Author Topic: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.  (Read 50877 times)

Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« on: 16 November, 2016, 01:26:34 pm »
The route is 1/3 of an Australia tour I was planning ~1989/90ish.

http://www.indianpacificwheelrace.com/

Cudzoziemiec

  • Ride adventurously and stop for a brew.
Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #1 on: 16 November, 2016, 01:38:21 pm »
Should produce some interesting stories.

Quote
Riders will travel 5,300km through deserts, wineries districts, rolling hills, winding coastal roads and tough alpine regions.
The variety of landscapes and uses will be good for the stories and I dare say for the riders too. The word wineries interests me; is it simply an Australian synonym of vineyard or something slightly different?
Riding a concrete path through the nebulous and chaotic future.

Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #2 on: 16 November, 2016, 01:47:49 pm »
It is somewhere that produces wine.
A vineyard being somewhere that grows grapes, not necessarily producing wine. Most of the wineries in Oz are open to the public with tastings and tours.
<i>Marmite slave</i>

Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #3 on: 10 January, 2017, 02:29:52 pm »
So, competitors now include Kristof and Mike Hall

That's going to be some head-to-head battle. Have they raced against each other?

<i>Marmite slave</i>

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #4 on: 10 January, 2017, 02:49:53 pm »
I hope they enjoy the Nullarbor. There are some big trucks that use Aussie highways, travelling quite fast for long distances and their drivers have no real interest in going around organic matter.
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #5 on: 10 January, 2017, 04:19:34 pm »
I recall one account of cycling across the Nullarbor which said the stench of a dead kangaroo extended for about 1 km in all directions,  and there was a dead kangaroo every 2 km along the road.

Bryn

Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #6 on: 10 January, 2017, 04:39:11 pm »
Startling line up is looking like a who's who of ultra distance riders. It will be thrilling following the live tracker on this one. A great appetiser/motivation for TCR.

often lost.

Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #7 on: 22 February, 2017, 07:46:35 pm »
Frank Proud who is a poster here from time to time is on the start line.
often lost.

Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #8 on: 23 February, 2017, 08:43:43 am »
I am indeed! 
If anyone would like to follow it, the tracking site is here:
https://indianpacificwheelrace.maprogress.com/
Starts on 18 March.

Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #9 on: 23 February, 2017, 09:13:19 am »
The officials state that Kristoff and Mike Hall have never been in the same race. That will be interesting!

Good luck, Frank.
<i>Marmite slave</i>

Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #10 on: 23 February, 2017, 09:51:22 am »
Thanks. 
That's right.  After a few beers at the finishers party after the last TCR, I asked Kristoff and Mike separately what their thoughts were on racing each other.  What was interesting was that they both gave almost an identical answer, which was a pause for thought, followed by saying it would be interesting, and that Mike would have to train very hard.  Both took it as read that Kristoff would be in shape as I think he always is!
Rumours are that he has done, so it will be a fascinating duel, although I won't be able to see any of it from where I am, back downfield.  I expect we'll see some big mileages and very long days from them both in the first few days to try to get an edge.   And they will have been planning meticulously - where to save 10 minutes here and there by getting food more quickly will make a difference.

Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #11 on: 23 February, 2017, 09:58:48 am »
I started following Mike when he was doing the round the world record, then continued from there. They are different riders, with Kristoff a faster road specialist. I expect Kristoff to be the faster rider over this sort of course, with Mike having a proven record as a 'hard man' in very tough conditions.

Although I originate from WA, I've never ridden in the interior and sadly can't give you any 'local' tips, Frank. Watch out for bogans is the only tip.

From experience of WA roads, when leaving the tarmac the gravel edge is often very very soft or sometimes degenerates immediately into being soft sand. That can bring you to a ver abrupt stop. Also, coarse chipseal plus the cursed doublegee means that tubeless with sealant is really the only way to roll.

Don't underestimate the distance between roadhouses (petrol stations and often the only place to get water).
<i>Marmite slave</i>

Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #12 on: 23 February, 2017, 10:50:53 am »
They are different riders, with Kristoff a faster road specialist. I expect Kristoff to be the faster rider over this sort of course, with Mike having a proven record as a 'hard man' in very tough conditions.

That's a good summary.  If it was a race in Summer in Europe then Kristoff would be odds-on favourite.  But Australia is a bit more unknown.  Mike has ridden there before so will have a better feel for the conditions.  I don't know if Kristoff has.  And last week it was 44 degrees in the desert and snowing on the route through the mountains.  The more harsh the conditions, the more it could favour Mike. 
The other factor is that we don't know how Kristoff is under pressure, simply because no-one has ever been able to put him under any.  He may respond well, but we can't yet know.  So, I would expect Kristoff to win, but that Mike will make him earn it.

jiberjaber

  • ... Fancy Pants \o/ ...
  • ACME S&M^2
Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #13 on: 23 February, 2017, 06:12:03 pm »
I am indeed! 
If anyone would like to follow it, the tracking site is here:
https://indianpacificwheelrace.maprogress.com/
Starts on 18 March.

