Grafton to Inverell 2010 - October 23rd

Road cycling & upcoming rides
User avatar
T-Bone
Posts: 1933
Joined: 21 Nov 2006, 22:50
Location: Up the Hill

Postby T-Bone » 15 Jul 2010, 18:24

It's still several months away, but apparently accommodation is getting very difficult to find.

So, the question is who is planning to race???

Entries close on October 10th.

shrubb face
Posts: 1010
Joined: 09 Sep 2008, 01:43
Location: Marrickville

Postby shrubb face » 15 Jul 2010, 18:34

Im in. Already booked my accommodation with Al.

wallman
Posts: 298
Joined: 17 Nov 2007, 15:10
Location: Marrickville

Postby wallman » 15 Jul 2010, 18:35

Keen as. Al has a house up there?

orphic
Posts: 1109
Joined: 18 Apr 2009, 20:03
Location: Stanmore

Postby orphic » 15 Jul 2010, 19:06

I think I would like to do the womens race. Anyone else keen? Amy, Camilla, Joanne?

shrubb face
Posts: 1010
Joined: 09 Sep 2008, 01:43
Location: Marrickville

Postby shrubb face » 15 Jul 2010, 21:14

Al has a couple of rooms which he's had booked for years, if theres no beds left he said there is plenty of room on the floor. Probably worth dropping in for a visit and putting your name on his virtual list. Plus he has 5 dollar tubes, which is always handy.

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 15 Jul 2010, 22:19

I've been thinking about this one all year. When you finish in Inverell, do you get a lift back to Grafton, or do you stay in Inverell?

User avatar
T-Bone
Posts: 1933
Joined: 21 Nov 2006, 22:50
Location: Up the Hill

Postby T-Bone » 15 Jul 2010, 22:47

You stay in Inverell. It's 228km back to Grafton.

It seems Al had me down for accommodation already. :D

For the women, you will need to be staying in Glen Innes before the race, as that's where it starts and where sign on is (on the friday).

User avatar
Trouty
Posts: 1214
Joined: 09 May 2007, 13:23

Postby Trouty » 16 Jul 2010, 07:31

I think I would like to do the womens race. Anyone else keen? Amy, Camilla, Joanne?
I'm sure Amy and Cam will be there, ....if it's 80km or over, Camilla would have to lie to me again and tell me there are no hills before I even consider it.

PeterOS
Posts: 145
Joined: 16 Jul 2008, 13:39

Postby PeterOS » 16 Jul 2010, 08:46

I'm off doing sneaky training for this event, and I think Al has got me down for accommodation.

orphic
Posts: 1109
Joined: 18 Apr 2009, 20:03
Location: Stanmore

Postby orphic » 16 Jul 2010, 10:51

Well Jo there's a B grade and an A grade. B grade is less than 70km and A grade is less that 112km. I hate hills just as much (if not more) than you, but it would be cool to do it. I'll ride with you (read: suck your wheel!)

timyone
Posts: 4380
Joined: 22 Nov 2006, 20:29

Postby timyone » 16 Jul 2010, 11:50

im not sure about it, ive only been on a road bike once in the last few months besides those two road races, i might be just a track cyclist this year.

MarkL
Posts: 400
Joined: 31 Mar 2009, 11:14
Location: Leichhardt

Postby MarkL » 27 Jul 2010, 13:07

l should do this one, will call in and see Al this week.

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 12 Sep 2010, 19:25

Warning Warning Warning

Despite the web page saying entries close 10th October, electronic entry says 17th September

MarkL
Posts: 400
Joined: 31 Mar 2009, 11:14
Location: Leichhardt

Postby MarkL » 12 Sep 2010, 22:50

Entered.

First 100k is neutral :D

timyone
Posts: 4380
Joined: 22 Nov 2006, 20:29

Postby timyone » 13 Sep 2010, 15:33

1st 80, the next 20km is a hill :S

User avatar
T-Bone
Posts: 1933
Joined: 21 Nov 2006, 22:50
Location: Up the Hill

Postby T-Bone » 17 Sep 2010, 00:14

I've got my entry in now, just to be safe.

