Monday, December 21, 2009

SUN RIDE PHOTOS







Click for link to Flickr with the full set of photos....email for an original!

SUN RIDE REPORT - TDU COURSE

All,
We made it!

After we left the main group at the top of Fox Creek Rd we made good time to Woodside and straight on toward Inverbrackie which appears flat but is gently uphill. The last 5 km into Nairne was very quick with Steve Walker (Duracell Lithium) powering at the front at over 40kph.

We stopped at Mt Barker for coffee and buns for about 10mins then headed out of town up Wellington Road to Wistow. It is about 18km from Wistow to Strathalbyn and it is a great section of road - very fast and you do not really notice the long uphill sections because you hit them at good speed.

In our enthusiasm Steve and I got a bit ahead of Mike and Chris so we re-grouped at Strath for the remaining very flat 60km section to Goolwa via Langhorne Creek and Milang. The run to Langhorne Creek was steady at 30kph + then we turned south toward Lake Alexandrina where the wind picked up a bit. Just before we got to the Lake the Course Director embarrassingly 'hit the wall' and dropped off (he will be re-appraising his preparation and ride strategy for the TDU!!). Thankfully the others slowed down and Steve 'carried' him to Milang for a brief stop.

The next 20 km was backed by a gentle tail wind which we did not really take advantage of because the Course Director was still suffering - pace was only high 20's. After Finniss, Mike and Chris went ahead and Steve supported the ailing and slowing Course Director through Currency Creek (where Chris met his wife and loaded his bike on the car because he had to get to Cape Jarvis for the ferry). The final run into Goolwa probably had the strongest head wind and Mike stayed in front battling alone and finished a minute or two ahead of the relieved Course Director and fresh Steve.

Overall the weather and wind conditions were near perfect with a slight SE breeze - hardly noticeable until we got close to Lake Alexandrina

Average speed 27.8kph (should have been over 30 if we 'all' went at full speed) and ride time of about 5.45 from Norwood - elapsed time of just under 7 hours arriving at Goolwa at about 2.40pm. Three pints in the Goolwa pub were welcome.

Lessons from the ride -
- The first part is definitely the hardest (as expected) but the long flat riding is still a challenge
- Some of the roads are a bit rough - particularly near Nairne and between Langhorne Creek and Milang
- Very quick from Wistow to Strathalbyn - but save some energy
- The wind will play a significant factor on the day so try and get into a large group from Strathalbyn to the finish (we were lucky with perfect wind conditions)
- Make sure that you prepare well and have a lot of food and water - particularly early in the ride

I think we all got benefit from the ride in various ways and it should contribute to a much improved performance on the TDU day.

The Assistant Course Director (demoted for poor performance!)
Brian Virgo

THE POM

Thanks to all the guys for making my inaugural ride with the "Bastardi Grassi" such a pleasure. Apologies to those in yellow jerseys who I nearly crashed into, and further apologies to those I ignored riding up towards the Sterling Hotel, I was in a bit of a panic as I was late home and my wife was threatening to sell my bike.

Look forward to the next ride, have a great Christmas !

Martin (the pom) Rawley

Friday, December 18, 2009

SUN RIDE 20th

7.30am start from Norwood at cnr Parade - Osmond Tce.

We doing a 'practice' run of the full TDU course to Goolwa on 20 December 2009. Those not interested in doing the full route there are the following alternatives back to Adelaide:

Full TDU Route map

Back thru the Gorge from Lenswood : 70 km (less climbing)

Lenswood – Lobethal Rd to Norton’s : 60 km (highly recommend)
LENSWOOD - NORWOOD ROUTE MAP

Balhannah – Greenhill Rd Thru Uraidla / Summertown : 85 km (takes in more of the TDU ride, big climb out on Greenhill)
BALHANNAH - GREEN HILL MAP

Hahndorf - Mylor - Aldgate - Crafers : 100km (easier climb then greenhill - longer ride)
same route from Handorf used on th 6th 2 weeks ago.

- FS

Monday, December 14, 2009

NORTONS TT 03 REPORT

Good effort by most to improve their times and if we gave out awards, one needs to go to Aldo who should be very proud of his efforts, taking three minutes off and moving down the board! The handicapping seems to be getting better with a field of 6 crossing the line at almost the same time, with another couple in the finishing straight. The jerseys came out a gem with the pack looking the part thanks to Warwick, Steve and Alf! Was great to see Adam back out on the bike after his spill early in the season! All the best to Geoff Stevens with his upcoming appointment with the knife. Again well done to all, with some good times on the board!


Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Sunday Ride Report


Super weather greeted the dozen or so of us that rode on Sunday.
Great course set by Brian saw climbs up the Old Freeway, Carey Gully, Aldage Valley Road and Ayres Hill Road, with some bloody specacular riding in between.
Scenic roads, low traffic, blue skies and mild temperatures ensured that this was some of the best riding of the year.

Finger buns in Hahndorf completed the picture and there will be a repeat of this course for sure - make sure you don't miss it.

Friday, December 4, 2009

All,
Proposed ride for this Sunday - Crafers Hahndorf Loop (+ Glenelg option).

Course Highlights:
Practice climb for Old Freeway for next Time Trail Couple of great long fast downhills into Uraidla and Balhannah Easy but long climbs into Aldgate, Stirling and Crafers (including Aldgate Valley Rd which is a gem!) Fast run to Glenelg (for those who choose the extra distance)

COURSE MAP

LONG ROUTE:
Start at 7.30am at Hindmarsh Square - Pirie St - Hutt St - Glen Osmond Rd - Tollgate - Old Freeway to Crafers (practice run for the next official Time Trail) - Crafters Bus Station - L onto Piccadilly Rd - R onto Swap Rd - Uraidla - R onto Greenhill Rd - Carey Gully - Balhannah - R onto Onkaparinga Valley Rd - L onto Ambleside Rd - Hahndorf - R onto Mt Barker Rd (back toward Verdun) - L onto River Road - R onto Aldgate Rd - Mylor - L onto Stock Rd - R onto Aldgate Valley Rd - Aldgate - Stirling - R onto Pomona Rd - L onto Old Mt Barker Rd - L onto Piccadilly Rd (at the monument) - Crafers - Old Freeway - Tollgate - Home (OR if inclined for more distance - Cross Rd - Anzac Highway - Glenelg - Patawalonga Pde - Military Rd - Seaview Rd - R onto Henley Beach Rd - City - Home)

Distance - approx 60-65km - (+ 32km with extra beach run)

SHORT ROUTE FROM BALHANNAH:
Balhannah - Verdun - German Town Hill - Bridgewater - Aldgate - Stirling - R onto Pomona Rd - L onto Old Mt Barker Rd - L onto Piccadilly Rd (at the monument) - Crafers - Old Freeway - Tollgate - Home

Probably about 5-10km shorter but a big climb up German Town Hill + no beach ride.

Brian Virgo