Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
- ComradeSpear
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Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby ComradeSpear » Thu Jan 11, 2024 10:24 pm
I understand there'll be many factors on the day; however, when thinking about a strategy,
1. join the 8hr or 9hr group?
2. Which Nutrition plan to follow?
3. How to handle weather changes whilst minimising carry?
Any feedback is most welcome, thank you.
- MichaelB
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Re: Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby MichaelB » Fri Jan 12, 2024 8:40 am
I'd love to even think about doing it. Buffalo & Falls Creek are great climbs.
I'd honestly say that even the individual climb times don't equal to overall energy requirement. Especially if they do the Back of Falls route.
I'd just say, pace yourself, fuel well, have the right kit and enjoy. The time is what it is.
Even really fit good riders that I know who have done it haven't hit the 10 hr mark.
Just enjoy !
- queequeg
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Re: Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby queequeg » Sat Jan 13, 2024 12:07 am
The group leaders for each group will aim to bring you in under the target time. The 8hr group will be setting a blistering pace. I know in past years someone has published a breakdown of the number of finishers in each block of time, and the under 8 hour group is a very select group of riders. Even Sub-9 is a small group, and for those times you need to be doing the whole ride without stopping for any extended period of time. By that, I mean you stop to fill your water bottles then you go.ComradeSpear wrote: ↑Thu Jan 11, 2024 10:24 pmI signed up for my first peaks challenge and have been training since October. I'd like to complete it within 9Hrrs. I've ridden the climbs individually and when analysing my climbing splits and w/kg against other riders'times, it puts me in a 9hrs duration.
I understand there'll be many factors on the day; however, when thinking about a strategy,
1. join the 8hr or 9hr group?
2. Which Nutrition plan to follow?
3. How to handle weather changes whilst minimising carry?
Any feedback is most welcome, thank you.
If you want to finish sub-9, you'll need to be arriving at the bottom of Say What Corner at around 7 to 7.5 hours elapsed time. That is also the 200km mark which has already included climbs up Tawonga and Hotham, plus the forgotten climb out of Omeo.
Weather changes on the day you will need to review the day before. You have the opportunity to use the bag drop to either send clothing ahead to Dinner Plain, or dump clothing at Dinner Clothing to return to Falls Creek. Don't underestimate the alpine weather though. A few years ago there was rain/sleet and washed out gravel section of road going to Dinner Plain and anyone not prepared had a very tough time.
In 2022 there were afternoon storms and some of the faster riders copped that going up Back of Falls creek, whereas the slower riders just got wet roads.
Personally, I take a lightweight storm jacket and waterproof full finger gloves, plus a helmet cover (you can use a disposable shower cap). These are all easily stashed on one jersey pocket and will stop you from freezing if the weather turns.
My training has been going rather poorly as I have been busy with work, then when I finally got some time off I got sick and lost 2.5 weeks, setting me back to the start. I was meant to build up some big kilometers this month but with kids on holidays and wife back at work it is proving difficult. I am doing the best I can with the time I have, but I suspect I'll be pulling the pin as I know I am nowhere where I need to be to get through the ride inside the time limit. Miracles could happen though!
- ComradeSpear
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Re: Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby ComradeSpear » Sat Jan 13, 2024 5:42 pm
It sounds like there's more climbing out of Omeo to Say What?
I did an alpine ride a while back and I know all about weather changes... not pretty when the weather turned and hence the Q. It's a Good idea re bag drop off at DP.
How about food at the pit stops? Quality stuff or bring my own you reckon?
- queequeg
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Re: Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby queequeg » Mon Jan 15, 2024 12:22 pm
Yep. It's not a huge climb as such, and appears as a pimple against the big climbs, but it's still a couple of hundred metres and around 4km long.ComradeSpear wrote: ↑Sat Jan 13, 2024 5:42 pmGood advice, thank you both.
It sounds like there's more climbing out of Omeo to Say What?
I did an alpine ride a while back and I know all about weather changes... not pretty when the weather turned and hence the Q. It's a Good idea re bag drop off at DP.