Looking forward to following you on it Frank! good luck!  :thumbsup:
Regards,

Joergen

αdαmsκι

  • Instagram @ucfaaay Strava @ucfaaay
  • Look haggard. It sells.
Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #14 on: 23 February, 2017, 06:46:16 pm »
It looks like a very interesting route.  Have fun crossing the Nullarbor.

last week it was 44 degrees in the desert and snowing on the route through the mountains.  The more harsh the conditions, the more it could favour Mike. 

It'll be bloody freezing at night when you're going through Kosciuszko National Park at 1,500m.  When we cycled through Victoria last year we left Melbourne on 29th March heading eastwards towards New South Wales and despite sticking to the coastline the nighttime temperatures were dropping down to a around 5 °C. It was certainly chilly.  Things warmed up a lot once we were in New South Wales, probably because the climate is less controlled by the Southern Ocean.
What on earth am I doing here on this beautiful day?! This is the only life I've got!!

https://tyredandhungry.wordpress.com/

Phil W

Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #15 on: 24 February, 2017, 08:52:42 am »

Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #16 on: 25 February, 2017, 09:52:18 pm »
It looks like a very interesting route.  Have fun crossing the Nullarbor.

last week it was 44 degrees in the desert and snowing on the route through the mountains.  The more harsh the conditions, the more it could favour Mike. 

It'll be bloody freezing at night when you're going through Kosciuszko National Park at 1,500m.  When we cycled through Victoria last year we left Melbourne on 29th March heading eastwards towards New South Wales and despite sticking to the coastline the nighttime temperatures were dropping down to a around 5 °C. It was certainly chilly.  Things warmed up a lot once we were in New South Wales, probably because the climate is less controlled by the Southern Ocean.

Interesting.  I've been watching the weather a bit and it does seem to vary a lot from day to day.  Looks a bit less extreme this week: 10 minimum at Falls Creek (highest point) and max in the mid-30s at Nullarbor. 
There's not too much time spent above 1500m or even 1000m but, having said that, if it drops below freezing I might be walking as coming off on ice in the middle of the night on a deserted road would be silly.

Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #17 on: 26 February, 2017, 09:33:03 am »
I can't speak for the mountains in the east, but the desert regions can drop to near or below zero at night. Unlikely to be ice on the road, the air will be very dry. Chapstick for the lips is a good idea. You can get chapstick that is sunblock in Oz; the cricketers use it.

<i>Marmite slave</i>

Phil W

Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #18 on: 26 February, 2017, 01:02:53 pm »
You can get Chapstick that is sunblock here as well. For sking or the Alps in summer.

Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #19 on: 26 February, 2017, 05:06:45 pm »
And you can get it in Italy - I picked up some on the TCR last year when my lips were suffering from sun and wind!

Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #20 on: 09 March, 2017, 05:03:15 pm »
I've put a post on my blog with a bit of background, bike pictures and some links.
https://cyclingthere.wordpress.com/2017/03/09/lookin-forward-to-the-indian-pacific-wheel-race/

Dot watching opportunities can be found here:
https://indianpacificwheelrace.maprogress.com/?embed=yes

Facebook updates probably here:
https://www.facebook.com/IndianPacificWheelRace/#

Salvatore

  • Джон Спунър
    • Pics
Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #21 on: 10 March, 2017, 10:36:55 am »
btw it's Kristof with 1 F.

Kristoff with 2 Fs is the Norwegian pro.
Quote
et avec John, excellent lecteur de road-book, on s'en est sortis sans erreur

Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #22 on: 14 March, 2017, 11:10:19 am »
Interesting.  I've been watching the weather a bit and it does seem to vary a lot from day to day.  Looks a bit less extreme this week: 10 minimum at Falls Creek (highest point) and max in the mid-30s at Nullarbor. 
There's not too much time spent above 1500m or even 1000m but, having said that, if it drops below freezing I might be walking as coming off on ice in the middle of the night on a deserted road would be silly.

The cold won't be much of an issue climbing and coming down will be over pretty quick. For ice it needs to rain. Something there's definitely a lot less of in Oz than this little island.

Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #23 on: 14 March, 2017, 11:11:46 am »
You can get Chapstick that is sunblock here as well. For sking or the Alps in summer.

Yes, I bought some before TCR last year. It's not uncommon. Boots/Superdrug will have some.

http://www.boots.com/uvistat-lipscreen-spf-50-5g-10063575

Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
« Reply #24 on: 14 March, 2017, 11:13:15 am »
btw it's Kristof with 1 F.

Kristoff with 2 Fs is the Norwegian pro.

Although "Christoph" (as in Strasser) the RAAM record holder and new Trans-Australia record holder is probably more appropriate for this thread :)