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Careflight Classic 2007


lorrie's picture

By lorrie - Posted on 04 June 2007

When: 
Sunday, 8 July, 2007 - 09:00
Duration: 
1.5 hours
Come Rain or Shine: 
I'll be there, no matter what the weather.
Ride Database Entry: 
The Oaks
Meeting Point: 

TBD... Registration is at Woodford Station.

Details:

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to get this one on the radar for those of us who have put in for this ride. For those who haven't put the entires in for this ride entries close on the 17th June. It should be a nice cruisy day out!

From what I can gather (any my information package is at home)

- Registration is at the Woodford Train station at 9.30 - send your entry from in first.
- "Ride" starts at 10am and ends in Euroka
- We cannot take the bike on the trains that day as it will be busy anyway so we will have to shuttle run our own bikes up the road - I don't particularly want to put my bike on the truck. I will drive and can shuttle one other bike + rider up the road.

As a stupid thought what about riding up the oaks first? Register and then ride down??? and we can meet those who only want to ride down at the top???

Lorrie

Who's in?
Rob, Little-Ditty, Neil, lorrie, Carlgroover
Rob Little-Ditty Neil lorrie Carlgroover
What Happened?

Were you there and have a story to tell?

Ride Gallery
Little-Ditty's picture

I have entered for this cruisy ride. Should be good fun. Everyone else should enter and pay the 30 odd dollars, that goes towards a service that you may actually use sometime in the future. You can make a donation at the same time you order. How easy can they make it?

Andrew, I could not say yet how I intend to get my bike up to Woodford. I doubt the trail would be "open" to riders going up the mountain that morning. But I would stand corrected if we could get more info.

I think the shuttle run sounds like the best idea.

Cheers.

alchemist's picture

You'll be able to ride up if you want. You wont be able to get your bike on a train at Glenbrook, you could get on at Emu Plains.

leximack's picture

i got a message from Andrew about a possible ride up the oaks first before the actual race. Would anyone else be interested in this? I assume we would want to allow 2.5hrs before the race start to allow sufficient time to ride up at a steady pace and take care of any failures/punctures etc (maybe even 3hrs to be on the super safe side).
I think this will be totally weather dependant, i dont really want to add an extra 2hrs of riding if it is raining heavily.
Just giving everyone a heads up, probably meet at Glenbrook station or maybe even drive into the park to make the ride up a bit shorter. More details to come after i speak to Andrew

I will call the organisers of the event to make sure there is no issues with people riding up before the event, i cant see why there would be, as long as it is clear before the official race start.

Don

leximack's picture

just called the Careflight classic organisers, the lady i spoke to didnt know if it was ok to ride up first, she didnt think it will be a problem but will confirm and get back to me.
She also said that the firefighters will be checking the course out today or tomorrow to see if the event will still be on, has been raining hepas up there and they want to make sure the track is safe and wont be ruined by thousands of riders.
They will advise of a cancellation via email/phone

Don

alchemist's picture

Plenty of people ride up first, some even ride up after (which might be compulsory if the rain doesn't stop)

lorrie's picture

Hi,

Yep I'm well keen to ride up the oaks. But I agree that it is totally weather and dependant on the orgaanisers decision

Based on a quick calculation if we aim for 2.5hours up the trail this roughly equals 10kms/hour and being a part-time roadie (?) This is a challenge for me. not withstanding equipment problems etc. Any comments???

I just want to get some kms in the saddle

Will call you soon Don!

Andrew

Rob's picture

Don't forget, the causeway sometimes looks like this:

(see bottom of http://www.users.on.net/~fathers/oaks.htm)

Don't bet on being able to ride it!

evan's picture

http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/parks.nsf/Pa...

This text in particular

Part of this park is currently CLOSED.

http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/parks.nsf/Pa...

Keep checking is my suggestion

Evan

leximack's picture

thanks for the link evan.

This is what it says in the second link

"Glenbrook Creek causeway and access to the Euroka picnic area remains closed as rain continues and the water level at the causeway remains high."

Keep and eye on your email box for a cancellation of this event, unless the sun keeps shining for the next few days

Don

mtbasn.alex's picture

Rider IN... ill be there in the 15yrs to 19 yrs category ( defending my 2 years winning streak )

alchemist's picture

That's not high, that's about perfect liloing level Sticking out tongue

Matt's picture

Maybe they can borrow that bridge from the dirt-works, that'll sort the men out from the boys in flowing water!

Matt,
Who is going nowhere near that this weekend and suspects the media hungry Blueies local chief of police would have a whingeing field day with this if it goes ahead in these conditions...

