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- Nov 07 Bright Boot Camp Report from Peter York
Nov 07 Bright Boot Camp Report from Peter York
- By Peter York
- Published 06-Dec-07
- Bright Boot Camp
- Unrated
THE BRIGHT BOOTCAMP Nov 2007 ... North East Victoria by Peter York
THE BRIGHT BOOTCAMP ... North East Victoria.
DAY 1
MT BUFFALO
All riders meet for the Ride up to MT BUFFALO which is approx 20km long, the group is ready to go and keen, the weather forecast is light rain ... we are all rugged up and are advised to store more clothing in the sweep cars ... groups are formed and as we hit the base of the climb all riders are free climb at their own pace and regroup at the top ... my role is to pick up those riders who might be a bit slower and need some help ... I think I've done this before ?
Riding in the rain is against all that I teach and know ... the roads were almost car free and in good condition ... after 2hrs of climbing we reached the top and the fog and rain had settled in ... we all changed clothes and it was VERY cold ... my descent was with 2 riders who hadn't gone downhill before and trying to teach them and stay safe and warm was a challenge ... my bottom lip didn't want to move as I was trying to give instructions to the riders ... and it was cold ... all made it the bottom safe and we made a pace line to the camp for a HOT shower ...
DAY 2
TAWONGA gap
More rain and cooler temps greeted us today and we headed west towards Happy Valley then turned right for Mt Beauty ... the area we rode in is cycling friendly and the roads and shoulders give ample room ... today's ride was 105km and had 2 major climbs with the final being 9km long followed by a 9km descent ... rain sun more rain ... you were working hard to stay warm and hydrated all the time and after 4.5hrs we were home ... shower food rest food bed.
DAY 3
MT HOTHAM ... 30KM APPROX 6%
This climb is a major drawcard for all those who ride and it's breathtaking to see ... Thank goodness for us there was SNOW on the top ... can't wait ! we were greeted with a bright sunny day no clouds but 4 degrees !!! full winter kit applied and we headed east for 1 hour to the base of the climb ... I noticed everyone was chatty as Rachael on the way to the climb but as we got closer a silent spell took over the group ... I tried to be funny and remind them that the sunshine came from Queensland and it was here to help us ... not funny Pete look how big that climb is ... once you start the Hotham climb it's steep and hard for the first 5km and then eases of til the last 5km ... we climbed for 2.5hrs and a stiff headwind greeted us about halfway ... cyclist pepper the mountain up and down ... mum's, dad's, grey nomads, hard core, racers, weekend warriors and a mix of bikes as well ... pushing along the ridge line you can look up to the left and see the last 5km and the SNOW ! as bike riders we just keeping riding even though we might be thinking the opposite ... even cars coming off the mountain with SNOW on th roof didn't deter us ... very brave Pete very brave ... the last few hills to the top were freezing cold and so windy you worked hard to hold yourself on the road ... the turning pole was covered in ice only on one side and it was time to descend 30km ... this took us approx 1hr ... tailwind and all downhill ... this is why we cycle !
Mt Hotham was enjoyed by all and she was gentle with us today ... 120km took us 5.5hrs and we had a food stop for good measure.
DAY 4
FALLS CREEK
After 3 hard days riders were given a choice of short medium and long rides ... depending on how you felt ... I took the medium group and we had a 9km climb and descent and then a coffee and then turned around and did it all in reverse 75km 4hrs ... bright sunny day but still cold ... all made it home safe and sound ...
The BOOTCAMP was hard from day 1 and got harder each day, the weather played a major role and used lots of energy ... this type of riding is NOT for everyone but those who did complete the course came away with a good life experience and were able to climb better and their fitness was greatly improved.
As a support rider my role was to stay with those slower riders and help them home, to train for this I was doing over 400km per week and all long rides with hill repeats, If I went again I would do more core Work and even more hills.
I used ENDURA each day to keep my energy levels up and the OPTIMIZER to help me recover after each ride, some riders just had water and they paid later for that.
The team of people who ran the camp were experienced, open, organised ... they provided endless info, support and knowledge of the area.
BRIGHT ... I could totally recommend the entire area as a holiday destination for couples, families, singles and those who have retired ... the area is bike friendly like you wouldn't believe and they also have 110km of railtrail, which is the old railway lines ripped up and resurfaced to allow bike riders to ride beside the highway and through each small town, should your taste buds yearn for wine, olives or sweet berries you can overdose on all three and come away happy.
