So glad i stumbled upon your channel! In the 1990's and early 2000's we did lots of loaded bike touring here in America and loved it!! Now we can live vicariously through you! Safe adventures!!
Great video, liking your style very much and you’re a natural in front of the camera 👍 your channel was mentioned in the comments of Mat Ryders most recent video which lead me to you 👍 love that you were watching him on your TV ☺️
Come to sunny Australia they said (don't bring the British heritage weather with you though!) 😂. Great video Mike. I've just subscribed. I also live in Sydney so your videos are really great cycling intel for me. That's my style of cycle touring!
Hi there, thanks for showing us an interesting route. You have certainly given me an idea for a future tour. I love your Kona Sutra setup with those lovely handlebars and those 36-spoke wheels. Your advice to beginners is very sound. Your videos are well-shot and edited very professionally. I have a bike setup pretty similar to yours. Except that I run fat tyres. I'm guessing they would've been handy on Scotts Road. Hehe.
V. Nice! My back yard as a youth in the '70's! Left there in '77 and Australia in '87. Seems the condition of the roads remains about the same... but I can almost smell the rain and eucalypts from here in Japan. Thanks for the flashbacks!
Nice little trip, thanks for sharing. Got two Konas, Olive and black, interestingly they went from 36 spokes to 32 a year later, I had to replace my 32 spoke rim with a swiss dtx as it started splitting. I'm with you on the drop bars but pretty impossible to get flat bar tourer. also the jacket you wore seemed to be heavy and not waterproof, interesting choice
Glad I have just found you over here in the UK Mike. This will rattle a few of you, I thought you was in New Zealand & it was only when you mentioned Australia I thought I better check and found your in NSW OOPS ! 😉😂. I should of known when I saw all that mud as I follow Million Dollar Bogan on here and he's got stuck in that on his Harley. I have a few bikes and only this week I started to build a Gravel bike so I was interested to see you on the Moloko bars as I was looking at them over the week end. I nearly ordered some but I have some drops already and the Moloko aren't cheap are they. I was also worried how far back they came and the length of the stem I would need. Given how comfortable I might have to revisit that idea if idea if I struggle with the drops. Stay safe out there and you have a new Sub Ted
The Moloko bars put me more upright which is good for an old, sedentary spine! The downside of the bars is that they’re a bit heavy, but in comparison to bags, water and me, the extra weight is worth it. I love NZ and will cycle there one day, but NSW and Sydney is my home!
Thanks for the video! I'm considering doing a riding trip in that area, so it was very helpful. What was the suggested route to avoid the Buckets way rd?
Thanks for reminding me, I forgot to post my route which I have just added to the description, as well as the alternative/MYB version. The standard route is also on my Komoot page here: www.komoot.com/tour/1945194032?ref=itd
Awesome little trip Mike, loved the video so I shared this video to our Facebook Group Bikepacking and Touring Sydney. We only started this group just over 2 Months ago and now have over 600 members so the group was warranted as there's no actual Bike Touring forum in Sydney. If you wish to join, you're more than welcome. Much of that area you covered in the video I've done numerous times but on a Motorcycle. So I hope it's all good to share your video and that it helps some of the new People begin their bike packing or touring and hope some subscribe to your YT Channel. Cheers Dave J.
If anyone would benefit from a set of mudguards (fenders), it’s you. You’ll wonder why you ever rode without them. I’m a touring cyclist myself, and enjoyed your video.
Based on some of the roads you had to travel on, why did you choose the Kona over the Canyon? I've got a rigid Marin Nicasio+ with drops and I've pretty much decided on the Grand Canyon 8 as I think the suspension and wheels/tyres and ride position would give a better, and more comfortable, ride on some of those rougher surfaces. That said, the Kona looks very nice. There is something beautiful about a non-complicated bike.
Ha ha! As I cycled out of Dungog I thought the weather was going to clear up and I’d be riding paved roads for four days! However, apart from Scott’s Road, the Kona was the right choice.
@@mike-coles with such a fine selection of bikes to choose from, how do you determine which bike to take out of the rack for your trips? A trip with only sealed roads make the decision easy, but fire trails can be a real mixed bag and sometimes you won’t know what you’ll get until you’re faced with it.
If I’m on “roads” which can be sealed or unsealed (gravel) roads I lean towards the Kona. If I know it’s going to be rough or off-road, I go for the Canyon MTB. If I’m unsure, I go MTB. On this trip I had no idea the “road” was going to be so bad on the last day. I thought I was selecting sealed roads all the way!
I own 2 bikes; this Kona Sutra touring bike and a Canyon hardtail MTB. If I’d known the road out of Karuah was so rough, I might have chosen to ride the Canyon!
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Hi Mike. Great video, especially once you quietened me down. Cheers.
Ah ha ha ha! Thanks Mat, much appreciated! Love your work!
So glad i stumbled upon your channel! In the 1990's and early 2000's we did lots of loaded bike touring here in America and loved it!! Now we can live vicariously through you! Safe adventures!!
Great video, liking your style very much and you’re a natural in front of the camera 👍 your channel was mentioned in the comments of Mat Ryders most recent video which lead me to you 👍 love that you were watching him on your TV ☺️
Bellissimo video
Come to sunny Australia they said (don't bring the British heritage weather with you though!) 😂. Great video Mike. I've just subscribed. I also live in Sydney so your videos are really great cycling intel for me. That's my style of cycle touring!
Hi there, thanks for showing us an interesting route. You have certainly given me an idea for a future tour. I love your Kona Sutra setup with those lovely handlebars and those 36-spoke wheels. Your advice to beginners is very sound. Your videos are well-shot and edited very professionally. I have a bike setup pretty similar to yours. Except that I run fat tyres. I'm guessing they would've been handy on Scotts Road. Hehe.