How about food at the pit stops? Quality stuff or bring my own you reckon?
https://www.strava.com/segments/6562704
There's also a small climb on the descent into Omeo from Dinner Plain that catches a few first time riders out.
https://www.strava.com/segments/620214
For the food, I have found it to be pretty terrible. That is just my personal opinion. They usually do some sort of wrap at the lunch stop, plus fruit. Grab a few bananas and go. The wraps have always been awful, at least for me. The chocolate brownies are Omeo are nice, as is the can of coke at Trapyard Gap, but if you are pushing for a sub-9 hour you really don't want to be making all these stops. Take your own food with you, stop for water and keep moving.
- g-boaf
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Re: Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby g-boaf » Mon Jan 22, 2024 5:07 pm
Surprised they wouldn’t just have bottles of coke and whatever other drinks, disposable cups, etc.
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Re: Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby caneye » Mon Jan 22, 2024 5:53 pm
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Re: Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby queequeg » Thu Jan 25, 2024 2:07 am
Yes, the 8 hour group aims to get you across the line with an 8 hour finish time. They usually pace for a few minutes under. If you want 8-9 hours, you need to either go with the 9 hour group and ride ahead at some stage, or you need to get in the 8 hour group and hang on as long as you can.
- ComradeSpear
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Re: Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby ComradeSpear » Sun Jan 28, 2024 7:53 pm
The pacing was helpful and it'll be interesting to see if it's possible to maintain the same w/Kg on a longer climb. A few more weeks to tweak for 9Hrs.
Any idea if trainer rides in ERG mode for the target w/kg are better than outdoor training rides?
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Re: Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby billy70 » Sat Feb 03, 2024 6:06 pm
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Re: Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby jasonc » Mon Mar 11, 2024 1:51 pm
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Re: Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby warthog1 » Mon Mar 11, 2024 1:58 pm
Yep. Machine!
https://strava.app.link/aBTVn2ISRHb
Used to live up here for a while and get about in the bunches
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Re: Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby queequeg » Mon Mar 11, 2024 3:16 pm
Some joker has flagged his ride lol I think they are jealous.warthog1 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2024 1:58 pmYep. Machine!
https://strava.app.link/aBTVn2ISRHb
Used to live up here for a while and get about in the bunches
I mean, he's got video passing under the finish line with a big frigging clock showing the time on it.
On another thread, he said he'd done a 6:45 ride time in a previous year but had a double puncture at Back of Falls and wasted time fixing the flats and ended up going 7:09 as a result.
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Re: Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby find_bruce » Mon Mar 11, 2024 3:17 pm
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Re: Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby warthog1 » Mon Mar 11, 2024 3:40 pm
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Re: Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby queequeg » Mon Mar 11, 2024 4:05 pm
Best way to avoid the heat - finish before lunch lolfind_bruce wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2024 3:17 pmBy all accounts the heat this year was stifling - up around 40 ℃ from Omeao to Anglers Rest
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Re: Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby biker jk » Mon Mar 11, 2024 5:39 pm
The heat had a huge effect on older riders. The DNF rate for 60+ males was 37%.find_bruce wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2024 3:17 pmBy all accounts the heat this year was stifling - up around 40 ℃ from Omeao to Anglers Rest
- familyguy
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Re: Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby familyguy » Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:02 am
I still hope strava removes the flag.
- g-boaf
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Re: Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby g-boaf » Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:11 am
On his biggest climb (by the profile) I cannot believe it's only 23 metres. Surely he must have done way more than that! The guy is clearly damn fast. Someone must be jealous or just trying to mess with him.
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Re: Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby biker jk » Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:35 am
He won Melbourne to Warrnambool this year. He's a domestic pro rider.
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Re: Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby warthog1 » Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:44 am
Been around quite a while. In road nats most years. Has raced some pro conti stuff overseas I believe. Getting to the back end of his cycle racing now.biker jk wrote: ↑Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:35 amHe won Melbourne to Warrnambool this year. He's a domestic pro rider.
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Re: Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby g-boaf » Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:47 am
That means little in the online world these days where everyone is trolling or stirring for giggles, or worse, spamming for some organisation.
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Re: Peaks challenge sub 9Hrs strategy
Postby find_bruce » Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:54 am
Not just the over 60s - my 59yo brother who has finished every time previously DNF'd at Omeo, while his 22 yo son pulled the pin at Anglers Rest.
Good to see our friend Rheicel ( Fix N Ride) finished in 9:47:53. IIRC this was a fair bit down on his previous times
BTW the official results show Mark O'Brien coming in at 6:43:13
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