2011 Grafton ton Inverell accommodation.

Road cycling & upcoming rides
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Simon Llewellyn
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Postby Simon Llewellyn » 01 Sep 2011, 20:06

Hey all,

I was over talking to Al today & he mentioned that he has booked the accommodation for Grafton this year but said he did not know who was planning on going???

So if you are planning on making the trip and need accommodation it is time to make it known.

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mikesbytes
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Postby mikesbytes » 01 Sep 2011, 21:28

1. Mike
2. Choppo

MarkL
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Postby MarkL » 01 Sep 2011, 21:59

1. Mike
2. Choppo
3. Mark

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T-Bone
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Postby T-Bone » 01 Sep 2011, 22:18

Not much point making it known on the forum everyone, you'll have to talk to Al.

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Postby MarkL » 02 Oct 2011, 16:27

Entered.......and l remember how much it hurt!!!! :S

Entries close on the 9th.

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Toff
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Postby Toff » 02 Oct 2011, 19:06

I think David Lamb is doing this one. Someone should talk to him.

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Postby MarkL » 02 Oct 2011, 19:21

Yeah, Mike has been talking with David.

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mikesbytes
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Postby mikesbytes » 02 Oct 2011, 19:23

Yes we have a car of 4;
- David (and his car)
- Mark L
- David's friend (Driver)
- Mike
Just need to shift my bike rack from Mark's car to David's and sure up our accommodation with Al

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mikesbytes
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Postby mikesbytes » 07 Oct 2011, 16:50

Entered;
- Mark L
- David L
- Mike C
- Matt W
- Jeff C

Entries close Sunday

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T-Bone
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Postby T-Bone » 10 Oct 2011, 09:54

I'll probably talk to Al tomorrow night. I'm not riding, but may go up to be a feeder if needed.

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Postby shrubb face » 10 Oct 2011, 09:58

yes please. I entered last night.

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mikesbytes
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Postby mikesbytes » 10 Oct 2011, 11:16

I'll probably talk to Al tomorrow night. I'm not riding, but may go up to be a feeder if needed.
Gave Al a visit this morning, he's got Accom sorted. Could Matt, Jeff, Alex let James know what they are doing transport, support, accom so he can tell Al.

Peter O entered.
Eugene might of also entered.


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mikesbytes
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Postby mikesbytes » 14 Oct 2011, 15:00

Any suggestions on where to buy feed bags

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T-Bone
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Postby T-Bone » 14 Oct 2011, 19:21

Any suggestions on where to buy feed bags
Make your own!

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mikesbytes
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Postby mikesbytes » 14 Oct 2011, 20:30

Make your own!
It's heading that way

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Postby j.d.lester. » 17 Oct 2011, 14:22

I have entered, but wont be riding now, but am going up to support a bud.. if you need a feeder on the day, im there for you..

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Postby shrubb face » 17 Oct 2011, 14:34

I'd in desperate need of a feeder, to avoid last years disaster. Also if anyone has a spare seat i still dont have transport....

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mikesbytes
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Postby mikesbytes » 17 Oct 2011, 15:08

Our car is also missing a driver/feeder

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Postby j.d.lester. » 17 Oct 2011, 16:30

..i can look after handling duites on the day alex/mike/anyone else, no prob.. im driving up friday afternoon with jeff, but only have two seats.. i can take bikes though if you can get them to me thursday night if that helps?

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Postby mikesbytes » 17 Oct 2011, 16:43

Thanks Josh, we also need to get our car to Inverall, so we need to continue to look. There's 3 riders in a 4 seater car going down, so unless we end up with a driver getting to Grafton otherwise, we don't have a seat for Alex

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T-Bone
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Postby T-Bone » 17 Oct 2011, 20:31

Mike, i think Bill was going up as well, so he'd probably be able to drive the car for you. Just need to check with Al.

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Postby mikesbytes » 17 Oct 2011, 21:02

Thanks James, can you email me Bill's mobile #, I've lost my phone numbers

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T-Bone
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Postby T-Bone » 17 Oct 2011, 22:21

I don't have his number, but i'll probably talk to Al again tomorrow, so i'll let you know.

