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December 2013 
In This Issue
Greetings!

This is the first newsletter / update for randonneurs interested in the ACT region of Audax Australia. A few general updates;
  • Members should have received printed copies of the calendars in the mail. Along with the calendar was the form to submit for awards, and another form for national committee nominations.
  • If you are planning on going to the Audax Alpine Classic in January please get in contact with Russell Noble if you would be able to spend an hour or two over the weekend helping staff the Audax Australia information stand.
Christmas Get Together - Sun 15 December 3pm
Celebrate Christmas and chat with your Audax riding mates without puffing to keep up or dropping off and missing the punch line...

Audax A.C.T. Members this is a reminder to RSVP to Kerri-Ann by Tuesday 10th of December so that catering for can be sorted out. Email invitations were sent out to Audax Members, if you are an Audax member and missed out on an invitation, please contact Russell Noble to fix up the e-mail.


Next Ride: Crookwell Canter Sat 14 December 200/300km
The ever popular Crookwell Canter returns on Saturday 14 December, again with two ride options at 200 and 300km. Both rides start at Watson Shops at 6:30am. Both head to Gundaroo, Gunning, Grabben Gullen and on to Crookwell. The 200 then retraces the course to Watson. A total of about 213km with 1550m climbing*. Map: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=307995 

The 300 continues on to Goulburn, Bungonia, Tarago, and back via Wamboin. More distance at 301km and 2200m climbing*. Map: http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=307991

Ride organiser is Anthony Nocka, please contact him to register (pls give a few days notice). This is a great ride, can thoroughly recommend the 300 even just for the Crookwell to Goulburn leg!

* climbing totals according to BikeRoute Toaster, seem a little low... 
Sydney Melbourne Alpine 1200 Wrap Up
ACT had 4 starters, Gaye Bourke, Michael James, Andrew Johnson and Tom Nankivell - all successfully finishing. As a region we ran two checkpoints, Canberra (overnight stop) and Tarago. There was positive feedback about the volunteers and controls on the Sydney Melbourne Facebook Group
 
Tom summed up the ride, as only an economist could:

Zero punctures. 3 capital cities. 4 pairs of nicks. 7 mountains. 16 checkpoints, 24kmh moving average. 36 bottles of perpetuem. 53 riders. 84 hours. 110 vollies. 700 minutes of sleep.  1200km of road. 14,000m of climbing. Infinite satisfaction.  ALLEZ-LUJAH!

 

Gaye used a few more words:

 

Fear is a powerful motivating force - and it's just as well that the SM1200 had me shaking in my cleats. 
Thus I a) actually did some training, and b) invested heavily in carbon fibre - although a reluctance to spoil the aesthetic and aerodynamic properties of said carbon fibre by adding bags meant that I spent day one colder & wetter than necessary. And then 3 km of Marulan mud added 3kg of gloop and ruined the aesthetic/aerodynamic thing - so on went the 'caravan' and I was maximally prepared for alpine blizzards on day two. Of course this ensured near perfect conditions and a need for sunscreen instead.

 

Tom had recently returned pale and shaking after his recce of the course past Cabramurra - this was having driven DOWN the route we were going to ride up. Hmm. Lactic legs aside, it was a magnificent day on the bike. Equally enjoyable was day three - I rode mostly solo, probably just as well after I discovered the joys of leftover hard boiled eggs at the Lake Hume control. Reaching the Whitfield control involved negotiating the trail of loose rubble posing as a driveway, but it was worth it to peruse the days menu and select a icy cold drink & freshly made sandwich. Dire warnings of a huge climb to Mansfield were an outright lie, but a much appreciated one as this overcooked cyclist pedalled gratefully into a green shady haven with a nice gentle gradient, followed by some ripping descents. 

 

The final day - clearly concocted by a total sadist - was not over until it was over. All available little uphill pinches in the outskirts of Melbourne were included for our cycling pleasure. And what a pleasure it was to arrive at Albert Park and be plied with food, drink and congratulations. To the organising committee and crew of wonderful, wonderful vollies - my appreciative thanks for an outstanding ride.

