Tdu 2011 !!!!

[Will Levy]

Hello, I run a business which may help out those heading to Adelaide for the TDU from Sydney. http://www.bikeshuttle.com.au will carrying bikes from Sydney to Adelaide - no need to box your bike, put in taxi/plane etc etc. More info can be found on the site. AUbicycles has given me the OK to post this.

[Cycotic]

I've just heard a whisper that Cycling SA has job of organising the ride again this year. Can anyone confirm this?

[RobRollin]

So who's coming? I'm coming accross along with Marc from Tasmania and interested in meeting up with the BNA crew. Also looking at doing the Mutual Challenge.

[you cannot be sirrus]

I've just heard a whisper that Cycling SA has job of organising the ride again this year. Can anyone confirm this?

I think they are helping supply volunteers at the starts and finish through the various clubs. I'm not sure what other involvement they have.

[you cannot be sirrus]

So who's coming? I'm coming accross along with Marc from Tasmania and interested in meeting up with the BNA crew. Also looking at doing the Mutual Challenge.

I'm doing the MCCT, not sure about the rest of the week due to work commitments. Get some practice on steep hills for the ride up Checkers Hill, it's going to be a hurtfest on there.

[ni78ck]

So who's coming? I'm coming accross along with Marc from Tasmania and interested in meeting up with the BNA crew. Also looking at doing the Mutual Challenge.

I'm doing the MCCT, not sure about the rest of the week due to work commitments. Get some practice on steep hills for the ride up Checkers Hill, it's going to be a hurtfest on there.

i have just seen the profile of checkers hill i better start training on 20% gradients

[you cannot be sirrus]

Ni78ck, fortunately it's only 600m long. The biggest problem will be from riders zig-zagging or stopping halfway up if it's crowded. Also just when you think you've done the climb it kicks again so just pace yourself and try and find some room.

[ni78ck]

Ni78ck, fortunately it's only 600m long. The biggest problem will be from riders zig-zagging or stopping halfway up if it's crowded. Also just when you think you've done the climb it kicks again so just pace yourself and try and find some room.

thanks for the tip, i have never been to adelaide so im looking forward to riding all week. there is 12 or so many of us coming from sydney, to tackle the hills

[Aushiker]

Hi

No Cadel for the Tdu ...

Team BMC will return to Adelaide in January to compete in the 2011 Santos Tour Down Under but former world champion Cadel Evans will not be amongst their seven-man line-up...Despite this, BMC, who recently achieved ProTeam status, will send a strong team, which includes the likes of Alessandro Ballan, Alexander Kristoff and new recruit Amael Moinard.

- CyclingNews.

Andrew

[bongo]

Hi

No Cadel for the Tdu ...

Team BMC will return to Adelaide in January to compete in the 2011 Santos Tour Down Under but former world champion Cadel Evans will not be amongst their seven-man line-up...Despite this, BMC, who recently achieved ProTeam status, will send a strong team, which includes the likes of Alessandro Ballan, Alexander Kristoff and new recruit Amael Moinard.

- CyclingNews.

Andrew

But Timothy Roe the local boy gets a gig for BMC, rode for UniSA last year and Livestrong/Trek development squad

[bionic wombat]

I am going to bite the bullet and do it and book it in this friday - is there "ticket' available for the 135km?

[ni78ck]

plenty available

[The Womble]

Pretty disapointed that press accreditation has been refused for BikePure by the organisers. Aussie cycling could have made a real statement with that kind of support.
Still, Andy from BikePure is looking for volunteers to hand out wristbands at the Tour. Email him if you're keen or tweet him @BikePure

[williamsf1]

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/60332800 the GFs data trace....

Well the first day of final recon was done today... 107km loop!

checker hill is still a BIATCH! but to make matters worse it was undergoing road works! so 300m was covered in dirt!!! now that made it a challenge!!!

19% and dirt.... hmmmmmm

[ni78ck]

i think not knowing what to expect is best never been to adelaide!

[williamsf1]

doing part 2 2moro..... should be a good loop down to strath and back!!!!

[bionic wombat]

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/60332800 the GFs data trace....

Well the first day of final recon was done today... 107km loop!

checker hill is still a BIATCH! but to make matters worse it was undergoing road works! so 300m was covered in dirt!!! now that made it a challenge!!!

19% and dirt.... hmmmmmm

they shaving off few degrees i.e gradient and resurface for us poor souls?

[Cycotic]

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/60332800 the GFs data trace....

Well the first day of final recon was done today... 107km loop!

checker hill is still a BIATCH! but to make matters worse it was undergoing road works! so 300m was covered in dirt!!! now that made it a challenge!!!

19% and dirt.... hmmmmmm

they shaving off few degrees i.e gradient and resurface for us poor souls?

Perhaps they're putting in escalators?

[williamsf1]

no it looked like what I could gather as I was powering ( read in SHUT UP LEGS pain of massive proportions! ) as I rode by (trying to not spin the rear tyre or lift the front too high in the air) was that they were making the verge bigger...

i.e. most of it had been washed away with the rain, and some poor councillor probably thinks its likely that they will get sued by someone spectating the race....

also of note was that there is now a street sign saying "checker hill"

so sadly they have not knocked the top off the hill.... but the decent is pretty cool tho!!!

oh and for the record, did part 2 of the recon today.... and got from hanhdorf to strathalbyn return done nicely!!!

the decent from medows is going to be a FAST one..... and in the real race I think this will be the draw back to any breakaway!!!

[you cannot be sirrus]

I hope they make the verge softer. Just in case.

[Wino]

Well I tried Checker Hill for the first time (from the Forreston side - which will actually be the decent for the MCC). All i can say is OMFlyingspaghettimonster I think I broke an aorta!

There would be small sections in the hairpins which would probably be 45%+. I was lifting the front wheel off the ground, but the come to a grinding halt not able to push forward. Not moving forward means that the bike falls over! and too rooted to release from the pedals I just fell into the bank. None the less I think i have lots more training to do, and my expectation would be for the above experience to be somewhat common during the MCC so beware.

Perhaps next time I should try from the other side!

[williamsf1]

yeah the front side is harder... sadly!!!

the good news is once you have made it to Hahndorf, it is pretty much a cruise from there....

[you cannot be sirrus]

I'm doing another reccy on Sunday of the first half of the route, including Checkers. Probably going to be in the mid 30s according to the weather forecast, Oh Joy!

[cuttsnake]

I did a short section of stage one this morning - up Blacktop Road and into Gawler. Can anyone tell me how Checker Hill compares with Blacktop for pain?
Gawler Loop via Blacktop

[williamsf1]

Yeah I'd say they are very similar in pain factor!! but checker just has some bits at a higher %.....