Rockin Rugby Audax ride

[grumpybug]

Ok it is not so much a race but it is good way to get an official brevet card stating that you can ride a %$#ing long way.

Details.
Date: 3 March 2012
Time: 6:30 am
Distance: 400k
Elevation: 4500m
Start Location: Dickson.
Map: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/827551

This is going to be awesome. I'm guessing you are looking about 16 hours in the saddle, meaning with breaks you'll probably finish at around midnight.

And just to make it interesting, there are a number of unsealed sections to contend with.

So who is in?

[SimonD]

O
Distance: 400k
Elevation: 4500m


Grumpy, I think your zero key is bouncing.

[Startrek]

I love my bike ,BUT not that much.

[Josh]

Yeah, I'll be up for that one.

It's a big day in the saddle, but I fancy giving it a crack.

[bosworth*]

put me down for a definite maybe.

How would you carry enough food for 16 hours? That's like 8000 calories.


is this the only solution:

http://www.sxc.hu/pic/m/l/lo/lotushead/206579_credit_card__gold_and_platinum.jpg

[grumpybug]

No need to carry food. There is a Maccas at Goulburn and Yass, that's 4000 calories a stop. Problem solved. NEXT!!

[bosworth*]

but really, how do you carry 8000 calories?

[grumpybug]

but really, how do you carry 8000 calories?

Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun X 4 :tongue2:
You can tell I'm not taking this seriously.

But if I had to carry 8000 calories on me, I would start by getting some high protein, high carb type powder from a health store or gym, these have up to 600 calories a serve so carrying 10 -12 serves would be easy. Then just mix the powder with water at any stop.

[lisak]

You will need to stop and buy food. My biggest ride (227km) I took 5 muesli bars, 5 gels and a tube of electrolyte tablets, of which I consumed 3 muesli bars, 1 gel and 2 electrolyte tablets. I did purchase an iced coffee, a non-iced coffee and a banana bread en route (and bought lunch at the end of the route at the Greengrocer). My pockets were pretty chockers with that and I don't think I could have fitted anymore in if I tried (as I also had tyre changing stuff (2 tubes) and wind vest in my back pocket).

The other alternative is that you talk someone into being a support vehicle for you and BYO picnic.

[grumpybug]

The other alternative is that you talk someone into being a support vehicle for you and BYO picnic.

Actually, this being an official Audax event, support is not allowed. From the rule book http://www.audax.org.au/public/images/stories/Documents/rideruleswebversion.pdf

11 Support
(1) Each rider must be self-sufficient however nothing in this rule prevents a rider from obtaining assistance (including buying food and drink), from:(a) another rider taking part in the ride or
(b) a shopkeeper, local resident, passer-by or other disinterested person.
(2) No personal support of any kind (including a follow car) is permitted on the course. Personal support is only allowed at controls if agreed by the organiser. Any rider deemed to have received personal support may be disqualified.

Harden up princess, you're on your own :tongue_smilie:

Also given you will be riding at night it also worth mentioning the light rules. If you are serious about doing this you might need to start getting a few things on this list.

(2) On a ride where any part of the maximum permitted time for the ride is at night, a rider must:(a) have available for use at all times:
i. at least two independent front lights which have constant beams and otherwise comply with the road rules;
ii. at least two independent rear lights which comply with the road rules;
iii. a red reflector which complies with the road rules; and
iv. an effective reflective vest, bandolier or jersey
(b) have securely attached to the cycle at all times, one front light and one rear light and a red reflector,
(c) at night or in hazardous weather conditions causing reduced visibility:
i. have illuminated at least one front light of constant beam,
ii. have illuminated at least one rear light; and
iii. wear the reflective vest, bandolier or jersey or equivalent as the outermost garment.
(3) For any rider, reflective tape must be added to the front and rear of the bike or trike or rider equivalent to a vest, bandolier, jersey or equivalent where the rider’s reflective vest, bandolier, jersey or equivalent is in any way obscured from the front or rear while riding.

[grumpybug]

If anyone is still interested in doing this ride and wants to be a bit of prep I'm heading of on a training ride this Sunday. The aim of the ride is do the last leg which is from Yass to the city via Dog Trap Road. It will be dark when we do this on the ride and it is unsealed so I am going over it in the day light to see what is like.

Here is the full ride
http://binged.it/xClA0E
All up it will be close to 160k
Starting time: 5:30-5:45am
start location: Antill and Northbourne Dickson
Will stop in Yass to resup but not stopping for a full on lunch break

This is a great ride as Bos will attest to but I have no idea what dog trap ride will be like.

