Cycle2max Forums - The C2M Corner - 2010 Mutual Communit TDU Challenge - Messages http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Cycle2max Forums - The C2M Corner - 2010 Mutual Communit TDU Challenge - Messages en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Jitbit AspNetForum Sun, 31 Jan 2010 14:52:36 GMT Sun, 31 Jan 2010 14:52:36 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from JDL edited by JDL on 31/01/2010]]> Sun, 31 Jan 2010 14:52:36 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Matt Sarre
The interesting bit is that we asked TDU specifically if we could have vols at stops along the Challenge Tour route and we were told no. Not having a go at Tour (organising TDU is a massive task), but please join us and give TDU feedback that riders want more suncreen on the ride. I promise you we would have been there if we could have. Sorry guys.

PS. We've had pretty amazing positive feedback from people (esp cyclists) about the work of our vols across Tour week. Most people were incredibly thankful to have free suncreen available. I notice a couple of people didn't have great experiences with our vols - sorry about that - I guess out of the tens of thousands of people who took suncreen from us, a few bad experiences is inevitble, but it's still disappointing. Sorry.

PPS. Before anyone says "but you weren't in such and such a location", let me just say 120 vols doesn't go far across 12 events and 7 days. Anyone who wants to join our army next year is more than welcome. The more people we can put on the ground, the more places we can be and the better the service we can offer.]]> Sun, 31 Jan 2010 13:00:11 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from nedlam Friday we drove, sunday was ample of sun screen spots, possibly due to the familys every where.
I'll do the tour next year as i haven done one yet but, as a few ppls have now told me. RIDELIKE CRAZY it the way to go.
In in it. Does the route change with this one much, as the only time i have heard of this is on here a week ago.
Dean]]> Sat, 30 Jan 2010 21:43:56 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Robert Rau I need all the protection I can get with my northern european pale skin, which I inherited from my ancestors, even get burnt under a 60W light globe
Value for money is the key which brings the customers back in droves....if they feel ripped off they remember and this is the case with the Community Challenge as several options are on the table next year such as Ride like Crazy, Alpine Challenge or the TDU Challenge.....people will back choices based upon prior experience and what goals are important for them. The Lance factor doesnt really get much attention from me, but Im a bit partial to a decent slap of fruit cake or a cuppacino after a ride.....yes, I ride on my stomach which Im sure any dietican would appreciate......and still burn a massive amount of calories (or kilojoules)per hour. Hydration was another important factor which caused lots of riders to suffer. Perhaps they pushed too hard in the groups they were riding with and neglected the fluids. I cant ride well in a group on these large scale rides as I prefer to have the time to rehydrate to keep the cramp and dehydration away, even if it means I have to push on my own Bottom line is to ride within your own limits, and keep to your own style of riding - most who know me know the surges up hills and cruise on the downhills as a recovery. Essentially happy with my effort and enjoyed some aspects of the ride better than others, but it gives us new goals to look at in the future. Satisfied with the climbing efforts and still the king of undulating country side but suffered with the cross wind towards Milang but rode much faster into the head wind coming into Finnis, and the sprint at the end to cross the line showed there was still enough petrol in the tank (great photo at the end, thanx Epsom Studios for the photos and those little red devils, even got a little hung up on the one at Currency Creek). Perhaps the question I need to ask is do I need another challenge next year? or go for another one of those coloured spinakers and take up sailing?]]> Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:10:27 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Liv Pilla Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:39:57 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Freddy
I don't think there is any doubt the ride is over priced and we are paying for the fact we can say we rode the same course the pro's did later that day. Has the price increased all that significantly since Lance has been coming? If the revenue was about $1m, what do we think the outgoings were. Surely that Jersey couldn't have cost too much as a mass production? The lunch at the end would have to be around $10per head. All in all you'd have to think more than half the cost was all profit?

