In Search of Hills 2012

Riders prepare for the final section from Mt White to Hornsby

Cottage Point check-point

Cottage Point

This event is a leadup training ride for the Audax Alpine Classic 2013. 200km and 150km course were the options.  A total of 68 riders entered this event (40 for the 200km course). The morning started cool for the run down the Pac Hwy. The serious climbing started on Powder Works Rd. First check-point was Church Point at approx 10.30am. The section from Church Point to St Ives was the most enjoyable of the ride. After stopping at St Ives to have my Brevet card signed I rode on to N Turra for lunch at Corner Cafe. The temperatures started dropping as the southerly change blew in. The next stop was the Road Warriors at Mt White for a coke and energy bars. After returning to Berowra light rain kept things cool for the final section via Arcadia. A well run event and a challenging course with 8x solid climbs. Thanks to Audax and ride leader Gary Armsworth, Garmin link here In Search of Hills 2012

Dougal Hunt AKA "Grinderman"

Check out Dougal's account of his epic one day ride from Mt Gambier to Melbourne earlier this year (2012). Given he had only just returned from the "Gong" Ride (Sydney to Wollongong) the week before, not by car but on a bike over 5 days, this is an amazing feat of endurance cycling. His description of the ride is here Dougal Hunt AKA "Grinderman" Mt Gambier - Melb ride 460km

JetBlack 24hr MTB Mt Annan 2012

Matt Caffrey and Mike at start

Team "Go 4 It!" at start

Team "Grumpy Old Men" at start

Mike sets out on first lap in 40deg!

homebase camp

Dorian completes a lap

Spencer and Peter "hosing off" after a lap

celebrating with a few beers after the race

24 hour solo champion Chris Hanson - 40 laps on his own!

cooling off!

"got enough air in those tyres?"

"Grumpy Old Men" 2nd in Male Masters 24hr Team of 4

500+ riders started this event which included 24hr solo, teams of 2x, 3x, 4x, and 6x, mens, womens, mixed, single speed plus the 6hr+6hr. Mike, Spencer, Peter and myself were in Male Masters 24hr Team of 4x category. We were "Grumpy Old Men" and were very grumpy to ride in the 40deg + temperatures on Saturday! We pulled out all the stops and completed 45 laps of the course. We made 2nd placing and were beaten by a team who completed the same no. of laps but in a faster time. In the teams of 4x male overall we placed 5th. Spencer produced the lap of the day (29mins) to give us a serious chance of getting a final lap started before the cut-off time of 12 noon. Mike came in at 3 min to midday to give Spencer the honour of completing the 45th lap to equal our rivals. Very challenging course made more difficult by the track traffic. Our strategy changed to "doubles" at night to allow riders a longer rest. After the heat of the first 4 laps, I found it difficult to recover enough strength for 30+min laps for the rest of the race. 10x laps of this course was my limit and I pleased to be able to back up my team mates. Peter did 11x laps, Spencer and Mike each made 12x laps with some exceptional times on their final laps. Pierre, Jonesy, Dorian and Neil put in a great showing as Team "Go 4 It!", especially as they were giving away up to 15 years in age difference to other riders in this category. They kept up the pace right through, and completed 26 laps. We now have the benefit of 3x 24hr events behind us and results have shown that we are definitely improving! Garmin Connect link here JetBlack 24hr 2012 More photos to come from MarathonPhotos.com