Barracudas Blog

First and foremost the Alpine Classic is NOT a race. It is about completing the ride and enjoying it.You won’t get a medal, award or anything if you finish first. So take it easy and enjoy the day.This is one of the most challenging rides that you will probably do and you can’t underestimate these mountains. This ride will earn you some mountain goat stripes.  

Be prepared for a tough day in the saddle. The climbs are not that steep but they are long and this is what makes the Alpine Classic difficult. Climbing the hills around Gippsland is one thing, going up for up to 30kms takes its toll and guess what, you have to do this several times during the day. Luckily, what goes up must come down and there are some pretty long downhills too. If you are anything like me, your hands will be the part of your body that hurts the most at the end of the day.     

PREPARATION – Bike

Service your bike or get it serviced. It is a long day and you don’t want your gears to jump or the derailleur to rattle for 200kms. Make sure that all the bolts are tightened. Take 2 spare tubes AND a puncture repair kit, just in case you are very unlucky. 

If you are not a mountain goat, do yourself (and mainly your legs) a favour and get a 27, 29, 32 or whatever size cog you see fit to go up these mountains. It is better to get to the top slowly than to have to push the bike or not get to the top at all. No shame riding a granny gear. 

Fit 2 bidon cages. You will need plenty of fluid if it is a hot day. 

Check your tyres for sign of wear and put new ones on if you need to. 

Make sure that your brake pads have enough rubber. Downhills are long and steep. Brakes are not an option. Check brake cables for wear. 

PREPARATION – Rider

Train for the event. It is a MOUNTAIN ride so head for the hills. Don’t wait until the last 2 weeks to start training. It is too late and you will only get tired before the big day. If you have done a few 100kms + rides with hills, you should be fine. Otherwise, be prepared to have a tough day. 

Have an easy training week before the race. You will not gain anything by pushing yourself except get tired. You will need all your energy for the day. Rest one or two days before the event. Put your feet up and enjoy an afternoon nap. 

Eat carbohydrate rich food in the week leading to the event. You want your glycogen level to be full. Put more salt than usual on your food. Sodium will become handy when you get tired. And will prevent cramping. 

THE DAY BEFORE

Go to bed early and have a good night sleep. 

Avoid alcohol the night before. It will only dehydrate you and make your legs heavy. 

Stretch your legs gently.  

Check your bike one last time and make sure that everything is ok. 

THE BIG DAY

Have a big breakfast with plenty of carbohydrates/banana/Up & Go. 

Dress for all weather conditions. The weather in the mountains can change quickly and early mornings are cold. Dress in layers and peel off as you warm up. You will be hot going up but cold when going down. 

Stretch and warm up before the start. The climb to Tawonga gap comes quickly and you don’t want to start the climb with cold legs. 

Don’t get caught up in the hype at the start. Take it easy and ease into it. Remember this is a LONG and HARD day. No point starting fast and pulling out halfway through. 

Don’t push up the climbs. A steady pace will get you to the top. Again, it is not a sprint event but an endurance one. Let people pass you. You will catch them somewhere later. 

As tempting as it is to go fast downhill, control your speed. The roads are not closed to traffic and it can get quite busy going up/down Falls Creek. Your aim is to complete the event, not to visit the local hospital. 

Look around, enjoy the scenery, talk to other cyclist and take your mind off the climbs. You will be surprised how quickly time goes when your mind is busy. 

Don’t let the gremlins get into your mind. YOU CAN DO IT. You have trained for it and you are ready. 

Drink plenty of fluid during the day. 

Drink before you are thirsty and eat before you are hungry. Sounds so simple but a lot of people wait until it is too late. Don’t wait until you feel thirst or hunger as your energy will already be depleted. Aim to drink every 15 minutes and eat every ½ hour. Do stop at the check points and get some food. They usually have nice buns, drinks, lollies, fruits and other good stuff. 

Do the urine check. If you are well hydrated you should have to stop for a pee on a regular basis. If your urine is clear, all is well. If light yellow, drink up as you are starting to be dehydrated. Dark yellow, red alert, drink plenty and often until it is clear again.It is a good idea to have some isotonic electrolyte drinks to replace what you are loosing through sweating.Remember that 1% of fluid loss decreases your performance by 20%.  

Don’t stop for too long at the check points. The longer you stay, the more your legs will seize up. Have a short break and keep moving. 

Mount Buffalo is the last effort for the day. Enjoy the climb and take it nice and steady. It is not that hard but long. If unfortunately you get injured, pull out of the event. There is always next year and an injury will only get worse if you push on. 

AFTER THE EVENT

Have plenty of fluid … NON ALCOHOLIC ones that is. Eat some carbohydrates and protein to help muscle repair. Do this within ½ hour after finishing.

 Put your legs in the river. Come to think of it, go for a swim in the river. Cold water will help with recovery. 

Stretch those tired legs. After a long ride, muscles are tight and need to be stretched GENTLY back to normal. 

Catch up with friends/family/other riders and chew their ears off talking about your day. 

Congratulate yourself, you have done it.  

THE DAY AFTER

If you can still walk unassisted, go for a short ride to loosen up the legs. I wouldn’t suggest the ride from Bright to Hotham as a recovery ride!!!!! 

If your bum is sore, that’s normal. The human body is not designed to spend a day on a narrow pointy seat. 

A COUPLE OF QUOTES

Cycling is not about the energy that you spend but the energy that you save 

Training is 90% physical and 10% mental, race/event are 90% mental and 10% physical

ps - Good luck to all. After all this, I hope that I am not the one who has to pull out of the event!!!!!