Easter Ride?

[jimmy]

I know that Easter is still several weeks away, but I thought I would propose an Easter Ride for any who are interested.

I suggested this last year, but the weather put a lot of people off.

The ride is the same as last year, so Wollongong and back, total distance, about 175km. The route would be the Sydney to Gong route to Wollongong, with the exception that we stay on the Princess Highway into Wollongong. Then turn up Mount Kiera with the option of going all the way to the top. Then join the F6 and follow it to Helensburg, where we turn onto the Old Princess Highway, then normal return from Waterfall.

Other options for those who are looking for a shorter ride.

Waterfall/Stanwell Tops/Helensburg - 120km
Waterfall/Stanwell Tops/Thirroul/Bulli Pass - 150km

I will be throwing this open to some of the guys I know through Renegade as well, so the start point won't be Mick Mazza's, instead, it will be at Princess Highway carpark at Sydney Park.

This would be on Easter Sunday, with a 6am depart. The traffic should be pretty good. At this stage I have to be back at home by 3pm, so I can't afford to dawdle too much.

James

[weiyun]

Is Bulli Pass a part of the route in the first option?

[jimmy]

No, the primary option will be to follow the Princess Highway into Wollongong and then climb up Mount Kiera.

If people are looking for a shorter ride, then they can climb up Bulli Pass and return to Sydney that way.

James

[williamd]

I am interested if it is not raining and there aren't any steep hills.

[FAswad]

There are steep hills. Some steeper than others, though.

[weiyun]

There are steep hills. Some steeper than others, though.

Yes, those 4% ones really kill me, let alone of the few 5%.

Stop scaring Bill. He'll just have to do a few RNP rides to get a gauge.

[mikesbytes]

I am interested if it is not raining and there aren't any steep hills.

Mount Kiera
Stanwell Tops
Bulli Pass

Bill, Stanwell Tops means going thru RNP, so your out of luck on the hill front.

[williamd]

Sounds like I need some more hillclimbing practise and a triple chainring would not be out of place.

[weiyun]

Bill, Stanwell Tops means going thru RNP, so your out of luck on the hill front.

Well, the ride out to Stanwell Top via Waterfall isn't that bad. It would be the same route as the Gong ride and IIRC when we last discussed it, the max was only around 6-7%. RNP is only bad if we go via Audley and/or climb out of Waterfall.

I am not familiar with the climb at Mt Kiera. Bulli Pass would be a killer and I would not venture without good preparation.

Bill, I think you can do it. A bit more training and you'll be there. Throw on a 27 cog would be wise.

[jimmy]

In general, the route is pretty good through the RNP from Waterfall to Bald Hill, then you have the descents down to the sea bridge.

After that, it undulates all the way to Wollongong. The Mount Keria Climb is the big one, it is quite long (5-6km) and it varies quite a lot. It starts steep and then eases up. The real steep bit is only if you go right to the top which isn't necessary.

After that, you have about 3 or 4 really big rollers on the F6, they are about a 1km descent followed by a about a 1km climb. They can really knock the stuffing out of you as you have already done about 100km by this stage. Once past these, it is pretty good to Helensburg, then 1 or 2 smaller climbs back to Waterfall and then we all know the return from there.

The big killer on a ride like this isn't the hills, it is the distance. As I said previously, it is about 175km, so it is longer than two standard Waterfall rides. Once you get to Wollongong, and make the decision to climb Mount Kiera, you are on the point of no return. Unless you can flag a lift, there is no train station until Helensburg, which is a good 20-30km away.

As far as planned stops go, I would like to have only a few until Wollongong, then stop for 10-15 minutes at a Service Station where we can refuel. Then stop again at Sutherland and then home to a cafe (if we have time and the inclination).

As I said in the post, I have to be back at home by 3pm, but I would prefer to be there by 2:30pm at the latest. As this ride is close to 180km, you can safely say that if we sustain a 30km/hr average, then there is 6 hours of cycling. I have to be back, so if it looks like we are going to miss that deadline, I will put the hammer down, even if it means riding away from the group. I have no issues with other people joining me on this ride, but you have to be aware of my deadline.

Bill, as far as hills go, first rule, don't be afraid of them, second rule, you can only get good at hills by riding them. I got as strong as I am today on hills by riding with a group that hammered up the hills, eventually, I could keep up with them, but it took a lot of practice. Join us on a RNP ride one Sunday and see how you go.

James

[williamd]

Hey guys

Thanks for the advice.

I have a few weeks to train to prepare for this ride before I tackle the big one later in the year ( Grafton to Inverell). ( sounds a bit optimistic since better riders have failed to finish the Grafton ride.)

Has anyone ridden the Grafton to Inverell and if so how would you compare it to the Wollongong ride.

