Checkpoint No. 43 (Autumn 2010)

Sydney to Melbourne 1200Reality bites in the mountains

Lake Taupo Cycle ChallengeA ride with a difference

Semaine FédéraleToo much is barely enough

Alpine ClassicIt was ace!

No. 43 Autumn 2010The endurance cyclist’s magazine

ABBOTSFORD CYCLES

27 Swan Street Richmond Victoria

9429 68898-6 weekdays

9-12.30 Saturdays

Need your bicycle serviced or repaired?Our speciality - efficient

and economical repairs for all kinds of bikes. We can

fit a wide range of accessories and parts

We have been renovating!

- come in and see the new shop. More space

for more cycling goodies from the essential to the

whimsical. We have all your old favourites and now we have room for even more things to make

your riding more enjoyable. Lights, panniers, tyres, tools, unusual cycling tops, parts of all sorts, framebuilding materials, computers, spare parts and much more.... Our staff come from varied backgrounds, some with years of experience in racing, touring and Audax and some who bring a new enthusiasm to sharing advice to help you make the

right decisions.

Do you want same day service and an honest appraisal of the repairs your bike needs? (Remember, we don’t sell bikes). Give us a call! Want to customise your bike?

We have years of experience in all sorts of bicycle conversions and can advise you of the best way of achieving your dream bike. Geared/single speed/fixed, curly bars/flat bars, seven

speed to nine speed, double to compact or triple, faster wheels, stronger wheels- we can do all this. Want a longer stem, swept back handlebars?

Let us help you to make your cycling more enjoyable!

Mail Order surf our website

and call 03 9429 6889 for prompt and efficient service

www.abbotsfordcycles.com.au [email protected]

We have the biggest range of Brooks leather saddles that you are ever likely to see in one place! Our shelves are stacked high with almost every available model. Come in and see for yourself why Brooks Saddles are the choice of so many cyclists

who appreciate a saddle which conforms to their own shape!

Checkpoint Autumn 2010 1

Upfront2. President’s Pedals with Kerri-Ann Smith3. National Committee happenings

Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge4. A ride with a difference

My First Brevet6. Deidre Rennick: 6 Bumps & 1 Hill, 2009

Dawn to Dusk Summer 3008. The general ramblings of a recumbent tricyclist

Buckley’s Ride9. Normally quite straightforward and routine…

Web tidbits9. Tasty morsels from the Interwebs

Tips & Techniques11. Maps for distance cyclists

Awards 2008/0912. List of award recipients13. Audax Club Parisien 100,000 × 300 km

Raid Alpine14. La Première, 1–2 January 2010

Semaine Fédérale en Australie17. Too much is barely enough

Audax Alpine Classic18. Alpine Classic in review21. ACE was…ACE!22. Photo gallery24. Answers to the quiz25. The thinking cyclist

Sydney to Melbourne 120027. Clinging to a thread of hope32. The SM1200 volunteers34. The Almost Famous Euroa-Melbourne 20035. SM1200 Finishers35. A pain in the neck

Paris–Brest–Paris36. An “Idiot’s Guide” to PBP38. PBP pre-registration update38. The other PBP

Annual General Meeting39. President’s report to the AGM

The 2008/09 Audax Year41. The season by the numbers

Brevets42. Results compiled by David Killick

Backpedal44. Bike shorts, cranks and nuts

Audax Australia Cycling Club Inc. Association No. A0014462N

ARBN 125 562 307 www.audax.org.au

President Kerri-Ann SmithNC [email protected]

Vice President Gareth EvansNC [email protected] - 0408 497 721

Secretary Helen Lew Ton NC [email protected] - 03 9329 9757

Treasurer Alan Baker NC [email protected] - 07 4125 2737

Membership Secretary Lorraine Allen [email protected] - 03 5783 2427

International Brevet Secretary Simon Watt [email protected] - 0417 652 198

National Calendar Coordinator Bob McHugh [email protected]

Committee Members Ian Bailey NC [email protected] - 0428 481 474

Brian Furze NC [email protected] - 0409 716 427

Peter Lunt NC [email protected] - 0402 305 250

Lisa Turner NC [email protected] - 02 6722 2210

Webmaster Mike Boehm [email protected] - 0412 043 648

Region Presidents ACT Tom Nankivell NC [email protected] - 0432 409 755

NSW Chris Walsh NC [email protected] - 02 9924 2200

QLD Vaughan Kippers NC [email protected] - 07 3376 6761

SA Ian Peak NC [email protected] - 0417 834 525

TAS Paul Gregory NC [email protected] - 03 6229 3811

VIC George Judkins NC (acting) [email protected] - 0419 155 804

WA Nick Dale NC [email protected] - 0400 300 850

NZ Duncan McDonald [email protected] - +64 21 267 2193NC National Committee member

Life MembersPhil BelletteHans DusinkTerry GrossTim LaugherJohn MartinRussell Moore

Checkpoint

Editor Trevor Gosbell [email protected]

Brevet Editor David Killick [email protected]

Distribution Ian Boehm [email protected]

Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the respective authors, and not necessarily those of the Audax Australia Cycling Club Inc.

ContentsCheckpoint No. 43—Autumn 2010

Cover: Peter May rides out of the dawn at Mt Hotham on the ACE 250 (Photo: Top Shots—www.bicyclephotos.com.au) This page: Stephen Chambers and Tim Taylor at Tallong, 184 km into the SM 1200 (Photo: Garry Armsworth)

2 Checkpoint Autumn 2010

While Australia’s Audax cycling and financial year started with the new ride calendar back in November 2009, the post-AGM National Committee year is only starting as I write. As foreshadowed by Garry in last Checkpoint, the 2010 AGM saw a substantial change in the membership of the National Committee.

I am only one of a number of new faces—eager and ready to serve our Club. Special thanks to Garry Armsworth for leading the Club so successfully through a four year period of membership growth and Audax riding development. Thanks also to retiring long standing Treasurer Stephen Chambers and elected members Russell Freemantle and Dave Minter who have contributed in various roles to the Club for years. Thanks also to others leaving the National Committee—Lindsay Harvey who, being NSW-based, was ineligible to continue as Secretary under new legislation; Peter Curtis who stepped up as Vice-President last year; and Howard Dove who took on the challenging role of National Calendar Coordinator as part of his Committee role.

Your new committee is: President—myself; VicePresident—Gareth Evans, well known Victorian Region President and organiser of Semaine Fédérale; Secretary—Helen Lew Ton, fabled ride supporter and PBP Participant Watch reality show star; Treasurer—Alan Baker, hailing from the Maryborough area of Queensland. Lisa Turner from Inverell in northern NSW continues as an elected member, and we welcome new elected members Brian Furze, Ian Bailey and Peter Lunt. Of course, the National Committee also includes the elected state representatives from around the regions—many of whom are long serving, experienced Audaxers.

So, just who is your new President? I’m not bearded, grey-haired (that you can see!) or balding as has been suggested is the hallmark of Audax riders. I’m also from one of our

‘small’ regions—the ACT—which puts me in another minority group. I’ve not been riding Audax forever, but I would have to be one of its most passionate lovers. In 2004 I thought a 30 km ride around Lake Burley Griffin was a really long ride. But riding with the ACT Pedal Power group’s ‘long riders’ I found I really liked the longer distances they did: 80–120 km.

My introduction to Audax was in 2005. My third Audax ride was the November Oppy. I was smitten by my first night riding—the deepening indigo blue sky, the glory of a starry night and the splendour of floating cobwebs illuminated by moon light. Several

nasty accidents in 2006 made me wonder if I’d ever be a ‘proper’ cyclist. However, since then, I’ve remained upright and built my riding and organising experience. I now have several Super Series under my belt, a 1000 km out of Canberra, two 1200s – the 2007 Paris–Brest–Paris and 2008 Great Southern Randonee. I was very happy to receive the Randonneur 5000 in the Awards of 2007. I enjoy designing and organising 200–600 km rides for the ACT Region and have been involved with the Audax ACT Region committee and ride planning for a few years, the last as President.

I’m lucky enough to have recently married another passionate cycling devotee whom I met at my first Alpine Classic in 2006. We share our home with two of my adult children who complain about the number of bikes scattered throughout the house—after all, you can’t leave a bike in the garage or shed, can you?

So, what will this year bring on the National front? As a National Committee with a mix of new blood and experience, I am very conscious that we will need a period to reflect and consolidate. In addition to all the committee members I have mentioned to date, I note also that Audax Australia is ably served by a number of highly experienced people in roles such Membership Secretary, Brevet Secretary, Checkpoint Editor. Without them, this club could not function. I hope to make full use of their knowledge and expertise.

I am very much looking forward to holding the biannual National Committee conference to meet face to face and work through many of the important issues the Club is dealing with, identifying and considering our priorities and challenges. The deadline for this Checkpoint has come a little early for me to be in a position to talk about the agenda of that meeting and what we hope to achieve, but I fully expect to report on its proceedings in the next Checkpoint. I believe it is important for members to have the opportunity—although not everyone is interested in anything more than the next ride—to hear about and contribute to issues the National

Committee is considering.

In some ways, we can continue as we are, offering rides and evolving our various riding agenda in each of the regions. And in other ways, we could consider ourselves at a cross roads determining who we are and in what direction we should be actively directing our efforts. I am keen to hear your views on what you would like out of this Club. You are most welcome to send them to me directly at [email protected] or to post them on the forum or to pass them through your state representatives.

One of the things I think I do bring to the National Committee comes from my professional experience at the Attorney-General’s Department in Canberra in recent years representing the Commonwealth in multi-jurisdictional committees. My role has been to bring together the different views of the Commonwealth and each of the states and territories, often consulting with members of the public and community groups, and seeking to reach agreement on overall directions to be taken. I hope to put some of that experience into play in my role as Audax Australia President. I see National’s role being to provide the framework for endurance riding in its various forms to flourish in each region, reflecting the interests and desires of the members of that region.

My broad approach is to welcome diversity in our endurance riding. To me, there is no room for absolutism—Audax Australia embraces a mixed heritage of endurance riding styles and its Members exhibit a wealth of different riding type preferences. To me, that respect and admiration we have for all types in our Audax family was epitomised in the awarding at the AGM of the 100,000th 300 km brevet award to Matt Rawnsley, one of our very fastest, and to Chris Rogers, one of our self-acknowledged lanternes rouges.

I am very much looking forward to the opportunity this role brings. And wish you all

“Happy Riding…”

Cheers,

Kerri-Ann

with Kerri-Ann SmithNational President Audax Australia

From the President’s Pedals


Since I’ve been a member, news about the doings of the National Committee has come out in various forms. Sometimes it’s been an article by the Secretary in Checkpoint summarising the Committee’s latest doings. Sometimes it’s been an article dedicated to a particular topic such as the recent one on the ride rules then under development. Usually there has been a National Updates entry on our website, and there have been many relevant discussion topics on the Forum.

Communication tools are many and varied. But to me, Checkpoint is a constant and readily referenced source of information. So, in the interests of ensuring information flow as much as possible, I thought I would attempt to provide a brief article each Checkpoint summarising what the National Committee has been up to, what it has on its plate, and seeking members’ input where relevant.

For this, my first Checkpoint as President, I would like to (a) confirm the introduction and operation of the revised ride rules which allow proportionate time limits to be applied to over length rides and allow ride organisers to offer an optional shorter maximum time limit if they choose, and (b) note the introduction of regulations which have been required by various provisions of our new Constitution which was passed at the 2009 AGM and are essentially administrative in nature.

Ride Rule ChangesThe finalised Ride Rules have been published on our website. As outlined in the last edition of Checkpoint, the recent changes are aimed at providing flexibility in organising Brevet Randonneur Mondiaux (BRM) rides. These new rules are completely optional. Ride Organisers (RO) may, but need not if they do not wish, create rides of non-standard nominal BRM distance and allow either BRM or BA time limits and homologation/awards. Likewise, ROs may, but need not, offer an optional shorter maximum time limit and thus the opportunity to ride a daylight 150 or 200 not needing full lighting requirements.

Over length rides. The new rules provide that, for routes up to 50 km over the standard distance for any BRM ride, ROs may, in addition to the regular BRM time limit, apply a time limit based on the actual

distance rather than the standard distance. These time limits are set out in the Rules. If a rider completes an over-length BRM event within the standard BRM time limit, their achievement will be homologated with Audax Club Parisien. However, if their time is between the standard time limit and the longer limit, it will be homologated locally as a Brevet Australia (BA) event.

Optional shorter maximum time limits. The National Committee had previously decided that, for rides with actual distances greater than 215 km, ROs may offer an optional shorter time limit with the prior approval of the National Committee which may set any appropriate conditions.

The National Committee sought member comment on the implementation of the rule for rides of 215 km or less. members provided very little comment on the implementation of the rule other than some expressions of views either for or against the change. Following discussion, the National Committee decided to delegate the power to approve optional time limits for rides of 215 km or less to the relevant regional committee. It did not impose minimum conditions and requirements at a National level which a region or RO must meet before an optional time limit could be approved. The National Committee generally considered that for rides of such length, regional knowledge and commonsense would provide the appropriate level of oversight.

It is a matter now for each region to determine how to implement the new option. ROs wishing to offer an optional shorter maximum time limit should seek the approval of their regional committee providing enough information to allow a decision on whether the optional time limit sought is appropriate. This should include the proposed optional shorter maximum time limit, sunrise and sunset times, start time, and relevant information about the course. It may be helpful to provide any ride results from previous editions of the ride or experiences on those roads which may assist. ROs should allow an adequate period of time for the regional committee to consider the request. Regional committees have been asked to report back to the National Committee on each ride where an optional time limit is approved.

RegulationsThe National Committee has approved regulations which operate in conjunction with the Club’s Constitution. The regulations deal with matters such as classes of membership in addition to those set out in the Constitution (e.g. family and temporary memberships); the election process for National Committee positions; establishing regional committees to represent the regions and delegating to them powers to meet the Club’s purposes in the region; and establishing relevant administrative committees and delegating to their chairpersons—the club’s volunteer administrators (e.g. Membership Secretary, Checkpoint Editor)— the powers to carry out their respective duties .

The regulations will be further developed over time with regional annexures dealing with the operation of regions and committee directions dealing with the operation of committees.

The Ride Rules and the Regulations can be found on our website at: audax.org.au/public/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=87.

National Committee

Committee happeningsKerri-Ann Smith, National President, Audax Australia

www.bicyclephotos.com.au


I arrived in Taupo a couple of days before the event, to scout part of the route and to be well rested before the start. The scouting was unnecessary: the route is signposted thoroughly. When I went out to check the only turn that seemed, from the map and route notes, easy to miss, I found two large signs and a council worker with a broom sweeping away any trace of gravel on the intersection. During the actual event, there was also a marshall stopping traffic and directing riders.

To give the flavour of how lavishly riders are catered for, consider the mountain bike events. The start/finish is on one side of the

main road but the mountain bike tracks are on the other side. They build a temporary bridge over the highway to get the riders across safely.

After trying to sleep and dozing fitfully, I arrived at the start at 1 am. for the 1.30 am start of the 320 km Enduro. About 85 people lined up, mostly Kiwis, with a few Australians and one Czech.

I deliberately held back to conserve my energy because the route starts with a 20 km long climb. I soon found that, despite long and loud requests from the organisers, it was Rafferty’s Rules: I rode for a few

minutes with someone who had a support car driving next to him to light up the road. I also heard tales of support handed out from the back of large vans, with sound systems set up for entertainment and motivation. OK, their event, their rules. After about 40 km, I was amongst the stragglers, but feeling comfortable on the roller coaster of short sharp hills, thanks to my 24 tooth chainring. I was equally comfortable on the descents, thanks to an IQ Cyo LED headlight powered by a Schmidt hub and a narrow beam Ay Up helmet light.

Halfway around the back of the lake, I stopped for my private checkpoint. I had

Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge

A ride with a difference Alan Walker

Over in New Zealand, the Taupo Rotary Club has been organising a mass participation 160 km ride around Lake Taupo for many years. It has grown and evolved into a cycling extravaganza with 11,500 participants in 2009. They have racing, relays and solo rides around the lake, various mountain bike events, the two lap 320 km Enduro and the four lap 640 km Maxi Enduro.

The finish line and timing gate in the main highway through Taupo.


driven out the day before and hidden a bag of pocket food and water bottles behind a tree. It wasn’t necessary, but it was very nice to have.

Day dawned to the familiar sound of magpies warbling.

“Wait a minute, they wouldn’t be native to New Zealand, are they?”

“Damn magpies. Bloody nuisance, the way they swoop in the nesting season.”

“I can give you a couple of tips on how to discourage them.”

“They’re not protected here, we just come back with a shot gun.”

Coming in to the first town on the route, there is a spectacular, steep, winding descent. I am told it has magnificent views of the lake. I couldn’t say for sure: the organisers put up big road-side signs saying “Do not look at the view”. It was good advice and I took it. The last 55 km into Taupo was fairly flat, apart from long, steep Hatepe Hill.

In Taupo, I went to the Caltex Roadhouse checkpoint, where the staff were friendly, helpful and well organised. From there, I rejoined the main route and the main event. After starting with dozens of riders, I was now mixed up with thousands. The various events (one lap, one lap relay, tandems, etc.) have staggered starts to avoid congestion. I started my second lap with the slowest of the single lap and relay riders so for 100 km, I passed hundreds and hundreds of riders without ever being passed myself. This was a huge morale boost. An even bigger boost was the recognition given to the bright yellow Enduro 320 km helmet cap. “Wow, he’s already done one lap!”

By the time I got down to the far end of the lake, I had caught up to slightly faster riders and some of the relay riders started to overtake me. Returning on the mostly flat final 55 km, I was in varying small ever-changing groups of three to five working turns. We were on the right hand side of the lane. The slower riders were two or three abreast, occupying the shoulder and the left half of the lane. North-bound traffic drove along the white line, mostly at under 30 km/h. South-bound traffic was squeezed off the other edge of the road. And which minor country lane is this, you ask? It is the main Auckland to Wellington highway, the New Zealand equivalent of the Hume

Highway. I did not see a single example of aggression or impatience.

At the finish, a marshall took my bike and wheeled it off to the secure parking. By this time, most riders were finished and gone, but there were still hundreds of people in the park with stalls selling food and drink. I bowled up to a sausage sizzle stand and asked for a sausage and onion in a slice of bread. It disappeared in no time, followed by a second.

“How much do I owe you?”

“You’ve just done two laps. I’m not going to take your money”

The Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is a great event. The organisation is excellent. My registration went like clockwork. The scenery is picture postcard perfect, even including snow-covered volcanoes. The traffic management and co-operation between riders and motorists and between riders and riders is a lesson in how Australia could be better. If you want to be treated like a hero, sign up for two laps.

