Fitz Challenge - 2011 Edition. Who's in and which one?

[Schmenz]

if you see a chick on a tcr advanced (probs in a black and white jersey - or the fitz one) going slow doing the 105 that will be me

~ Emz

[nickj_d]

Weather looks good at the moment for Sunday

Min 5
Max 19
Partly cloudy. Light winds.

Hope that's not the same "light" winds we had last year I still have flashbacks of the 80kms back from Rendezvous Creek into that headwind!

Looking forward so much to sunday, though have not done nearly enough training for the 165km. Having changed 4 tubes in the last 24hrs, hopefully I've appeased the puncture gods enough to have a smooth ride on the weekend (s#!t, did i just say that out loud!)

[Schmenz]

Weather looks good at the moment for Sunday

Min 5
Max 19
Partly cloudy. Light winds.

Hope that's not the same "light" winds we had last year I still have flashbacks of the 80kms back from Rendezvous Creek into that headwind!

Looking forward so much to sunday, though have not done nearly enough training for the 165km. Having changed 4 tubes in the last 24hrs, hopefully I've appeased the puncture gods enough to have a smooth ride on the weekend (s#!t, did i just say that out loud!)

Fingers crossed xx Beats the heat we've had this week!

PS.. BEST AVATAR EVER!

[blc]

G'day all,

Just stumbled across this thread while finishing my prep for this weekend. I'm booked into the 207km but will probably go with the 165 option on the day... feeling reasonably well prepared, but having done the ride in 2009 I know what I'm in for! Great to see a kind weather forecast (for now - ha!). I missed last year's headwinds but the heat of the previous year was tough to contend with.

Have decided to do the camping at Stromlo thing this year. Anyone care to share their experiences here? I saw someone comment that showers are so fantastic (no big deal... might just go for a dip in the Cotter if they're really *that* bad!)

Say "hi" if you pass me going up hill - I'm the clydesdale lad on a black Bianchi ML3

-Ben

[nickj_d]

Beats the heat we've had this week!

oh good! so all the kangaroo and wombat carcasses will have ripened nicely by Sunday. The olfactory delights of the Tour De Roadkill is one of my fondest memories.

[Schmenz]

bahahaha ewwwwww

i didnt realise how bad roadkill smelt until i went riding around jindabyne / thredbo over the long weekend and it wasnt even that warm!

better bring some nose plugs!

[bpmhigh]

I covered 180k's (in 9 hours) over the course yesterday as my final ride before the big 250.

I'm happy with where I'm at but high winds, a scratchy throat, my not-quite-broken-in shoes, and running out of water made it quite unpleasant in the end.

For Sunday I'll ditch the new shoes and will go back to the old faithfuls. I'll also pay alot more attention to drinking and will definately be taking advantage of the water refills at each checkpoint.

Also....
- the ACT roads guys were out yesterday filling potholes south of Tharwa. Co-incidence....? or does Pedal Power have that much influence..?
- the roadkill count isn't too bad - mostly wombats and snakes on the way to Rendezvous.
- I can HIGHLY recommend a little snooze on the Verandah at the Tharwa Store!

[Schmenz]

Speaking of snoozing. What do people do breakwise. I'm used to not having any and powering through ( but I only do relatively short distances) or do people stop for 5-10 mins along the way

[mrgolf]

There are several potential break points. Stop as long as you need. One is at Tharwa, both directions, and another is at Rendezvous Ck. Anywhere they have listed as a checkpoint will have water and a little food (jelly lollies/ bananas IIRC).

I m likely to stop as long as it takes me to fill with water, food up and wee where necessary.

[psike]

MrGolf: Not sure what Ash is doing...

I'd suggest people carry the food they need, and refill water at every stop whether you think you need it or not. A few years ago water ran out at Rendezvous Creek and there was a wait for the water truck. Some of us who'd filled up extra water were able to get back to Tharwa comfortable without the refill.

Whilst there always seems to be some food at the checkpoints it's not what i'd consider enough to actually rely on.

Awesome ride though, and we're all gonna hurt.

[number21]

Regarding the camping at Stromlo, I can't remember the showers so they can't have been too bad. The facilities seem pretty new there. Best part about camping was waking up and having the start line directly in front of me, even if it was dark and raining.

For me at the rest stops I find its best to refill bottles and grab a quick bite, half a banana or something, empty the rubbish out of my pockets and a quick stretch then back on the bike. If I sat down I'd be there for half an hour each time...

