Hope to get some insight from those there. I just found out I am headed there on Sunday for 3 weeks. Not yet sure where I am staying, but our office is Downtown. Any suggestions for training? Anyone willing to train with an American? Should I take a bike with me? Are there places there to rent? If I take my own, recommend a road or tri bike? How’s the weather? Anything else I need to know?
It may be the middle of the night there now, so perhaps I am posting this at the wrong time. Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated.
While this post would seem to violate my own “don’t self servingly bump your own post” policy, I think I sufficiently hedged in my first post by acknowledging that all the Aussies may be asleep. This is for them. Thanks in advance for any help.
I would second the above advice re running and swimming given where you are staying. There is also the Boy Charlton pool in the domain which is close to you. For riding there is Centennial Park which is close and lots of club rides include laps through there. That is probably your best bet for mid week rides (safest). There are a couple of club rides that leave from the eastern suburbs and head south to God’s country otherwise know as the Shire. Check out Clarence St cyclery and Cheeky Monkey (eastern suburbs bike shop) for details about these. There is also the BRATS Tri Club which goes out of the eastern suburbs (not far from you). Do yourself a favour even if you have to drive (about 20 min) and head dow to the shire and ride the Royal National Park. Best riding around. There are also good run tracks down there.
Oh you had better bring your bike as you won’t have much luck hiring anything other than a heap of shit.
Then put your bike on the Manly ferry (2 mins from your hotel at Circular Quay), alternatively you can ride to Manly (about 15km), but beware the Spit Bridge Road.
Take your bike from Manly along the Northern Beaches and then onto Mona Vale, head to Chruch Point along McCarrs Creek Road, and then to Akuna Bay through the national park (some great hills). And ride back to Manly (thats a 60km ride). There’s a bunch of riders that head out even further and do 120km/150km.I usuall ykick off from Manly at 5.30am, hooking up witht he group in Dee Why at 6am. Usually get back for coffee along the ocean front in Manly at around 8.00a. You’re welcome to join us if you like.
Alternatively you can head to the Shire (Caringbah/Cronulla) and do the National Park down there, also some great riding, i dont really ride down there though
Cycling is Centennial Park. It’s a 4km loop but there are groups to do efforts etc on Tue and Thur monring and most evening. Also heaps of groups that head out of the part on weekend morning. If you ride with anyone that has some ability they will know about the groups. Just get yourself to Cent Park asap when you get here.
So yes bring your bike for sure.
Swimming. There is northsydney pool. It’s a heated salt pool. Nice.
It depends if you’re looking for a short ride or a long training deal.
The run from Sydney to the 'Gong is an awesome run and you can usually pick up a few partners on the way as it is quite popular. It’s pretty hilly but you can always catch the train back if you don’t feel up to the ride home. In fact the train line you ride near always gives you the option to start and finish wherever you wish if you want to avoid the traffic or hills. Maybe take the train from Central to Southerland or something to avoid the inner city and associated issues.
If you’re one of the lycra clad suffer monkeys who enjoys a vertical challenge and a day full of pain, some of the passes in the southern highlands are for you. Depending on how far south you are willing to go, the passes between Woolongong and Nowra make for some excellent ride. One of my buddies has this monster loop he does that goes from Kiama down to Nowra, over Kangaroo Valley to Moss Vale and then back via Macquarie Pass. Not for the feint of heart…
In short… lots of options in the city for some good training… and lots of good options for a longer run on the weekends. BRING YOUR BIKE!!!
thanks all for the great responses. I’m very excited abot the trip, and arrive Tuesday AM local time. Will likely take a day or 2 to get acclimated, but am looking do to anything from weekday morning workouts to long weekend stuff (I figure it’s a great way to see the city/area).
From a logistics standpoint, i don’t think i’m able to drag my bike along this time, so hopefully I can work something out with a shop somehow. If not, and anyone wants to try to hook up for some runs (or swims - if you can deal witha slow guy), please let me know. Thanks again for the responses
alright so i’m here, but this city is KILLING me. It’s winter for crying out loud. DO you have any idea how cold it is in the mornings? Try running along the harbor with the wind in your face. Plus it’s dark at 5:30 pm. Don’t get me wrong, its a beautiful city, and my view can’t be beat, but come on, it’s 40 degrees! Plus, I ran past the most amazing pool I’ve ever seen (for those that are or have been here, it’s the Boy Charlton pool). 50 meters, outdoors overhanging Sydney harbor - BUT ITS CLOSED (did I mention it’s winter here?) And my now familiar running route around the harbor is being closed for days (thru the Botanical Gardens)
And why won’t ANY shop rent me a road bike? I don’t think the streets are that bad. Looks like 3+ weeks of no cycling. Plus I almost got arrested at customs for importing Clif bars and not declaring them (I didn’t even think that they would be “food”)
Alright Sydney-ites - prove me wrong. where’s the love in this city?
And while you’re at it Lamar, tell the folks Australia **isn’t **in Europe.
Cashed up US executive like yourself should just drop some coin on a nice new bike from Clarence St Cycles or Cheeky Monkey, with the exchange rate you’ll win for sure.