V. Nice! My back yard as a youth in the '70's! Left there in '77 and Australia in '87. Seems the condition of the roads remains about the same... but I can almost smell the rain and eucalypts from here in Japan. Thanks for the flashbacks!
mat Ryder doing his US ride follow him as well👍👍👍 good video mate!
Love it, keep enjoying your trips mate :)
Another great video Mike. Hard work but you made it. Looking forward to your next adventure.
That looked pretty brutal, but you made it! I appreciate the advice to start with credit card touring and sensible daily distances.
Brutal? Yes. But it was deeply satisfying as well.
May be I am a cyclist, so I didn't find it that brutal as it can be here in some parts of India.. 😢
Nice little trip, thanks for sharing. Got two Konas, Olive and black, interestingly they went from 36 spokes to 32 a year later, I had to replace my 32 spoke rim with a swiss dtx as it started splitting. I'm with you on the drop bars but pretty impossible to get flat bar tourer. also the jacket you wore seemed to be heavy and not waterproof, interesting choice
Glad I have just found you over here in the UK Mike. This will rattle a few of you, I thought you was in New Zealand & it was only when you mentioned Australia I thought I better check and found your in NSW OOPS ! 😉😂. I should of known when I saw all that mud as I follow Million Dollar Bogan on here and he's got stuck in that on his Harley. I have a few bikes and only this week I started to build a Gravel bike so I was interested to see you on the Moloko bars as I was looking at them over the week end. I nearly ordered some but I have some drops already and the Moloko aren't cheap are they. I was also worried how far back they came and the length of the stem I would need. Given how comfortable I might have to revisit that idea if idea if I struggle with the drops. Stay safe out there and you have a new Sub Ted
The Moloko bars put me more upright which is good for an old, sedentary spine! The downside of the bars is that they’re a bit heavy, but in comparison to bags, water and me, the extra weight is worth it.
I love NZ and will cycle there one day, but NSW and Sydney is my home!
Hi Mike, thanks another great video. FYI that whole area around Scott's Rd, can be wet most of the time. I think a low watertable
Ha ha! I wish I’d know that before I went down there! At least I didn’t loose a shoe in the mud..
Quando lavoravo al call center da casa avevo una gran voglia di uscire,la mia mbt mi aiutava in questo.. Saluti dall Italia
Shoes on the table 😮
Inline with the aircon, so they dried out! I was going to microwave them, but thought the cleats might explode..
@@mike-colesyes, anything metal is not safe in microwave..., good you didn't do that.. 😊
Thanks for the video! I'm considering doing a riding trip in that area, so it was very helpful. What was the suggested route to avoid the Buckets way rd?
Thanks for reminding me, I forgot to post my route which I have just added to the description, as well as the alternative/MYB version. The standard route is also on my Komoot page here: www.komoot.com/tour/1945194032?ref=itd
Nice work on this tour, where do you get your route information?
All roads except day 4 I had ridden before. I then use Komoot and pay part attention to hills and road surfaces.
Awesome little trip Mike, loved the video so I shared this video to our Facebook Group Bikepacking and Touring Sydney. We only started this group just over 2 Months ago and now have over 600 members
so the group was warranted as there's no actual Bike Touring forum in Sydney. If you wish to join, you're more than welcome.
Much of that area you covered in the video I've done numerous times but on a Motorcycle.
So I hope it's all good to share your video and that it helps some of the new People begin their bike packing or touring and hope some subscribe to your YT Channel.
Cheers
Dave J.
Thanks for sharing. I joined your group a couple of days ago. It’s a good group 👍
Great little adventure there Mike! That road was super muddy! Didn't see you wearing a waterproof jacket. Do you not take one with you?
Believe it or not, I don’t own a waterproof jacket. Since I returned home, I have been looking for one!
Another great video. Thank you.
If anyone would benefit from a set of mudguards (fenders), it’s you. You’ll wonder why you ever rode without them. I’m a touring cyclist myself, and enjoyed your video.
Ha ha! I have a set in my garage. Can you imagine how bogged-up mudguards would have been on Scott’s Road?
Based on some of the roads you had to travel on, why did you choose the Kona over the Canyon? I've got a rigid Marin Nicasio+ with drops and I've pretty much decided on the Grand Canyon 8 as I think the suspension and wheels/tyres and ride position would give a better, and more comfortable, ride on some of those rougher surfaces. That said, the Kona looks very nice. There is something beautiful about a non-complicated bike.
Ha ha! As I cycled out of Dungog I thought the weather was going to clear up and I’d be riding paved roads for four days! However, apart from Scott’s Road, the Kona was the right choice.
@@mike-coles with such a fine selection of bikes to choose from, how do you determine which bike to take out of the rack for your trips? A trip with only sealed roads make the decision easy, but fire trails can be a real mixed bag and sometimes you won’t know what you’ll get until you’re faced with it.
If I’m on “roads” which can be sealed or unsealed (gravel) roads I lean towards the Kona. If I know it’s going to be rough or off-road, I go for the Canyon MTB. If I’m unsure, I go MTB. On this trip I had no idea the “road” was going to be so bad on the last day. I thought I was selecting sealed roads all the way!
Would you not love front suspension???
I own 2 bikes; this Kona Sutra touring bike and a Canyon hardtail MTB. If I’d known the road out of Karuah was so rough, I might have chosen to ride the Canyon!
What's the bike your riding please Mike
There’s a detailed description of the bike towards the end of day 3. It’s a modified Kona Sutra touring bike 👍
@mike-coles cheers mate I had to go out and just finished watching it