Mt Cootha Challenge & CLEM7 ride

[ValleyForge]

Anyone know the planned route for the BDO Mt Cootha Challenge with the ride detouring via the tunnel? It's down as 80km so I imagine it's a little more than just the hill & tunnel.

Mostly for training purposes...

[winona_rider]

mashin down the clem7 sounds awesome.
not sure of the route but you would imagine you would ride the tunnel south to north. but i could be wrong

[ValleyForge]

I'm told it's pretty steep - especially heading up to the Kangaroo Point portal.

Given it might be the only time ever to ride the tunnel legally.....

[brockie2]

would imagine you would ride the tunnel south to north.

I would agree south to north then back along the ICB towards Mt Cootha from what I've read.

[RobM]

I went in it in November for work related reasons. Its long and straight and fairly steep incline/decline. You could pick up some mega speed if you pushed it

I wonder how they will manage it logistically as there will be a massive bunch at the front competing for poll position and fastest speed - not to mention the slinky effect when they hit the bottom in low gear and everyone rushes up from behind. Would suck to crash because there isnt much room (2 lanes each tunnel)

They might even do a loop - from Bowen Hills to Gabba in one tunnel, U-turn and back to Bowen Hills thru the other tunnel.

[soc]

Coot-tha Challenge route is now up - http://www.bq.org.au/bike-week/wp-conte ... b-2010.pdf

[DionM]

I'm planning on doing this this year (not the Cootha challenge, just the 30/45 km loop).

Thing is, I might drag my son along in his trailer. So when I sign up, do I need to sign him up as well (and pay), or since I'm towing him, does he get in free?

Edit: I've emailed BQ to find out. It also looks like trailers are not allowed on the 30/45km routes? Only looks like trailers are allowed on the 12km ride, which is a bummer.

[DionM]

Argh! Went to sign up this morning and it closed yesterday!!!!

So annoyed.

[caboose]

Went up Mt Coot Tha for the first time on Sat morning.
That really is one heck of a hill (for a newbie anyway).

None the less, it's worth it for the silly speeds you can hit on the other side!

Looking forward to next week's ride now

[RobM]

Im doing the 45km route. The tunnel bit should be fun, ill be staying clear of any wobbly riders as its the last place id want to eat the road.

My two riding buddies (well, not so buddy now) bailed on me so im doing it alone. If you spot me on the Cannondale, say howdy

Bring on the weekend!

[soc]

Not so much a confirmation that the Clem7 tunnel will still be accessable for the riders on Sunday now that Can-Do has pushed the opening to tomorrow morning, but the last paragraph in this Courier Mail story seems to indicate that they'll close it off to traffic to allow the Great Brisbane Bike Ride and Mt Coot-tha Challenge to access the tunnel. LINK

[diny]

Hi,
First time on this forum - apologies in advance if I've posted incorrectly.
I missed the cut-off for rego for the Mt Coot-tha 80km.
If you have an entry and not planning on riding, I'd be interested in buying - diny7272@hotmail.com

thanks

[incognito]

Hi all,
another newbie question, same as diny actually!

I have also missed rego for the 80km Mt Cootha ride and will gladly pay back anyone who needs to pull out...
pls reply to bradleydotcom@gmail.com

This would probably be more appropriate on a new thread, though I'm not sure how to set one up.

Cheers

[gordy]

Road closures for both tunnels (south to north and vice versa). Also all west bond lanes on the ICB will be closed for the event. Here's hoping for fine weather, it's currently raining as I type.
Do watch out for the "slinky effect" at the bottom of the tunnel as people go for gears to climb out.

[goneriding]

Good luck for tomorrow everyone. Fingers crossed for fine weather and good times!

[ValleyForge]

Now that ride was unbelievable. Hit 75kph in the tunnel. Kept my legs "noice" for the mountain and made it home safely.

Had no idea it would be so enjoyable. I can say that now it's finished.

[Hog]

Yep, done and dusted, only got to do the 45km ride though, but the tunnel was great. Well done BQ.

It was good to see no rubbish, wrappers and tubes being cast aside, unlike last years Bris/Goldie ride.

[Max]

I had a great ride this year. The last two years, that steep hill near the Dutton Park cemetery defeated me, leaving me completely breathless and demoralised. This year, I jumped on the pedals and stood all the way there. I made it to the top feeling great! I'm delighted with my improvement

Did anybody else find that tunnel exceptionally hot?

Max

[elantra]

Did anybody else find that tunnel exceptionally hot?

Max

Yes the tunnel is hot, especially down the deepest part, which is about 60 metres below the river bed.

Now that i have done it on bicycle i certainly don't wish to go through it by motorised transport.

Correction, my dog hasn't been through it yet and so i might have to drive him.....

[RobM]

Anyone got photos?

[mstrelan]

Anyone got photos?

I found this on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34ZzbY7euHU

[monkeymajik]

That was a blast, first time up cootha and loved it. Definitely in for next year. Saw one guy grinding up there on a fixie and another on a folding bike.

[ValleyForge]

Yeah the climb was a blast. Got passed by 3 Colnagos, but passed 8 so I was happy with the "expensive bike index" judge of my fitness

[caboose]

+1 for the exceptionally hot tunnel, the best part of the ride had to be coming back out into the fresh air!

Was a great ride, with so many hills along the route it's infinately more interesting and challenging that the Bris-GC ride (which I will still definately do!)

I agree with Valley forge on the passing expensive bikes things, but my goodness some of them were just achingly beautiful!
I can't even image what the total cost of equipment starting there in Southbank would come to? Surely a $3M+ in bicycles!

[elantra]

I found this on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34ZzbY7euHU

brilliant.