Alpine Classic Extreme Cycling Event(250km)

Paul who has is being coached by David Heatley sent though his ride report for the Childrens Cancer Research Fundraiser - Alpine Classic Extreme Cycling Event(250km). Paul did a fantastic effort and is already thinking about 2012's ride. Well done Paul.

Thanks to everyone who donated to the Childrens Cancer Research Alpine Classic Extreme(250km) ride which was held on Sunday in the Victorian Alps.Your support and donations are greatly appreciated.The following is a summary of the ride and how the day unfolded through the beautiful Alpine region in Victoria.

Sunday starts with a 2.45am alarm which allows me enough time to complete final preparations before heading to the start line for the 4.00am start. About 400 riders had assembled by the time the race began and it was estimated that another 400 would be at the second start time of 6.20am.

The lead pack departed Bright at a solid pace averaging around 35km per hour to the turn off(25km) to Mount Hotham. The forecast was for a mild morning with high humidity(95%) and heading to 34/35 degrees by early afternoon.I was already soaked in sweat ½ hour after the start so I imagined I was only going to get worse as we commenced the 30km assent to Mt.Hotham in complete darkness. The peloton split quickly as riders searched for a gear that would allow them to climb with some tempo and minimal suffering. You could hear the gasps for air as the riders grappled with the severity of the gradient. Hotham is a long difficult climb and basically has three parts. The first 10km average out at 7% with a little section called “The Meg”which is 12% and caused some riders a bit of grief. The second 10km is rolling and doesn’t allow for any momentum. The last 10km is quite steep and challenges everyone. As we meander our way up the mountain, I look back occasionally to see the caravan of bright lights trailing behind me in the darkness. I don’t know how many riders have gone off the front so I was not sure of my position. I felt good and ascended Hotham in 1hr 36m which I was happy with. The last 10km was tough with strong gusty winds and fog that restricts visibility to about 20m. It is much cooler at the summit than I thought but with the sun about to pop out from behind the clouds I figured I didn’t need my wind jacket. Watching the sunrise at the top of Hotham was special and an image I won`t forget. I have been riding solo from about the 20km mark up Mt.Hotham and continue on to the first control point at Dinner Plain. A quick stop to scan my bar code and refill water bottles and I am off to Omeo. I continue solo through to Omeo passing some wonderfully picturesque countryside and rolling hills. What a great part of the world this is. The control point at Omeo is another scanning point and a chance to top up water bottles and grab something to eat before heading off to the infamous Back of Falls Creek. The controller tells me I am the 7th rider through so I feel pretty chuffed with myself to be up the front.

The ride out of Omeo is a series of rolling hills and I keep looking back to see if I am being caught by the chasing pack. Nothing behind me ..yet so I keep pressing on. You are never sure when you are on your own if you sure keeping the right pace to stay in front or not. So far I am OK.

There were a couple of bridges where you need to dismount and walk your bike across a wooden bridge. The volunteers make sure you do the right thing and help you off your bike knowing you have ridden plenty to that point and talking may be difficult. If you can manage a few words they won`t understand what you say anyway. I push on through the rolling hills to the bottom of the dreaded Back of Falls creek ascent. Words cannot describe what I faced. A rough white surface that I thought was steep enough to take me to heavan. I couldn`t be that lucky. By this time the sun is beating down on me and I was covered in salt crystals from perspiration. I start the climb with 150km in the legs and after about 1km see the 6th place rider zig zagging over the road trying to keep some momentum up the very steep 35km climb. As I pass him I hear some colorful language that should never be repeated. The climb is slow and I am feeling cramp in my legs. My energy levels are low but I cannot face another energy bar or gel. I think/hope I can just push through with fitness but time will tell.

The last 10km to the top of Falls creek is into a strong gusting wind which sucks more energy and slows me down. I arrive at the summit feeling OK and take a few minutes to massage my feet(hot Foot) and grab some watermelon and a muffin.Tastes great.

I start the descent from Falls like a mad man to try and keep my 6th place and my target time. The descent is interrupted with some short climbs which sap more energy from your legs. At this point I have completed about 200km and on target to achieve my overall objective of 10hrs 30m.I arrive at the beautiful Mt. Beauty realizing my energy levels were low and the leg cramps were becoming more frequent. Bugger!!

The last climb to Toowonga Gap 8km @ 7.5% gradient.Not good. The sun is frying me like an egg and I know I need to eat some carbs but I just can`t do it.I push on feeling pretty ordinary and cursing myself for not being able to do better. I grind my way to the top. Head bowed and sweat pouring from under my helmet.My stomach churns and I can`t face any form of food which I know I need to get to the finish.

I arrive at the top and feel less than super. I struggle in my jersey pocket for a gel which I hope I can keep down. The descent from Toowonga is slower than normal as I am conscious that some riders have come to grief on the  way down. I get to the bottom and 5km to go. My spirits are up even though I have missed my target time. I think I finish in 9th place but won`t be sure until all the times come in including those who are started at 6.20am.

This ride is the toughest thing I have done and the support of family & friends certainly helped me to get to the finish line. For me personally I will go to school on the learnings from the ride which I hope will prepare me for 2012.

I would like again thank everyone who helped me complete this event. My family. My friends.My work colleagues. My coach David Heatley.

Next year I will do better.

Thanks to everyone.

Paul