Peter, Mike, Alex, you'd better get your entries in now, just to make sure you don't miss out. (Though you could argue that everywhere else states entries closing 10th October...)

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 17 Sep 2010, 06:40

Entered

It states on online entry that entries close today

PeterOS
Posts: 145
Joined: 16 Jul 2008, 13:39

Postby PeterOS » 17 Sep 2010, 13:14

Entered,
And scared !!!
Must change my signature to line up with Tim
"About to do the Gafton"

shrubb face
Posts: 1010
Joined: 09 Sep 2008, 01:43
Location: Marrickville

Postby shrubb face » 17 Sep 2010, 17:36

Entered.

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 17 Sep 2010, 19:57

So unless someone else enters tonight its;
Alex
James
Joshua
Peter
Mark
Mike

http://www.cyclingnsw.org/entrysystem/a ... ecode=3103

User avatar
T-Bone
Posts: 1933
Joined: 21 Nov 2006, 22:50
Location: Up the Hill

Postby T-Bone » 17 Sep 2010, 22:03

Although, since the cyclingNSW race calender and the actual Grafton to Inverell website both say entries close on 10th October, i reckon there's still a little bit of room for people to argue their way in.

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 07 Oct 2010, 21:17


timyone
Posts: 4380
Joined: 22 Nov 2006, 20:29

Postby timyone » 07 Oct 2010, 22:22

thanks for the link mike, looks like good advice!

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 10 Oct 2010, 17:46

How many mtrs of climbing?

timyone
Posts: 4380
Joined: 22 Nov 2006, 20:29

Postby timyone » 10 Oct 2010, 20:41

lol mike your obsessed with posting those sorta details on face book recently hey~!

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 10 Oct 2010, 21:28

Trying to gauge where I am training wise. At this point I think I've done half of what I need to have done

timyone
Posts: 4380
Joined: 22 Nov 2006, 20:29

Postby timyone » 10 Oct 2010, 22:31

Ride to katoomba and back

User avatar
T-Bone
Posts: 1933
Joined: 21 Nov 2006, 22:50
Location: Up the Hill

Postby T-Bone » 10 Oct 2010, 22:33

You've got almost 2 weeks. I've got less than 1 week before Warrnambool, and i still have to do the finishing touches to my wheels.

User avatar
T-Bone
Posts: 1933
Joined: 21 Nov 2006, 22:50
Location: Up the Hill

Postby T-Bone » 10 Oct 2010, 22:34

Ride to katoomba and back
The ride to Katoomba is pretty easy, and back should be extremely easy. I'd suggest finding a hill and riding up it repeatedly for 1hr.

timyone
Posts: 4380
Joined: 22 Nov 2006, 20:29

Postby timyone » 11 Oct 2010, 07:36

the problem is the hours on the bike though as well, my mechanic trains for it by doing some thing like maq pass, to katoomba to sydney, or some thing like that, tell me if you want to train with him, he may be doing it this sunday.

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 11 Oct 2010, 07:39

Graeme is tougher than me :)

As for training its all over now, as next weekend is the Fixie Century. Mark and I are adding 100k on Saturday to toughen it up a bit

timyone
Posts: 4380
Joined: 22 Nov 2006, 20:29

Postby timyone » 11 Oct 2010, 08:51

your doing 260?

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 11 Oct 2010, 09:02

100 sat + spin class
170 sun

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 12 Oct 2010, 09:27

Where's a van following with spare wheels ????

Can anyone lend me a Shimano 10 speed cassette to put on my spare wheels?

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 14 Oct 2010, 16:33

458 competitors, presumably to be split into A, B, C grade

http://www.nsw.cycling.org.au/cy_nsw/ra ... /10220.htm

I missed Ron, he's 1 of 7 competitors in his age category.

