Blayney to Bathurst Sun 19/4/2009

Postby **Stuart** » 03 Feb 2009, 08:44

Jo & I are intending to do the Blaney to Bathurst 110k ride / race this year and are looking for other interested riders and possibility of having a car at each end. NO racing licence is required for this ride.

On-line registration is here but maybe hold off until we know numbers etc as there is an option for teams of three riders and also a bus going from Bathurst to Blaney on the morning of the ride (leaves at 6:30 though)

insomniac · Postby **insomniac** » 03 Feb 2009, 10:10

Stuart - I had this ride on the radar and intend to do it. Would drive up and leave car at one end. Can fit poss. 6 bikes in van.

weiyun · Postby **weiyun** » 03 Feb 2009, 11:48

I've been thinking of this for two years now and this may be the year to do it. The last bit of Mt Panorama climb to the finish line should be painful.

Would be more than happy to participate in some kind of transport arrangement with fellow DHCB riders. I understand that the direct route from Bathurst back to Blayney is significantly shorter than 110km.

Postby **Stuart** » 03 Feb 2009, 12:24

Would be more than happy to participate in some kind of transport arrangement with fellow DHCB riders. I understand that the direct route from Bathurst back to Blayney is significantly shorter than 110km.

According to Google Maps it's 38.1 k's from Mt Panorama to Blayney!

mikesbytes · Postby **mikesbytes** » 03 Feb 2009, 15:59

I was thinking of doing this one too. I'm not sure what my current recovery period before racing is, but if its OK, then I'll do the 110k race.

weiyun · Postby **weiyun** » 03 Feb 2009, 16:03

I was thinking of doing this one too. I'm not sure what my current recovery period before racing is, but if its OK, then I'll do the 110k race.

It's a cyclo-sportif, so you don't have to race it. Being 8+ weeks away, I am sure you'll be fine for a 110km ride.

mcrkennedy · Postby **mcrkennedy** » 03 Feb 2009, 17:56

Its on my list too.

Camilla · Postby **Camilla** » 03 Feb 2009, 21:32

I'm in for sure. I did it last year and it was great. I believe they're finishing in the pits this year - something to do with the electronic tagging system - so am doubtful we'll have to climb Mt Panorama. The decent to the finish line would surely lead to disaster. A shame, because after 110km it was an excellent challange. Especially given it was the first time I'd ever done a century, albeit only an imperial.

shrubb face · Postby **shrubb face** » 03 Feb 2009, 21:46

Im definitely in. I'd also be interested in racing on one of the teams if anyone wants to join me.

Postby **Stuart** » 04 Feb 2009, 10:24

A shame, because after 110km it was an excellent challenge. Especially given it was the first time I'd ever done a century, albeit only an imperial.

Do you mean "metric" there Camilla .... It will be my first real metric 100 as well, given my only other one had a 2.5hr break for lunch in the middle, including beers and wine, at a seaside restaurant on the French Riviera.

simon.sharwood · Postby **simon.sharwood** » 04 Feb 2009, 20:16

Count me in! I've been looking at trains to get to Bathurst and back, then the bus to the start line. Or if there are a few of us, hire a minibus?
I'm getting a parental leave pass so expect to travel up on Saturday arvo so my wife is not totally abandoned!

malee · Postby **malee** » 04 Feb 2009, 20:50

We are going to be doing this Audax event
Mudgee Classic
Loop rides of varying distances around Mudgee - quiet roads and a mixture of hills, rolling country and the occasional vineyard [NSW]

Start: Mudgee 6:30:00 AM
Contact: Chris Walsh Tel: 0299242200 Email:walshes@optusnet.com.au

Distance
Start Details 18/04/09
160km 7:00:00 AM Two big loops - Queens Pinch and Gulgong - $5 (mbrs)
$10 (Non)
100km 8:00:00 AM Queens Pinch loop - $5 (mbrs)
$10 (Non)
200km 6:30:00 AM Three loops through Mudgee - $5 (mbrs)
$10 (Non)
Lots of wineries and good food. Loop ride so no problem with transport. We are driving up on the Friday and back on the Sunday.
Anyone else interested?

insomniac · Postby **insomniac** » 04 Feb 2009, 20:58

oooohhh....those Mudgee rides look good...maybe the 160km ride would be the one.to do..tempted. ...so many good rides coming up.

