Beverley Heroic 2015

[hiflange]

The Beverley Heroic website has been updated with a date for the 2015 event. No fanfare, apparently it's a "hold that date" update. Sunday October 4th for those that are interested.

[chuckchunder]

oh man. I'm going to have to pull out all the sweet talking stops to go on a ride on my wife's birthday..... I'm sure she won't mind driving me up there and back.

[hiflange]

Friend Phil and I test piloted a couple of new sections for Mr Vesparazzi on Saturday. Mr Vesparazzi's private obsessions a ride organiser is keeping riders safe. Absolute cracker of a day, cool and still for most of the ride. Doesn't look like there's been much rain out there but we saw quite a few seeders out so I guess the farmers reckon it's coming.

Phil set a blistering pace, as is his wont, and for his sins waited at many a hilltop and junction for me. Unless he takes a hit from a Kenworth I'll never be his match + this is my first week outdoors on a bike since February.

I don't know what his highness has planned for the Heroic this year but I have a feeling that we're in for a little more gravel than last year. Having said that some of the strade rossa sections were smoother than the bitumen - country roads! The best thing is that outside of York and Beverley we saw no more than a dozen vehicles, all of which slowed and gave us plenty of space when passing (country roads)

[Aushiker]

Thanks for the heads-up Rob. Will have to note this as a possible for October.

Andrew

[Red Rider]

Looks great, can't wait. And 3 coffee stops en route.

We'll see how smooth the strada sterrata is after winter

[roller]

would LOVE to do this.

but not the day after the GF.

hopefully works out a bit better for me next year.

[Hugor]

but not the day after the GF.

Good Point! This would have been another event I've entered but not started.

[jonhanson]

Man that's a lovely picture Rob. Makes me want to do it. I've written it in the calendar.

[HappyHumber]

Footy prevailing over bikes? Pschaw!!

[hiflange]

Man that's a lovely picture Rob. Makes me want to do it. I've written it in the calendar.

80 smiling faces at the finish last year despite some challenging weather. Be good to see you there.

[hiflange]

Registrations now open; https://eventdesq.imgstg.com/index.cfm? ... OrgID=8711" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[metalrideroz]

This looks like a great event. I can't do the long rides but hope to do the town based ride and take photographs. Good work Toby and co for the effort put in to organize this.

[hiflange]

Less than two weeks to go. I'm bailing on my vague plan to ride my 1952 Flash. I don't think I can get it ready in time and I'm not feeling quite heroic enough to wrestle a 5 speed bike with steel rims over the distance. This year
I've decided to take this instead; late '40's Hetchins with early '80's 10 speed group.

[AlexHuggs]

Would love to go but I'm on call.

[hiflange]

Well, what a contrast to last year! 2014 was cold and wet with a stiff southerly blowing. The gravel sections were well packed though and apart from a few corrugated sections were pretty easy to ride. The 100 milers set of at 7am this year (pic below). It was still with mist lifting from hilltops east of town. Sometime around 9 a fierce nor-wester started up, my guess is that it was gusting over 45kmh, certainly enough that you had to pedal going downhill

The gravel section from Beverley to York is about 35k and it was shocking. There's been no rain out there for a while and the roads were a nasty mix of sand, gravel and dust. Much of that section was into headwinds, making for very slow and nerve wracking going. I believe there were one of two offs. No-one was moving at any great pace though. My average from Beverley to York was just over 20kmh. The payoff was a fantastic tailwind driven return journey on quiet sealed roads.
Great vibe for the ride and some beautiful bikes out there (I'll post some more pics when I get to it)

[HappyHumber]

Shortly after I got off the phone with you today, Rob.... I got call a from another local Presidential heavy, and the subject of the Heroic came up. Considering there's a bit of a groundswell nationally for "mixed terrrain" or *shudder* "Gravel Grinder" rides within Audax Australia... I wonder if we could float the idea past Mr Vesperazzi of this being run in conjunction with Audax Australia event in the coming year or two?

The old century of 100 miles would suit as a Brevet Australia ride (<200km). This may allow it to be added to the Audax Australia calendar for 2016. I'd have to bounce it off those a bit more familiar with the governing French ACP/LRM calendar machinations.

Just a thought.

[hiflange]

Just a thought.

Great thought. There were at least three Audax members (including me) on the ride yesterday, maybe more. Not sure how Wayne and I feel about being "Presidential heavies" though, uncomfortably close to the likes of one D Trump for my taste

[HappyHumber]

Might be best to keep a bit shtoom on the notion just yet publicly. Let's get my people to have word to your people and see what may come of it.

oh yeah... but let it be on the record that IOU $10 for a patch though, Rob

[WPH]

We did the 50 mile option on the 1993 Trek T200 tandem. A pretty good day out considering the state of the gravel and strong winds. Never fell off but had some scary moments on the dirt.

Impressive organisation and we enjoyed our time in Beverley and York. Congrats to the organisers and volunteers, thanks also to family who supported us to do this. A friendly crowd too.

When Jeff's botto recovers we might have a yarn about going back in 2016. Or I could try it on a single (maybe the Thorn Club Tour).

Would be good to add this to the Audax calendar, would spur me to join (plus the idea that I might get more time to ride as Junior heads off to pre-primary etc).

[WPH]

[hiflange]

We did the 50 mile option on the 1993 Trek T200 tandem.

I saw you guys come in, stoker looked a tiny bit knackered! I did hear you give him major kudos though
I've never ridden a tandem on dirt but our '92 Cannondale Los Dos sports bus like stability on bitumen... can I get junior trained upin time for next year??

[hiflange]

I got around to uploading my pics. I didn't take many this year though...

First checkpoint "The Farm". The stop was welcome relief from the crappy road conditions


My dusty steed at the York stop


Rider briefing for the 50 mile event



The next few pics are from the Retro Bike Show on the Saturday. People paid 10 bucks each to enter a bike, anyone who came into the hall for a look got the opportunity to vote. The cash takings were split between first, second and third. First was the black two star humpback bitzer with Simplex plunger RD and front rod changer (and thouroughly modern crankset). Second was an Allenby Sprint in complete unrestored condition (sorry no pic!). Not sure what came third. Most of the bikes in the pics were ridden in the event, including the '46 (?) 2 Star single speed. The complete flickr album is here