Bike Week is fast approaching. One of the events being held is the ‘Century Ride’, a 100km ride starting at Hobart’s Cenotaph which heads out to Cambridge then Seven Mile Beach, Tea Tree, Campania, Richmond, over Grass Tree Hill, the Bowen Bridge and finally back into Hobart. The Bike Tas website suggests that the ride can take between 4 and 7 hours to complete.
I’m considering doing the ‘Century Ride’ on my fixie. I like the idea of riding 100kms on just ‘one fkn gear’.. I’ve nailed the odd 60km ride fixed (Margate to Cygnet) but never been any further than that in one hit. Fairly confident my fitness level is up there for a ride of this scale, but the fear factor is nagging at the back of my head.. Will my knees pack up half way around? Would I finish last.. or finish at all?? Is it too far??? The ascent of Grass Tree Hill particulary worries me.. I haven’t seen it but I have hear rumours of a steep incline that (quote) ‘goes on and on forever!’.
There is a soft option, the 50km ‘Half Century Ride’ but I think this route still encompasses Grass Tree Hill, so I would still have to cycle the same monster. I know 50km is totally possible, especially having just ridden 50km on the dirt only two weeks ago.. So I think it’d be better to challenge myself and ride 100km.
Dunno if any of the other B’n’C crew are keen to join me in my madness? Mischa flagged some interest in the 50 and I think Turner-Burner may be up for the 100 if he’s in town.. Grundy is still coming to grips with fixed downhill and he thinks that Margate to B’Bay is a monster ride so I doubt he’ll be keen. Dave Killick? Probably yes??
Anyway take a look at the Bike Tas website and decide for yourselves.. 100kms fixed or not?
http://cyclingsouth.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=49
Uh, there’s no way I could make it past 30km. I’ll, um, cheer you on Benny.
Well I’ll actually need a ‘support’ crew for the Mt Wellington Challenge.. no way am I riding down the mountain on a fixie!! Ah, so would you be up for being on the summit with a car, some warm clothes and water on Sunday March 9?
i’m keen to give it a shot. i mean, i’ll need to have a crack at some longer stuff in the mean time coz i think about 30 km is the most ive done fixed but i reckon it could happen.
i’m not afraid
Good to hear Nic. Well, lets do some riding this coming weekend.. Maybe sat out to Oppossum Bay and back?