micklan · Postby **micklan** » 28 Feb 2009, 11:37

I like the sound of Bathurst ride - if I have no other engagements I'll ride it and maybe drive up on sat in ute

mikesbytes · Postby **mikesbytes** » 28 Feb 2009, 12:00

I've been thinking of it too

Postby **Stuart** » 28 Feb 2009, 15:39

Jo & I will be driving up on the Sat. We have room for one more + bike. We are looking at staying in Bathurst and then getting the 6:30am bus to Blayney then we ride back to the car after the finish. Any otherr ideas from those who've been before?

matt · Postby **matt** » 28 Feb 2009, 17:10

I'll take that car spot if its still free please

Trouty · Postby **Trouty** » 28 Feb 2009, 19:30

I'll take that car spot if its still free please

It's yours Matt - BTW, is your pinched nerve ok then?

matt · Postby **matt** » 01 Mar 2009, 17:57

Getting better, back to commuting to work and should be fine in time for the B2B. Loop the Lake is out though.

weiyun · Postby **weiyun** » 04 Mar 2009, 10:42

How are people going to enter this race?

I understand it's $65 for single entry and $180 for team entries of 3 riders ($60 each). Is it easier to just go as individuals?

simon.sharwood · Postby **simon.sharwood** » 04 Mar 2009, 10:50

How are people going to enter this race?

I understand it's $65 for single entry and $180 for team entries of 3 riders ($60 each). Is it easier to just go as individuals?

The saving is not massive for individual entry so it could make life easier just to enter as individuals.

I am, however, keen to see if there are folks with whom I could share transport and/or accommodation.

weiyun · Postby **weiyun** » 04 Mar 2009, 10:54

What's the logistics like if one doesn't stay overnight?

simon.sharwood · Postby **simon.sharwood** » 04 Mar 2009, 11:08

What's the logistics like if one doesn't stay overnight?

I think one needs to be at the starting line at about 7:30 AM, which would mean leaving Sydney around 5:00AM. I suspect that leading sports scientists would not suggest that as ideal preparation ...

Postby **Stuart** » 09 Mar 2009, 21:53

I think one needs to be at the starting line at about 7:30 AM, which would mean leaving Sydney around 5:00AM. I suspect that leading sports scientists would not suggest that as ideal preparation ...

Start time for the long course is 8:30am - bus from Bathurst leaves at 6:30am for some reason - it's only 35k's so it must be a slow bus!

The drive up takes approx. 3.5 hours so you'd need to leave at about 4:30 really.

I ask again, what did people do in previous years?

weiyun · Postby **weiyun** » 09 Mar 2009, 22:11

I asked Lindsay on Sun and he said that he caught the train up to Lithgow and then rode. He has always been lucky to get a car ride back to Lithgow. Otherwise you'll have to pack your bike into a box for the train service in Bathurst.

I think the sensible way to do it is to drive up on Sat, sleep in Bathurst and leave the car there, then catch the bus in the morning. Otherwise leave the car in Bathurst and ride up to Blayney on Sat and stay overnight. A single use bathroom kit from the airlines may be all that's required.

How about, sleep in Bathurst and ride up to Blayney on the morning of the ride? It's just 35km right?

simon.sharwood · Postby **simon.sharwood** » 10 Mar 2009, 13:12

I've looked up the Saturday train times and the 12:18 from Central arrives at Lithgow at 3:14, which is a bit touch and go in terms of riding the 60kms to Bathurst before darkness falls. So perhaps the 10:18 AM is the more sensible option.
Trains leave Lithgow on Sunday at 3:36, 5:36 etc.

simon.sharwood · Postby **simon.sharwood** » 10 Mar 2009, 14:24

Another alternative is just hiring a van. Various rental companies do it for $100 a day, which between 4 people is a very good deal vs. the off-peak rail fare of $25 return to Lithgow.
4 people plus bikes should fit in an 8-seater. If we pick up the van at 5:00PM on the Saturday, it's hard to see the rental ticking past 24 hours. And a nice dinner in the Blue Mountains could be good fun?

Trouty · Postby **Trouty** » 10 Mar 2009, 17:53

Another alternative is just hiring a van.

Insomniac has a van and may be able to take you if he decides to go. He expressed interest earlier, but not sure about wether he still intends to go. Maybe Private message him.

simon.sharwood · Postby **simon.sharwood** » 16 Mar 2009, 09:34

Am entered and the family has decided to come along too ... so see you at the starting line!

insomniac · Postby **insomniac** » 16 Mar 2009, 11:56

Insomniac has a van and may be able to take you if he decides to go. He expressed interest earlier, but not sure about wether he still intends to go. Maybe Private message him.