Alan Walker from Bendigo in Victoria has been riding with Audax for many years, on and off. As soon as he heard about the ACE 250, he was determined to qualify for entry but the only qualifying rides he could squeeze in were Fitz’s Epic near Canberra or the Taupo Enduro in New Zealand. To make sure, he entered for both!

Climbing Hatepe Hill, the last and hardest climb in 320 km.


Not one to do things by halves, I chose the 200 km “6 Bumps & 1 Hill” on 8 August at the Gold Coast. “Perfect holiday!”, I thought, being from the cool climes of Albury Wodonga. So I spent hours on the wind trainer and whenever possible got out to do some hills around our region in the cold, wind and rain.

To get to the Gold Coast I learned how to take apart my bike, pack it into a bike box that was bigger than me and smile continuously at airport check-in staff. To meet airline weight restrictions I was left with all my non-bike belongings in a very small carry on bag. At Gold Coast Airport I dragged my bike box whilst sweating profusely in search of my hire car, which seemed to be parked half way to Brisbane. I eventually navigated my way to my accommodation and collapsed, exhausted.

The next day I discovered that taking a bike apart and putting it back together are

actually different skill sets. How does one know that the handle bar angle is exactly the same? I decided a test ride was required. I accosted a very surprised local rider at a set of lights for directions to a suitable course. Once set in the right direction I headed into the hills to make sure the bike was not going to fall apart. Thankfully it didn’t, but I nearly did when I decided to take a different route back and turned a corner to find myself on a monster climb with traffic everywhere. Deciding it was unsafe to stop I kept going and when my heart rate hit 205, partially due to terror, I staggered over the top. Panic set in. I was not ready for the Audax!

The following day was the day before the Audax so I decided to drive the course. Off I went with a very confusing book of maps that seemed to link the map on page 20 with page 258. In retrospect I should have sprung for the Sat Nav. Four hours later I had driven the course. Four hours. To drive.

In a car. By now I was getting a little nervous about what tomorrow would bring.

The night before I diligently checked and double checked my food, drink, equipment, maps, lights, reflective vest. Reflective vest? I had a vest with reflective piping on it but a review of the Audax rules at 7 pm on the Friday night before an Audax is not the time to read the fine print, which stated that this was not acceptable. Thankfully a late opening megastore had a vest which according to the packet had the required bands around the middle. Crisis averted.

Audax morning. Palpitations have set in. It is dark and the first thing I notice is the wind blowing. This is going to be a long day. With a 6.30 am start I arrive at 6 am to meet the race organizer, the delightful Vaughan Kippers. I try to hide my nerves and chat to the small crowd of riders, some who look devastatingly competent with legs as big as my torso and bikes that cost as much as a small car. I am slightly unnerved by the fact that I am the only female rider. Trying to look like I do this sort of thing all the time I set about preparing myself for the day ahead.

I rip open my reflective vest package to discover that the picture was a lie. It was a plain orange vest with no reflective band! Vaughan made soothing noises as he dug around and lent me a spare for the day.

I then went to my gear bag to load up my bike with my carefully planned food and gel supplies, only to discover they were very safely resting in the fridge at the motel. This was definitely going to be a long day! Deciding that starting late was going to be better than trying to ride without nutrition I drove hurriedly back to retrieve my supplies.

My First Brevet

6 Bumps & 1 Hill, 2009Deidre Rennick

After several years of moping with a degenerative hip complaint that resulted in 10 kg of weight gain, I decided it was time to take action and get back on the bike. That was about two and a half years ago and my first ride was 12 km and I could not ride up a hill. I gradually got stronger and decided that long slow distances were going to be my focus. In January of last year I volunteered at the Audax Alpine Classic and was so inspired by the riders at that event I joined Audax and started to plan my first brevet.

Bike packed in box: taking a bike apart and putting it back together are actually different skill sets.


Most riders had left when I finally got back and despite being close to tears I bravely saddled up and left the compound. This was going to be a very, very long day. Surprisingly I caught up with a small bunch which included some of the aforementioned serious looking cyclists. I hung off the back for a while until one dropped back for a chat. I was riding with a group from the Sunshine Coast Cycling Club being led by Audax stalwart John, a senior club member who had enticed the rest of them to come and experience “The Audax Way”.

Thankfully John was the navigator as I realized very quickly that I would have spent more time stopped and looking at maps than riding! I had not thought to mount my map on the handlebar, and I had even forgot to turn on my bike computer at the start so I would have had serious trouble using the kilometre markers. Bolstered by the group’s good humour I sailed over the first of the two bumps. Maybe this was not going to be such a long day after all?

We settled into a rhythm of waiting for each other at the top of every climb, the bottom of every descent and at each junction on the course. This allowed me to feel supported but not molly coddled. I got dropped every time the group rode

on and spent a lot of time on my own, but just knowing that someone was going to be waiting at critical points allowed me to relax and enjoy the sensational Gold Coast hinterland scenery the course had to offer.

At each of our checkpoints, Vaughan was there with loads of food and drink. How he managed to support all riders was a lesson in organisation! Nothing was too much trouble for him. He even drove to a shop to buy a knee brace for one of our group that was struggling with knee pain later in the day.

I grew fonder of my “support crew” the longer we rode. At one point I was struggling across the cane fields in a strong cross wind, when Joe appeared over a rise. He had ridden back to give me some protection across the more exposed section. Ken was a fairly constant companion who chatted continuously whilst I usually only managed some gasped replies. But he kept me focused when I was starting to get fuzzy around the 130 km mark. We teased each other at rest stops about who was doing all the work. I pointed out that I was actually the first over one of the bumps, so laid claim to King Of The Mountain.

Our moment of truth arrived with the last climb of the day. At the 180 km mark,

with a reported 12% gradient, some of us were getting a little nervous about our chances of making it to the top. The banter continued amongst the guys as to who would be first up, but we all settled into our own tempo and mind zone to survive The Hill. I had got myself into such a worry about it, my heart rate was already in the red zone in the first few hundred metres. I decided to stop and give myself a good talking to. A gel shot, a drink and a serious conversation with whatever deity was listening and off I went. The deity came through and I crested the top to the applause of my comrades. I knew then that my challenge would be met. I had conquered my fears, dug deep into myself when I needed to and met some great people along the way.

It was still daylight when we rolled in to meet Vaughan for the last time. I could not believe what I had achieved. We later celebrated with beer and pizza and whilst still intoxicated with our success agreed that we would be back next year.

My first brevet would have been pretty disastrous without the people I met on the day, who shared knowledge, humour and encouragement. I had truly experienced

“The Audax Way”.

Deidre prepares for the Gold Coast.


Sure enough an hour or so later I watch the friendly group of half a dozen crest the second hill and disappear out of sight. Not too long after that I pass a couple of them coming out of the bushes (a hundred metres apart, wouldn’t want you to get the wrong impression here). They call “how you travelling?” as they pass on their way to catching the group and I resist the urge to use the corny “flat out, mate, flat out” line…

A large but relatively slow moving peloton forced me to a halt on the Joondalup Dr roundabout, and I pondered jumping on the back for a bit of a tow. That would be against the rules and I resisted the urge. They are still within striking distance, and I actually consider riding up and passing them for the fun of it. The sun is already starting to affect my brain.

Wow, grasshoppers—hundreds of the little beggars. I’m moseying along heading into Guilderton. I pass Caroline on her way out, and she shouts some encouragement, well I think that’s what it was. And I think it was Caroline. Short time later Nick and co let me know there’s some ice waiting for me in town. Champion.

I top off my water and add as much ice as will fit. My failure of science subjects in high school is again confirmed as I think that at least the ice won’t taste as foul as the water, cause whatever makes it taste foul will separate out as it freezes, won’t it? Blech… The grasshoppers sting as they end their pointless little lives fleeing the mighty speeding bullet that is my tricycle. Well they hurt as they hit me while I’m descending back to Wanneroo Rd anyway.

The lady at the Gin Gin café kindly refills my water bottles with something closer to potable water as young Sebastian signs off my brevet card. Lightning strikes nearby and it starts to rain as I leave. I depart right on time.

The rain cools me and the road off nicely, making the climb to the top of Bindoon Hill that little bit more bearable. I turn off at the Catholic Ag College as the last of the water is evaporating off the road. I’m beginning to recognise that I haven’t been drinking enough and ponder that the rain has probably saved my bacon.

As I descend the six or eight kilometres into Toodyay the elevation profile keeps popping into my head. I know I’m going to be paying for this very shortly. I also know that the nausea I’m feeling is a result of the failure to drink more at the start of the ride. I force myself to eat, but know that I’m not

only short on kilojoule intake but playing catch-up on the fluids as well. I arrive in Toodyay half an hour down.

Why is it that all the descents heading towards Clackline are nicely shaded? I mean, I’m climbing at about ten kilometres per hour, and descending at three or four times that. Why couldn’t the shady bits be where I need them? Stupid trees. Stupid hot road. Stupid awful tasting food. Stupid everything. Hmmm, methinks I’m getting dehydrated.

I ride into Bakers Hill just as the bakery closes, now an hour behind. I don’t bother to leave the highway and just stop to write the time on my brevet card. I continue on knowing I don’t have chance of finishing before dusk. Hey, was that John’s bike on the back of that white Magna? Hope he’s OK…

I descend into Midland feeling the full effects of too little fluid and not enough kilojoules. It’s about an hour after sunset and I know the reasons why. But I still manage to push 30 km/h through to Bayswater. As the drunken yobs smash things and abuse each other, the Transit Guards look on, and I load the trike onto the roof of the car. 314 km and sixteen hours after leaving. And I’ve left 4.5 kg out on the road somewhere…

Audax WA ran the Dawn til Dusk series last year, and the idea caught Glen’s attention but not attendance. Having decided to test his legs on the first of the series he discovered that “drinking and eating can be harder than you think”.

Dawn to Dusk Summer 300

The general ramblings of a recumbent tricyclistGlen Lacey

Standing in the pre dawn light looking around at the assembled handwavium and unobtanium bikes, I ponder the thought of another ride on my own. Not that I mind. I rode the first sixty or so kilometres of the ride last week and know that the gentlemen now discussing the unsuitability of the steel touring bike are going to be dropping me on the first small hill on Pinjar Road. My 17kg tricycle climbs hills at a more

“relaxed” pace.

Why is it that all the descents heading towards

Clackline are nicely shaded? Why couldn’t the shady

bits be where I need them? Stupid trees. Stupid hot

road. Stupid awful tasting food. Stupid everything.

Hmmm, methinks I’m getting dehydrated.


Buckley’s Ride

Survival!George Judkins

In 1803 convict William Buckley escaped from a settlement near present day Sorrento. He survived for 32 years in the Port Phillip region living with the aboriginals. On the last day of January 2010 Chris Rogers ran Buckley’s Ride.

Buckley’s Ride is a 219 km circumnavigation of Port Phillip Bay that for any experienced randonneur would normally be quite straightforward and routine. A flat and scenic ride ride with no real hills to speak of.

About a dozen riders left an Albert Park carpark just after twilight on their counterclockwise circuit of the bay. Gale force crosswinds dominated much of the trek to Queenscliff with an occasional

direction change bringing the wind behind to accelerate riders to higher speeds. The temperature rose steadily during the morning so when riders arrived at the ferry the mercury was already above 30°C. The ferry crossed a very choppy bay to drop the riders at Sorrento for the return leg up the east side of the bay back to Melbourne. The afternoon was a scorcher with the temperature around 36°C or so with a hot strong wind generally retarding one’s progress and sapping ones strength. A cool change finally brought relief and assistance to some of the riders late in the afternoon.

I am sure all riders felt they had been challenged on this ride with some us even suffering, but surviving, in the trying conditions. Congratulations to all riders and survivors. Thanks to Chris for organising the ride.

Albert Park in the morning twilight.

Online

Web tidbitsTasty morsels from the Interwebs…

Aushiker: Bicycles Tires—Summary of my experienceswww.aushiker.com/2010/01/bicycles-tires-summary-of-my-experiences

“The topic of tires and tyre choice comes up frequently in the Australian Cycling Forums and it occurred to me that a summary page would be a good way to share my experiences, hence this post.”

Dave Moulton: The Invisible Cyclistdavesbikeblog.squarespace.com/blog/2010/2/8/the-invisible-cyclist-part-i.html davesbikeblog.squarespace.com/blog/2010/2/11/the-invisible-cyclist-part-ii.html

“So often a car will turn or pull out in front of cyclist causing serious injury, then claim, ‘I didn’t see him.’ The cyclist might ask, ‘Am I invisible? I am wearing a bright lime green jacket.’

Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute: Cheap or Expensive Bicycle Helmetswww.helmets.org/testbycost.htm

“We submitted samples of six helmet models to a leading U.S. test lab: three in the $150+ range and three under $20. The impact test results were virtually identical. There were very few differences in performance among the helmets. Our conclusion: when you pay more for a helmet you may get an easier fit, more vents and snazzier graphics. But the basic impact protection of the cheap helmets we tested equaled the expensive ones.”

naomi@Sydney Cyclist: My Audax Alpine Classicwww.sydneycyclist.com/profiles/blogs/my-audax-alpine-classic

“If you are thinking of doing this ride—do it! It is a lovely place to have a family holiday and get some amazing riding in. Did I also mention the cheese and wine in this area…ah so good! ”

pseudonym ponderings: Alpine Classic 2010hamishhenry.wordpress.com/2010/02/01/alpine-classic-2010/

“Don’t vomit… Please make the sun go away… Is that some shade over there? No. Bugger… It cant be long to go now. What? 4kms to climb! Just watch the front wheel – that way the next distance marked on the road will surely be 1km to go… What!? 3kms to go! That wasn’t suppose to happen! I really am going to die…Why am I here? Whose stupid f—ing idea was this? ”

Spokesong: Ozspokesong.blogspot.com/2010/01/oz.html

“Chris Rogers reminded us that it was a social ride (indeed) and we were off, The Sydney Chapter of Audax led us in a large peloton out of Sydney and then you were on your own.”

225373

Park StreetOld South Head Rd

South MelbourneNorth Bondi

03 9682 393902 9130 2349

MELWAYSSYDWAYS

2K - D368 - R3

NEW MELBOURNEADDRESS


There is a ‘crowd-sourced’ mapping project called OpenStreetMap (www.openstreetmap.org), which is committed to capturing this raw data, building a free street-level map of the entire world. The map data—the facts about what things appear where on the globe—is gathered and entered by thousands of volunteers using a wiki style editing system. This data is made freely available for reuse, and a number of projects have sprung up using the data to service specific needs. A cycling specific rendering of the map is available at OpenCycleMap, where cycle paths show up heavily emboldened to catch the eye. There is also OpenMtbMap, another cycling version for mountain bikers looking for single-track to play on, and similarly there is now OpenPisteMap for the skiing fraternity.

OpenStreetMap is different to the online map products from Bing, Google, Yahoo! or WhereIs, in that the map data is available to everyone, for whatever purpose they want (it’s “open” or “free-as-in-freedom”). Anyone can put in the locations and names of roads, footpaths, railway stations, or whatever else is important to them. And people can immediately respond to changes on the ground, so the data is the most up-to-date information available. Maps created from the data are available to browse on the Internet (just like other online maps), but they can also be downloaded and used for any purpose. And if you don’t like the way the provided maps look, you can download the data and create your map, your way. There are many places on the Internet where you can look at maps without charge, but that’s all they usually allow you to do—you cannot re-use the map, modify it, publish it on your own web site or print it in a leaflet. To do any of that, you would have to obtain a license, which usually costs money. And if you spot a mistake in your area, the process to get it corrected is lengthy.

Aside from the online maps like OpenCycleMap, a useful application of OpenStreetMap for distance cyclists who have have a GPS cycling computer (such as a Garmin Edge 605/705), you can download a compatible map image to put on it (that saves $400 from the Garmin Topo and City Navigator maps). The same applies for Magellan or TomTom units. Many other online or applications

also now use OpenStreetMap embedded within them, reusing this raw map data in innovative ways.

To create the map of Australia, a number of volunteers have already begun mapping the roads and rivers, but now they need help in adding details of street names and local amenities such as

restaurants, hospitals, cinemas, and cycle paths. Whilst tools such as GPS receivers and digital cameras

are useful for advanced mapping, simply having access to the Internet will allow you

to contribute by checking and editing the maps and to add that all-important local information. The only real requirement is that the information is ‘first hand’ from observation or local knowledge and that it

is not copied from restricted sources (such as printed maps or online services).

Most smart phones have OpenStreetMap applications, for example the Apple iPhone has apps including MapZen POI, iLOE and

OSMTracks. Using one of these make it very easy to check or add items to the map whilst in

the field.

Have a look at the project website which has much more information and documentation on ways to use the data and also to contribute; it’s online at wiki.openstreetmap.org and includes a useful beginners guide.

As randonneurs, there are probably plenty of ways you can utilise and contribute to the OpenStreetMap effort, because distance cycling gives an intimate knowledge of the landscape you are riding through. In addition as we also tend to ride the ‘road less travelled’, the localities visited are less likely to have been otherwise comprehensively mapped. So please consider donating this knowledge to the project, you’ll be helping it become even more useful and relevant to everybody, including those fellow cyclists trying to build a cue sheet for an Audax ride through back-country lanes.

Chris is an Audax member in Brisbane. On OpenStreetMap his username is chas66.

Tips & Techniques

Maps for distance cyclistsChris Barham

As distance cyclists we are reliant on maps, and in the Internet age there are, thankfully, any number of online resources to access them. There are also a number of cycling specific sites, such as ridewithgps.com, bikely.com and bikeroutetoaster.com. These allow us to find a ride route, or plan a route using map interface, and generate a cue sheet of the route or GPX data file for loading into GPS enabled cycle computers. Underlying all these services is the raw map data, which should be up-to-date, correct, comprehensive and freely available for us to use.


NOUVEAU RANDONNEUROne ride each of 50 km, 100 km and 150 km within a single season.

Peter BarlowLinda BostelaarGeoffrey ChristmasGregory DaveyDavid EllisMark ScraggTim Taylor

PERCY ARMSTRONGOne ride of each of 50 km, 100 km, 150 km and 200 km within a single season.

Bruce BaehnischMarie BagleyAlan William BakerGregory DaveyHoward DoveHans DusinkDavid EllisTrevor GosbellBarry HahnelGeorge JudkinsDave MinterRebecca Morton (× 2)Pauline NicholasPepe OchoaFrank PreyerMatthew RawnsleyFraser RowePaul RussellTim TaylorGlen ThompsonGrant Tudor

SUPER RANDONNEUR (ACP)A 200 km ride, a 300 km ride, a 400 km ride and a 600 km ride within a single season. No longer-for-shorter substitutions.

