2007 Audax Alpine Classic

Michael and a number of other people do this ride pretty much every year. This is my third in a row, it really is a good outing, a long hard ride through some of the best scenery in Australia. This year Sue finished in 8h21m, I finished in 9h50m, Marea in 10h33m (riding with Ian Richman all day to keep him company), Warren finished for the first time in a few years with a new PB time of 8h23m (his 620km ride Sydney, Canberra, Sydney two weeks ago must have helped). Alas Michael and Allan did not finish for the second year in a row largely due to being very sick and feeling unable to continue past Bright.

The conditions were perfect this year, completely unlike the dangerous heat from last year, we had cool 25 degrees Celsius in the valleys and down around 10 to 15 up at the summit of the big climbs. I had a ball, even though my complete lack of fitness compared to last year had me feeling pretty average even on the climb up Falls Creek. Also the rear tyre failing was a tad annoying, I definitely recommend buying and using quality tyres rather than the AUD $9.95 jobbies I threw on the other week that have lasted less than 1000 KM.

fullsize Meeting at the information centre for the traditional ride to Myrtleford for breakfast bakery goods the day before the classic. Martin, Tony, Elspeth, Liza, Tony, Marea, Warren, Greg, Stephen, Michael (Crash) and a random other person in a cow jersey meeting someone else. fullsize Tony and Sue ahead of me on the rail trail out to Myrtleford. fullsize And again, I really like the gorgeous purple sort of paint job on Tony's classic steel Colnago. fullsize Warren and Crash on the rail trail. fullsize And again. fullsize Looking behind me at Martin and Liza. fullsize Relaxing back at bright later that day at the rather fantastic new Bright Brewery, they have some mighty fine beers to sample there. Marea, Craig, Warren (with ice cream), Crash (facing us), Stephen (facing away), Madeleine on Amanda's lap. fullsize In the morning waiting for the 06:20am start, Cath Toet relaxed and ready in blue just in front of me. fullsize Danielle Broughton with her mother looking on ready to start her first Alpine classic, her father and others there with her were only doing the 130 KM ride so she was looking forward to lording it over them when she finished (which she did in a respectable time around 10h30m). fullsize Some riders in front of me as we approach the top of Towonga Gap.

fullsize Warren when I caught up with him going through Mt Beauty. fullsize A rather gorgeous classic 1988 Willier steel bike with original campagnolo groupset and a lovely gold/brown paint job. fullsize Warren and some others I was climbing with about 8 KM from the top of Falls Creek. fullsize And again. fullsize Some random descender on their way down from Falls. fullsize Warren and the other guys beginning to gap me, I definitely was not feeling as easy and smooth on this climb this year, an indication I need more fitness and less weight like I had last year. fullsize I took this as I was about to depart Falls. fullsize My bike lying on the ground at falls just prior to picking it up for 30 KM of wheeeeeeeeeeeee. fullsize Some spectators at the top of Towonga gap as I rode past again. fullsize Reasons not to use cheap AUD $9.95 tyres, less than 600 KM and it had become bulging and bulbous, I stopped in bright and bought a new better tyre as I did not feel safe with the idea of more descending on this one.

fullsize A group of Canberran cyclists heading toward Buffalo, n the right at the back is Simon Junakovic, following his partner and some other Canberran friends of his to their left. fullsize Buffalo looming. fullsize Looking at the rock face we are about to ride past through the burnt out trees on Buffalo. fullsize Closer look at some of the rock face through the trees. fullsize Another random descender. fullsize My bike at the top of the climb, The Gap, again this year. fullsize Some of the people enjoying a break at the Mt Buffalo Chalet. fullsize They served us fresh hot plunger coffee, best coffee I had all weekend, they were serving ice creams this year also, but unlike last year when they were the best thing evah!! it was too cold for ice cream up here this year so the coffee was the best coffee evah!!. fullsize Martin who once more pulled a sub 8 hour time out of the bag and I after finishing. fullsize Marea striking a pose upon finishing. fullsize Ian having finished his first ride longer than 160 KM in a day.