Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Folding Bikes
Reload this Page >

Australian Audax Alpine Classic 200 RR

Notices
Folding Bikes Discuss the unique features and issues of folding bikes. Also a great place to learn what folding bike will work best for your needs.

Australian Audax Alpine Classic 200 RR

Old 01-29-08, 04:56 AM
  #1  
jur
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Albany, WA
Posts: 7,393
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 321 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts
Australian Audax Alpine Classic 200 RR

I did the Alpine Classic 200 for the 2nd year this past weekend. It is one of Australia's most difficult rides through mountainous terrain, with 4 big climbs.



The trick is to pace yourself early on so as to leave some reserve for the last climb of Mt Buffalo. A trick which I am yet to learn. Like last year, I was properly buggered for the last climb and it requires great willp[ower to keep riding.

I pulled away with the earliest group at 6h20am. While inching to the start line I saw a Bike Friday, and a Brompton awaiting it's turn for a 70km event (more later). The previous day I spoke with the Moulton importer and learned that there was one participant on a stainless steel New Series in my group.

After starting I found a bunch with my preferred pace, and we cruised fast to the base of the 1st climb, to Tawonga Gap. The climb is fairly easy but again you need to pace yourself. Early in the climb we rode past a car which very early that morning had misjudged a corner and ended up in a ditch. Police were photographing the scene. About halfway up I found the chap on the Moulton. I slowed and we chatted about Moultons and Swifts to the top of the climb.

At the top Mr Moulton indicated he was pulling off for a rest, I thought downhills are for resting and started flying down. It was easy to keep up with the fastest descenders, even overtaking a number of them. There were a few exclamations of surprise to see such small wheels racing so fast.

First stop in the valley for a quick bottle refill and a few apple scrolls to eat, and off to the big one: Falls Creek. On the ascent I met the first few strong riders who were already coming back down - every year it is an unofficial race to see who can win it. Again I felt very strong and couldn't hold myself in well enough, especially near the summit where again a fair few riders who got overtaken expressed surprise. I didn't dally at the summit, just dropped my card, grabbed a banana and headed down the mountain again. It was coolish but not enough to require windproof clothing. Nice fast descending, the Swift carving through the corners and leaving many riders behind.

On the Falls descent I saw a rider sitting next to the opposite side crash barrier with ambo in attendance. He obviously flew out the corner. I hope he didn't injure himself badly. I also saw the BF and the Moulton still riding up.

The 3rd climb, back over the Tawonga Gap again in reverse direction, is much steeper and more difficult due to fatigue creeping up and the heat of the day beginning to make itself felt. I had only 1 bottle full from Falls Creek - a mistake as I had to stop at a water point on the 3rd climb to refill. The going was getting harder but I still felt strong.

The summit passed and again I found a nice fast pace group back home for the mid-ride lunch exactly 6h after I departed. I still felt OK at this point, and wolfed the food to hit the road again. The flat section to the base of Mt Buffalo felt harder and I realised that my matches were almost all burnt. The climb up Mt Buffalo is the most difficult thing I had ever done. 20+km of steady climbing without relent really takes it out of you. I stopped twice to relieve hotfoot a bit. Standing on the pedals which was one of my strategies also was not possible except for 30s or so each time due to leg fatigue.

About half-way up I saw the woman on the Brompton by the side on the opposite side. I stopped and chatted a bit. She was riding a 6-sp Brommie in beige. The gears weren't too great for the climb but she did it.

I finally did reach the summit of the 4th and last climb, well stuffed, vowing never to do this again. (Just hours later I was chatting to my friend about doing next year! )


Some of my stats:
HRav: 135
Saddle time: 8h57
Tawonga A ascent: 33m40s
Falls ascent: 1h50

I arrived at Bright mid-ride exactly 6h after the start. I was pleased with that but then took another 4h to conquer Buffalo - an hour longer than I wanted.

I am extremely happy with my Swift performance. It really carved those corners and is completely stable even at 80+km/h. My speedo recorded 100km/h max but that must be a mistake. Here is a piccie at about 32km into the ride:

jur is offline  
Old 01-29-08, 05:32 AM
  #2  
jur
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Albany, WA
Posts: 7,393
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 321 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts
This year a new record was set.
jur is offline  
Old 01-29-08, 06:21 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Auld Blighty
Posts: 2,244

Bikes: Early Cannondale tandem, '99 S&S Frezoni Audax, '65 Moulton Stowaway, '52 Claud Butler, TSR30, Brompton

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by jur
About half-way up I saw the woman on the Brompton by the side on the opposite side. I stopped and chatted a bit. She was riding a 6-sp Brommie in beige. The gears weren't too great for the climb but she did it.
That would be Mrs LWaB
LWaB is offline  
Old 01-29-08, 08:10 AM
  #4  
Not so new
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 142

Bikes: Klein Quantum, Schwinn Peloton, Moulton AM Esprit

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times in 3 Posts
good show

Congratulations - I'm quite impressed.
trentschler is offline  
Old 01-29-08, 09:36 AM
  #5  
Eschew Obfuscation
 
SesameCrunch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 3,845

Bikes: 2005 Fuji Professional, 2002 Lemond Zurich, Folders - Strida, Merc, Dahon, Downtube, Recumbent folder

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Epic!

