L’Étape 2020 Kiama

[AndrewCowley]

https://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/a ... coast-2020

This is cool. It puts this event practically on Sydney’s doorstep.

[march83]

Interesting. Estimated 6000 riders though - that's massive. I guess a lot of people would just drive down for the day.

Great area for it though. Macquarie Pass, Fitzroy Falls, Berry Mtn, Saddleback all options as part of a ~130km loop depending which direction you go...

[AndrewCowley]

A lot of riders but closed roads should help. And it’s less than the Gong ride and the Spring Cycle which definitely are pretty chaotic.

[g-boaf]

Interesting. Estimated 6000 riders though - that's massive. I guess a lot of people would just drive down for the day.

Great area for it though. Macquarie Pass, Fitzroy Falls, Berry Mtn, Saddleback all options as part of a ~130km loop depending which direction you go...

6000 riders would be impossible. A Haute Route start from Courchevel with about 480-500 riders is pretty crazy, let alone many times that.

I was lucky that day and left a bit late so I could bomb down the descent at 50km/h average speed and barely touched the brakes, all the others had a scary neutral descent convoy at 35km/h. When I caught them all up I was listening to people talking about numerous near misses at pinch points or slow junctions.

I imagine with 6000 people it will be a crash fest.

[biker jk]

Interesting. Estimated 6000 riders though - that's massive. I guess a lot of people would just drive down for the day.

Great area for it though. Macquarie Pass, Fitzroy Falls, Berry Mtn, Saddleback all options as part of a ~130km loop depending which direction you go...

6000 riders would be impossible. A Haute Route start from Courchevel with about 480-500 riders is pretty crazy, let alone many times that.

I was lucky that day and left a bit late so I could bomb down the descent at 50km/h average speed and barely touched the brakes, all the others had a scary neutral descent convoy at 35km/h. When I caught them all up I was listening to people talking about numerous near misses at pinch points or slow junctions.

I imagine with 6000 people it will be a crash fest.

L'Etape du Tour has 15,000 starters and just spreads them out via waves.

[AndrewCowley]

Received an email with the pricing.

Super Early-bird registration: $289
Early-Bird registration: $329
Standard registration: $349
Late registration: $369

Yikes.

I guess this is price of fully closed roads.

[Derny Driver]

My backyard.
My son and his cousin and friends often do a 135k loop taking in Kiama, Kangaroo Valley, Macquarie pass, Berry Mountain, Fitzroy Falls etc. I tag along on the motor scooter with jackets, drinks, spare wheels. We always stop at Kangaroo Valley (roughly half way) for pancakes and fudge ...On a quiet Sunday morning there would be just a handful of cars encountered.
Why someone would pay $350 to ride that loop with 6000 other people, when you can ride the same roads tomorrow for free and in complete safety ...is beyond me.

[g-boaf]

Not everyone has the confidence to go along those roads, even if they are quiet.

In France or Italy you just ride on whatever roads you feel like with no worries at all. The people in the cars even cheer you on! No, I'm not kidding - they actually do that.

Here there is always the worry (for some people) of what one of the few cars you do encounter might do. I'm guessing that's what drives people to do events like this. I wouldn't do one of these because I don't think the value is there.

[AUbicycles]

I expect participants of L'Étape would be a little more savvy (on average) than spring cycle or sydney to the gong - and would argue that it would be a more interesting ride that the other two exactly for this reason - more of a road-bike event. As a two day event, it goes some way of explaining the entry fee (in comparison to a 1-day event).

It has been a well organised event and well supported event in the past and also feeds into the World Cycling Championships in 2022 in Wollongong and fostering road cycling.

[AndrewCowley]

The route has been released.

https://letapeaustralia.com/the-route

Some tough climbs:

Berry Mountain 11.6 km at 4.4%
Col de Fitzroy 6.7 km at 8.5%
Saddleback Mountain 4.3 km at 8.8%

Tempted despite the prices.

[queequeg]

The route has been released.

https://letapeaustralia.com/the-route

Some tough climbs:

Berry Mountain 11.6 km at 4.4%
Col de Fitzroy 6.7 km at 8.5%
Saddleback Mountain 4.3 km at 8.8%

Tempted despite the prices.

I had a look at options for accommodation, as Kiama is a bit of a hike for an early start. Don’t
expect any change from $750 two nights. Gerringong is a bit cheaper but not by much. Road closures in the area on the day make it tricky to know what cheaper places would work. All the same, by the time you go down there and spend two nights, plus the entry, it’s over $1000. More if you buy a jersey.
I’m going to save the cash for Bright in January and just do the Alpine Ultimate. It may not have the closed roads and atmosphere, but it does have three brutal climbs and one “little one”

[g-boaf]

The route has been released.

https://letapeaustralia.com/the-route

Some tough climbs:

Berry Mountain 11.6 km at 4.4%
Col de Fitzroy 6.7 km at 8.5%
Saddleback Mountain 4.3 km at 8.8%

Tempted despite the prices.

Interesting, I’ve done some of those already, so I know I won’t have any problems riding them. I think last time I had the most windy day ever, that was worse than the gradients!

Prices look a little steep but acceptable. But given it is local you can just go book some local accommodation and do the rides yourself for much less money.

For riding around Berry, Berry Inn was quite okay last time I was there and didn’t mind that I had a bicycle in the room. The main road of Berry is just around the corner as well, that’s handy.