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Postby mikesbytes » 18 Oct 2011, 09:35

The grades ain't up, but if you go to the web page http://www.nsw.cycling.org.au/cy_nsw/ra ... art%20List and click on http://www.nsw.cycling.org.au/site/cycl ... 0.2011.pdf it brings up a pdf with your state grades on it;

Alex C - D2
Matt W - E
Mike C - E2
Peter O - G

To be graded;
CURTES, Jeff
LACEY, Mark
LAMB, David
LESTER, Joshua
SCHILTER, Eugen

The bulk of the 314 riders are yet to be graded

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Postby shrubb face » 18 Oct 2011, 20:29

Can you let me know mike if there is room for me in the car after you speak to Bill. If so then I can go with you guys and josh can take my bike.

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Postby mikesbytes » 19 Oct 2011, 10:13

Alex, I've spoken to David and we can fit you in. It will be cramped.

Jos, do you have some space for some spare wheels?

Peter, who are you traveling with?

Could someone please send me Bill's contact details

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mikesbytes
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Postby mikesbytes » 19 Oct 2011, 11:39

Grades are out

http://www.nsw.cycling.org.au/site/cycl ... on%202.pdf

As expected (numbers are alphabetical within grade)
B 210 CHUBB, Alexander
C 420 CLEMENT, Michael
C 431 CURTES, Jeff
C 480 LACEY, Mark
C 481 LAMB, David
C 487 LESTER, Joshua (isn't racing)
C 510 O'SULLIVAN, Peter
C 526 SCHILTER, Eugen

110 in A
56 in B
147 in C
Total 313

The woman's A grade race has 14, but its part of the points series. B grade has only 8 and 7 of those are local.

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Postby williamd » 19 Oct 2011, 20:29

Michael

I have an appointment on Friday that I must attend so I will unfortunately not be able to go Grafton this year.

Al said that Ron is going up with him so he may be able to assist you.

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T-Bone
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Postby T-Bone » 19 Oct 2011, 20:35

Peter is travelling with Al.

I've found out Bill is no longer going, but Ron is going and should be able to drive the car for you.

Also, Al said could a couple of you pack sleeping bags just in case they're needed in Inverell, though i believe there will most likely be a bed for everyone.

Hopefully that's everything sorted for the weekend.

edit: just beat me to it Bill!! :D

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mikesbytes
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Postby mikesbytes » 19 Oct 2011, 21:11

Missed Matt from the list

B 210 CHUBB, Alexander
C 420 CLEMENT, Michael
C 431 CURTES, Jeff
C 480 LACEY, Mark
C 481 LAMB, David
C 487 LESTER, Joshua (isn't racing)
C 510 O'SULLIVAN, Peter
C 526 SCHILTER, Eugen
C 536 WALLMAN, Matthew

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Postby j.d.lester. » 20 Oct 2011, 06:02

mike/alex, no prob with taking your wheels/bike, can you get them to me tonight?

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Postby mikesbytes » 20 Oct 2011, 08:16

Thanks Jos

OK state of play;
Al's van - depart 1.30am
- Al
- Peter
- Eugen
- Ron
- ?

David's car - depart 5am
- David
- Mark
- Alex (bike with Jos)
- Mike

Alex, I don't have your contact details (address, mobile), could you please send them thru to me

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mikesbytes
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Postby mikesbytes » 20 Oct 2011, 11:06

Alex must be offline, can someone PM or email his mobile no to me - thanks

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Postby mikesbytes » 23 Oct 2011, 09:12

A lady took our photo at the start

Image

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weiyun
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Postby weiyun » 23 Oct 2011, 10:33

A lady took our photo at the start
Then what happened? :roll:

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mikesbytes
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Postby mikesbytes » 23 Oct 2011, 12:50

Then we raced

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Postby mikesbytes » 23 Oct 2011, 17:39

Here's the pre race photo outside the pub. Matt was staying elsewhere. Much thanks to Al and Ron

Image

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weiyun
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Postby weiyun » 23 Oct 2011, 18:01

Still keeping everyone in suspense?

