MY WORST CYCLING EVENT TO DATE!

[@micksquires]

I'm still recovering from this ride haha thanks for pushing me through mate

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

🤣🤣🤣

[@greggdavies5827]

You did great Mick! Tough first sportif 👍

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

@@greggdavies5827 he sure did! Legend! 🙌

[@brendanhead6833]

Always amazed at the price of this event and how many people turn up year after year. Amy’s Gran Fondo is a similar entry fee and has fully closed roads including Great Ocean Road.

[@markkirkpatrick6997]

Good to have you back in Blighty Martin you have inspired me to give up drinking 8 weeks ago and push harder on the bike 20 years in the army not easy but I been picked to race with the Army veterans

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

Oh man… that’s amazing! So happy for you… keep it up! It’s a better life… 😁🙌

[@John12358]

Yeah, that first half down the Geelong highway always just something you suck it up for and get over and done with. Though for us locals, riding over the Westgate Bridge is a highlight (tell me you didn't send it on the way down!) and this year with the moon set and sunrise was beautiful. But you can't have one without the other. I've always enjoyed the section from Geelong to Queenscliff as well.

[@ThaiKD]

Love your videos mate, I did the 100km one to support a friend also but have done the 210km..... can confirm it's terrible first half. Would recommend the peaks challenage or amy's gran fondo next time you're back in Melbourne!

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

Had a few recommend that… definitely on the list for next time…

[@mynamesdavee]

Oh no way! I did that route this year too. Well done on chilling and supporting your mates through that, legend bloke. Can agree, the first half was a tad boring but if you get yourself in a good bunch, coast it all the way to the ferry. The CLASSIC more just to show off and tick off that you completed a huge 210km loop.

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

It’s not just the fact it’s boring… I’d say it’s pretty bloody dangerous. Especially with that amount of riders… But yeah as I said, if I’d do it again… I’d definitely do the 200… that side is a beaut!

[@Uncle_Herman]

Love your videos. I'm inspired and look to your videos as motivation. Keep up the great work.

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

Thank you! 😁🙏

[@FanaticQuattro]

Yeah, well done Mick! I did wonder if you were able to hold back and not go for the win!!! Great news about Maap, looking forward the link for a discount!!

[@miguelr2718]

Love watching your videos. Some days they are my motivation to keep going out on the bike even when I don't want to 😂. Especially when it's cold.

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

Thanks man, that’s great to hear! Keep getting out there… 💪

[@davidbendall7846]

Gday CT Totally agree about the route mate! I didn't ride the event but have done ATB previously in my own. The Hwy can easily be avoided. There is a smaller and much safer road virtually parallel to the hwy. Irresponsible in my opinion to run it on the hwy!! The Sorrento side is really nice riding. One of my favourite rides to do for a long ride on a Saturday. The channel is going great. Keep it up mate!

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

Yeah completely agree mate… for such a large organised event, I would have expected safety to be one of their highest priorities… which I’m sorry, getting thousands of people riding next to 100km/h traffic is certainly not safe. But yeah as you said, it’s only made up for by the fact the other side is a beaut!

[@sweatnosweat]

the ultra light weight jacket is a must for early morning sportives.

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

Oh yes definitely… believe it or not this wasn’t my first rodeo! I just made a schoolboy error that day… 🤣🙈

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

Plus in my defence, the weather forecast that day was well off! 🙈

[@doomguy8884]

Great video. I did this ride also. Sending a street sweeper down the emergency lane before the event, would go a long way. IMO.

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

Oh yes definitely… forgot to mention that! The amount of people with punctures was a joke. 🙈

[@mealdama]

Need to to the 300 route! Get on the front and FulGas with the hitters. But definitely gotta do 3peaks challenge by bicycle network! The staple event by them.

[@DTB1976]

Yeah man! Sponsors on board for the channel! Congrats! Now go for Haribo! ;-)

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

🤣🤣👍

[@cyclotaur6315]

Heh…I’ve done 10 of these and never bothered with the full loop. OTOH ….The 200 Sorrento return is a great day out. Longer options (nip up Arthur’s Seat…?) if you want. 👍

[@adsholly1]

If you are back again mate try Amys Grand fondo, is a LOT better ride, 130km with a hilly route on fully closed roads (in both directions). food stations are well stocked and regular

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

Sounds great… I’ll keep that in mind! 😁👍

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

Sounds great… I’ll keep that in mind! 😁👍

[@richardward7637]

Hahah I said in one of your videos a while back are you sponsored by MAAP and your reply was I “ wish ! “ I’m thinking you are now and we’ll deserved you must already own most of there kit tho !! Epic vid as always !

