Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club

Well, i'm planning/hoping to get my Grafton training happening early this year, so i can have a good improvement on last years performance. So, the plan is 3 big days of riding, can't stay home or i'll probably get lazy.

Current plans are to do a big loop down to Canberra/Queanbeyan, 680km (approx) total. I haven't finalised where the stops will be, but it will be something similar to the following, unless someone gives me a better idea:

Day 1- Sydney to Ulladulla - 224km
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/australia ... 6379446274
Day 2- Ulladulla to Canberra/Queanbeyan - 184km
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/australia ... 9262236024
Day 3- Canberra to Sydney - 276km
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/australia ... 3545614158

Terrain shouldn't be too difficult, but you can check the profile through the links. Day 2 has a reasonable climb.

Dates i'm considering are either 7-9th or 14-16th July, mainly because i work weekends and thurs/fri unless i'm going to an Open.

Let me know if you'd like to join me, or have any suggestions on the route, even if you won't be coming, as alternate roads can be useful.

im only interested if theres no hills, and yeah, considerable climb doesnt sound like my deal

That's a serious ride James. Is Day 2 the hardest day?

I reckon Day 3 will be the hardest, due to having the previous days riding in the legs, as well as being the longest, though there is a good amount of downhill. If i do this ride on the 14th, then Day 1 could be the hardest, as i'll probably still be a little tired following the Mudgee Opens. Suffering is what i'm doing it for, because i find i improve the most that way, so i shouldn't be too concerned about which day is hardest, though i don't think Day 2 is going to be the hardest.

Sounds like 3 Grafton to Inverell rides.

Didn't you fail to finish the Grafton to Inverell a few years ago?

Are you trying to break the pain barrier.

If you can get Stretch to do it I may consider.

i've not finished Grafton 3 out of 4 times. I think one of the main problems is finding the time to get the big training rides done, so that's what i'm trying to achieve.

It's not about pain, i expect to have a very enjoyable time.....

I don't think my dad will be coming.

That is a hell of a lot of riding. On main roads. On weekdays. Not for me, thanks.

However, if you make it though, I'm sure you'll be stronger for it!

I'm planning to find a few detours to quieter roads, but i don't think there're too many that won't increase the distance too much. Not many other options around Sydney either.

I agree with Huw on this one I think your abit mad, particularly putting the longest day on the last day. Such density training could just lead to injury. You would be better spreading it out of a few weeks or at least riding a few 100+ km days and then a 200+km day. & in truth I think that you have to do it all on power bars without getting off the bike. Becasue we did hamburger training for Grafton last year which was fantastic and very enjoyable but when it came to racing my body wanted a hamburger!!!

I'm still deciding if my current route is the best, but i've got a bit of time. Not too concerned about the last day being the longest, though i could swap the direction around, but i'll see if there's a better route out there somewhere.

I'll be trying to minimise my stops to Lunch and refilling drinks, no hamburger training for me.

I'm considering changing my plans and riding back to Sydney from Mudgee after the Open. Will most likely ride with a stop in Muswellbrook, making 2 days of 215km and 270km. Probably an easier option this way, would just have to take 2 bikes to Mudgee, as i'd want to ride back to Sydney on the Touring bike.