Tdu 2011 !!!!

[shiv]

It really doesnt look bad at all. Amazing how deceiving a photo can be.

[Trev Campbell]

Yeah, That photo really doesn't do the hill justice !!!

[alltorque]

Yeah, That photo really doesn't do the hill justice !!!

You're right. I thought that the moment I took it. Totally different from actually being there.. then you're like 'f**k that!'

[MichaelB]

Yeah, That photo really doesn't do the hill justice !!!

You're right. I thought that the moment I took it. Totally different from actually being there.. then you're like 'f**k that!'

Does it compare to any other hill you have done (such as Corkscrew) ?

[Peebee]

I've ridden both and I find Corkscrew much easier - have done it many times, whereas Checker have only done twice. Corkscrew is much easier to maintain a rythm and alternate between in and out of seat, whereas Checker, once you make the call to get out of the seat, you pretty well have to stay out - best to leave it to as late as possible and check the distance markers to see how far you have to go. Corkscrew also seems easier as you can set a target of each switchback whereas Checker is straight up.

Another hill closer to city to train on is end of Morphett Rd at Marion. About the same % but only about a third the length.

[alltorque]

Definately the hardest climb I've ever experienced hands down... harder than corkscrew for sure. Anyway, got months of practice getting better at it.. I'm on a red 2010 EMC2 if you wanna say hi...or even WAVE!

[MichaelB]

Forgot about Morphett Rd - not far from home, will give it a go, maybe even tonight !!!

Yes, lots of time to practice still

[by76]

How does Morphet Rd compare in gradient and distance to Corkscrew? I haven't ridden up from the roundabout at Morphett Rd for years but didn't think it was that bad (maybe the 15 years has surpressed the pain).

[SeanB]

Morphett road looks pretty nasty http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewt ... 16&t=17092

[Richard.L]

I take the side streets up to the top/behind of Morphett Rd then zipp down at around 75hm/hr The side streets are still fairly steep either side of Morphett too

[MichaelB]

Forgot about Morphett Rd - not far from home, will give it a go, maybe even tonight !!!
....

Who's dumb idea was that

Went up Belair Rd, down Sheps Hill and then up to Seacombe. Needed a brief stop with 115m to go in the top bit, but finally made it to the top. 5:49 to get up and only 1:22 to get down

The second section is about 16-17% and hard work indeed.

For those that have been up Checkers, is it constant 14%, or does it vary a bit ?

[CliffG]

Forgot about Morphett Rd - not far from home, will give it a go, maybe even tonight !!!
....

For those that have been up Checkers, is it constant 14%, or does it vary a bit ?

Checkers starts out around 8%. The gradient increases as you near the top up maxing out at a quad burning 23% or so. The tip about waiting to stand is a good one. Once you elect to stand up you will struggle getting over the top of the pedals if you sit down again. Last time I did it my arms hurt as much as my legs by the top, I was pulling on the bars so hard to get down through the pedal stroke. I would have stoppped but I was moving so slowly I thought I would fall over before I unclipped.

[MichaelB]

Checkers starts out around 8%. The gradient increases as you near the top up maxing out at a quad burning 23% or so. The tip about waiting to stand is a good one. Once you elect to stand up you will struggle getting over the top of the pedals if you sit down again. Last time I did it my arms hurt as much as my legs by the top, I was pulling on the bars so hard to get down through the pedal stroke. I would have stoppped but I was moving so slowly I thought I would fall over before I unclipped.

Ouch !!!

Lots of practice req'd.

hmm, I wonder if an 11-32 cassette will look a bit odd on a roadie ....

[Clydesdale Scot]

Checker Hill 23% , I only logged it as maxing out at 18% see my chart on page 1 of this discussion.

[CliffG]

Checker Hill 23% , I only logged it as maxing out at 18% see my chart on page 1 of this discussion.

Doh!! I should have started at the beginning!! You've already done the numbers.

However, my plots don't look as nice as yours but I certainly found sections in the high 22%'s. It certainly felt like 22.8%.

Your gradient and elevation data also looks somewhat smoothed.

Maybe I just spent longer getting through those steep bits and collected more data points

[Clydesdale Scot]

immediately after your 22% your chart has you going downhill! ie negative gradient.
Not my recollection. The last 200m of mine is a bit wobbly as it was where I was off and walking (we were on a 160km ride that day, and I wanted to last the entire distance, on standard not compact gearing, nothing to do with my weight and gravity taking its toll)
I think you need to do Checkers 5 times and average the results. I think your results will then come back a bit.

[SLH]

I would imagine that the ride down the back of the hill is going to be carnage too. Need to be very careful with riders either too confident or lacking confidence.

[CliffG]

immediately after your 22% your chart has you going downhill! ie negative gradient.
Not my recollection. The last 200m of mine is a bit wobbly ....

I think that was the part where I went wobbly and started delivering the papers. I must have gone downhill a bit as I went across the road.

I think you need to do Checkers 5 times and average the results. I think your results will then come back a bit.

If I do Checkers 5 times, the only thing to come back will be my lunch.

[Clydesdale Scot]

If I do Checkers 5 times, the only thing to come back will be my lunch.

easy. Do it all before lunch. Just like on the TDU ride.
And on the TDU ride there is never any food, so that won't be an issue on the day.

[liamw]

If I do Checkers 5 times, the only thing to come back will be my lunch.

easy. Do it all before lunch. Just like on the TDU ride.
And on the TDU ride there is never any food, so that won't be an issue on the day.

Or perhaps yesterdays lunch...

(Speaking personally, with Chandler's Hill just about killing me today, it wouldn't only just be yesterdays - it would be every meal for the past week...)

[williamsf1]

looking to put this on the GF's bike...

http://www.this link is broken/p/cycle/7/FSA_S ... 9041/#more

will it work with the rest of the bike being ultegra?

http://www.this link is broken/p/cycle/7/Shima ... 360050804/

that is the groupset as is.... ultegra SL OE

the triple might be needed to get her over that hill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MichaelB]

Shouldn't be an issue Williamsf1, but you'll need the appropriate shifter as well as the FD.

So can be done, but not cheap. Will need to add in the appropriate RD to match the total teeth difference (If it is the std short cage RD, then it can only handle a max of 31T).

So in summary, to fit a triple crankset (to replace a double), you'll need the Crankset, L brifter, Triple FD, suitable RD, and chain. $$ adds up pretty quick to avoid a short walk.

I'm going for the compact/11-28 route. (already have the compact).


One plan we discussed with mates is to get the missus to meet us at the bottom of the hill with our MTB's, swap them for the roadies, she drives to the top, and then we swap back.

[williamsf1]

thanks mate....

we plan on practicing this climb maybe 5-6 times in the coming weeks....

and will ride the entire route in key sections too....

nothing like being well prep'd!

also thinking of the day before the TDU stage of stashing our own gels at key points on the route as it looks like food is an issue!!!!!!

ideas????

[Clydesdale Scot]

also thinking of the day before the TDU stage of stashing our own gels at key points on the route as it looks like food is an issue!!!!!!
ideas????

excellent, early Easter Egg hunt!

[MichaelB]

Had an interesting chat with BikeSA yesterday.

Their official response for not tendering last year was along the lines that Tourism SA was taking the ride in a direction that wasn't in line with Bike SA (namely focussing on attracting more riders from interstae/overseas).

But... it seems that they have tenederd this year and it will be known in a month or so who will be doing the support.

Standby to standby


BTW, I was going to have a go at Morphett Rd again last night, but discretion won over valour, as riding down again in the rain was not a pleasant thought ....