Round the Bay in a Day - SAU Team?

[Jamezilla]

On Sunday 16th October is the annual Bicycle Victoria 'Round the Bay in a Day' - 210km cycle challenge.

I'm entering (this will be my 3rd time - didn't finish the first though) and was wondering if anyone else is interested? Teams are eligble for special prizes - and can even be run in a relay format (ie: 4x people doing 50km each)

More info at http://www.bv.com.au

Anyone game?

It takes a minimum of 4 for a team - with no limit.

All entrants get a jersey - but I can look into custom ones if we get enough numbers (10+)

[INASNT]

A friend and a cousin of mine are.

We have made a rather large bet with my cousin that he will give up half way through and wont make it to the end (coz he always brags how fit he is when he clearly is not). Part of the bet is if he doesent make it he has to walk around southland shopping centre with full body lycra for a few hours with his helmet on. :uh-huh:

[Roy]

Im very keen, what sort of bike would be best suited, road bike, mountain bike?

[Mavric]

can skylines enter as a cheere support cas there is no way u would get me riding 200km

[R32Big_boy]

Ha, i thought i bought a car so i wouldnt have to do physical activity like that!

[saff_cossie]

I was going to do this so would be interested if there is a team as I currently am nobby no mates for my cycling over here!

[GTRgeoff]

Done this a couple of times. Only took about 8 hours all up but I'll give it a miss this year. Must do with friends, otherwise it's a slog. I was doing my Sunday 100km ride in 3 hours at the time though

[Jamezilla]

Bris: I did it on an MTB last time (with slicks) and regretted it. A road bike would be sooo much better. I have to get one though - I only have the mountain bike.

Alan: Go Team! You me and Bris - 1-more makes a team!

I find a Frankston and back ride is pretty good for training (plus you can pop into Snowy's for a beer) - so if you both keen, we can work out some weekend training rides?

Mav: Don't laugh - we may indeed need some support vehicles. After about 100km, your ass is made of concrete. The first time I did it - I got 140km and just couldn't go further (was on MTB with knobbies) - had to call in the GF with the bike racks on the car to come get.

Cars cannot travel with the pack - but having some crew in Melb ready to collect people if required would be very handy. Golgo's roofracks fit any 2-door R33.

[TSTG33R]

Got to agree with Jamezilla, you'll only do it once on a mountain bike!! I did it for the first time last year. I come from a running not riding background, did a couple of rides (frankston and back) before the race thinking I'll be sweet. It was a killa!!! Took me close to 12 hours...but i did it!!!

It is one hell of a ride, although was a great feeling watching the sun came down as I rode over the westgate.

Wouldn't want to hold you guys up so i'll stay outie...

[_IrIsH_]

would highly recomend that u do it on a road bike.

[Jamezilla]

You'd be no holdup at all - I'm no speed demon. Took me about 13hrs or so to finish

Worth noting to all - that unless you are Lance Armstrong, or an experienced rider like Geoff (who would be cheating since he'll be bionic soon) - it's f*cking hard work. You need a padded bum and gloves in a big way... but it's massively rewardng to complete - even if you can't walk the next week

[saff_cossie]

I did the ride to Mornington side with some guys 3 years back on the day but didnt get on the ferry as I wasnt entered officially. I only ride mountain bike and have raced for about 7 years but have rested the bike for the past couple as I finished up uni and discovered excess alcohol. 15-20 hour weeks are not uncommon in the off season and weekly racing during the season was what I was used to.

I can still mix it with a few roadies now but need to fine tune it again.

James weekend ride sounds good, let me know when and where.

[Jamezilla]

How about an easy one next weekend? Frankston return - I can come past yours and we go from there? Say Sat morning?

[GTRgeoff]

I'll try to help with some coaching tips. I used to coach the NT junior development team, which was part of the deal for Shane Bannan (current national cycling coach) coaching me. I raced with the likes or Robbie McEwen (and won) and even shared a double bed with the little guy on one tour. Also picked up a national silver time trial medal doing 50km in 2:02. Even higher achievemant was riding the 30 km from home to work on St Kilda road in 37 min

Nothing too intense, just the comfort and condition side so you can make a good ride of it.

[Jamezilla]

Thanks Geoff that would be great!