The Kinglake ride in Vic for example is much better value - a Nalini Jersey - probably worth most if not all of the $130 you pay to go in the event. The Grand Slam series here I was pretty impressed with the stops for food/drink and the lunches supplied after the rides. Good looking jersey to go with this years event too.]]> Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:32:21 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Bones
Head winds - yeah, they made it more difficult - HTFU! We all suffered. They tail winds made up for it in great lumps!

Having said that - well done to SAPOL and the volunteers. They did a great job with what they had been given to work with. Applause

Sadly though, I can't justify doing any more. It looks like a cash cow for the Tourism Commission. 8000x$145 = $1,160,000. In future, I'd rather support a charity ride. Just my 2cents worth...
edited by Bones on 28/01/2010]]> Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:08:21 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Gary S
1. Value-for-money..............RLC wins easily
2. Ease of registration process/signing-on/signing-off..........a draw (both were pretty easy)
3. Achievable route for cyclist with medium-good fitness (I'm not an aerobic animal like most of you)....TDU wins (I found RLC undulating route to be difficult)
4. Food/drink stops............RLC wins by a country mile
5. Quality of jerseys.........a draw (I think RLC looks better, but TDU stands out more in traffic)
6. Post-race food...........RLC wins
7. The cause we ride for...........RLC wins easily (RLC profits go to cancer research vs. TDU commercial focus)
8. Joy of riding in big bunches........TDU wins easily (because there are lots more riders to hook-up with)
9. Overall rating............RLC 9.5/10.........TDU 7/10]]> Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:45:18 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Dwayne Cox
I ride regularly .... did alot of longer rides through the hills behind Port Elliot and Victor ........ trained ..... carb up and drank the equivalent of the current capacity of the whole of the murray darling system.

I got through the ride ok and had a great day...... however .... the cost involved definately came across as a massive profit engine for what support was provided. I too took all my own bars/gels and water, so was self sufficient apart from water fill ups .. but I do the same on any sunday afternoon ride along the coast and up into the hills. Maybe an attachement in an email to the organising body with a link to this forum page is the way to go.
Love the atmosphere created by riding in big bunches .. so lets all look forward to next years new and improved ride.



Whaaaaa?]]> Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:13:06 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from nedlam We were stopped on the approch to Goowla, due to high car trafic, but once the race was over they opened up the roads. Just outside of Goolwa, we were stoped again as an Ambo had to back up one rider as he was thrown from his bike and from what i had seen was grazed badly and to have ridden so far, to have been thrown from the bike is sad. Also to see and hear over 200 ppls on drips and or taken to hospital is shocking.
Why do ppls put there self way beyond there limits.
These ppls that do the full distance need to be given a check list of prep (foods, fluids.etc). And if they know they can not make this kinda distance, or have not done this distance, then they are not allowed to do it.
Also traveling in the car i did see the spring waters thrown every where, again as some ppls have said, i'm sure there could have been a company that can supply fresh cool water, not boxed boiling water.
Well next year i do plan on doing the challenge ride for the TDU. But i think i will stick to the medium.

Well done again to the riders
Dean

Also, do you think there needs to be more distances offered. I know i wasnt fit enough this year, but me and my cuz would have like to have a dist between the 111kms and the 35kms. Say something from Mt Barker or even Strath?

If any one can send me to any training plans or how to prepare for next year i'll like to get started.]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:40:15 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Liv Pilla The group that started at Woodside got to Strath before the food stop was even set up. So they got nothing! And what annoyed me the most was that there was NO sunscreen! Done on the cheap is correct... This should be a safe, fun, community event. Not a money making oppurtunity.

Riders have to take responsibility by preparing correctly, but they should also be given the best support $140 can buy. My 2 cents]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:44:48 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Corks Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:56:57 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Jason Daniels Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:05:20 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Neanderthal Nick Corks wrote:
It is understandable that many riders (perhaps including yourself) had got caught up in the excitement of an amateur leg as a prologue to a Tour stage, but unless you regularly ride upwards of 3-4 hours (or 4-5 hours if you average say 20-25kph), it is a physiological fact that you will not complete a ride of 120-140km with any dignity – this is BEFORE you even add other extremities to the equation such as heat, wind and adrenalin.


