Alpine Classic 2014

Eleri
Posts: 444
Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2010 12:16 pm
Location: Inner West, Sydney

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby Eleri » Mon Jan 13, 2014 10:03 pm

warthog1 wrote: Shaving it to speed things up wasn't a bright move :roll:
I can confirm this is a bad idea. And no thanks. No pics required! I hope your computer never gets searched ;-)

X-ray
Posts: 95
Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:18 am
Location: Wollongong, NSW

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby X-ray » Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:31 am

grantw wrote:... looking forward to the Tallowa Dam ride this weekend.
What is the road out to Tallowa Dam like? Never ridden it before and I'm thinking about heading to Kangaroo Valley this weekend for a final hit out before the big day.

User avatar
clackers
Posts: 2065
Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:48 am
Location: Melbourne

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby clackers » Wed Jan 15, 2014 11:40 am

For any lesser mortals like me preparing for their first event, last weekend I found Lilydale-Healesville-Panton Gap-Warburton-Donna Buang is not a bad match profilewise for Bright-Tawonga Gap-Falls Creek.

User avatar
sblack
Posts: 1321
Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:38 pm

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby sblack » Wed Jan 15, 2014 12:44 pm

X-ray wrote:What is the road out to Tallowa Dam like? Never ridden it before and I'm thinking about heading to Kangaroo Valley this weekend for a final hit out before the big day.
The road is a coarse chip seal but mostly in good repair. On the way out it's about 20km of undulations rising a couple of hundred metres in the process. You then drop those metres plus a few more in just over 2km to the dam.

Coming back you obviously then have a steep 2km before the undulating downhill. Part of the difficulty of the road is that it's fairly exposed to the sun and with no drinkable water available at the dam you need to carry enough water to survive there and back. Despite the warning a couple of people ran out on the return on Saturday and while I consumed most of my 2L supply I was still suffering from the mid forty degree heat.

One other thing to note is that after recent road works from the Barrengarry Pie Shop to Kangaroo Valley there are some serious gravel drifts on the shoulder so take care if you're heading into town that way, the shared path to the left of the road may be the better option.

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk
Image

rogan
Posts: 985
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2010 10:31 pm
Location: Sydney

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby rogan » Thu Jan 16, 2014 7:05 pm

I've got a mate doing the ACE 250. Yesterday he rode from Merimbula to Charlottes Pass.

And back.

463 km, 8000 vertical metres, under 19 hours riding time, just over 20 hours total time.

I think he's ready.

I'm not doing ACE/AAC, but I am doing 3PC with some mates, including this guy. Get on his wheel, and hold on... ?
Image

User avatar
grantw
Posts: 1792
Joined: Mon Nov 09, 2009 11:22 am
Location: Wollongong

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby grantw » Thu Jan 16, 2014 7:12 pm

I just posted a link to his ride in the ACF strava club. Jono is a simply awesome.
Image

Eleri
Posts: 444
Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2010 12:16 pm
Location: Inner West, Sydney

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby Eleri » Fri Jan 17, 2014 7:16 pm

That's an awesome ride!

X-ray
Posts: 95
Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:18 am
Location: Wollongong, NSW

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby X-ray » Sat Jan 18, 2014 4:52 pm

rogan wrote:I've got a mate doing the ACE 250. Yesterday he rode from Merimbula to Charlottes Pass.

And back.

463 km, 8000 vertical metres, under 19 hours riding time, just over 20 hours total time.

I think he's ready.

I'm not doing ACE/AAC, but I am doing 3PC with some mates, including this guy. Get on his wheel, and hold on... ?
:shock:

From the sounds of that I would have thought the ACE would be too soft for him :lol:

X-ray
Posts: 95
Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:18 am
Location: Wollongong, NSW

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby X-ray » Sat Jan 18, 2014 5:07 pm

sblack wrote:
X-ray wrote:What is the road out to Tallowa Dam like? Never ridden it before and I'm thinking about heading to Kangaroo Valley this weekend for a final hit out before the big day.
The road is a coarse chip seal but mostly in good repair. On the way out it's about 20km of undulations rising a couple of hundred metres in the process. You then drop those metres plus a few more in just over 2km to the dam.