[grumpybug]

Also more info on the ride from the organiser.


Hello Audaxers,

After being cancelled in 2010 due to flooding rains and closed roads, the Ruckin Rugby 400 and Tackling Tarago 165 are back ready for inauguration! For the 400, I can't promise good weather - but I can promise climbing, at least 4,000+ meters of it!

Both rides head out to Collector on the New and Old Federal Highway before heading east to Tarago (a little stretch of dirt on the way 6kms). The 160 km riders
turn around and return to Dickson, via Bungendore, Smith's Gap and Wamboin.

The 400 riders go on to Goulburn for a meal at the Green Grocer Cafe. Then the
climbing really begins, up Range Rd to Crookwell via Kiala Rd. Riders head on to
Boorowa passing through the hills and valleys enroute to Rugby which is a checkpoint and a good
spot to get some water from behind the town hall. I prefer the tank water near
the BBQ, but I suggest a purifying tab.

More up and down, up and down all the way to Boorowa, a wise choice for another
meal break. Then to Binalong, Yass and home via the Dog Trap Road,
Murrumbateman, Nanima Rd and the Barton Highway. A bit of a loop up the Federal
Highway to Antill Street to get the distance, but it's a nice roll down into
Dickson. For those coming into Yass after 9.00pm it might be worth stopping for
refreshments at the 24hr service station on the Hume Highway. Yass closes down
early and I can't vouch for a great range of services even on a Saturday night.
But if someone knows the whereabouts of a great pizza cafe, please say so!

Also for those pushing on through the night, Dog Trap has a few kms of
"reasonable" unsealed road (although recent downpours may have changed this).
Hopefully this is just a small price to pay for a quiet end to a long day!

Note that the 400km riders will need to meet Audax light regulations (that's two front and two rear lights) and wear a reflective vest after dark.
Please be at the start with time to give me your money and completed forms.
We'll have a lighting check and get pedalling on time.

Route attached:

Tacklin Tarago 165 - http://ridewithgps.com/routes/932561
Ruckin Rugby 400 - http://ridewithgps.com/routes/827551

Let me know by Wednesday 29 February if you want to come along on either ride and (for the 165 riders) if you want a brevet card.

Cheers,
Daniel

[SSSimon]

Grumpy, I think you should start earlier, 6:30am is too soft a time to start a hard training ride. 5:30am sounds much harder.

And Audax rules forbid riding between 12 midnight and 4am don't they?

So you do really need to start earlier - from your posts above, if you start at your 'soft time' you could finish your ride slightly late, say 12:01am and be DQ'd and your DIY Brevet would be useless!

[grumpybug]

Not my call but yes if it was up to me I would be starting at 5:30. I guess they are starting at first light so you don't need to use your lights until the night.

Nice thing is I live about 600m from the start/finish line So I am going to have a nice casual start to the day.

[bosworth*]

If anyone is still interested in doing this ride and wants to be a bit of prep I'm heading of on a training ride this Sunday. The aim of the ride is do the last leg which is from Yass to the city via Dog Trap Road. It will be dark when we do this on the ride and it is unsealed so I am going over it in the day light to see what is like.

Here is the full ride
http://binged.it/xClA0E
All up it will be close to 160k
Starting time: 5:30-5:45am
start location: Antill and Northbourne Dickson
Will stop in Yass to resup but not stopping for a full on lunch break

This is a great ride as Bos will attest to but I have no idea what dog trap ride will be like.


This is a great ride

[grumpybug]

Here is the full ride
http://binged.it/xClA0E
All up it will be close to 160k
Starting time: 5:30-5:45am
start location: Antill and Northbourne Dickson
Will stop in Yass to resup but not stopping for a full on lunch break



So any takers? Not that I want to appear like a desperate loser who hangs out at another club's forum looking for riding buddies.... oooh might leave that train of thought there....

It's mainly because I just need to know if I should be wearing my Rapha whites or my Uno reflective kit. ah crap I'm back on that loser thread again....

But seriously, I really just want to know if I should be looking out for anyone tomorrow morning.

[grumpybug]

Just in case anybody was planning on showing up tomorrow, the ride has been cancelled. Apparently no one was keen on riding 400k in heavy rain. Go figure.

[SSSimon]

Probably also a few bridges washed out in a few places too, but they won't find out until the floodwater subsides a bit more...