Monday, January 26, 2009

Alpine Classic

Back tonight after traveling down to Bright and back for my first Alpine Classic. Wow.

Great couple of days. Lots of people had told me about the pain and the suffering but no-one had mentioned the Bright Brewery and the food. Had a ball.

I ended up completing the 140km which included both sides of Tawonga gap and Mt Buffalo. I don't mind saying that Mt Buffalo was the hardest physical task I have ever completed and the last 7km from the summit to the controle at Dingo Dell was a c*&t, but character forming in every sense.

My favourite memory of the ride is the view when you fly around a left hander on the middle of the Buffalo descent, granite outcrop on the right, nothing but space and the infinite everywhere else - all at about 60kph, time stood still and the pain of the climb vanished. That view alone will get me back next year and for longer than just the weekend. The start was fun as well...


I really enjoyed the circus of the event and somehow kept being overtaken by Citroen 2Cvs on the way home. They seemed to be everywhere.

For the record I was back in at 3.56pm making the 140k in a leisurely 9 hours.

Mileage in Kilometers is 613.76

4 comments:

David Killick said...

Well done you. Glad you had so much fun and finished in style! what a great weekend,I did the 130 that was really 120. Might give the 200 a go next year!

Grant said...

Cheers Dave, My plan is for the 200 in 2010 too. Must start training now....

Anonymous said...

Well done Grant. 140 is a great ride. I'll probably go 140 again next year.

Treadly and Me said...

While descending Mt Buffalo I find myself singing and/or laughing maniacally. Except at that particular corner you mentioned, where I go quiet for a few seconds while I ponder how fortunate I was to stay on the road at the point between rock wall and fresh air...

Glad to hear you made it and that you're keen for the 200 in 2010. Clearly the knee was up to the workout.