Garry ArmsworthAlan William BakerStephen ChambersPeter CurtisPeter DonnanHoward Dove (× 3)Hans DusinkGareth EvansGeorge JudkinsBob McHughRebecca Morton (× 3)Pepe OchoaFrank PreyerChris RogersFraser RoweKerri-Ann SmithTim TaylorMarcus ThieleGarry Wall

SUPER RANDONNEUR (Audax Australia)A 200 km ride, a 300 km ride, a 400 km ride and a 600 km ride within a single season. Longer-for-shorter substitutions allowed.

Peter BarlowStephen ChambersAlan DicksonJohn FitterPeter HealGeorge JudkinsLeigh PatersonMartin PearsonOliver PortwayMatthew RawnsleyChris Rogers (× 2)Richard ScheerBarry StevensonTim TaylorLisa TurnerKevin WareStephen Watson

SARAH MADDOCK 5005 × 100 km rides within a single season.

Geoff BagleyMarie BagleyRobyn CurtisDiane DaniellGregory DaveyHans DusinkLibby Haynes (× 2)George JudkinsGreg MartinSteve MurphyLeigh PatersonAdrian Whear

IRENE PLOWMAN 10005 × 200 km rides within a single season.

Garry ArmsworthGeoff BagleyAlan William BakerAlan DicksonHoward Dove (× 3)Hans DusinkDavid EllisTrevor Gosbell (× 2)George Judkins (× 3)Rodney KruzGreg Martin (× 3)Dave MinterRebecca Morton (× 3)Martin Pearson Steve PetersMark ScraggTim TaylorGlen ThompsonMaggie Tran (× 2)Adrian Whear

DIRT AWARDA 35 km dirt ride, a 70 km dirt ride and a 100 km dirt ride within a single season.

Howard BrandisPhillip EmslieBrian GavanTim LaugherDave MinterDino MorganteSteve MurphyChris RogersGarry Wall

Awards 2008/09Enid Halton

Year Round Randonneur AwardGarry Armsworth

The 2009 Audax year was the inaugural season for the Year Round Randonneur award. To be eligible for the award, a member must ride at least one 200 km or longer brevet every month of the Audax year.

Fifteen members achieved this feat and as a group racked up (in 200 km or longer events) 85,580 km and 314 brevets with two members achieving 10,000 km and over 30 brevets each!

Congratulations to the inaugural recipients:

Garry ArmsworthNick DaleAllan DicksonHoward DoveHans Dusink

Trevor GosbellGeorge JudkinsDouglas KennedyTim TaylorGreg Martin

Rebecca MortonRicky O’BrienMatthew RawnsleyChristopher RogersKevin Ware


MULTI-SEASON AWARDSWOODRUP 5000

Super Randonneur, 1000 km, 1200 km (non-PBP), Fleche Opperman, and 950 km of other road rides.

Jim Chant (#76)Peter Donnan (#75)

JOSEPH PEARSON 2000100 km and 200 km rides for a minimum total of 2000 km.

Geoff BagleyRobyn CurtisHoward DoveHans DusinkDavid EllisGreg MartinDave MinterRebecca MortonLeigh PatersonMatthew RawnsleyTim TaylorGlen ThompsonMaggie Tran

ARTHUR RICHARDSON 3000300 km, 400 km and 600 km rides to a minimum total distance of 3000 km.

Peter CurtisHoward DoveRebecca MortonTim Taylor

FRANK WHITE 5000Super Randonneur and 3500 km of other rides within four seasons.

Garry ArmsworthPeter CurtisHoward DoveHans DusinkGeorge JudkinsRebecca MortonMatthew RawnsleyKevin Ware

Award descriptions shown here are indicative only. The complete award rules can be found on the Audax Australia website under About Audax > Ride Rules.

Audax Club Parisien

100,000 × 300 kmGarry Armsworth

In the 2008/09 Audax year, Audax Club Parisien homologated the 100,000th 300 km brevet. To celebrate the achievement of this milestone in randonneuring, Audax Club Parisien asked each country before the start of the 2009 year to nominate a “great randonneur”, who would do a 300 km BRM in 2009, to receive a special award along with an homologation number close to 100,000.

The National Committee after much deliberation nominated two members: Chris Rogers and Matthew Rawnsley. The awards were presented at the AGM in Bright although Chris as it transpired was not able to collect his on the day as he was still out on the road putting up signs for the Alpine Classic as part of the volunteer team.

The National Committee felt that Matt and Chris epitomised the great randonneur—even if they are in many respect the complete opposites in riding style. Matt has been an active randonneur for many years having ridden Audax events across the world including Japan; he’s one of only four Australians to have completed four or more PBPs; he’s regularly at the top of the list for most Audax kilometres ridden each year. Matt likes to ride fast (he completed PBP ’07 in 60 hr 40 min) and to push himself to personal bests. He was the first rider in on this year’s ACE250 but he’s also happy to accompany other less experienced riders when doing a long BRM.

Chris meanwhile takes pleasure in the journey and the time limit is the only important time; Chris completed PBP ’03 with a couple of hours to spare and while he didn’t get to Paris–Brest–Paris in 2007 he did ride four (yes, 4) super randonneur series in that year. Chris also features prominently in the most Audax kilometres list each year. Chris and Matt also received the inaugural Year Round Randonneur award in 2009.

Congratulations Chris and Matt.

Matt Rawnsley holding the ACP plaque. The inscription reads:

“Homologation du 100 000e Brevet de Randonneurs Mondiaux de 300 km Audax Club Parisen 2009 Matthew Rawnsley”


The weather was perfect with a mild temperature of about 25º but with some foreboding dark clouds hanging over and obscuring the mountains from view. Travelling along the Ovens river valley through Germantown, Freeburgh and Smoko to Harrietville was an absolute delight in the mild weather and the fantastic scenery.

The climb to Hotham begins abruptly as the road swings steeply upward through

the tall timber on the lower slopes of Mt Hotham and continues at an average gradient of 6.6% until “The Meg” a 400 m section of 9% about 5 km into the climb. The ascent through this section is very pleasant amongst the forest scenery and settling down to a rhythmic pace is natural and allows you to take in the atmosphere.

After about 10 km of climbing there is a long false flat allowing easy riding and relatively fast speed. This is actually quite

a long section and gives a different aspect to the roadside views with some areas being remarkable similar to the Mt Buffalo road.

The third section of the climb is also about 10 km long at an average of 5% but with CRB hill and Diamatina Rise included and both at about 10% grade. As we climbed this section the cloud closed in and the temperature dropped noticeably. Part of the temperature drop was of course due to the altitude and cloud cover but a long sleeved

Raid Alpine

La Première1–2 January 2010Keith Lowe and Stephen George

After driving up from Melbourne we arrived at Howitt Park in Bright at about 10.30 in the morning to meet up with Keith for a heart starting cappuccino before heading for the hills…

Stephen enjoying the varied scenery at Dinner Plain.


jersey was no longer enough protection on the two steep decent sections or when travelling on the relatively low grades. At times it was quite eerie climbing enveloped in the whiteout with only 50 m or so of visibility and the twisted trees of the higher slopes by the side of the road for company. The visitor centre at Hotham Heights was a welcome stop for a cuppa and lunch but the temperature gauge outside was obviously on “the blink’ showing a balmy 21º. (The bureau records show a max temp of 12.6 with 99% humidity) Our fabulous support crew of Eryl and Elizabeth were waiting at the control with rolls, cakes and hot drinks which were all much appreciated.

We started the undulating run towards Dinner Plain with two layers and a vest but the weather on the back side of the mountain quickly became very different as the cloud lifted and the sun heated things up. The scenery of alpine meadows is very different to the Bright side of the hill and continues beyond to more open farmland. Even the forested areas are somehow a different character. Overall the descent into Omeo is fabulous and not technical allowing quite high speeds without complicating dangers. The down side of the run to Omeo is that there are a couple of significant undulations requiring a good climbing effort.

In Omeo we stayed at the basic but comfortable Colonial Motor Inn and enjoyed a magnificent meal with Eryl and Elizabeth at Mesley’s Restaurant.

Overnight there was a substantial storm with rainfall in the area of about 40 mm and it was still raining heavily and quite cool when we had planned to leave. We decided that a sleep in and extended breakfast was in order so that we had a chance of a relatively dry start. In the event the rain stopped for our revised 8.00 start time so we proceeded on the Omeo highway with only one medium climb up the gap on the way to Angler’s Rest. The overnight rain had caused frequent washouts of the table drains by the side of the road with significant gravel and debris right across the road and in some places the drain was blocked resulting in water over the road as well. The cuttings also suffered in the storm with many rock falls having to be avoided and a few needing to be cleared for the safety of any traffic. This road is overall pretty good and quite friendly to share with the occasional motorised transport (usually 4WD). The first plank bridge we came to is unfortunately at the bottom of a ripping descent so coming to

a stop was a disappointment. When you see the gaps between the planks there is no other option but to stop and walk across. The bridge is easily visible from the long sweeping descent. The scenery through this section is spectacular with great views of the Big River cutting through the valley below the road.

The newly paved Bogong High Plains road turns steeply off the Omeo Highway at a considerable grade. We had heard some horror stories about this climb but while it is a decent effort it is no match for an ascent like Baw Baw. The average grade of the first sections seemed to be similar to The Meg or CRB Hill except that the grade was unrelenting for what seemed like several kilometres. Even beyond the initial steep section the hill continues as a significant climb with a few relieving parts for about 10 km. The road surface was also discussed as being ‘difficult’. While the road surface is

no superhighway we felt that it is also not as bad as has been painted. There were many places where there was loose gravel but these were easily avoided. In some significant sections the road appears to be corrugated with a pitch that feels like your wheels are eccentric, particularly if you are out of the saddle climbing some of the steeper parts. Good tyres at the correct pressure are as important here as good brake blocks were on the Hotham descents. The Hotham and Falls creek roads also had sections with gravel and some major potholes between Raspberry Hill and Falls Creek,

The forest through this section is different again from the two sides of Hotham and appeared to have more wildlife and particularly more flies including some vicious march flies! By the time we started the ascent here the morning cool had gone and climbing certainly raised the body temperature. The chance of a cooling spray

A cooling spray was well appreciated.


part way up the climb at Shannonvale was well appreciated as we investigated one of the proposed water points for the ACE250. Cooling neck scarves1 were an essential for keeping body temperature under some sort of control and are highly recommended. It’s also notable that water should be taken on at every opportunity as this ascent will require every drop you can carry. A water pack (Camelbak or similar) would be ideal.

Once you get to Trapyard Gap the scenery starts to change again and the grade becomes quite friendly on the run into Raspberry Hill and then across the high plains to Falls Creek. The wind is a big factor as you ride the plains as the ~30 km/h WNW winds were quite “character building” (apologies to Peter ‘NancyBoy’ Annear for stealing the quote).

The descent from Falls Creek is absolutely fabulous. Much more technical than the back side of Hotham it is a challenge and a thrill that needed to be approached with due care and several layers as well as a vest to keep the cold out. After Bogong the layers were no longer necessary but the descent was still on as the wind suddenly changed from cold to hot—very strange.

Climbing up Tawonga Gap on the homeward leg seemed a doddle after the back side of Falls earlier in the day and the magnificent vista over Mt Beauty and the valley from Sullivans Lookout was a delight.

The Raid Alpine is a fantastic opportunity to see some pretty and remote places while providing some challenging and exciting cycling. It is very achievable either as a raid or as an event such as the ACE250 provided that you are properly prepared. Certainly it

1. Scarf with gel or some other substance that takes on water. Commercially available through bushwalking type shops.

is imperative to have an ‘Audaxian’ outlook and manage the ride with regard to clothing, protection, equipment, water and fuel.

We rode at a touring pace without pushing either the climbs or descents and stopped to take in the sights and took leisurely refuelling stops. The Bright–Omeo leg was completed in 6.5 hours at an average 23 km/h (4.45 “wheel” time) and the Omeo–Bright leg in 8 hours at an average 22.5 km/h (6.10 “wheel” time) with a few additional stops to reconnoitre for the ACE 250.

This raid was most ably supported by our wonderful wives Eryl and Elizabeth and we thank them heartily.

Plank bridge at the bottom of a ripping descent: coming to a stop was a disappointment.

Tawonga Gap seemed a doddle after the back side of Falls.

Keith has had a passion for “the wheel” since he was 12 years old. An Audax member since the mid ‘80s, he rode the 1991 PBP in 69 hours, was Victorian and National Calender Co-ordinator for two years and is now heavily involved with the Alpine Classic as well as running other rides.

Stephen rediscovered cycling in Singapore in the late 1990s. Returning to Australia, he joined Audax in 2001 and learned the joys of distance cycling and the marvel of the AAC. Stephen rode the 2007 PBP and is heavily involved with the organisation and operation of the Alpine Classic as well as running the Alpine Delight.


Run along the same lines as the famed French event of the same name, the Semaine consisted of six days of touring style rides from a central hub at Bright Football Club, followed by an optional two-day Raid Alpine event along the Alpine Classic Extreme 250 km route.

This year’s event was run in the lead up to the Alpine Classic weekend and attracted around 100 riders.

I had an absolute ball at the Semaine Fédérale: nothing to worry about other than eating, riding and talking about riding and eating with like-minded folk for a whole week. It’s the sort of lifestyle work gets in the way of.

Each day started with a gourmet cooked breakfast at the Bright Football Club, followed by an easy ride of between 9 km and 41 km, a medium ride between 50 km and 60 km or hard ride of between 75 km and 130 km.

The routes catered well for those seeking some last-minute familiarisation with some of the Alpine Classic climbs as well as those who were after a more social than a physical week of riding. I picked a mix of the two, harder early, easy later, hopefully gently tapering my effort before my first Alpine Classic 200 km.

Breakfast was generally the only time of the day all of the riders were roughly in the one place, a chance to review day’s riding and linger and tell tall stories over the excellent maps and slap on some sunscreen for the ride ahead. There was no set start time for the rides so folk freewheeled out as the mood took them or digestion allows.

Once on the road the mile-eaters quickly disappeared into the distance and the more leisurely pedallers contemplated the short hops to the next ice cream shop or similar distraction.

A more than adequate lunch was provided by a smiling volunteer at the midway checkpoint—happily often a bakery—for riders each day before the amble home.

Riders are issued with a ride passport to record their travels. It is possible to qualify for a brevet on the longer rides if one doesn’t hang about too much, but for the casual tourists the stamps are souvineers rather than records of gritty audax achievement.

Bright lends itself to this style of riding well. The much-loved Rail Trail enables gentle explorations well supported by interesting stopping places and side trips.

Of course one can take things to extremes at either end of the effort scale, late in the week one leisurely quartet I accompanied took seven hours to cover 20 km—distracted along the way by a winery, a berry farm, the winery once more before repairing for lunch at a cafe and dropping in on friends before the slow spin home. No brevet for them!

Back in Bright there was plenty to do in the evenings, with a bar operating out of the football club, a film night for kids big and small, a bush band, bike polo demonstrations and a trivia night. Gareth and his team of volunteers did a superb job of organising this inaugural event, long may it grace our calendar. I recommend it to all.

David Killick is a Hobart journalist. He raced on the road and track in his teens, spent his 20s off the bike before discovering Audax riding as a good way to keep off the cigarettes, not get too round from the beer and talk rubbish with some like-minded lairs while seeing some wonderful countryside.

Semaine Fédérale en Australie

Too much is barely enoughDavid Killick

There’s an old saying that too much of a good thing can be wonderful—and the first running of the Semaine Fédérale en Australie proved to be just that.

The Rail Trail Cafe at Porepunkah—hard to go past on the way back from a ride.


This year’s Alpine Classic was the 25th year of operation but only the 24th running, as the event was burnt out in 2003, which serves to remind us as organisers just how harsh the alpine environment can be. In addition we added the ACE250, the first mass cycling event to use the new Bogong High Plains Road, and the high completion rate over 98% is testament to the planning and responsible approach we took to this new event.

A huge thanks to our loyal band of volunteers and riders who make the pilgrimage each year to Bright. This year we made considerable investment in equipment and systems, and community projects, and hopefully we will reap the benefits of our investment in future years. These included:

Electronic TimingThis year we introduced electronic timing

at four points thought out the event, which

included the start and finish. Consequently, soon after we were able to post rider’s times and splits onto our web site where riders could download an online certificate with their times displayed. The plan is in 2011 to automate all controls and have real time web reports on display

IMI TechnologyOur in house developed IMI (“I made

it”) technology worked extremely well from Falls Creek and Mt Buffalo. Basically, riders’ wristbands were scanned on arrival at these controls and SMS messages were sent to each rider’s nominated mobile phone numbers to alert their family and friends of that rider’s progress. Over 2300 SMS were sent during the day. Special thanks to Ewen Hill, who not only developed the system but also was available throughout the year to further develop our online booking system and take my many calls and emails.

Community InvolvementThe Alpine Classic is now one of the

Alpine Shire’s largest single tourist events. We share the stage with the “Rod Run”, an annual get together of Hot Rods from across the country. While we make strange bedfellows we do share some common qualities: both are run by small non-profit organisations and are both based outside of Bright. And both inject far more cash into the town than they take out.

In addition, we used local service clubs in Bright and Mt Beauty to man controls and this year we paid for the training of ten Mt Beauty Rotary Club members to gain Traffic Control certificates, which apart from involving employment on our event gives them a skill that will allow the club to be employed at other events throughout the area.

Audax Alpine Classic

Alpine Classic in reviewPhil Bellette, Alpine Classic Ride Director

On Monday it snowed down to 1600 m. On Tuesday, just to remind us it wasn’t a one-off, it snowed down to 1500 m. By Friday it was back to a stifling 40°C. But on ride day, Sunday 24 January we were blessed with 32°C in Bright, 20°C in Omeo and 16°C in the Alps.

Figure 1: Average race entrant age for the six distances (+/- 1 standard error).

Figu e1

Ride Distance

Entr

ant A

ge


Finally, the riders at this year’s Alpine Classic raised $65,000 for our benificary partner OCF.

ThanksLastly, I would like to take this

opportunity to thank out-going National President Garry Armsworth for his support during his term as President. Garry assisted in many areas namely dealing with UCI, Cycling Australia, rule changes, intellectual property and fostering our relationship with Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge.

