BikeSA Grand Slam 2011 - Round 1

[limetang]

Its that time of year again, IMO the best organized rides out there, and a bargain compared to some (AT) $130 for the series (no jersey) if your a BikeSA member.
Ive signed up for the whole series again this year, hoping to go better than the 2 grand slams / 3 mini slams last year.

Gumeracha - 40km/80km - 20 Feb - looks like a nice loop including some of the ground covered in GS#1 last year, lets hope its not quite as cold as i remember that was!

Map - http://www.bikesa.asn.au/servlet/Web?s= ... =422294140

See you there!

[mmhbeer]

I only did one grand slam last year after planning. It certainly was the best run event ive been to.

Hopefully will do a few more of them this year, but wont be at the first because its on the same weekend at the Otway Odyssey.

[you cannot be sirrus]

Looking forward to my first Slam. Hoping to do 4 grand and 1 mini slam (Willunga is the day after my 50th so only half a ride, if anything, that day ). I've only heard good things about these rides froman organisational viewpont, and bad things re the weather.

[bionic wombat]

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/20 ... m-1-Loop-1

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/20 ... -1-Route-2

click on show - elevation profile

Nice hills

[Patdys]

Dammit. I specifically asked them for good weather this year.
Thought it might be a nice change.

[you cannot be sirrus]

A great ride today, even the weather was good. I didn't see any silly riding today unlike some of the bigger community rides, well done to all.

[limetang]

Yep, was a great ride! Personally I found it better than Mt Torrens last year! You show me yours I will show you mine Garmin that is!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/69125159

[you cannot be sirrus]

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/69120314

I did the full 80, honest, the speedo didn't kick in for some reason at the start. according to my calculation ride time should be 2h 50m

[liamb]

did the 40km loop, brother had his first child this morning so had to cut it short. Liked the loop will be doing it again soon. Got to say though I totally understand why motorists hate us. Had about 4 times where I was blocked by riders riding 3 wide and having a chat about nothing and not making room for other cyclists or cars to pass. Also had riders rding 2 wide and blocking the road. Really frustrating that some riders out there are so ignorant.
Having said that loved the ride and looking foward to the next one

Bill

[bionic wombat]

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/69125953

[davidk]

This was my first Grand Slam, and really enjoyed it.
I'd echo Bill's comments about frustrations with some riders riding three wide, or 2 wide but in the middle of the road.
By the 2nd loop either the numbers had thinned out, or the 3-wide stragglers hadnt started yet.
I had a much better run on the 2nd loop, this time NOT forgetting my water bottles!

Ive only been cycling for just on a year now, with 28 years prior of no physical exercise. Looking at all the times posted so far on the Garmin site
Im reasonably pleased my times aren't at the slower end of the bunch.

My times:
Loop 1 - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/69118479 (Avg moving 29.1)
Loop 2 - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/69118464 (Avg moving 28.7)

David K

[MichaelB]

Great to hear that the ride was good.

I am starting to waver about doing some of the bigger group rides for the reasons mentioned by Bill & David. I want to enjoy the rides, but having to dodge wally's that have no idea of road ettiquette etc make it less enjoyable than it should be

[liamb]

Micheal

You want to try Norton Summit or Gorge rd on a weekend. All the tools on their $10k bikes riding 3 and 4 wide talking about stock options or exclusive holidays and cars annoy me more than a group ride its just on the weekends the guys give you a mouthful and weave in front of you as you try to pass them over white lines but never pull over.

Bill

[MichaelB]

Micheal

You want to try Norton Summit or Gorge rd on a weekend. All the tools on their $10k bikes riding 3 and 4 wide talking about stock options or exclusive holidays and cars annoy me more than a group ride its just on the weekends the guys give you a mouthful and weave in front of you as you try to pass them over white lines but never pull over.

Bill

Yep, the last few times up there have been very very busy. Might have to do the Old Norton Summit instead !!!

[you cannot be sirrus]

Great to hear that the ride was good.

I am starting to waver about doing some of the bigger group rides for the reasons mentioned by Bill & David. I want to enjoy the rides, but having to dodge wally's that have no idea of road ettiquette etc make it less enjoyable than it should be

It was my first slam yesterday and my first thoughts after the ride was how good all the other cyclists had been, Sure there was a bit of congestion for the first couple of kms out of Gumeracha but once that settled it was great. Everyone I rode with took turns at the front, indicated correctly, held their line on the fast descents. having seen how it worked yesterday I may never do a MCCT ride again, the two groups were chalk and cheese.

[rustychisel]

Micheal

You want to try Norton Summit or Gorge rd on a weekend. All the tools on their $10k bikes riding 3 and 4 wide talking about stock options or exclusive holidays and cars annoy me more than a group ride its just on the weekends the guys give you a mouthful and weave in front of you as you try to pass them over white lines but never pull over.

Bill

easy tiger. You might get overstressed with all those evil cyclists on the road and have to resort to measures to show them their place. Then where would you be in the pecking order?

I personally would prefer they be on the roads, doing what they enjoy as best they are able, than not.

[davidk]

Pictures seem to be up now on EpsonRd Studios here :http://epsomrdstudios.com.au/new/main.php?g2_itemId=332125

Plus gratuitous snap of me during loop 2

(in the Argon jersey of course (again!))