Grand Slam #1 route

[alltorque]

Just mapped it Route #1

http://www.mapmyride.com/route/au/mt%20 ... 0782866762

[steveoc]

Cheers, beat me too it by a minute.

Looking fwd to this one - its all flat !!

[rustychisel]

don't you believe it for a second!!!

[steveoc]

Flat flat, flat as a tack.
This calls for a Cycling Haiku Challenge !!!



First Grand Slam of five
The climbers in rare despair
Winter rains softly here

A rolleurs delight
Fox Creek a memory now
Kenton Valley grinds

Col du Tungkillo
Springhead Road nasty surprise
All downhill from here

[rustychisel]

oh good one - very nice.

PS: roulers, Flemish.

PPS: I suppose they call them Mount Torrens and Mount Pleasant because they're flat?

[steveoc]

Roulers, got it - thanks for that. Thought it might be French.

Must admit though - Ive never ventured that far East of Lobethal on the bike, so I really have no idea. MapMyRide gradients tend to flatten out over longer distances too. Only way to find out for sure is to venture out to Mt Torrens this weekend and give the course a close look. this weekend is looking awesome weather wise, so looking fwd to it.

On the first loop, after passing through Gumeracha and heading through Kenton Valley towards Lobethal Rd - 7kms of a constant climb at around 3% to 4%. Thats going to hurt.

The bit on Springhead Road where it climbs up to the turn before Mt Torrens - 500m at 5%.

Another 10km slow grind uphill towards Mt Pleasant.

Flat, Flat, Flat as a tack !!!

Dont worry rusty - you know, and I know that Im going to have to seriously eat every word of that statement. Just look out for the guy weaving slowly all over the road uphill gasping "Flat, Flat, Flat as a Tack" between labored breaths

[Wino]

Almost right - I often do a few rides out this way. there's a few small hills which I normally dont even get out of the saddle for - usually just power over. A few longer hills which I often find more draining than the real hills. Biggest problem is the bloody flies! there are lots of cows around this area and when the weather is good the flies are out. Warning: breath through your teeth! Looks like a nice loop though.

And I'm still looking for the "Mount" in Mount Pleasant.

[Dr_Mutley]

forgive me as i am a little slow... but how do u pull up elevation/gradient info on MMM?

[Wino]

In the top right corner (in the Info & Tools box) click the "show elevation" box. This should pop up the gradient info - theoretically.

[bionic wombat]

Just mapped it Route #1

http://www.mapmyride.com/route/au/mt%20 ... 0782866762

wow - cant wait to ride this 85km loop - better check with my minister of finance !

finance approved by Ministry

BW

[AC-Jacko]

Do you have to be in a group to join in as such? Love the drive from gawler to Mt pleasant so bike would be interesting in a few months when fit

[shiv]

What does the Grand Slam series cost to enter?

[Clydesdale Scot]

What does the Grand Slam series cost to enter?

Grand Slam details

[bionic wombat]

How many of you riders doing the 85km loop?

[steveoc]

85km for me, looking forward to it.

Not sure how its going to unfold for me - I have some major sponsorship commitments this week, and its going to be extremely difficult to get any sleep this week ... ahhh well.

[shiv]

Im keen for the 85km, but not sure if I will get to as its come round so quick.

[alltorque]

I only just registered today at the BikeSA office. Do they give you ride ''numbers'' on the day? what's the deal?

Cheers,
Jason

[rustychisel]

yes, turn up early, have some bad coffee. Sign in, get a number and a couple of safety pins. Go and inflate your tyres again, try not to blow them off the rim.
Have a wee, listen to the ride briefing, go ride your bike. Have fun

[MichaelB]

Don't forget the obligatory banana.

Oh, and laugh at all of the cars that you pass on the way down with bikes on them.

[rustychisel]

Wears the banana?

Yes it does.

[Dr_Mutley]

hi guys,
unfortunately i am working until 8am sunday morning, so cant make the start of the ride. A few friends are riding and i would be keen to get out there late and do the second loop with them... not having ridden the grand slam rides before, can anyone forsee a problem with that?

[rustychisel]

used to be a few people did that, don't see a problem, don't suppose BikaSA have changed the regulations.

[bionic wombat]

windy forecast for the ride - bugger!

[steveoc]

windy forecast for the ride - bugger!

Bit of rain in the morn maybe as well.

Have a close look at the map - from Gumeracha to just past Kenton Valley - kilometers 20 to about 27.

Hardly any trees for shelter from the wind (satellite view), avg 2-3% climb for the whole 7km's without a break, and directly into a 31km/h headwind as well ... joy

I did a fair stint at the front of the pack today heading home into the headwind leading us single file, as a practice for that little patch tomorrow. Wasnt exactly easy, but once you settle into a rhythm of your own, it makes it bearable ... well, as long as you don't look at the speedo too much and fall into a panic. Ah well - at least all the hard bits are up front, I suspect the 2nd loop will be a bit better with a tail wind for a good portion of it.

The other major headwind sections look like being km's 15-20 (all slightly downhill), and km's 67-75 (again all slightly downhill). A little uphill rise into an exposed headwind at the end for the last 3km's - no big drama there.

[bionic wombat]

No worries - look out for rider on black / red Kona Zing - black / red helmet / blue shimano cycling shoes - that's me if anyone passes me and say G'day