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mikesbytes
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Postby mikesbytes » 23 Oct 2011, 18:25

I don't have proper data yet. A quick summary, though the respective riders can provide their own reports;

B
Alex - Climbed with the main bunch and retired at the first feed station due to this hip

C - times to be confirmed
Eugene - Went early in a 3 man breakaway, second on KOM, 11th overall in something like 7h20m
Matt - Suffered hamstring cramps, finished a few minutes behind Eugene
Mike (me) - Suffered cramps, finished a few minutes behind Matt
Mark - Rode with me till 20k to go, finished a few minutes behind me
Peter - Rode a long section solo, finishing in something like 7h57m, about half an hour after Mark
David - Flat tyre after the climb, discovered he had lost his spare tube, forced to retire

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Postby weiyun » 23 Oct 2011, 21:27

Congratulations to all! Eugene is just amazing.

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mikesbytes
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Postby mikesbytes » 23 Oct 2011, 22:35

Eugene's race report (his forum password isn't working)
====================
My 2011 Grafton (C-grade)
All sports food science and no breakfast was my motto this year.
One minute after flag fall Barry sneaks away. As agreed I go on top of
him and on was our venture which was to yield us 20s, then 1m56, and then
an incredible 6min at the foot of Gibraltar (km70). In the meantime a
tall guy from Uni Queensland joined us from behind. Full of joy we attack
the big bastard … and burst straight away: I can’t hold the Queenslander
and Barry yelled ‘go’ as he succumbed to his troubles. Thus ended my KOM
dreams as I have to be content with 2nd. I climb solo while passing some
A and B stragglers and while messaging (via the gentle Lady Commissar in
the mini cabriolet) that I’m waiting. After cresting (km88) I eat; then
(km92) get water; then (approx km100) a bunch of 20 riders appears (one
claiming having seen Barry hanging to car* and I note that there are 4
strong Uni Queenland riders in there), then, with the 4 issuing an
reverberating roar, we catch their leading mate. Then we catch my
disappointed and dropped B- grade training mate Steve. Then Steve
disappears and then (km120) the charming Lady C neutralizes the bunch for
safe musette pick-up. I note lots of rider confusion. Then (~km140) – out
of the woods - Barry re-appears!
*) Barry had a bleeding finger from a mechanical mishap in the first
kilometer and was attended to by the race doctor.

Capital error No 1:
I explain to Barry the state of affairs: There are 5 strong Uni Queenland
riders and all you have to do is to go with the first of them. Then a
group of ~four goes and I cannot detect a Uni Q rider among them. Then
the speed of our bunch becomes minuscule. I complain to a Uni Q rider
resulting in a bucket of abuse. Thus I missed the winning move while
hedging my legs bursting with power.
Lesson learned in darn hindsight: Possibly, the world is not what it looks.

Barry and I do not feed in Glen Innes (km160) but charge through in
criterium style. Can I complain that nobody helped me and that the effort
is doomed? All the while we have tailwind and the pace is really easy.
Out of all my 6 Graftons this one is the easiest by heaps.

Capital error No2:
My plan for the Wire Gully climb (km210) is not to attack but to foster a
split of the bunch by being present at the front. Two riders charge
ahead. So I close in on the second one but let the first one have his 20m
freedom. When I realize my mistake, I charge harder but so does he. In
pursuit I swing full gas into Elsmore Rd but with practically no support
from behind I come no closer. The bunch closes in on me and 800m after the
right hander I give in. One more rider (as it turned out ex Tour of
Tasamania champ Glen Wilson, back after a sabbatical) was gone and our
bunch is back to tourist speed.
Lesson learned on the spot: Vigilance is the word at the business end of
a 230km race.
All the way I have sensational legs. In fact this extraordinary feeding
system give me the feeling that I can just throw down a bucket of fuel and
then get the dialed up power from my legs. Thus I attack the final climb
(km225) like I do the Roseville climb in Sydney every week. Reaching the
top first a rider behind begs me to ease off. Aware of my poor TT
capabilities I oblige. The Inverell guy closes up … and immediately
attacks me full blast. My legs feel like bursting as I have to concede
another rider gone. Two riders from the splintered bunch behind close up
to me. One of them is again an Inverell lad who shouts a lot but I am
unsure about his intentions. With the bunch 80m behind us regrouping we
three charge up the tiny riser 1km from the finish.