Coming back you obviously then have a steep 2km before the undulating downhill. Part of the difficulty of the road is that it's fairly exposed to the sun and with no drinkable water available at the dam you need to carry enough water to survive there and back. Despite the warning a couple of people ran out on the return on Saturday and while I consumed most of my 2L supply I was still suffering from the mid forty degree heat.

One other thing to note is that after recent road works from the Barrengarry Pie Shop to Kangaroo Valley there are some serious gravel drifts on the shoulder so take care if you're heading into town that way, the shared path to the left of the road may be the better option.

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk
Thanks for the info :)

I didn't head down that way today. I opted to stay closer to home and ride the RNP. Last long ride before the classic next weekend. Time to taper now :)

gabrielle260
Posts: 1150
Joined: Fri Dec 16, 2011 3:47 pm

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby gabrielle260 » Sat Jan 18, 2014 9:58 pm

Just arrived in Bright and found the cool change isn't here yet. The forecast for this coming week looks good - low to mid 30's as highs and then lows of 10 to 16. Any riding I do this week is going to be early in the morning! Cafe Velo for post ride coffees.
Andrew

X-ray
Posts: 95
Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:18 am
Location: Wollongong, NSW

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby X-ray » Sun Jan 19, 2014 10:17 am

gabrielle260 wrote:Just arrived in Bright and found the cool change isn't here yet. The forecast for this coming week looks good - low to mid 30's as highs and then lows of 10 to 16. Any riding I do this week is going to be early in the morning! Cafe Velo for post ride coffees.
Andrew
I just hope the forecast showers at the end of the week stay away!

Are you doing any of the Audax rides throughout the week?

gabrielle260
Posts: 1150
Joined: Fri Dec 16, 2011 3:47 pm

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby gabrielle260 » Sun Jan 19, 2014 10:27 am

Hi X-ray. Probably not... I start riding around 6am so I can spend most of the day with the family. I'm planning to do the happy valley loop one day, Beechworth via Stanley another and then down to lake buffalo and back. I'll also climb Buffalo at some stage.

User avatar
clackers
Posts: 2065
Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:48 am
Location: Melbourne

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby clackers » Mon Jan 20, 2014 12:04 am

gabrielle260 wrote: and then down to lake buffalo and back.
A very pretty ride, that one!

gabrielle260
Posts: 1150
Joined: Fri Dec 16, 2011 3:47 pm

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby gabrielle260 » Mon Jan 20, 2014 4:30 pm

Did Lake Buffalo this morning. Left just before 6am. Clackers, you are right - it is lovely. Took some great photos of the sun rising over the hills/mountains with the lake in the foreground.
Thinking of doing the Happy Valley loop tomorrow.
Andrew

User avatar
clackers
Posts: 2065
Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:48 am
Location: Melbourne

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby clackers » Mon Jan 20, 2014 4:51 pm

gabrielle260 wrote:Did Lake Buffalo this morning. Left just before 6am. Clackers, you are right - it is lovely. Took some great photos of the sun rising over the hills/mountains with the lake in the foreground.
Thinking of doing the Happy Valley loop tomorrow.
Andrew
Yep, rode it in September and I reckon it's a pretty good way to show people relatively new to road riding the attraction of getting away from Beach Road.

Image

X-ray
Posts: 95
Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:18 am
Location: Wollongong, NSW

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby X-ray » Tue Jan 21, 2014 7:58 am

Nice photo :D
gabrielle260 wrote:Did Lake Buffalo this morning. Left just before 6am. Clackers, you are right - it is lovely. Took some great photos of the sun rising over the hills/mountains with the lake in the foreground.
Thinking of doing the Happy Valley loop tomorrow.
Andrew
What's the weather like in the area at the moment Gabrielle?

