Audax Ride: In Search of Hills - Sunday 12 December 2010

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Adrian E
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Postby Adrian E » 29 Nov 2010, 17:26

Hi Folks,

For those looking for a challenging training ride or preparation for the upcoming Audax Alpine Classic, come along to In Search of Hills - Sunday 12. There are 150km and 200km distances with lots of climbs.

You can register for the ride at: http://regonline.activeglobal.com/Regis ... tID=918561

More metails below:

***************************************************************************************
In Search of Hills is the Sydney region's most popular ride (2009 had almost 60 starters). It's a hilly route through northern Sydney with 8 ‘good’ climbs and total vertical ascent close to 3,000 metres in the 200km route; it is great training for the Alpine Classic.

The 150km course option was a popular addition in 2009 and is being offered again for those still ramping up their training or those who are sensible and have opted for one of the shorter Alpine Classic distances. Wink

Start Time: 6:30am sharp departure.
Please arrive by 6:10am to allow time for brevets cards to be handed out and any other admin completed.

Start Location: Jersey Street, Hornsby (a short distance north of the Hornsby railway station (western side))

Finish: Hornsby

Control Locations:
200km course:
Church Point 44kms, St Ives 99kms, Mt White 151kms and Arcadia 191kms.

150km course:
Church Point 44kms, St Ives 99kms and Arcadia 140kms,

Route Map: 200km: Available on Bikely at http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Au ... h-of-Hills
150km: Available on Bikely at http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Au ... -Hills-150

Registration:
Online entry is available via ActiveNetwork (click here).

Entry forms will be accepted on the morning but please confirm before hand (by email or text message 0411 252 772) that you will be entering the ride and be at the start no later than 6:00am if entering on the day.

Garry Armsworth
Ride Organiser

Eleri
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Postby Eleri » 29 Nov 2010, 17:34

I'm thinking I will probably go on this - probably the 150km. Am I supposed to train for the 200km? hmmm.

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Adrian E
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Postby Adrian E » 29 Nov 2010, 18:32

Cool. See you there!

dpash
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Postby dpash » 30 Nov 2010, 19:17

Adrian E, I'm also keen. I unfortunately missed Fitz's Challenge due to work but I'll be doing the 3 Peaks Challenge again in Mar so the 150kms will be a great trg ride.

I am seeking abit of advice regarding bike set up. I had a triple crank on my bike when I tackled the 3 peaks Challenge last year and was able to grind my way up all the ascents. I have now upgraded and my bike has the following:
cassette 12x25, 10-speed
cranks 39/52
Should I be getting a compact crank set, adding an additional casette, simply hardening up or is there another solution ?

orphic
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Postby orphic » 30 Nov 2010, 19:55

Damn, I was keen for this but I'll be off touring in search of my own hills and adventures. Enjoy :)

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Adrian E
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Postby Adrian E » 30 Nov 2010, 20:39

Hi Dpash,
I have some spare compact cranks (50/35 Shimano 105) you'd like to give them a try. I'm not really sure to give advise. I prefer spinning to grinding, but each to their own. I havn't done the three peaks or alpine classic before so I don't know how hard it is.

dpash
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Postby dpash » 02 Dec 2010, 18:33

Adrian E, thats a very kind offer and I'd very much like to try out your compact cranks.

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Adrian E
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Postby Adrian E » 03 Dec 2010, 07:58

Hi dpash, I've PMed my contact details if your able to meet up.

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Adrian E
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Postby Adrian E » 04 Dec 2010, 16:06

Hi EMT,

I'm going to be catching the Newcastle and Central Coast train next Saturday.
Dep: 5:45am Sydney Terminal Platform 9
Arr: 6:22am Hornsby Station Platform 5
Feel free to join me at the station if you're not driving there.

Eleri
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Postby Eleri » 04 Dec 2010, 17:51

Adrian - train sounds like a good idea. It will take at least that long to drive anyway.

I'm going Sunday tho :)

Eleri

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Adrian E
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Postby Adrian E » 04 Dec 2010, 20:27

oh yeah. better check the timetable again : (

Eleri
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Postby Eleri » 04 Dec 2010, 20:59

I'm happy to drive if that's easier - 2 bikes will fit in the back of the car, no probs.

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Postby Richard » 08 Dec 2010, 15:42

The only prep I have done for the Alpine in January is 'carbo-loading'! (i.e. getting fat from eating and drinking to excess)

I think I will have to do the 150km on Sunday. Did it last year and it was a great ride.

Anyone catching the train or have a spare spot in their car? I can't get both a leave pass and the car for the day.

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Adrian E
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Postby Adrian E » 09 Dec 2010, 10:09

Hi Richard and EMT,

Glad you can both make it on Sunday. I'm going to be catching the train if you want to join me. It runs the same time Sunday morning (below). I have an annual mymulti rail ticket so I'm always looking for an excuse to catch the train. Look forward to seeing you there! I'll PM my mobile if you need to contact me before, during or after the ride.

