Tdu 2011 !!!!

[MichaelB]

..... On the day I dont intend on stopping,clearing that area at the top is going to be hard enough,remember fox creek last year. As someone else mentioned here the descent is also pretty full on,you gain speed so quickly.I think I will leave earlier than the official start, hopefully avoiding riders who have under prepared,there are always plenty.Many more trips to checkers before the event I think,as well as some hard rides around that,there is a lot of riding left after conquering this nasty little number.

You speak sensibly, have been thinking the same thing.

[Dahondude]

Hey all this talk of log-jams on Checkers Hill, did anyone actually experience this on Fox Creek this year? Due to the debarcle that was the electronic timing checkpoint at the start and bag drop ques we were just about the last people to leave the start area this year, but set a cracking pace to Kangaroo Creek Dam so arrived at the top in a pretty big (and long) bunch of people. However, going up Fox Creek was no real issue...just small groups of people with lots of space to move. The only real log jam I encountered was at the Lenswood stop where police where holding cyclists from making the right hand turn until they had cleared some traffic on the Lobethal-Adelaide rd.

Its about 36km from Norwood to Checkers so the bunch should have thinned out considerably by then.

[MichaelB]

Hi Dahondude,

We ended up setting off early (cause we were told too) at 6:15am.

Whilst it wasn't a 'logjam' on Fox Creek, it was busy, with lots of people taking random lines, although I didn't have an issue. Didn't have many people in front of me stopping and getting off for a rest.

I guess what might be more of an issue with Checkers is that it is much steeper, and people will probably need to rest/stop (I would if I tackled it at the moment - but working on it), and there may be some chaos from that point.

Haven't yet been up Checkers, but hopefully, as it's about 35km into the ride, things would have tinned out a bit by then ?

[bongo]

I left late last year and allthough I did not have to stop, I was as far to the right as possible and slowed down for many who had the wobbles in front.As Micheal said, it's much narrower,it is also not an intersection at the top like fox creek,there is a small grassed area either side of the road that would not fit 100 people on bikes, let alone the masses.The Kangaroo Creek dam section will thin the field a bit,and a few rolling hills in between there and checkers could assist in getting clear of some chaos.The best solution i think is to get yourself in the best possible form before the day and leave the under prepared in your wake.There is still a good climb from Gumeracha to Lobethal, then I think Tiers road is part of the course? A nice little rise in there as well.A few other pinches closer to the finish and the average man will be toast.Will be hitting corkscrew,paracombe,and checkers all before the event as much as time allows to prepare right,do not fancy cramping again like last year

[MichaelB]

Found anorher local leg buster to train on near the city in prep for Checkers Hill.

Blackburn Drive (just off Shurdington Rd on the way up to Mt Lofty - from intersection to #5 Blackburn)

It's only 323m, but an average of 17.3% , with the bottom bit in the 20 - 21% for the first 200m

[Peebee]

One a bit longer but not as steep is Thirkle Rd up Mt Osmond - steady climb of about 12% most of the way for a couple of km.

[nasz]

This is going to be a lot like a some of the hills in the Ronde van Vlaanderen. Specifically the Koppenberg. A short steep hill where the front of the peloton sprints to the bottom of the climb in order to get to the best position. It may not be cobbled or wet but a lot of the other characteristics are similar.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_of_Fl ... bled_hills
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koppenberg

Not quite - having riden Tour of Flanders, this shouldn't be as tough looking at the profile.

[Strawburger]

Apologies if this is old news. Just received an email:

New Jersey supplier for Mutual Community Challenge Tour

The Mutual Community Challenge Tour is changing. More refreshment stops, four ride distances and jerseys from Australian cycling apparel supplier Scody. Check the website for Scody's sizing chart. The new jersey design will be unveiled soon

[DAVCLARE]

Better get out and check
the Scody Sizes ..
Looking forward to see the design for 2011.

Doing both Ride like crazy and Challenge in 2011.

David

[alex]

news via email : bicycle sa didnt get the contract to run the challenge tour for 2011...

[Dahondude]

news via email : bicycle sa didnt get the contract to run the challenge tour for 2011...

Fear not, there is still time to enter the Other Challenge Ride. Early bird entries have closed unfortunately, but since there is no entry fee that doesn't really matter. So what do you get for your $0 entry fee?
1. No jersey
2. No support
3. Your own choice of food and beverage (it'll be in your jersey pockets/bidons).
4. Watch the pros ride past (there's a small hill the other side of Hahndorf which would make an excellent viewing location after some tasty elevenses in a Hahndorf cafe/pub. Pick up some free cr*p from the tour publicity vehicles as they drive past.
5. Ride home and avoid all the hassle of driving/hitching/paying for a bus back to Adelaide.

