Alpine Classic - ACE250

Alpine Classic - ACE250 

250km / 4700 vert m / 8hrs : 30ish

With the 2013 race season approaching, the Alpine Classic is a great way to get in some solid base miles. Based out of Bright, VIC and the weekend before the Gravity 12hr, the ACE250 is one to add to the training calendar.

Usually, the ACE250 heads over Mt Hotham, down to Omeo, back over Falls Creek and then back to Bright, however with the bush fires in the region the course had to be modified. The new course was simple - 3 repeats of Bright to the top of Mt Buffalo.

Although 2500 riders were originally entered, a large number of riders pulled out - baulking at the idea of doing repeats. Given that many of my enduro races are lap based, I had no issues in doing the same lap multiple times. It actually worked out really well, as you could set your little milestones on the way and you knew exactly where were you were and how far you had to go each lap.

With so many riders all on the same loop, it also meant there were always riders around for a chat - and more importantly, always someone to work with on the flats and descents!

The 2nd wave of 250km riders left Bright at 06:19am - along side the 200km riders. Riding off with Aaron Thompson, Tommo jumped straight into the Audux spirit. He went straight past the huge train of cyclists and chased down the lead group. Once at the front of the group, he went off the front again - as he had noticed another small bunch up the road a little more.

As we caught and passed this front bunch, Tommo kept the foot on the gas and off the front we went. The small front bunch jumped on, and it was my turn to take up the pace setting - for the next 30km!

We kept a fast pace across the rolling flats to the base of Buffalo, and pushed hard into the start of the climb. Soon enough, the lead group was down to just 5 riders - with very little talking going on!

The climb went by quickly, and the cool morning air was refreshing.  The 5% gradient was perfect for keeping the power down.

As we got within the last few km of the top plateu, one of the riders in the group dropped the hammer and rode off the front. I was feeling a bit bummed about this, but soon enough we reached the 200km rider turn around and this front rider and all the others turned off! Lazy!! So it was just me continuing up the final climb to the top turn around point.

The descent was wicked - a solid 20 minutes of on the drops weaving in and out of corners and riders.

Looping through Bright and back to the climb I took it a lot easier and settled into an enjoyable pace. The climb was rewarded with a big Power Cookie at the top - so good!

The 2nd descent was going well, and then ZOOM - a pair of Italian riders went by at warp speed. That looks like fun, so I jumped on the back.  Holy crap they were quick. Sure, I know I am not a super strong roadie descender - but there was no way I was going to let these two get away. By the time we hit the bottom of the mountain I think my heart rate was higher then any point of the climb! It also did not help the heart rate that we were punching 400w out of the corners on the descent!

The 3rd lap was slower again, with the final part of climb a bit of a grovel fest. It was a relief to hit the descent for the final time.

Heading back into Bright I was able to work with another 250km rider - except he had started at the 4am start! We finished off the flats into Bright pretty quickly, and soon enough I was rolling back up the road to my apartment and crashing out on the couch :)

A top day out on the bike and a great alternate course ... oh, and I did not have to wear an ichy fluro yellow vest either!

So what bike do you need for an Audux ride? The Cannondale Supersix Evo of course! It might not be the traditional Audux bike, but it sure gets the job done - and there was a lot of guys and girls eyeing off the super light 'dale.

As for nutrition, 16 x Clif Bar gels and a Power Cookie was all that was needed, along with 6 or 7 bottles of water with electrolyte.

This was my first ride back with my SRAM Quarq power meter too - and for the power weenies, this was a 480 TSS ride - and that first ascent was 60m @ 320w / 90m @ 308w - not bad for a lazy training ride!

So, now it's time to eat some ice cream in Bright, and hang out for the week awaiting the Gravity 12hr next Saturday :)

Half way up	06:19 am start	Nice views
Top of Buffalo	Selfie starting 3rd lap	Top of Buffalo

STM - Round 6 - Awaba 8hr

SRAM Singletrack Mind 8hr - Round 6 - Awaba

2nd - Solo

It is that time of the year already! Time for the final round of the 2013 STM series. It really does not feel that a year has passed since we were racing a muddy Awaba in 2012.

Before I get into any other writing, I'd just like to say thank you and acknowledge a few people ...

A huge thank you to all my support crew who have got me through each of these races. So a big thanks to Robyn, Anne and Kylie. You girls are awesome, not only have you looked after Jase, Garry, Ed, myself and who knows who else, but also raced competitively yourselves. Thank you all so much.

I'd also like to send out a big thank you to Joe and Fi for running another great year of STM races. These events are great fun, well organised and I love being a part of them.

