I was going to pen today's ride report once I got home tonight, however havng just read Kevin's account of his amazing conquest in Sunday's 3 Peak's Challenge, anything I could write about today's Tour de Eltham pales into insignificance. Other than perhaps it was the return of Nicko to the Tour de Eltham...great to have you back mate!
Well done to Kevin on his amazing achievement and just check out the Garmin stats!
Enjoy Kevin's ride report everyone and I hope this motivates us for the ACE250 next January.
3 PEAKS CHALLENGEAfter 5 months of training the 3 Peaks Challenge finally arrived.
My training plan had been to build a nice big base from September to December and ramp up my training January to March. I tackled the Dandenongs, Kinglake and Kew Boulie sessions as regular rides (I know every bump on the Boulie intimately). Throw in Donna Buang and the Dandenongs from all sides, and you get the picture, plenty of hills and plenty of intervals. January to March most weeks were 350 ~ 500km, with a few more relaxed weeks and a taper at the end.
Training in this drought breaking year has been hard with many wet weekends forcing me to adapt my training, with more emphasis on mid week rides. I hooked up with the guys from Peak Bike Hub Heidelberg and Banyule Cycling Club and found no shortage of motivation, or tough kms with these guys. I appreciate every kilometre these guys put in with me as it really set me up for the 3 Peaks.
The Victorian High Country can dish up all sorts of weather. I think back to the 2010 edition of 3 Peaks and can say it was the closest thing to putting your trainer under a cold shower and pedalling for 10 hours. This year turned out a little different.
Falls Ck was shrouded in fog for the 7am start and I managed to squeeze in toward the front of the bunch. There was a speed limit of 50kph on the descent for safety reasons, and they slowly fed the riders out through a narrow shoot. I passed a number of riders on the way down the foggy mountain, as I approached the last half of the descent it started to rain and the memories of 2010 came back. I passed through Mt Beauty and I was soaked as I prepared for Tawonga Gap. I was looking forward to an opportunity to warm up and crested the first climb in 29mins. The descent was wet but having ridden this many times I was able to make good time to the turn off and head toward the base of Mt Hotham. I hooked up with another rider 10kms from Harrietville and swapped turns to the base of Mt Hotham.
A quick pit-stop at Harrietville and up Mt Hotham taking 1:50hrs, not exactly my quickest time but in the scheme of the day, I was happy. The fog was so thick on Mt Hotham that the Garmin was having trouble registering the elevation. This is a big climb and to do it without being able to see 1 metre in front of you can be a blessing. Eventually I crested the climb and headed to Dinner Plain, the air cleared and it was full speed ahead. A short stop for lunch, my support crew (Genevieve, thank you so much) had already got my lunch, so no queuing, nice dry shoes, socks and a bidon then back on the road.
The trip to Omeo turned out sunny and I hooked up with another rider and worked turns through to the base of Falls Ck. By this time I had dried out, re-hydrated, fed and mentally prepared for the last big climb. I parted company with my co-rider who acknowledged that his gear selection would see him forced to walk some sections. The next 9kms are murderous, you hit this wall with 200kms in your legs and have to dig deep to keep going. I worked off my heart rate, keeping it around 145bpm, the clouds opened up one more time to let me know the weather was in charge. Fortunately, the rain was warm, the sun was shiny and I could see blue sky up through the trees. I crested the climb, a quick water stop at Trapyard Gap and away across the undulating high plain. Memories of 2 flat tyres and riding a deflated rear wheel for 12kms in 2010 came flooding back, but this year was different. The last few kms were long and the wind was up, finally Rocky Valley Dam was in sight and the last little pinch.
Up, over and down to the finish....16th place. Very Nice………
Garmin Stats: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/72990669 Time: 09:17:06
Moving Time: 09:04:55
Elapsed Time: 09:41:44
Avg Speed: 25.3 km/h
Avg Moving Speed: 25.9 km/h
Max Speed: 81.6 km/h
Distance: 234.89 km
Elevation Gain: 4,929 m
Calories: 9,397 C
Avg HR: 132bpm
Max HR: 159bpm
Avg Bike Cadence: 75 rpm
Cheers
Kev Russell
