Alpine Classic 2014 - Entry Open and new ride options

Road cycling & upcoming rides
Richard
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Postby Richard » 06 Aug 2013, 19:49

All

Entry for the 2014 Alpine Classic is now open

There are a couple of new ride options including a 4am start 200km distance ride. The route starts with a pre-dawn ascent of Mt Buffalo then off to Mt Beauty, Falls Creek and back. Essentially the same 200km course without having to climb Buffalo in the late afternoon heat.

I have enrolled in this one.

If you haven't been to Bright for the Alpine Classic I couldn't recommend it highly enough.

More details are on www.alpineclassic.com.au

Richard

adam
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Postby adam » 06 Aug 2013, 22:23

Will it be light in time for the Buffalo descent? I think I have to do the 200 this year, so it a possibility

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Philip
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Postby Philip » 07 Aug 2013, 12:24

all signed up for the ACE 4am start. I've also booked accommodation for Sat and Sunday nights, I'm thinking though that I might extend that and go up on the Friday, so as to get full day Saturday. Any thoughts? Do people usually do a good ride on the Saturday? This is my first Alpine Classic so not really sure how it plays out.

MarkL
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Postby MarkL » 07 Aug 2013, 13:19

Depends how you wish to ride Sunday Phillip.
A few of us go for a week, doing some hilly rides and tapering for Sunday. For me Saturday is a flat easy spin, maybe up to an hour.

Richard
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Postby Richard » 07 Aug 2013, 20:39

Adam

The climb up Buffalo in the dark is the same as this years modified 250 course and the descent was definitely in the light.

Twas a tad crisp going down but I would rather do it early before the afternoon heat any day.

Eleri
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Postby Eleri » 07 Aug 2013, 21:50

Philip the reason to go down on Friday is that Bright is really humming and social on Saturday. There's heaps to do, lots of cyclists and we'll probably have a pool party at our place. Or something.

I really wouldn't be doing a big ride on the Saturday. You'll be surprised by the size of the climbs. 4 Gorges is a piece of pie in comparison. You'll have a better ride on Sunday if you take it easy Saturday.

Richard
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Postby Richard » 01 Jan 2014, 20:43

Looks like I wont be doing the 200 as originally planned ( and entered). SRAM issued an international recall of the Red 2012 rear dérailleurs and the bike shop has had my bike since early December waiting for a replacement to arrive. There is still no news on when it will arrive.

Its not so bad. We all bought Allison (sister) a new road bike as an incentive to get fit after a year of chemo, complications and surgery so I will keep her company and do the 70 with her on my mountain bike with slicks

Looking forward to going down with the MTB. Bright is now going to host the MTb nationals for the next few years so they are building lots of new trails.

Eleri
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Postby Eleri » 04 Jan 2014, 19:36

Building on the last two years, there'll be a pool party at our lovely place just outside of Bright.

Last year over 30 people turned up and a great time was had by all. An English chap turned up on his handbuilt bamboo bike and, wouldn't you know it, I ran into him again in the Pyrenees in September! Recognised his bike.

There's a big lawn, plenty of room to spread out and plenty of bike (and car) parking. Anyone from DHBC is welcome to come along, with family in tow. It's all very friendly.

Friday 24th January from about noon.

BYO BBQ, picnic rug, pool things and anything you want to drink.

PM or email me (better) for details.

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Stuart
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Postby Stuart » 07 Jan 2014, 20:52

Now, if I was going to be in Bright, I'd be checking this place out for sure. Comes highly recommended by the chef from Beechworth's two hatted "The Provenance"

Tani Eat Drink >> http://tanieatdrink.com.au/

Eleri
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Postby Eleri » 07 Jan 2014, 20:54

Thanks Stuart! Menu looks interesting indeed and there's even vegetarian options.

And nice to have a new place to eat.