Alex
James
Joshua
Peter
Mark
Mike
Ron

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 14 Oct 2010, 16:48

Breakdown by age category
U/23 35
Elite Men 120
MMAS2 59
MMAS3 81
MMAS4 66
MMAS5 60
MMAS6 22
MMAS7 8
MMAS8 7

j.d.lester.
Posts: 24
Joined: 08 Jun 2010, 20:45

Postby j.d.lester. » 17 Oct 2010, 17:48

..hey there.. is any one familiar with the feeding zone scenario? The race conditions say.. NOTE: All feeding must be conducted on foot from the left hand side only of the road.. but by chance speaking to guy at a mates bbq who competed two years ago was saying the handlers passed food in bags to riders tour de france style? No stopping?

User avatar
T-Bone
Posts: 1933
Joined: 21 Nov 2006, 22:50
Location: Up the Hill

Postby T-Bone » 18 Oct 2010, 10:08

It's just like a feeding zone in the tour. You get your feeder to pass you what you want in the feeding zone as you ride past (can stop if you want, but the bunch won't). It's usually best using a bag, unless you're only grabbing one bottle.

The race conditions basically mean, no feeding from cars, and only in feeding zones.

Here's an example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc5cigT1 ... re=related Our bunch will be going slower of course.

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 18 Oct 2010, 10:24

Hi James, can you please advise a food/drink plan

timyone
Posts: 4380
Joined: 22 Nov 2006, 20:29

Postby timyone » 18 Oct 2010, 12:27

alex is b grade!!!!!!!!!!!!!

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 18 Oct 2010, 12:29

alex is b grade!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He won't be happy with that :)

PeterOS
Posts: 145
Joined: 16 Jul 2008, 13:39

Postby PeterOS » 18 Oct 2010, 12:52

Hi James, can you please advise a food/drink plan
Yeah James,
Have no idea on food or water during the race any advise would be welcome, and is there a map that shows where the drink or food stops will be ?

User avatar
T-Bone
Posts: 1933
Joined: 21 Nov 2006, 22:50
Location: Up the Hill

Postby T-Bone » 18 Oct 2010, 15:43

Hmm, interesting gradings....

I'll let you know about the feeding once i've thought about it.

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 18 Oct 2010, 15:59

Hmm, interesting gradings....
Very interesting

shrubb face
Posts: 1010
Joined: 09 Sep 2008, 01:43
Location: Marrickville

Postby shrubb face » 18 Oct 2010, 16:19

oh god again. I wanted to win D grade

timyone
Posts: 4380
Joined: 22 Nov 2006, 20:29

Postby timyone » 18 Oct 2010, 16:20

well mr B grader :D

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 18 Oct 2010, 20:52

Looks like all of the U23's have been plonked in A and Div 2

.............A..D2..D3..D4
....U/23..25..10
....Elite..48..44..20..07
MMAS2..02..46..10
MMAS3..04..34..32..10
MMAS4..03..19..31..13
MMAS5.......02..45..13
MMAS7............01..07
MMAS6............03..19
MMAS8............01..06

While Div 4 has 75 rides, surely a chunk of those are ones that won't cut it with the bunch, so where does that leave James and I?

User avatar
williamd
Posts: 377
Joined: 03 Jan 2008, 12:43
Location: Sydney

Postby williamd » 19 Oct 2010, 08:06

I spoke to Al last night and he is leaving at 2am on friday morning.
I will be taking Peter O'sullivan and Michael Clement in my car and will be leaving around the same time as Al.

Michael can you call me on 97161981 to discuss where to meet on Friday morning.

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 19 Oct 2010, 10:34

I spoke to Al last night and he is leaving at 2am on friday morning.
I will be taking Peter O'sullivan and Michael Clement in my car and will be leaving around the same time as Al.

Michael can you call me on 97161981 to discuss where to meet on Friday morning.
2am :shock: Do you want to leave Thursday after work and spend the night in a cheap hotel in Taree?

