Such a great weekend.
The ride itself was very much different to what I experienced last year.
Better or worse? neither, just different.
It was very much harder, given I rode it with a much harder goal in mind. It's not surprising I'd say it was a harder ride this year.
It's a combination of the whole weekend that does it for me, the great people I could spend the time with, the location, magic views, the mountains, the challenge, the type of event, all rolled into one. It's relaxing and exciting at the same time.
It's certainly become a favorite.
It was great to share it all with those I knew.
Walshy, Pete, Jill, Kathy, Ian, Will, Tamara & Greer.
Everybody had successful rides and had a great trip.
My Ride.
I'd set a goal of sub 8hrs but by how much. For a perfect day I was hoping I'd be able to reach a 7:3x.
I figured I'd at least give it a crack and see how the day pans out along the way.
I arrived at the start line nice and early to get a good position up the front in a self seeded first in best dressed type of start line.
It did feel a little odd in a good way being up in the front bunch on the road amongst riders who I'd figure a better quality than I.
Once the first climb of Tawonga was underway things spread out fairly quickly and the main bunch I was in had thinned from around 30 to about a dozen riders (with maybe a half dozen off the front). I sat with them half way up Tawonga before the stronger climbers eased away, better to ride my own pace even if it was only half a km/h slower on the climb.
Over the summit and descend down to Mt Beauty, I caught back up to a 6 man group on the first hill on the rise up towards Falls Creek. I stuck with them over the rollers (the term rollers is funny as it's more like a 4km long climbs) as the road worked it's way up to Bogong where the climb proper began.
Again I slipped off the back as the half dozen guys eased away slowly. I'd pick up a couple of them as near the top.
3km from the summit/checkpoint the lead rider swept by on his descent, at the 2km marker the 2nd & 3rd rider were on the way down. By the time I got the checkpoint I'd guessed maybe 10-12 riders had gone by with plenty of bikes laying around at the checkpoint still. I topped up and left straight away. Feeling pleased and a little surprised that I was further up the pointy end than I'd expect.
From here on in it was a bit of a sea sawing affect as I'd pass some riders and get passed by others and from Falls to the finish had virtually no other rider to work with. A long solo TT effort was to be had.
The run down Falls I spotted a couple familar riders, really helps to have easy to spot kit.
I heard Will call out but didn't really spot him, he wasn't all that far behind, maybe near the 2-3km marker. Plus a few other calls on my descent but at the time couldn't make out who they were from.
It gets a little tiring on these long descents all tucked in trying to keep your speed up. By the time I was at the bottom I was looking forward to a climb again.
Tawonga comes around again all to quickly, this time it's a little shorter but the penalty of that is it's a bit steeper. Virtually half way now and 2 climbs to go, sounds good.
Over Tawonga and the run to Bright was a bit of a drag with nobody nearby whom I could work with, such is the way it goes at times. Although there was quite a few shorter course riders out on the road now.
2km from Bright a train of 5 riders caught me, that gave me a little breather being able to sit on. A couple of k's is better than nothing.
A quick fluid top up and off again.
Buffalo felt much harder this year, I was getting a little tired but not to bad, I could still sit on around 13odd km/h which I was happy enough doing and if could maintain that I'd do ok.
Buffalo was the only place I began to feel the heat of the day build up, time was ticking by quickly and the distance rolled along slowly. The Halfway water station, is a pure oasis. I heard a volunteer refer to distance left to go which made little sense at the time, it sounded like 8k's to the turn point with 4k's of climbing. That can't be right it's at least 8 to 10k's just to the buffalo summit then 4k's to Dingo Dell checkpoint. I did the maths a number of times and still wondered where this 8k's to go came from. I miss heard and in hind sight was probably the beginning of my end
Nearing the summit I still had plenty of fluid and enough foods so I thought I won't need anything from Dingo Dell, just the timing scan and get away as quick as possible.
I was still on target with a good fast run home to go 7:3x
Over the top passed the lake and onto a short climb to Dingo Dell, perhaps 1.5 to 2km long. Right there I cracked, I grovelled over that hill at 6-7km/h (down from the 13-14). I had recently eaten but not enough &/or hadn't absorbed it yet. I really felt a strong desire to stop just to open my food. Nope, Just relax at this pace, settle and eat. Simple.
That felt better although setting a very slow rhythm just aimed at comfort. Dingo Dell checkpoint came, got scanned, cleaned my glasses. Hey look a bowl of lollies! A big handful and filled my mouth, grabbed another greedy handful. I think I had jelly snakes hanging out my mouth like worms.
A biddon of water and off again, still a fairly quick turn around (at least felt it).
I'd lost a bit of time but felt better and homeward bound. Have a quick but restful descent down Buffalo, although it did get rather frustrating for 4-5km as some guy in a 4 wheel drive was in the way. It was ok for a while but as soon as he caught another rider it made it very annoying as this car was not giving me space to get by (an Alpine spectator/supporter with bikes loaded on the back). Another rider caught and went by me and was then a little more forceful/game and more or less forced the issue and got by which opened the door for me slip by also.
Buffalo is hard enough (climb & descent) as it is but with the few people who have to drive up and down can make it a bit dodgy. Fortunately it's only a few, but still!!!
Once at the bottom and over one last little hill it's smooth sailing home, I pushed the remaining k's as hard as possible and got home in 7:50hrs.
Very pleased.
Ran into Tamara & Steno at the finish, grabbed some food and drink, found a seat and watched as others rode in. Will arrived before to long and joined us. Bit by bit we watched the others come home. Greer arrived after riding the 250k and her early 4am start time. Needless to say feeling very tired.
We grabbed a drink and then down to the river to sit in the cool waters for a while.
Head back up the grass area near the brewery to grab a beer.
Kathy arrives followed a little later by Ian looking a little lost/fatigued/tired/elated all rolled into one.
Missed Walshy & Jill at the finish though.
Time to head off get cleaned up, dinner beckons.
Might give the 250km Alpine a go next year
(if not then it's a sub 7:30 target ride)
Descending Tawonga Gap towards Mt Beauty township.
Mt Buffalo
Can't say I've ever descended anywhere near that long!! 