Tour De Hills Bicycle Classic 2012

[invisable]

I think we just make our way to the front in the first 10 or so kms, and lets see how we feel and who else wants to give it a crack and go from there. I am keen to do a personal best average speed, and 36km/h over 100km would be one.

[Xplora]

Go the full brutal... I've managed to keep a pretty good pace over a few bunch rides including some power up the hills, I figure I don't mind being ready to vomit at the end

[93360]

I figure I don't mind being ready to vomit at the end

That aint healthy..

Anyone looking for a more "casual" paced ride at around 20~25km/h average? I ride an MTB so that's my excuse.. that said it still equates to about an 80% effort on my part so still gonna be quite tired after about a 5 hour ride..

[Xplora]

I figure I don't mind being ready to vomit at the end

That aint healthy..

Anyone looking for a more "casual" paced ride at around 20~25km/h average? I ride an MTB so that's my excuse.. that said it still equates to about an 80% effort on my part so still gonna be quite tired after about a 5 hour ride..

Ironically, you'd probably feel better just doing 30+ and getting it done in 3 hours - 5 hours is a long time in the saddle without a lot of breaks

[ajfriar]

I'll be riding a flat bar. Obviously doing this as quickly as I can but suspect I'll be averaging 20-25km so happy to hook-up with people of a similar speed.

5 hours will be a bit tiring so hopefully can go below that. This is the first time I am riding this event so will be quite curious to see how it goes.

Friend of mind did 138km down Bathurst way today and was out for over 8 hours, now that's a long day in the saddle.

[meridaman]

I'll be there, probably averaging about 28-32kmh so will end up wherever I end up!

[Azzurri_Solo]

Hi All,

I'm new to this ride. Registered way back when a guy I met on my ride home from work told me about it. A bit ambitious as I registered for the 100km route. The most distance I have cycled is 60kms. I regularly ride about 45kms per week. So we'll see how I go. My fitness level is decent but I wouldnt' say I am a hardcore rider that is stick thin with cut up legs and superb core strength!

Can anyone tell me which road has the hardest/longest climb on this course? I'm planning to drive around it this week to check it out before hitting the start line on Sunday (April 1st). Have been getting alot of practice in but would like a better idea what what I'll be dealing with on the day.

Would appreciate some info as this is prolly the longest distance ride I have ever entered in. Trying to get my fitness back up there since we had a few kids. Already dropped some weight to help.

Thanks in advance!

[Apple]

I am sure you will be fine Azzurrie_Solo just pace yourself

[Xplora]

I've ridden around the area a couple times, I think if you're riding 45kms at a good pace and are reasonably fit, have a huge amount of sugar carbs and a coke before starting, have a bidon full of cola and a bidon of water, and have a big meal the night before - you should be able to handle it. lube up those knicks as well

EDIT Solo, had a look at the elevation maps, I think the most important thing to survive the 100 would be to go out reasonably quick to warm up and don't push yourself too hard on Glenhaven Rd, because the majority of the bad climbing is there. Make sure you spin it on the first one, and then focus on keeping a comfortable pace until you hit Glenhaven Rd on the second tilt.

[93360]

just signed up, aiming to average 25kph, come at me hills.

[Xplora]

Well... reports? I did the century in 3.5 hours. Missed the start by 15 minutes, spent the whole day either really lonely, overtaking people and about 3-5kms of drafting through the downhills on Cattai Ridge Rd.

Strange... I wasn't passed by ANYONE I saw the whole day for longer than a minute. Just found it was easier to go past - but I was eating up stragglers the whole day. Would be interesting to see how it would have gone if I'd actually started with the main bunch and managed some drafting, as well as a better prep with nutrition etc. I stopped at the Hillside firestation to grab a few cups of Staminade after stopping just before to down my bidon of Coke. Two muesli bars, a coke and water bidon wasn't even close to enough to survive and prosper on that ride.

BTW, what the hell is up with Glenhaven Road... I'm not throwing away my 12-27 when the 12-23 arrives. The second run up had me screaming loudly to get the motivation to go up. I didn't see anyone else embarrassing themselves in such a way, but I was also passing them

[93360]

started 20 mins late because i forgot to bring my helmet at first >.<
so instead i did the unofficial 80km route consisting of the 30km circuit and the 50km cicuit.
passed by just about everyone today.. except two guys on roadbikes.. so i take that as great success! lol
also i really need ergon's new sm3 saddle coz my sitbones were in a lot of pain by the 50km mark, roads are so freaking bumpy..
nice and sunny but really hot, my tach was saying it was 35ish degrees towards midday.. didn't feel hot but definitely tired a lot quicker.
glenhaven road was ok, wasn't really pushing it but only the last climb up towards old northern road was worth any complaint.
the twisty downhill part of cattai ridge road would have been better if a convoy of bikies didn't decide to pass through at that moment, couldn't really get any speed being so close the edge of the road..
would i do it next year? depends on whether i get a road bike.. and a comfy saddle.