...I prob will do the ride to erase the the scars of Lake Mac (which will haunt me forever). Am able and happy to take, at least 2 (possibly 3) extra bikes. Unfortunately no seating in my van so can't take people, unless they want to lie down and have a bumpy ride all the way.

Will decide shortly if I'm defintely going...if you need bike couriering PM or leave a message on this thread.

Miguel · Postby **Miguel** » 17 Mar 2009, 18:54

I want to do this one too, has anybody got an idea of a hotel, motel, etc, of where to stay Saturday night in Bathurst. This is for you insomniac, after last Sunday ride to Waterfall, you were right Lake Mac was harder, so sorry.

weiyun · Postby **weiyun** » 17 Mar 2009, 19:11

Blayney is 36km from Bathurst. I wondered if it's practical to just ride over to the start in the morning? But I note there's a "Mt Fitzgeralds" label on Hwy 24.

mikesbytes · Postby **mikesbytes** » 23 Mar 2009, 22:31

Looking at the logestics of riding from Lithglow, there seems to be a back road route, but I can't tell if its sealed.

back road route map

Of course you could go straight up the HWY

Along the highway map

weiyun · Postby **weiyun** » 24 Mar 2009, 08:46

Mike, why don't you make better use of Google Map's Street View?

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source= ... 5966386555

Postby **Stuart** » 02 Apr 2009, 16:34

Hi all - if you are thinking of doing the B2B then On-line registration is here and entries close this Sun evening 5th of April

Jo and I have decided to do it but accommodation looks grim at this late stage but I've found a B&B 1km from Mt Panorama for $150 / night. Matt, are you a starter then or ?? as if not we have a spare seat in the car and for a bike on the roof.

I can only see 2 other DHBC riders registered so far! Is anyone besides Simon S and Nicholas Cooper doing this or has everyone decided to head to Mudgee instead?

weiyun · Postby **weiyun** » 02 Apr 2009, 17:16

I am going to enter but need to finalize some decisions with my SO wrt the weekend activities and logistics.

Are you guys going to take the bus to Blayney?

Postby **Stuart** » 04 Apr 2009, 16:14

We have decided not to do B2B as having left it so late there is now a total lack of accommodation in Bathurst or Blayney. Not wanting to drive 3.5 hrs to get there for a 8:30 start we've decided to bail. Enjoy.

insomniac · Postby **insomniac** » 04 Apr 2009, 16:55

Bummer...should of pulled my finger out and got organised - just got too busy work wise to register and book accomodation, haven't ridden since Lake Mac. ..so would of been a struggle.

mikesbytes · Postby **mikesbytes** » 05 Apr 2009, 21:04

I don't see a closing date on the entrys

https://bne100v.server-secure.com/vs711 ... bLOGIN.cfm

Rodney · Postby **Rodney** » 07 Apr 2009, 21:25

I got my number so have people already registered or will be register as a group?

mikesbytes · Postby **mikesbytes** » 08 Apr 2009, 08:49

There's some accommodation here

http://www.nsw.cycling.org.au/Files/New ... ws1054.htm

simon.sharwood · Postby **simon.sharwood** » 12 Apr 2009, 21:47

Are you guys going to take the bus to Blayney?

I'm booked on the bus - going up with the family

simon.sharwood · Postby **simon.sharwood** » 13 Apr 2009, 19:41

So ... who is doing this ride? I am ... but am waiting for my number to arrive

(And who is taking the start line photo?)

S.

mikesbytes · Postby **mikesbytes** » 14 Apr 2009, 21:16

I've got accommodation, but I haven't entered yet

simon.sharwood · Postby **simon.sharwood** » 17 Apr 2009, 11:27

Anyone wanna get together for dinner in Bathurst?

mikesbytes · Postby **mikesbytes** » 19 Apr 2009, 22:28

Ride Report.

Turned up at the start for the 110k ride and meet the following DHBC riders
[young] Nick
Jonno
Simon Sharwood
Me

We headed off into a headwind, in fact I was only doing 26kph on the flat. My legs were completely toasted by 80k and then we went up Mount [something] and they were toasted a nice charcoal colour, so I coasted the last 15k to the finish. Don't know what my official time is, but I think I did it in around 3h40m but will wait for the official results. Can't complain, I've only done 2 training rides since returning from injury, the last one 4 weeks ago and had a cold plus doms in the glutes didn't help either. [please insert the word "cramp" in a few places in the above report]

At the end I bumped into Nick queuing for a lucky dip (I got a water bottle) and he looked to be in a lot better condition than I did.

