Grand Slam 2010 - Round 3

[bionic wombat]

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/417469

Loop 2

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/417465

Loop 1

Have a look at the elevation profiles of both loops ! Two weeks to prepare for this and I bet its going to be freezing like Mt Torrens !!

I am doing both loops 130 kms and planning to complete 4 hours 30 mins what about you ?

[limetang]

Eeeek....... i saw the maps the other day but did not check out the elevation! is it just me or do BikeSA enjoy putting testing climbs near the end of the final loop
1 word..... Struggletown

[bionic wombat]

As long there is tailwind - I am happy

[Blacktop]

Have been training a bit harder for this one, found out 60 ks a week doesn't quite cut it not that came as a surprise. The last 20ks was finished with cramp, Boy that hurt this happened on the second loop, for some reason i found going up the hills helped the pain. My cycling buddies now laugh at me with my ride preparations, plenty of stretching with copious amounts of gels and creams for the legs Hey it works at 46 you need all the help you can get.

Grand Slam Challenge you can't argue with that. Never experienced a tail wind on these rides only head winds, let the mind games begin.

[by76]

Course doesn't look too bad but bound to be windy round there. What is the turnout like for these events - thinking about signing up but never having ridden in a bunch before a bit nervous about the whole thing. Fitness isn't a concern as I have been puttting in the km's around the hills and outer harbour etc, but been doing this myself rather than with others. If I am normally averaging 28-30kph for a 2-3 hour ride, would it be reasonable to assume just over 4 hours?

[bionic wombat]

4 hours is excellent with average speed 30km/h Mind you check the elevation profiles of both loops its not all flat - I wish

[by76]

Yeah I just noticed the elevations. Mind you, what go's up, must come down. What about number of people attending? I am figuring that given it's my first one of these and being new to riding with a bunch of other cyclists around me I'll aim for 5 hours and see how I go. Is there a cutoff time on these sort of things?

[Blacktop]

400 were on the last one 500 the one before that they are well run. The pack spreads out quickly, some stay in groups others just plod along and are happy just to finish. You shouldn't have any trouble riding in the pack if in doubt wait a few minutes, you will pass a lot of the riders that left earlier in no time.
I cycle in the Barossa plenty of hills there average 27 klmh. 100 to 200 klm's a week and I say it will be a tough ride fun but tough.

They don't call it The Grand Slam for nothing,

[bionic wombat]

OMGosh - wet & windy weather forecast

[Patdys]

I don't think I have lever looked forward less to a grandslam.

Oh well ,time to stop being a princess

[Patdys]

Good fun actually.
Wet wet wet.
But not cold and the wind wasn't as bad as the last grandslam.

Fabulous volunteers freezing their backsides off with cake and coffee.
A couple of sections through pine tree avenues with the road carpetted with needles- just stunning.
And lots of autumn leaves.

Apparently only 65 fools doing both loops. So glad I did.

[bionic wombat]

Blimey didnt the weather gods unleash HELL !! I was one of brave souls that did both loops tad over five hours - not too shabby considering the hellish conditions - it certainly turned us princess's into HTFU men

[feeltherush]

+1

Fabulous volunteers freezing their backsides off with cake and coffee.

I think I need to finally agree with my wife's assessment... "You Cyclists are Mad!" Why would we go out and do that voluntarily?

It wasn't too cold out there riding the first loop but as soon as I stopped at Meadows and came out after a nice cup of tea the wet clothes and wind combination along with the lure of a hot shower and warm fire at home was too much to go around again. Well done to you guys who did so. The thought of a head wind all the way through Kuitpo followed by a good long drag back up into Meadows wasn't very appealing.

It was a real pity about the weather because I know most of those roads reasonably well and on a nice sunny autumn day that course would have been stunning.

Will need to put in some serious kms over winter if I want to be ready for Grand Slam 4.

[limetang]

Yeh i piked after the first lap! My spray gear isnt really waterproof, so i was wet through and freeeeeeezing!
Brave souls are those who continued, but i do not feel ashamed!
62.30km in 2:16:25 (AT) 27.40 kph

Hopefully they get the forecast right next time around!