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

Mental aye! 🤯🤯🤯

[@jonah13ij]

Great video all the same, shame about some of the issues, but sounds like it was all about your group on the day getting through pretty challenging distance, keep the videos coming, 👍

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

Oh mate… if I hadn’t of been with those guys! I might have turned around and gone home once I hit that highway…

[@cyclingwithscott]

😂😂

[@Sleaze07]

You would definitely hate to cycling here in Brazil. ALL the roads are full of cars and trucks flying close to you hahaha

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

Oh no… sounds awful! 🙈

[@Krawallkind]

Mick is a bloody legend :D

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

H certainly is! I’m really proud of him for smashing it…

[@paulwilliams4990]

To be fair the first half looks boring a f***. Second half slightly better but for £140 it was dismal.

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

I think especially when I’m comparing it to one’s I’ve done in the past such as the dragon ride… it’s on the other end of the spectrum!

[@Dfgoodall]

Mick ain’t shy of a few bob is he 😂😂

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

Haha! He loves a splurge… 🤣👍

[@5x9withQSB]

Awesome job well done

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

😁🙏

[@mbaker1159]

That FAAST sticker is my local route. ❤

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

Haha brilliant! 😁🙌

[@wearejames1]

Don't worry about criticising the event, if they charge top dollar, you expect plenty of water and food stations, especially as it is a long distance. As organisers they will have a duty of care to you and the other riders, a shameful disregard for you and your fellow riders welfare.😡 You have paid good money to participate in the event, so if you feel something falls well below the minimum standard expected, I think you have the right to be vocal and not hold back - it's not bitching in my opinion, far from it, you are only telling them what they as organisers should already KNOW and DO.....👍 You may well be saying what others think and have said, but don't have the platform to broadcast their opinions or concerns. Great video😎

[@liamwarner-lee8930]

falls creek challenge way to go in Vic / (3 peak )

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

Yeah had a few people say about the 3 peaks… definitely keen for that next time! 😁👍

[@jon_tran135]

I live in mentone on beach road and relatively new to the cycling scene and was considering doing this around the bay. Not only can you do it whenever you want and the fact it's ridiculously expensive, I was told the side you start on as you mentioned is boring as fuck. City to sorrento (port) is beautiful and cyclist heaven.

[@greggdavies5827]

What camera set up do you use? Great videos 👌

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

Two go pro hero 8’s… 😁👍

[@rexringschott]

I've done this a couple of times. I really dislike that Geelong freeway section too. Enough to put me off doing it anymore. This event has been around for a long time and so that's what probably gives it the cachet. There's better events on better roads in Victoria these days.

[@douleurdelaroutedelaplage425]

It used to be much better with regards to water and nutrition stops (and loo stops) plus direction marshalling but has gone down hill over the last decade

[@DanTuber]

Hopefully bicycle network is paying attention. You'd think they should know what's best after all the years it's been on.

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

Yeah I thought the same… but seems they haven’t got a clue! 🙈

[@nicxson8101]

Hi, may i know your size in maap jerseys? Nice vids btw

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

Im a small in jerseys and I’m 5’8” for reference…

[@nicxson8101]

@@TheCyclingTattooist Thanks martinez. big help

[@press1]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

😘

[@jonm8423]

Is all your MAAP gear the pro fit range?

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

I use all the different ranges to be honest… they’re all great! And one of the best things about maap kit is it’s always true to size. I wear a small jersey for reference and I’m 5’8”

[@jonm8423]

@@TheCyclingTattooist thanks, ordered a couple of items..

[@chrisphillips1114]

I'm off to order that jersey! Can anyone tell me my size - 6,3 and 90kg

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

I’d say the size guides they provide are pretty accurate… you’re very different in stature to me, but for reference I’m 5’8” and 70kg and wear medium bibs and small jersey… If I had to guess I’d say maybe you’d be a large or XL..?

[@chrisphillips1114]

@The Cycling Tattooist I ordered a large so fingers 🤞. Never even seen the brand before you're chanel, and now i'm dropping 140 on a jersey! You're clearly a good ambassador! Great content too 👌

[@__marshie]

Think you weren’t prepared. Jacket, gloves, headband, 2 bottles and nutrition in the pockets helped me. Your entry fee also goes to a great charity! You forgot to mention the 300km course as well, brutal!

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

In my defence the weather forecast was not that cold… but yeah could have been more prepared! But none of that would change the terrible first half of the route…

[@5x9withQSB]

First

[@9psi]

It’s a ripoff. Better to get a bunch of mates and do it on a different day or portsea and back. Or better still head out to the mountains.

[@TheCyclingTattooist]

Yep I hear ya… I won’t be doing it again!