I think Corks is overstating the need to prepare with long distance rides in advance of an event such as the TDU leg, at least for those of us whose target is simply to get to the end before everyone else has gone home. I agree that you need to work yourself up to a certain level of fitness but beyond that diet and hydration seem to be the key.

I only took up cycling back in September and my basic training runs last 30 minutes (Monday to Friday) and up to 1.5 hours on the weekend, I have never trained at a distance over 70km. Since September I have entered and completed the full distances for Amy's Ride; Ride Like Crazy and the TDU stage - in all cases I have arrived at the end with enough dignity to keep me happy (though I must admit that at the end of Amy's Ride I finished with an empty tank). As far as I can see the most important aspect of preparing for a long distance ride is to start the carb loading at the right time and to make sure that you are fully hydrated before the start, when on the ride just keep eating and drinking to the finish. For the record I rolled into Goolwa at 1.15 and had time to soak up the atmosphere along Cadell Street before watching the professionals finish their race at an unbelievably fast pace. It was a great day.]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:38:06 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from JDL
In relation to the first issue, I agree with Robert and Corks, if you didn't train and prepare (and hydrate and eat correctly in the lead up) then it's no real surprise that some people found the ride beyond them.. I've done the 2003, 2005, 2009 and 2010 Challenge Tours (or Breakaway/Be Active Tours as they were previously called). In my opinion, this is the easiest one they've ever put on... Climbs all out of the way in the first 50ish km and then all downhill, flat to the finish... Yes, the headwind out of Milang was tough but all part of the challenge... Just click down a few gears and keep pedalling, doesn't matter if you're going slow, as long as you're moving... Encountering a headwind at 115km or whatever isn't any harder than encountering Menglers Hill at about the same distance, which is what normally happens.. A big climb is probably a bit easier mentally, because riding into a headwind is so f^*king boring and climbing's more fun (and you expect the climb, headwinds sneak up on you!), but physically it's not much different I wouldn't have thought..

As far as the drink/food stops go, I didn't have a problem with the drink stops at all. There were plenty of them and I didn't think the wait was unreasonable at any I stopped at... The one at Milang was probably the only exception due to lack of water pressure... I think everyone agrees the food was a crap arrangement.. Should have been more stops and more food on offer, however experienced cyclists should have been carrying their own food to get by..

So all in all I don't think the ride itself or the organization was that bad, I'm sure they'll fix the food thing next year..
edited by JDL on 26/01/2010]]> Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:24:14 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Mike Johnson Daniel Kelly wrote:
Other rides people compare this too are missing a pretty big point, they don't have 8,000 going.

Amy's ride didn't have 8000 riders to deal with, nor the excessive funds that 8000 riders delivers yet they managed to have more than 8 taps at a single drink stop.

I prepared for the ride and that's probably partly why I didn't go home in an ambulance, but when the TDU ride is the most expensive (that I know of) on the Adelaide calendar, I _do_ expect the same if not more in regards to support.]]> Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:58:22 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Daniel Kelly
Other rides people compare this too are missing a pretty big point, they don't have 8,000 going.

