You are hereCalendar / The best endurance race training ride ever?
The best endurance race training ride ever?
Meet at main (East) Ferry near shop.
Update: Due to technical difficulties, the silly training ride will now take place Sunday 20th. This leaves Sunday 13th open for all to join the GNR Group 'C' ride.
Start at Wiseman's Ferry and ride to Webbs Creek Ferry which leads us to Womarah Range (72km mark hill in Dirt Works)this section is around 20km of medium climbs and some ripper downhills ,coming out onto the road and a short ride to the bottom of Shepherds Gully a great technical climb which lead us to the bottom of Western Commission Track with 48km's in the legs this is one of the best climbs you could hope for 10km's of a mix of grinding steep hills and big ring fast climbs that max your heart rate and keep it there.This leads to GNR where we turn right towards Clair's Bridge where we turn round and its GNR fun back to the Ferry.
This will be a hard race pace ride with minimal stops but you will be rewarded with heaps of Adrenalin and Endorphins to keep you going.
Happy for an A and B group So people seeking a more relaxing ride can still enjoy the fun.
Blog entries about this meeting...
| Who | Title | Preview (click the title left for more and to comment) |
|---|---|---|
| linco | Great ride | Wow what a ride. I'm just glad we made it back before dark. Thanks to everyone that came along, that was definitely the toughest day of mountain biking I've ever had . I'm not sure what felt more punished at the end of the ride - my bike after... |
Were you there and have a story to tell?
This gallery is empty.
- Login to post comments
- Bookmark & share
You mean meet at the East Ferry, eh? The one closest to the bottom of Shepherds Gully. This is where we'll end the ride even though we'll head out on the other ferry first.
I take it you measured the route to bottom of WCT to be
4048Km from the other week? From there to Clairs Bridge and back along GNR to top of Shepherds Gully is another 32-ish. Down Shepherds and back along the road another 12-ish, so that's a whopping8492Km! This is not for the faint of heart but luckily there's bail out points around 45Km at the ferry, then again top of WCT you could head directly left skipping several Km - although if anyone feels at all dodgy riding up WCT think I'd recommend turning round a better bail option.Should be good - a real enduro workout. My legs can hardly wait... NOT!
Ok so I concede that my race pace is not that of Steve and co but I would still like a good hitout.
I'll start the b group list.
5 hours at Steve's hard race pace - mere mortals read this as (i) 75k-90k's and (ii) the only time you will see Steve is on the ferry going over.
Maybe we should consider a C group for the normally aspirated riders who are just doing the 50k.
right, I am coming this time, who else is game for a 'b' group?
Craig
are you going to do? I am only doing the 50k Dirtworks...
Think Steve's ride is going to come out at 92Km!
You could bail back before going up WCT track though, which is maybe 45Km point and back where we started. But then you'd miss all the fun. In fact, if you only want to ride that far, there are much more interesting routes to take.
if there is a B group.
Tien
Do you want to create another meeting for the 50Km ride and it's entrants then?
Like I said, you do not want to be riding Womerah Range and the road when you could be doing something more interesting. I would suggest going up Devines, down then back up Shepherds along to Claires bridge (and beyond... enough to make it 50Km overall) and back down WCT.
Here it is:
http://nobmob.com/node/4774
I had to leave yesterday, what was the result of the discussion regarding this ride. Reason I ask is I can't do this weekend but should be ok for the following Sunday but I do need to confirm this.
Count me in for the 20th, not able to make next week so am really happy that there will be a ride up there the week after.
20th sounds good, but I am definately a 'c' grouper so if there are others similarly inclined I'll try and make it.
Tom
Any chance of a lift if anyone is passing near Hornsby.
Id be up for this one, probably have two other with me too
Will look forward to meeting you all then
Deano
Okay I'm in for this one. So is this the same route as the previous one here http://nobmob.com/node/4518 but instead of turning around where we did push on further and then turning around to get more kilometers up?
Out of the nine riders signed up for this, who is doing the B group and is there someone in the B group who knows the area?
Sorry about all the questions but with the GNR Fun ride last weekend I wasn't sure if we were still doing groups.
One last thing, are there water stops?
Cheers
Brian
Hmmmm... funny you post this - was just mulling over the options. To be honest I rode yesterday with a bit of a cold and felt terrible today. After sleeping all day it seems to be subsiding but not sure I'll be 100% for the weekend and subsequently up for this huge ride. We will see... but I might be posting a couple of alternate shorter rides on Sat and/or Sun instead. Not to steal anyone's thunder - they will be no match for this outing!
Anyhow - as for water - you'd hope the guys will let you stop in St Albans (25-ish Km?) to fill up, but that's it - no resting like last time. They then plan on picking up some water stashed by the ferry at the 45-ish Km stage (this is reached by carrying on round the road, not doing Shepherds Gully climb like last time). Then you have the potential of water at the temple down by 10 Mile Hollow (would this be about 65Km?) - although it's pretty reliable cannot be guaranteed.
But doesn't the ride post say we are going up Shepherds Gully?
Ah, yes... that it does... Ooops
But then you will be going straight back down Devines at walking pace! Water pickup will be there. Think that's their plan anyhow.
yep thats it, Steve's evil plan is to put as much climbing into the ride as possible, the ride up Shepherds is good fun though.
Bruce, your idea of fun is a little different to mine...
Riding up Shepherds will be rather interesting, have not done it before so will be intrigued to see how it goes.