Capital error No3:
I calculate that, provided the bunch does not catch us, I will be top 10.
Thus I invest as lot in ‘bunch observing’. My two mates are not sprinters
but, fool I am, I do no serious effort to beat them as I see that indeed
the bunch is still 10m behind us as we approach the finish. I guess I
crossed ninth. Barry wins the bunch sprint and, meters after the finish
line, shoots past me at great speed.
Truth conveniently forgotten: When we count we tend to count in our favour.

In fact I end up 11th(Time??), I was 2nd in the KOM and I earned 2 sprint
points (Mann River).
Today my body, without any agony, magnificently supplied the legs with
good power. In fact the only discomfort I experienced during the whole
ride was some funny mouth roughness (probably due to impure water). What
a weekend, what a feeling, what a joy.
Thanks to all my friends that shared the excitement, all mates from
Dulwich Hill and Boundary riders.

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Stuart
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Postby Stuart » 24 Oct 2011, 09:38

Great report from Eugene.

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T-Bone
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Postby T-Bone » 24 Oct 2011, 11:52

Well Done Eugene! Sounds like an enjoyable race with a tailwind!!

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Postby timyone » 24 Oct 2011, 12:34

Great work every one, love the report by Eugene!

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Postby mikesbytes » 24 Oct 2011, 21:46

Eugen in action
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Postby wallman » 25 Oct 2011, 09:36

Just back from a post-Grafton road trip and thought I'd jot down a few notes about my first Grafton to Inverell. I had super legs going into this and hoped to be able to get over the main climb in touch with the leaders and see what happened from there, so when I saw Eugene attack early I thought it best to wait in the bunch as it was a long way home from that point (about 50 kms further than I'd ever ridden before). Anyway, I stayed in the front 30 or so to the base of the climb and hung in there for the first few ramps but then had a bit of a bad period, and that combined with taking 2 bottles at the neutral water early in the climb meant I lost touch with the chasing group which very slowly got away in a group of what looked like 15 or so. I had a couple of guys on my wheel but soon rode them off and them got into a good rythm at about 185 bpm and started to reel in riders who'd be dropped from the front bunch. None of them could hang on either so I crested in about 20th I'd guess with another 4 guys and we started hammering after the leaders when about 10 kms later I suffered my first ever cycling cramps, a nice double hamstring dose, and that was it - I was off the bike groaning and stretching for 3 mins while all my hard work slipped away! Once I got going again I very quickly bridged across to a group of a dozen and a couple of things quickly became apparent: firstly that I was super strong and rode away from them whenever I did a turn on the flat, and secondly that I wasn't super strong and my hamstrings wanted to cramp whenever we went uphill. So I was stuck on the front of this group that didn't really seem to want to race or chase for the next 50 kms or so until finally just before Glen Innes and the second feed station I spat the dummy and attacked and rode the next 45 kms solo, stretching out an advantage on the flat and downhills and then watching it shrink whenever we went uphill and my hammys seized. I had lots of support from handlers' cars and the radio and judges' cars but I got caught by the chasing group about 25 kms from home and just sat in till the end, when the bunch decided to race the last 5 kms and fill spots 23 - 35. I think attacking made the difference between being pleased but slightly disappointed with the result and being angry and horribly frustrated with the race as it enabled my to get all the riding out of my legs that I could on the day. The guys that I worked with after the Gibralter climb finished with Eugene's group by the looks of it and I know I could have made a difference there had everything been 100%, the goal now is to get things 100% next time and see what happens! And it must be that tailwind talking but the distance didn't feel like an issue!

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weiyun
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Postby weiyun » 25 Oct 2011, 11:38

Nice one Matt!

So what do think led on the cramps? Not used to a climb of that duration and length or more dietary?

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Postby wallman » 25 Oct 2011, 14:07

Nice one Matt!

So what do think led on the cramps? Not used to a climb of that duration and length or more dietary?
I'm inclined to think it was the intensity of the effort and the position I made the effort in although it's hard to be sure. I had eaten well up to that point and was well hydrated. The climb itself was relatively easy and I think that that, along with the fact that I did almost all of it by myself, hurt me a little bit because there were few changes in rhythm or position over the 55 minutes or so it took to get up it. Because I was trying to save my legs I climbed seated at a reasonably high cadence. I did start standing a little more as I caught riders but that's a long time to be chewing tape in the one position, and I really was on the nose of the saddle pushing hard, which would have shortened the hamstrings a little.