Where's the second feed station?
There is a good old fashioned profile on the official Cycling NSW Grafton race information. At the bottom click on ‘Race Map’. If you can’t find it drop me a one liner and I will email you a copy. It is essential to study it thoroughly.

The Gibraltar climb is average 5.8% and max 7.0%; thus it is not steep but is a steady 16.5km uphill.

The bunch is very crowded before the climb and I have seen falls. Try to avoid having to hit the brakes when going up; be a miser with your energy.

It’s a good idea and you will find other riders will have a leak at approx km65.

1st feed station (km70) is better not used. It is immediately before the climb. You must not eat then, cannot eat on the uphill and cannot afford to carry stuff up the hill, so why take supplies? It is also outright dangerous with that sort of rider numbers then. Why stress yourself all along and possibly find yourself at the back of the field when the climb starts? Better concentrate on the task ahead. By not feeding I reach the bottom of the climb relaxed at the front of the bunch. I have only a disposable water bottle (mainly for dousing) with me which I dump half way up. 5k after the summit you get re-stocked with water at the neutral water station, no drama.

Stick to a group as long as practicable. I alternate between standing and sitting. It is best for your muscles. I also find it impresses my co riders and makes me feel good every time a can sit down and hit them hard when they thought I’ve had it! But eventually, and before you collapse, let the group go and do it on your own.

Now you are the driver! Do not get slow because other riders are slow. When on my own I count the strokes: 30 standing , 40 sitting and so on; this prevents me from drifting, gives me a sense of achievement, an incentive to accelerate and blocks the influence of the riders I overtake.

The end of climb is a 300m long straight at 7%. From memory there is no sign but you will see spectators. Do not overdo now because most likely it is not wise to take a rest right at the top. [many Grafton riders are so happy they made it to the top that they want a big rest after the crest] Too often the plot is not lost on the uphill but you loose because you pressed so hard that you cannot accelerate after cresting.

Only if riders come fast from behind you wait to join them. Most likely however the rider behind you is more shot than you and, worse, not in the mood to work. From your standing/sitting style you are used to change in rhythm and most likely now is the time to do it again. Build speed quickly and you are likely to find allies in front of you. Then you have a rest, shake your legs and get your water. Then you are ready to do it all over again on the first (and hardest) climb on the plateau. After that the race normally settles down, the feed station comes and you have time to eat and drink you favourite.

I use only the second feed station to stock up. Many riders like to be pampered but I find it more empowering to be self contained. To be dependent on feed also leaves your mind exposed to doubt and such worries eat away from the aggression you need so badly.

The Glen Innes feed station is not ideal because, again, you cannot eat because in just 10km is the last ‘big’ hill.

You should spend all that is left in your tank by km 223; the last 5ks are just coasting down.

The Grafton is to a great deal a metal exercise. The long distance on the plateau makes you loose focus, invites you to daydream and to forget what you have come here for. It happened to me that riders rode away from me I didn’t even care! Possibly caffeine could be of benefit to combat this.

The method to have something left in the tank towards the end is, of course, not to spend it at the beginning. How? Well if in the bunch do not close holes but let others overtake you to close it. Next time they all hit the brakes, don’t, and with little effort you make good lost places.


Cheers, Eugen :lol:

User avatar
T-Bone
Posts: 1933
Joined: 21 Nov 2006, 22:50
Location: Up the Hill

Postby T-Bone » 19 Oct 2010, 10:45

Just found this http://www.graftontoinverellcycleclassi ... 0%20v3.pdf

Looks like the feeding zones are different to all the times i've done this race in the past. Previously the first feed was at the bottom of the climb, and the second and third were where the first and second now are (new third was nothing). So, 120 odd kms until the first feed, but neutral water bottom and top of climb.

timyone
Posts: 4380
Joined: 22 Nov 2006, 20:29

Postby timyone » 19 Oct 2010, 11:08

my one big tip for people, theres a big hill, at the bottom of the big hill, you want to be right at the front to get a water bottle or two. When you start riding up the hill, you want to be right up the front. This can not be highlighted enough. I was in the first 5 or so riders for this point, and as a result had all the fastest hill guys go past me some where up the climb, but i still finished it ahead of a lot of people that were a lot faster and stronger than me on hills! i just went at my own pace up the hill, never changing down gears.


yeah was only water at the bottom for us, where you want to be at the front!!!!!!!