For those who drop off the lead pack, like me probably, I know my way around most of the area. Not so sure of the area around StAlbans though.
I have a GPS and can load up the maps to instill some confidence.
Craig
Poor Bruce. His mental state must be in total disorder. Riding up Shepherd's Gully is not fun. Yes, you can do it, and some aspects are a challenge. But fun? Mate, your enjoyment and pain receptors have been swapped around in your brain. You think you are having fun when in fact you are experiencing pain, hardship and discomfort. Poor, poor Bruce.
Actually, it's really not that bad!
Last time there Cupcake and I were trundling up that hill chatting about how nice it was. We both agreed that riding a hill like that all day would be very nice. Come on, it's not so steep and the technical challenges are well spaced.
Then he dabbed... will he ever learn?
P.S. Steve 01 was waiting at the top - as if anyone had any doubts.
I thought it was Steve03 or Steve04???
It isn't that bad of a climb, its easily done in the middle chain ring & has just enough challenges to keep it interesting.
Learnt how to ride around puddles yet Rob?
Hey Gary,
I'm still tentative for this ride, but if I do go I can swing by and pick you up.
I'll let you know by Thursday.
Is there anyone going anywhere DY on their way out to this ride that could give me a ride? Also does anyone know how these tracks will stand up to the predicted rain we're supposed to have this week?
Cheers Lincoln
I may be up for a group B, but will hold the right to drop out at anything over 60kays (which I believe is 45 odd).
If I do go I may be able to carry another bike, but I will let you know closer to the time.
Dylan
Hi Shaun
I have already organised to pick Gary up on the way through.
Cheers
Brian
Dylan, I might grab a ride with you if there's room. Wife has the Holden and hence the bike rack so I will be looking for a lift to join this one. I too plan on bringing up the rear on this ride but will aim to ride pretty much non-stop for the duration, whatever distance that ends up being. If you don't have room in your car, no dramas as I can always take my hatch-back (I'm sure there's a way to make my bike fit).
Not a problem Mick, probably best you don't drive, just in case you get another speeding ticket
I'll try to borrow the mega bike rack from my mate, if not we can sling yours in the back.
no ride posted, cos didn't want to steal any thunder from this, but kiwigirl and I & a friend or two are doing a replay of last week at GNR, will probably push on past Claires Bridge to hook up with the top end of GNR - estimated ride 40 - 50km. Pace average old fart.
water at the monastary.
We will be stopping as and when we feel like it
Start 9ish, if anybody wants to join.
Mark
don't be tricked into this by a terrible understatement!!
Clearly this well be a ride at nice normal pace (as oppose to crazy 'Steve the machine' pace) and more importantly with little stops (these crazy kiwis don't hang around much!)
Enjoy!!
Caro you say the nicest things LOL
Seriously, we aren't out to set any records, but we will try and keep a steady pace up.
----------------------------------------------
if at first you don't succeed, try not to look astonished.
I'm up for your version of this ride on Sunday. What's your planned meeting place at 9?
Meet in the east ferry carpark at 9.00. We will be in a teal Freelander, with a couple of Cannondales on the back.
I'll be the one peering into car windows suspiciously.
Unfortunately a family emergency has come up and I won't be able to make this ride (the hits just keep on coming). Anyways, enjoy. Dylan, I'll give you a call over the weekend.
is it looking like there's still going to be a B group as not shore myself & a friend are up for the pace of the A group, & what sort of time frame is the B group looking at?? 6hrs.
Question on the water drop, if where riding up Shepherds gully, will everyone be dropping water off at the bottom or at the gate at the bottom of devines on the other side, as im guessing there isn't atap (think everyone's on tank water around there). then riding back up devines & to the temple & bridge??
Deano
If your not out there doing it,
Someone else is
looking forward to it...
There hasnt been too much rain out that way so conditions shouldnt be too bad.
See you in the morning.
I am pulling out of this one, hope you have a great ride.
There hasn't been much rain today and the tracks at Wiseman's drain water better than most,so unless its raining heavy tommorrow morning the rides still on.We can fill up with water at St Albans or the at Buddist water tanks, if it's a cool day like today 3litres will nearly last the ride
The B's can bail out after Shepherds Gully approx 45kms or after Western Commission approx 70km
I think I will give this a miss.
... Steve, they all jump ship...hahha only jokeing!!, did not want this to happen, only put a training ride up for local ride, as I have only 3-4 h to play with!!! and would not be able to keep up with you guys anyway.....
Bernd
Another one for group B, if it is still on.
Cheers,
Leo.
Myself and Critty are still on for group B. 70 sounds good to me, then start tapering down before DW.
I still assume the 8:30 start time applies to both groups?
Dylan
im still in for group B, one of my mates has cancelled but theres still two of us
deano
If your not out there doing it,
Someone else is
applies to both groups as does the route, hope it isn't raining in the morning
I think I'll miss this one.
Cheers
The conditions on our ride were pretty filthy - hope you boys faired better up North!
at Lidsdale, the weather and track was dry with only a few spots of rain, the track was awesomely fun with plenty of speed and grip and designed by our own Flynny (thanks Flynny for a top job).
John.
Well my body is buggered but I feel great that I finished what was easily the hardest bike ride I have done in my life. If I have thought we would be doing over 100 kays I would have had second thoughts, add to that the fallen trees and sticky sludge that we had to push through and it's amazing I made it at all.
Thanks to all the guys on the ride, a real pleasure riding with you.
One thing is for sure, there won't be any records set at this years dirt works!
Dylan