Great job, Jur!
SesameCrunch is offline  
Old 01-29-08, 11:01 AM
  #6  
Life in Mono
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London
Posts: 498

Bikes: 5 bikes, all the usual types

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts
Total respect Jur ... well done !
Simple Simon is offline  
Old 01-29-08, 02:47 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Speedo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Boston Area
Posts: 1,998

Bikes: Univega Gran Turismo, Guerciotti, Bridgestone MB2, Bike Friday New World Tourist, Serotta Ti

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
You are da Bomb Jur!

Speedo
Speedo is offline  
Old 01-29-08, 04:11 PM
  #8  
cyclopath
 
vik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Victoria, BC
Posts: 5,264

Bikes: Surly Krampus, Surly Straggler, Pivot Mach 6, Bike Friday Tikit, Bike Friday Tandem, Santa Cruz Nomad

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 6 Posts
Congrats!.....
__________________
safe riding - Vik
VikApproved
vik is offline  
Old 01-29-08, 05:12 PM
  #9  
jur
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Albany, WA
Posts: 7,393
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 321 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by LWaB
That would be Mrs LWaB
Ace! I think it probable that she was the only rider not wearing cycling clothes, that is to say wearing normal looking clothes. Did you also do the ride? I expect so, being a PBP veteran?

I am talking to Mrs J to also do the 70km next year.
jur is offline  
Old 01-29-08, 07:00 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
stevegor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oz
Posts: 2,117

Bikes: lots... even a Raleigh twenty !!!

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
Next year, Jur, you and I together mate...next year...

Well done ya ol' fossil
stevegor is offline  
Old 01-29-08, 08:34 PM
  #11  
jur
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Albany, WA
Posts: 7,393
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 321 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by stevegor
Next year, Jur, you and I together mate...next year...

Well done ya ol' fossil
Yep we will have to... I must find something to do so I can do the early part of the ride like I want to without flagging on the last climb. I need that last bit of endurance.

Reviewing the times, I find it remarkable that they are within minutes of last year's. I also felt the same last year at the various places. So I guess that means I was totally unsuccessful in trying to improve for the last climb.
jur is offline  
Old 01-30-08, 02:38 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
stevegor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oz
Posts: 2,117

Bikes: lots... even a Raleigh twenty !!!

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
Jur,

I love climbing, but I'm not that good at it, however with distance riding like Bgo to Geelong or the coast, (160 to 200 kms) I know I can fly up hills before the halfway mark but I'll pay the price for it in the 2nd half, so I discipline myself to pace moderately up the earlier climbs, and not over-hammer it down the other side. I also eat regularily maybe every 40-50kms, Low GI stuff etc, I'm sure you know all this, but it has helped me.
Give me 200kms of undulating terrain and I'm fine all day at a good clip, but I'm already getting the "nervous twinkles" and more, thinking about next years AAC ..............
Maybe I might pick your brain for better climbing techniques to get ready...

Last edited by stevegor; 01-30-08 at 02:40 AM. Reason: correction
stevegor is offline  
Old 01-31-08, 10:38 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 240

Bikes: Dahon Mu SL, KHS Mocha w/BionX PL350

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanks for sharing--I got tired just reading about your uphills. Also enjoyed the links in your sig.
v6v6v6 is offline  
Old 02-01-08, 10:11 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 375
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts
WOW. Jur that is amazing. Wicked average HR too!

Short of getting my ruler out, what kind of grades are those mountains?
What kind of gearing do you have on? Did you switch out your normal kit for something more mountain oriented?

I bet you weren't wearing that smile when you finally got the end!
4cmd3 is offline  
Old 02-01-08, 04:30 PM
  #15  
jur
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Albany, WA
Posts: 7,393
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 321 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts
The grades are usually near 6-8%, occasionally there'll be a short section of 10%.

My gearing ranges from 32-100", that is what I keep permanently, so I didn't swap out anything for the ride. I have a 11-34T cassette, that gives me an adequate 305% range with fairly equal size steps between gears.

And, you bet, I wasn't smiling on the last bit of slope!!
jur is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.