The Sheffield "Shimmy" AKA the February Ride 8-10 Feb 2014
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 4:08 pm
Announcing - the 2014 version of the annual February training ride - The Sheffield Shimmy.
After the seven day ride around Tassie of this February gone the February Ride returns to the three day format for 2014. The southern Regatta Day long weekend covers Saturday the 8th to Monday the 10th. For those in the category school starts back on the Tuesday beforehand - good for quieter roads and not so good for our teacher riders.
For those a bit tired of the same roads in the South we have something for everyone this year. The base camp will be centered around Sheffield in the North of the state. The basic plan is to drive up either Friday night or Saturday morning with two shortish legs on Saturday and two longer rides on the Sunday and Monday. For those who know about the terrain - either salivate or cringe at the thoughts of the Gog, Cethana, Wilmot Hill, the Lake Highway and any number of other sources of leg pain in near vicinity to Sheffield.
The standard set of information for all: -
Why? - Why not! Some of these roads were used in "Rod's Ride" back in 2001 when he took us from Launnie to Hobart via the West Coast. We have had a training ride ever since and still going strong. For those who like the Fondo format - this is basically the same at a fraction of the cost.
How much? - No charge this year. With the format of driving up and back and staying in one spot there is no need for a support vehicle so each rider is responsible for only their own costs this year. The rider picks their location and their daily menu so it is an organisational dream this time - for a change.
How many? - We have been turning out around twenty riders each year and we could do a bit better for this one. That will give us a lot of options on speeds, distances and routes so that riders can get into a bunch of their choice.
How fast? - The "norm" for the February ride is bunches ticking along at around the 26-28kph mark depending on distance and elevation. The format for this ride will make it easier to vary that bracket to allow everyone to ride at their own pace and distance. Obviously the more we turn out the more likely the bunches will be bigger rather than smaller.
Who can join in? - We haven't knocked anyone back yet so everyone is invited as long as they abide by the normal safety rules of riding in a training bunch. If you are interested all you have to do is get there. We'll set a few of the basic courses as we work them out to give everyone a bit to think about. If you haven't been on one of our rides before - don't worry - we're a friendly lot and this is all about enjoying the bike and finding good cafes.
What about the family? - Bring them along. Sheffield is a great place to visit with lots of things to do in a short radius so while you are out huffing and puffing if they aren't there with you then they will have plenty to do to keep them busy.
Off the bike activity? - Usually we find a pub or the like to have a cyclist's meal, down a few beers or wines, and swap stories of the day. This is always my favourite part of the day.
What else? - That's about it - I'll keep the updates coming as we work out some options. For now all you need to do is start planning on being able to get there and how that suits you and your training needs. If you have any specific questions that need answering this far out just send me a PM and I'll catch up with you.
Be careful out there.
After the seven day ride around Tassie of this February gone the February Ride returns to the three day format for 2014. The southern Regatta Day long weekend covers Saturday the 8th to Monday the 10th. For those in the category school starts back on the Tuesday beforehand - good for quieter roads and not so good for our teacher riders.
For those a bit tired of the same roads in the South we have something for everyone this year. The base camp will be centered around Sheffield in the North of the state. The basic plan is to drive up either Friday night or Saturday morning with two shortish legs on Saturday and two longer rides on the Sunday and Monday. For those who know about the terrain - either salivate or cringe at the thoughts of the Gog, Cethana, Wilmot Hill, the Lake Highway and any number of other sources of leg pain in near vicinity to Sheffield.
The standard set of information for all: -
Why? - Why not! Some of these roads were used in "Rod's Ride" back in 2001 when he took us from Launnie to Hobart via the West Coast. We have had a training ride ever since and still going strong. For those who like the Fondo format - this is basically the same at a fraction of the cost.
How much? - No charge this year. With the format of driving up and back and staying in one spot there is no need for a support vehicle so each rider is responsible for only their own costs this year. The rider picks their location and their daily menu so it is an organisational dream this time - for a change.
How many? - We have been turning out around twenty riders each year and we could do a bit better for this one. That will give us a lot of options on speeds, distances and routes so that riders can get into a bunch of their choice.
How fast? - The "norm" for the February ride is bunches ticking along at around the 26-28kph mark depending on distance and elevation. The format for this ride will make it easier to vary that bracket to allow everyone to ride at their own pace and distance. Obviously the more we turn out the more likely the bunches will be bigger rather than smaller.
Who can join in? - We haven't knocked anyone back yet so everyone is invited as long as they abide by the normal safety rules of riding in a training bunch. If you are interested all you have to do is get there. We'll set a few of the basic courses as we work them out to give everyone a bit to think about. If you haven't been on one of our rides before - don't worry - we're a friendly lot and this is all about enjoying the bike and finding good cafes.
What about the family? - Bring them along. Sheffield is a great place to visit with lots of things to do in a short radius so while you are out huffing and puffing if they aren't there with you then they will have plenty to do to keep them busy.
Off the bike activity? - Usually we find a pub or the like to have a cyclist's meal, down a few beers or wines, and swap stories of the day. This is always my favourite part of the day.
What else? - That's about it - I'll keep the updates coming as we work out some options. For now all you need to do is start planning on being able to get there and how that suits you and your training needs. If you have any specific questions that need answering this far out just send me a PM and I'll catch up with you.
Be careful out there.