[sonj]

I did the 60km ride and enjoyed every bit of it except the occasional predictable honk from cars who felt I shouldn't ever be allowed to ride to the right of the white line. Got around in 2h17 and the climb up to Old Northern Road had me wobbling in granny gear just like last weekend at the BNSW Orange Discovery ride up the Pinnacle (ugh). Of course Annangrove Road I felt like I could have ridden along all day! Next year I might try for 100km seeing as I've never done a metric century before.

[Xplora]

occasional predictable honk

Given how many signs were out, and the number of riders, any driver hitting the horn is just an unbelievably retarded shuffle of a knuckle today. There were a couple of clowns giving a bloke some grief as he was overtaking (the century had a lot of stragglers, understandably). I simply slotted in behind the cars because I wanted to overtake too. It really is embarrassing for the driving population considering you don't need to pass a test to ride a bike, but a car driver does, yet the understanding of the rules is nonexistant.

[invisable]

Hi did the 100km what a cracker of a day done it in 3 hours 15 min, the first part of the course was a bit draining but the back half was just great, got pushed into the gutter at a rounderbout by a car but other then that, top day, full marks to Rotory for such a great day. Will be back next year

[Trek_Arty]

Well... reports? I did the century in 3.5 hours. Missed the start by 15 minutes, spent the whole day either really lonely, overtaking people and about 3-5kms of drafting through the downhills on Cattai Ridge Rd.

Strange... I wasn't passed by ANYONE I saw the whole day for longer than a minute. Just found it was easier to go past - but I was eating up stragglers the whole day. Would be interesting to see how it would have gone if I'd actually started with the main bunch and managed some drafting, as well as a better prep with nutrition etc. I stopped at the Hillside firestation to grab a few cups of Staminade after stopping just before to down my bidon of Coke. Two muesli bars, a coke and water bidon wasn't even close to enough to survive and prosper on that ride.

BTW, what the hell is up with Glenhaven Road... I'm not throwing away my 12-27 when the 12-23 arrives. The second run up had me screaming loudly to get the motivation to go up. I didn't see anyone else embarrassing themselves in such a way, but I was also passing them

What happened to the 36km/h avg mate? haha
Seriously but glad to hear the ride went well....

[Xplora]

What happened to the 36km/h avg mate? haha
Seriously but glad to hear the ride went well....

That's why they are called goals, and not divine prophecy

Should say I reckon 28.5 is pretty respectable for a first run out there, especially when I've got the trunk bag on the back of the Kona boat anchor

[ajfriar]

I rode this event last weekend. I did the 100km and found it a great event. Well organised and marshalled. The roads aren't that bad, I have definitely ridden worse. Traffic not so bad, amazingly though as the morning went on more low brows did appear to be driving. All in all though not a single hassle.

This was my first 100km event in a long time, and I believe I will be doing it again next year.

Here is a link that shows the loop and profile http://!!! spammer !!!.com/ct33zcd for future reference.

Strata was killing my mobile so I stopped it at 60km.

[ajfriar]

Putty the URL was removed on the last one.

Doing the metric ton and getting the food right looks to be the biggest challenge.

Which forum is best to discuss food on. Any suggestions on more savory foods for the ride I was sick of sweet stuff after, water, cliff bars (choc peanut), and staminade. My traditional long ride favorite the trust snickers was spat out after just one bite.

Any suggestions?

Btw I was in the fatcyclist jersey on the flat bar, did manage to knock the 100km in 3:23 (ride time)

[ajfriar]

Sorry 4:23 typo..

[Xplora]

Sorry 4:23 typo..

LOL I was feeling down when you beat my time

Yeah the food seems to be a big problem. I am going to be taking half a dozen of those honeyshotz from capilano next time I do a century, I really feel like I could have banged it out in 3 hours with appropriate food going in. I wasn't going to bonk at 75km but I definitely realised that I wasn't pushing as hard as I needed to make 3 hours.

[timbo]

occasional predictable honk

It really is embarrassing for the driving population considering you don't need to pass a test to ride a bike, but a car driver does, yet the understanding of the rules is nonexistant.

And you wonder how some car driver have passed the test.
I think the understanding of the rules (or attitude to the rules) is just as bad for both parties.