Cheers

adrian

Take the Newcastle and Central Coast train (CityRail)
Dep: 5:45am Sydney Terminal Platform 9
Arr: 6:22am Hornsby Station Platform 5

Eleri
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Postby Eleri » 09 Dec 2010, 20:29

Thanks Adrian - see you on the train!

MarkL
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Postby MarkL » 10 Dec 2010, 11:33

l've had my eye on this ride but l'm not up for any hard rides for a couple of weeks, still recovering after the Tour of Bright last w/e :wink:

dpash
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Postby dpash » 10 Dec 2010, 11:54

Enjoy the ride on sunday, I'd love to be there with you but a couple of the smaller members of my family are sick so I'll be absent.

Adrian E - I'm still keen to take you up on your offer to lend the compact cranks so I'll give you a call soon. I'll certainly need to get some training done before the 3 peaks so if you or Richard are doing some more hills in the lead up to the Audax let me know.

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Adrian E
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Postby Adrian E » 10 Dec 2010, 12:28

Sure Doug, I'll be around Saturday after 11am if that works for you. I'm also planning to do Heard it on the Grapevine on Monday 27 December: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/He ... pevine-200

davidos

Postby davidos » 10 Dec 2010, 15:09

I've entered the 150km ride. Looking forward to a few good hills prior to the Alpine.

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paul
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Postby paul » 11 Dec 2010, 16:38

I'm doing the 150 km as well.
Training for the Alpine too.

Paul

Eleri
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Postby Eleri » 11 Dec 2010, 17:31

Excellent Paul - see you on the train or at Hornsby.

Eleri
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Postby Eleri » 12 Dec 2010, 17:30

A great turn out at the ride today - there were 6 of us: Adrian, Ron, Richard, David, Paul and Ron. The day was on the warm side and the route takes full advantage of the sun - mostly NE in the morning and then quite alot of west in the afternon! I'm hoping I'm not pink cheeked in the morning and that I'm still just hot from the ride. :oops: Every hill climb seemed to be west facing which is a bit unfair.

The group split early and I ended up riding the first half with Richard and David but Ron is the true turtle to our rabbit and kept passing us after we spent too long lying on the grass or eating bakery products. He was off to to do the 200 and left me at Berowra when I peeled off to Berowra Waters.

I was happy with my 150 ride - we did 2563m of climbing altogether over 7 climbs and I averaged 20.7kph. I was actually glad of the climbing as descending was making my feet numb! And I went to places I didn't know existed (basically most of whatever is north of the harbour bridge fits into that category.) Although by the time we climbed out of Galston Gorge and got to the bit where the houses are, I was over it and then it was pretty hard after that - that's my head though as I hadn't run out of legs or anything.

btw - DHBC has a great reputation as a social and interesting club amongst Audax riders - nice to know!

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Adrian E
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Postby Adrian E » 12 Dec 2010, 21:24

Hi Eleri, Nice to meet you today and it was a great turn up from dhbc. I'll send the photo. i'm looking forward to the alpine classic. My ride when a little awry when my rear derailuer cable snapped near the turn around point at west head. I'd pretty much called it a day, walking up a few hills but I managed to find a bike shop in Narrabeen as I was riding home towards Manly. I turned around and just made it to the second checkpoint in time after returning to Akuna Bay. I finally caught Ron at Mt White and got home at 6:30pm. Ron finished around 7:30. We sat down for a feed at the Olive Bar in Hornsby. All in all, a good but pretty hard day in the saddle.
Last edited by Adrian E on 13 Dec 2010, 07:50, edited 1 time in total.

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Trouty
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Postby Trouty » 13 Dec 2010, 06:17

You guys are so hard core, you put me to shame. Stuart and I have done no training for hills so it looks like the Alpine will be more of a social ride for us, so I'm still looking forward to it. I'm signed for the 200km but I'm pretty sure I will only do the 130 or 140. Do I need compacts for this ride? Now you're all really scaring me. Sounds like Stuart and I might be driving up the hills!!

Eleri
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Postby Eleri » 13 Dec 2010, 07:00

You guys are so hard core, you put me to shame. Stuart and I have done no training for hills so it looks like the Alpine will be more of a social ride for us, so I'm still looking forward to it. I'm signed for the 200km but I'm pretty sure I will only do the 130 or 140. Do I need compacts for this ride? Now you're all really scaring me. Sounds like Stuart and I might be driving up the hills!!

"hard core" ha ha. I wish.

Yesterday I finally cracked how to change gears efficiently going up hills with the compacts. I can't believe this has taken 6 months. Don't know whether you need them or not but it was a better hill climb for me on these than it was on my old bike and old gears.

I'm up for a few RNP rides over Christmas so I'll put up a note about that soon.

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Adrian E
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Postby Adrian E » 13 Dec 2010, 07:52

Hi Jo,
Yes compacts cranks and at least a 27 on the rear are advisable if you don't want to walk. There are parts of Tawonga Gap that are much steep than Fitz's hill.
http://theclimbingcyclist.com/climbs/al ... auty-side/

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Adrian E
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Postby Adrian E » 13 Dec 2010, 09:43

Image

Richard
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Postby Richard » 13 Dec 2010, 15:24

David and Eleri battled on to the end in the heat.