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Postby weiyun » 25 Oct 2011, 15:14

That made sense. Guess you can be consoled by the fact that even the best of the best on TdF stages cramps. Rest well.

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Postby mikesbytes » 25 Oct 2011, 15:46

Race Report

Background
Analysing what went right and what went wrong last year, my conclusions were;
- inadequate endurance training
- too conservative on the hill
- poor strategy mid race
- good water consumption, ok food consumption
- excellent result considering

So the strategy coming into this was;
- more endurance training
- more aggressive on the hill
- utilise the other riders better
- a bit more energy food

So what happened leading up;
- Did even less endurance training, due to a complete lack of available time slots plus the weather stuffing ones I did have
- Had an off 6 days prior

Race strategy
The original plan was to go for it on the hill, which would of probably put me in the front bunch, even if it risked me blowing up later in the race, but my off completely changed that, all that was of interest was whether I could complete the distance and I gave myself a 25% chance of doing that.

Discovering on Friday night that they had a different feed and neutral map in the book, to what they had online meant some adjustments.

Race
Grafton to base of the hill
The pace was quicker than last year and this was good, there was zero wind and I simply sat in. Eugen and another took off and I wasn't interested. The dynamics of the bunch was annoying, with 145 entered in C it was a little large and I was looking forward for it breaking up. Weather was warm and I found myself with no water at all, about 5k from the neutral water station. As I knew there was no neutral water station at the top this year, I pondered if it was possible to pick up 2 bottles, which I did, by holding the first one with my teeth, while I grabbed another.

The hill
Initially my performance on the hill was poor, Lacey disappeared into the distance and I was caught by a group from behind. Eventually I found my composure and rode off the front of the bunch, past another smaller bunch and eventually I could see Lacey with a small group about 400mtrs ahead, though I wasn't focusing on him, just on getting up. Next thing his bunch was only 200 in front of me and I was closing rapidly, I went past and Mark jumped and went with me, groups were breaking up and other groups forming. I made a miscalucation on where the top was an arrived there 1.5k earlier than expected, with Mark.

I have an unofficial goal of averaging 16.5kph up the hill for last Sunday (based on how I felt on the day), but I won't know if I've met that until Mark goes thru his Garmin data. Last year I averaged 15kph I think.

My bottom gear was 39/23 which was fine last year, but this year I'm climbing with a higher minimum cadence and it was a little low, I would accelerate to get the cadence up, hold it for a while and then it would slowly erode. I had a slight cramping problem with the left calf and modified my ride style to cater accordingly. I was seriously wowful standing, due to back/hip issues and spent as little time as possible in that position.

The bunch forms
Mark and I took off together, but there wasn't anyone in particular to chase in front and a bunch was forming behind us, so we agreed just to roll and wait to be caught. It was a good decision, the bunch was strong and worked well, we traveled along picking up riders as we went.

Towards feed station 1
About 5k short of the feed station, I ran out of water, close enough not to be concerned, but I had been suffering from left hamstring cramps on the climbs and was concerned about being dropped during one of these as it did happen but each time I was able to recover, I had modified my climbing to use about 75% right leg. At the time the issue was a mystery to me, I was going fine, not troubled by the pace at all. The bunch continued to pick up riders.

Between feed stations
Someone had been told that the bunch ahead was only about 3 minutes up the road and about 6 of us worked on the front but that left too many hitchhikers and the idea of catching seemed to fizz after about 10k. I was drinking well, knowing that it wasn't a huge distance before the next feed station. By this time we had a mild tailwind, while it wasn't strong it made all the difference. Feeling a bit more confident, I had upped my expectation on completion to 50%

Feed station 2
Came into Glen Inness on the front saw the 50kph sign looked the speedo... 55kph LOL. I was keen to be first thru the feed station, so to avoid the traffic challenges. Al and Ron missing, no second feed bag, oh dear. At the end was netural water and I took one bottle. I counted the energy gels in my pocket and decided I had enough (just) and took off with 2 other riders, we rode away from the bunch, I didn't feel stressed at all, in fact I was happy to up the pace and then, say 5k out 'bang' my left hamstring went again, this time on the flat. I communicated my predicament to the other 2 with my command of the Saxon language and rolled off the back, my target was to fix the problem and roll back into the pack, which I achieved.