[39x25]

For those that haven't seen.. L'Etape 2020 postponed to March 2021 on account of Covid Situation.

[caneye]

Anyone going in a few days' time?

Weather looks atrocious with the BOM forecasting up to 60mm of rain.
Organisers will make a call on Friday evening re route change.
Keep in mind Jamberoo Road was closed after a landslide last year and only just reopened a few months back.

[brandy234]

Anyone going in a few days' time?

Weather looks atrocious with the BOM forecasting up to 60mm of rain.
Organisers will make a call on Friday evening re route change.
Keep in mind Jamberoo Road was closed after a landslide last year and only just reopened a few months back.

Yes, have come down from Brisbane for the ride (but am originally from the Southern Highlands).

Weather certainly looks worrying. Berry Mountain and Jamberoo Mountain roads are particularly concerning due to the likelihood of potholes, gravel, rockfall and even landslides during significant rain.

My crew are considering sitting out of the ride even if it does go ahead as planned.

[AndrewCowley]

Anyone going in a few days' time?

Weather looks atrocious with the BOM forecasting up to 60mm of rain.
Organisers will make a call on Friday evening re route change.
Keep in mind Jamberoo Road was closed after a landslide last year and only just reopened a few months back.

Yes I'm going. Route change would suck.

After the initial postponement, I just want to get this thing done.

Sydney at the moment is showery on and off. Last I checked, this was going to continue over the weekend. Rain would be crap but based on the current situation this is not in any way terminal or route changing. Has the forecast worsened?

[familyguy]

Anyone going in a few days' time?

Weather looks atrocious with the BOM forecasting up to 60mm of rain.
Organisers will make a call on Friday evening re route change.
Keep in mind Jamberoo Road was closed after a landslide last year and only just reopened a few months back.

Yes I'm going. Route change would suck.

After the initial postponement, I just want to get this thing done.

Sydney at the moment is showery on and off. Last I checked, this was going to continue over the weekend. Rain would be crap but based on the current situation this is not in any way terminal or route changing. Has the forecast worsened?

I hope the rain holds off but it don't look great...

I see you fighting the good fight against the mouthbreathers on Facebook in various Illawarra Mercury and NSW Transport posts regaridng closures. Meanwhile, 99.9% of NSW gets on with life around it with no trouble. At least if it rains it will keep any bogans away as they'll all be staying home to drink and admire the jetksi they aren't bothering swimmers with.

Jim

[AndrewCowley]

I see you fighting the good fight against the mouthbreathers on Facebook in various Illawarra Mercury and NSW Transport posts regaridng closures.

Yes I gave up in the end. The locals have a right to dislike it. But there's no point blaming the participants or using it to further push anti-cycling cliches. It's got nothing to do with paying rego, for instance.

[familyguy]

I see you fighting the good fight against the mouthbreathers on Facebook in various Illawarra Mercury and NSW Transport posts regaridng closures.

Yes I gave up in the end. The locals have a right to dislike it. But there's no point blaming the participants or using it to further push anti-cycling cliches. It's got nothing to do with paying rego, for instance.

Yeah, there are none so blind etc... Not worth the mindbending gymnastics, just ride. Like I said, 99.9% of people will get on with life and not give a fig.

[brandy234]

BOM have updated the forecast

Now up to 150mm of rain for Albion Park, which is close to the Jamberoo Mountain descent and Saddleback climb. Up to 120mm for Kiama.

I think L'Etape will not be going ahead...

[AndrewCowley]

This is rooted. Any idea whether the call to re-route or cancel would be made on the basis of a forecast or would they wait until Saturday morning.

[brandy234]

This is rooted. Any idea whether the call to re-route or cancel would be made on the basis of a forecast or would they wait until Saturday morning.

Their T&Cs say they will either make a decision Thurs 7pm or Fri 7pm (which is the latest).

It also says if the forecast is 91mm+ then it's immediate cancellation.

With this forecast I can't see an amended route even going ahead.

[AndrewCowley]

It looks rooted then. Hope they decide before Friday evening.

Also hope they just cancel and offer refunds.

[Retrobyte]

It looks rooted then. Hope they decide before Friday evening.

Also hope they just cancel and offer refunds.

Yep - I'm saying the same thing about our cricket semi final on Saturday. If it's called off we progress straight to the grand final next week, as the highest placed team after the regular season

[g-boaf]

Anyone going in a few days' time?

Weather looks atrocious with the BOM forecasting up to 60mm of rain.
Organisers will make a call on Friday evening re route change.
Keep in mind Jamberoo Road was closed after a landslide last year and only just reopened a few months back.

Yes, have come down from Brisbane for the ride (but am originally from the Southern Highlands).

Weather certainly looks worrying. Berry Mountain and Jamberoo Mountain roads are particularly concerning due to the likelihood of potholes, gravel, rockfall and even landslides during significant rain.

My crew are considering sitting out of the ride even if it does go ahead as planned.

Sitting it out would be a sensible idea, with expected rain it could be unsafe. If the weather is as bad as forecasted then they will have to cancel it.

Also hope they just cancel and offer refunds.

A cycling event offering refunds? Haha, that'll be the day. My faith in big paid cycling events is gone I'm afraid. I don't trust any of them now.