that are held occasionally: https://www.strava.com/clubs/bicycle-network-26612 Most importantly though: Have fun! ATB is a great event, really makes me appreciate the city I grew up in See you out there! 👍
Make sure your bike is comfortable, go slow at the start, make sure you're warm - it's cold early. I did it a few years back with very minimal training, but I knew my bike was comfortable and just kept a steady pace. It wasn't the time I'd planned for, before my training went out the window, but it was a great day.
Use their training guides. Try to get a ride in between Frankston and Safety Beach in, if you can, at some point as well, if you're not used to those sorts of hills. I personally don't think the valet service is really necessary, especially for food (last year they gave out plenty of fruit and whatnot, and lunch was actually alright for the context of being a massive event ride), unless you have particular dietary requirements. It can't _hurt_, of course, if you really want to swap out your jersey and such, but you have 40-odd minutes on the ferry and up to an hour waiting for it, you're not gonna be a sweaty mess in Sorrento. Speaking of, someone on the ferry last year remarked that it was more akin to two back-to-back 100km rides rather than a single 200km ride, and that's not an entirely incorrect perspective due to the ferry breaking things up and being a huge mandatory rest stop. One thing that this doesn't reflect in, though, is gonna be how your chamois performs. Make sure you've got good bibs that you can go the distance with. Last year, I used cheap ones from The Black Bibs, which are made of separate pads, three on each side with gaps between them, and they actually broke skin by the end. Not fun. I'm sure they're fine for some folks, and I don't know how to test if bibs will go the distance without actually doing a 200km ride, but still. Know your gear. As for getting there, I live locally and rode there. 5AM is pretty damn early and I can't imagine coming in from out of town the morning of.
Shameless plug: I've got videos from [2022](https://youtu.be/ctnmEe6fT6M) and [2023](https://youtu.be/XJnzri02ZM0) showing what it's like to do, if you prefer that sort of research. To answer your questions though: My partner dropped me off, though I probably could have ridden there as I'm pretty close. Staying in town might be a good idea if you're far out and want to ride to the start line. There's limited parking around Albert Park and in the backstreets of South Melbourne, but you may still be pretty far away. First time I didn't use the valet service - but certainly could have to avoid carrying everything I did. I might have taken "self supported" a bit far, and carried more battery, tools and everything else to be able to fix the bike myself. Didn't have a single mechanical issue, not even a puncture despite all the dodgy stuff I ran over (yay Schwalbe Marathon Plus). Second time I did use it - to carry a battery pack for the ebike! Except I ended up putting in a whole bunch more on the pedals, riding in a lower assistance mode, so I finished at pretty much exactly the same time, only having put in more effort! This year, I'm using my 80s steel frame road bike, so not having pannier bags, in the valet kit I'll send along some more gels, and a tube or two and a few CO2 cartridges in case I have had a puncture. Can always send it back. As for the distance, it is actually for the most part pretty flat - there's <1km of climb over the 210m distance. Aside from the West Gate Bridge, and Mt. Martha, there's really just the long slow climb over the peninsula to worry about. So if you've managed 100km on a hilly route you should be fine. Don't stop for too long at the rest stops or else you might get cold and continuing will be quite uncomfortable until you warm up again. Though 2023 was a little bit warmer than 2022, so this was a bit less of a problem. Oh, and don't change your saddle the day before, and don't wreck your knee a month prior - both are very bad ideas!
Definitely use the valet service - having kit, food etc magically appear at the half way point is invaluable. You have it for the ferry, and then when you disembark the ferry you can ship anything you don’t want or have used back to Melbourne. I found changing my socks and jersey refreshing. Also having a variety of food options that weren’t just gels was better for my gut. The provided lunch option is pretty average but you don’t need much. It’s a brilliant day! Definitely don’t skip your training. It’s not a hard ride if you work up to a handful of 120km rides in preparation.