Didn't see Jonno or Simon, it was pretty crowded.

simon.sharwood · Postby **simon.sharwood** » 20 Apr 2009, 09:57

I had a very odd ride indeed.
I headed off on the long course, but punctured about 6km out of Blayney.
Then my replacement tube would not inflate. It would get to about 40 psi but no more:-( So I broke out my second spare, but by this time the breakdown wagon decided they were falling too far behind to be of assistance to other riders, so bundled me into the van. The plan was to drop me off at the first drinks stop so I could fix my bloody flat without seeing the van fall too far behind the rest of the pack.
But then we picked up the backmarker of the long course bunch. She was a middle-aged lady averaging about 5km uphill and 15km down or on the flat. So I sat in the breakdown van for an hour as they trailed her into the first drinks stop.
By this time I had figured out that I would only be able to ride the short course - I was too far behind to make up any time on the long course: the breakdown van had long gone and I was out of spare tubes and had no desire to be marooned in the backblocks of the central tablelands.
So I sat down at the first drink stop and found the problem - replacement tube 1 had split near the valve - so at least that was a genuine dud.
Replacement tube 2 was fine, but my pump had become subtly loose and was the reason I could not get pressure into the tyre. Once I figured out how to tighten it up, I was ready to go - and tacked on behind the Southern Cross juniors to warm up, then headed off down the short course.
The rest of the ride was uneventful, if a tad windy.
But at the end of the weekend I had spent $300 (entry fee, accommodation, petrol, food, new tyre I bought before the event) to ride 50kms

This came after TWO different B&Bs in Bathurst canceled my booking, which meant I went alone instead of bringing the family.
Anyway ... I headed home happy enough. I'd not done a country ride before (gongrides don't count, IMHO), learned a lot and am not put off by this collection of mess - I figure I got them all out of the way in one go.
And as luck would have it, I passed Lindsay about 10kms out of Lithgow, picked him and his bike up and we had a jolly good chat on the moving carpark that is the "Great" Western Highway through the Blue Mountains on a Sunday afternoon.

mikesbytes · Postby **mikesbytes** » 20 Apr 2009, 14:59

Results

http://www.nsw.cycling.org.au/files/Rac ... hing_Times

If your a late entrant like me, you need to know your allocated number

Simon, sorry I didn't see your post about dinner until today.

Trouty · Postby **Trouty** » 20 Apr 2009, 15:14

I had a very odd ride indeed.

Way too funny, so many disasters I can't believe you are still so positive about the $300 and the 50km. It rained here so we didnt end up having a ride in Sydney on Sunday. Good to see some of us are still optimists!

weiyun · Postby **weiyun** » 20 Apr 2009, 15:19

Way too funny, so many disasters I can't believe you are still so positive about the $300 and the 50km. It rained here so we didnt end up having a ride in Sydney on Sunday. Good to see some of us are still optimists!

+1. I dared not mention that ratio earlier.

mikesbytes · Postby **mikesbytes** » 20 Apr 2009, 23:24

My number was 1132, so I now know that I officially took 3h40m28s. One of the number crunchers can tell me what my average speed was over 110k

Anyway, its pic time, here we are at the start;

And here I am at the finish, my face says it all

Click for biggies

weiyun · Postby **weiyun** » 21 Apr 2009, 07:24

29.94km/h average for you you Mike. The winner's av was just over 40km/h. Were you with a good bunch?

mikesbytes · Postby **mikesbytes** » 21 Apr 2009, 07:38

29.94km/h average for you you Mike. The winner's av was just over 40km/h. Were you with a good bunch?

I rode most of the ride by myself or with a small number of riders

weiyun · Postby **weiyun** » 21 Apr 2009, 07:50

I rode most of the ride by myself or with a small number of riders

That's pretty impressive for the average you achieved then.

What happened? There weren't enough riders to form a decent bunch? Or did most just rode their own ride?

mikesbytes · Postby **mikesbytes** » 21 Apr 2009, 09:41

What happened? There weren't enough riders to form a decent bunch? Or did most just rode their own ride?

Nick and I went out with the 30 - 35kph group, which then split up into about 5 decent sized bunches. I was near the back and had to ride up the bunches. I climbed thru from the rear to get in the second bunch and then I went out, trying to get to the first buch, but in the end failed to get to it. This left me in a bunch that was too slow for me, but I wasn't able to get to the quicker bunch. Then about a 1/2 dozen of us went off the front up a hill.