70 km 72 Km 130 km 140 km 200 km 250 km

Average time taken 4.20 4.06 6.42 7.35 10.26 12.20

Minimal time taken of top 1% 2.43 2.14 4.35 3.41 7.13 8.53










Figure 2: Finish times by percentile

Yes, it really was this good! Back-o-Falls on the ACE 250.Ph

oto:

Top

s Sho

ts (w

ww.

bicy

clep

hoto

s.com

.au)


Derek, Kim and co. did a great job on the Saturday checking lights. They have some funny stories to tell. As experienced Audaxians we take so much for granted in relation to lighting. For example I had an email asking if the lights had to be mounted on the bike for the light check or could they just bring the lights in their pocket and show them.

Those that started at 4 am were impressed by the number of folk that got up to cheer them on their way. It was an impressive sight to see the riders heading-off down the road ablaze, a la PBP. The first mass ride in Australia under lights.

Those that chose the 4 am start were blessed with a glorious sunrise over the mountains as they ascended Hotham. The two new checkpoints in Dinner Plain and Omeo worked well.

Lots of comments were made on how beautiful the road is along to the Omeo

Highway to the Bogong High Plains Road turn off. Even more comments (some not printable) were made on the climb at the Back-o-Falls.

All the feedback on the ACE 250 has been very positive with some even wanting the third peak to be included: Buffalo.

Of the 500 who registered, 412 were confirmed on the Sunday before the ride and on the day 366 started. 360 finished. Many of the 500 chose to do the shorter Alpine Classic rides as they were not able to put in the training required or life’s circumstances changed which meant they could not make it.

Some of the ride distance changes and the extraordinary high completion rate for the ride was due in no small part to the qualifying process and the forum that was established (available on the website under News/Magazines > Forum > Events > ACE250).

Some of those who rode the route prior to the event generously posted their experiences on the forum. This provided essential information and advice on topics such has how to train for the ride, how to ride the ride, appropriate gearing, etc. With access to this information, supplemented by bulk emails and letters, riders could make informed decisions about the the difficulty of the ride and their ability to complete it.

Post ride, the forum now has posts on riders experiences. Some have provided their HR/Garmin/ROX9 data as part of a poll asking which is harder, AAC 200 or the ACE 250. Looks like the Fitzs Epic is. The forum to-date has had over 5500 views.

Now the support infrastructure is in place to Dinner Plain through Omeo and up to Falls, new ride options and starts become a possibility which the Alpine Classic sub committee of the Victorian Region will contemplate for 2011 in the ongoing desire to keep the Alpine fresh.

Alpine Classic Extreme 250

ACE was…ACE!Alan Tonkin, ACE 250 Ride Director

What great weather for the inaugural ACE 250. Great for bedding in a new ride.

ACE 250 riders enjoyd a glorious sunrise over the mountains before conquering Mt Hotham.

Phot

o: T

ops S

hots

(ww

w.bi

cycl

epho

tos.c

om.au

)

Photos over the page1. At the bottom of the back of Falls climb, Cameron Ainslie and Tom Boogert pause to reflect on what they are about to receive. [Photo: Garry Armsworth]

2. Whizzing down from Tawonga Gap.

3. This father and son pair “didn’t have time” to take off the knobby tyres, but conquered Mt Buffalo by MTB regardless.

4. Electronic timing was a new feature at this year’s Alpine Classic.

5. ACE 250 lanternes rouges Lisa Turner, Lorraine Allen, and Ray Marsh were honoured in true Audax style at Howitt Park.

6. We all smile when Mt Buffalo is behind us.

7. Beaten in the final sprint?

8. Angelo Cantello’s ol’ Fiat Topolino (Borsaris International Cycling Team’s 1950s support car) led out the 6.20 200km riders.

9. To think there were only six bikes in 1986…

Photos 2, 3, 5, 7, & 9 by Top Shots (www.bicyclephotos.com.au)

❶

❹

❼

❷

❺

❽

❻

❾

❸



Answers to the quizAllan O’Neil

Here are the correct answers to this year’s Alpine Classic Quiz, together with brief explanations. Thank you again to all the contestants who entered. In keeping with the non-competitive values of Audax, there is no declared winner and no prize awarded.

1. The Audax Alpine Classic. US national security authorities maintain that waterboarding and extreme sleep deprivation techniques do not constitute universally recognised forms of torture.

2. Jelly snakes. Real snakes play a vital role in the ecological matrix, relatively few species are poisonous, and even the venomous varieties are dangerous only when surprised.

3. False. A spokeswoman for Mr Abbott said that requiring all asylum seekers to complete the Alpine Classic Extreme in under 9 hours, as a precondition to possible grant of an Australian visa, was “only an idea being raised for possible consideration and debate, not yet settled Opposition policy”.

4. Novalya Zemla in the Russian Arctic, in 1961. There are no definite plans to detonate an even larger thermonuclear device on the Mt Buffalo plateau, reducing it to a pile of smouldering rubble. However an interdepartmental committee is considering a detailed Environmental Impact Statement following the receipt of numerous petitions advocating this proposal.

5. “Bold” or “courageous”. Latin has no known word for “psychopathic”, while the Marquis de Sade was born over 1250 years after the collapse of the Roman Empire.

6. True. A government spokesman explained that although the Prime Minister’s childhood may have pre-dated the inaugural Alpine Classic held in 1986, Mr. Rudd has very clear boyhood memories of undertaking a Long Ride Involving Many Hills, and described Mr Abbott’s criticisms as “carping and un-Australian”.

7. False. Ascending motor vehicles do not have untramelled right of way over descending cyclists and are not exempt from the recently introduced ban on crossing solid single lines. Nor is an exception made for 4WD vehicles bearing multiple Australian flags.

8. “Mt Buffalo Park Entrance: Cars $11, Buses $42, Motorcycles $8.50”. According to the Divine Comedy by the 14th century Italian poet Dante Alighieri, the inscription “Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here” appears on the gates of Hell.

9. True. A spokesman for Mr Brumby explained that the Premier’s time of 13.47 for the AAC 200 was “technically consistent with his promise [to complete the event in eight hours], applying exactly the same tolerances routinely used to measure on-time performance on the Melbourne metropolitan rail network”.

10. C - neither. There are no current plans to construct a centre for research into mental illness nor a hospice for the dying at Dingo Dell.

11. Socio-economic status. Extensive analysis reveals no statistically significant correlation between the cost of a bicycle and the ability of its rider, particularly on descents.

12. The Alpine Classic Extreme. The vast majority of participants in the Hawaii Ironman triathlon, Death Valley Marathon, and expeditions to Mt Everest have a very good understanding of what they are in for. (Note: For this question only, contestants who ignored the multiple choice options and answered “the Bicycle Victoria Three Peaks Challenge” receive double points.)

13. False. In fact Bright’s only licensed brothel was placed in receivership in late January last year due to lack of clientele.

14. True. In a joint statement, Minister Wong explained that the $5,000 grant per cyclist towards purchase of a carbon fibre bicycle was a practical and cost-effective measure for promoting carbon sequestration and preventing dangerous climate change, while Treasurer Swan described the Opposition’s threat to block the legislation as “placing the Government’s entire Economic Stimulus Plan into grave jeopardy”.

15. Powerbars. Dessicated tree bark, fermented llama dung, and petrified yak hide are each considered an edible delicacy by at least one cultural group.

16. False. According to a Media Release issued by the Free Enterprise Institute for Applied Climatology: “The discovery of large piles of ice adjacent to barbeques outside the Falls Creek Tourist Shelter, over the Australia Day weekend in the height of summer, irrefutably proves that claims by global warming alarmists that the Australian Alpine glaciers melted several thousand years ago are totally fallacious and clearly part of a sinister left-wing world government conspiracy”.

17. Childbirth. Unfortunately the adverse effects of epidural anaesthetics on gross motor function render them unsuitable for administration to suffering cyclists.

18. False. An Audax Australia spokesperson categorically denied the rumour, saying “Over the next two years, our focus will be on bedding down the new ACE 250 event; secondly, there would be logistical and safety concerns about the inclusion of Mt Buffalo in yet another route option; and thirdly it would be totally inconsistent with Audax’s communications and marketing strategy to name a hypothetical new ride the Alpine Classic Totally F—ing Ridiculous”.


For my husband and I, it sounded extremely challenging, but fantastic so we thought we’d give it a go.

Once committed, we tried to convince our “thinking cyclist” friends to join us. “I don’t do hills”, they sensibly replied.

We studied the route and profiles. 4000 m of ascent in total, gradients up to 8%! We smartly equipped our bikes with lower gears and started extending our rides to include hills. We researched hydration products, and tested them out by riding up Mt Buffalo, then Mt Buller in 40 degree heat. More intense training followed including a reconnaissance ride over Tawonga Gap three days before. We then thought we were ready.

The actual event lived up to our expectations in all aspects. The weather (mid 20s in the high country) was ideal, delicious breakfasts, and friendly company of other thinking cyclists.

The ascent up Hotham wasn’t so difficult until we got to the steep “pinches” near the top, (“CRB hill” I won’t forget in a hurry) however the spectacular views were worth it. After a rest, and a scenic descent down to Omeo, we were elated to arrive in good time and relax in a bath with a cool drink.

The next day we enjoyed a hearty breakfast, and set off early in the cool air. We enjoyed the quiet scenic route on Omeo Highway for a couple of hours. After Anglers Rest, we turned off to Falls Creek, and the road veered steeply upwards. It was at this moment that we had second thoughts. After a welcome drink stop, we deployed our granny gears and struggled up for 13 km. I must say, I was encouraged by an Audax official who was riding this section in work boots.

It was exciting to be passed by the leader of the one-day “Alpine Classic Extreme”, soon followed by others. If we were the thinking cyclists, then surely these guys were geniuses? Or maybe completely insane! Later I had the pleasure of chatting with a rider who described the one-day event as a “day of hell”. Near Rocky Valley dam, a group of bikies who’d stopped for a breather cheered us on as we passed. I rode coolly past, pretending I was one of the “elite”.

After lunch at Falls Creek, we joined many riders from the other length AAC events and enjoyed the exhilarating downhill run to the heat of the Kiewa Valley. It was hard but “I think we can make it”, we said. Up Tawonga Gap, some cyclists were pushing their bikes, and some had opted for the minibus. When we got to the top, my sister greeted us, waving a large sign of encouragement with our names on it. Too tired to feel embarrassed, we chatted excitedly as it was all downhill from there.

At Bright, a final challenge awaited us. We could not find out where our bags had been dropped off. Even a“ thinking cyclist” would not think to look in the ski-hire shop!

Overall, I think it was a sensational 250 km, including challenges, superb scenery, friendly atmosphere, and great organisation.

Anne and her husband Kelvin live at Upper Lurg in north-east Victoria, in the heart of “good cycling country”. They share an enthusiasm for cycling and travel which has resulted in some memorable cycle-tours both here and overseas. As Audax members of several years, they have discovered that the swiftness of their new road bikes makes longer ride options more achievable. They have set some dates for more Audax challenges in 2010!


The thinking cyclistAnne Ford

“The thinking cyclist’s ACE” was the promo for the recent “Alpine Raid” event, a two-day, 250 km ride over the Alpine Classic Extreme circuit. Semaine Fédérale hosted the ride in conjunction with the 2010 Audax Alpine Classic and offered two breakfasts, cartage of overnight bags to and from Omeo, and AAC support on the second day.

Pat on the backClayton Neil

During late January Audax hosted the inaugural Semaine Fédérale which was a week long cycling festival based out of Bright. The concept allows for riders to choose from a range of cycling routes each day which range from family friendly through to difficult. The event attracted 250 participants and created a great vibe around the town and provided a great deal of colour along our roads as they headed off in different directions each day.

Semaine Fédérale is being developed to be a lead in event to the Audax Alpine Classic which this year had 2500 participants including 460 who tackled the ACE250 which follows the Queen Victoria Ride Route. Combined with the Bonjour Bright Festival which Audax established three years ago, the week is certainly one for cyclists of all persuasions.

Audax deserve a huge pat on the back for putting on such a wonderful event and making further commitment to North East Victoria with the establishment of Semaine Fédérale.

From Murray to Mountains Cycle Tourism Monthly Report, January 2010.

A final thoughtPeter “NancyBoy” Annear

We are so lucky to have an event like the Alpine. It hasn’t happened by accident. It’s because of the wonderful work of every volley and especially because of the tireless work of a very small handful of very important people. I have had the opportunity of being involved in or in close contact with lots of really good cycling events in the last year or so. None of them come close to the Alpine, both as a selection of rides and as an event in itself. Please be very protective of the Alpine and all it stands for, be even more protective of those very important people who make it what it is.

www.blogscrement.com

Brindabella Mountains, CanberraSUNDAY 31ST OCTOBER 2010

(SUNDAY BEFORE MELBOURNE CUP)

Sign-up at www.ocf-fitz.com

OFFICIAL CHARITY PARTNER

HELP OCF MOVE MOUNTAINS...HOWFAR WILL YOU GO?

THARWA CHALLENGE 1300M ASCENT a challenge with some climbing

FITZ’S EPIC CHALLENGE 3300M ASCENT a very serious challenge with lots of climbing

FITZ’S CLASSIC CHALLENGE 2300M ASCENT a daunting challenge with plenty of climbing

REGISTRATIONNOW OPEN

TIDBINBILLA CHALLENGE 800M ASCENT a challenge in hilly country


First Day: An ill windWe are gathered in Dawes Point Park

under Sydney Harbour Bridge, 63 of us, ready to ride to Melbourne. The bikes are all well prepared, varying from out and out racing to touring. Chris the chief organiser briefs us and at 6 am we start rolling west across the Sydney plains. I’m trying to learn who the other riders are, hearing stories, other rides, places, “At Lake Taupo you only need half an hour sleep every 12 hours, it’s been medically proven”.

The first climb starts to bite, the pack thins, it’s harder to hold the wheel in front. And there’s a headwind, need to find someone to share with, but they all drop me on the pinches. Try and find the right pace, group, attitude. Not easy, where are we, Picton? Damn! I was hoping that little town ages ago was Picton. Hey a control, they’re giving out chicken and avocado rolls, “I’ll have one.” “Oh, it’s the last? I’ll have half then. And a fill of water too, thanks”. Back on the bike before the pack leaves me behind again. Turn right, under the railway line, damn but this is steep, not

a nice surface either. Grinding up the ridge towards Hilltop, can’t hold the others, let them go, ride alone.

Other cyclists appear suddenly from behind hang around for a while and move ahead. What’s this, cramps starting? Michael, you are not looking after yourself, first fix the cramps, then everything else you’ve let slip! Dip a wet finger in the little zip top bag of table salt and suck it. Tastes sweet? So you needed it. Then a good shot of water, then a jelly bean, or two. Or four. Better?

Of course. Now get out the squished fly biscuits, they’re all flattened together so tear off hunks and get it in you. That’s better but I’m out of water. Scan the yards as I pass through Hilltop looking for a tap.

Mittagong control at last! That 6 km road in is long, even in a car. I’m stuffed, but I’ve been worse and bounced back, just get a coffee and some food. The barista is having a bad day, talk about slow service. “Can I swap my coffee order for this pint of iced coffee? Thanks.” Chase a rider along the

back of the oval in hopes of teaming up against the headwind. It’s good, we work well together until Marulan. “Turn left to Marulan”, says the instructions. When you get to Marulan (the desolate village) you realise they meant, “Turn left onto the Hume Highway past Marulan”. Ride back onto the highway and what do you find over the next rise? Marulan, the desolate roadhouse. And now my distance measures are stuffed so is this the next instruction,

“Turn left past a graveyard”? I think no and stay on the highway.

They think yes (or they want a food break) and are gone into the roadhouse. So I’m alone again, I won’t worry about missing the turnoff until my speedo shows 7 km. Yep here it is clear as day, Turn left and right to Bungonia, I’ll get a coke there. Oh it’s nothing but a junction in the road maybe not, eat the other half of a sandwich instead. I ride up a beautiful ferny gully, get rained on, get my jacket sweated back off, meet two other riders and we find ourselves on the Braidwood road. How did we get here? Who cares, this is my home

Sydney to Melbourne 1200

Clinging to a thread of hopeMichael James

Michael was one of the survivors of the Sydney to Melbourne 1200. Here’s the story of how he did it.

Under the Harbour Bridge, 63 riders prepare to ride to Melbourne.

Phot

o: A

riane

McC

osh


turf, the green-grocer-baker-bike-shop is this way, follow me.

Lights on, reflective bandoliers on, contact lenses out, glasses on; I’m faffing around so long the others have taken directions from the cafe girl. So at the first intersection they turn and I go straight on. One rider follows me. Too bad for them, a Goulburn local once showed me the quickest way out, straight up Clifford St, across the top of the park, diagonal to the Crookwell road and nip through College lane to Addison St which becomes Gurundah Road.

No-one for miles behind us, they must be lost, sorry about that. We ride 13 km to the unexpected left turn. No Audax sign directing riders, someone’s going to come unstuck here. My conscience prompts me to gather handfuls of wayside wheat and put a line across the wrong road, hopefully it’s pale and wet enough to stay and warn them. At the top of the hill the rain comes in, perfect for a descent, I can’t see a thing. We feel our way down to Bredalbane carefully.

The flashing red lights on the wind generators are a sight. At the bottom we turn left away from Gunning, pray for a headwind, get a strong tailwind, ride 2 km to the railway crossing and do a 180 degree turn into? A headwind. We battle it together. When we get to the hills, we battle hill and headwind together. Once over the ridge I explain that we are now in the “interminable undulations”. The first landmark will be the Crookwell turnoff by which time we are almost at Gunning. I’m wrong, we pass the Hume and Hovell Memorial, definitely a landmark but I don’t know what it means.

Gunning, vegetable rolls, yummy. The lost ones appear as we are ready to head out, so they didn’t lose much time. I don’t ask if they saw the straw. Last leg to Canberra, 64 km of routine riding, quiet road, I tell the landmarks to make the miles pass for my fellow rider. The rain has passed, the wind has dropped, the stars are out, perfect riding conditions for the Cooma road.

After 375 km my body holds me to the promise of a stop, I head straight for home, bath, dinner, rest, heaven.

Second Day: Reality bites.Dryandra hostel: “Native guide heading

out at 5 am, anyone wanting a native guide get ready to leave.” I gather quite a following

and we race off. Too fast and we have a short break while we re-group and get ourselves to rights.

It’s a lightning dawn, we see first light across the lake and it’s full daylight by the time we cross Commonwealth Bridge. A totally pointless scenic tour later and we’re on the Monaro Highway and down to business. I get dropped. A climb and a wander and three Wagga riders join me at Williamsdale, we down pints of iced coffee. At Bredbo we stop at the pancake house. Rocket fuel for cyclists, I ride away ready to lead against the wind forever. Pancakes are the best riding breakfast. When they run the next SM1200 I’ll volunteer to turn on pancakes under the Bridge from 5 am. Just short of Cooma the pancake goes flat, the turn I took at the front proves a little too long and I get dropped. Never mind, it’s just over that hill. The early start put us among the front-runners about tenth in.

