Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

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queequeg
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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby queequeg » Thu Jan 19, 2017 2:00 pm

I took the 4am start because I am doing the ACE320 and want to be back before all the ACE200 and ACE250 riders on the 6:20am starts drink the Bright Brewery Dry!
If the weather is going to be stinking hot, I prefer to get in a good five hours of riding before the sun gets too high in the sky. The early start doesn't bother me, it's actually quite peaceful riding at 4am :-)
I'm heading down to Bright on Saturday, so I will be doing a few final training rides prior to the main event. Legs are fresh, and I am just getting over a few days of sickness earlier this week, so I should be all set.
'11 Lynskey Cooper CX, '00 Hillbrick Steel Racing (Total Rebuild '10), '16 Cervelo R5, '18 Mason BokekTi

warthog1
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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby warthog1 » Sat Jan 21, 2017 10:21 pm

My 2 previous visits to the ace I haven't stayed for after ride "recovery drinks" and entertainment.
I may this time as the family will be away on a basketball tournament.
I see they have bike racks set up.
How safe is it to leave the bike there whilst indulging in a drink or 3?
Recommended or no?
I could just ride back to Porepunkah and bring the mighty Ribble back with a lock.
Dogs are the best people :wink:

Smithstreet
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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby Smithstreet » Sun Jan 22, 2017 10:19 am

warthog1 wrote:My 2 previous visits to the ace I haven't stayed for after ride "recovery drinks" and entertainment.
I may this time as the family will be away on a basketball tournament.
I see they have bike racks set up.
How safe is it to leave the bike there whilst indulging in a drink or 3?
Recommended or no?
I could just ride back to Porepunkah and bring the mighty Ribble back with a lock.
Perfectly safe. The racks are right next to it.

Who would steal a Ribble anyway? :wink:

warthog1
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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby warthog1 » Sun Jan 22, 2017 11:43 am

Smithstreet wrote:
Perfectly safe. The racks are right next to it.

Who would steal a Ribble anyway? :wink:
Harsh. :lol:
Only the discerning rider clearly.;)
I will prob ride the Cervelo.
I meant go back to the motel and come back on the Ribble.
Dogs are the best people :wink:

madmacca
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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby madmacca » Sun Jan 22, 2017 1:10 pm

7 Day forecast is out.

Bright 16-34
Mt Hotham 10-20.

warthog1
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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby warthog1 » Sun Jan 22, 2017 3:23 pm

madmacca wrote:7 Day forecast is out.

Bright 16-34
Mt Hotham 10-20.
Beautiful :D
Dogs are the best people :wink:

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athman
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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby athman » Sun Jan 22, 2017 6:18 pm

Do I need lights for the 6.20 am start for the 200k? Its been so long since I've done this event that I can't remember.

Smithstreet
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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby Smithstreet » Sun Jan 22, 2017 7:57 pm

athman wrote:Do I need lights for the 6.20 am start for the 200k? Its been so long since I've done this event that I can't remember.
Technically, yes.
Sunrise is 6.24 next Saturday in Bright, but maybe they have a 'relaxation' on it for the 6.20 starters.

Smithstreet
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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby Smithstreet » Sun Jan 22, 2017 8:03 pm

Just checked AC website, lighting requirements only apply to 4.00am starters.

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athman
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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby athman » Sun Jan 22, 2017 9:18 pm

Woohoo! that saves a few hundred grams. Not that I'm desperate. Well, maybe I am desperate. I get that way when I realise I'll have to climb 4,600 metres and its only six days to go before the event.

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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby warthog1 » Sun Jan 22, 2017 11:41 pm

+1
I haven't ridden further than 100km in about 18 months.
I'll be pacing myself.
Dogs are the best people :wink:

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cyclotaur
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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby cyclotaur » Mon Jan 23, 2017 10:13 am

warthog1 wrote:+1
I haven't ridden further than 100km in about 18 months.
I'll be pacing myself.
:shock: I feel overcooked by comparison....but you'll still beat me home.

I'll be playing the 'tortoise' game. :wink:
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warthog1
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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby warthog1 » Mon Jan 23, 2017 11:53 am

cyclotaur wrote:
warthog1 wrote:+1
I haven't ridden further than 100km in about 18 months.
I'll be pacing myself.
:shock: I feel overcooked by comparison....but you'll still beat me home.

I'll be playing the 'tortoise' game. :wink:

I did 10k km last year just no long rides. Plenty in the ~100km range though.
I did the ACE320 in 2015 with similar "preparation"
I didn't enjoy that. Mt Buffalo was not much more than walking pace :lol:
The tortoise game sounds like a valid plan. :)
In 2015 I went up Hotham on the back of the fast group (didn't even look like pulling a turn however). That cooked me for the whole ride.
Dogs are the best people :wink:

Gerry.M
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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby Gerry.M » Mon Jan 23, 2017 1:58 pm

Hopefully the weather settles down a bit before the weekend
http://alpineclassic.com.au/2017/event- ... er-policy/

At the moment the Elders weather site has it at 37c on Saturday so it might end up a shorter than expected ride for some

madmacca
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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby madmacca » Mon Jan 23, 2017 2:39 pm

Gerry.M wrote:Hopefully the weather settles down a bit before the weekend
http://alpineclassic.com.au/2017/event- ... er-policy/

At the moment the Elders weather site has it at 37c on Saturday so it might end up a shorter than expected ride for some
Thanks for the reminder about the extreme heat policy.

BoM still has it at 33C for Bright on Satuday. But 6-7 days out, forecasts can indeed float a few degrees. Todays temp (Monday) in Bright is forecast 35C, but currently 27.6 (2.20pm), which might make climbing Back o'Falls OK.

Fire risk will depend on forecast winds for the day.