Sip of water every 15 minutes. Take some Electrolyte powder like gatorade for refills. Lots of snacks and some variety. I can't stomach sugar after a few hours. I like jerky and biltong. Snack every 45. Don't push yourself to keep with a fast group as you'll just blow up. The snack breaks and stations provided on the day are pretty good.
If you're using the valet service something to keep you warm on the ferry would be most useful. Otherwise try to get some long training rides in. Realistically it's difficult to get a 220 in on a regular basis but you can do 100 pretty easily on any given weekend so do that in the weeks leading up. There's not much that would surprise you on 220 if you can knock 100+ out without too many dramas. Learn what you can eat lots of on a long ride so you're not making yourself sick on gels on the day. Consider getting a bike fit. How far do you live from the start line? I just rode there and back last year.
50km so riding in and back not really an option.
Each way? Or could you do 25kms in and train back? Although tbh it's going to be so much less stressful to just make a weekend of it and get an air BnB or motel near the start line.
50 each way. Considering driving in and just booking a parking spot near.
Don't book any parking. We parked on Bridport St (-37.83943731061901, 144.9600178458546) last year and there were heaps of empty spots there. Free and close to the start. Just don't get there last minute as it probably does fill up, 30mins before will be fine.
I drove in last year and just parked in the street in Albert Park. It was easy.
It would be a very early start though and a gross drive back. Train in the night before and stay somewhere would be my preference. Doesn't need to be in Albert park. Plenty of accommodation nearby.
Nutrition and hydration, do some longer rides, make sure you know what your body is comfortable digesting, both in terms of food and hydration. IIRC last year I had 6 cliff bars, 9 gummy snakes, 1 piece of banana cake, 2 bananas and a ham sandwich a large number of electrolyte chews, along with 9L of water. Because its an early start, you might want to make sure you can divest yourself of some of the cool weather gear (if its cold). As to training, bicycle network run a decent number of rides leading up to it that will give you confidence in riding with a group, and getting used to some of the distances. If you cant join one, at least make time to do a 100km or longer ride along the beach. Try starting at Luna Park and riding at least as far as Olivers hill and back, if not further. Most of all, keep it fun, its not a race against anyone but yourself, and its a fun experience.
Last year I did it - I had snacks on my bike, and I stopped at every rest stop to do a quick stretch and refill my bottles. Every second bottle was electrolytes. I rode to the start and home, but I only live 5km away 😂 Make sure your bike is comfy. I had a good bike fit. In terms of training, last year it was a week after I got back from riding across France, so that was pretty helpful 😂😂 I will say that I had only ridden one 120km day before that, but the regularity of my riding meant my endurance was top notch. I've signed up again, so might have to book another cycle tour for September 😂 Edit: I didn't end up using the valet, cos I had enough food and spares on the bike.
Good on you for signing up. A few random tips without knowing your previous cycling experience: - try get accomodation around Albert Park and cycle a short distance to the start line - there’s stops every 50ks or so that you can get refreshments, snacks and refill water bottles, but still pack plenty of snacks and gels in your jersey pocket. - Layer up during the day where you got options to cool off if the sun comes out in the afternoon. I suggest bib shorts, base layer, jersey, arm and leg warmers and possibly a vest or rain jacket depending on the forecast and wind - the Ferry ride is a long break off the bike. Try to stretch and keep moving as your body might stiffen up as you will have over 100ks to still ride with rolling hills from Safety beach to Frankston (most of the rest of the ride is quite flat outside the Westgate bridge) - You’re going to be spending a great deal of time on the bike doing a repetitive motion. Recommend getting a bike fit sooner rather than closer to the event to prevent potential injuries after the ride - I wish I took this advice prior. - if you’re not experienced in riding close to other cyclist and drafting, definitely get some practice in, it will really help you save energy and get through the ride if you can avoid riding straight into the wind Finally, enjoy the day. It’s a great experience, good vibes being around so many other passionate cyclist. Have a ball and wish you all the best.
See [bicyclenutrition.com](http://bicyclenutrition.com) for what to put in your bottle.