Flynny's picture

From news.com.au:

FOUR bushwalkers have been rescued from the Blue Mountains west of
Sydney after being cut off by floods.

The alarm was raised about 7pm (AEST) yesterday by one of the four men
trapped in the Glenbrook Gorge by floodwaters caused by weeks of heavy
rain.

A police rescue helicopter airlifted the men from the gorge to safety
this morning after rescuers failed to reach them last night because of
the hazardous conditions.

None required medical treatment.

Police said the men, believed to be Blue Mountains residents, found
themselves unable to walk out from the bottom of the gorge due to the
high water.

Officers from the Blue Mountains rescue squad went into the area on
foot last night, finding the men uninjured and in good spirits but on
the other side of a 15m-wide section of rapid water.

Rescuers were able to get food and some supplies to the men, who are
believed to be aged in their 20s.

Today's rescue follows a furore over the safety risks posed to
rescuers by a school group that needed rescuing in the Blue Mountains
in bad weather last weekend.

Careflight were going to make a decision on racing or postponing one
week last night. No word yet - and nothing on their website.

http://www.careflight.org

NPWS say the causeway and access to Euroka are still closed.

Rob's picture

Word on the grapevine is this event has been postponed until July 8.

If anyone gets an official mail/call from the organisers please confirm.

Flynny's picture

same day as 8hr. Sponsors are seeking an alternative

leximack's picture

Received this email a few moments ago

Postponement of Woodford to Glenbrook

We have been advised today by National Parks & Wildlife that the Park and track will be unsuitable for our event on Sunday. The Park has been closed for the last week due to the unusually high rainfall. Soils in the Park are saturated and therefore there is a high probability of accidents due to slippage as well as a high probability of the Park being damaged by large numbers of competitors and visitors. The roads and trails are likely to be blocked by fallen timber and with windy conditions being forecast for the next couple of days, this will make conditions dangerous.

This is the first time in the nine years of the Woodford to Glenbrook event that we have faced such a situation which is beyond our control. Our primary consideration is for the welfare of entrants and to ensure that you enjoy this popular event.

After discussions with the NP&W they have advised us that the Park will need two weeks to restore and so we have re-scheduled the date for the Woodford to Glenbrook for Sunday 8 July.

What you need to do?

If you are happy to transfer your entry to 8 July, there is no need to contact us.

If you can’t make it on 8 July, we are happy to either:

1. Transfer your entry fee into a donation and you will receive a tax-deductible receipt for this financial year.
or
2. Refund your entry fee.

If you can’t make it on 8 July, please email us at [email protected] and let us know which of the two options you prefer.

leximack's picture

i guess i will be giving them a donation, would much rather do the 8hr at yarramundi that day

Don

Little-Ditty's picture

That free's up my Sunday. Now, what is there to do...

mtbasn.alex's picture

is there any places dry we can ride maybe a bit of nothern beaches/ freeride?

lorrie's picture

Bugger! Looks like I will be there on the 8th. I rode at Lane Cove last night and the singletrack is not passable branches are down everywhere and the small pockets of sand that were once there are there no more. I wonder how Manly Dam is shaping up? I betcha that a lot of the sand at the downhill part after the Wakehurst entrance has been washed away

Lorrie

leximack's picture

This comment has been moved here.

Little-Ditty's picture

Can we get a list of definite attendees please??

I will be going.

leximack's picture

im out, going to the 8hr at yarramundee instead
Kindly gave my entry fee to careflight as a donation, what a nice guy i am hehe
Don

lorrie's picture

I'm in

alchemist's picture

The 8 hour for me also, hopefully Tony will change the venue for his BBQ.

lorrie's picture

Hi Everyone,

Who else is coming for this ride, should be a cool fun time.

So far Rob, Liam and myself are going Christine - did you say that you were coming??

Im keen to ride up the oaks trail before the race, are you Rob? But I know that Liam is not too keen to ride up. Shall we just organise this for the three of us or does anyone else want to share a lift???

Andrew

Neil's picture

and AFAIK Pierre and Peter Jones will be with me
Neil

Rob's picture

So this thought just came to me...

Nice as it sounds, realistically I think it will mean getting up too early to ride up beforehand. However, if it's just Rob, Liam, Lorrie (I know Christine is out) then let us do this:

Drive to Glenbrook in 2 cars, leave one there, drive up to Woodford with 3 bikes (my car is fine with this). Ride down, all fresh - full on - < 1 hour easy Eye-wink Hang around a bit, see how we feel. By then all that should be left on the trail is slow riders and walkers/runners so we can ride back up in safety or if we don't feel the need, someone can drive me back to get the car.

