Highland Fling Nov 9 2008

[leximack]

highland Fling entries are open
http://www.wildhorizons.com.au/highland ... tries.html
choose between 55 or 110km.
usually sells out so enter sooner rather than later if you want to go

Don

[alchemist]

Note the Fling now comes with added cyclo-cross goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[leximack]

Note the Fling now comes with added cyclo-cross goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hmmm interesting, probably not many crazy people out there willing to do it on a cyclocross bike, probably guaranteed a top 10 finish (if i finish that is), i have entered in my age category, i have a while to decide what bike to do it on i guess and change to the appropriate category.
Which bike are you using Alchemist?

Don

[alchemist]

Definately the crosser, was planning on attempting the Imperial on it before Huw started asking CX questions. I've promissed him that he'll get the 4 riders he needs to fill a class.

[leximack]

i did it last yr on the anthem and for the most part wouldnt be too bad on the crosser, nothing overly technical, mainly smoothish firetrail, single track parts were good, some road bits. I think i need to get out and do some dirt riding on mine in the next month or so and see what pain threshold i have.
Do you know of some other definate starters yet?

[alchemist]

Myself & Hugh Flower rode 'crossers two years ago. Don't have any definite starters yet but there's a least 3 likelys from Sydney and I suspect there will be a few from Canberra and possibly Melbourne

[LuckyPierre]

This looks like fun!
Depending on how well it fits in with the Hartley Challenge and the Scott 24 Hour, I'll give at least the 'Half Fling' a go.

[NotTim]

This looks like fun!
Depending on how well it fits in with the Hartley Challenge and the Scott 24 Hour, I'll give at least the 'Half Fling' a go.

The half looks possible if I can get enough time on the bike beforehand, I'm nowhere near fit enough to do it now, the 25km of the Woodford - Glenbrook last Sunday very nearly killed me.

I'll keep it in mind and try and get my fitness somewhere close to what I'd need for it.

[alchemist]

It's getting full, I think entries will be sold out by the end of the week

[ozlegacy]

Ok after talking to Don last night I signed up for the full fling

Should be intersting have never ridden that far on a MTB but plenty of time to practice

Looks like you can do the state forest part at any time? Might get some practice on that so at least I know some of the track

Time to get the knobblies back on the Anthem!!

EDIT: Just realised all accomdation is booked out already, are you guys camping or staying in motel/hotels?

[leximack]

Ok after talking to Don last night I signed up for the full fling

Should be intersting have never ridden that far on a MTB but plenty of time to practice

Looks like you can do the state forest part at any time? Might get some practice on that so at least I know some of the track

Time to get the knobblies back on the Anthem!!

EDIT: Just realised all accomdation is booked out already, are you guys camping or staying in motel/hotels?

good stuff Rainer, i am hopefully staying in a nice warm bed at my mates parents in law house who live approx 5km from the start line, if that falls through then i will camp, i usually camp at these sort of events. its only one night so a small tent, blow up mattress, sleeping bag and big blanket is all you need.

[leximack]

apparantly less than 100 entries left. If you are thinking of going just enter, you can always sell your entry later if you cant do it, plenty of people will be wanting to buy entries the month leading into the event

[alchemist]

. its only one night so a small tent, blow up mattress, sleeping bag and big blanket is all you need.

and ear plugs

[leximack]

Fling entries are now full

[leximack]

only a couple of days to go now, i decided that i am not hardcore enough to do it on the cyclocross bike so will be on the anthem.
Anthem still had the dirt of stromlo on it when i checked it last night, so a good wash, lube and check over is instore for tomorrow, really looking forward to it, weather looks to be good at sunny and 22 degrees.

Don

[alchemist]

See you there! Looks like I've almost got rid of the lingering cold I've had all week.

Now to find my kilt

[Kyoda]

I've been to Bundanoon and registered today. Bikes and people everywhere.

Picked up my free bottle of Highland Fling wine - thanks Tertini.

See you all bright and early in the morning.

[leximack]

The Highland Fling is over for another year.
Was lucky enough to stay in nice warm bed in bundanoon only 4-5km from the start, would of been super cold in a tent.
Got to the start line at 7am eagerly awaiting the start. Met up with Rainer who seemd to pack every bike riding equipment he owns into his camelbak added 5-6kgs easily.
RAce got away at 7.30am with 650 full flingers heading off down the road. My left leg was hurting alot during the gong ride and also footpath race night so had no idea how it would be a few days later, so my plan was to take it easy for the first 2-3hrs and see how i felt after that. So cruised along, rolled down hills, pedalled easily on the flats and generally rested my leg where i could. I got to the 50km mark in under 3hrs and with a good avergae speed i was still feelling quite strong. So i tried to go a bit faster when i could but without killing myself. Got to the last transition point (28km to go) and decided to have a rest and grab some proper food (cramps had started a few kms ago). Headed off and the cramps started to get quite bad, was drinking lots of endura which usually works for me but didnt today, in the last 20km i was stopping every 8-10mins. It was very annoying as i felt strong still, lots of energy left and legs felt good (when not cramping), i think i will try some magnesium tablets as others have said they have worked for them and no longer have problems.
Anyway ended up with 7hrs 5mins ( i think, close to that anyway).
My ride time (moving time) was 6hrs 35mins for the 110km with an average speed of 16.6km/h and just under 2000m climbing. I am fairly happy with the time, if i can solve the cramp problems i can knock off a bit of time. the constant stopping was not fun.
Overall was a great day, the course is one of my favourites, lots of nice single track, lots of nice flowing stuff, some big granny gear hills.
A must do event fo any moutain biker.

Don

[ozlegacy]

Still to sore to write my ride report but this is a great read from one of the 100 Mile guys

http://endurance-ed.blogspot.com/

[leximack]

results are up

http://www.wildhorizons.com.au/highland ... verall.pdf

[leximack]

and some photos of me also

http://www5.marathon-photos.com/scripts ... g&match=84

[leximack]

a link to my garmin stats is here

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/1326175

[leximack]

photos