Good Day Mates, I’m going to the duathlon worlds in Newcastle, and will be in your lovely country for about 10 days. I’ve booked everything except my rooms, and I was hoping that I could hook up with some locals for some fun and training. I will be going to Hawaii after, so I have a good week to get in some good training. If any of you have recommendations on hotels and areas that are not too far from Sydney/Newcastle area, it would be greatly appreiated. If I were standing on a street corner, my cardboard sign would read" BROKEN DOWN EX PRO WILL TRADE STORIES FOR FOOD AND SHELTER".
Monty, no help from me as I’m an American who’s been here (Sydney) for a few weeks working. I’m here for a couple more weeks. Not sure what your travel schedule looks like, but this weekend is the Sydney marathon (and half, and 10K) if you’re up for it. Weather is improving nicely day to day, and I’m always up for drinking a few local beers with someone (other than coworkers).
Would love to join you, but I will be arriving on the 21st or so. If you are still there after the duathlon, I will definately take you up on one of those fine Aussie beverages…
Monty, when the du’s are over get youself down to Sydney and stay in Cronulla, nice spot by the beach. Still a bit cool here but nothing too severe, the beach is still swimmable. The Cronulla Tri club has rides on tuesday and thursday mornings and we meet outside Chris Macormack’s shop. They also run Wednesday Nights.
You might even get to meet Gunther , one of the few people to get banned from Slowtwitch!
Sounds like a great spot, and the cool will be fine with me. It’s been 90 - 100+ here all summer, and I’ve had it with the heat. What is the name of Chris’s shop? Thanks for the info…
Hiya Monty, Chris’ shop is Precision Cycles at Caringbah.
Was out with the tri-club pack this morning, 5 am start, 10 degrees C, beautiful Sydney early spring day.
60k at 31kph a great way to get the blood flowing before work.
If you are heading our way and are going to join us pop me a message I’ll look out for you.
Cheers
Monty
Newcastle is about 1.5hrs to 2 hr drive north of Sydney. Hotels in Newcastle are all fine - if you are looking for something a little outside of Newcastle - try Lake Macquarie (East side of the lake) or if you don;t mind more of a drive - 45 mins to an hour - you can stay on the Central Coast (Tuggerah) which is half way between Sydney and Newcastle.
I lived in Newcastle for 4 years as a uni student but that was some time ago - and I am from the northern beaches of Sydney (Narrabeen)
I second the Cronulla scene and would also receommend if you get a chance - take a ride on the Sydney ferry from downtown to Manly (Nthern Beaches) - 45 min ute ride - best way to see the whole harbor and city.
I’ve lived in the US for 8 years now so things have no doubt changed a fair bit in Newcastle - but there are a stack of hotels around - you just need to dig a little.
AJ
I’ll second AJ’s recommendation on the ferry ride to Manly. I was forunate enough to be there in 2000 for the Olympics and on my last day, I took the ferry ride of a lifetime to Manly Beach. The beach, itself, isn’t that spectacular but the ride through the harbour in unbelievable!
Thanks everyone for all the great info. I’ll definately go to Sydney for some of the group training after the race. ANd the ferry sounds like a great trip. Do they serve beer on the boat? Just need to know,in case I need to bring my own road kit…
Another really cool trip is the Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk…you can walk up one side of the arch, across the top and down the other side. The views are fantastic, I can’t quite remember but I think it takes about 2 hrs.
Sydney Bridge Climb is 3 hours - and yes - very cool!
Beer on the ferry - I think they do serve it - if not - when you get off in Manly - there are five or six pubs on the Manly Corso - AS you get off.
Same as the return journey - there are a bunch of bars/pubs in the rocks area.