Tour Down Under challenge ride.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Lane on January 25, 2010 at 3:52pm

I always seem to ride this alone, I'd like to take the wheel of a fast moving bunch but like last year to Angaston no one helps ,no bunches! Although many seemed quite happy to use me for pacing/or tucking in to avoid the winds, apparently it is 30% easier to travel as a bunch. I feel chuffed I did the ride in 5hrs.18mins with no assistance, I would like to thank the black geezer in the hot pink budgie smugglers and BMX stack hat to match, for providing light relief. descending from the KOM climb at 90kph and laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes may of been a little dangerous though! Great day no complaints whatsoever, I look forward to next year.

Permalink Reply by David Bowler on January 31, 2010 at 9:09pm

I have usually started with someone and hooked up with others I know along the way, but always seem to finish alone. In the past though I have found it easier to stick together or to hook onto a bunch doing my pace, but I think it has become so big now that even after 7 hours and 160km the road was just one long bunch of cyclists wearing the same jersey such that once you get separated, it can be hard to find people again.
While it would be nice not to be alone crossing the finish line, whenever I subsequently meet a fellow rider from the challenge though, there is an instant bond as we share our stories, this year exchanging our experience of the battling the winds along the Milang stretch in particular.

Permalink Reply by Angus Kingston on January 25, 2010 at 4:08pm

I think everyone saw the bright pink budgie smugglers. I however was lying on the massage table (thank you team Kennedy & Co) and the masseuse told me to look up and I copped an eyeful.

I do agree with your points about bunch riding Dan. I seems that not many riders understand the concept. To think we did the ride but the TDU pros also did it but with 30% or more less effort because of the peloton and it's no wonder Lance and his Radioshack team mate got reeled in so fast. It was hard riding into that wind and there was no way they were going to survive.

Permalink Reply by Carla Scragg on January 27, 2010 at 1:50pm

It was an okay day. There's been quite a bit of discussion about the organisation (or lack of) on other forums which I agree with ie. poor refreshment stations, not enough supplies at refreshment stations, not the same variety of food etc. (I rode the Around the Bay and Amy's Ride last year - both events were miles ahead)

A bit of a downer for me was that I was riding with a team, but on the day that team just pretty much didn't exist/disintegrated. I didn't see any of the other riders at the start, and I ended up riding the whole thing with my partner. That's probably more to do with relationships that are built in the leadup to the event though.

I'm going to throw my support behind Bicycle SA events from now on. They're a great bunch of people who have really worked and built the event up to make sure it's right. I'm sure Tourism SA will get it right eventually, but I think they have the resources at their disposal to be able to get it right from the get go.

I like your attitude though Jim - I'm just gonna toughen up and go it alone in big rides!

Permalink Reply by Mark Matthew on January 31, 2010 at 2:29pm

If you want to do a great event next year as part of the Tour Down Under, keep an eye out for Ride Like Crazy! Last year we rode Stage 3 of the TDU, which was pretty tough with similar sorts of winds experienced on the Challenge Ride. This year we rode on the first Sunday of the Tour, went from Victoria Square up to Eagle on the Hill, Woodside, down the Gorge Road and back to Victoria Square. Only 109km for the long ride, and 53 for the short one!

This event was assisted by Bike SA, and had drink stations every 20kms, all of them manned!, with water, powerade, bananas, lollies (gotta love snakes and mixed jubes!), cake etc, and the volunteers doing it were making sure everyone had their fill! No rations on this ride!

There were also volunteers out on almost every intersection, making sure riders were safe, and that we were all on course! Awesome team of volunteers that did an amazing job on the day!

When we got back to Victoria Square, lunch was Subway rolls, bbq, assorted drinks, all included in the $100 registration fee! And yes, we got a jersey that fit too!

Hopefully it will be back on next year, if it is, it will be promoted on here.

All monies raised from this event will be going to the WCH Foundation and Neurosurgical Research Foundation.

Have a look at www.ridelikecrazy.com for more information about this years event!

Permalink Reply by Denis Giles on February 2, 2010 at 12:27pm

I agree with you Carla about the TDU organisation. As a Seniors card-holding newcomer to this caper, my first ride was the 100kms version of Amy's ride on my old clunker of a mountain bike ($300 was lot of money in 1998) with my little non-Seniors card-holding sister. The support for Amy's ride was outstanding. Imagine my surprise when I got to Strathalbyn in the TDU Challenge ride to be served a lunch of 2 bananas! I exaggerate when I say I paid $145 for a jersey, 2 bananas and traffic control although even the latter was abysmal through Mt Barker. I will be looking for the reassurance of a strong BikeSA presence for future rides. On a completely different subject, I read Cadel's book Close to Flying on the weekend. Loved it! What a champion and so is Mrs Evans.

Permalink Reply by Ross on February 3, 2010 at 1:15pm

I also agree with you Carla about not only the event but about Bicycle SA. After doing the ride it made you realise just what a good job they did/do.

It seems that Tourism/ Events SA hadn't learnt or taken advice from Bicycle SA, plus the ride had a larger amount of official participants.

Permalink Reply by Ashleigh Moore on January 31, 2010 at 1:03pm

Hi All, agree re all comments here. Cancer Voices SA team in last 2 years has been big (123 2009, 80 2010) In lead up we train together and on morning arrange to meet up- although quite a few prefer to go it one for a range of reasons.
We match up in sub teams and even they can separate towards the end as fatigue sets in. This year we will be concentrating on bunch riding skills and other techniques at each of our instructed training ride. Anyone can join our team at www.cancervoices.org.au You may also wanna hear a few of us interviewed by Chris Brewer from Lance Armstrong Foundation on their home page www.livestrong.org

Permalink Reply by Tiffo on February 12, 2010 at 8:36pm

I agree with Mark. I'm new to cycling and Ride Like Crazy was my first ride. I absolutely loved it and hoping they will do the ride next year. It was a well organised event and even thought it was longer (53kms) compared to the TDU ride (35km) i found it a lot easier. I definitely recommend doing the Ride Like Crazy ride next year. Great event and all monies raised go to good foundations.

Permalink Reply by Angus Kingston on February 12, 2010 at 9:17pm

Would you like to join us on the 1st Adelaide Cyclists group ride. We are doing it as a charity as well. The ride is Sunday week and is better know as the get me to Lobethal ride.