 

Gaye 'Flipper' Bourke

 

Andrew Johnson has a piece in the upcoming Checkpoint magazine, so be sure to check it out... join Audax and receive the magazine. 
 
Below are a few pictures taken by Jun Sato, one of the Japanese riders.
SM1200 Bikes lined up at Tarago Checkpoint
Bikes lined up at Tarago Checkpoint -- Photo: Jun Sato 
SM1200 On Monaro Highway South of Canberra
Monaro Highway South of Canberra -- Photo: Jun Sato 
Ride Report: Capital Country Criss Cross 200km Sat 30 November
Saturday was a brisk morning for the 5 riders starting the CCCC. Daniel Oakman on the recumbent, Anthony Nocka, Don Mankewich, Yves Quaglio from Yackandanda and Russell Noble set out at 6:30 from Lonsdale St Roasters - just as they were opening so no time for a coffee.

A slightly revamped course for 2013 see the start moved to Braddon, winding out of Canberra via Mulligans Flat Rd, East Talagandra Lane with it's quick descent into Sutton and then down Sutton Rd to Norton Rd. The steep climb at the start of Norton Rd warmed everyone up and started to spread out the field a little.  As a change the route turned into Weeroona Dr, which proved a nice stretch of relatively quiet road, before Macs Reef Rd then the ripping descent down Smiths Gap and in to Bungendore (65km).  Everyone met up at the bakery for a quick bite to eat and a chat.

The route then retraced it steps back up Smiths Gap and then onto the Old Federal Highway out to the lower look out / rest area at the lake. The small climb up from the rest area brought about suggestions for a route change for subsequent years. Note that the magpies here were still swooping.  Yves had been suffering from a sore knee so unfortunately decided to head back to Canberra from the lake.

Daniel, Don & Russell stopped for a bite to eat in Gundaroo (115km) while Anthony rode on to Murrumbateman (147km). The loop around Murrumbateman via McIntosh Cct, Euroka Ave & Patemans Lane were quiet roads and showed off the wineries and estates around the town.

Riding back into Canberra via Nanima Rd we came across cyclists out on the Centenary Trail around Hall and on a track next to the Barton Hway. Positive feedback about the trail, only advice was to take along flyspray. Our ride finished with the bike path from the Barton Hway down to Lake Ginninderra, then through the back of the AIS, O'Connor, and back into Braddon.  Riders arrived between 16:00 and 16:40.
Upcoming Riders & Events
Sat Dec 14 - Crookwell Canter 200 & 300km
A challenging ride to Crookwell & back via Gundaroo, Gunning and Grabben Gullen. Undulating and at times hilly terrain, with about 2200m of climbing. The 300 returns via Goulburn, Bungonia, Windellama, Tarago, Wamboin and Eagle Hawk.  

Sun Dec 15 - Christmas Party
Members only, RSVP required to Kerri-Ann.
 
Sun Jan 5 - Jerrawa Xtra Special 200km
The XXtra version of an old favourite - From Hall we head through the 'burbs out to Uriarra Crossing and Mountain Creek Road on to Yass, then Jerrawa, Dalton, Gunning and back via Gundaroo 
 
Sun Jan 12 - Namadgi Grimpeur 75, 115 and 150km (Training Rides)
A choice of demanding rides in scenic countryside in and near the Namadgi National Park, traversing Corin Forest, Honeysuckle Creek, Fitzs Hill and Orroral Valley. Ideal Alpine Classic preparation.  
 
Sat Jan 18 -  Gunning Gallop 150 & 200km
Annual ride to Gunning via Collector and Old Hume Highway, returning via Gundaroo and Sutton. Ideal Alpine Classic taper
 
See the Audax Ride Calendar for more details, maps and who to contact to register for a ride.

If you know of people interested in long distance rides we can subscribe them to the mailing list so they receive ACT updates. Just contact Russell Noble, or forward this e-mail to them and they can click on a subscribe link.

Audax Australia, A.C.T. Region
P.O. Box 12144
A'Beckett St
Melbourne, 8006

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