Who is going to the Alpine Classic?

[hamishm]

Major bummer about 2020's Classic being cancelled. I'm hoping the fires will subside such that I can go for the long weekend anyway even if not much riding will be possible.

[queequeg]

Major bummer about 2020's Classic being cancelled. I'm hoping the fires will subside such that I can go for the long weekend anyway even if not much riding will be possible.

I wouldn't be counting on it. Word is the fires in the area are going to burn for months. 3 Peaks is only 7 weeks away as well I think. I can imagine the organisers are getting nervous about it.

I have been thinking of going down to Bright once the crisis is over, and before it gets too cold, and just spend some time down there riding and spending some local $$. I'm planning to go back in Jan 2021 for the Alpine Classic and at least tackle the 320km event, and if I am ready to actually do the 570km event

[hamishm]

I wouldn't be counting on it. Word is the fires in the area are going to burn for months.

I'm not, but my accommodation is non-refundable so there's no need to make a decision yet. I agree that it's unlikely, the fires won't be extinguished without rain which is months away, and even then the road up Mt Buffalo for example is unlikely to be a priority.

[queequeg]

I wouldn't be counting on it. Word is the fires in the area are going to burn for months.

I'm not, but my accommodation is non-refundable so there's no need to make a decision yet. I agree that it's unlikely, the fires won't be extinguished without rain which is months away, and even then the road up Mt Buffalo for example is unlikely to be a priority.

The Bright Brewery has reopened, but they are saying that tourists should stay in town and not go anywhere (except the pub!).

I’ve seen some accommodation places doing 50% off for February as they have obviously been impacted at their busiest time of year.

[MichaelB]

Hi all,

Did the Alpine Classic some years ago, and loved riding in some of the mountains, and since any Euro trip is off the cards for a number of years, what is the better time to head to Bright for a week of riding with mates ?

Thinking Sep, Oct or Nov 2021 ?

Any suggestions on the better time of year ?

[warthog1]

The later the better.
It is a cold area. September will still be shizenhousen due to the cold I expect.

[MichaelB]

The later the better.
It is a cold area. September will still be shizenhousen due to the cold I expect.

So later October to early November ?

Remember Jan having some stinker days and bushfires (which closed Hotham & Falls) when I was there.

[warthog1]

The later the better.
It is a cold area. September will still be shizenhousen due to the cold I expect.

So later October to early November ?

Remember Jan having some stinker days and bushfires (which closed Hotham & Falls) when I was there.

More chance of being better.
A rider I rode with today is heading there for the weekend with her partner tomorrow.

[cyclotaur]

I’m going up for the Classic - it was called off last year so I still have an entry and accommodation all paid for.

Actually went up there the week after the called off event last year and did a few rides, and took in the HeraldSun Tour.

[Hergest]

October/ November are great months. September can be too but the mornings are often surprisingly cold first thing. I find the summers fine as truly hot days aren't as common as other parts of the state and with the early dawns you can head out around 5am and be back long before the heat builds up.

[madmacca]

I’m going up for the Classic - it was called off last year so I still have an entry and accommodation all paid for.

Actually went up there the week after the called off event last year and did a few rides, and took in the HeraldSun Tour.

Yeah, looking forward to using my rolled-over entry from last year. It's actually providing some positive motivation now, which suffered from only being allowed to ride for 60 minutes.

[hamishm]

I had a tough day yesterday on the 200. I was going well until the top half of Falls where it all fell apart. With help from two mates we limped up to the top and all the way home from there. The Garmin showed 44 degrees near the bottom of Tawonga Gap, and we made it back just a couple of minutes ahead of last place. We did have a quick swim in Mt Beauty though!

[queequeg]

I had a tough day yesterday on the 200. I was going well until the top half of Falls where it all fell apart. With help from two mates we limped up to the top and all the way home from there. The Garmin showed 44 degrees near the bottom of Tawonga Gap, and we made it back just a couple of minutes ahead of last place. We did have a quick swim in Mt Beauty though!

Yeah, I heard that the 250 and 320 events were canned. Didn’t stop one well known crazy from knocking out both the 250 and 320 back to back!

I couldn’t get there due to border closures preventing travel, which appears to have been a blessing in disguise. I’m doing 3 peaks though, so fingers crossed it will be cooler, but not freezing like last year!