Eleri
Posts: 444
Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2010 12:16 pm
Location: Inner West, Sydney

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby Eleri » Tue Jan 21, 2014 5:04 pm

I've just arrived. It's late afternoon, mid 20s, sunny and I'm about to head off up Tawonga Gap for a quick spin after the delights of driving all day. If I get too hot, I'll jump in the pool when I get back. :-)

gabrielle260
Posts: 1150
Joined: Fri Dec 16, 2011 3:47 pm

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby gabrielle260 » Tue Jan 21, 2014 5:14 pm

Sorry X Ray, missed your question. Top temps are in the low 30's each day and the overnight lows are 10-14 ish.
Riding early is great but from about 10 ish the sun has a bit of a kick to it.
I chose to do a short 50 km recovery ride this morning and left at 7.30 but will leave before 6 tomorrow to do what I've always called the Happy Valley loop but am now told it's called the Gaps Loop....
Andrew

__PG__
Posts: 844
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 11:30 am
Location: Melbourne

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby __PG__ » Wed Jan 22, 2014 1:46 pm

Forecast is for a very cold morning on Sunday.

Benalla has an overnight minimum of 9, Hotham and Falls have overnight minimums of 3. Those doing the 4 am starts may want to think about extra layers/thermals.

I lost my long gloves back in November and haven't bought a replacement as I didn't think I'd need them until Autumn. I'm doing the 620 am 200km event. Hopefully it warms up by the time I'm descending Tawonga Gap for the first time.
Image
1994 Cecil Walker (now retired)
2013 Baum Corretto
2014 Cell Awaba 1.0

X-ray
Posts: 95
Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:18 am
Location: Wollongong, NSW

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby X-ray » Wed Jan 22, 2014 6:52 pm

gabrielle260 wrote:Sorry X Ray, missed your question. Top temps are in the low 30's each day and the overnight lows are 10-14 ish.
Riding early is great but from about 10 ish the sun has a bit of a kick to it.
I chose to do a short 50 km recovery ride this morning and left at 7.30 but will leave before 6 tomorrow to do what I've always called the Happy Valley loop but am now told it's called the Gaps Loop....
Andrew
I'm starting a 4am so looks like I'll need some warmer gear for the start of the ride. Temps in the low 30's during the day don't worry me too much. I like the warmer weather. I might dump the warm layers in the car on my way back through Bright because it sounds like I won't need them once the sun takes hold in the morning.

warthog1
Posts: 14273
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2012 4:40 pm
Location: Bendigo

Alpine Classic 2014

Postby warthog1 » Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:09 pm

I'm doing the 6:19 250 event. I'm just going bib Knicks, jersey and arm warmers I reckon. It'll soon warm up.
Got my pitted dates (thanks SSS :) ) hydralyte tabs and muesli bars today.
New rear tyre and rim tape on both wheels yesterday. Good to go :)
Dogs are the best people :wink:

gabrielle260
Posts: 1150
Joined: Fri Dec 16, 2011 3:47 pm

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby gabrielle260 » Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:25 pm

Just checked the forecast for Wangaratta.... The low for Sunday is to be 8.
My guess, based on 4 days here, is that it will be chilly on the descents until about 9 in the morning.
Even today with a top temp of 33, the sun had a bite to it as I finished around 11am

X-ray
Posts: 95
Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:18 am
Location: Wollongong, NSW

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby X-ray » Fri Jan 24, 2014 7:22 am

I arrived in Bright yesterday afternoon to lovely weather. That's turned this morning with storms rolling through!

I was planning to do the Bright Friday ride but I've taken the soft option and opted out. I didn't fancy riding with thunder and lightning surrounding me!

On the "bright" side, the weather is looking good for tomorrow and Sunday :D

gabrielle260
Posts: 1150
Joined: Fri Dec 16, 2011 3:47 pm

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby gabrielle260 » Fri Jan 24, 2014 4:29 pm

It's been raining practically constantly since 8 am up here. It has brightened up considerably in the last couple of hours and the weather radar shows it will clear tonight as predicted.
Only the brave/foolhardy have got on their bikes today!

User avatar
cyclotaur
Posts: 1782
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2011 1:36 pm

Re: Alpine Classic 2014

Postby cyclotaur » Fri Jan 24, 2014 5:08 pm

I brought the good weather up with me from Melbourne ;)


Sent from my iPhinger ...
2023 Target: 9.500kms/100,000m
My old blog - A bit of fun :)
"Riding, not racing...completing, not competing"

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users