User avatar
williamd
Posts: 377
Joined: 03 Jan 2008, 12:43
Location: Sydney

Postby williamd » 20 Oct 2010, 15:55

Michael
Peter O suggested we leave at 5am on Friday.
Please call me to discuss and where to meet.

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 20 Oct 2010, 21:57

Michael
Peter O suggested we leave at 5am on Friday.
Please call me to discuss and where to meet.
Details PM'ed

timyone
Posts: 4380
Joined: 22 Nov 2006, 20:29

Postby timyone » 23 Oct 2010, 22:39

umm details?
Jackson law won the junior race, and sam from sydney city got third in A grade :D

orphic
Posts: 1109
Joined: 18 Apr 2009, 20:03
Location: Stanmore

Postby orphic » 24 Oct 2010, 03:14

Sam Rutherford? That's heaps aweome! And go Jackson. Pretty epic race to place in...

shrubb face
Posts: 1010
Joined: 09 Sep 2008, 01:43
Location: Marrickville

Postby shrubb face » 24 Oct 2010, 18:30

Yep, Sam Rutherford got 3rd in A grade.

I'll let everyone else post their own results (im busy doing uni work to write it all up). Was both a extremely hard yet rewarding race. B grade had almost 150 riders in there, so it was a large field. The first 70kms or so was very nervious, with lots of near crashes. I tried to stay in the front section of the peleton. At about the 60 km mark, I had a rear wheel puncture. Both A & B grade had Sram neural spares, so i pulled over with my hand up and completed a very professional wheel change, the Sram guy even gave me a push back up to speed. Chased back on reasonably easly, though it took me till about 2-3kms in to the climb to get back to the front of the pack.

The climb was very quick, I was in the first 20 or so until I started to fade about 2/3 of the way up. Eugene was on the side of the road with his extended family, to say he was excited upon seeing me still at the head of the race would be a understatement. I reached the top of the climb in between the front bunch and the second bunch on the road. I time trialed with another rider for a brief period period before we were caught by the bunch of 15 riders from behind. The bunch worked reasonably hard for the rest of the race. At one point we were about a minute or so behind the front bunch, we could see them up the road but could never quite catch them. My feeder didnt make it to the second or third feed zones in time. So i had to steal/borrow food and drink off other riders. At about the 150km mark, I had extremely bad leg cramps, due to lack of salt, water, etc, but managed to push through. Sprinted against the guys in my bunch at the end, think I got 4th and probably about 20 or 30th overal.

Im sure ill be back next year. Hopefully a couple of kilograms lighter for the climb.

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 25 Oct 2010, 06:14

Image
Alex, James, Michael, Ron, Peter, Mark

Joshua missing

User avatar
Adrian E
Posts: 1163
Joined: 07 Mar 2007, 13:15
Location: Newtown

Postby Adrian E » 25 Oct 2010, 10:40

Great report Alex. Sounds like you had fantastic ride. Finishing near the lead bunch in B grade is no small achievement in this race.

Congrats to everyone who rode and finished the race. Great to see Ron Webster still in amongst it. Much respect Ron!!!

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 25 Oct 2010, 20:42

Got some photos off Eugene, have cropped them

James
Image

Peter
Image

Peter again
Image

Me
Image

Sorry that's all

User avatar
jbcow
Posts: 293
Joined: 12 May 2009, 07:18
Location: Redfern
Contact:

Postby jbcow » 25 Oct 2010, 20:50

great to see the snaps, must have been hard work. The following day I rode 4km indoors....

orphic
Posts: 1109
Joined: 18 Apr 2009, 20:03
Location: Stanmore

Postby orphic » 26 Oct 2010, 08:14

Awesome work guys! Bet it was really hard work.