Prepare for it properly, take plenty to keep you going, top up on the way, too easy.Cool
edited by Daniel Kelly on 26/01/2010]]> Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:20:37 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Corks Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:07:36 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Robert Rau Hope riders are learning that they need good preparation, and organisers learning that certain aspects of an event can not be skimped on. Eventually everyone will receive email evaluation for feedback and it is our responsibility to offer constructive feedback......me, I just like to ride and ride any damn distance beyond anyone else can handle as that is a challenge Start training and enjoy the bike, next year will then be easier and hopefully more people will have less difficulties other than the occassional flatty Im dying for a good cuppacino after one of these rides but can never find one.....]]> Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:31:42 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Alice Paterson It was dangerous to put cyclists in that situation so I decided to voice my concerns to try and make a difference and change it for those next year. There have been a few others who called to complain but the more who call, the better action we'll have. They won't read it here.
Here's who I called:
Mike Rann's Office 8258 0480
SA Tourist Commission 8463 4500
Tourist Minister (Jane Lomax-Smith) 8226 1205
Ian Evans 8278 5844
Santos Tour Down Under 8463 4701
It doesn't take long just to inform them that you were disappointed. At the very least, let the Ian Evans and the SA Tourist Commission know. If they hear enough about what needs to be done, they must change it. I almost fell over when I head the main person in charge of organising the Challenge Tour does not actually own a bike (they do not understand the requirements of cycling 160km).
$145 x 7500 (there were more that 7500 on the ride)
= $1,087,500 (hmmm, how did we afford Lance?)
Where did that million dollars go? I don't think it went into ensuring cyclists were safe and well looked after, that ride was done "on the cheap" and it put us all at risk. I was shocked at how many fit and young looking men were lying on the side of the road with drips in their arms. They need to know it was unacceptable.]]> Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:04:29 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Michael Warner
I find that if I ride hard for more than about 20 minutes without standing, large parts of my body start to complain about it, and I feel stiffer the next day.]]> Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:23:36 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Mike Johnson
I don't think it's skeletal problems though I can't be certain, but after the pain on Amy's ride my back adjusted to handling 100KM rides, so I prefer to believe it's muscle related. I've started stretching most nights even when not riding to help out with posture on the bike and I'll make sure to add some core exercises to the mix.]]> Sun, 24 Jan 2010 22:53:15 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Robert Rau ]]> Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:38:42 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Mike Johnson
Around the 3KM to go mark I noticed my rear had punctured (slow leak) but there was no way my body was going to be able to change it, so I rode on it. Few nicks on one side of my rear rim because the sidewind kept pushing the bike and causing the rim to drop off the rubber onto the road. None too bad though and the rims are nothing special so I wasn't chipping away at my bank balance.

Crossed the line and was ever so happy to lie down on the ground! Got as many liquid carbs in me as I could early, then made sure to eat the majority of my free lunch. I pulled up fine the next day, albeit tired. I'd been 'carb'ing up and over hydrating myself in prep for the ride as best I could. Apart from my back failure I think the rest of me arrived in Goolwa nicely.

Will core exercises help my back on those occasions when I ride past my usual weekly limits? I know if I keep doing 130+KM rides my back muscles will adjust and support me for that long, but can I create the strength off the bike? I'll be on the coast to coast in march and would love to ride home from it, but I'm a little concerned. I'm confident I can make it there in comfort, but I may die on the ride home :P]]> Sun, 24 Jan 2010 09:06:52 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Freddy
Robert, you are a machine - nice work!]]> Sun, 24 Jan 2010 08:44:10 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from The Cheez Robert Rau wrote:
next is the Coast 2 Coast - whos comin?


