Fitz's Classic

[twizzle]

And don't forget the SUNSCREEN!

[psike]

And don't forget the SUNSCREEN!

and the big spoonful of concrete for half way up Fitz's Hill (or Honeysuckle if ya that way inclined).

[mrgolf]

Update for weather... Upgraded to rain from showers... Grrr... Fingers crossed.

[psike]

BoM now says:
Forecast for Sunday

Cloudy. Isolated showers. Winds north to northwesterly averaging up to 35 km/h tending westerly up to 25 km/h during the evening.
City Centre
A little rain.
Min
8
Max
19

Of course it will be 37 and blistering hot fast northerlies to make that return ride so much more fun.

[fatherofmany]

All the best for this weekend guys, all going well me and the many will be down next year.

FoM

[scotto]

my legs feel shaky already ...
what is fitzs hill comparable to around sydney if anyone knows ?

[nickj_d]

based on mapmyride profiles,

berowra, glatson et al approx 4km @6% 150m vertical ascent

fitz's approx 4kms @8% 250m vertical ascent

Comparison profiles at Fitz's compared to Berowra

Would love to hear from someone who regularly does Berowra etc and has also done Fitz's.

[nickj_d]

you wont be bagging my 11-28t on a compact crankset this sunday!

[mrgolf]

Grrrr!!!! Im 50% at the moment. Just came down with a minor cold. Am boosting my immune system in a last ditch desperate attempt. Very, very angry. If its raining (and bureau says it is) I reckon I am a non starter unless I feel much better.

[psike]

Guys,
Fitz's hill is not to be underestimated but I think what makes this ride challenging is that it undulates almost the entire way, the only bit I recall as being relatively flat is towards the end of the ride after the climb of Mt McDonald around to Uriarra. Relatively flat. I actually find the toughest section *after* FItz's hill - from the summit to Rendevouz Ck turn-around and back to the Fitz's descent.

On Fitz's itself I think your profile is a little off. I'm pretty sure the actual climb on the hill proper is a bit over 2.5km and one section is about 6% for a few hundred metres, the rest is 8ish+. I've mapped and pasted a copy of the profile: http://twitpic.com/31dqbp Not sure if the image below will work, if not click on twitpic link...



Check out http://www.cycle2max.com/bike-hill-climb/Fitz%27s-hill.aspx?id=34 which says:

Total Distance:
2.60km | 1.62mi

Starting Altitude:
655m | 2,149ft

Finishing Altitude:
925m | 3,035ft

Average Gradient: 10.4%

Elevation Gain:
270m | 886ft

Surface Type:
Smooth Bitumen / Asphalt

Oh and for out of towners, take special care on Fitz's descent. It's a narrow road, and it has taken a harsh toll in the past.

Hope everyone enjoys. It's a great event, and should be up there with the Audax Alpine Classic in Bright as one of the must-dos.

See you all on a hill somewhere.

Russ..

[twizzle]

Oh and for out of towners, take special care on Fitz's descent. It's a narrow road, and it has taken a harsh toll in the past.

psike's not being blunt enough : a rider died there a couple of years ago after crashing on the descent. There's a memorial on the hill.

Ride the middle of the road (not the lane - the ROAD) on the descent to avoid the bumps.


FWIW - Black Mountain has a remembrance plaque (alloy plate attached to some plywood bolted to the guard rail) about 200m up from the T intersection.

[scotto]

looks like fun either way. and the ascent rewards you with a good descent !! dont always get that where we ride here !

[nickj_d]

thanks for that info Russ...... i think. I kinda wished I didn't see it, but I guess it's better to be forwarned. The profile i linked to was someones upload onto mapmyride so I've no idea how accurate it was. Your profile def shows a steeper gradient than I've been geeing myself up for but at least it's only 2.5kms. Still looking forward to the challenge though. This is how it's pictured in my mind.......

. I hope I'm not disappointed.



Maybe El Diablo will be there to cheer us on....

[psike]

psike's not being blunt enough : a rider died there a couple of years ago after crashing on the descent. There's a memorial on the hill.

Ride the middle of the road (not the lane - the ROAD) on the descent to avoid the bumps.

yeah I probably wasn't... I met an old bloke at the AAC last year who came off on Fitz's Descent and went over the guard rail. Hospital for a few months. It's not a good road, it's narrow and if there's two cars passing there is nowhere for the bike to go. Take care.

thanks for that info Russ...... i think. I kinda wished I didn't see it, but I guess it's better to be forwarned. The profile i linked to was someones upload onto mapmyride so I've no idea how accurate it was. Your profile def shows a steeper gradient than I've been geeing myself up for but at least it's only 2.5kms. Still looking forward to the challenge though.

yeah I think the profile changes on some of the sites because it's averaging the gradient out over a longer distance.

It will be just like your picture, we rent the crowds just to make visitors welcome.

[one_damo]

Just found this thread...I'm signed up and looking forward to this too. Not sure how this 165km will go. And having crashed at Akuna descent recently, I'll be in the granny gear going down fitzs Note: will be in the granny gear goin up too

[psike]

So despite what the good people at the BoM are saying, I still reckon it will be hot and sunny. My prediction, 36 at the top of Corin - thankfully I won't be there to find out

Forecast for Sunday

Cloudy. Areas of rain and the chance of thunderstorms. Winds northeasterly averaging up to 30 km/h tending north to northwesterly up to 35 km/h around midday.
City Centre
Storms. Rain.
Min 12 Max 22

[vinvin]

So head winds on the way back? ~shudder~

[stevecassidy]

So head winds on the way back? ~shudder~

The forecast still looks dire, I'm seriously wondering whether I should pull the pin - I was going to drive down this afternoon. What are the odds of it not being disgusting weather?

Steve

[mrgolf]

I reckon it will be fairly ordinary. Any forecasts of recent months have been reasonably accurate due to the la nina pattern. We have above average rainfall this year for the first time in 10 years, and it is forecast to be a wet summer. The system to blame for the crappy weather is too big to not affect Canberra.

I feel about 60% better than I did, but I am still about 50/50 for starting. The weather might just make the difference. If I do it, I will taking it very easy and will be aiming for low to mid 20's. My kidneys still ache.

[number21]

Its so hard to say no when I've been waiting for this for months. I've committed to going following two broken teeth and some chest infection thing over the last two weeks, I can't let a bit of rain stop me, can I?

That last bit may come back to bite me...

[vinvin]

It's overcast right now, but warm. I think it won't be too bad. A refreshing shower, if anything! Do it.

[cog_nition]

As psike has already suggested a spoonful of concrete in the bidon and we'll all be fine....I think I'll put in half a cup.

[nickj_d]

No pulling out now! On the way to canberra now. Weather getting worse as we get closer, but still looking forward to it. Too many hrs, kms and early mornings spent preparing for it to quit now.

[HAKS]

My prob is scraping together the entry fee. Flat broke at the moment .

[psike]

Contrary to all good advice, I've just spent a good few hours correcting some issues on the tandem we're riding tomorrow. I know, nothing should be changed on the bike this late in the piece, but it only just arrived back from Canada so no choice. That's all ok cos my stoker decided to buy a new seat. So today I made him ride a bit to test it and he's not happy so seat adjustments tomorrow morning... ugh.

Good luck to everyone. I'll be the pilot on a mauve tandem, wearing a blue-ish Fujitsu / Health jersey. Be sure to wave as you're heading back and we're still on the way out

oooh thunder!

Russ