GNR Over Easter


Logan's picture

By Logan - Posted on 11 April 2011

With the Dirtworks looming large I want to get out to GNR to check out the route (well as much as possible) I am keen to avoid the Tuesday of Easter as there is Crit racing I wanna do but am flexible apart from that and could do anytime from Friday Morning till Monday of the Extra Long Weekend.

I have never ridden out there so if anyone is coming along that knows the route even better, Once we have a idea of numbers I will stick up a ride etc.

I know Phil is keen?

[Mod. moved to Central Coast]

Fatboy's picture

ps and I are planning to do a training ride up GNR Saturday week 23rd for some pre event training. If that's when you're thinking then post it and you've got 2 more.

philberesford's picture

and possibly a +2

Feels like forever ago I was up there and was chatting to my Mont team about it this weekend. I would definitely like to get a look to see what's changed since I was last up there before the DW. Happy to avoid the day of your Crit race. I'll have a chat with my mates and see what they're thinking and what their plans are for Easter LW.

Edit: Actually, I do have a couple of days I can't do. Friday is my daughters first birthday, so can't miss that and I'm house hunting too so don't want to miss any open inspections on the Saturday. So that leaves me Sunday or Monday. @Fatboy would love to hook up for some GNR fun are you flexible with your day?

Phil

@mod (rob)
GNR = Central Coast? I wouldn't have thought that.

Logan's picture

Either of Sunday or Monday suit me, so Fatboy confirm what you guys are keen on and I will post it up.

Sounds good, looking forward to it.

ps's picture

I can make either day.

Fatboy's picture

Monday then. I'd be in the dog house if I didn't do Easter egg hunt on Easter Sunday with my 4yo.

Dicko's picture

I'd be keen for Monday at the GNR.

Phil has trying to get me out there for ages - so sounds like a plan. Easter Sunday is definitely allocated to Easter egg hunting with the kids Smiling

D

craked's picture

Have never ridden GNR( except on a motor bike 30 years ago) ,I 'd be in for this I reckon, monday sounds good

Logan's picture

I will post it up.

philberesford's picture

Monday it is then - sounds like they'll be quite a crew Smiling

Tommy's picture

Gent's I'd love to join in. Im not that overly quick have ridden with ps, so he can give u and idea. Did the Cap 100km in 6 and a half. Dont want to hold you up, but if your cool, love to join in.

Logan's picture

Get involved mate, we will wait at the top of climbs etc so all good.

ps's picture

Just harden up and click the star. It really is the simplest way to get better/faster.

btw if its gets to be a large crowd will see if my Mrs wants to tag along. She is doing the DW50 so would be keen to take a shortcut and stay more on the 50 course than Shepherds Gully.

philberesford's picture

Sadly the 50km course doesn't go along the GNR. We zig they zag. The 100kers get all lovely techy rocky GNR and the ear bending Shepherds 'Grinfest' Gully. The 50kers get a fireroad.

Tommy's picture

Roger that!! Cu there

Fatboy's picture

Tommy is just messing with us. He's really Chris Jongewaard.

Looks like a good turnout Andy. Maybe with this many we could park some cars at the base of Shephards and some at St Albans so we can ride the first 60km of the Dirtworks although I'm not sure we can actually climb that first big hill as it's private property?

If anyone is free and inclined, I wouldn't mind entering the Chocolate Foot 8hr which is this coming Sunday at Awaba as a 2 man team. Entries close tomorrow. I've had a lot of illness & injuries since Christmas so trying to ride back to fitness before Dirtworks.

philberesford's picture

Yeah that is private Sad

I reckon an out an out and back past Clare's and return via Shepherds is the go with double the fun on the GNR. If we go all the way to Mogo Creek Road then it makes it a nice 100km-ish ride. Although the end section can get quite sandy. I sometimes turn around where the DW enters the GNR. I think that makes it about 70km?

Here's a ride I did minus Shepherds. So maybe tack on an extra 10km?

Logan's picture

The longer ride would be my preferance, however I realise this isn't for everyone so am flexible around distance.

jdb's picture

It will be close to 3 years since I've done DW, Phil how much of the DW course does the ride you are suggesting cover?

philberesford's picture

Hmm I'll take a guess and say at least 40% (the best 40% too and the reason why DW is so unique). The ride i posted above is almost 100% DW course except for the run up/down Devines Hill.

@Logan
I'm happy to go any distance too. More is good but I'm also interested in getting a good look at all the techy bits and scope out how the lines will have changed since I was last up there. The GNR is one giant rock garden! Your Yeti will love it!

Logan's picture

To check the techy descents etc. I want to know where I can push in DW and where I can't.

Rob's picture

FYI: one is not meant to ride down Devines hill. There is a sign at the top which states this and says bikes must be walked.

Any anyhow, why would you want to go down there when you are right at the top of Shepherds Gully?

philberesford's picture

Pretty sure it was getting late that day and needed to get back home. The only problem with going down Shepherds is the long boring slog on the road back to the ferry.

armo's picture

maybe they ment to say up devines hill if they are starting at the ferry.
Edit:sorry didnt look at phils GPS proerly.
Phil even though its boreing rideing back on the road if you check out Shepherds you can realy make up some time going down there. The first time i did DW i suffered realy bad from cramps in the first 50klm it took me over 4hrs to get half way and i sent my rideing mate ahead as i didnt think i would make the cut off time at the bridge as i was haveing trouble on the climbs but once i got to the top of the hill out of ten mile hollow i got thru the tech stuf to the top off sheperds then let the brakes off and went for it ( had ridein down sheperds a few times so had a few lines worked out) ended up makeing the cut off time.

philberesford's picture

I LOVE smashing it down Shepherds. I've got plenty of funny offs and stories about SG I'll share. It was just on that occasion we were running late in the day and didnt fancy the road section back so skipped it.

Antsonline's picture

guys - the only way down is finches line.

the most tech descent for miles around.
It is conflicting - some of it is no riding, some of it is riding. I have ridden it many many times, and never met a single soul.

It is a sweet descent, and only 1km to the ferry from the bottom. It is certainly no more illegal that Devines, and people are forever riding down that.
Finches is the one! My favourite.

Rob's picture

Finches Walk

You can only ride part way down Finches Line - this sign isn't that far from the bottom though.

Another route is to take the slog along Western Commission Track which is boring as... but the last descent is maybe even worth it... it drops around 230m vertical in 2.8km Laughing out loud

Antsonline's picture

yeah - the grass must have obscured that sign when I rode the walk. Oops.
Still the best descent around - even walking it would be fun!

Fatboy's picture

If Finches is that trail to the left as you start descending on the fire road about a half km before the top of shepherds then I agree. Shepherds is nowhere near as much fun. You go at least a couple of km along the ridge line before descending through a steep techy section then some fast flowy bits before popping out on the main road. I think it's more like 3-4km back to the ferry?

I've never noticed any signage but it is quite a steep section so you can't really be looking around or you'll get spat.

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