Thank you to the Newcastle Overnighter crew for organising another one. It's the one night a year we take over the Pacific Highway and ride through the cool night, up and down the hills through Mooney Mooney into Gosford along the Central coast. Sure it's 180 kilometres. Sure it kicks off at 9pm and all day you're debating with yourself over when exactly you should take a nap, what's the appropriate amount of carb loading and what do you wear*, but damn it's the best ride of the year.
With tunes, lights, good company and regular treats, the sleep deprivation, the muscle cramps, and the delirium is bearable. Note: the essential ingredient is definitely good company. Yes there are 2 tea stops (stocked with tea, coffee, muffins, lots of sugary things) with volunteers cheering you on, having waited there themselves in the middle of the night.
* The answers are: nap from 4 - 6, eat as much is physically possible, pack a wind breaker, the Korean style golf arm sleeves are really handy, take some swimmers for the other side.
With tunes, lights, good company and regular treats, the sleep deprivation, the muscle cramps, and the delirium is bearable. Note: the essential ingredient is definitely good company. Yes there are 2 tea stops (stocked with tea, coffee, muffins, lots of sugary things) with volunteers cheering you on, having waited there themselves in the middle of the night.
* The answers are: nap from 4 - 6, eat as much is physically possible, pack a wind breaker, the Korean style golf arm sleeves are really handy, take some swimmers for the other side.
Pit Stop 1 @ Mount White. Must sort after relief after climbing out of Sydney on the Pacific Highway and climbing up Mount White from Mooney Mooney bridge. Greeted by the Watermelon ladies and loads of sugary goodness.
Pit stop 2 at Budgewoi.
At about 4 am, it's a wonder how these guys are still awake and feeding us.
At about 4 am, it's a wonder how these guys are still awake and feeding us.
| There are several unofficial pit stops along the way. Feel free to sit, sleep, refill with water or cheap coffee. |  |
Worth it
Final stats
Distance: 180km
Arrival time: from 5 am - 10 am (most arrived at 7am)
Temperature: Wind breaker worthy
Consumption: 3 slices of banana bread, 3 muesli bars, watermelon slices, handful of nuts, one servo coffee
Strava link
After all the adrenalin and the sleep deprivation has been appeased you can indulge yourself with a Strava Flyby link and see how the crew went.
Distance: 180km
Arrival time: from 5 am - 10 am (most arrived at 7am)
Temperature: Wind breaker worthy
Consumption: 3 slices of banana bread, 3 muesli bars, watermelon slices, handful of nuts, one servo coffee
Strava link
After all the adrenalin and the sleep deprivation has been appeased you can indulge yourself with a Strava Flyby link and see how the crew went.
