Two Tools took on the challenge of the Alpine Classic. The day was clear and cool to start. The promise of mid thirty daytime temperatures in the valleys and a low to mid teen start made clothing selection a bit tricky but in the end the minimalist choice was best.
About 500 hundred cyclists awaited the starters orders, with the two tools somewhat back in the group. The use of electronic transponders accurately recorded a starting time of 6:24 am. Both settled in for an easy start but picked up speed as the large group headed along the flat to the first hill. We stayed together for half the first climb but after settled for our own pace as the challenge of the day ahead tempered thoughts of a fast climb. A beautiful 7.5 k descent followed into the stunning Kiewa valley. A few ks to Mt beauty and then the next ascent awaits of 30k and about 1300 m elevation to Falls creek. While not continuous its a long way mainly uphill but I must say I enjoyed the climb and did it easier than 8 years ago. The most pleasing part was reaching Falls and it was before 9:30, so well a head of schedule. A quick hello to Rapide 3 or 4 minutes ahead as I walked in and he walked out of the feeding room. AS we were only 60 ks in this was a quick refuelling stop and the ample food provided quickly gulped down.
Back on the bike for the downhill where I was freezing for about 10 ks but quickly loosing the hard earned altitude the warm valley temperatures soon fixed up that little discomfort. After about 15 ks of continuous descending the first little uphill came as a bit of a shock and the realisation that maybe I gulped the food down a little too quickly. Fortunately this uphill was very short and more long descents helped the food find a more agreeable place.
The third major climb soon followed with Tawonga gap again. 7.5k @6.1% average and by now it was getting bloody hot especially at the base of the climb. The best bit being I felt way better than 8 yrs ago. 1 k in, the tyre felt a bit spongy, must be my imagination, 100 m later there was no doubt, ah well find a tree an unplanned break and fix the tyre. A friendly bloke with a better pump than mine stopped and offered it when he saw my furious pumping with my tiny pump, so that was nice. Completed the rest of the climb still feeling pretty well, down the other side where interestingly enough during the long descent felt aches and pains in the back and shoulders. Obviously need to be doing more planks and core work.
A group led by some young guns went screaming past doing about 40 so that was a great tow for about 8 ks into Bright for the lunch break. No sign of Rapide as expected following the puncture. All that remained was the trip to Mt buffalo and return.
What can one say about the Buffalo climb other than relentless and hot. Its more of a challenge of the mind than anything else as the grade while not extreme stays so very constant and you've climbed about 2400 metres before you even start. What method you use to fight off fatigue seems to vary between us all but this is one climb where you need it. I tend to use the counting down the ks method, but for the first few kms this is very demoralising ie I've been climbing this damn hill for ages now and only gone 2 ks and I've got about 16 to go ugggh. No forget the odo for now look at the magnificent views down the valley as you get higher and higher on the solitary mountain, but even there it may not pay to see on the other side of a huge valley riders much higher than you snaking their way up the road. Stopped at the water stop with 8 ks of climbing to go for a bit of a top up where i got sprayed with water by the one of most wonderful women I have met!! That last 8 ks felt so much better with the core temperature a bit lower. Over the top but still 4 ks to the turn around spot.
A bit of downhill, but whats this you have to be kidding another 2 and a bit ks of uphill again to Dingo Dell the turnaround. Rapide went shooting past downhill with a shout of encouragement and on his way to the finish. More refreshments at Dingo dell including a very nice icy pole which was much enjoyed. The stops by now getting a bit longer. But you feel pretty good knowing that by now there is very little uphill to go, and 20 or more k's where you don't have to pedal at all.
Back to Bright and the finish, Rapide there to greet me just before 4 pm and beating the 2002 time by about 15 minutes, So 200 km, about 3700 m climbing 9 hours 29 minutes, 8 hrs 26 mins on the bike(about 30 mins less).
What else, well rapide was good company, we had a fabulous dinner at some italian place called Roi's on saturday night and enjoyed a pizza at some joint in Mt Beauty with some live music that was very pleasant for two tired cyclists. The event is brilliantly organised and supported and hassle free. All in all an enjoyable weekend and highly recommended.
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