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Philip
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Postby Philip » 17 Jan 2014, 13:56

Could be interesting,
Forecast for Bright, Friday 24th is possible thunderstorms top of 34, while Hotham is top of 16 also possible thunderstorms. What that means for Sunday is anyones guess.

andrewm
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Postby andrewm » 17 Jan 2014, 14:07

Hopefully better than today with a forecast max of 44 @ bright.

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James Rogers
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Postby James Rogers » 17 Jan 2014, 16:28

Something to ponder if the heat is on... and you still want to ride: http://theconversation.com/how-heat-can ... -out-22042

Eleri
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Postby Eleri » 17 Jan 2014, 16:40

It will be 23 on the day. So take your gilets. (I'm not joking).

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Philip
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Postby Philip » 19 Jan 2014, 12:11

I may not make it due to mechanical incompetence. In a worthy attempt to practice packing my bike
into its flight bag I came unstuck at pretty much the first hurdle. I can't get the pedals off. Yes I've checked the direction I should be turning but can't budge them. Agghhhhh!!!! Where's my pit crew??

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Stuart
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Postby Stuart » 19 Jan 2014, 15:51

@Philip - try using a long piece of pipe over the end of your pedal spanner; or, do as I have done - hit it with a hammer (yes be careful but it does work) :-) Also, buy some grease for when you put them back on .. it will make removal far easier.

BTW, you can lave the peddles on in most bike bags, it's just 'best practise" to remove them.

andrewm
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Postby andrewm » 19 Jan 2014, 17:01

Use a proper pedal wrench if it has flats. These seem to work better than Allen keys.

+1 on the pipe. +1000 on the grease. I have had a pedal not even the bike shop could remove with all the tricks. Hot/cold. Pipe. Remove crank. Pipe and vice. Impact wrench. Needed to buy a new crank!

Cheery thought to leave you on.

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Philip
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Postby Philip » 19 Jan 2014, 18:35

Thanks Guys, success. The pipe did the trick. I'm now in need of more foam, it still looks very vulnerable. Trip to Bunnings tomorrow. Do you detach the hanger, it looks particularly vulnerable? I plan to even though the pictures I've seen have it still attached.

Cheers.

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Robert
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Postby Robert » 20 Jan 2014, 00:16

I was hoping to do the ACE but I stuffed my back up fixing the back gate before I left Syd. Anna and I will be staying at Hotham heights so we'll be in Bright for the finish and I'll be doing some of the sections on the day.
I did the challenging Mount Hotham hill two days ago in the 40+ temperature and it took me 2 hours cruisy speed. I slowed down so bad with back pain on the last section.
Be prepared for The Meg which is 5km out of Harrietville - sharp bend and bang (need the lowest gear) but not too long (maybe 300m)
At roughly 10k after Harrietville you have about 10km of 'flatness' - great for replenishing the system.
After that you have "The Meg" x 3 in distance! And then when you think it is done - another nasty last 3km at the end!
A year ago I said I'll never do this ever again:
http://www.strava.com/activities/106871771

Haha I now like it

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Stuart
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Postby Stuart » 20 Jan 2014, 09:36

@Philip - I always undo the hanger and then gaf tape the lot to the seat stay. Others don't :-) I also have a spare hanger that I take on all trips away. It's one part that's hard to get at your destination and easy to bend.

There's also a neat attachment you can get tat keeps the chain tensioned as if it's still around the gear cluster .. and chain covers .. and there are lots of little bits to make your bike safer

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Philip
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Postby Philip » 20 Jan 2014, 20:13

Thanks Stuart. I've ordered a few of the bits you've mentioned. They probably won't be here in time for ACE but they'll get used for Vietnam. Otherwise I've stocked up on foam and bubble wrap. Should be ok, fingers crossed. Thanks for your help.

