The 3 Peaks Challenge - Anyone Done It?
- Thread starter Cuthbert
- Start date
mtb101
Likes Bikes and Dirt
have you done the Audax Alpine Classic 200? Worth having a look at, starts at Bright so more chance of accomodation and it's cheaper and very well run by cyclists. I'm doing the 250 extreme alpine.
akashra
Eats Squid
I also want to do this event in 2013, but I'd like a friend to come along for company. Unfortunately I can't find anyone stupid enough.
Ultimately I'd like to do a few/lot more events that come with achievement jerseys.
Individually I've done all of the climbs (I did all of the 7 peaks last year) - I would say Dinner Plain is the worst/most difficult.
My biggest concern is the weather - when it rains in the alpine regions, well, that makes for a very cold, miserable day.
Ultimately I'd like to do a few/lot more events that come with achievement jerseys.
Individually I've done all of the climbs (I did all of the 7 peaks last year) - I would say Dinner Plain is the worst/most difficult.
My biggest concern is the weather - when it rains in the alpine regions, well, that makes for a very cold, miserable day.
cleeshoy
Eats Squid
depending on the race schedule, I *might* take you up on the offer Tim 
We did it over 2 days last year. On day 1 we rode form Bright, up Hotham, down to Omeo and stayed at Anglers Rest overnight. Day 2 we rode from Anglers Rest, up the back of Falls, down the other side, up Towonga Gap then back to Bright. Was our first "big" road ride and they were on these cheap ass alloy bikes that weighed a tonne with SPD pedals
I am pretty sure we could do it quicker now
We did it over 2 days last year. On day 1 we rode form Bright, up Hotham, down to Omeo and stayed at Anglers Rest overnight. Day 2 we rode from Anglers Rest, up the back of Falls, down the other side, up Towonga Gap then back to Bright. Was our first "big" road ride and they were on these cheap ass alloy bikes that weighed a tonne with SPD pedals
I am pretty sure we could do it quicker now
akashra
Eats Squid
depending on the race schedule, I *might* take you up on the offer Tim
We did it over 2 days last year. On day 1 we rode form Bright, up Hotham, down to Omeo and stayed at Anglers Rest overnight. Day 2 we rode from Anglers Rest, up the back of Falls, down the other side, up Towonga Gap then back to Bright. Was our first "big" road ride and they were on these cheap ass alloy bikes that weighed a tonne with SPD pedals
I am pretty sure we could do it quicker now
I don't care how long it takes, so long as it's under 13 hours.
wilddemon
Likes Dirt
Looking at heading over from Perth to have a crack.
Biggest problem is over West our biggest hills are 250meters.
however how hard can it be
hahahaha surely no harder than a bit of a headwind
I haven't done the event, but I did the ride with some friends earlier this year (but we started/finished in Mt Beauty).
It was a great day out. The ride up Tawonga gap wasn't difficult at all. Hotham was a great climb, with a few steep sections to start with then easing off with a nice easy gradient but then really ramping up in the last few kms.
Back of Falls is a real tough one, especially with 200km already in the legs. You get to "WTF corner" and it's straight up for a few kms. After about 5km it eases off a bit. Most people would want compact cranks & a 28 on the back.
http://theclimbingcyclist.com/climbs/alpine-national-park/falls-creek-omeo-side/
It was a great day out. The ride up Tawonga gap wasn't difficult at all. Hotham was a great climb, with a few steep sections to start with then easing off with a nice easy gradient but then really ramping up in the last few kms.
Back of Falls is a real tough one, especially with 200km already in the legs. You get to "WTF corner" and it's straight up for a few kms. After about 5km it eases off a bit. Most people would want compact cranks & a 28 on the back.
http://theclimbingcyclist.com/climbs/alpine-national-park/falls-creek-omeo-side/
akashra
Eats Squid
Hah, I had to think about that... 250 meters.
I'm trying to do the 1/20 as often as possible at the moment (7 times in the last 12 days?) to get my fitness back/weight back down, that in itself is 280 meters, and I'm doing the climb past that and to Olinda, which is 365 meters.
Within half an hour of me there's at least 6 ways I can climb 250 meters.
Hotham is a good 1450ish meters and takes a bit under 2 hours at an easy tempo.
I'm trying to do the 1/20 as often as possible at the moment (7 times in the last 12 days?) to get my fitness back/weight back down, that in itself is 280 meters, and I'm doing the climb past that and to Olinda, which is 365 meters.
Within half an hour of me there's at least 6 ways I can climb 250 meters.
Hotham is a good 1450ish meters and takes a bit under 2 hours at an easy tempo.
joemax
Likes Dirt
I did 3P in March and will do so again in 2013. It's well organised but as a mass participation event you get a very mixed bag of riders. You start with a long descent from Fall Creek and pass some terrible descenders. Many obviously put down times well ahead of their ability in order to get ahead on the start line. Bunches can be few and far between and many riders are not willing to share the work.
The first climb took me about half an hour riding tempo behind a small bunch, I then caught a decent sized bunch at the bottom of the descent and had a good ride to the first water stop then somehow they all evaporated and I was riding with just one or two others. Hotham is a long climb but not particularly steep, it just keeps giving. The final Falls Creek climb is very steep for 9km and is a struggle when you have 200km in your legs. I finished in 9 and a half hours which is a long day on a bike. Pity the guys coming in in 13!
