Alpine Classic - thoughts of a newb.
Posted: 25 Jan 2015, 14:20
I know the Alpine Classic is popular in DHBC circles, but I just wanted to give the perspective of a newbie targeting one of the shorter distances rather than one of the hardcore/320km set.
Long story short, it's a brilliant weekend. It's such a great experience riding roads that are largely restricted and surrounded by beautiful bushland. The few cars you do encounter give you loads of space. And almost everywhere you turn there's a great view. Good riding surfaces as well. Such a pleasure after the mayhem & cut and thrust of Sydney's patchwork.
Some would ask why you'd drive several hundred kms to do a 60, 70 or 130km ride, when one could simply do Bobbo or Waterfall. It's not simply the distance though. The riding is bloody glorious. And the town (Bright) has a great buzz about it. Loads of cyclists buzzing round, some cracking pubs, decent cafés. Lots to love.
So if you'd like a target ride to aim for, or a weekend away on the bike, Alpine Classic 2016 might be a great target.
Few tips: book accom stupidly early, like now. The whole town gets booked out. We stayed Bright Pine Valley Holiday park, and it was very decent for the price.
Riding: I have been averaging 100km/week, doing the odd c25s to Waterfall and chucked in the odd Bobbo and West Head in the buildup. And the 60km alpine classic proved a stretch. Tawonga isn't a brutal climb by any measure, but it's _far_ longer than anything you'll run into up on the 3 Gorges or on the Eastern Suburb hills. That said I reckon 3 gorges/eastern burbs/west head/Bobbo are excellent training grounds. I'd probably suggest building a base of Waterfalls for the next 6-8 months, then switch gears to 3 gorges/west head/Eastern hills/Bobbo from around the start of Nov.
Anyhow, my 2 cents
Long story short, it's a brilliant weekend. It's such a great experience riding roads that are largely restricted and surrounded by beautiful bushland. The few cars you do encounter give you loads of space. And almost everywhere you turn there's a great view. Good riding surfaces as well. Such a pleasure after the mayhem & cut and thrust of Sydney's patchwork.
Some would ask why you'd drive several hundred kms to do a 60, 70 or 130km ride, when one could simply do Bobbo or Waterfall. It's not simply the distance though. The riding is bloody glorious. And the town (Bright) has a great buzz about it. Loads of cyclists buzzing round, some cracking pubs, decent cafés. Lots to love.
So if you'd like a target ride to aim for, or a weekend away on the bike, Alpine Classic 2016 might be a great target.
Few tips: book accom stupidly early, like now. The whole town gets booked out. We stayed Bright Pine Valley Holiday park, and it was very decent for the price.
Riding: I have been averaging 100km/week, doing the odd c25s to Waterfall and chucked in the odd Bobbo and West Head in the buildup. And the 60km alpine classic proved a stretch. Tawonga isn't a brutal climb by any measure, but it's _far_ longer than anything you'll run into up on the 3 Gorges or on the Eastern Suburb hills. That said I reckon 3 gorges/eastern burbs/west head/Bobbo are excellent training grounds. I'd probably suggest building a base of Waterfalls for the next 6-8 months, then switch gears to 3 gorges/west head/Eastern hills/Bobbo from around the start of Nov.
Anyhow, my 2 cents