Anyone got Garmin data from the day? James?

User avatar
T-Bone
Posts: 1933
Joined: 21 Nov 2006, 22:50
Location: Up the Hill

Postby T-Bone » 26 Oct 2010, 09:33

Garmin data is HERE

As for my report.... In D grade the race started fairly slowly with nothing really happening until Gibralter. Unfortunately 3km before the climb i managed to tear a spoke out after my wheel magnet had moved and was hitting the sensor, but after a reasonable wheel change, i fairly easily chased back on, and was at the back of the bunch as the climb started, before quickly moving up to the front.

As the splits started to occur, i found myself in a group of 5 going up the climb with 1 rider off the front (who stayed away and won by 15-20min, from what i've heard). For the majority of the climb i was fairly comfortable, but tiredness started to creep into my legs on the last 1/4 of the climb, and with 2-3km until the top i had to ease off slightly and so did another rider. Going over summit in 6th place i could see the riders in front, but i wasn't going to catch them especially into the headwind that had turned up. So, i was on my own for the next 5km or so until the next group back caught me. I stayed in this group until the 1st feed, but along with another rider, i was shot out the back on the next climb.

So, once again i was by myself, until around 25km later another group caught me. I stayed with this group until the next 2nd feed, but was stuffed and got off the bike and sat down for 8min. The short rest proved to be a good decision as for the final 60km i felt great and caught and passed 4-5 other riders.

All up, i'm reasonably happy with my performance, especially on the climb, but i still need to work on my race endurance for next year.

orphic
Posts: 1109
Joined: 18 Apr 2009, 20:03
Location: Stanmore

Postby orphic » 26 Oct 2010, 09:51

Wow, that elevation profile.. I'm speechless!

MarkL
Posts: 400
Joined: 31 Mar 2009, 11:14
Location: Leichhardt

Postby MarkL » 26 Oct 2010, 12:23

lt was a fantastic race!!!

Report to come, and Garmin data after l create an account.

shrubb face
Posts: 1010
Joined: 09 Sep 2008, 01:43
Location: Marrickville

Postby shrubb face » 26 Oct 2010, 18:16

Mark, James and Myself after we were cornered by a photographer at the start.
http://maxhr.zenfolio.com/p633877346/h1 ... #h100573fd

and people said cycling was fun....
http://maxhr.zenfolio.com/p633877346/h1 ... #h17cc3964
http://maxhr.zenfolio.com/p633877346/h3ab732d#h3ab732d

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 26 Oct 2010, 21:24

Mark, James and Myself after we were cornered by a photographer at the start.
http://maxhr.zenfolio.com/p633877346/h1 ... #h100573fd

and people said cycling was fun....
http://maxhr.zenfolio.com/p633877346/h1 ... #h17cc3964
http://maxhr.zenfolio.com/p633877346/h3ab732d#h3ab732d
That's a really good photo
Image

othy
Posts: 477
Joined: 12 Dec 2007, 10:46
Location: Summer Hill

Postby othy » 27 Oct 2010, 12:23

Results are out:
http://www.nsw.cycling.org.au/cy_nsw/ra ... tm#Results

Well done to everyone. Looks like B grade were only a minute slower over the climb then A.

shrubb face
Posts: 1010
Joined: 09 Sep 2008, 01:43
Location: Marrickville

Postby shrubb face » 27 Oct 2010, 12:29

hmm, i lost more time than i thought i did. Oh well, Im still happy.

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 27 Oct 2010, 14:03

Image

I've put the data in a spreadsheet, send me an email if you want to analyse it

User avatar
Stuart
Posts: 2568
Joined: 11 Mar 2008, 10:43
Location: Dulwich Hill

Postby Stuart » 31 Oct 2010, 09:28

Don't forget to tune in to Cycling Central TV: Sunday 5pm on SBS ONE. Extended highlights of Grafton-Inverell Classic.