[jimmy]

Is anyone seriously interested in doing this?

I have also invited people from the Renegade Group.

James

[weiyun]

I am if the stars align ie. Family permission. Worse comes to worse, I can turn back early and just do the Helensberg loop.

[T-Bone]

I've got something on on the saturday, so i don't think i'll be riding Sunday morning. Might do a long ride on the Monday though.

[jimmy]

Here is my planned itinerary for the whole Easter Weekend, anyone is welcome to join me on any of these rides.

Friday 21st March - Waterfall, Stanwell Tops, Helensburg, Waterfall Return, approx 115km
Saturday 22nd March - Renegade Ride (don't know, haven't looked)
Sunday 23rd March - As above, approx 175km
Monday 24th March - Waterfall/RNP return, approx 96km

If anyone is interested in any of these, let me know and I will arrange to meet up somewhere.

James

[Glenno]

I am interested in doing some riding this weekend as I don't have anything else on and I don't need to get permission etc. I'm just not sure how my pace is relative to yours as i have not done a long ride with you guys before and I have not done much riding in the last month.

James I might ride with you on Friday and see how that goes. I can make a decision from there about the other days.

[Adrian E]

I'm up for the Friday long ride but would be keen not to flog it. I've just come down with a head cold this week and don't want to over do it.

[jimmy]

OK, then lets make the Friday ride "official"

6:30am Mick Mazza's, Waterfall/Stanwell Tops/Helensburg/Waterfall Return.

Distance is approx 115km. I'll keep the pace reasonable, as I have about 500km planned for the weekend, so I will want to survive.

James

[williamd]

I would like to go if it not raining.

[Adrian E]

500km! are you training for Grafton?

regarding the weather, friday is looking touch and go:
http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDN10064.shtml
but a likely sunny weekend.

[weiyun]

Distance is approx 115km. I'll keep the pace reasonable, as I have about 500km planned for the weekend, so I will want to survive.

Ahhh... Always risky to let your game plan out. Time to attack JamesC!

[jimmy]

Am I training for Grafton? No

But I am training for this.

http://www.alltrails.com.au/index.php/o ... e-to-alice

It isn't too far away, so I need to get some serious distance in.

James

[mikesbytes]

Am I training for Grafton? No

But I am training for this.

http://www.alltrails.com.au/index.php/o ... e-to-alice

It isn't too far away, so I need to get some serious distance in.

James

Hope you don't get a head wind on day 6

[Adrian E]

I expect you'll be racing A grade after this.

[Huw]

Given good weather, I'll join Friday, possibly others. If you don't know me, look for the superstar new shoes.

Long lost Latvian relatives arriving later on Friday for a week-long visit, so time available for riding is somewhat unclear.

[FAswad]

Is the Friday ride a "rain or shine"? Wouldn't want to head to Marrickville, only to find ride's been cancelled.

[jimmy]

Friday is going to be rain or shine for me.

Just a quick reminder, it is a 6:30am start, and you know what I mean when I say a 6:30am start.

James

[FAswad]

Have I ever let you down?

See you there if it's not pouring.

[mikesbytes]

I'm thinking of coming too, but at a relaxed pace, I need a recovery ride from the weeks torcher.

[jimmy]

Have I ever let you down?

See you there if it's not pouring.

After this morning? Yes!

Good turn out this morning despite the weather, we encountered a bit of drizzle, no real rain, but some standing water on the road. The biggest problem was the Southerly Wind (I looked it up, about 40km/hr). We picked up a few other riders on the way, and once we turned around at Helensburg, it was a pretty fast ride back.

Thanks to everyone who came along.

James

[mikesbytes]

Appoligies for been a bit slow today

[jimmy]

No dramas mike, I wasn't after a super fast ride, I have a lot planned this weekend, so this was more of a warm up than anything else.

All I hope, is that you enjoyed it more than anything else.

James

[mikesbytes]

I don't feel as smashed as I thought I would of considering that I wasn't going up about half of the small hills. I found good form on the one just past the turnoff to Wollongong, then the form disappeared again and kinda half returned when I was riding with Huw on the mad mile. Pace back from the servo was relaxed, considering the strength of the tail wind.

[FAswad]

Parenting is not easy! Sigh.

After this morning? Yes!

James

[mikesbytes]

Parenting is not easy! Sigh.

That's why I've got teenagers, providing you can go to sleep with the sound of gunfire in the background, you can leave them to fend for themselves (unless it involves money).

[williamd]

My 3 teenager sons are buying things on ebay and I have to pay for it.

I placed a bid on some bike gear yesterday and they were questioning me that I was spending too much on bike stuff.

My eldest son takes my car most of the weekend. At least he lets me use the bike.