100 mile fixie ride Nov 4.

[531db]

See the Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club website - www.dhbc.org.au for 161 km of fixation from Bundanoon to Tempe via the infamous Razorback hill on Nov 4.

531db has the 49x20 (66.1") ready but expects to use the 24" aka 2 foot gear for the worst of Razorback.

[mikesbytes]

Are we going up razorback? I'd better lower my gearing I was going to use 48-17 for 74 inch

[531db]

Mike , the DHBC website describes the route as:

"The Ride: Bundanoon-Penrose-Bundanoon-Exeter-Moss Vale-Bowral-Mitagong-Colo Vale-Yerrinbool-Bargo-Tahmoor-Picton-Razorback-Camden-Narellan-M5 Cycleway-Bexley-Tempe."

I seriously doubt anybody can gear low enough to ride up all of Razorback and yet have a gear high enough to pedal comfortably the rest of the way. I consider Razorback a 42x23 (49") gear hill.

[mikesbytes]

Looks like the other riders are using between 61 and 69 with some doing flip-flop.

http://dhbc.org.au/forum/viewtopic.php? ... ht=century

[531db]

Very interesting discussions on the DHBC forums, Mike. Quite a fixie and retro (Penny Farthings included) orientated club.

I thought about using a double fixed hub (possible combinations 40x16 -67.5" and 40x19 - 56.8" or 40x20 - 54.0") but I only have single sided fixed (Airlite) and fixed/free combinations to suit the retro Falcon that I'll be riding.

I could in theory put a fixed cog on the freewheel side and use a bb lockring as a bogie, but I'm not sure it would be worth changing the wheel around at both the bottom and top of Razorback in terms of time and dirty chain yuk factor. After all from memory it's about a 3 or 4 km climb. Easier and quicker to walk the worst 300-500 metres. I'll have toeclips/straps and my trusty 1991 Asics touring shoes that don't have cleats.

I'll also probably ride down to the start from my place on the Friday, depending on the route chosen it will be 140 -150 km. A nice little warmup.

[MichaelB]

I'll also probably ride down to the start from my place on the Friday, depending on the route chosen it will be 140 -150 km. A nice little warmup.

I think the word "keen" doesn't quite cover it

Oh, BTW, where is the ride report from Paris-Brest-Paris ordeal ?

[mikesbytes]

I'll also probably ride down to the start from my place on the Friday, depending on the route chosen it will be 140 -150 km. A nice little warmup.

I think the word "keen" doesn't quite cover it

Oh, BTW, where is the ride report from Paris-Brest-Paris ordeal ?

Yes rather keen.

I've had thoughts about catching the first train to Campbelltown and riding down from there. Back pockets fill of bars and gels.

[531db]

I'd thought about taking the train down as well, but that would involve riding from my place to Richmond or Penrith stations, getting on the train, changing at Blacktown, then Campbelltown, then Bowral for Bundanoon.

Doable if the expected weather on the Friday prior to the ride is or is expected to be shite (ie rain or excessive heat or high winds) or I otherwise look for the easy option.

I also will need to ride at least some of the way home from Tempe as well, to a railway staion at least.

The short PBP report is that I withdrew at 452 km (Loudeac) after 24 hours of constant often heavy rain and a lack of anywhere dry to have a sleep. Stuff happens - I'm planning to back at the next edition in 2011.
Had a ball of a time otherwise with cycling in the UK and France, some pretty alright time trial performances in the UK, given that my Audax bike was not exactly the thing for these sort of events, a longer report may follow if I get the time to do it, which is not the case at the moment.

[mikesbytes]

I'm a bit more blessed for the train, for a 10k or less ride I can arrive at Straitfield or Sydham train stations and for another 2k, there's central.

Haven't looked at the timetables.

[mikesbytes]

No fixie training for me, I've stripped the rear hub, so I can't use it until I have a replacement. Pity too, it was a Miche hub.

[europa]

No fixie training for me, I've stripped the rear hub, so I can't use it until I have a replacement. Pity too, it was a Miche hub.

Another muscle man
Horrible feeling isn't it.

Richard

[mikesbytes]

No fixie training for me, I've stripped the rear hub, so I can't use it until I have a replacement. Pity too, it was a Miche hub.

Another muscle man
Horrible feeling isn't it.

Richard

Who was it it quoted an airforce procedure "use brute force until its either fixed or permanently broken"

[MichaelB]

No fixie training for me, I've stripped the rear hub, so I can't use it until I have a replacement. Pity too, it was a Miche hub.

Another muscle man
Horrible feeling isn't it.

Richard

Who was it it quoted an airforce procedure "use brute force until its either fixed or permanently broken"

I believe 'twas me, and the quote was,

"If it jams force it, if it breaks, it needed replacing anyway"

[europa]

So Michael, are we going to do our own fixed century in sympathy? (yes, I'm jealous

Actually, I'm thinking of doing the Willunga run on the Europa in a few weeks - up and down the old railway, not the Expressway. Interested in joining me? It's 70km return from my place.

Richard

[MichaelB]

So Michael, are we going to do our own fixed century in sympathy? (yes, I'm jealous

Actually, I'm thinking of doing the Willunga run on the Europa in a few weeks - up and down the old railway, not the Expressway. Interested in joining me? It's 70km return from my place.

Richard

Umm, not just yet.

The plan is to do at least one of my weekly morning rides on der Adler to get used to it, and then suss out longer distances.

All for a longer fixie run, but at the moment the books are pretty full - 109km Mini Slam #5 on 21st Oct, 120km Sea to Vines on 25th Nov, Practice TdU Stage 4 run in Dec, TdU Stage 4 in Jan 08

Umm, maybe in Feb 08 sometime .....

[mikesbytes]

The hub will need replacing, as its an alloy hub and an steel cog, the stripping will be the hub. Bummer.

[mikesbytes]

I didn't make it, as I was in NZ on Sunday. Here's a picture of DB531 on the ride.