I got to the 120km mark , it was bloody hot, after the Bobbon Head climb I had a choice, turn right up the old highway towards Berowra Waters and Galston Gorge or turn left to Hornsby and have a cold beer instead.

The beer was good.

Richard
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Postby Richard » 13 Dec 2010, 16:08

David, Eleri and I witnessed the most extraordinary crash.

We had just turned right off McCarrs Creek Road heading up towards West Head when a cyclist coming the opposite direction came off at high speed.

A car was turning right across the road to park in a small parking area and failed to look left and see the cyclist coming flying down the hill. To avoid a collision the cyclist went off the left of the road onto the gravel, narrowly missed the rear of the six parked cars. Somehow he was able to uncleat a foot from his bike just before it was destroyed on impact with a timber National Park sign. The rider then (now sans bike) narrowly missed another parked car and various trees and ended up in the scrub. All he had to show for this was a minor 1" graze on his leg. Unbelievable.

I think he needs to ask Santa for a new bike.

Image

Eleri
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Postby Eleri » 13 Dec 2010, 16:32

Oh yeah, I forgot that bit! A spectacular bit of skidding that seemed to go on for a very long time. And a skilled / lucky disembarkation for the rider.

The car driver, a nice enough chap, looked at the now dissembled front end and hopefully said "the forks should be OK then, do you think?" ah - no they wouldn't.

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paul
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Postby paul » 13 Dec 2010, 19:27

Adrian,

That was hard-core Audax, gets my Eugene Christophe award for perseverance.
How far did the backtrack to Narabeen add?

I finished the 150 km OK, although the shortcut back to Hornsby and a cold beer was tempting,
Well done all DHBC riders.

Paul

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Adrian E
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Postby Adrian E » 14 Dec 2010, 12:58

Hi Paul,

Thanks for teaching me about Eugene Christophe although I didn't break my fork or require hospitalisation for two months after riding Milan San Remo with frostbite. The U-turn added about 40km to the ride and yes I did enjoy a beer back at the Olive Bar.

Adrian

orphic
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Postby orphic » 14 Dec 2010, 20:04

Hey I need some information on this ride, as I want to try it in a few weeks from now. I found the route on bikely but what I really need is to know where I can find the BEST bakery and pie shops along the way?

Thanks :D

davidos

Postby davidos » 14 Dec 2010, 20:34

Best to start the day with a bakery visit. There as a bakery near the start on the Pacific Highway. I'd only rank it 3/5 for meat pie and sauce. It was open at 6:10 on Sunday.

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Adrian E
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Postby Adrian E » 14 Dec 2010, 21:01

Only real bakery/pie shop is on the 200km ride (Pie in the Sky en route to Mt White).

Usually I'd avoid the route via Roseville Bridge although riding with 60 others makes it a lot easier.

weller
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Postby weller » 16 Dec 2010, 07:35

If you havent done the AUDAX before, I'd suggest up and down Macquarie pass a couple of times - that will give you an idea of the length and gradient of the climbs. Tawonga the second time (i.e heading back to Bright) is much harder - 1. becuase you would have also done Falls Creek and 2 the sun is quite high (usually - this year may be different with all the rain) and there is not much protection, soak yourself at the water tank. And if you are doing the 200 - psych yourself for Buffalo, it goes on and on. Good thing is it's a great decent! While the last leg is 70ks (Bright-Buffalo-Bright), in reality it's only 35 as half is down hil!!

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Trouty
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Postby Trouty » 16 Dec 2010, 12:03

If you havent done the AUDAX before, I'd suggest up and down Macquarie pass a couple of times - that will give you an idea of the length and gradient of the climbs. Tawonga the second time (i.e heading back to Bright) is much harder - 1. becuase you would have also done Falls Creek and 2 the sun is quite high (usually - this year may be different with all the rain) and there is not much protection, soak yourself at the water tank. And if you are doing the 200 - psych yourself for Buffalo, it goes on and on. Good thing is it's a great decent! While the last leg is 70ks (Bright-Buffalo-Bright), in reality it's only 35 as half is down hil!!

Hey Weller, you doing Eastern Creek Raceway SUnday?

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Stuart
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Postby Stuart » 16 Dec 2010, 16:29

If you haven't done the AUDAX before, I'd suggest up and down Macquarie pass a couple of times - that will give you an idea of the length and gradient of the climbs. Tawonga the second time (i.e heading back to Bright) is much harder - 1. because you would have also done Falls Creek and 2 the sun is quite high (usually - this year may be different with all the rain) and there is not much protection, soak yourself at the water tank. And if you are doing the 200 - psych yourself for Buffalo, it goes on and on. Good thing is it's a great decent! While the last leg is 70ks (Bright-Buffalo-Bright), in reality it's only 35 as half is down hill!!
Is this post in the right topic Craig ????


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