Amy's Ride - Canberra 14th March

[bella26]

Anyone else going to be doing the Amy's Ride which is on in Canberra on the 14th March? http://www.amygillett.org.au/amys-ride-canberra-2010 My partner and I are planning on doing the 110km option which looks pretty good. I was just wanted to get some 'local knowledge'on the route such as:
What are the road surfaces like?
What are the climbs like?
What is traffic on the roads like?
Are there some decent shoulders on the road?

We are hoping to be able to get a trip down to Canberra to suss this out oursevles but any local knowledge you can muster up would be great.

Bella.

[HAKS]

Thanks for posting this, i was unaware of it. I'll give it a crack, i ride those roads often enough although in a different combination and its for a good cause . 110km looks like the winner

Now to answer your questions:

1. Road surface is generally pretty good. From Stromlo FP to Uriarra & back is on a shared road ie. no cycle lane. This area is a mix of old bitumen and new hotmix (from cotter reserve to SFP). From SFP back to the lake is also quite good with a cyclelane pretty much the whole way. From the Lake to SFP is a mix of cyclelane/shoulder and then small parts shared road.

2. Climbs. The climb out of Urriarra crossing can be tough but its not very long. The climb up Brindabella road is nothing over the top, just goes for a while. Climb out of Cotter reserve is again nothing over the top. I can send you a height profile of this section from my GPS if you want. Note: I've only done that section the opposite way so am judging the climbs from my decent

3. The roads out past SFP can be busier on weekends due to people heading out for a picnic, bush walk, fishing etc. However i doubt they will be that bad.

4. Shoulders - The only stretch i am away of that doesn't have a great shoulder is the section running N-S through coppings crossing. Alreaded mentioned some stuff in answer 1

Hope that helps

[HAKS]

Height profile link

http://www.cyclingprofiles.com.au/HTM/R ... 010101.htm

They should have included a Mt Stromlo hill climb (AT) the 90km mark

[rockviewau]

hey all, new poster here

looked at this ride today and have decided that ill be doing the 30km ride (pretty much a noob here) so i cant wait to join in and have a bit of fun

[yyeric]

I didn't know this was on! What a brilliant event.

Wasn't even ware that AGF ride even come to Canberra.

I will register for the 110km option. Can't decide what size jersey to order though. lol

Oh well. Ordered a Medium jersey and have registered for the 100km option.

[DavidH]

Thought I might do this ride but first had to check the ACT Vets racing calendar to see if it clashed with a race. It does...and the race takes place on parts of the same route as the AGF ride .

The Vets race starts at 8am on Uriarra Rd so hopefully we'll be done before riders from the AGF pass through.

[HAKS]

Could be interesting although doubt there will be any problems as you wouldn't expect the first AGF riders to get to SFP until around 9am.

[bella26]

Cheers for all the info HAKS. Hopefully I'll be able to get down to familiarise myself with the route and climbs before the ride. Was thinking of possibly going down this weekend - weather permitting! Looking forwrad to the ride and also familiarising myself with some Canberra routes as both my partner and I are looking to move to the ACT in the next couple of months. It sounds as though there is a great cycling scene in Canberra so really looking forward to it!

Can't decide what size jersey to order though. lol

After the TDU mutual community challenge jersey debacle I'm just going to go with what the sizing chart suggests. I was told to order a size up than normal for the TDU and of course ended up with a jersey that was like a tent!! ( as did most others!!!)

[yyeric]

Every second week Pedal Power runs Saturday morning ride to Uriarra Road.

http://www.pedalpower.org.au/events/det ... ontId=3518

This will give you a quick picture of how the ride will be like.

Eric

[bella26]

Cheers Eric. Getting there for an 8am start from the Snowy Mountains is doable but probably pushing it! Looking forward to joining these social rides though once we settle in Canberra. That Pedal Power website is great!

[yyeric]

If you are interested I am sure just between a few of us on the forum, we can organise a Stromlo/Uriarra ride at a weekend just before the AFG ride.

Starting at 9 or 10AM would suit me well.

[twizzle]

Hmmm..... Vets race...110km enduro... Bugger - where's the emoticon for "can't decide"?

[HAKS]

Hmmm..... Vets race...110km enduro... Bugger - where's the emoticon for "can't decide"?

Do both, just gotta catch the Vets that start (AT) 8am though

Question for vets: I notice there is a race our at Uriarra on Sunday, which was when i was going to head out there for a spin. Are the roads still open to public cyclists?

[twizzle]

Hmmm..... Vets race...110km enduro... Bugger - where's the emoticon for "can't decide"?

Do both, just gotta catch the Vets that start (AT) 8am though

Question for vets: I notice there is a race our at Uriarra on Sunday, which was when i was going to head out there for a spin. Are the roads still open to public cyclists?

God, no! Don't even think about it - and we have guns to stop you, BIG GUNS! And Uzi's. It's our road, ours I tell you!!!!



Nah - it's a free world, you might have to stop for a few secs while the bunch turns at either end, that's about it.

[HAKS]

Hmmm..... Vets race...110km enduro... Bugger - where's the emoticon for "can't decide"?

Do both, just gotta catch the Vets that start (AT) 8am though

Question for vets: I notice there is a race our at Uriarra on Sunday, which was when i was going to head out there for a spin. Are the roads still open to public cyclists?

God, no! Don't even think about it - and we have guns to stop you, BIG GUNS! And Uzi's. It's our road, ours I tell you!!!!



Nah - it's a free world, you might have to stop for a few secs while the bunch turns at either end, that's about it.

Thats what i figured, thanks . Chances are i'll prob be there later in the morning anyway.

[Ross]

What are the climbs like?

I notice you are from the Snowy Mtns, Canberra hills are mere speed bumps in comparison to ones that you are more familiar with such as Tom Groggin and Dead Horse Gap !

[twizzle]

I've sent off a warning to the Vets. Interestingly, the ACT govt. should have had prior notice for road closures from both parties, and I bet Vets get told that they now can't run their event on that date.

[HAKS]

Just move your race start to Federation Mall

[twizzle]

Just move your race start to Federation Mall

That would upset all of those Amy's Ride people - "This is a ride, not a race". While in reality, we all know what's really going to happen.

[HAKS]

haha pretty much

[DavidH]

Bella, thanks for the heads up.

Decided to pass on the Vets race and have signed up for the 65km AGF ride instead.

[twizzle]

Only 65km???? I though we could do the 110km!

[DavidH]

Well...I considered the 110km ride but it consists of doing the Uriarra/Cotter loop twice and I didn't feel like covering the same ground in the one ride. And I'm a wuss.

But I'll ride to and from the start so it will probably be a ~100km ride for the day anyway.

[bella26]

What are the climbs like?

I notice you are from the Snowy Mtns, Canberra hills are mere speed bumps in comparison to ones that you are more familiar with such as Tom Groggin and Dead Horse Gap !

Yep I'm from the Snowy Mts and I'm very familiar with the Tom Groggin to DHG climb - I've viewed it many a time from the comforts of a car. Never dared to climb it just yet! I am horrible at hill climbs but hope to tackle them more and more this year. I think the course will be challenging enough - just hope I pack the climbing legs with me!

[spunkyryan]

I'll be doing the 65km ride because I'm a BGB.

Seriously, like DavidH I don't fancy covering the same ground twice in the one ride. I've done enough of that in the past to know how bored I can get.

I signed up the day registrations opened and will have to decide between wearing my Club500 jersey or the one with the Continental and other logos.

I'm Big Kev excited.