At this stage, I am keeping a closer eye on the minimum temps (ACE 250 4am start) - and quite what combination of light or heavy weight arm warmers and/or wind gilet I will need.

gavin_rider
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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby gavin_rider » Mon Jan 23, 2017 4:43 pm

Which town or region's forecast do they use for the extreme weather policy for the 250km? Is it Bright's weather?

hamishm
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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby hamishm » Mon Jan 23, 2017 5:09 pm

gavin_rider wrote:Which town or region's forecast do they use for the extreme weather policy for the 250km? Is it Bright's weather?
That's what it says at the link Gerry.M posted. http://alpineclassic.com.au/2017/event- ... er-policy/

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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby gavin_rider » Mon Jan 23, 2017 5:19 pm

hamishm wrote: That's what it says at the link Gerry.M posted. http://alpineclassic.com.au/2017/event- ... er-policy/
That page doesn't say the policy uses Bright's weather forecast. It just says "If on the day prior to the event (Friday Jan 27th 2017) the Bureau of Meteorology maximum forecast is for 38C (101.4F) or greater, then the Ultimate 320, ACE 250 and both 200km events will not operate".

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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby gavin_rider » Mon Jan 23, 2017 5:45 pm

I just emailed the organisers and the ride director replied on Monday afternoon as follows:

"We use the Bureau of Meteorology, Bright forecast, which is not available on the web...
We actually have one of their meteorologists make this available to us each year and he is in Bright at the time of the event and gives a full weather briefing to all the volunteers the day before.
Yesterday, the Bright forecast for next Saturday was 36. Haven't heard today, but will ask for an update on Wednesday.
"

Based on that, the Bright forecast seems quite close to the Wangaratta forecast and the Wangaratta forecast is available on the internet.

warthog1
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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby warthog1 » Mon Jan 23, 2017 6:03 pm

Wangaratta is looking at 37 on Sat now.
38 Sun and 41 Mon.
It is creeping up. I hope it doesn't go up any further.
Won't be needing any arm or leg warmers that's for sure.
Jersey, knicks, cycling cap and sunscreen for me.
Dogs are the best people :wink:

hamishm
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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby hamishm » Mon Jan 23, 2017 6:48 pm

gavin_rider wrote:
hamishm wrote: That's what it says at the link Gerry.M posted. http://alpineclassic.com.au/2017/event- ... er-policy/
That page doesn't say the policy uses Bright's weather forecast. It just says "If on the day prior to the event (Friday Jan 27th 2017) the Bureau of Meteorology maximum forecast is for 38C (101.4F) or greater, then the Ultimate 320, ACE 250 and both 200km events will not operate".
?? That's not what it says, it says

"If on the day prior to the event (Friday Jan 27th 2017) the Bureau of Meteorology maximum forecast is for 38C (101.4F) or greater in Bright, then riders in the Ultimate 320, ACE 250 and both 200km events will be asked to ride any one the other distances on offer. ACE250 0400 & Ultimate 320km 0400 riders will be offered a Bright-Omeo-Bright event" (my emphasis).

Perhaps this was just added today, but it was there when I posted earlier.

Gerry.M
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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby Gerry.M » Mon Jan 23, 2017 7:08 pm

hamishm wrote:
gavin_rider wrote:
hamishm wrote: That's what it says at the link Gerry.M posted. http://alpineclassic.com.au/2017/event- ... er-policy/
That page doesn't say the policy uses Bright's weather forecast. It just says "If on the day prior to the event (Friday Jan 27th 2017) the Bureau of Meteorology maximum forecast is for 38C (101.4F) or greater, then the Ultimate 320, ACE 250 and both 200km events will not operate".
?? That's not what it says, it says

"If on the day prior to the event (Friday Jan 27th 2017) the Bureau of Meteorology maximum forecast is for 38C (101.4F) or greater in Bright, then riders in the Ultimate 320, ACE 250 and both 200km events will be asked to ride any one the other distances on offer. ACE250 0400 & Ultimate 320km 0400 riders will be offered a Bright-Omeo-Bright event" (my emphasis).

Perhaps this was just added today, but it was there when I posted earlier.
Yep, it said Bright when I originally posted the link..
This is the forecast I was looking at: http://www.eldersweather.com.au/vic/north-east/bright

gavin_rider
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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby gavin_rider » Mon Jan 23, 2017 7:20 pm

I've pressed F5 now and got the latest version. Thanks.

madmacca
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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby madmacca » Mon Jan 23, 2017 9:16 pm

gavin_rider wrote:I just emailed the organisers and the ride director replied on Monday afternoon as follows:

"We use the Bureau of Meteorology, Bright forecast, which is not available on the web...
We actually have one of their meteorologists make this available to us each year and he is in Bright at the time of the event and gives a full weather briefing to all the volunteers the day before.
Yesterday, the Bright forecast for next Saturday was 36. Haven't heard today, but will ask for an update on Wednesday.
"

Based on that, the Bright forecast seems quite close to the Wangaratta forecast and the Wangaratta forecast is available on the internet.
Bright is about 150m higher in elevation than Wangaratta, so you could expect Bright to be close to 1 degree cooler. But weather patterns would be similar (although the narrow valleys and high surrounding mountains can produce much more localised effects when a rain front rolls in.

gavin_rider
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Re: Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

Postby gavin_rider » Mon Jan 23, 2017 9:22 pm

Latest update from the ride director, as at 9.00pm Monday night:

"Just confirming all looks ok for Saturday at this stage. Weak low pressure trough over the NE that may produce a late PM storm. Otherwise dry. Highest temperature low 30's around Bright. Omeo 30c. 20c up the mountains. The TAFCO weather station at Porepunkah, will give a good idea of the temp in Bright"

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