In 2012 we were lucky with great weather. I chatted to some guys going up Hotham who did it in 2011 in visibility of about 10m. They remarked how nice it was to see a view. I have a mate who DNFed in 2010, he started OK but then it rained heavily, he got wet and the temperature dropped to zero at the top of Hotham. He stopped when he and his mate had both turned blue.
This post has lots of good info. Falls Creek fills up quickly so if you are going to do this make your mind up soon, book the accommodation and do lots of long training rides.
The first climb took me about half an hour riding tempo behind a small bunch, I then caught a decent sized bunch at the bottom of the descent and had a good ride to the first water stop then somehow they all evaporated and I was riding with just one or two others. Hotham is a long climb but not particularly steep, it just keeps giving
. The final Falls Creek climb is very steep for 9km and is a struggle when you have 200km in your legs. I finished in 9 and a half hours which is a long day on a bike. Pity the guys coming in in 13!In 2012 we were lucky with great weather. I chatted to some guys going up Hotham who did it in 2011 in visibility of about 10m. They remarked how nice it was to see a view. I have a mate who DNFed in 2010, he started OK but then it rained heavily, he got wet and the temperature dropped to zero at the top of Hotham. He stopped when he and his mate had both turned blue.
This post has lots of good info. Falls Creek fills up quickly so if you are going to do this make your mind up soon, book the accommodation and do lots of long training rides.
Here is the details page if anyone is interested.
http://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/great-rides/42359/
They even have special jerseys for people who complete in under 10 hours.
Better start training now.
http://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/great-rides/42359/
They even have special jerseys for people who complete in under 10 hours.
Better start training now.
mtb101
Likes Bikes and Dirt
in the last Alpine Classic I did (200k) I did all the training off road, so not many long climbs but plenty of high intensity climbing off road, of course on the day the main issue was trying to climb at a lower intensity for longer, seemed to work quite well. and always nice to get out on the mtb. so guess what I"m saying is smaller high intensity chunks maybe off road can be pretty good preparation for road climbing, especially as the roadie is lighter and easier to pedal. either way get ready for some repeats!!Looking at heading over from Perth to have a crack.
Biggest problem is over West our biggest hills are 250meters.
however how hard can it be
If anyone if interested this is one of the Perth training rides I have run.
Hopefully will have a positive contribution to the final results.
http://app.strava.com/rides/17993471
Does it look like a resonable training objective or should I be pushing harder / longer?
Almost tempted to chuck a MTB cassette and rear deraileur on the road bike. Save the legs and allow to spin the hills.
Hopefully will have a positive contribution to the final results.
http://app.strava.com/rides/17993471
Does it look like a resonable training objective or should I be pushing harder / longer?
Almost tempted to chuck a MTB cassette and rear deraileur on the road bike. Save the legs and allow to spin the hills.
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cleeshoy
Eats Squid
Suggest you run a 50-34 on front and a 11-28 on the back - you should be ok with that setup even on the steepest sections.
Having a MTB combo would have you spinning on the flats a bit too much me thinks.
mtb_ts
Likes Bikes
I have volunteered at a few of the 3 Peaks races, and frequent the North-East Vic region so can answer questions about the towns & facilities.
I was the popular 'leadfoot" sag wagon driver the 2 years before last.
Strict application of the rules of cut-off times has become necessary in recent races due to the early nightfall, remoteness of the narrow, steep winding roads, and most importantly, the long times likely to follow for any rescue or evacuation. Riders should have a space blanket or survival bivy sack in their kit.
I was the popular 'leadfoot" sag wagon driver the 2 years before last.
Strict application of the rules of cut-off times has become necessary in recent races due to the early nightfall, remoteness of the narrow, steep winding roads, and most importantly, the long times likely to follow for any rescue or evacuation. Riders should have a space blanket or survival bivy sack in their kit.
I have a non compact front chainring set however tempted to buy a new bike for the ride.
Was more thinking a tight MTB 11-32 cassette for the ride. Should give a good range but downside is big gaps between gears. Found being able to spin the hills make a big difference after 200km.
Will start heading out for laps of our local small hills. So boring!
Was more thinking a tight MTB 11-32 cassette for the ride. Should give a good range but downside is big gaps between gears. Found being able to spin the hills make a big difference after 200km.
Will start heading out for laps of our local small hills. So boring!
He didn't mention changing his chain rings so it won't effect his gearing on the flats, just bigger jumps between gears. I'm not sure if the setup will be compatible though.
Contador used a 11-32 cassette in the vuelta, so it can be done.
mtb101
Likes Bikes and Dirt
on an 8kg roadie I've found 27 on the rear and 39 up front is fine for climbs like Baw Baw, Falls, Mt Buffalo, T/Gap, I'll do all my training with this set up, now the Back of Falls worries me a bit (10%) + a 100ks on legs, so I could fit a compact crank for a 34/27 option, on the other hand if I have the climbing fitness I've had no issues in the past on 39/27. It is a bit of a personal thing and 'torque' can be more beneficial up a climb than spinning mainly cause spinning can blow you up cardio wise.
I reckon for something like this it would be best to have a couple more gears than you think you need. What if you were having an 'off' day or had been spanked by a strong headwind for much of the course - last thing you want is to run out of gears if the legs give out on the final climb.
Interesting comment re: Contador above. Anyone know if its normal for pros to run such a low gear ratio?
Interesting comment re: Contador above. Anyone know if its normal for pros to run such a low gear ratio?