cairns to cape york ride

Russell,

I have used Shimano brand SPD riding sandals for about 7-8 years and still
have the same pair which cost around $90 in 1997. I bought them mainly for
touring to save washing and drying socks, but they are also great in hot
climates for keeping the feet cool. Also, you don't have to worry about
getting your feet wet when fording creeks etc, in fact its great to get your
feet wet in the hotter climates such as you will experience up north. I
use them for all my cycling in all but the colder winter months living in
Sydney.

Can't help with the tires as I haven't cycled that far north, so I don't
know what to expect. I have only been as far as Cape Tribulation and I just
used my normal hybrid tires which I use for all my touring and riding. I
normally use Continental Top Tour 2000 and have found them to be very good.
I recently bought a Maxxis Overdrive 700 x 38 for $32 or $35 which I've been
told have an insert of material inside the tires similar to Mr Tuffy
material. Supposed to be good, but I haven't had them long enough to say.
I used to use Mr Tuffy but removed them once them got to a certain age and
started creating more holes than they were preventing.

Carl

"Russell King" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I am thinking of joining a group riding from Cairns to Cape York later
in the year.

Anyone done this before? What's it like?

And 2 specific questions;

Someone has recommended sandals - does anyone have any experience with
these spd compatible cycling shoes? Brands? pros and cons.

Tyres. The road conditions vary from bitumen ( a small amount), clay,
gravel and sand. Any tyre recommendations?

thanks

Russell King said:

I am thinking of joining a group riding from Cairns to Cape York later
in the year.

http://www.woa.com.au/ba/routes/cape-york/

Quoted message said:

Anyone done this before? What's it like?

Probably a few hundred in the last forty years.

Quoted message said:

And 2 specific questions;

Someone has recommended sandals - does anyone have any experience with
these spd compatible cycling shoes? Brands? pros and cons.

I just wore standard sandals. The fancy ones fall apart just as fast and
cost more.

Quoted message said:

Tyres. The road conditions vary from bitumen ( a small amount), clay,
gravel and sand. Any tyre recommendations?

Yes, fat and carry spares.
I used "chen shing". The biggest problem was when I road off the track
to get away from the inccessant 4WD groups and spike a tyre (two) on
tussock or burnt off shrubs.

I used 1.75" up to Cooktown, then changed for 2.25" afterwards.

I ahve done that stretch, but in a 4wd unfortunatel

as far as i know (altho what i know was governed bymate who had th
map!) its a suspension job, as the road was incredibly corrugated
having said that there will probably be a smooth patch off to the sid
Paris-Roubaix-style (hopefully you wont get that dirty tho :-)

-

flyingdutch said:

I ahve done that stretch, but in a 4wd unfortunately

as far as i know (altho what i know was governed bymate who had the
map!) its a suspension job, as the road was incredibly corrugated;

Err, nothing worse than normal, especially considering the amount of
traffic.

Quoted message said:

having said that there will probably be a smooth patch off to the side

Actually, great drifts of sand, dust and stones are on the side.
Sometimes you can find a run that isn't too bad, but then is shifts left
3' {;-)

I actually don't remember too much corrugation. Probably because we went
up through Lakelands and took the old track where possible.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Someone has recommended sandals - does anyone have any experience with
these spd compatible cycling shoes? Brands? pros and cons.

I just wore standard sandals. The fancy ones fall apart just as fast and
cost more.

I prefer sandals on my MTB. Just a cheap $20 pair. My feet feel better and
no smelly socks to worry about and I don't mind them getting wet.
Note that this is for touring etc on the type of ride you are going on. For
actual downhill type fun I would wear something with a bit more protection.

"gaza" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Someone has recommended sandals - does anyone have any experience with
these spd compatible cycling shoes? Brands? pros and cons.

I just wore standard sandals. The fancy ones fall apart just as fast and
cost more.

I prefer sandals on my MTB. Just a cheap $20 pair. My feet feel better and
no smelly socks to worry about and I don't mind them getting wet.
Note that this is for touring etc on the type of ride you are going on.

For

Quoted message said:

actual downhill type fun I would wear something with a bit more

protection.

Quoted message said:

I wear the Shimano SPD sandals on my MTB for training rides and commuting in
Darwin. During the wet season your feet are going to get wet no matter what
you wear but at least the sandals will be dry in the morning or when its
time to ride home. I hate riding without the cleats so I guess I'm a bit
stuck to paying the >$100 for Shimano type sandals but I wouldnt be without
them.

Plus you dont fell like a dork when you walk into the shops to pick up some
bread on the way home 🙂 This may also apply when touring.

NB: I still use shoes for riding the road bike training and racing as you
get much better support.

Cheers
Gary

Gary Perkins said:

Plus you dont fell like a dork when you walk into the shops to pick up some
bread on the way home 🙂 This may also apply when touring.

What!, you wear socks/soxes with your sandals in Darwin? {:-)

Hang on a tick......I'm Gary not gaza...he mentioned socks not me 🙂

There are enough tourists up here that do wear socks with their sandals that
it's almost a fashions statement.

"Terry Collins" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Gary Perkins said:

Plus you dont fell like a dork when you walk into the shops to pick up

some

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

bread on the way home 🙂 This may also apply when touring.

What!, you wear socks/soxes with your sandals in Darwin? {:-)

Socks with sandals are the current in fashion:-)

Find the socks help in hot weather with stopping feet slipping. In
winter keeps the toes that bit warmer..

Megan
Fixie rider.

"Gary Perkins" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hang on a tick......I'm Gary not gaza...he mentioned socks not me 🙂

There are enough tourists up here that do wear socks with their sandals that
it's almost a fashions statement.

"Terry Collins" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Gary Perkins said:

Plus you dont fell like a dork when you walk into the shops to pick up

some

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

bread on the way home 🙂 This may also apply when touring.

What!, you wear socks/soxes with your sandals in Darwin? {:-)

Megan Webb said:

Socks with sandals are the current in fashion:-)

they are!
Hot dang, another fashion I've started {:-)
I used to wear footie socks with my sandals when touring 20+ years ago
{:-)

Quoted message said:

Find the socks help in hot weather with stopping feet slipping. In
winter keeps the toes that bit warmer..

Yep.