Thank God I’m off the Monaro Highway with its headwind, narrow verge and

traffic. The Snowy Mountains highway to Adaminaby is beautiful, quiet, the wind is following and the climbs are not too steep, but after a few of them I’m starting to grind and nod off. I stop for a shot of caffeinated gel and a look at the map. My three Wagga friends appear, and I jump on the bike to join them. They are discouraged, time is passing and we are less than half the distance to Adaminaby. I explain what the map showed me, we are crossing the crest of the ridge, and an organiser told me the descent carries us right into Adaminaby, so we’ll be there soon. At the bottom of the first descent there is a little roller coaster rise, the others change down and set to grind up it, I hold my gear and speed and pass them doing 40 to their 20. Crest the rise still doing 20 and pedal the next descent. Bye-bye, Yahooo, let’s hear it for Gu!

In Adaminaby I head for the disabled toilet as there’s something I need to check out. Hmmmm, less than half way into the ride this is not good, the ridges in the

padding of my Sugoi riding knicks have carved matching deep red welts into both cheeks of my bum. Left side is broken and weeping, right side is just angry. A quick waddle across to the shop for supplies. Try to tape two savlon-soaked folded up handkerchieves to your own bum, not easy. Still it’s reasonably flat and the knicks hold them in place. A sympathetic organiser agrees to give me five minutes head start down the road in case it doesn’t work and I need to be picked up. I’m riding OK so I give him the thumbs up and he heads on up to Cabramurra.

This and the next leg are the crux of the ride, it’s beautiful country and I know this road from taking the kids skiing at Mt Selwyn. I think of all the landmarks we will pass, Connors Hill, Delaney’s Hut (gone in the 2003 bushfires) and that beautiful valley just before Kiandra where the road sidles down before turning left across the snowgrass plain, plunging across the stream and climbing out the other side. I find I can climb much better than the first day, I have found the right pace at last, puffing hard but I can keep it up, even if the top is not just around that corner. I keep it up all the way up Connors Hill which is a long way. I’m winding my way past other cycles, I feel like Contador. Stop on the descent to put on a singlet and bandolier up as the night’s approaching. At Kiandra, my three Wagga friends are huddled behind the snowplow shed drinking tea, they find a cup for me too. Then it’s the climb up to Mt Selwyn. Knowing the road I blitz it, find my pace again and refuse to slow down, it’s not really that long. Turn right down the Link road to Cabramurra. There’s Three Mile dam, somehow in the freezing twilight I refrain from the swim I had planned. At this point my car-based memory is of a road undulating pleasantly through the snowgums all the way to a final climb into Cabramurra. This road plunges down and down. I ride a few more turns down and decide I have accidentally taken the turnoff to Tumbarumba—not where I want to go, so I start walking back up. A car comes down, it’s an organiser, “Yes, this is the road to Cabramurra”, so with misgivings, I plummet down. The misgivings are well founded; the climb back up is vicious, and I’m completely unprepared for this sting in the tail. The others wind past me as I crawl up the endless slope. By this stage my consciousness is flickering like a faulty lightglobe. As we approach the village I see three bikes setting out, I am amazed, I know that if I were to go out on that

Pancakes are the best riding breakfast. When

they run the next SM1200 I’ll volunteer to turn on

pancakes under the Bridge from 5 am.


cold lonely leg in this state I would perish. Once inside, I’m so stuffed I can only pick at my food, manage to get half down and grab the blanket before someone else does, I’m out.

My mobile phone is playing a little tune. It’s the alarm I use for traveling, catching planes, etc. This tune says to me, “Wake up and have an adventure.” I climb out from under the blanket. It’s 11 pm, cutoff, and a last wave of cyclists are arriving. They look like I felt an hour ago. They won’t be out of here before midnight. There is a vicious ascent after Tumut Ponds that will cost me an hour of walking, I need to get going now. I borrow another singlet from an organiser and a pair of leg warmers from a cyclist who isn’t going on. Have a look at the polarfleece in the shop and buy a pair of

fingered gloves. The image of those warm jackets folded neatly on the shelf is going to haunt me for the next five hours. I’m wearing a wool singlet, a thermal singlet, a short sleeved riding shirt, and a good rainproof/windproof jacket, gloves and leg warmers. Nothing in reserve. At the door a rider tells me the wind is up. Does that change my plan? I head off to find out.

My lighting is deluxe, no expense spared and worth every cent. Base light is a hub generator with E3 supernova on the handlebars. Lights the road well and will keep on doing it for as long as I can keep pedalling. Secondary light is an Ay Up narrow beam on the helmet. On high beam and I can see the road surface well ahead even around corners so the descent to Tumut Ponds is easy. On the other side

I make it a kilometre up before getting off and walking. I’m about three quarters of the way up when a cyclist winds his way up with a support car following. I can’t keep up (or think I can’t) so I let him go past. Just before the top Chris drives past and says there isn’t much distance across the top before the descents start. I’m not sure if this is good news or bad news.

From looking at the profile, I thought the ride was mostly undulating until we drop down to the plain. Once down I’ll be good as home, it will be warmer and less windy. Up here the wind is strong, it’s not so much the headwind to be battled as the lack of shelter that worries me. I’m crossing the high country when the bus whizzes past. It’s gone. I meant to ask what’s happening? Who’s behind me on the road? Did any of the other cyclists set out? Now I don’t know and I’m on my own unless they catch me up. The descents start. How many kilometres of screaming downhill are there? 10? 15? The wind is 20 km/h and I’m keeping my speed down to the low 30s but that’s 50 km/h of windchill and I’m not doing any work. I’m freezing. I’m dressed to ride comfortably, even in this cold, but not to descend like this. Once you get hypothermia your judgement goes and so does your ability to recover. I’m cold, trembling gently, how cold can I afford to let myself get? Should I stop and walk down some of the hill? I settle for forcing my screaming arms to hold the brakes even tighter and pedalling against them. Ah the bottom, the sign says, “End of steep descent”. Pray for a climb, I love climbs. Khancoban is still 40 km away and only five of those are out on the flat. What fills the rest of those kilometres? Not descending surely? Please not? What about Tooma Dam? Chris said the climb out of Tumut Ponds was the only climb, but we have to cross Tooma Dam yet. Hey, that rock’s got a brass plate on it, circle around, what’s it say? “Tooma Dam”, good, another landmark passed. Chris was right, it’s a gentle climb out, nothing really. Argh, trucks use low gear again, I hate those signs. Getting cold again, should I turn around and ride up a bit? Start playing that game and you’ll forget which way you’re going. Maybe we have?

This looks a lot like the road we just rode up? No, keep on, that way lies madness, we haven’t turned round we aren’t going to turn round, we’re still heading for Corryong. This pylon, and the last pylon, that ridge, and the shadow of the valley have looked the same for 15 minutes now, weird. I’m going to sleep, do we still have a gel? Stop and get it out of the pod. Hide behind this

Not on the Monaro Highway anymore, thankfully.

Frank on the road to Bell Bridge.


tree eat it. Not much shelter, wash it down with water, don’t want to make ourself sick. While I’m stopped I’m going to make a fire and warm back up, just 15 minutes. The lighter’s not here, where did we leave it, remember it was beside the stuff? So you didn’t put it in? Seems not, I wonder if that’s the final nail in the coffin? Better get back on the bike, no point hanging around here, we only wondered if we should stop anyway. Do you think it’s flattening out? I can see a cyclist ahead, see the little flashing light?

They’re stopped at a junction, is it the Khancoban/Corryong tee? Yes, but it’s not another bike, just a sign. Turn right. Hmmm, right means 30 km to Corryong and a warm bed. Left, 5 km to Khancoban and an all night motel? Pedal, pedal, 30 km is a long way is at this hour of the morning. And it’s another climb. Down here on the flat I’ve gone off climbing, why do we have to climb? Turn left at the tee, a flashing light on the horizon, it’s the hotel, 4.15 am, still running an hour ahead of cutoff, I need to recover from this, “How late can I afford to sleep and still make the next checkpoint?” “I get half the double bed in room 12?” Sounds good to me.

Third day: The miles, the milesHmpf they’ve all ridden off, there’s only

three bikes left. Frank and I hit the road. We have 130 km to ride to Bell Bridge and need to get there by 5 pm.

Shouldn’t be a problem. But as we round the ridge the tailwind turns to a headwind and breakfast in Walwa is actually lunch. It’s 12.30 before we leave and the battle with the headwind begins in earnest. I’m regretting untaping my handkerchief bandages and swapping from Savlon to butt gel. I can’t sit down any more but riding standing up has put me ahead of Frank. No point battling this wind alone, I look back on a straight and there he is, so I stop and wait for him. Let’s combine against this I suggest, but he won’t tuck in close and get any benefit from me leading. Which means he’s not getting the rest he needs to lead even for a fraction of the time. It’s fair enough really, a morning of riding standing up and my legs are on fire and I’m not the steadiest rider in the pack. In the end he moves on as I stop to try some better bandaging. I’m riding last, using the contours for all they’re worth, high gear and dance up the ups, coast anything resembling a down. Keep it above 20, perching side saddle, anything to get some weight off my poor legs, they are stuffed. Get to Bell Bridge six minutes ahead of cutoff. The organiser signs my brevet but when I try to retire he

gives me the first commandment of Audax with more conviction than Moses: “Never give up when hungry.” He has another piece of Audax wisdom too, the best bandages I’m going to find out here are women’s pads. Without hope I head for the local nothing deli/shop.

Have a milkshake, and another. A boy appears riding on trainer wheels. He tells me I am riding a “wobbly bike”. The shop-owner and I survey her limited stock. I head back to the public toilet to “pad up”. It’s more comfortable but I still can’t sit down, even on the smooth concrete surface of Bell Bridge.

With the milkshakes and rest my legs are good again and I’m wondering if I could finish the day by riding fast for 50 minutes and resting 10. The organiser’s car is by the road and they’re cheering to see me riding again. I pull over to ask if there is a clinic or somewhere I could get better bandages. He asks if another saddle might help? We look at each other as the brilliance of this

suggestion sinks in. Even just a new set of pressure points is a new lease of life for me. Out come the allen keys and a couple of test rides later we have set the nose a click higher and the seat-post up 5 mm to allow for the sag of the new saddle. I don’t know it until the un-consulted and irate owner appears at the finish, but I have just been lent a brand new out of the box Selle Anatomica, and it’s probably the only make of saddle that can help me at this stage. What I do know as soon as I sit in it is that this is what an Audax saddle should feel like. Even with the skin rubbed off under my sit-bones my poor worn bum gives a (small) sigh as it is cradled, spreading the load over the entire area evenly. Compared to this, my old saddle is like sitting on a bread board.

So I’m back on the bike but it’s almost 7 pm and I still have 200 km to do today and another 200 tomorrow. Who cares, this is great, I can ride again! Fang it down through Bonegilla, bypass Albury, turn left level with Wodonga, head for Yackandandah flat out. Legs are good, I’m in the saddle, sitting

in it instead of on it seems to be giving me more power.

Or perhaps it’s the tailwind. Fly across the flats, eat up the climbs, I’m starting to plan again, I need to make Yackandandah for dinner or it’s going to be a long cold hungry night. It’s 8 pm already, time to put on lights and bandoliers. I get in just before 9 pm and a closing cafe gives me the leftovers from the hot case. I sit chatting with the owner a she cleans up, eating dim sums and potato patties and sipping hot coffee. An inexplicably open shop sells me a Nepalese long sleeved tee shirt to wear under my riding shirt, I’m not going to make the same mistake as last night. I head out for Beechworth. A rough calculation says I have till 11 pm to get there and it’s 17 km of up.

Except it isn’t, long stretches are flat and the wind pushes me along them at speeds above 25 km/h. Ooof, the last 5 km bite back though, it’s tough. I get into Beechworth about 10.45. Checkpoint’s not obvious. A cafe owner putting away tables directs me to the bakery. No-one there. Alarmed I whip back to the cafe, it’s shut but a plaintive look and the girl inside lets me in. “You have to stand at the door cause I’m doing the till”. I stand behind the invisible barrier, “Can I use a landline? My mobile is dead here.” I ring Chris, they didn’t realise I was still riding and pulled the checkpoint. We arrange to meet in Wangaratta. Lights on high beam, speed touching 50 I head down. Do the 37 km in little over an hour. Meet Chris who signs my brevet. Wisely, he insists I get some food at an all night service station.

There are three bikes there, I almost trip over Frank flat out asleep on the cement. He asks if it’s time to wake up and goes back to sleep. The police are taking a benevolent interest and recommend McDonald’s coffee over the servo. By the time I’ve sucked down the inevitable greaseball they have disappeared. Oh well, with the tailwind I’m fine alone. Set off to Glenrowan, Winton, Benalla and finally Baddaginnie. Rejoin the Hume with 50 km to go. Try a Red Bull, maybe it doesn’t work, maybe I’m past it. The wind is good, the surface is good but with gum trees hanging over the verge it’s dodge the stick most of the way.

Cranking down the kilometers after Violet Town tests the endurance, 30 km, 20 km, 15 km, turnoff, another 5 km. The Ay Up setup has given me all the auxiliary light I needed for the last nine hours, all

He gives me the first commandment of Audax

with more conviction than Moses: “Never give up when

hungry.”


from a featherlight three-hour battery. I’ve been riding with just the generator for the climbs, full beam on the descent and half beam was perfectly adequate for dodge-the-stick and navigation. I get in at 5.30 am, people have left already and are leaving now. I’m stuffed, normally I can’t sleep without a shower, this morning I lie down fully clothed and am out.

Last day: More than a formality.The mirror has more bad news and it

doesn’t take contortions to see it. I don’t recognise the face looking back at me. It’s a ruin with eyes surrounded by twin sagging cowpats of flesh. I don’t ever want to recognise that mask.

Hollywood couldn’t do this to me—what have I done to myself? If I go home looking like this my wife will throw me out as a 100 year old impostor. OK calm down and get a grip Michael. Yesterday you spent 20 hours riding through waving fields of ryegrass. Normally it would make your eyes itch, getting that much wind in them has made them swell up. So the anti-histamine drops will control the swelling like they do the itching? Worth a try. With the swelling reduced by half and a pair of glasses covering the offending area I make my way self-consciously outside.

All the bikes are gone. Again. Damn, means I’m chasing the bunch, again. Too bad, I’m riding for survival at this stage, the wind’s good and only 200 km to go, it’s nothing, do it in 10 hours. Head off at 9 am, join the Hume and leave it again. Things have deteriorated, I can’t seem to get back down into the saddle any more. No contours to use here, just pick a high gear, wind the bike up to 30 and coast back to 20. Repeat. Keep repeating. Try to find

another way to perch during the coast that uses different muscles. Reach Avenel along with another cyclist. He’s looking for a toilet, I want an ice-cream. (I want a hospital but I’ll settle for an ice-cream.) We both find and they’re both good. Eating an ice-cream riding standing up is tricky. Ride on to Seymour where I take myself to casualty. A sympathetic nurse applies some sticky rubber bedsore dressings. They and the second pair of knicks work, I’m back in the saddle. Frank arrives as I’m tucking into lunch, we agree to ride together. It’s a long stage to Lancefield and I’m not pushing the riding.

Bored, I start to fall asleep until we find a cafe in Tooborac and have ice creams chatting to a pretty waitress with a generous laugh. There’s a big climb in the next stage but it can’t keep me awake. On the descent I’m lapsing badly. It’s times like this people resort to iPods but I can’t stand having my ears obstructed. The music just gets interpreted as road noise until I rip the earbuds out. Luckily I’ve left Frank far enough behind to start to sing. It works and I reach Lancefield close to conscious.

Frank arrives and we get milkshakes and food. He wants a rest and I’ve woken up. He’s fairly confident of getting in by midnight but that doesn’t suit me.

Muggins me ditched my singlet and jacket in Euroa. I was counting on getting in in daylight and haven’t allowed for slow riding and the time in casualty.

Still if I go hard I should be able to make the outskirts of Melbourne by nightfall, and in the city it’ll be warmer. I will get cold if night catches me in the country so I head off alone and going fast.

Stop looking at the speedo Michael, 30 km/h is a very fine speed for a bike to be doing, especially after four days, but you have to do it for some time to have actually traveled much distance, keep it up for half an hour then look.

Two hours till dark, I’ve used one and used it well. There are three 15 km legs and some fiddling and I’m at Tullamarine. Love doing 15 km legs, they eat into the 80 km still to go. There’s Melbourne on the skyline, take a picture. Hmmm, a picture of a field, can’t even see the skyscrapers. Try full zoom. Missed, try again. That’s it, camera away and look out for the Mickelham Road roundabout.

Another long leg, wind behind me, straight for Melbourne. A shopping centre, stop, walk my bike right into Coles, leave it under the cashier’s nose and grab a singlet and a coke. Wear the singlet, decant the coke into my back bidden. Lights and bandoliers on it’ll be dark soon. Following increasingly dense directions till I see Matthews Road on the right. I turn into it, this is the ride in from the airport I did when I flew in for Around The Bay. From here it’s straight, left on Keilor, right into Mt Alexander Road, and full steam ahead for the guts of Melbourne. As I pass Moonee Ponds and the bed that awaits me, the afterburners flame out, and I trudge across the city. Hit the corner of Albert Park and get lost. Wander everywhere, no signs, no flashing lights, nobody. The directions and map are no use any more, get out the Melbourne city map we were given at the start. The finish is an octopus star stuck on the map, it’s near the water. Ride around the lake edge, there are some people hiding behind a building, it’s the control. When people realise I’m not a drunk trying to force my way up the steps but a rider just in, they clap me on the back and cheer.

Each day has confronted me with something that threatened to end my ride. And each time I was able to find a thread of hope and cling to it tenaciously enough to get through. I’m still recovering, and the most lingering memento is badly cracked lips, a reminder that even when the big things are going wrong, the little ones like lip gloss still need to looked after.

My achievement is eclipsed by Bindi’s ride though. From even further behind, with less companionship and without even the encouragement of a brevet she kept pedalling and got in on time. What determination!

A photos of a field. No, hang on—that’s Melbourne over there!


It started on Saturday morning 28 November when on returning from my usual morning ride out to west Head with the McCarrs Creek Tragics (as Jonsey likes to call us), Barry Moore and Peter Searle pulled in to the narrow Oxley Street with this rather large bus and trailer. This was closely followed by Andrew Mathews driving a very large truck and blocking all traffic in the street. Suddenly Chris Rogers appeared and at least he was driving a car.