I'd love to do the Coast to Coast - in fact I've do it the last 5 or 6 years (not including the one that was abandoned due to heat). However the missus is due on the 5th of March and chances are I'm not going to get a ticket to go off on an all day ride. She'll probably use a guilt trip like "What's more important to you, cycling or your first born?".]]> Sun, 24 Jan 2010 08:40:25 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Robert Rau Practise makes perfect (or something like that). Sore lots of people on their bikes the next day and heard a few rolled to Willunga......me I went to the gym to stretch a few tired muscles (nothing too sore, thats why Im an animal). Wind wasnt too bad, ridden against worse in the Murray to Moyne (cooked in 40 degree heat during the day between Mildura and Ouyen and froze in minus 2 around Cavendish to Hamilton, all in the same day). Phil Anderson once said if you cant find a hill to climb (around Milang there aint much) then ride into a head wind for training, so you can blame Phil for your woes Keep riding as its all an experience an makes you more tough, (as Nick Wood told me once, toughen up - he was absolutely right) - so on me bike and next is the Coast 2 Coast - whos comin?]]> Sun, 24 Jan 2010 01:41:09 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Freddy The Cheez wrote:
mmmmmmm similar symptoms being felt here!
- shoulders -> severe pain
- triceps -> agony
- lower back -> seizing up boarding on excruciating and severely sunburnt due to an apparent gap between the bottom of the jersey and the top of my bike shorts
- left leg -> quad would cramp when I straightened it and the hammy would cramp when I closed it (agonizing)
- hands -> both palms completely blistered
- hind quarters -> felt like I had become one with the bike (not in a good way)
- front quarters -> fortunately numbed the pain out
- balls of feet -> each pedal made them want to commit suicide

After I gave up at the 151.5km mark I couldn't eat or drink for approximately 3 hours for fear of quickly and violently revisiting whatever I had just swallowed, vowed never to get back on the bike again (I do that after every ride) but right now I am actually looking forward to the next ride.

Still can't walk properly today - my left leg feels like it's been punched 10,000 times just above the knee on the left side. But bloody loved the ride. To all my fellow friends who were left shattered and exposed on the side of the road with their bike flung carelessly as they desperately tried to find a nice piece of gravel to die in, BUCK UP there is always next year!
]]> Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:07:34 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from The Cheez
Just kidding. I've written somewhat of a sob story here:
http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/topic134-2010-challenge-tour.aspx?Page=3#post1641

However I do remember at one point between Milang and Goolwa, as I was grinding away at 11 km/hr on the flat, to run through each body part to see how it was faring:
- neck -> stiff as a board and couldn't move it back to horizontal eye level
- shoulders -> severe pain
- triceps -> agony
- lower back -> seizing up boarding on excruciating and severely sunburnt due to an apparent gap between the bottom of the jersey and the top of my bike shorts
- left leg -> quad would cramp when I straightened it and the hammy would cramp when I closed it (agonizing)
- hands -> both palms completely blistered
- hind quarters -> felt like I had become one with the bike (not in a good way)
- front quarters -> fortunately numbed the pain out
- balls of feet -> each pedal made them want to commit suicide

After I gave up at the 151.5km mark I couldn't eat or drink for approximately 3 hours for fear of quickly and violently revisiting whatever I had just swallowed, vowed never to get back on the bike again (I do that after every ride) but right now I am actually looking forward to the next ride.

Still can't walk properly today - my left leg feels like it's been punched 10,000 times just above the knee on the left side. But bloody loved the ride. To all my fellow friends who were left shattered and exposed on the side of the road with their bike flung carelessly as they desperately tried to find a nice piece of gravel to die in, BUCK UP there is always next year!]]> Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:50:09 GMT http://www.cycle2max.com.au/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=215 Message from Freddy
Hiw are you feeling after yesterday's MCTDUC?

For those that rode the 150km Stage 4 of the 2009 Gran Slam Series, you'll remember the last few km's from Strathalbyn to Echunga. Well, I gotta say that Milang to Goolwa was much more difficult. The road after Langhorne Creek into Milang and on to Goolwa was the toughest conditions I (in my limited experience) have ridden in.

I am hurting tonight. I mowed the lawns today to try and get some movement in the legs.

I've not been on a ride where I've seen so many people break down both with their bikes and unfortunately themselves.

Couldn't believe the news last night with around 200 people treated or taken in ambulance during the ride.

Credit to all those that gave it a go and got involved.

Great to meet a few people along the way. Rode with a few from interstate during the ride and as a South Aussie it was great to hear glowing comments from those around the country about the whole TDU experience.

Keen to hear what everyone else has to say about the ride.

Cheers F]]> Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:23:27 GMT