Too easy Smiling

lorrie's picture

Done. I don't mind driving I probably should anyway... Want a Lift Liam? or did you want to come back early???

Shall we meet at the Glenbrook station car park at 8.15am or so?

Lorrie

Carlgroover's picture

Mitchell the 12 yo pocket rocket entered today and I may ride down the track slowly due to my repairing injury or maybe the highway, then I will ride back up the Woodford track, with Mitchell and you guys if you are doing that. The slower speed being fine for my hand. I did Katoomba and back today and had no probs except the wind chill factor, It's good to back!
There's free tea, coffee and hot chocolate at my place for all NoBMob folk, it could even stretch to a bit of toast.
I'll see you down there in the morning Rob, what time do you expect to be at the Fire station? or you can park the car at my house and ride from here. Cheers John.

Carlgroover's picture

How cool is the little red star thingo, did I miss the thread about it or something? or maybe I'm just easily impressed, but this site works better than any other I've ever been to. Rob I expect you did your thing and made it happen, and would I be correct in the assumption that you do this kind of thing for a living? John

Little-Ditty's picture

Dear John, (LOL) Rob and myself have arranged to meet at 8:00 a.m. at Glenbrook. Andrew (Lorrie) should be there too. So we can meet up and make arrangements from there. Although I will hear requests from the group, I doubt I will be riding up the hill afterwards. I am just there to participate in the ride, to Glenbrook.

Assuming there will be packs of people riding, you would have to assume that this will not be the fastest Oaks ride either. I am not going out on Sunday for a speed ride. I will be taking it pretty easy. Eye-wink

Call me on 0438 885 410 if you guys get into any difficulty. Take down ROb's mobi too if you need it.

Cheers,
Liam.

Carlgroover's picture

Have something warm to wear before the race as hanging around waiting for the start can be cruel, then throw it into the car or back pack just before the start.
Liam, not a Dear John from you too, where did I go wrong?

Rob's picture

Ah... it's not really my job - but web stuff is fun and easy(ish) Eye-wink

Made all the better with appreciative comments. Cheers John.

Depending on when we get registered and stuff see you at the top or bottom, I'll take your number - mine is on the profile.

Rob's picture

Joked about an hour and hit it, dead on, to the second like:

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/episode/3241596

Interestingly, up the top of the course is the highest HR I've had on the bike to date (downhill at the time - adrenalin induced?), and unlike the endurance events managed to keep it going throughout. Pretty happy with this time, thanks to Lorrie for shoving me along.

FWIW, I couldn't hit the 'stop' button on the finish line as was in the air, so technically it's sub-one hour Sticking out tongue

Ah, then the second lap, which was a bit harder Eye-wink

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/episode/3241597

This was a fantastic day out, highly recommended event, and also great to get some Ks. Thanks to Carlgroover for the hospitality and TFH for the BBQ lunch... or was that laid on by the local club? Eye-wink

Rob's picture

Not many, but here they are: Careflight Classic 2007 gallery.

lorrie's picture

Hey,

That was a top race. I had no idea what to expect but I was told the attendance was well down on last year, this was most likely due to the two week delay of the event due to rain and the fact that the running of the race coincided with the Yarramundi 8hr. How did everyone go in this?

About 40 of us started off in the 30-39yr age group We started out front of the Woodford railway station. I'm guessing that a few hundred started (?) in all the various age groups. There wasn't as much as jostling as I thought, anyway it opened up to firetrail soon enough and that's where the fun began and heart rate hit max!. Those undulating hills really smash your rhythm and your heart rate if you are trying to make it down in quick time. Anyway I just had Rob in my sights in this section. Just when I thought we had had enough we reached the helipad and i was happy cause we had the smooth firetrail downhill. However as hard as a I tried I just couldn't lose Rob (and some other guy) If you are slip streaming at 40km+ pulling away and staying away is damn hard work. But some pro rider free wheeled past us! Rob told him to tuck in pack and slip stream with us and he replied - I HAVE NO CHAIN! - priceless! he soon dropped off.

We started counting down the km's and just on the last corner there was a massive sand trap. The guy in front of Rob and I nearly flipped it when he lost his front wheel and rear wheel. So we slowed down rounded him and hit the finish line. (a small water bar was on the finish line for Liam).

We started the ride UP!! with much concern... on my side. But with some consistent cadence we got there and after being warned by the marshalls who were packing up to turn round and go back cause a storm was coming, we went on it rained a bit but that helped us get home just that little bit quicker.

On the way home we had many questions and one was - firstly is anyone up for an Anderson's and oaks ride? and secondly why did we ride up after such a massive ride down?

Well worth it!

Lorrie

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