Jealous of y'all. Enjoy!

[Dr.Nate]

Anyone doing the 50km route? Doing it as an intro to hills....

Gonna try and average around 22kmph...

Anyone riding around this pace is welcome to join me....

Dr.Nate

[mrgolf]

Say "hi" if you pass me going up hill - I'm the clydesdale lad on a black Bianchi ML3

-Ben

You weren't on the bilbies ride this morning, were you?

[Schmenz]

if youre into that kind of thing, theres a facebook event for fitz.

apparently im the only one riding this year!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=156436471111524

[blc]

Say "hi" if you pass me going up hill - I'm the clydesdale lad on a black Bianchi ML3

-Ben

You weren't on the bilbies ride this morning, were you?

Nah - wasn't me... haven't left Wollongong yet.

[mrgolf]

Ah. Black Bianchi present. Haven't seen too many.

Anger! Went to the physio today. Banned me from riding for 4 weeks. Final nail in the coffin for Fitz, dammit. I am going to visit my folks on the coast instead.

Trainers: worthwhile?

[Schmenz]

Not so excited about the forecast. Rain and 30km/Hr winds. Hmmmn. Looks like puddles in shoes again.

[mezla]

BOM forecast regarding rain in Canberra is usually over-cautious. Isolated showers in all likelihood means you will not be rained on.

Unfortunately, the BOM wind forecast is usually the opposite. 30 means avg 30+, gusting to 45+
Wear your tighest, most non-wind-catchy gear.

[HAKS]

i haven't rego'd yet so can always pull out if the weather is crap, although my mate has so will feel bad for leaving him. However i'm under strict instructions for the wifey to be in 3 weeks that I will not be riding if it is wet

[auskonrad]

Anyone doing the 50km route? Doing it as an intro to hills....

Gonna try and average around 22kmph...

Anyone riding around this pace is welcome to join me....

Dr.Nate

Might try and squeeze in the 50km before I have to go to work at 2... couldn't get time off otherwise I'd go for something a little longer... still, the 50km will be a nice ride.

[blc]

BOM forecast regarding rain in Canberra is usually over-cautious. Isolated showers in all likelihood means you will not be rained on.

Unfortunately, the BOM wind forecast is usually the opposite. 30 means avg 30+, gusting to 45+
Wear your tighest, most non-wind-catchy gear.

Thanks the heads up... nothing like local knowledge!

Weather doesn't look fantastic, but I'd rather have cold and wet than the 38-odd degree heat like the year before last. I'm going to double-check my tent for leaks now though.

As for the wind, just have to hope it eases... I've heard that BoM staff all on strike action this weekend, so who knows how accurate the forecasts are right now!

[DarrylH]

Has everyone read the small print that states that helmets will be inspected for an Aust standards sticker? I had forgotten that I bought my last helmet o/s - didn't intend to do anything competitive where a helmet inspection may be required! Luckily I still have my old one.

I'll be doing the 105km - old/oldest bloke on a blue OCR2 accompanied by 4 rpt 4 young ladies, at least for the first downhill section.

[bpmhigh]

My hot air ballooning friends swear by "Weatherzone" for their weather forecasts.

On there it currently says:
- Minimum of 12 overnight (nice - short finger gloves for the morning)
- Top of 21 degrees (very nice)
- Possible Showers (chance of rain has fallen from 80 to 60 per cent in the past 2 days)
- Winds at 11kmhr at 9am and 20kmhr at 3pm from the North West. (mostly headwinds home but not brutal)

Given that Monday is forecast to be sunny and still, I will bet that the current forecast for Sunday improves even further - I'll still be putting on the sunscreen in the morning.

Say hello if you come past me - I'm on a old rusty brown 1958 Speedlite Special, black helmet, nicks and jersey.

Simon

[Schmenz]

ooo thats good news!

i dont think ill remember everyone.. so ill just say hi to EVERYONE!

[scotto]

Has everyone read the small print that states that helmets will be inspected for an Aust standards sticker? I had forgotten that I bought my last helmet o/s - didn't intend to do anything competitive where a helmet inspection may be required! Luckily I still have my old one.

I'll be doing the 105km - old/oldest bloke on a blue OCR2 accompanied by 4 rpt 4 young ladies, at least for the first downhill section.

a snell compliance label ( ie usa, some euro) is acceptable