My house became Audax Central as riders appeared from everywhere. NSW State Rail on finding out about the registration of the SM Alpine 1200 being located near St Leonards station immediately scheduled track work that created some interesting logistic difficulties for most riders.

Jonesy arrived to help with the light checks only to find his skills as a bike mechanic were needed. It did amaze us at the condition of some of the bikes, especially tyres and tubes. John Evans was in a class of his own with a fixie that was covered with dirty grease from one end to the other.

Beers, home cooked pizza (using home grown basil), nuts, water melon and cool drinks were served and I wondered if I would get my house back.

At 4 am on Sunday morning Andrew, Barry and Peter arrived to pick up the bus and truck. The Neighbourhood Watch had all this under control and I was given a full audit of the comings and goings of cyclists in the early morning of Sunday 29 November by our neighbour Doug. I gave him Chris Rogers’ name and told him to lodge all complaints with him.

Following the ride from beginning to end were:Chris Rogers Ride Organiser (Lord High Poo Bah

and to be found everywhere)Bec Morton Chief Control Officer (Bec would

always open the first control)

Graham Jones Mechanic/Search and Rescue/Control Officer

Ian Harvey Search and Rescue/Control OfficerBarry Moore Head Bus DriverPeter Searle Assistant Bus DriverAndrew Mathews IT Manager and Truck DriverLindsay Harvey Support and Rescue

By the time the above volunteers reached Canberra in the early hours of Monday morning they had been awake for up to 22 hours.

Goulburn was the first control where we met local volunteers. This left Gunning to the mobile volunteers, and Bec and Ian opened the control at 4 pm at the Merino Café in expectation of Matt Rawnsley being ahead on points. Alas due to a very solid head wind and driving rain Matt did not arrive until 8 pm. Jonsey and I relieved Ian and Bec who headed off in search of Tom Nankivell in Canberra for food and rest.

The hospitality of Rea (owner of the Merino Café) was fantastic. It was raining, windy and very cold and Rea had the heaters on and had prepared some wonderful bread rolls for riders and volunteers. It was a great refuge and a very welcoming stop for all the riders. If you are passing that way stop, have a coffee and something to eat and let Rea know you are an Audax Rider.

Jonsey and Chris stayed at Gunning to until about 2 am on Monday morning to make sure all the riders were safe. In fact, Chris took the last shift every day of the ride and must have averaged two to three hours sleep per day. I think it would have been easier to ride.

The control at Canberra and the organisation of the Youth Hostel was impressive. Tom Nankivell and the other Canberra locals, as far as I could see, worked non-stop from early afternoon Sunday to mid-morning Monday. A massive effort with great organisation and good food.

Canberra to Cooma was dreadful for the riders: a 117 km section with a 400 m climb into 40 knot head winds on a very unfriendly road surface. And semi-trailer trucks hurtling down the road at speed of 100 km. Carnage was the only was to describe this section with about 30 riders withdrawing from the ride in Cooma.

As usual Bec had opened the control and Ian and I, after rescuing a US rider on this section, took over. Jonsey and Chris were still out on the road and Barry, Peter and Andrew had taken the bus and truck to Corryong. Taking the bus to Corryong was a mistake in hindsight as at 8 pm that day it became apparent we needed to rescue a lot of riders. Barry and Peter took the bus back to Cooma. As well, Ian and I drove between Cabramurra and Cooma twice to pick up riders.


The SM1200 volunteersLindsay Harvey

There were an amazing number of Audax members and their friends and partners that supported the SM1200 organised by Chris Rogers. Here was an exciting adventure and a very interesting course that inspired me to take annual leave to help out and my brother Ian came along as well. At least the Chief though my sanity was returning by driving instead of riding the course.


Cabramurra was bitterly cold with a wind chill factor of minus 6 degrees. Because the cyclists were now so spread out, Bec and Ian had been on duty for a long time before I could relieve them. Jonsey was out there somewhere with his mechanical skills attracting a premium, and Chris was starting to get anxious for the safety of the riders.

The owners of the shop at Cabramurra were outstanding. If they had closed the shop at the agreed time, this would have left at least 15 cyclists with no shelter or food. Their patience and generosity were wonderful.

By the time I reached Corryong and the welcoming voice of Ian Boehm and his band of happy volunteers, I was walking in my sleep. Got to bed on arrival in case I was need to go back out to make another rescue as I was just too tired to drive without a sleep. There was a downside to Corryong in that I had to share a double bed with Ian but on giving his instructions not to snore I dropped off to sleep without any trouble.

The late arrival at Corryong did not stop Bec from manning the first water stop on day three and then the first control at the Hume Weir.

Chris was always first to start and last to bed. The thought and care he had for the riders was outstanding and I don’t know how he managed to stay awake on such little sleep.

Ian, Jonsey and I went through to Beechworth to open the control and Jonsey seemed to take a fancy to the 85 year old ladies visiting the bakery. One little old lady was struggling to open the door and finally made it and Jonsey said, “A bit stiff isn’t it?” and the LOL replied looking at Jonsey with a gleam in the eye, “I don’t know how to take that.”

Matt had recovered from the Canberra to Cooma headwind so it was necessary to get to Wangaratta quickly to open the control there. Just made it in time. A number of the riders who withdrew at Cooma were now riding again and this included John Evans on the fixie. John was forced to withdraw at Old Adaminaby as it was impossible for him to make the cutoff time at Cabramurra. I am still amazed that John almost completed this ride on a fixie. Inspiring stuff and this attitude seem to percolate through all the riders as they always had a smile or a wave for us volunteers as we drove past or topped up their water.

On arrival at Wangaratta, John did some adjustments to his fixie. Judith from the UK had been riding with John and urged him to hurry up. John then announced he had tightened his nuts and was ready; Judith replied that this was too much information.

Euroa was the final rest stop and once again the Victorian volunteers led by Ronnie McInnes and Maxine Riggs had food and beds organised.

The last day was hot with some significant climbing left to complete the ride. I decided to ride from Lancefield with another McCarrs Creek Tragic (from our Melbourne branch) Iron Mike (MCCC Catering Manager Two Hats) with a Bruce McMillan and one of the US riders. This proved a blessing to those completing the ride as Iron Mike navigated the way through peak hour traffic, the Moonee Ponds Creek Cycleway. We picked up quite a few riders and eventually managed to get about 15 riders into Albert Park at about 7.30 pm.

More Victorian volunteers at the Albert Park Sailing Club with food and booze for everyone. They made everyone very welcome.

Despite the long hours and tough conditions the ride was run in good humour throughout by all the riders and volunteers. Just one word of warning, if you follow a ride like this from beginning to end you will be as tired as the riders. I think it would be easier to ride.

Iron Mike and Bec Morton at the Lancefield checkpoint.

Food and booze for everyone at the Albert Park Sailing Club


I joined the go-for-distance group under the Sydney Harbour Bridge for the start and as a real tortoise I was soon at the back of the pack.

A note to the organiser. Please tell the fast riders to slow down when passing so as not to cause backwash on passing. Please note this Howard (Dove)!

The first day was eventful I met Sophie (Matter, French) and Rick (Blacker, American) at the first and the second checkpoints where we talked about permanents. See Sophie’s permanent at super-randonnee-de-haute-provence.blogspot.com. I think this will be a must do for those going to France. I know I want to have a go in 2011.

For me the most memorable part of the first day’s ride was the wind and hills. I twittered the kids at home that on occasion I could not get to 20 km/h going down hill. Speaking of hills, I figured there would be 25-33% more than the guesstimate on Bikely. My Garmin recorded a bit over 4000 m climb for the first day.

On the first night I loved the rain and the ride to Gunning because I have a real neat Cinettica Velocita rain jacket (shameless plug for gear that works). It is water proof, it breathes, it insulates and packs down to the size of a sock. Thanks Lisa (Turner) for telling me about this jacket.

Another note to organiser. Please organise the weather better, I am prepared to pay more for less wind and a sunny day that is not too hot.

Day two, up for breakfast and a bit of a disappointment: the fast people were already gone and had eaten the first serving of breakfast. I was in between shifts and time was not on my side so I headed off to

Cooma. I got lost in Canberra following the Audax signs.

Note to organiser. Please shoot without prejudice people in Canberra who touches your signs.

The good thing about Monday’s ride was the wind: could not get more if you paid for it. I had a slow ride to a DNF Monday morning come afternoon. But as I was using the 1000 as practice for the 200 I was not too grieved. Matter of fact I was following advice from Dave Minter to use each day’s ride as practice for the following day, advice which proved effective on this occasion. I enjoyed the ride in the car up to Cabramurra and sat at the Table-of-Shame with my mentor Dave who also DNF’d. At least he had the excuse of a broken body and ibuprofen-resistant pain. Best part was Judith (Swallow, English) talked to us as if we were real riders, well Dave is by dint of his past, me I had a paper run a long time ago. FYI: was totally impressed by the quality of the riders who did cycle through the alpine section.

Day three and I started from Corryong a bit late and without papers, like Big Bill (New Jersey, USA) who has a neat permanent in that you nominate the distance, the checkpoints as well as the start and finish locations. If we had this I would have nominated a Sydney-Broken Hill ride with the wind not the SM1200 against the wind.

Note to organiser. Is it possible to consider this in 2013?

Anyway the day was a light-wind-blue-sky day. It was just a nice day to be out riding and I spent the morning talking to Judith and riding in the sun. Walwa, Albury, the Wang. Must mention Pepe and co at the Wang, they offered me some of their chips.

Benalla and Violet Town came and went quickly and it was back to the welcome and familiar hospitality of the volunteers at Euroa. Euroa. Finally. At last I could relax. Tomorrow I would start the Inaugural Euroa-Melbourne 200. Yeah.

Another note to organiser. A banner across the street like they do for the Tour Down Under would be appropriate in 2013.

Day four, the big 200. I rode with Bruce (McMillan) and Rick all day. They were great company. We breakfasted in Seymour. Thanks Bec (Morton) for directing us to the café. Now I want to mention a possible error in the route sheet. The ride was in Victoria, which is known to be very flat so that unbelievable distances can be covered doing an Oppy, so how come there were hills. The route had us going through Lancefield. This must have been a typo.

Note to organiser. Please check for typos that lead to hills in Victoria.

Short story (200 km ride) long (1200 km SM) was we arrived in Melbourne and at every second intersection we accumulated more SM1200 riders who were able to tell us which roads not to take. Navigation is not an Audax requirement but like mice in a maze we found the feed at the Boat Club. Free beer, food and good company were the order of the evening and I for one happily partook. However I feel more attention should have been paid to the 200. Apparently a heap finished the 1200 and only a few finished the 200.

So final note to organiser. Was fun doing the IEM 200 please thank all those who made the prelude possible and a banner across the road in Euroa would be nice in 2013.


The Almost Famous Inaugural Euroa-Melbourne 200Pat Lehane

Most will want to talk of the inaugural SM1200 but everyone knows that it’s not the distance, it’s the quality of the ride that counts and where else can one do a 1000 km prelude in preparation for the real ride?


Keep your cool with these

new ice ties!

As seen in Bright at the Audax Alpine Classic

And recommended by Keith Lowe and Stephen George

For those of you who missed out, we still have some available by mail order

• $5.00 each plus $1.00 postage

• Or buy 4 and get FREE POSTAGE

Email orders and enquiries: [email protected]

Visa / MasterCard accepted

Special riders price

1200 km brevetRick BlackerAndrew BlakeAndrew BraggMick CreatiMick CullenNick DaleHenry de ManHoward DoveClaire GraydonRoger HawleyDavid HartKole KantnerGreg LansomStephen LeeSophie MatterAndrew MatthewsBob McHughBruce Mc MillanDavid MilneVincent MuonekeFrank PreyerBelinda Pursey (hors délai)Matt RawnsleyTony RobertsRichard RossiterDes RushJudith SwallowMarcus ThieleArno van der SchansChris WalshRobert Webster

1000 km brevet + 200 km brevetPeter DixonMark HooyMichael JamesAndrew JohnsonSimon MaddisonTom NankivellPepe Ochoa

200 km brevetStephen ChambersPeter CurtisHans DusinkJohn EvansKen GawneRussell HamiltonAaron HoettePhillip JangPat LehaneLarry MiduraDave MinterBill OlsenTim TaylorGarry Wall

100 km brevetEve DoddsJohn Evans


SM1200 FinishersChris Rogers

A pain in the neckChris Rogers

On the recent SM1200 two riders suffered from serious neck problems that may well have put them out of the ride. They had different approaches to their difficulties.

Pepe Ochoa wrapped his rain jacket around his neck, and stuffed his arm and leg warmers inside to support his jaw, and relieve the pressure on his neck. 10 ⁄ 10

Mick Creati turned his handlebars up so that he looked like a paper boy about to set off on his round on his Malvern Star. This meant that he was riding in a more upright position, again evening out the pressure on the neck muscles. 10 ⁄ 10

Necessity is the mother of invention


QualificationTo enter PBP, you first need to complete

one each of 200 km, 300 km, 400 km and 600 km brevets recognised by Audax Club Parisien between November 2010 and June 2011. You must provide details of your qualifyin rides by 17 July 2011.

You can ride virtually any bike or trike, upright or recumbent, solo or tandem, faired or small-wheeled (provided it complies with normal brevet requirements) but try to qualify on your PBP machine. Nobody wants to be listed as Did Not Finish (DNF) and have to wait another four years to complete their PBP.

EntryEntry to PBP can be either electronic

(via the PBP website) or postal (via Audax Australia). Either way, you need:

A completed entry form. You may not know the ACP homologation number for a late qualifier, so fill in the date and organiser instead.

A doctor’s note dated no earlier than three months before the start of PBP (21 August 2011) stating that there is no medical reason for you not to ride PBP.

Some essential PBP documents will be sent to your nominated email or postal address a few weeks prior to PBP. Ensure you can retrieve them before the start of PBP, if you will be on holidays when they arrive. You will need them before the start.

StartPBP is actually several events in one:

Touriste: Waves of 500 riders at a time (perhaps 3000 in total) start at 15 minute intervals from 9.30 pm Monday. They have the full 90 hours to finish on Friday afternoon and a maximum average speed

limit of 28 km/h. The touristes ride through that magical first night, with headlights and tail-lights stretching to the horizon, so additional sleep deprivation can be a factor later on. They have the most company to ride with and usually the most delays en route. The sheer number of riders tends to mean queues for food, beds, toilets and everything else. This is the classic PBP, a good choice for first-time PBPers, riders wanting every minute to get to the finish and those not looking for a ‘fast time’.

Randonneur: Up to 1000 riders start at 5 am Tuesday in one or two waves. They have a 28 km/h maximum average, finishing within 84 hours on Friday afternoon. The randonneurs have a clear run through early checkpoints but often catch up with the touristes by Loudéac or Carhaix-Plouguer on Tuesday night. Slower randonneurs can have a lonely ride at the back of the field until they pick up the tail-end touristes while faster riders may get round with little night riding. Don’t over-estimate the extra sleep you’ll get by starting at 5 am. Many riders find adrenaline makes it difficult to get to sleep Monday night and most are up at 3 am for breakfast and to get to the start. This start time is a good choice for stronger riders wanting to avoid an evening start, aiming to minimise night riding or wanting the kudos of riding with the randonneurs.

Vedette or Sportif: Around 1000 riders start in two waves from 9 pm Monday. With no maximum average speed and an 80 hour limit, these riders are the nearest thing PBP has to the racers of Oppy’s era, finishing by

early Friday morning. Most riders aiming far a fast time, say sub-60 hours, pick the vedettes. Out in front of the entire field, they avoid delays, though slower vedettes can become demoralised when caught by fast touristes or randonneurs. The first night gets some wannabee racers very hyped, resulting in a few crashes, and superior fitness and speed is needed to stay near the front bunch. Many try to get round without sleep or with only a few catnaps in an effort to ‘do a time’, so group riding near the finish may require some caution. This start suits the real hard-riders, particularly those wanting extra bragging rights.

‘Velo speciale’ machines (tandems, trikes, recumbents and suchlike) start 15 minutes before either the touristes and randonneurs with the same 90 and 84 hour limits.

HintsDuring your qualifying rides, practice

being efficient and organised at checkpoints to minimise wasted time and effort: brevet card stamped, eat, toilet, fill bottles, get pocket food and ride. This will pay off by allowing more sleep during PBP.

Make sure your bike is up to the task. Qualifying for PBP means significant miles, so make sure components aren’t on their last legs at the start line. Cassette, chain, brake blocks, tyres and cleats are all prime candidates to wear out during PBP, particularly if it is wet. Wearing out bottom brackets and rims may be fairly rare but isn’t unknown. Many choose equipment that can easily be repaired or replaced on the road. It isn’t much use having super-fast high-tech wheels if you can’t get a replacement spoke to keep the wheel turning in your frame.

Daytime temperatures at PBP can climb above 35°C and drop to the low single digits overnight, as in 1999. Most riders carry two large water bottles and some have an extra

Paris–Brest–Paris

An “Idiot’s Guide” to PBPDave Minter

Audaxers are renowned for mile-eating non-competitive cycling and their premier event is Paris–Brest–Paris, a 1200 km event to be ridden within 90 hours. First raced in 1891 and now held as a non-competitive challenge every four years, PBP draws 5000 starters from around the world for an unforgettable experience.

Don’t quit PBP unless you have no choice—the next

chance to finish PBP is four years away.


disposable bottle for the 220 km leg to the first checkpoint (Most other legs are 80 km or less). Check the forecast before the start and take clothing for temperatures a little cooler than the forecast minimum. It can be quite chilly between the towns listed in the weather reports.

History suggests it might be two decades before we see rain like the 2007 PBP again but don’t plan on riding the whole way without needing a rain jacket. The weather gods have a sense of humour, so be prepared for it. Mudguards can be useful.

You’ll need a secure way of carrying everything you need on the road. Apart from rainwear and warm clothes, you’ll probably want pocket food, sunscreen and perhaps a spare pair of shorts, pain-killers, chamois cream or antacid tables. Go easy on the pain-killers, overdoing it often causes tummy problems. Many riders find that drinking milk can help settle an upset stomach. Excessive sleep deprivation and massive caffeine intake has resulted in both distressing and amusing rider stories over the years.

Villages and individuals along the route freely offer food, water and encouragement to riders, so try to leave them with a good impression. Learning French, even at a basic level, is worthwhile if you want to socialise (recommended) or encounter problems but you’ll manage even if you only speak English. There are roving motorcycle marshals giving assistance and enforcing rules as needed. Helmets are not compulsory but lights and reflective vests are. If you have a support car, it can’t use the PBP route and you can only meet it at checkpoints. Infractions mean time penalties or disqualification.