On to the last neutral water
Reunited with Mark, we briefly discussed the lack of a second feed back and then sat in. Climbing Waterloo Range Summit with 55k to go, my left hamstring went big time, I hauled my caucus over almost entirely with my right leg, at the top I could see the main bunch of about 18 riders followed by 4 groups of 3 riders each, Mark myself and one other being the last group of 3. Going down the other side, I stuck it in the 11 and gunned it, I was sitting on 78kph and reeled in a bucket load of distance, then the other rider largely finished it off, but unfortunately I had dropped Mark in the process. A couple of K later Mark arrived, I was impressed that he got back on.

Dejon Sapphire (20k from end). Like last year this hill was crucial and this year was no exception, the bunch split into 2 groups + some dropped on that, I managed to evade cramps and got up to the top near the front of the first group, over the top and the second group managed to get back on.

New route to the end
Instead of the nice fast highway to the end, they decided to pump us off some side road, though only about 1k further, the road was bumpy, dead surface and added an extra hill. How much longer did it take? Don't know but I'm guessing it added 3 - 4 minutes. There was neutral water with only 10 or so K to go and I thought "free water bottle" so I took one, though I did drink the water. At this point I noticed that Mark had disappeared. By this stage our bunch of riders was splitting up into those who wanted to go for the race finish and those who couldn't be stuffed (like me). I had plenty left in the tank but I had achieved my objective. Another rider gave me an energy gel, which was some handy insurance for the last 10k and I went over the last hill without problem and rode to the finish.

Post Race
I felt pretty good going after the race, but I was dehydrated, despite having (almost) 8 bottles of water and no wizz, no doubt riding with a bunch and having a mild tailwind would of contributed to that. Did a gatorate and a coke while we discussed the race. Unusual for me I was sunburnt despite using sun screen.

DHBC results for C were;
[winner] 6:51:53
4 Jeff CURTES +4:44 (fixed)
11 Eugen SCHILTER +12:38
33 Matthew WALLMAN +17:05
60 Michael CLEMENT +24:38
72 Mark LACEY +31:29
99 Peter O'SULLIVAN +1:01:18

Most of us finished in bunches so the exact placing isn't a precise indicator, the time is a better indicator

The bunch that I had ridden with till say 10k to go, got the placings 39th thru 69th
Last edited by mikesbytes on 26 Oct 2011, 09:09, edited 1 time in total.

timyone
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Postby timyone » 26 Oct 2011, 08:29

Ok, did I miss this amongst all the deep analysis that is going on, we picked up a 4th in c grade! Go who ever he is! Great work :D

timyone
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Postby timyone » 26 Oct 2011, 08:31

Matt, I cramped put of my one attempt, and I was really fit at the time! Could ride hundreds of km etc

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weiyun
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Postby weiyun » 26 Oct 2011, 09:00

Jeff Curtes is on +4:44.

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mikesbytes
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Postby mikesbytes » 26 Oct 2011, 09:10

Jeff Curtes is on +4:44.
Fixed

Thanks weiyun

PeterOS
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Postby PeterOS » 26 Oct 2011, 12:40

Race Report.

I finished, then I had a beer.

and for some silly reason, I'm now off to do the 12 endro this weekend.

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Stuart
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Postby Stuart » 26 Oct 2011, 13:30

BTW - does anyone Know Jeff Curtes or if he reads the forum can they/he please make him/himself known - our handicapper would like to meet you ;-)

shrubb face
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Postby shrubb face » 26 Oct 2011, 14:42

Jeff wont be reading the forums. He is a friend of josh lesters from America and only just moved to sydney a couple of months ago. He's a very strong rider who has been racing for a number of years. I can talk to James about his handicapping.

