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Peaks Challenge Falls Creek - 13 March 2016

Posted: 26 Nov 2015, 13:55
by Sim
Hi there

I know a number of DHBC members have ridden this ride (aka. 3 Peaks) in previous years but couldn't find a thread about the 2016 event.

A friend of mine who registered has had to pull out (after a bad riding injury ... that's another story) and I'm tossing up whether I'm crazy enough to take it on. Dougie's essay on his 2015 ride makes it all sound rather scary.

I'm guessing there are a bunch of people from the club who are riding it again this year and I'm interested to know what type of training you're doing to prep for it. I'm quite intrigued (and would like to do it on behalf of my friend), but not sure whether I'd be able to commit the required training time.

Cheers - Sim

Re: Peaks Challenge Falls Creek - 13 March 2016

Posted: 26 Nov 2015, 18:59
by Dave_Ranx
hey sim

Just like anything you just need to do the conditioning for it. Start getting the endurance for the 100km out the way and then build up from there. After you get some legs you'll need to start to getting used to the big hill ascents for the physical & mental endurance so hitting up RNP, ( i.e. audley, garie beach, artillery hill, the infamous wall at otford rd and blad hill etc ), Three gorges ( its an area up near the galstone gorge area, ) Bobbin head and Akuna bay also offer good areas to get the Kms up. If you've got fresh legs i.e. haven't ridden much before you'll need to get crack'n on the training despite it being 3 months away. below is a form guide for training from the creators of the event .Peter Bownes, Paul Mayson & Eleri Morgan-Thomas are also good folk to talk to if you want some more specifics on a training regime. https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/media ... 281%29.pdf

regards
ranx.

Re: Peaks Challenge Falls Creek - 13 March 2016

Posted: 26 Nov 2015, 20:56
by humanbeing
What Dave said!
Start doing the Sunday RNP ride immediately, also try and do some of the weekday hills rides.
There'll be longer rides posted on the forum - gorges, west head, etc. Do these :-)
Have a great ride,
Peter B

Re: Peaks Challenge Falls Creek - 13 March 2016

Posted: 27 Nov 2015, 08:43
by Dougie
Sim,

Ride your bike along way and up hill. In all seriousness, those rides as mentioned by others with a view to completing a couple of 200km plus rides by mid February. Also drop as much weight as you can. you can get about 1.5% improvement in performance for every KG you loose. Take it from me, by kilometre 29 on MT Hotham you will be glad you said "no" to that donut you were offered in January.

Happy to chat
Cheers
Dougie

Re: Re: Peaks Challenge Falls Creek - 13 March 2016

Posted: 27 Nov 2015, 10:10
by paul
Start doing the Sunday RNP ride immediately...
Peter B
Might be better to wait until Sunday morning.

Paul

Re: Peaks Challenge Falls Creek - 13 March 2016

Posted: 27 Nov 2015, 11:40
by p_mayson
Hi Sim,

Agree with everything that Dave, Pete and Dougie have said

If you can try to clock up ~300km on the road per week, every week, until the end of February, then I reckon you'll get your hands on a finisher's jersey

Cheers
Paul M

Re: Peaks Challenge Falls Creek - 13 March 2016

Posted: 27 Nov 2015, 15:48
by Neilm
cant agree more before tassie i was doing 250-350 a week, i would suggest getting 2 or 3 200km plus rides in as well

Re: Peaks Challenge Falls Creek - 13 March 2016

Posted: 29 Nov 2015, 20:51
by Sim
Thanks all, great advice, have to give some serious thought about whether I can put in that much training ... Freeing up the time is the biggest factor.

I did a 75k / 1200m climb ride today and felt well spent, so it has certainly given me pause for thought.

Re: Peaks Challenge Falls Creek - 13 March 2016

Posted: 30 Nov 2015, 13:04
by Dougie
Sim,
Mt Hotham, the second "Peak" is 30km and 1,300 metres of climbing alone. if you can't commit to the training now do one of the one's later in the year or keep your powder dry for 2017.

D

Peaks Challenge Falls Creek - 13 March 2016

Posted: 01 Dec 2015, 12:56
by humanbeing
Sim,
Don't be discouraged. You don't necessarily have to ride hundreds of kilometres per week to perform well at the 3 Peaks.
I'm no expert but apparently there is a school of thought which is "train smart". Riders with a properly worked out training regime can achieve the same results as those who ride thousands of kilometres in preparation for these events.
The link which Dave Rankin provided to the 3 Peaks website has a more structured guide to a training programme. A little research on line will turn up lots of possibilities for "time poor" cyclists.
Have a great ride,
Peter

Re: Peaks Challenge Falls Creek - 13 March 2016

Posted: 01 Dec 2015, 15:03
by Stuart
Sim - From a position of never having ridden more than 125k's and having no desire to, might I suggest you could register to do the 130k or 200k Audax Alpine Classic ride at the end of Jan which is in the same area with some of the same climbs (I think) and see how you go.

Re: Peaks Challenge Falls Creek - 13 March 2016

Posted: 06 Dec 2015, 15:26
by Sim
Thanks all.

I agree with your advice Stuart, the best next step for me is a more moderate distance (~130-150km) before I try to crack something like the Peaks.

Maybe a goal for 2017 :)

Re: Peaks Challenge Falls Creek - 13 March 2016

Posted: 12 Feb 2016, 15:14
by Sim
For anyone interested in this ride (and is less of a chicken than I am), my friend is selling his entry on eBay for face value ($335).

If anyone is interested in making an offer, I'll happily put it to him.