Jenolan Caves Super Mega Huge Enormous HTFU Epic!

[Loosenutt]

The project go-live got moved to next week , so I am in for the sufferfest

[leximack]

The project go-live got moved to next week , so I am in for the sufferfest

i think Sandy is in also (TBC)

[Chuck]

[leximack]

i plan on taking my small camelbak so i can easily carry a few things.
Will take a spare tyre (i am known for slashing tyres on long rides ), 3 or so tubes, small multi-tool, chain breaker with powerlink plus a few spare links and a few cable ties.
Will carry some bars, fruit etc also, but we will stop for a proper breakfast, lunch and most probably dinner also.
Bring your 2 largest bottles of water (i like to have one with just water and the other with powerade/gatorade).
I will also carry a vest, arm warmers, spary jacket etc as the weather could turn at any moment.
We run along the train line for a considerable amoutn of time so if we cant fix a problem on the side of the road then the train shouldnt be too far away.

Note: Please do not be offended if i recomend at Katoomba (or the jenolan caves rd turn off) that i think you are struggling and best if you turn back. This goes for myself also. Its a long way and need to keep up a decentish pace.
So far though all that are coming along (or have expressed interest) will comfortably make the distance

Lets hope/pray for good weather on the day

[zozza]

[stevet]

.

BTW..are those brand new SIDI's?

To everyone participating please ensure you co-ordinate your attire with my NEW SHOES!

[eon]

The stars have aligned...

Wifey = ticked
Work Commitments = ticked
Weather = ticked

+1 = I'm in - Wohoooooooo !!!!!!!!!

[Mugglechops]

You blokes are mad but hopefully one day I might join you.

[zozza]

Good stuff Ehly! Really looking forward to this ride. I will be bringing a tube and some Tic Tacs.

[zozza]

I will also bring the trusty Zefal coz I know that you's all will ask "Zozza can you please pump up my tyre?"

[stevet]

Is it going to be Campagnolo super record or Shimano dura ace (arse) toilet paper, and whose bringing it? I believe Zozz has some really good connections in the industry.

[eon]

Is it going to be Campagnolo super record or Shimano dura ace (arse) toilet paper, and whose bringing it? I believe Zozz has some really good connections in the industry.

[NotFlyingScot]

Given that the writer has tried and failed twice before on this proposed extravagant outing I thought best to at least investigate those parts of the route that I had not previously traversed. My previous efforts had involved turnarounds at 18 km and 25 km from JC respectively so I was keen to see what I had missed on my earlier attempts. I actually had a crazy notion to maybe have another go at the full route and had packed a big back pack of food and gels last night in readiness. Fortunately I slept in this morning and by the time I was awake commonsense had prevailed and I decided to just drive to Katoomba, park up the car and ride from there. So glad I did!. It may only have been 146 kms but it was as tough a 146 kms as I have ever completed. Fact that I am still well away from my previous fitness levels from earlier this year I suppose did not help. When I got to Katoomba it was in the cloud, raining and cool. Took refuge in a cafe and read the paper till the rain eased off. No rain jacket or extra layers in the kit since the forecast was " fine and sunny all day"! Wet roads till about Blackheath and then the clouds cleared and the sun broke through. Couple of stops to fiddle with the Garmin which had to be " hard reset" last night since it had been playing up no end recently. As it turned out it worked fine all day, just need to tweak some of the factory default settings. From base of Mt Victoria climb to Hartley turn off the hard shoulder, or what constitutes a hard shoulder is mostly a mess. Just have to run on the white lane and take a chance in the rough stuff when a truck passes. From the turn off it is a long steady climb from 690 meters to 1250 meters with a few undulations to add a bit more ascending. It is full 37 km of steady climbing before you plummet down the last 7 km to the Caves. You can see the depth of the gorge and you know you will have to climb all the way back out. It is a long steady climb before the final descent. Typical rough NSW country road, badly broken edges etc. It carries a huge amount of heavy trucks. Lots of tippers from quarries and plenty semis and B Doubles which i think haul timber products out of the area. Hence the state of the road. Lots of gut turning rotting carcasses on the road side. I think they are the corpses of other delusional old cyclists from Kings Langley who thought they could ride to JC and back in a day! Climb back out from JC back up to Oberon turn off actually was not too bad. Only at the top does the gradient have bit of a bite in some spots. Otherwise just sit and spin in 39/19 or 39/21 most of the way. Long rough descent to Hartley then back along the nasty GWH and up Mt Victoria. Just ground my way up in 39/24. Kept the 27 on ice in case I come back again on Saturday when I'm sure it would be needed! It was bloody hard work!
This certainly proved to me that Blacktown to JC and back is going to be long hard day. Still not sure that I can do it. Think you younger strong guys will be fine but you will know you have had a day out by the time you get home.
Make sure your bikes are fit for the job. If you have any components at all which have the moniker " race" on them be sure to remove and replace with something heavy duty. Have heavy duty tyres, strong wheels etc because the bikes take a hammering. My rear light simply snapped off somewhere along the way!
So here is the data for Kings Langley / Katoomba and Katoomba / Jenolan Caves for you to salivate over. Just put them both together to make one big suffer fest!
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/123317155
Not sure about the ride timing on this Kings Langley / Katoomba record since my Garmin was switching itself off regularly on this outing. Hence yesterday's "hard re set". MTB Steve has been up that way twice in last two weeks. He'll know how long it takes.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/125699253

[stevet]

I see you've had a fair bit of "Pain is weakness leaving your body"

[mikesbytes]

So who's backing this up with the Gong ride?

[stevet]

So who's backing this up with the Gong ride?

We'll do our normal days training on Sunday. We may include the gong as a cool down after our training.

[stevet]

I'm bringing some chamois cream. The price will be $450.00 per 10gm serve (cash only).
N.B. Prices may change without notice.

[zozza]

I'm bringing some chamois cream. The price will be $450.00 per 10gm serve (cash only).
N.B. Prices may change without notice.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mZAtpFXmQE&feature=related[/youtube]

[stevet]

Two more sleeps and counting!

[mikesbytes]

The water will reduce rolling resistance, so you'll be home before you know it

[stevet]

ok fans of HTFU
Here we have a doozy
Jenolan Caves and return, 300+ km and 4000m climbing.

BONUS! According to NFS's links it's approx 4,600 meters of climbing.

And don't forget the chamois cream.

[stickgc]

You're really pumped up for this ride aren't you Steve

[Chuck]

According to NFS's links it's approx 4,600 meters of climbing.

Bad news guys, while re-reading through this thread I pulled a heartlidge It's pretty painful, I'm in some doubt for Sarurday.

[Chuck]

You're really excited about this ride hey Steve lol.

You're really pumped up for this ride aren't you Steve

[stevet]

BEFORE..

You're really excited about this ride hey Steve lol.

You're really pumped up for this ride aren't you Steve

AFTER..?