I arose at 4:15am, wondering whether the training and preparation
I had put in for the Alpine Classic this year was going to pay dividends.
After an early breakfast of porridge and some stretching, I finished setting
up and checking my bike then headed for the start. There is a tangible
air of expectation at the start of the Alpine Classic. Riders group
nervously and wish each other the best for the forthcoming exertions.
Conditions were good; the skies clear and the air temperature was not cold.
After the pedal clicking of the 'fast riders' 6:20am start, the bunch was not very fast up to the start of the first climb to Tawonga Gap. Many riders appeared be conserving their energy. On the climb, I settled into an easy tempo rythym with 3 other riders and kept my heart rate within the 155 to 165 range. Quite a few riders pulled ahead. Over the top I ate my first Leppin (carbo gel) and drank. On the descent a rider just ahead of me nearly lost control on an innocuous looking corner - his rear wheel broke traction and nearly skipped him off the road into the cutting. Presumably he hit a small stone or twig.
I grouped up with about 7 riders and ate a banana on the way to the Tawonga checkpoint, at a temporary bridge. After a bit of confusion collecting stamped brevets and the short distance to Mt Beauty, I started on the climb with 3 others. One was Gerry, a rider I met on two previous Alpine Classics. We settled into a fast tempo pace, my heart rate nudging 160. After approximately 20 minutes we rode up behind Mark Hastie and Stuart Hill, who I had been training with regularly, and . and two other rider. We settled in behind them for a well-regulated ascent. Mark and Stuart were chasing a sub-7 hour time. At the Falls Creek checkpoint, assistance refilling water bottles was greatly appreciated. I had consumed two 750ml bottles of sports drink at his point. I refilled one bottle with water and the other with sports drinks (made with powder) and ate a banana provided, and another Leppin. Fast turnarounds at checkpoints are needed to get a good overall time.
The long descents of the Alpine Classic demand concentration - my new Michelin tyres gripped well, but I was keen to avoid the small amounts of debris washed onto the road after recent heavy rains. Riding tempo up the small inclines on the return to Mount Beauty was a change in style for me, but it helped protect my energy stores and the freshness of my legs for the two big climbs remaining. Conserving energy for Mt Buffalo is the key to a fast time. Many riders have expended too much energy by their return to Bright, and suffer, cramp or 'blow up' on Mt Buffalo as a consequence. I had a different plan for this ride.
I climbed the Tawonga Gap comfortably at 14 to 15km/h, with my heart rate around 150 to 160. Two riders pulled away ahead, but I concentrated on maintaining rhythm in my comfort zone. At the summit I had a brief toilet stop by the roadside then regrouped with Gerry and another rider. The three of us did turns back to Bright, maintaining a fast pace. The Spinacci bars were particularly useful for this. Back in Bright, my time was faster than last year so I was feeling positive about accomplishing my target of breaking the 8 hour time limit. The ride is not a race, but everyone knows their time, and many seek to better it.
Gerry and I left Bright together, I had a restocked with a 750ml bottle of flat coke (a racers trick from Mark) and a bottle of water. Approaching Mt Buffalo, I was feeling good. The small "pre hill" that I had started feeling cramps on twice previously passed without incident. Once on the climb proper, I spun the 39/26 to climb between 13 to 15km/h. My legs felt fresh, and my heart rate was comfortable at about 150. Gerry rode away ahead, but I did not feel like pushing much harder as the temperature was rising. I used my water bottle to occasionally douse by head and torso to combat the heat. I gave another rider a friendly squirt on the way past. The ramp in the middle of the climb provides a change of gradient, welcome relief from the sun, and some good views. After a few switchbacks I settled in for what feels like the longest haul of the climb, past heated granite slabs, around interminable corners to the last left-hand switchback. I eventually caught another rider who settled on my wheel. We chatted briefly between panting breaths.
At the switchback, a great psychological barrier falls - from there on you escape the worst of the sun, and it is not far to the Gap. I was still feeling strong and had no signs of cramp, although the climb was exerting its toll. It was around here that the first riders ahead of me on the 200km returning to Bright flashed passed, including Mark and Stuart, who both finished at a very respectable 7hr 10minutes.
At Gap, I was elated on the small descent to the snow plains. Riding fast through the cooler on the plateau to the Mt Buffalo Chalet was a welcome change from the climb. I received more welcome help at the Chalet checkpoint refilling bottles. Returning to Bright is arguably the highlight of the ride - no more large hills remain, and the descent of Mt Buffalo beckons. After the brief climb back to the Gap, I ate another Leppin and drank on the descent, and kept my legs soft pedalling to clear out lactic acid.
Even so, I cramped as I tensed up for the faster corners. Drinking, standing, stretching, then spinning on the bike cleared the cramps without too much trouble. The descent was blissfully car free, and the riders still climbing were well out of the way. About two thirds of the way down, I noticed a big increase in air temperature as I descended into an inversion layer cloaking the lower valley. This would make things difficult for slower riders on the climb, as overheating can be a real problem, as I found out to my detriment on my first Alpine Classic several years earlier.
At the bottom of Mt Buffalo, I chased out a few niggling cramps on the small hill past the entry gate, spinning a low gear to clear them. I caught up to another rider, we worked together for the final dash along the Ovens Valley back to Bright; averaging 36 to 38 km/h most of the way. At the checkpoint, I stopped my watch at 7:29, then signed in for the finish. Gerry was waiting there for his stamp; he had finished two minutes ahead of me; a phenomenal effort for his 52 years of age. My official time was stamped at 7:32; most riders felt that their recorded times were 3 to 4 minutes longer than their actual time, but as this was consistent, it did not cause too much concern. The Alpine Classic is an Audax ride, not a race, so exact timekeeping to race standards is not provided. After all, the aim is finish within the maximum time of 13.5 hours.
I was overjoyed with breaking the 8 hour barrier after my last three attempts (8:06: 8:05; 8:03). However, taking 30 minutes off my personal best exceeded my wildest expectations. On analysis of previous times and splits, I had gained a whopping 25 minutes on the climb up Mt Buffalo, and only a further 8 minutes for the other 3 main legs.
I attribute my big time improvement to the ride training and preparation, greatly assisted by my riding companions from The Freedom Machine crew (including Mark and Stuart), and also to the assistance and comradeship provided by other friendly riders and Audax club members manning the checkpoints. The Audax Alpine Classic provides an unparalleled challenge for riders to test their mettle on big hills in Victoria's beautiful Alpine Country. For me, it is the highlight of my cycling calendar for the year.
For those who asked, I reiterate that I am definitely not seeking to
break the 7 hour barrier next year.