PBP checkpoints may take longer to get through than you ever thought possible. They can be very spread out, often with stamping of brevet card, the cafeterias and the sleeping accommodation in different buildings. Many riders choose cycling shoes they can walk in (e.g. SPDs) to avoid wearing out roadie cleats at these checkpoints. They can also help when dealing with the infamous squat toilets found in some parts of France.

Most checkpoints have a sit-down cafeteria and a stand-up snack and drink bar. If queues are long, you may save time by eating in bakeries and restaurants, rather than at the checkpoints. Vegetarians may have limited choices in rural France.

Take some money, the PBP cafeterias and sleeping dormitories are cheap but not free. Neither are the patisseries and nobody wants to miss out on French pastries straight from the oven.

Try to stay well ahead of the checkpoint closing times, otherwise a simple flat tyre may mean being out of time and being listed as Did Not Finish. If your wave starts after the first wave of your category, you get that additional time at every checkpoint. Your brevet card will be marked at the start line to record this.

It is a balancing act to get enough sleep to ride fast enough to get enough rest the next night. Get it wrong and you could be bouncing against the time limit, riding too slowly to get sufficient sleep to ride quickly enough to dig yourself out of the hole.

Most riders are at their lowest between midnight and dawn. Accordingly, many aim to sleep when they’d otherwise be riding slowly. Most checkpoints have beds available but some checkpoints, particularly Loudéac, never have enough to accommodate all the riders aiming to sleep there. Most of the 84 hr and 90 hr starters sleep in Loudéac, many in the cafeteria chairs or wrapped up in space blankets in the car park, not a recipe for a refreshing stop. At the worst times, beds may be rationed to two or three hours each and it may be worth considering other sleeping options. A year ahead, some riders book hotel rooms, guaranteeing a bed but often costing more time. Some groups, including Audax Australia, offer a drop bag service for riders to collect fresh clothing.

Some checkpoints have masseuses, most checkpoints have showers and some checkpoints rent towels. Periodically using some antiseptic wipes can help keep saddle sores at bay.

There are bike shops at most checkpoints but don’t expect them to have unusual spare parts or for the mechanic to be of Tour de France quality. Gear adjustments and similar minor work can sometimes be slow, so knowing how to fix your bike lets you avoid delays.

The medical staff has the power to pull you from the ride and they don’t appreciate jokes. One older rider came into a control with a cut on his head following a crash. When asked his name, he facetiously replied “Napoleon” and got an instant DNF for being concussed! On the other hand,

they are very used to dealing with crashes and sore necks, knees and bums.

Don’t quit PBP unless you have no choice—the next chance to finish PBP is four years away. Determined riders have finished after breaking forks, frames or wheels and, astoundingly, with broken bones. Those completing the full course but out of time are listed as ‘hors delai’, rather than DNF. If you have a major crash or mechanical, politely talk to the head controller at the next/nearest checkpoint about your situation and you may get extra time added to your brevet card to offset your bad luck. This may also happen if you materially assist a fellow rider who is suffering badly, though a time allowance is always a privilege, not a right.

Riders unfortunate enough to pull out of PBP usually make their own way to the finish, though stories of extraordinary assistance are legion. Theoretically only a few TGV trains take unbagged bikes but the rules can bend a little during PBP.

While remaining focused on finishing this challenging event, be sure to enjoy the wonderful scenes, events and people along the way. No doubt, you’ll collect new friends and lifelong memories while riding PBP.

“That bastard Dave Minter” rode his first brevet in 1992 (300 km), and has since ridden PBP three times, London–Edinbugh–London, and the Great Southern Randonee.

The Victorian Alpine SeriesHave you taken the challenge?

Members may join the official list of les grimpeurs by completing in the 2009-2010 season one alpine brevet of at least 200 km, plus two alpine brevets each of at least 100 km.

The recognised ‘alpine’ brevets are:28 Nov: The Alpine Delight (100 or 200)13 Dec: Bounding Up Buller (100)10 Jan: Higher and Higher (100)24 Jan: Alpine Classic (130, 140, 200)24 Jan: Alpine Classic Extreme (250)9 Oct: Great Grampians Challenge (100)

Members who have already met the requirements are invited to submit the details of their completed alpine brevets (including distances) to [email protected].


ACP recently indicated that completing a 1000 km or 600 km BRM event in the current Audax year would allow earlier pre-registration compared with those who had completed a 400 km, 300 km or 200 km BRM event. It seems from the brochure that ACP will consider a 1200 km BRM on the same basis as a 1000 km BRM.

This additional information will not change the fundamental approach to allocating Australian places. Validation of pre-registrations will not begin until the

Garry Armsworth provided in the Spring 2008 Checkpoint an extensive discussion on the Paris–Brest–Paris quota being imposed by Audax Club Parisien (ACP), and on the proposed method of allocation of the Australian quota. Since then, there have been various bits of news from Paris which we have promulgated on the website. This is a summary of the latest situation as we know it. Further, members will be interested in the PBP 2011 brochure published by ACP which can be downloaded from our website.

close of registrations for those who have completed a 400 km BRM event and the kilometre tally will take precedence. PBP aspirants who have completed 2500 km in 200 km or longer Audax Australia events will have pre-registrations validated first; and amongst aspirants who have the same kilometre tally, those first to pre-register will be validated first. Consequently, completing a 600 km or 1000/1200 km BRM event will only have a bearing on the allocation of places if the entire Australian quota is filled by aspirants who have both (i) completed events totalling 2500 km or more, and (ii) completed a 400 km or longer BRM event.

In the 2008/09 Audax year, 39 riders completed 2500 km or more in 200 km or longer Audax events (versus 32 in the previous year). It is probable that there will be a considerable jump in the number of people reaching 2500 km but it shouldn’t be assumed that the entire quota will be filled by those who reach the maximum kilometres for the kilometre tally.

While we had considered publishing a kilometre tally by member number for aspirants to gauge their relative position, this may not provide a true picture as not all Audax members clocking up kilometres or riding the longer brevets are intending to ride PBP. Later in the year, when we have more ride data, we will consider what guidance would be most useful to aspirants to assess where they stand.

In the meantime, the best way of maximising your chance of being registered for PBP is to increase the size of the Australian quota. The more BRMs homologated by Australians the larger the share of the quota pie Australia will receive. While we appreciate it is not possible for all Members, if you are hoping to go to PBP, wherever possible choose to ride BRMs which are the rides ACP is counting in its quota allocation method.

Paris–Brest–Paris

PBP pre-registration updateKerri-Ann Smith

It’s time to start planning if you want to be part of the most famous randonnee of them all in 2011.

The other PBPDave Minter

When people speak of PBP, they usually mean PBP Randonneur. The ‘randonnee’ brevet style was created in 1921 and most of Audax Australia’s events are of this type, allowing entrants to ride at any speed, provided they reach each checkpoint between specific maximum and minimum time limits. It is probably only an accident of history that Audax Australia wasn’t called Randonneurs Australia as most of our events are actually randonnees.

The original type of Audax brevet began in 1904 and it is now known as ‘Audax 22.5’. Participants ride as a group at an average 22.5 km/h, plus scheduled food and sleep stops. These brevets are recognised by Union des Audax Français (UAF) and their PBP Audax is run every five years on a slightly shorter and flatter route than PBP Randonneur. In 2011, PBP Audax will probably be held in early August and to qualify, riders will need to complete a 200, a 300 and either a 400 or 600 km ride, all being Audax 22.5 brevets. Audax Australia organised its first Audax 22.5 brevets in November 2008 and will be running qualifying rides to allow the first Australians to enter PBP Audax, alongside their PBP Randonneur compatriots. The specifics of entering and riding the event will be publicised as more details become available.

PBP Audax HintsAudax 22.5 riders follow ‘peloton leaders’ that set the group’s pace, aiming to follow the published ride schedule. These peloton leaders are responsible for route finding, so no map reading is necessary. The Audax 22.5 format encourages chatting and most European Audax 22.5 riders are Francophones, so some language lessons before starting PBP Audax would be very useful. Unlike PBP Randonneur, helmets are compulsory but there are the usual requirements for lights and reflective vests. Minor mechanical problems, like flat tyres, may mean the rider is assisted by a following vehicle before chasing back to the bunch. Excessive lone riding may result in disqualification.

The majority of rest stops are 20 to 30 minutes long and the group leaves at the scheduled time, whether you are ready or not. Generally, the lunch stop is one to one-and-a-half hours and sometimes the food is pre-ordered; it may be served as soon as the bunch arrives. Most rides longer than 300 km have overnight sleep stops, generally 5 to 7 hours long. UAF brevet cards are only stamped during the lunch and overnight stops. Organiser-provided sleeping accommodation and bag drops are commonplace on longer brevets, including PBP Audax. Hopefully after August 2011, we’ll be able to able to list more tips about entering and riding PBP Audax.


Welcome to the Annual General Meeting of Audax Australia Cycling Club Inc for the year ended 31st October 2009.

IntroductionsJoining me on the podium today are Lindsay Harvey, Secretary,

and Peter Curtis, Vice President. The outgoing Treasurer, Stephen Chambers has sent his apologies and is unable to attend due to family commitments.

I would also like to note in attendance today, other members of the outgoing National Committee, Nick Dale (WA State Rep), Kerri-Ann Smith (ACT State Rep), Gareth Evans (Vic State Rep), Howard Dove and Lisa Turner.

Some of those who keep the club running at a national level are also here: Simon Watt, International Brevet Secretary, Ian Boehm, public officer, Trevor Gosbell, Checkpoint editor, Tim Laugher, Stores Officer (and life member), Lorraine Allen, membership secretary who has looked after that key role for at least a decade as far as I’m aware1, Hans Dusink, Brevet Dirt Secretary (and another life member).

I’d also like to welcome those members who have come quite some way to attend the Alpine Classic and AGM such as Nick Dale from WA and Colin Anderson one of our NZ members.

My apologies if I’ve missed anyone as I undoubtedly will have.

Review I typically start my President’s report with a review of the

previous year however as this is my last President’s report, I’ll be indulging a little bit on my legacy so to speak and looking back over the four years that I have been President.

When I look at the club’s health there are two very visible pieces of data; membership and homologations.

When I took over as President in early 2006 we had finished the 2005 year with 640 members. We finished the 2009 year with 1040 members – a growth rate of more than 60% over the four years.

1. Lorraine noted that it has in fact been 13 years.

In 2005 Audax Australia homologated brevets totalling 327,800 km with Audax Club Parisien; in 2009 we homologated about 505,000 km of brevets plus another 9000 km of 200 km or longer brevets homologated with the UAF. An increase close to 60% over 4 years. In 2007, Audax Australia’s representation at Paris–Brest–Paris increased by more than 50%. That suggests that I’m handing a very healthy club over to the next President.

Of course I can only claim a small part of the credit for these exceptional growth numbers. Cycling as an activity continues to grow with 2009 being the tenth year in a row that bicycle sales in Australia have outstripped car sales and the eighth year in a row they have exceeded one million. As more people are cycling, more people gravitate to the style of riding of promoted by Audax.

Of course we’ve done our bit to encourage increased member numbers by running a membership promotion in conjunction with the Alpine Classic each year.

We added new types of events; notably fixed pace Brevet Audax 22.5 homologated with the UAF and Brevet Permanent events. In their first year both of these type of events proved more popular than Dirt rides although they represent only a very small proportion of homologated rides.

And we’ve tinkered with the awards. The introduction of the Year Round Randonneur (which is one thing I can honestly take credit for albeit the idea was pinched from Audax UK and RUSA) has seen 15 members complete at least one 200 km or longer ride each month of the 2009 Audax year. In 2007 and 2008 no member had achieved this in the absence of the award.

Annual General Meeting

President’s report to the Annual General Meeting23 January 2010Garry Armsworth

Garry addresses the AGM.


But these were created only in the last year. The credit growth in ride participation over the last four years has to go to the regional committees and ride organisers who have capitalised on the growth of interest in cycling and awareness of events like the Alpine Classic and Paris–Brest–Paris by creating interesting calendars of rides and promoting those rides within their communities.

I’ve always been of the view that the National Committee’s role is to provide the right environment in which the regions can flourish. In the last four years:

the constitution has been rewritten, •ride rules have been rewritten, •we’ve started the process of running the club as a professional •organisation by improving process and practices.

There of course remains much that can be done. That’s not a “to be done” or “must be done”.

We’ve recognised that we’re no longer a club of a few hundred people; we’re the largest cycling club in Australia1 (no offence to the advocacy based groups like BV and BNSW).

But at the same time we need to recognise that with the burden of managing the club placed on so few, organisational change to deliver a better experience will be a slow process.

I know I am speaking today to that part of the club who are engaged with the organisation—you have taken the time to come to the AGM rather than ride your bike or spend some time over coffee or a beer with your mates re-living last year’s Alpine Classic and I thank you for that—but members need to accept that paying a membership fee of $60 doesn’t get you the level of service and responsiveness that you might expect from a business. Everyone involved in the administration of the club is a volunteer, so please bear that in mind when you think “why haven’t I got a response yet to my email?” or whatever.

The ongoing success of the club will be built upon expanding the number of members actively involved in its administration—at both national and regional levels.

MembershipI always like to give a brief snapshot of the membership at year-

end.

Looking at membership numbers relative to the Paris–Brest–Paris cycle, we’re following a different trend to the post-PBP 2003 experience. Instead of membership numbers gradually declining a little in the two years after Paris–Brest–Paris before increasing in the lead up to the next edition, membership numbers are now greater than they were in 2007.

The demographics haven’t changed much however. We’re still largely a bunch of middle-aged men and often it would seem balding and/or bearded.

But perhaps that’s all to change as I have pleasure in handing over the presidency to someone who is neither male, balding nor bearded!

1. Affiliated to Cycling Australia

The membership distribution by region is as follows:

Region 2009 2008

Victoria 625 592

New South Wales 212 180

Queensland 68 57

Western Australia 50 52

Australian Capital Territory 40 42

South Australia 29 21

Tasmania 8 8

Northern Territory 2 1

Unknown 1 1

New Zealand 3 4

Other overseas 4 3

Total 1042 961

Insofar as gender is concerned, over 80% of members are male however there has been a slight increase in female membership over the last year.

State Female Male

Victoria 20.6% 78.9%

New South Wales 14.2% 85.4%

Queensland 16.2% 82.4%

Western Australia 14.0% 86.0%

Australian Capital Territory 12.5% 85.0%

South Australia 20.7% 79.3%

Tasmania 0.0% 100.0%

Northern Territory 50.0% 50.0%

Unknown 12.5% 87.5%

Grand Total 18.2% 81.2%

Grand Total 2008 16.9% 82.1%(Totals do not add to 100% as gender is not recorded for all members)

Ride ParticipationWhile I enjoy crunching through the ride participation numbers,

I’m not going to bore you with a long recital of statistics.

I’ve already mentioned that in 2009 we clocked up 505,000 in BRM events. This compared to 418,000 km in 2008.

It remains though that many members (60%) do not ride an endurance event (i.e. 200 km or longer) during the year. I will provide Trevor with some detailed statistics on ride participation for publication in the next edition of Checkpoint2.

ThanksI’ve enjoyed my time as President and thanks to all those who

have assisted me over the years.

I wish Kerri-Ann, Gareth, Alan and the rest of the incoming committee every success in their endeavours on behalf of the club.

2. See opposite.


The total distance covered in BRM events was up 20% on the previous year.

Ride Length Homologations Total Distance (km)

50 484 24200

100 1840 184000

150 348 52200

200 1946 389200

300 198 59400

360 122 43920

400 83 33200

600 60 36000

1000 12 12000

1200 0 0

35 29 1015

70 16 1120

Total 5138 836255

The greatest number of kilometres are ridden in BRM events but the BA events continue to be very popular in terms of numbers.

Ride Type Homologations Total Distance (km)

B22.5 72 12300

BA 2616 254600

BP 91 17600

BRM 2180 504500

Oppy 122 43920

BD 57 3335

Total 5138 836255

While member numbers continued to grow, a lot of members still don’t ride Audax events however this in part can be explained by Alpine Classic entrants taking up the membership offer late in the Audax year and not riding their first Audax event until the new Audax year and a low participation rate amongst family members (perhaps wishful thinking on the part of members signing up their spouse/partner and children).

Longest Event Distance No. of members % of total members

200 km or longer 392 37.8%

<200 km 221 21.1%

no rides 428 41.1%

The Alpine Classic unsurprisingly remains the ride with greatest number of homologations in the Audax calendar accounting for half of all BRM homologations and one third of BA homologations. The most popular BRM events other than the Alpine Classic with 25 or more homologations were:

Buckley’s Ride (Vic)•Wandong Winter Wander (Vic)•Noojee Loop (Vic)•In Search of Hills (NSW)•

For the first time a NSW ride made into the list of rides with more than 25 BRM homologations.

In the other states, the most popular BRM rides were:

ACT: Tablelands Trot•Qld: 6 Bumps & 1 Hill•SA: Northern 123•Tas: Seven Hills Dash•WA: Dawn til Dusk Winter•

These events had 10–20 homologations each.

The 2008/09 Audax Year

The season by the numbersGarry Armsworth

2008/09 was a bumper year for Audax Australia; the only time we’ve homologated more rides was in 2007 when a lot of members were qualifying and training for Paris–Brest–Paris.

Coming up in CheckpointFleche OppermanYour reports—send ‘em in!

My First BrevetGreg Davey, “Beach Life”, 2009

Your National CommitteeGet to know the committee members

Feature topic: Giving up Articles, observations, suggestions and real-life drama stories are invited on the topic of “Giving up”.

Sooner or later we’re all faced with irreparable mechanical or physical failure. What then? Can you prepare for being stranded in the middle of nowhere on a dark rainy night with only a sodden cue sheet for company? When is giving up a better decision than staying the course?

The next Checkpoint is issue no. 44, Winter 2010. Please submit contributions to [email protected] by 1 May.


150 km, 13-Dec-2009, NSW, In Search of HillsOrganiser: Garry ArmsworthCameron Ainslie, Mike Davidson, Peter Mayall, Paul Morrice, Geoff Robb, Roslyn Russell, Keith Scott, Richard Silink, Arvid Streimann, Ben Ter Huurne.

150 km, 29-Dec-2009, SA, TDU ReconnaissanceOrganiser:Richard ScheerDavid Couche.

150 km, 16-Jan-2010, QLD, Wet and Woolly 150 Organiser: Dino MorganteAlan Baker, David Booth, Michael Clare, Joshua Dredge, Trevor Dredge, Neil Francis, Roger Hawley, Brian Hornby, Vaughan Kippers, Andrew Ling, Brian Lowe, David Minter, George Row.