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weiyun
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Postby weiyun » 26 Oct 2011, 15:17

does anyone Know Jeff Curtes... our handicapper would like to meet you ;-)
Why? :roll:

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Postby Eugen Schilter » 27 Oct 2011, 14:47

The nutrition I used for the Grafton:

http://www.hammernutrition.com.au/cycling-nutrition/
describes the principles I followed (i.e. 1,000kJ per h + .5L water per h + electrolyte + no conventional food during and 4h prior to racing + dedicated recovery drink within 5min after every hard training + no compensation for missed feeding during the race; all this regardless of speed and/or temperature)

http://www.hammernutrition.com.au/info- ... etes-make/
shows how not to do it (I can sing a song about this, I’ve had 'whole body emptiness & agony' so many times)

When in training I could do a full hard Dawn Patrol and then the 3 gorges (total 178km) no problem I was 90% confident it works. How powerful it worked in competition however surprised even myself. :)

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Stuart
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Postby Stuart » 27 Oct 2011, 15:27

Why? :roll:
It was my way of saying that when i asked James who Jeff was as I was going to tweet about his 4th place, he didn't know him either. I also couldn't find him on our member list, but that's not totally up to date. I was trying to confirm him as a DHBCer before I tweeted his great result, that's all, as CNSW have got clubs wrong before.

patn
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Postby patn » 27 Oct 2011, 19:12

Great ride Eugene!

Thanks for the link re nutrition - really interesting stuff. I'm new to longer (for me say 3+ hrs)
and have quickly learnt how important that nutrition stuff is. Out of interest, I found those gels to be
really good, they give me lots of energy without being hard on my stomach. A have found that they're
really expensive though, especially if you take as much as Eugene suggested (1000 kj/hr) - which
is an amount that obviously works!! A month or so ago I bought pure maltodextrine (which is the
main ingredient in those gels) from an online shop based at Gosford - a huge bag cost me about
$40 from memory... I add some salt to it, little bit of cordial to taste (maltodextrine is compeletly
tasteless, which is a good thing), and I've found it works (for me) exactly like the standard gels.
I made a rough calculation that the equivalent amount to a 'winners gel' costs me about $0.10 to
$0.15, rather than like $1-$2. Great value. Great work again Eugene!

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T-Bone
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Postby T-Bone » 27 Oct 2011, 22:08

Jeff wont be reading the forums. He is a friend of josh lesters from America and only just moved to sydney a couple of months ago. He's a very strong rider who has been racing for a number of years. I can talk to James about his handicapping.
Thanks Alex, at least i'll know some people to ask.

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mikesbytes
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Postby mikesbytes » 06 Nov 2011, 10:33

Ah Mark's got his data done, so I now know that Mark and I averaged 17.4kph on the big hill, well ahead of my target of 16.5kph. Last year I averaged 15kph on that hill. Pleased with that

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Postby MarkL » 08 Nov 2011, 11:52

Well done on the improved hill climbing Mike, that is a bit of a jump....and you were injured!!!

Here's my Garmin data, no HR: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/125151794

My climb time this year was 62 mins compared to 57 mins 10 secs for 2010, 4 mins 50 secs slower. Last year l climbed with too much intensity and was cooked at the top and not able to hang onto bunches on the inclines. This year l was in much bettter shape climbing a bit conservatitively considering my ITB issue.

l'm aiming to be a little stronger, better trained and uninjured for next year, l'm already looking forward to it :o :) :)

Strawburger
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Postby Strawburger » 08 Nov 2011, 14:00

The nutrition I used for the Grafton:

http://www.hammernutrition.com.au/cycling-nutrition/
describes the principles I followed (i.e. 1,000kJ per h + .5L water per h + electrolyte + no conventional food during and 4h prior to racing + dedicated recovery drink within 5min after every hard training + no compensation for missed feeding during the race; all this regardless of speed and/or temperature)

http://www.hammernutrition.com.au/info- ... etes-make/
shows how not to do it (I can sing a song about this, I’ve had 'whole body emptiness & agony' so many times)
Brilliant! Thank you for sharing this Eugen. I've been playing around with the liquid quantities and have got it to around what they recommend (i wish i had read this earlier). I didn't realise that i should cut out the hard foods though!


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