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 31 Oct 2010, 22:27

Race Report
OK I've had a week to mill over the data and reflect on what went well and what would be done differently.

Background / Objective / Grading
With 3 training sessions (LWE, Mt Kera and Fixie Century), I was hardly prepared. My objective was to complete within the designated time zone. The race itself has 3,100mtrs of climbing including a 18k hill and my climbing ability could probably be described as average.
Div4 - 109 entrants

0 - 72k - the beginning
Pace was slow, I seriously considered going off the front and getting some space for the hill. 2 water bottles, 2 energy gels

72k - 90k - The 18k Hill
I took it way too conservatively. Reviewing the data later confirmed my suspicions, I was 1.5kph off the pace. I feel that was 1kph too conservative and needed to be another 0.5kph fitter. Almost 2 water bottles, 1 energy gel.
Started overtaking Div3 riders half way up the hill

90k - 185k - solo
Going over the top in 48th position I felt good, I upped the pace and picked up 2 riders, who were struggling so I told them to sit on my wheel but they couldn't hold me wheel, this repeated itself with every rider I came upon, regardless of whether they were Div3 or Div4. In the end I resigned to the fact that I was going to have to chase by myself.

First feed station I almost feel off, I was going too fast when I grabbed my feedbag and the sudden change in weight balance caught me out. Finished my 5th water bottle and carried on.

The headwind was getting stronger and I had to really focus on the speedo, so not to loose pace riding solo. I could see 5 riders about 3k in front with the wheel car following. Inbetween were 2 riders about half way, I decided to push really hard to catch the 2 riders and then work with them to get the other 5. Eugne came by and advised me to slow up, so to get caught by a group that had formed behind me, but I wanted those 5 riders. After a tough rider, I got to 30mtrs behind the 2 riders and they stopped :shock: . I had a crack at reeling in the final 1.5k but it didn't happen.

In Glen Innes I arrived at a roundabout with no bikes in sight and no one directing, I didn't know which way to go so I followed the road signs

Second feed station I still had 1 1/4 bottles of water so I tossed them just before the station as I had 2 more in my feed bag, but when I went thru Bill was missing, so I pressed on with no water. Fortunately Bill turned up about 10k later and gave me 2 water bottles.

Over the last 40k the group behind me would get closer and closer to me, then next thing they would disappear only to reappear 5k later.

185k - 210k Small Bunch
What a relief the bunch behind me finally caught. however they had broken up chasing me and only 3 riders arrived, 1 was dead, so the other 2 and I did the work. We picked up another Div3 rider but all he could do was sit on.

It was pretty obvious that none of these riders had a chance in heaven in taking me in the sprint and they knew it, the 2 other riders working played their card on the final hill and broke away from the rest of us.

210k - 230k Home run
The middle toes on my right foot were hurting badly, I don't know why, if it had been a training ride or a club race I would of stopped but with a mere 20k to go, I wasn't stopping.

The remaining riders with me were spent, it was up to me entirely to do the chasing and that's what I did for the next 15k, every time I got within spitting distance of the other 2 riders they would turn up the wick a little, it was a drag race 1 against 2.

Then with 5k to go, we got caught by the back half the bunch that had chased me for 40k. I gave up on chasing the other 2 riders and sat in, we cruised to the finish line. One rider took off and I couldn't be 'a' so I rolled over the line second in the bunch in 40th position. 8hours30min30sec, half an hour within cutoff, well within my pre race objective.

The first thing I said to Alex and James was "I will never do an endurance race again without adequate training"

Post Morton
- Objective met
- Too conservative on the hill, resulting in not riding in a bunch
- Not enough endurance training
- Very happy with my power and the improvements in my ability to ride in wind

Alex's spare wheel
Image

Peter T
Posts: 244
Joined: 15 Apr 2009, 19:25
Location: St Peters
Contact:

Postby Peter T » 01 Nov 2010, 15:44

Great read Mike!

Well done to you all.


Return to “Road”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 116 guests