200 km, 12-Sep-2009, SA Northern 123Organiser: Richard ScheerMark Blackburn, David Couche, Shane Hayter, Peter Headlam, Alexander Hender, Mark Matthew, Claudio Pompili, Gianluca Pompili, Andrew Puddy, Lloyd Sampson.

200 km, 3-Oct-2009, QLD, Travelling SouthOrganisers: Martin Pearson, Sandy VigarRoger Hawley, Liz Pearson, Errol Ross, George Row.

200 km, 4-Oct-2009, SA Just Another 200Organiser: Matthew RawnsleyAllan Dickson, Matthew Rawnsley, Claudio Pompili, Gianluca Pompili, Richard Scheer.

200 km, 25-Oct-2009, NSW, Scone 200Organiser: Malcolm RogersRicky O’Brien, Phillip Jang.

200 km, 7-Nov-2009, NSW 3 Parks RideOrganiser: Greg LansomGarry Armsworth, Katherine Bryant, Ian Garrity, Howard Dove, Greg Lansom, Richard Pinkerton, Rebecca Morton, Grant White.

200 km, 14-Nov-2009, NSW, Daddy, Mummy and Baby GorgesOrganisers: Howard Dove, Rebecca MortonPeter Barlow, Paul Baynham, Katherine Bryant, Charles Dennis, Howard Dove, John Florin, Ian Garrity, David Hart, Lindsay Harvey, Phillip Jang, Graham Jones, Roger Leigh, Jeremy Lowes, Bruce Mcmillan, Rebecca Morton, Ricky O’Brien, Jonathan Page, Stephen Page, Chris Walsh.

Wiley, Rob Wilson, Barry Wright, Debbie Wright, Ian Wright, Richard Wright.

100 km, 21-Nov-2009, NSW, Woy Woy 100Organiser: Lindsay HarveyHoward Dove, Kaim Bahri, Tourfic Haddad, Tim Hancock, Lindsay Harvey, Geoffrey Hilton, Philip Jang, Bec Moreton, Kieran Ried, Mark Scragg, Jo Watts, Ron Webster, Alexander Weismann.

100 km 21-Nov-2009, NSW, Cafe RideOrganiser: Henry BoardmanJeffrey Barrett, Henry Boardman, Greg Lansom.

100 km 19-Dec-2009, NSW, Picton RideOrganiser: Henry BoardmanHenry Boardman, Richard Pinkerton.

100 km 10-Jan-2010, SA, Mini AlpineOrgainiser: Richard ScheerAlan Bristow, David Couche, Michael Dwyer , Mike Kenealy, Peter Pursey, Richard Scheer, Graham Stucley, Matthew Rawnsley, Simon Veitch, Victoria Veitch.

150 km, 12-Sep-2009, SA, Northern 123Organiser: Richard ScheerDean King, Nick Spyrou, Glen Thompson.

150 km, 14-Nov-2009, NSW, Daddy, Mummy and Baby GorgesOrganisers: Howard Dove, Rebecca MortonMichael (Hugh) Fyson, Paul Morrice, Simon Naunton, Francis Ng.

160 km, 28-Nov-2009, QLD, Midnight Century (160 km)Organiser: Dino MorganteChristopher Barham, Matt Barton, James Blair, Richard Brabazon, Iain Brockwell, John Brook, Brian Cavanagh, Gavin Evans, Wayne Fels, Stephen Finnimore, John Fitter, Mark Fulloon, Peter Gallagher, Brendan Heagney, Joe Holcombe, Brian Hornby, Mark Jarvis, Peter Jenkins, Vaughan Kippers, Tennille Knight, Stephen Lawrance, Jason Littler, Jonathan Luthje, Brian Machin, Michael Mckean, Will Morris, Robert Nesbitt, Robyn Newsham, Grant Noble, Russell Parkin, James Pearson, Martin Pearson, Mark Prince, Sue Prince, Mark Purvis, Deidre Rennick, Ian Robertson, Wes Sawyer, Tim Strohfeldt, Soren Vejby, Shane Waller, Sonia Waller, Ken Warren, Darrin White, Elizabeth Zeller.

ROAD SERIES

50 km, 14-Nov-2009, QLD, Waters Edge WanderOrganiser: Dino MorganteSimon Faber, Steven Lawrance, Brian Lowe, Dino Morgante, Jonathon Spillet.

50 km, 22-Nov-2009, QLD, urBAYn AssaultOrganiser: Dino MorganteDavid Booth, Richard Brabazon, Simon Faber, Peter Gallagher, Vaughan Kippers, Sue May, Jacob McNally, Dino Morgante.

100 km, 12-Sep-2009, SA, Northern 123Organiser: Richard ScheerFiona Glidden, Susan Mitchell.

100 km, 14-Nov-2009, NSW, Daddy, Mummy and Baby GorgesOrganisers: Howard Dove, Rebecca MortonDavid Garlick, Ashley Russell.

100 km, 14-Nov-2009, VIC, Pyrenees MagicOrganiser: Andrew ThomasFlo Andison, Wayne Andison, Bruce Baehnisch, Janice Ballinger, Charlene Barach, Judith Barnard, Chris Brennan, Donna Bishop, Aaron Blomeley, Mark Blomeley, Allen Boyd, Bob Braszell, Chris Brewin, Rowan Burns, Andrew Byrne, Rick Calvert, Fiona Cameron, Peter Cameron, Karen Canny, Peter Canny, Steven Carey, Phil Cartledge, Gary Cattron, Martin Chambers, Chris Charleson, Geoff Christmas, Heather Christmas, Ben Clark, David Cocking, David Cooper, Brett Cornish, Nick Cowling, Tim Croagh, Marg Crocker, Helen Cronin, Trudy Cunningham, Kayleen Currie, Diane Daniell, Daniel Davies, Kevin Deane, Gordon Donaldson, Alister Douglass, Raelene Edwards, Barry Fraser, Naomi Fountain, Colin Fraser, Nigel Frayne, Steve Fulford, Doug Garley, Ken Gawne, Neale Goad, William Goldfinch, Eddie Goodson, Ann Grant, Gary Green, John Hagan, Alison Hangar, Stuart Harris, Peter Hayes, Lyn Henry, Ken Heres, Robert Herrman, Rod Hetherington, Alan Hicks, Adrian Hucker, Gary Hucker, Fiona Isaac, Ray Isaac, Karen James, Peter James, Roy Jenkins, Will Juarez, Brenton Keats, Lois Kent, Paul Kent, Tim Kingston, Judy Kinnersley, Elizabeth Kwok, Paul Lamb, Ron Larkin, Zoran Lazarevic, Tim Laugher, Edward Laurie, Sue Lazarevic, Rob Levsiton, Travis Little-Spence, Peter Livitsanis, Chris Lockett, Max Lund, Raymond Malviste, Craig Marshall, Peter Martin, Jim Mathewson, Gerard McAloon, Andrew MacDonald, Ken MacDonald, Brett Mende, Mick Mihalenko, John Milic, Steven Monigatti, Bob Morley, Pam Morrow, Giselle Muller, Steven Murphy, Darren Murrell, Michael Myers, David Nickson, Rhonda Nickson, Peter Norman, Brian Park, Adrian Paton, David Patterson, Brian Payne, Mark Payne, David Peters, Geoff Pfieffer, John Polkinghorne, Philip Porter, Phil Proctor, Adam Rasmussen, Steve Reed, Jennifer Rielly, Michael Ryan, John Rhook, Tristan Ritchie, Simon Roberts, David Robinson, Paul Russell, Brady Schmidt, Roger Simkin, Francis Simpson, Marion Simpson, Mark Slater, Adam Smith, Mark Smith, Steven Smith, Trevor Smith, Les Solley, Jamie Solomons, Jan Sommerville, David Squillari, Brad Stephenson, Garth Stephenson, Paul Stevens, Don Stewart, Juanita Stumbles, David Syme, Kerrie Trounce, Glen Turner, Adrian Van Hienen, Lee Vause, Alan Walker, Brian Walker, Narissa Walter, Gerard White, Liam White, Jean Wiegard, Chris

BrevetsDavid Killick, Brevet Editor [email protected]

“More beer and less bike riding seems to be the new

recipe for success!”

Bradley Wiggins (after placing fourth in a stage

of the Herald Sun Tour)


300 km, 12-Sep-2009, SA, Northern 123Organiser: Richard ScheerAllan Dickson, Michael James, Matthew Rawnsley, Richard Scheer.

300 km, 14-Nov-2009, SA, Time For a New NameOrganiser: Matthew RawnsleyClaudio Pompili

300 km, 05-Dec-2009, NSW, Highlands 300KOrganiser: David StevensonJeffrey Barrett, Richard Pinkerton, Barry Stevenson.

300 km, 12-Dec-2009, NSW, Thunderbolt’s WayOrganiser: Lisa TurnerPaul Cribb, Martin Pearson, Lisa Turner.

300 km, 18-Jan-10, SA, Sea to PinesOrganiser: Richard ScheerNick Dale, Richard Scheer

300 km, 9-Jan-2010, NSW, The BIG RideOrganiser: Jonathan PageGarry Armsworth, Tom Boogert, Howard Dove, Dave Hart, Bradley Hawthorne, Douglas Kennedy, Bec Morton, Ricky O’Brien, Jonathan Page, Mike Race, Matthew Rawnsley, Piet VanGurp.

400 km, 3-Oct-2009, QLD, Travelling SouthOrganisers: Martin Pearson, Sandy VigarAlan Baker, John Fitter, David King, Brian Lowe

200 km, 8-Nov-2009, SA For StartersOrganiser: Matthew RawnsleyAllan Dickson, Oliver Portway, Matthew Rawnsley, Richard Scheer, Graham Stucley

200 km, 14-Nov-2009 NSW, Ben Who?Organiser: Lisa TurnerPaul Cribb, Martin Pearson, Lisa Turner.

200 km, 14-Nov-2009 SA, Time For a New NameOrganiser: Matthew RawnsleyBen Del Fabbro, John Del Fabbro, Robert Gaggini, Ian Peak, Glen Thompson

200 km, 13-Dec-2009, NSW, In Search of HillsOrganiser: Organiser: Garry ArmsworthGarry Armsworth, Peter Barlow, Tom Boogert, Darren Byers, Howard Dove, Geoff Farnsworth, Nigel Freeman, Ron Gauld, Timothy Hancock, David Hart, Geoff Hilbourne, Phillip Jang, Douglas Kennedy, Ricky O’Brien, Frank Paterson, Steve Peters, Mark Scragg, Craig Stevens, Maggie Tran, Ronald Webster, Eric Wehr.

200 km, 23-Dec-2009, NSW, Mountain Mini Series Ride 1Organisers: Howard Dove, Rebecca MortonAndrew Bray, Howard Dove, Dave Harrington, Liz James, Rebecca Morton, Tom Nankivell, Ricky O’brien, Leigh Robertson, Geoffrey Taylor.

200 km, 27-Dec-2009, NSW, Mountain Mini Series Ride 2Organisers: Howard Dove, Rebecca MortonMichael Bentley, Howard Dove, Rebecca Morton, Rod O’Brien, Chris Rogers, Kerri-Ann Smith.

200 km, 29-Dec-2009, NSW, Mountain Mini Series Ride 3Organisers: Howard Dove, Rebecca MortonHoward Dove, Liz James, Rebecca Morton, Ricky O’Brien, Rod O’Brien, Fraser Rowe.

200 km, 29-Dec-2009, SA, TDU ReconnaissanceOrganiser: Richard ScheerChristopher Harrison, Claudio Pompili, Matthew Rawnsley, Richard Scheer, Graham Stucley, Glen Thompson, Richard Tyson.

200 km, 02-Jan-2010, NSW, Bingara & BeyondOrganiser: Lisa TurnerPaul Cribb, Martin Pearson, Elizabeth Pearson, Andrew Pearson, Matthew Rawnsley, Lisa Turner.

200 km, 16-Jan-2010, NSW, The Ferry Long Way RoundOrganisers: Howard Dove, Rebecca MortonPaul Baynham, Johan Brinch, Howard Dove, Grant Hamilton, David Hart, Stephen Henry, Andrew Howse, Douglas Kennedy, Wayne Kershaw, Brendan Krone, Peter Mayall, Peter Mccallum, Rebecca Morton, Steve Peters, Gary Picard, Eoin Reville, Clyde Rosanowski, Linda Selvey, Warwick Sherwood, David Taylor, Maggie Tran, Therese Van Gurp, Steve Vesel, Ronald Webster.

400 km, 7-Nov-2009, QLD, Douglas 400Organiser: Howard BrandisAlan Baker, Stuart Dowell, Pat Lehare, Brian Lowe, Peter McCallum, Alex Morgan, Martin Pearson.

400 km, 14-Nov-2009, SA, Time For a New NameOrganiser: Matthew RawnsleyAllan Dickson, Richard Scheer.

400 km, 16-Jan-2010, NSW, Gunning 400Organiser: Barry StevensonJeffrey Barrett, Barry Stevenson, Grant White.

600 km, 15-Aug-2009, SA, Goyder 600Organiser: Richard ScheerOliver Portway, Matthew Rawnsley

600 km, 25-Oct-2009, NSW, Scone 600Organiser: Malcolm RogersPeter Barlow.

600 km, 14-Nov-2009, SA, Time For a New NameOrganiser: Matthew RawnsleyOliver Portway, Matthew Rawnsley

PERMANENTS150 km, Wallangra Loop Permanent, NSW, Paul Cribb, Lisa Turner.

Bonne route et adieuWe have recently learned of the sad deaths of two personalities in the endurance cycling world, only two days apart. Many of our members will know, or know of, them.

Claude LepertelJean-Gualbert Faburel, Vice President of Audax Club Parisienne, sent news that Claude Lepertel had died on 28 January. Claude was the daughter of Robert and Suzanne Lepertel who were responsible for organising Paris–Brest–Paris for over three decades. Claude took over her parent’s role in 2003. She will be particularly missed by Audax members in the English-speaking world as, due to her fluent English, she was often the only link many riders had with the event prior to arriving in France. Claude was a committee member of ACP and responsible for the homologation of French BRM rides.

Claude rode PBP in 1991

Niels-Ole Frederiksen Only two days later, Jean-Gualbert had the sad job of passing on news of the death of Niels-Ole Frederiksen on 30 January after a long struggle against cancer. Niels-Ole was chairman for Audax Randonneurs Danemark as well as national correspondent from 1991 until he retired. Niels-Ole was a very enthusiastic randonneur, who has had great influence on the development and growth of the Danish long distance bicycling during his many years as chairman.


Elvis has left the mountainReports that the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll was alive and well and riding a recumbent up Mt Buffalo in January have proved to be false. The handsome and talented man in the body-hugging white jumpsuit turned out to be none other than Ian Boehm in full sun-protective kit.

While beating-off hordes of admiring young ladies Ian described the fancy legwear, “For the record they are a Netti product bought from Abbottsford Cycles. Us recumbent riders are stretched out in full sun all day so need high levels of skin protection. We can and do use gobs of 30+ but I reasoned that a lightweight covering of white Lycra reflecting the sun might be a better option. I can report that they worked very well winching up Buffalo.”

EnterprisingWhen Dave Harrington (Lap Man) and Liz James (Lap Woman) signed up for Ride 1 of the Mountain Mini Series in Bright over the Christmas period, the temptation became too great. A cunning plan was formed to somehow duplicate their DNA. Water bottles were swiped and samples were taken. An elixir is in the making1. This formula, once consumed, will protect riders from all manner of airborne and contact diseases and ailments2. A new super breed of participant, you too can ride on while others fall around you!

If you’d like to do a Liz and Dave next time round, this potion could be yours. In honour of them I’m naming this elixir SurTrek (Dave rides a Surly and Liz a Trek) and this project will henceforth be known as the SurTrek Enterprise.

NB: Dave insisted on trying the first batch. I tried to warn him it could be like kryptonite to Superman. He took some before attempting the ACE250 route and abandoned at Mt Beauty where his wife picked him up3… I did warn you Dave.

Howard Dove

1. Mark 1 has problems at the moment: it only works whilst riding a ridiculously heavy and inefficient bicycle fitted with a triple chainring.2. For those who may have forgotten, Liz and Dave were the sole survivors of the Lap du Victoria when unfortunately sickness was the main cause of everyone else not completing the entire lap.3. See the full story posted as “Trumped by the ACE” in the ACE250 section of the forum on the Audax Australia website.

Phot

o: T

ops S

hots

(ww

w.bi

cycl

epho

tos.c

om.au

)

Superman tooRussell Freemantle says of his Alpine Classic ride:

Online data indicates my arrival at Dingo Dell as 1055 which is about right (I had it as 1040). Departure was 1153 which seems a bit late as I did not stay long. Arrival at Bright was 1215 which was about right (I had it at 1210).

This would indicate the 35 km return trip took 23 minutes; this approximates to a 91.3 km/h average speed!

I demand a speeding ticket.

P.S. There were a lot of faster A-grade type riders passing me, imagine what speed they were doing!

Economic effectsIt’s 64 km from Howitt Park in Bright to Milawa, but we’re told by the proprietor of the Milawa Bakery that on Monday 25 January cyclists returning from the Alpine Classic were banging on his door demanding breakfast before the bakery had even opened for the day. This was the head of a constant stream of Melbourne-bound cyclists who kept them busy all day. He seemed pretty pleased about that.

Wardrobe malfunctionSteve Ambry observes, “You know you are a cyclist when you arrive in Omeo for an overnight stay, only to find you have two clean pairs of nicks in your kit, but no clean jocks!”

Hors délaiThe question was put on audax-oz: “Does anyone know what ‘hors délai’ means?” Here’s how the readers responded:

Hans Dusink:In a nut shell, means “out of time”.

Garry Armsworth: Hans is of course correct [of course –Ed]. See en.wiktionary.org/wiki/hors_delais

Audax Club Parisien for example uses the term in the Paris–Brest–Paris results booklet (abbreviated to HD) for riders who complete the course but who do not finish within their relevant time limit (80, 84 or 90 hours). Thus a rider who was in the 80 hour group but completed the course in say 82 hours would be recorded as HD even though they completed the course in a time less than many of those who rode in the 90 hour group.

Neil Irvine:“Outside the time limit” or…you rode all that way for nothing!

Simon Watt: …or maybe for the personal pride of completion, even without the gong. I like to think HD is central to the spirit of Audax—got nothing to do with the fact that I’ve achieved an HD of course.

A timely finish is rightly rewarded the brevet, but the motivation and effort to finish HD comes from the same source. Neither should diminish the other...

BackpedalBackpedal

Documents

Checkpoint No. 43 (Autumn 2010)