Eleri
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Postby Eleri » 21 Jan 2014, 15:51

Phillip - when are you down? Our household is in residence now and we're here all week :-)

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Philip
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Postby Philip » 21 Jan 2014, 16:22

Phillip - when are you down? Our household is in residence now and we're here all week :-)
I've got two full on days of work which may in fact be more gruelling than the ACE. Then I'm on the Friday morning plane, then a hire car, then I'm there. When and where is the pool party? Hopefully I'll be there in time for some of the festivities. If not I'll be slow pedalling around the traps on Saturday.

I must organise this a bit better for next year, the week you're having sounds fantastic.

Eleri
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Postby Eleri » 22 Jan 2014, 17:15

Have sent you an email Philip.

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Camilla
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Postby Camilla » 29 Jan 2014, 09:10

We thought it would be fun to add up all the kms DHBCers did on the big day. I'll start the ball rolling by listing our household:

Eleri: 250
Mark L: 250
Amy: 200
Adam: 200
Ted: 200
Adrian: 200
Camilla: 200

running total: 1500km

And all PBs too! Well done us!

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Philip
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Postby Philip » 29 Jan 2014, 09:41

We thought it would be fun to add up all the kms DHBCers did on the big day.

Eleri: 250
Mark L: 250
Amy: 200
Adam: 200
Ted: 200
Adrian: 200
Camilla: 200
Philip: 250

running total: 1750

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James Rogers
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Postby James Rogers » 29 Jan 2014, 10:34

Philip, didn't Mr Mattes tag-team the 250 with you as well?

andrewm
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Postby andrewm » 29 Jan 2014, 12:29

I can (sometimes) look after myself!

We thought it would be fun to add up all the kms DHBCers did on the big day.

Eleri: 250
Mark L: 250
Amy: 200
Adam: 200
Ted: 200
Adrian: 200
Camilla: 200
Philip: 250
Andrewm: 250

running total: 2000 km

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Phil D
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Postby Phil D » 29 Jan 2014, 12:48

We thought it would be fun to add up all the kms DHBCers did on the big day.

Eleri: 250
Mark L: 250
Amy: 200
Adam: 200
Ted: 200
Adrian: 200
Camilla: 200
Philip: 250
Andrewm: 250
PhilD: 200

running total: 2200 km

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tedrobin
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Postby tedrobin » 08 Feb 2014, 17:20

Eleri: 250
Mark L: 250
Amy: 200
Adam: 200
Ted: 200
Adrian: 200
Camilla: 200
Philip: 250
Andrewm: 250
PhilD: 200
Bruce: 200 (we can claim you, wan't we?)
Philemon: 200
Ron Webster: 200

running total: 2800 km

And what did Richard and Simone end up doing?

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Phil D
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Postby Phil D » 10 Feb 2014, 13:59

Eleri: 250
Mark L: 250
Amy: 200
Adam: 200
Ted: 200
Adrian: 200
Camilla: 200
Philip: 250
Andrewm: 250
PhilD (aka Philemon): 200
Bruce: 200 (we can claim you, wan't we?)
Ron Webster: 200

running total: 2600 km

adam
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Postby adam » 14 Feb 2014, 16:14

Might be worth noting that 600 of these ks were the first 200s their riders had done - Ted, Phil & me. Added to the over sense of achievement of the day.

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Philip
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Postby Philip » 14 Feb 2014, 17:47

Kudos!! That's a serious route to crack your first 200's on. Serious whichever way you look at it really.

andrewm
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Postby andrewm » 14 Feb 2014, 19:55

+1. Quite some climbing for your first 200. Nothing like jumping in the deep end!

Richard
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Postby Richard » 16 Feb 2014, 21:42

Eleri: 250
Mark L: 250
Amy: 200
Adam: 200
Ted: 200
Adrian: 200
Camilla: 200
Philip: 250
Andrewm: 250
PhilD (aka Philemon): 200
Bruce: 200 (we can claim you, wan't we?)
Ron Webster: 200
Richard 200
Simone 140 (day 2 of the 250 Raid was on the Sunday. The 110 on the Sat not incl)
running total: 2940 km


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