Your FREE ride guide includes everything you will need to know.
1. Eat often
2. Drink often
3. Do some stretching
4. Ride on the left of the road
5. If you have never ridden in a bunch before, now is not the time to start.
6. Stop and rest if you feel unwell
7. Call an ambulance if you feel REALLY unwell
8. Don't steal food or drink from the official MCCT stops. Buy stuff at the shops in Cudlee Creek/Gumeracha/Lobethal/Hahndorf.
9. Don't ride anywhere near the MCCT official start/finish
10. The route is entirely up to you. You could choose to follow all the people wearing the same jersey though
11. Carry a mobile phone
12. Carry some money
13. Carry a spare tube, patch kit, pump and tire levers and know how to use them.
14. Wear lots of sunscreen.
15. If someone asks you why you aren't wearing the official MCCT jersey, simply smile and repeat the mantra "It didn't fit......AGAIN!"

[MichaelB]

I like it Dahon, very good indeed.

You forgot the

"no need to try and collect your ill fitting jersey and sundry crap items from grumpy volunteers at odd hours on even crazier days which really alienate workers nowhere near the city"

[amt]

Yeah my Castelli gear definately fits better! Thats what I'll be riding with.

[Dahondude]

Well I rode the MCCT route as far as Lenswood this morning. The first sight of Checkers Hill is a shock. It looks like someone has hung a 600m stretch of tarmac vertically off the side of a cliff. I managed to stay in the saddle for the first 400m (in a 39/27) but succumbed to out of the saddle climbing for the last 200m. The real killer was the two equally steep climbs that came after the KOM line. Its a nice route though, although on a Friday morning around 8-9am the stretch of road between Gumeracha and Lobethal might get a bit heavy with traffic.

[MichaelB]

Good effort there Dahondude - haven't got there yet, but doing plenty of climbing in preparation.

Not looking fwd to the 1st attempt ...

[MichaelB]

Wonder if they'll allow the Team name of

My Jersey still don't fit

Just fits in with the 25 character limit .....

[williamsf1]

has anyone bothered to go find a jersey of this brand and try it on?

[gdt]

Scody's website says they supplied Around the Bay in a Day. Anyone from Vic here?

[MichaelB]

Was thinking about the TdU, and that since BikeSA aren't doing the food/water stops, thought I'd try and pin down the organisers to see what the "lessons learnt" scenario has given us poor buggers.

Seems that the most concrete answer is that food/drink stops are now every 20km, but when pressed WHO was doing it, their answer was "it hasn't been selected yet".

Opposite to what BikeSA says. I rang them and asked them again, and BikeSA confirm that they have been informed that they are not doing it.

Seems like it's SNAFU again, or even heading towards FUBAR

[/sigh]

[by76]

It may be that the organisor's have down selected to 2 or 3 shortlisted candidates and BikeSA wasn't one of them. Having been involved in a number of tenders this isn't an unusual situation - although that said, I can't imagine why BikeSA wouldn't get the job.
I am just hoping that whoever does get the gig actually applies some thought and common sense to the task, rather than simply setting a card table with 2 boxes of water on top.

[MichaelB]

You may be right there by76, but the fear/concern is that unless the people selected have a knowledge of cycling and what cyclists need, AND a lessons learnt from the last 2 years, it WILL be a shambles again.

I don't want to pay $145 for that privelige

[by76]

Fair point. From what I've heard last year was a disaster, and you can only hope they have learnt from the mistake.

[alex]

from the 2010/2011 budget leak - the state government wants to essentially scrap the TDU by removing the UCI status.

they put 4m in and it brings in 41m, and is 'south australia's most successful event'

doesnt bring in enough to pay for a footy stadium i suppose

http://resources.news.com.au/files/2010 ... ations.pdf

[Dahondude]

from the 2010/2011 budget leak - the state government wants to essentially scrap the TDU by removing the UCI status.

they put 4m in and it brings in 41m, and is 'south australia's most successful event'

doesnt bring in enough to pay for a footy stadium i suppose

http://resources.news.com.au/files/2010 ... ations.pdf

Say What????? Who hands back a UCI ProTour race?

[alex]

Say What????? Who hands back a UCI ProTour race?

the same state that handed over a formula 1 grand prix