Would I go again ..... yes!
Peter York
DAY 1
MT BUFFALO
All riders meet for the Ride up to MT BUFFALO which is approx 20km long, the group is ready to go and keen, the weather forecast is light rain ... we are all rugged up and are advised to store more clothing in the sweep cars ... groups are formed and as we hit the base of the climb all riders are free climb at their own pace and regroup at the top ... my role is to pick up those riders who might be a bit slower and need some help ... I think I've done this before ?
Riding in the rain is against all that I teach and know ... the roads were almost car free and in good condition ... after 2hrs of climbing we reached the top and the fog and rain had settled in ... we all changed clothes and it was VERY cold ... my descent was with 2 riders who hadn't gone downhill before and trying to teach them and stay safe and warm was a challenge ... my bottom lip didn't want to move as I was trying to give instructions to the riders ... and it was cold ... all made it the bottom safe and we made a pace line to the camp for a HOT shower ...
DAY 2
TAWONGA gap
More rain and cooler temps greeted us today and we headed west towards Happy Valley then turned right for Mt Beauty ... the area we rode in is cycling friendly and the roads and shoulders give ample room ... today's ride was 105km and had 2 major climbs with the final being 9km long followed by a 9km descent ... rain sun more rain ... you were working hard to stay warm and hydrated all the time and after 4.5hrs we were home ... shower food rest food bed.
DAY 3
MT HOTHAM ... 30KM APPROX 6%
This climb is a major drawcard for all those who ride and it's breathtaking to see ... Thank goodness for us there was SNOW on the top ... can't wait ! we were greeted with a bright sunny day no clouds but 4 degrees !!! full winter kit applied and we headed east for 1 hour to the base of the climb ... I noticed everyone was chatty as Rachael on the way to the climb but as we got closer a silent spell took over the group ... I tried to be funny and remind them that the sunshine came from Queensland and it was here to help us ... not funny Pete look how big that climb is ... once you start the Hotham climb it's steep and hard for the first 5km and then eases of til the last 5km ... we climbed for 2.5hrs and a stiff headwind greeted us about halfway ... cyclist pepper the mountain up and down ... mum's, dad's, grey nomads, hard core, racers, weekend warriors and a mix of bikes as well ... pushing along the ridge line you can look up to the left and see the last 5km and the SNOW ! as bike riders we just keeping riding even though we might be thinking the opposite ... even cars coming off the mountain with SNOW on th roof didn't deter us ... very brave Pete very brave ... the last few hills to the top were freezing cold and so windy you worked hard to hold yourself on the road ... the turning pole was covered in ice only on one side and it was time to descend 30km ... this took us approx 1hr ... tailwind and all downhill ... this is why we cycle !
Mt Hotham was enjoyed by all and she was gentle with us today ... 120km took us 5.5hrs and we had a food stop for good measure.
DAY 4
FALLS CREEK
After 3 hard days riders were given a choice of short medium and long rides ... depending on how you felt ... I took the medium group and we had a 9km climb and descent and then a coffee and then turned around and did it all in reverse 75km 4hrs ... bright sunny day but still cold ... all made it home safe and sound ...
The BOOTCAMP was hard from day 1 and got harder each day, the weather played a major role and used lots of energy ... this type of riding is NOT for everyone but those who did complete the course came away with a good life experience and were able to climb better and their fitness was greatly improved.
As a support rider my role was to stay with those slower riders and help them home, to train for this I was doing over 400km per week and all long rides with hill repeats, If I went again I would do more core Work and even more hills.
I used ENDURA each day to keep my energy levels up and the OPTIMIZER to help me recover after each ride, some riders just had water and they paid later for that.
The team of people who ran the camp were experienced, open, organised ... they provided endless info, support and knowledge of the area.
BRIGHT ... I could totally recommend the entire area as a holiday destination for couples, families, singles and those who have retired ... the area is bike friendly like you wouldn't believe and they also have 110km of railtrail, which is the old railway lines ripped up and resurfaced to allow bike riders to ride beside the highway and through each small town, should your taste buds yearn for wine, olives or sweet berries you can overdose on all three and come away happy.
Would I go again ..... yes!
Peter York