I'm guessing that Nick was in that front bunch as he finished 20 odd minutes in front of me.

Well this may of been my slowest ever ride, but 2 days later I'm still tired.

Jono · Postby **Jono** » 21 Apr 2009, 12:26

I signed up for the ride but didn't get any accommodation. I spent Saturday night in Lithgow and then drove to Bathurst in the morning. When I got there I parked the car on William Street and got the bike ready. I then took a bus which left from the corner of William and Howick Streets
It was an interesting trip to Blayney. There were plenty of riders from Randwick Botany Cycling Club and other cycling clubs in Sydney. There were even riders from the Drapac Porsche team. When I got to Blayney I caught up with Simon, Nick and Mike. I met Simon first at the removalist truck and caught up with Mike and Nick later on. I got my registration number and my bag of goodies at Blayney. My number was 731. When we started the temperature was pretty cold. In Bathurst things looked warmish so I was looking forward to getting out of my arm warmers and longs but that didn't happen. We had a pretty hard head wind for the first 20 kilometres. I was dropped by the ride well and truly before the first drink station.
As I rode toward the first drink station I saw Simon fixing the puncture and did offer assistance but Simon said he was OK and appeared to have the job under control so I continued on.
Another rider and I wound up making our way to Trunkey Creek - that was a down hill run and I made some time on the rest of the ride. Towards the half way mark there was some more climbing. On this stage I became aware of the sag wagon trundling behind me. I got to the drinks station at half way and the guys driving the sag wagon told me that they were told to follow the last rider - which pretty much confirmed my suspicions that I was it. I had a chat to the people at the drinks station who told me that as Blayney was higher than Bathurst the next stage was going to be down hill if not on the flat until I got to Mt Rockley. I continued on with the ride. I was determined to get the ride done. I had some of the energy gels and the banana that I got at the start.
Fortunately the people at the drinks station were right I made up some time on the rest of the 110 km riders. There was a point where the long and the short courses converged and I had company till I had to go on to Mount Rockely.
When I got to Mt Rockely I had a really hard time. The climb included a dirt section. I had to stop and use some of the remaining energy gels to give me a boost up the hill. I even had to walk some sections. I got to the final drinks station at the summit of the hill and wound up getting the last of the water. I decided to go all out to make sure that I was able to catch up with the rest of the ride.
The ride down from Mount Rockely was a fast down hill and I went all out to get to Perthville and then on to Bathurst. I rode past a rider who I thought was a recreational rider not taking part in the event. It turned out they were on the ride and had started out on the Long Course but had changed to the short course when the going got tough. I rode on through to Bathurst and the weather improved. I turned off toward Mount Panorama and found myself riding with a couple of girls on mountain bikes. They claimed to be the last of the 70 Km riders. We wound up riding into the Mount Panorama area together.
We went through a gate and then headed into the pits area finish line.
I checked the site and found my time was 5:45:36. It wasn’t a bad ride but it was the toughest I have ever done. I will do it again but do the short course next time.

mikesbytes · Postby **mikesbytes** » 22 Apr 2009, 13:46

The guy taking the photos, I found the site

http://www.abbeydigital.com.au/index090419Bl9.htm

Here's me early on, trying to jump the gap between two bunches

http://www.abbeydigital.com.au/ev/09041 ... /U2458.htm

There's a lot of photos, good luck

Camilla · Postby **Camilla** » 22 Apr 2009, 16:09

It was much more relaxed Mudgee way...

Mudgee to Gulgong

Post-ride beers

And Sunday at the wineries. But I was too busy to take a decent photo of that.

othy · Postby **othy** » 22 Apr 2009, 17:05

Is that Ted on a road bike? I haven't ridden a slowies in a long time and must really be out of the loop.

simon.sharwood · Postby **simon.sharwood** » 22 Apr 2009, 19:36

FWIW, me finishing with a "$6/km - what value!" look on my face

http://www.abbeydigital.com.au/ev/09041 ... /U4316.jpg

mikesbytes · Postby **mikesbytes** » 22 Apr 2009, 22:08

FWIW, me finishing with a "$6/km - what value!" look on my face
http://www.abbeydigital.com.au/ev/09041 ... /U4316.jpg

But its still a great pic

Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club

Blayney to Bathurst Sun 19/4/2009

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