Apologies to Joe for talking with Blewitt through his race briefing - I blame the copious amounts of caffeine which had just been consumed ... :)

A big thank you to the other regular riders who make these races what they are. If you are going to race for 8hrs, it is great knowing that you have good competition and good friends out on course. So thanks to Ed, Tommo, and Tupac for helping keep these events as genuine races.

Finally, a big thank you to all the Radical Lights Factory Racing sponsors. Radical Lights, VIE13 Kustom Clothing, Schwalbe tires, Cannondale bikes etc. Your sponsorship and assistance has been invaluable.

Now, back to the regular broadcast ...

So, Awaba for 8hrs in 30C+ heat ...

Heading into this final round, I was in a tricky place points wise. In order to win the series outright, I would need to win the round and Ed would have to place 3rd or below.  hmmm - that would be tricky.

I started asking around the few guys I know who could be capable of beating Ed - Tupac was out, English had his busted collar bone, and Sam C is on holidays. Bugger that is pretty much everyone. So I then tried to convince XCM rider James Downing to man-up for an 8hr mission, but he too would be out after frying himself at the Fling.

Pretty much the only way I could win the series would be if Ed had a major mechanical, which is not something you want to wish on anyone #karma

So, the plan for the race was to just ride around with Ed to see where he was at, and just enjoy the awesome Awaba trails.

Awaba is one of my favourite trails to visit - there is enough climb per lap to suit my climbing legs, the track has heaps of flow and rewards those who can maintain their speed, and there are heaps of great sections with big berms and obstacles.

The race start was down on the access fireroad - straight into a steep little climb. I struggled to get traction on the loose surface - cursing my laziness for not changing my rear tire after the Scott.

Ed got into the singletrack about 3 wheels in front of me.  Both Ed and I slowly moved through the wheels in front of us. Ironically, when we hit the camel back climb, neither of us would give up the big ring and I was able to get past 5 or 6 riders!

Shame on these team based riders getting overtaken by solo riders on the opening lap :)

After the climb, there was only one wheel between Ed and I, and once we came through transition they peeled off and I was back up with Ed.

After the next 5 hours we pretty much stuck together and traded the lead a few times - it really just depended who was slower in transition.

Andrew Lloyd managed to catch back up to our wheels for a lap or two, but he could not hold on up the camel back climb. Although we could see him trying real hard to get back on, that would be the last we saw of him for the day.

Pretty soon we noticed the heat building. We would find out after the race that on track it got to over 51C. #crazyness

Having raced in these sort of temps a few times now, I knew the importance of getting in lots of fluid. I made the decision to take a little longer in the transitions to take in extra water and pour water over my head.  I was also drinking close to 2L / hour.

Ed capitalised on this, and opted for continuing his rolling transitions.

This was certainly a risky move on his behalf. He had already lost a bunch of bottles on track, and was down on his fluid intake. I figured it would be a gamble as to whether or not he could pull off staying out in front without taking in more fluid.

I continued on, keeping an eye on how far in front Ed was. Around the 7 hour mark I had a really crappy lap - probably just the heat taking it's toll. But I struggled through, and some fresh water helped.

Heading out around 7hrs:25mins Marathon MTB rider Mike Blewitt was just in front. So, keen to have a chat I jumped onto his wheel. Mike was "a little blown" from having down a "double lap" earlier in the day, but strangely I did not feel sorry for him ... :) Mike set a great pace, and I pretended he was not driving me into the ground.

Cracking out a faster then expected lap meant that I came into transition with a minute to spare. hmmmm #decisions. The girls were telling me to finish up, as 3rd and 4th place riders (Lloyd and Tommo) had pulled the pin ages ago and were 2 laps down.  But, being stubborn I snuck out for one more run.

Not my fastest Awaba lap, and probably my slowest lap at the end of an 8 hour all year, but it was good to finish off on the same number of laps as Ed.

I must say I felt pretty rubbish by the end - but not unexpected in that sort of heat.

So, finishing 2nd on the day and 2nd in the series is not too shabby.

2013 Solo Series Winners - Ed, Andrew & Tommo

All up for this year, I have racked up over 220 race hours across 23 races (not including local club events)! So, with that volume of racing I am pretty happy to still finish up so close to Ed in this series.

This was also my last ride for Radical Lights Factory Racing ... although I am still finalising everything for next year, I hear that the team kits will be greener on the other side ... :)

What's next for me? Just because I am a sucker for 50C heat, I will be sneaking up to the Jet Black 24hr and doing the 6x6.  Then it will be some nice summer training rides through Dec and into Jan.

Jan is looking good, with the Bec Henderson 50km race in Canberra, the ACE 250km roadie ride around Hotham & Falls Creek, and probably a visit to the Tour Down Under.

Pokie rides a Cannondale!

At least I got an #adequate number plate

Looking a little sweaty

Too much excitement for one day