I think the sight of the Golgo twins flanking some bikes - with you barking orders through a megaphone would be perfect

[saff_cossie]

James - Frankston sounds good. Will go for couple of spins this weekend to check all is in order but "old faithful" hasnt let me down yet! You are welcome to drive to my place and park out the front as its a little way round the bay from your place.

I was trained for 3 seasons by a pro UK racer called Jamie Norfolk as part of the team I raced for. Did a good mix of stuff from velo, circuit training, road rides etc. The club was affiliated with another club who owned some land that one of the XC rounds was on so we used to go there for technical skill building also.

[Roy]

Yeh great, sign me up:)

Ill do some ringing around this week about a bike, next weekend sounds good. Biggest thing i need to do is the cycling with one leg trick you see them do when warming up, i tend to only really put in any force on the downward stroke, so only for about 180deg, i think the pros do 360 and on the up stroke as well:(

[GTRgeoff]

I have 3 roadbikes (and a spare frame) and the mountain bike if you wanna get started training. Trading post is the cheapest for a bike. I'll help you select something comfortable that won't blow the budget. Or just borrow my $7500 race bike I won't be using it for a while. Seriously, I have a good spare ally bike that I can rerig.

Pedalling is a 360 degree motion, but it takes time to develop the pedal stroke. Best done on small (fast pedalling) gears, maintaining around 100rpm. I use a computer with a cadence sensor. Eventually you will get that nice smooth stroke you can impress your friends with by riding one legged.

My first recommendations are to focus on comfort. There are 3 points of contact. Hands, seat and feet.

Hands: make sure you use some nice gloves. They not only pad the hands but will protect in a fall. Thers are some good gel ones that absorb the vibration that Vic crap roads will generate. Look for something with a piece of terry or absorbent material on the back for wiping the sweat. Change hand position frequently to keep from stiffening and getting sore. Every 5 minutes is a good idea. A nice fit that gives room to move. Too tight and the hands go pins and needles in no time.

Feet: Comfortable shoes are a must. Not too tight or loose, not too heavy either as they are moving a fair bit. Toe straps and clips cut circulation but they are cheap. Clipless pedal systems abound and can really be a godsend if yoy have an accident or unsteady moment. The classic Look style is the oldest and one of the best for ease of use and setup, but are crap for walking. I've tried them all (as a guy who part owned 3 bike shops and my mate still has 3 shops) and keep going back to the look for road. Wiggle your toes regularly. Velcro straps and adjustable closures can cost more but allow you to soften and harden your contact as you need to.

Seat: First, a good set of shorts with a comfortable chamois is vital. No jocks, minimal seams and a little barrier cream or savlon to put a barrier between your skin and the salty sweat buildup in the chamois will help prevent chaffing. Chaffing lets you know you are in contact with the seat. REALLY!! I have no problem with lycra, it gives the best fit so don't be bashful. Your seat is important and must fit your butt. If you are like me, leather is the best but needs to be broken in. Big doughy gel things seem soft and comfy but just block circulation and are actually uncomfortable on really long rides. Some good seats have gel inserts and can be nice. The only way to condition ass and seat is to ride. The seat must be dead level as well or you will slide on it and stretch and damage that soft tender groin skin. Get a spirit level and set it on the nose and tail of the saddle and adjust until flat. Plenty of people keep moving the nose down to stop the pain of contact. Little do they realise they are just making it worse and making their legs work harder to stay on the seat.

Next installment, bike fit and position and those stupid aero bars.

[saff_cossie]

Agree with Geoff on the above. Best way I found to develop my pedal stroke was on a turbo trainer. Doing it that way means you can focus on it and safely rest the other leg somewhere else so the pedaling leg utilises the upward and downward stroke.

Then switch to work the other leg before clipping back in to see the results.

Only thing I have not heard is the seat to be perfectly flat. Certainly too far up and as a guy you know about it and too far down you do slide off but havent heard of the spirit level flat. I have learnt something new there.

Clipless pedal systems do take some setting up and need careful analysis of the individuals pedal stroke though otherwise very sore knees and inefficient cycling will result.

Keep up the good tips Geoff.

[ylwgtr2]

. I used to coach the NT I raced with the likes or Robbie McEwen (and won) and even shared a double bed with the little guy on one tour.

:confused: