Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Freewheeling => Racing => Topic started by: delthebike on 16 November, 2016, 01:26:34 pm

Title: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: delthebike 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/
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec 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?
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT 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.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT 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?

Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig 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.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: bryn 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
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: morbihan 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.

Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: morbihan on 22 February, 2017, 07:46:35 pm
Frank Proud who is a poster here from time to time is on the start line.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 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/ (https://indianpacificwheelrace.maprogress.com/)
Starts on 18 March.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT 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.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 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.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT 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).
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 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.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: jiberjaber 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/ (https://indianpacificwheelrace.maprogress.com/)
Starts on 18 March.

Looking forward to following you on it Frank! good luck!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: αdαmsκι 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.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 24 February, 2017, 08:52:42 am
Mike's thoughts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaFiItfzMJw&feature=youtu.be
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 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.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT 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.

Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W 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.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 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!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 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/ (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 (https://indianpacificwheelrace.maprogress.com/?embed=yes)

Facebook updates probably here:
https://www.facebook.com/IndianPacificWheelRace/# (https://www.facebook.com/IndianPacificWheelRace/#)
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Salvatore on 10 March, 2017, 10:36:55 am
btw it's Kristof with 1 F.

Kristoff with 2 Fs is the Norwegian pro.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: hippy 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.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: hippy 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
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: hippy 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 :)
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: trekker12 on 14 March, 2017, 11:59:25 am
http://road.cc/content/tech-news/219030-bike-check-mike-halls-kinesis-gf-ti-ready-5300km-india-pacific-wheel-race

For the tech geeks amongst us. Mikes bike is rather nice!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 March, 2017, 08:14:06 am
I've seen the latest photo (unpacked in Perth) and he's taped the bars now.

Lots of the press reports go on about the nullabor, but really that's nothing, they'll swoop through that in a few hours. The significant bits will be the sections of rolling hills. There are hundreds of Km of those getting from the coast of WA out into the interior, and those rolling hills will sap a lot of energy, ditto in SA and then the same in NSW.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 on 15 March, 2017, 03:08:25 pm
The hills in VIC and NSW roll up to 1700m and 1600m!  But overall its a lot flatter than, say, the TCR. 

Aussies seem to refer to the whole desert crossing from Norseman to Ceduna as the Nullarbor.  It is a bit daunting because once you leave Perth there is not a lot.  Realise you need to pick something up from a bike shop?  Wait until close to Adelaide.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 15 March, 2017, 04:59:51 pm
Missed this thread before but just learned about the Indi-Pac via the TCR page on Facebook. Mike vs Kristof is going to be one hell of a race.

Good luck, Frank!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 March, 2017, 08:23:47 am
The hills in VIC and NSW roll up to 1700m and 1600m!  But overall its a lot flatter than, say, the TCR. 

Aussies seem to refer to the whole desert crossing from Norseman to Ceduna as the Nullarbor.  It is a bit daunting because once you leave Perth there is not a lot.  Realise you need to pick something up from a bike shop?  Wait until close to Adelaide.
No big climbs, no steep climbs, that's true. Reflected in Mikes choice of back block. I think his biggest cog is a 26. But those roads roll up and down for 100s of ks before you hit the flats of the interior and that will be where the field spreads out I reckon.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 on 16 March, 2017, 07:37:41 pm
1700m with 10% sections is big enough and steep enough for me.

Mike said last night that he has been doing a lot of hill training.  He's also lost a fair bit of weight

Itwill break up on the first climb out of Perth on Saturday morning.  A lot of people will attack that.  However i might see some of them again before the weekend is out!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: morbihan on 17 March, 2017, 10:03:04 am
Bon Voyage Frank.
Rooting for you  :)
Best of luck mate.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 17 March, 2017, 10:14:42 am
Good luck Frank.

If you are planning on taking it steady up the Darling Scarp, I think you are wise. It's a steady slog, with a lot of kms to go. Let the hares burn out their legs early. You'll reel them in 36hours later.

My money is on Kristof to take the race, unless the weather turns bad, in which case, Mike may well grind him down. 
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: clarion on 17 March, 2017, 10:54:06 am
Allez Frank!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: DrMekon on 17 March, 2017, 07:06:24 pm
This is all very exciting - money is on Kristof.

Hope you have a good one Frank.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: JonBuoy on 17 March, 2017, 10:13:31 pm
...and they are off !

I will be keeping an eye on the progress of clubmate Mike Sheldrake (Shell OTP).  Well I would be if his tracker was working  ::-)
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 18 March, 2017, 10:37:41 pm
Is our Frank 'Frank Proud'?

If so, he is doing well. Well up mid field.

The front runners are storming along, still averaging over 32kph. Totally ridiculous.

Weather conditions aren't kind, very wet and cool for the time of year.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Karla on 18 March, 2017, 11:31:34 pm
That's him.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 March, 2017, 08:22:11 am
Two scratched; Jesse, due to long-standing abdominal injury (he posted long explanation and apologies after being right up there) and that trolling git, durianrider (he had knee injury but wasn't riding well at all). I think Frank was ahead of durianrider.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 19 March, 2017, 05:47:47 pm
Kristof has a 81km lead, now at 1100km,  and is going well whilst Mike is currently stopped.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: dim on 19 March, 2017, 05:55:42 pm
if I had to bet, ..... my money is on Steffen Streich.... (I might place a tenner on a bet tomorow if my local bet shop covers this .... should be decent odds)

Durianrider talked the talk, but has dropped out due to injury .... I knew that he would not win, (a race like this does not suit vegans ... you need to eat lots of  meat or big cornish pies and fish and chips and Kentucky chicken on races like this, and not watermellon and grapes   :)

but I was fascinated by his bamboo bike  ... would have loved to see him finish, and see how the bamboo bike fared on this course .... looks like a pretty decent bike

as for the woman, I'd bet on the Greek Girl (Vasilike Voutsali)
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: morbihan on 19 March, 2017, 06:08:53 pm
if I had to bet, ..... my money is on Steffen Streich.... (I might place a tenner on a bet tomorow if my local bet shop covers this .... should be decent odds)

Durianrider talked the talk, but has dropped out due to injury .... I knew that he would not win, (a race like this does not suit vegans ... you need to eat lots of  meat or big cornish pies and fish and chips and Kentucky chichen on races like this   :)

but I was fascinated by his bamboo bike  ... would have loved to see him finish, and see how the bamboo bike fared on this course .... looks like a pretty decent bike

as for the woman, I'd bet on the Greek Girl (Vasilike Voutsali)

We have a TCR#5 entrant who is vegan. It will be tough for her, for sure, but she is tough. (She has completed RAAM) I chatted with her while visiting London last week. I'm unable to process more than a minimal amount wheat myself so will also have dietary challanges on TCR but not to the degree of the other rider.
There is HEAVY attrition on IPWR. a lot of scratches. Absolutely enthralling race with excellent on line coverage.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 March, 2017, 06:23:05 pm
The weather is terrible. Relentless rain, headwinds. Even tough guy mike hall is finding it hard (mentally), by his own admittance.

As for female riders, Sarah Hammond is doing very well, seems strong and solid in interviews. Home country for her, which has to be an advantage. Juliana Buhring is also right up there.

Frank is still doing well.

Shame to see so many scratch so early. I think if they'd managed to ride out of the rain and into the dry their spirits would have lifted. Rain and cold is strength sapping, combined with a headwind it is a bad time to choose to stop. OTOH, geographically they were coming up on the big jump to SA, across the nullabor.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 19 March, 2017, 10:27:28 pm
Mike now back within 40km of Kristof
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 March, 2017, 11:35:31 pm
Blimey. I didn't expect that. I'm guessing Kristoff has stopped for a big (for n value of big) sleep.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: αdαmsκι on 20 March, 2017, 06:39:45 am
Weather looks awful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KouMGrYCd10
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: JonBuoy on 20 March, 2017, 07:02:50 am
A bit of a soggy start but the weather looks much better today.  22degC and 'partly cloudy' sounds good but 15-20kph headwind doesn't.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 March, 2017, 08:09:06 am
Weather looks awful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KouMGrYCd10
Who was the woman who said that the policeman had stopped her twice? I'm not surprised, she was weaving all over the road like she was falling asleep on the bike.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: PeeJay on 20 March, 2017, 10:39:00 am
A good vid from Durianrider, who now he's out, has taken on the roll of roving reporter filming the others on the road, hitching a ride home I guess.  Unlike many of his other vids, Durianrider comes across well here.

https://youtu.be/dx3WH2dQ0rg

I particularly like the coverage of the guy at 11 mins.  didn't quite catch his name , was it Paddy?
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 March, 2017, 11:16:55 am
He got a lot of stick on fb after talking big before the start, then dropping out after 273km. Maybe a dose of humble pie has done him some good. Will have a watch of that vid later.

I worked out that the weaving rider must be Vassiliki. She's settled down a bit, maybe was suffering from sleep deprivation and the weather.

[edit] more than settled down, she's caught and passed juju!

Mike Hall is definitely suffering and wavering. Speed dropping right off. Kristof going as strongly as every.

Frank seems to be doing fine, consistently rolling along.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Jabba on 20 March, 2017, 04:36:56 pm
Mike Hall appears to have got his mojo back as he appears to have sped up and according to the tracker is only (!!) 20km behind Kristof, having been 150+ earlier on. It will all start to come together in the next few days when sleep patterns become more obvious......

But must stop watching this as no work getting done........ :facepalm: :facepalm:
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: αdαmsκι on 20 March, 2017, 07:16:54 pm
Frank's on the long straight on the Eyre Highway.

Lots of great photos here: https://www.instagram.com/indianpacificwheelrace/?hl=en
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: zigzag on 20 March, 2017, 08:14:41 pm
Frank rolling along nicely at 1:14 (https://www.facebook.com/IndianPacificWheelRace/videos/405016133207110/) - come on Frank!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 20 March, 2017, 08:25:22 pm
Kristof had a good stop / sleep the border , Mike may well be doing the same. Mike was within 19km of Kristof at one point, before Kristof set off again.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: αdαmsκι on 21 March, 2017, 06:39:54 am
Frank is now about 220 km from the WA / SA border
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Karla on 21 March, 2017, 09:44:21 am
He's also lying twelfth.  Come on Frank, top 10, you can do it!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 March, 2017, 09:49:29 am
He's also lying twelfth.  Come on Frank, top 10, you can do it!
He is doing incredibly well! Sounding strong and mentally with it after the really tough wet first 36hours, and now moving up through the field.
Frank has experience of Audax in the hills, doesn't he, so now they are going to start to move into hillier regions it should suit him. Just another 5, 600km or so and I think they reach some proper hills.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: clarion on 21 March, 2017, 11:02:24 am
Wow!  Amazing work from Frank.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: JonBuoy on 21 March, 2017, 06:28:45 pm
It looks like Frank is enjoying the luxury of the Mundrabilla roadhouse while Shell kips in a ditch a couple of miles up the road.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: αdαmsκι on 21 March, 2017, 07:46:24 pm
https://youtu.be/lkVwrv3LLZA

mentally this sounds so tough. All the footage of the roads is just long straights into the distance.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 21 March, 2017, 09:06:06 pm
When I looked at the live tracker a couple of hours ago, Kristof appeared to be stopped at the Ceduna checkpoint (1980km) and Mike was 90km behind. Just checked again and Kristof is on the move once more, but Mike is now only 40km behind. Gripping stuff!

All the footage of the roads is just long straights into the distance.

I had a look at some of the locations on Google Earth. I would find it a mental challenge riding a 200km audax on roads like that, never mind a 5,500km race. As the person speaking in that video alluded to, I can imagine how it could in many ways be easier to ride at night.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 21 March, 2017, 09:19:37 pm
The race going on behind Mike and Kristof is fascinating too. It looked like Adam and Seb were matching each other but now Adam seems to be taking a lengthy stop and in the last couple of hours Sarah has overtaken him.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 21 March, 2017, 09:35:12 pm
That sort of terrain is extreme but now you know why I laugh at people who get bored riding through the Fens.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Karla on 21 March, 2017, 09:56:25 pm
Australians: schooling the world in high boredom thresholds since 1788  :demon:
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 21 March, 2017, 10:15:06 pm
It comes from living in a country bigger than a cricket pitch.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 21 March, 2017, 10:16:04 pm
The race going on behind Mike and Kristof is fascinating too. It looked like Adam and Seb were matching each other but now Adam seems to be taking a lengthy stop and in the last couple of hours Sarah has overtaken him.

Sarah is now behind Adam but there's only about an hours riding distance between them. So who needs the most rest in the next 24 hours?
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: αdαmsκι on 22 March, 2017, 06:45:00 am
Frank's dropping places.  Yesterday morning he was about 220km from the the WA / SA border. This morning he's about 20km into SA, so he's ridden ~240km in the past 24 hours. I would expect him to have covered a higher distance. I hope everything is OK.


Mike Hall is now only ~40 km behind Kristof Allegaert
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: PeeJay on 22 March, 2017, 06:48:36 am
Gap closing between Mike and Kristof.  Both are moving and about 40kms between them.   
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: αdαmsκι on 22 March, 2017, 06:52:10 am
I particularly like the coverage of the guy at 11 mins.  didn't quite catch his name , was it Paddy?

According to this tweet he quit at Norseman: https://twitter.com/thetenyardfight/status/844427614286741506
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 March, 2017, 08:15:08 am
Frank's dropping places.  Yesterday morning he was about 220km from the the WA / SA border. This morning he's about 20km into SA, so he's ridden ~240km in the past 24 hours. I would expect him to have covered a higher distance. I hope everything is OK.
He's had a 7hour rest stop. That's the second one he's taken so far and they are both at about the same interval so I'm guessing they are strategic rather than out of desperation.

Sarah Hammond is storming along. Now 4th overall.

Mike might have closed gap on Kristof, but that is only due to Kristof taking a big rest stop. Mike will also have to take a 3hr rest soon so Kristof will pull away again.
Big surprise is Donncha retiring, and Julianna Buhring. She's said allergic reaction to mediation; earlier in vid she'd complained about really sore arse, so I'm guessing she tried something on a raw backside and it reacted badly.  Ouch.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 22 March, 2017, 08:32:40 am
Anyone know what has happened to Seb and Sarah? Both have disappeared from the tracker and their names are greyed out - but not struck through. Technical problems with their tracking devices?

The fact that Frank - or anyone - is still going is a good sign in itself. There are going to be a lot more retirements before the race is finished.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 March, 2017, 08:55:17 am
Sarah isn't greyed out when I look now.

I have a feeling that grey means that the tracker is turned off.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 22 March, 2017, 09:03:30 am
Yes, I've just looked again and she's back online.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Jabba on 22 March, 2017, 09:41:52 am
Okay thicky question for the day  :facepalm: ???

Do the competitors get updates on where they are relative to the others ??? Or is that left to them finding out at rest stops??
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: PeeJay on 22 March, 2017, 09:43:43 am
Okay thicky question for the day  :facepalm: ???

Do the competitors get updates on where they are relative to the others ??? Or is that left to them finding out at rest stops??
They don't get updates,  but I'm sure they're checking the tracker. 
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: DuncanM on 22 March, 2017, 09:50:28 am
Watching the Cycling Maven youtube videos, a number of the middle/back markers are riding to the roadhouses separately and then hanging out and eating together! I'm assuming that the people at the front are checking their position vs their near rivals in the same way we dot-watch...
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 March, 2017, 09:52:10 am
I've been curious about data coverage. It has surprised me that there has been data coverage from all of the roadhouses (that's not something you would have got in south-west WA just 8 years ago, let alone in the more remote areas).

I think that the riders will only be able to check trackers etc when they get to a major roadhouse (petrol station) or town.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 March, 2017, 11:31:04 am
The distances, the straightness, the flatness (so far) and the vast redness of the terrain are impressive.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 March, 2017, 11:52:22 am
For the leaders, the flatness is coming to an end. Rolling terrain takes over, then a few hundred km of undulating, then mountains . . .

Navigation while exhausted must get interesting in the more populated areas (more roads, more choice). I don't know how they manage it.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: αdαmsκι on 22 March, 2017, 12:47:46 pm
It's a fixed route meaning no decision making needed for navigation. Just follow the prescribed roads
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: DuncanM on 22 March, 2017, 01:14:57 pm
This is incredible:
http://road.cc/content/news/219630-video-allergic-reaction-halts-juliana-buhring-during-indian-pacific-wheel-race
I can't decide whether she's brilliant or insane...
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 March, 2017, 01:23:51 pm
This is incredible:
http://road.cc/content/news/219630-video-allergic-reaction-halts-juliana-buhring-during-indian-pacific-wheel-race
I can't decide whether she's brilliant or insane...
A bit of both, I think.
Stock up on the paracetamol for the next go then.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 22 March, 2017, 01:35:56 pm
Sarah Hammond has moved up into third place. You go girl.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 March, 2017, 01:47:32 pm
Maybe.
Adam Hall's tracker has been off for some time, so it is not possible to tell his location. Sarah could be ahead, or not.

She is certainly riding very strongly, looks unphased by the lack of sleep.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 22 March, 2017, 02:32:14 pm
Maybe.
Adam Hall's tracker has been off for some time, so it is not possible to tell his location. Sarah could be ahead, or not.

She is certainly riding very strongly, looks unphased by the lack of sleep.

Definitely third according to race organiser updates.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: zigzag on 22 March, 2017, 05:29:05 pm
Frank's bike at 4:04 (https://youtu.be/7dBv76BOmqA?t=4m4s)
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 22 March, 2017, 05:44:46 pm
Seb Dunne back in third
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: JonBuoy on 22 March, 2017, 05:49:37 pm
Looks like Shell has decided to stop in the Nullarbor Roadhouse tonight with three other riders rather than another bivi in a local ditch.

I reckon that he is up to equal 12th  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 22 March, 2017, 05:51:19 pm
Frank's bike at 4:04 (https://youtu.be/7dBv76BOmqA?t=4m4s)

Nice little review of a few of the bikes.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: αdαmsκι on 22 March, 2017, 08:38:26 pm
Mike in good mood from yesterday

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=405712686470788&id=262819187426806&refsrc=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2Fyd9aNDtvkL&_rdr


And a few awesome photos here

https://facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=405943999780990&id=262819187426806&set=pcb.405944043114319&source=48&refid=13
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: αdαmsκι on 23 March, 2017, 06:35:43 am
Kristof and Mike are both beyond Port Augusta and the hills have started. Kristof has done the first 500 climb and Mike has that coming up. It stays lumpy until Adelaide (and possibly beyond, but I've not looked that far).

 I assume that means the long straights (such as below) are behind them for the moment.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C7lDe2kV4AEwhmE.jpg)
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: JonBuoy on 23 March, 2017, 07:04:30 am
Shell sounds in good spirits when Durianrider has a brief chat with him at 11:48 in this Youtube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=712&v=glSLCKziDJk)
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: clarion on 23 March, 2017, 09:19:34 am
Uta reported that the roadhouse Frank was aiming for was closed, which meant no solid food, but still got plenty of gels. 

And Frank himself reported this morning that he was having trouble with a tyre boot, so was using a piece of plastic to cover.  Hope it works.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 March, 2017, 09:51:56 am
Frank's bike at 4:04 (https://youtu.be/7dBv76BOmqA?t=4m4s)
Zip ties!  :thumbsup:

Some interesting bottle fixtures too.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 23 March, 2017, 11:09:53 am
And Frank himself reported this morning that he was having trouble with a tyre boot, so was using a piece of plastic to cover.  Hope it works.

I'm fairly sure it was the Aussies who first recommended using their (plastic) banknotes for emergency tyre repairs.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 23 March, 2017, 03:00:59 pm
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2950/33606644515_45aef7e479_z.jpg)



Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 23 March, 2017, 03:24:28 pm
The scale of this race! They are less than halfway.

I think the transam is longer, but doesn't have such long stretches through virtually unsupplied regions.

My prediction; over the next 3 days, the 4 top riders will all start taking 4hour breaks in 24hour periods. Mike will yoyo closer to Kristof, then fall back as their breaks are out of sync. Weather, and possible mechanicals will determine if the order of the top 4 changes. Sarah has proven herself to be very strong and steady and is likely to take 3rd. If either of the top two have a disaster, she may well grab second.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Oaky on 23 March, 2017, 04:00:15 pm
https://twitter.com/darrenfranks/status/844634448746479620

 ;D
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mmmmartin on 23 March, 2017, 04:41:38 pm
I've been curious about data coverage. It has surprised me that there has been data coverage from all of the roadhouses (that's not something you would have got in south-west WA just 8 years ago, let alone in the more remote areas).

I think that the riders will only be able to check trackers etc when they get to a major roadhouse (petrol station) or town.
Trackers send a signal via satellite, it's not internet-style data or mobile phone-type coverage. I think one roadhouse has closed, there're only a couple open on the Nullabor now.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 23 March, 2017, 04:57:36 pm
I've been curious about data coverage. It has surprised me that there has been data coverage from all of the roadhouses (that's not something you would have got in south-west WA just 8 years ago, let alone in the more remote areas).

I think that the riders will only be able to check trackers etc when they get to a major roadhouse (petrol station) or town.
Trackers send a signal via satellite, it's not internet-style data or mobile phone-type coverage. I think one roadhouse has closed, there're only a couple open on the Nullabor now.
I meant data coverage and checking other rider's tracker positions. There has been vid updates from most of the roadhouses.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mmmmartin on 23 March, 2017, 05:13:45 pm
ah, sorry i misunderstood.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 23 March, 2017, 07:13:54 pm
They have a mobile wifi pod, they've been using that. So the mobile phone network has connections at the road houses if nothing else. When I was in the Atacama desert, Chile 17 years ago there was a mobile signal. Many parts of Africa had mobile signals as well back then. You'd be surprised where you can get a mobile signal. In Alaska on same trip the Internet links were via Satellite with big dishes on the edge of small towns.  It can only have improved since.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 23 March, 2017, 09:09:17 pm
weird readings on Kristof's tracker.

If you look at the graph, around about 136hrs. Not totally flat, he does about 4km in 3hrs. Was he walking, or was the tracker giving a false reading and he took a break? Taking a break makes the most sense, but the trackers usually just show a complete halt.

If it wasn't a break, Kristof hasn't had a proper sleep for 45hrs. Mike has had a couple of 1hr stops and a proper sleep 30hrs ago.

Is the K-man starting to crack? Not quite half the race ridden.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: PeeJay on 23 March, 2017, 09:24:24 pm
Some coverage of Shell still looking good at 11:48 on Durianrider's latest vid

https://youtu.be/glSLCKziDJk
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: αdαmsκι on 23 March, 2017, 09:33:03 pm
Some coverage of Shell still looking good at 11:48 on Durianrider's latest vid

https://youtu.be/glSLCKziDJk
And Frank right at the start


Frank video here from a few days ago: https://youtu.be/DrxioScF9Fo?t=1m20s
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: jiberjaber on 23 March, 2017, 11:03:29 pm
weird readings on Kristof's tracker.

If you look at the graph, around about 136hrs. Not totally flat, he does about 4km in 3hrs. Was he walking, or was the tracker giving a false reading and he took a break? Taking a break makes the most sense, but the trackers usually just show a complete halt.

If it wasn't a break, Kristof hasn't had a proper sleep for 45hrs. Mike has had a couple of 1hr stops and a proper sleep 30hrs ago.

Is the K-man starting to crack? Not quite half the race ridden.

I think I read somewhere that the machine-K had been turning his tracker off at rest stops which might account for the 4km in 3 hours.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: αdαmsκι on 24 March, 2017, 06:41:02 am
Kristof & Mike now beyond Adelaide  :o  There's a 700m climb on the way out of Adelaide that Mike's just crested, while Kristof is back at sea level

Here's Mike in town: https://www.instagram.com/p/BSAcCS-lz73/

Here's Kristof riding up the hill https://www.instagram.com/p/BSAJcVRAVfA



Party time in Ceduna for Frank and others.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C7qg0u6VAAAGChz.jpg)
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 March, 2017, 08:11:58 am
Must be a relief for them to clear the city. While getting cheered on would be nice, it would interfere with their 'groove'.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 March, 2017, 09:32:43 am
The surprise of the night is that despite taking two rest breaks, Mike has substantially closed the gap on Kristof.

Sarah Hammond has opened up a massive gap on the rest of the field and is in touch with the two leaders. Given the distance still to go, she can't be ruled out from being a contender for second or even first if something dramatic happens.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 March, 2017, 09:38:32 am
Must be a relief for them to clear the city. While getting cheered on would be nice, it would interfere with their 'groove'.
I was thinking that about some of the on-road 'interviews'. I'm sure having someone appear at my elbow in the dark, shouting "Cannondale Super Six Evo! Cannondale Super Six Evo! How's the Cannondale?"* would really piss me off (even if I wasn't trying to race across Australia!).

Yeah, Sarah Hammond seems to be gaining on Mike and Krystof, opening up a huge gap on Kim Raeymaekers – but then there's still a huge way to go!

*I'm not sure who the rider or interviewer were, but this one sticks out for me.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: TigaSefi on 24 March, 2017, 11:08:14 am
That is some movement from the front 3 since I last saw it yesterday. Melbourne next! The route through the national parks look horrific!  ;D In two minds whether I am glad or sad I am not doing this type of riding.

EDIT: Mike Hall is registered as Stop. Does this mean he is sleeping?
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: dim on 24 March, 2017, 02:58:02 pm
Mike Hall has/had problems with bike bike after a mechanic serviced it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w90-YPS2e3g

Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Dave_C on 24 March, 2017, 03:21:46 pm
He posted a pic of the side of the road, saying 2 lorries and 3 cars had past him with their wheels on the outside of the same white line, calling it Friday Night driving - Drivers rushing home for the weekend.

I guess he is staying in the hotel.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 March, 2017, 03:35:24 pm
That's a shame.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: zigzag on 24 March, 2017, 05:08:59 pm
Mike Hall has/had problems with bike bike after a mechanic serviced it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w90-YPS2e3g

you can stumble upon a reputable bike shop if you are very lucky, however my experience tells me not to trust anyone near my bike, unless i somehow know they are qualified to do the job..
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 24 March, 2017, 05:16:58 pm
Mike Hall has/had problems with bike bike after a mechanic serviced it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w90-YPS2e3g

you can stumble upon a reputable bike shop if you are very lucky, however my experience tells me not to trust anyone near my bike, unless i somehow know they are qualified to do the job..

What's more, I'm slightly surprised that allowing someone else to repair your bike is not in contravention of the rules of the race.

Eugene Christophe will be turning in his grave.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: zigzag on 24 March, 2017, 05:22:02 pm
as long as it's not a prearranged visit solely for you, it's within the rules. same as e.g. buying batteries for your lights en route, or asking a friendly local to fill your bidons.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 24 March, 2017, 07:42:01 pm
It's within rules, as long as everyone else has access. It would be ok if someone heard of mike's problems, rode out to meet him and fixed his bike. That's unequal access.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: αdαmsκι on 24 March, 2017, 08:37:56 pm
There's an article on cyclingtips looking at some of the different bike set ups here: click. (https://cyclingtips.com/2017/03/bikes-2017-indian-pacific-wheel-race/)


I am continually amazed at how little stuff Kristof is carrying.
(https://cdn-cyclingtips.pressidium.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/kristof.jpg)
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 24 March, 2017, 08:44:00 pm
Has he spent the last 3,000km froomeing like that? !!!


And I hope he doesn't lose his lucky mascot.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 March, 2017, 10:33:01 am
Mike has had a *very* long 10hour stop, which caused consternation amongst some followers. Kristof was either on an extreme go slow or his tracker was going weird again - 20something Km in 7hrs.

After his bike break, Mike got on his bike and stormed along, making up the gap and then some, closing in on Kristof. The break definitely paid off.

Sarah is close in touch with both of them, still very much in contention. She may be relatively new to the ultra-racing scene, but she seems to have the pacing nailed.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Salvatore on 25 March, 2017, 12:03:03 pm
There's an article on cyclingtips looking at some of the different bike set ups here: click. (https://cyclingtips.com/2017/03/bikes-2017-indian-pacific-wheel-race/)


I am continually amazed at how little stuff Kristof is carrying.
(https://cdn-cyclingtips.pressidium.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/kristof.jpg)

That looks suspiciously like the cheap Decathlon barbag he used before Apidura began sponsoring him.

(http://road.cc/sites/default/files/styles/main_width/public/images/News/TransContinental%20Race%20winner%20Kristof%20Allegaert%20crop.jpg?itok=QGZjnfSb)
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mattc on 25 March, 2017, 03:56:03 pm
IIRC, Kristoff always rode TCR with hotel stops every night, and around 4h sleep? (except the first night) Possibly pre-booked, not sure.

Has he done the same in other races? What's the reason for his different strategy in this race?
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 March, 2017, 04:10:47 pm
Two guesses: Mike Hall (who doesn't sleep much) and lack of hotels on the first 2500km.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: morbihan on 25 March, 2017, 06:53:54 pm
Chris White and a another with an interesting podcast here, well worth a listen.
http://thebikeshow.net/indian-pacific-wheel-race-overlanders/
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 March, 2017, 11:04:03 am
Just seen a post from Frank on FB - he's contemplating packing  :(
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mmmmartin on 26 March, 2017, 12:15:09 pm
Just seen a post from Frank on FB - he's contemplating packing  :(
I've just spoken to him on the phone: he's having a decent night sleeping in a hotel. He's running out of time and simply must get back to the UK by a specific date: a client has a big project and Frank is very important to it and he won't break that commitment. So he's still on the bike and still in the race, but having a rest. Too early to say he's out.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: αdαmsκι on 26 March, 2017, 12:26:21 pm
Just seen a post from Frank on FB - he's contemplating packing  :(

Here's that FB post: https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/indian-pacific-wheel-race.211934/page-5#post-4736744
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Neil C on 26 March, 2017, 10:47:25 pm
He has had a good sleep and has decided to continue.

From his Facebook page.

"On we go. Thanks for thoughts above. Plan to ride on without aiming for my schedule and then working out how to get to Sydney if / when I run out of time. Had a good sleep."

Edit, 1.00am - Currently about 20th but moving towards two stationary riders about 20km ahead.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: αdαmsκι on 27 March, 2017, 06:53:57 am
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C75wjfTXUAAaXkS.jpg)   :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: αdαmsκι on 27 March, 2017, 09:02:11 am
Rider down

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C76MJV5U8AAZ7bB.jpg)

Not the way one would want anyone to have to quit the race. Hopefully Eoin will make a full recovery.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 27 March, 2017, 09:39:41 am
Blimey, that must have been rough to have made Ben also withdraw.

Mike had posted a definite 'punishment pass', noted the licence plate (which someone passed on to the police).
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: TigaSefi on 27 March, 2017, 01:20:07 pm
Kristoff has passed the 4000km mark now  :o That has to be a massive psychological boost to him. Mike is about 100km back. Mere distance in the grand scheme. So many miles....
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: alexb on 27 March, 2017, 03:09:32 pm
It looks like Sarah is catching Mike. Is that just the map, or is she really closing?
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 27 March, 2017, 03:31:32 pm
Sarah is now within 55km of Mike. Getting even more interesting up front.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 27 March, 2017, 03:49:42 pm
He's been stopped for an hour.

Oddly, he had slowed right down for an hour before stopping. Must have decided he couldn't ride on and needed a rest.

She has a biggish climb to get over to catch him. She's made up a lot of distance, when I checked 4 hours ago, there was nearly 100km between them.

Yes, getting interesting at the front.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: PeeJay on 27 March, 2017, 04:08:58 pm
Great interview with the awesome Sarah Hammond when she got to Melbourne

On faceache but you don't need a login

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=408679402840783&id=262819187426806&refsrc=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FY0PIREm98A&_rdr

She's very witty despite the sleep deprivation

Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 27 March, 2017, 04:56:17 pm
He's been stopped for an hour.

Oddly, he had slowed right down for an hour before stopping. Must have decided he couldn't ride on and needed a rest.

She has a biggish climb to get over to catch him. She's made up a lot of distance, when I checked 4 hours ago, there was nearly 100km between them.

Yes, getting interesting at the front.

He's still stopped and Sarah only 32km behind Mike now.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: dim on 27 March, 2017, 09:47:55 pm
are these guys tested for anti-sleep stuff from WADA's naughty list? ....
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: dim on 28 March, 2017, 09:35:16 pm
Mike Hall closing in  now? (42 km away from Kristof, and Kristof is still sleeping).... he trained for hills so maybe this is where he planed to pass Kristof .... not much time left in the race and if he wants to win, he needs to dig deep and loose some sleep
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 28 March, 2017, 09:54:28 pm
not much time left in the race

Only another 1100km!

I know what you mean but the scale of the race is so mind-bogglingly huge that it's hard to make any meaningful sense of the distances. For the two leaders to be within 50km of each other at this stage is staggering.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: al-c on 28 March, 2017, 10:30:32 pm
25km now! Go Mike!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 28 March, 2017, 10:32:17 pm
Just had a look on Street View at the climb they're on right now. Looks much more pleasant riding than the Nullarbor.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: al-c on 28 March, 2017, 10:35:23 pm
Would love to hear what is said if/when Mike catches Kristof. Think I would go with a simple "Morning!" then not look back for at least an hour
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 28 March, 2017, 10:43:19 pm
25km now! Go Mike!

Comment on facebook suggests Kristof's tracker isn't working and he's actually over the top of the climb.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 28 March, 2017, 10:43:45 pm
Perhaps offer him a liquorice allsort?
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 28 March, 2017, 10:46:39 pm
Mike is currently passing through Angler's Rest. I hope he doesn't get sidetracked by a loquacious pub bore telling tall tales about his relatives...

"Did I ever tell you about the time my nephew Oswald Mulliner rode a pushbike all the way across Australia?"
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: al-c on 28 March, 2017, 10:48:09 pm
Another fb comment has Kristof asleep on the road at 2:30 am, at the position his tracker is stopped at. Hope he's ok. Bet he wakes up and moves just as Mike gets within 10km
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 28 March, 2017, 11:02:01 pm
The tracker is showing Mike at 18km behind now, but there's also the small matter of a 600m altitude difference in Kristof's favour too.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: DrMekon on 28 March, 2017, 11:13:08 pm
There's a post saying Kristof was spotted in Falls Creek a while back - ahead of his spot position - hopefully it's just his tracker that's on the blink.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Karla on 28 March, 2017, 11:26:14 pm
Perhaps offer him a liquorice allsort?

They're a long way from Pontefract over there!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 28 March, 2017, 11:27:25 pm
Frank has caught Beth at the Mount Gambler checkpoint.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: al-c on 28 March, 2017, 11:56:30 pm
10 minute gap!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: PeeJay on 29 March, 2017, 12:05:07 am
10 minute gap!
Yep, according to twitter

https://twitter.com/Indi_Pac/status/846857698364735488?s=09

Go Mike!!!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 29 March, 2017, 12:25:45 am
Mike 1km ahead of Kristof according to tracker page.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: DrMekon on 29 March, 2017, 12:26:10 am
Conflicting accounts on fb - one guy says Kristof is drinking coffee and mike has gone through (which fits Jesse saying the tracker is working), but another reporting that Kristof has passed Falls Creek.

I'm meant to be working - this is proving a terrible distraction!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: PeeJay on 29 March, 2017, 12:33:43 am
Kristof's tracker has just pinged, putting him 14km ahead of Mike
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: al-c on 29 March, 2017, 07:22:45 am
New race leader :)
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: PeeJay on 29 March, 2017, 08:46:09 am
Kristof stopped to eat at Falls Creek, Mike rode past.   

Still only 18km between them now.

Anyone know what caused Kristof to stop for so long on the "Back of Falls" climb?  Did his metaphorical wheels fall off?
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 29 March, 2017, 09:10:38 am
Latest update has Mike 14km ahead. Less than 900km to go...

https://twitter.com/Indi_Pac/status/846994361678225408
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 March, 2017, 09:20:37 am
I missed all this drama last night! Map thing puts Mike 18km ahead now. And Sarah is now 200km behind them with Kai Edel about 90 behind her, which means she's falling behind relative to the leaders and Kai's catching up on her. Though at 90km he can hardly be said to be catching her.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Fidgetbuzz on 29 March, 2017, 09:22:36 am
Sarah is still about the 200kms behind Kristoff that she has been for several days .. the dramatic change is Mike not only closing his 100kms deficit but still leading now.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Jabba on 29 March, 2017, 09:30:19 am
This dot watching is getting in the way of work (hurrah!!) but what happened to Mike and Kristof last night!!  Mike always seemed to get within 20-30km of Kristof and then the Machine-K would charge off again so did Mike just blast through or did Kristof have issues??

Mind you the relative speeds show Kristof currently about 5kph faster than Mike.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 29 March, 2017, 09:45:40 am
The gap is down to 6km!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: DuncanM on 29 March, 2017, 09:50:57 am
Is the terrain making the distances a bit more variable?  While Kristoff is 6km behind Mike, there's also about 200m of altitude difference (in Mike's favour).
Plus Sarah Hammond is at the top of the 1600m ascent, while Kai is around 1000m below her!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: clarion on 29 March, 2017, 09:53:37 am
Any news on Frank???
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Jabba on 29 March, 2017, 09:54:36 am
And Mike has increased to ~30kph so 3-5kph faster than Kristof.

This is the sort of stuff you'd expect to see after a 180-200km stage race in Europe not after 4300km !!!!  :o :o :o :o :o :o


EDIT

At one point it looked like Mike and Kristof were within 1km of each other but latest dot shows ~11km with Mike in front
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 29 March, 2017, 09:58:57 am
Potentially, Kristof banked a lot of sleep and now aims to push through to the finish at speed with minimal stops.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 29 March, 2017, 10:02:26 am
Any news on Frank???

Funnily enough, I just had a look to see how he was doing. Tracker places him in Portland, about 20km behind Beth now, with Jan-Willem hot on his heels.

Around 150km up the road from them, Sam and Stuart appear to be pretty much neck and neck.

Another 400km up the road, Matthijs and Jackie are also within a handful of km of each other.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: dim on 29 March, 2017, 10:05:08 am
Kristof in the lead again
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 29 March, 2017, 10:06:58 am
Yep - leaderboard puts Kristof 3km ahead of Mike but the dots on the map are still showing Mike ahead.

ETA: map has updated now, Kristof definitely in the lead. The predictive tracker was putting Mike at the top of the Mt Granya climb but he seems to have stopped at the bottom for a break.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: PeeJay on 29 March, 2017, 10:06:59 am
Potentially, Kristoff banked a lot of sleep and now aims to push through to the finish at speed with minimal stops.
I do wonder what quality of sleep he could have had up there though, it must have been freezing! He looks to have minimal warm kit too.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 29 March, 2017, 10:24:28 am
Yep - leaderboard puts Kristof 3km ahead of Mike but the dots on the map are still showing Mike ahead.

ETA: map has updated now, Kristof definitely in the lead. The predictive tracker was putting Mike at the top of the Mt Granya climb but he seems to have stopped at the bottom for a break.

And now Mike is apparently 11km ahead again, confirmed as having passed the Granya checkpoint...

The organisers did anticipate signal problems in the Alpine region so probably best not to read too much into what the live tracker is saying. All we can say for sure is that it's very close!

Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Jabba on 29 March, 2017, 10:24:48 am
Is this really going to end up in a sprint finish in Sydney ??   ??? :o ???
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 March, 2017, 10:30:47 am
Nah, I reckon they'll cross the line together, arms joined aloft in a mutual triumph!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Karla on 29 March, 2017, 10:30:50 am
Mike had better start practicing his bike throws ...

(https://coresites-cdn.factorymedia.com/rcuk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Michal-Kwiatkowski-Peter-Sagan-Julian-Alaphilippe-sprint-Milan-San-Remo-2017-pic-LaPresse-RCS-Sport.jpg)

(Julian Alaphilippe is standing in for Sarah in this shot)
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 29 March, 2017, 10:32:46 am
This is what they've got coming up in around 100km from where they are now...

https://www.strava.com/segments/3616763
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 March, 2017, 10:53:19 am
Quote
J Alaphilippe:Did someone say my name?  Also, RAAAWWWRRR!!1!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 29 March, 2017, 10:56:26 am
Relatively flat for next 100km, before next biggish hill. Only 10km in it, who will stop first and for how long?

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2878/33560089902_a638f66292_b.jpg)

Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 29 March, 2017, 11:45:47 am
Last confirmed check has them 1km apart.

It's almost 10pm there now - Kristof must be getting glimpses of Mike's lights on the road ahead.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Jabba on 29 March, 2017, 12:10:04 pm
Interesting to switch between predicted and tracker modes. Latter one shows Mike a few km ahead whilst the predictive mode shows K-Machine pulling ahead!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 29 March, 2017, 12:16:17 pm
Interesting to switch between predicted and tracker modes. Latter one shows Mike a few km ahead whilst the predictive mode shows K-Machine pulling ahead!

The reliability of both is further complicated by the fact that their trackers aren't in sync - Mike's last timecheck was at 9.57pm, while Kristof's was at 10.11pm.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 March, 2017, 12:19:32 pm
Looks like Kristof's about 5km in front again. But will he stay there?
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 29 March, 2017, 12:36:17 pm
Last official checks were:

Mike - 10.27pm - 4715km
Kristof - 10.30pm - 4716km

The three minutes difference is slightly more than the time it takes them to cover 1km at current speed, so they're mere metres apart at the moment. Probably having a good old chat. Or giving each other steely stares. Who knows!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 29 March, 2017, 12:47:47 pm
Both showing 4721km and with tracker times within a minute of each other.   They've surely got to be riding within sight of each other. What a race to the finish and putting more distance between them and Sarah. Only 600km to go, he he.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: zigzag on 29 March, 2017, 12:51:03 pm
a big climb coming up around midnight their time - will they rest before it or climb in near freezing temperatures in the dark? super exciting to follow!

and - go Frank!!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: JonBuoy on 29 March, 2017, 01:02:40 pm
Go Shell too.  Still in 12th place with a long way to 11th and two riders only 50k behind him.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 29 March, 2017, 01:34:49 pm
Mike at 28km/h and Kristoff at 29km/h.  A battle to the end.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 29 March, 2017, 02:05:11 pm
Kristof definitely edging ahead again - 6km lead at last timecheck (2 mins after Mike's last timecheck), with a little over 20km to the start of the big climb.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 March, 2017, 03:07:47 pm
Mike has tweeted that he thinks he needs glasses because he can't keep his eyes open at night. Might be lack of sleep . . .
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 29 March, 2017, 03:20:09 pm
Mike has stopped
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 29 March, 2017, 05:18:00 pm
Oh no! Tracker is showing Mike as being off course!

Seems to have missed a left turn. Hope he realises his mistake soon.

Meanwhile, Kristof is nearing the top of the climb.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Salvatore on 29 March, 2017, 05:24:01 pm
Either that or he's found a good bivvy spot. Or decided to rest once he realised he'd gone wrong.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C8GIlC4W4AEUBv0.jpg)
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Karla on 29 March, 2017, 05:24:19 pm
It's shown Mike as being in the middle of that field for the past couple of hours.  I'm guessing he stopped to sleep?
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 29 March, 2017, 06:40:24 pm
Kristof now 60km ahead and just cresting the top of the last big big climb. Mike continues to sleep. I'm guessing ahead of a final push (without sleep) for the finish.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 March, 2017, 07:54:04 pm
It shows Mike as being stopped still, so he must have found a bivvy spot. Meanwhile, Sarah Hammond is now 300km behind Allegaert.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Greenbank on 29 March, 2017, 08:13:33 pm
30 seconds with google maps and streetview shows Mike has stopped at a picnic area (blue sign with a bench next to a tree) and two hundred yards or so from a small petrol station and shop (probably not open at this time but you never know).

Kristof has a 100km of riding until he's back down below 1000m altitude properly (it'll be cold up there at night) and the town of Cooma. Then they're still up at 500-700m elevation all the way until they drop down towards the coast at Wollongong and then there's only ~170km to go.

600-700km to go so they're definitely on the home stretch.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 29 March, 2017, 08:22:03 pm
It shows Mike as being stopped still, so he must have found a bivvy spot. Meanwhile, Sarah Hammond is now 300km behind Allegaert.

Yes Sarah is falling back as Kristof and Mike have put sustained efforts in. Kristof now 92km ahead of Mike.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: dim on 29 March, 2017, 08:51:10 pm
It shows Mike as being stopped still, so he must have found a bivvy spot. Meanwhile, Sarah Hammond is now 300km behind Allegaert.

Yes Sarah is falling back as Kristof and Mike have put sustained efforts in. Kristof now 92km ahead of Mike.

The only way that Mike will can win now , is if he rides non-stop till the end when he wakes up .... (Kristoff will most probably have some sleep soon ), but then may power on till the end when he wakes .... he is now approx 100km ahead of Mike and has done all the big climbs (that will be close to 4.5 hours ahead of Mike as Mike still has a heavy mountain to climb as soon as he wakes up) ...

so 4.5 hours of sleep for Kristoff and he will start 'fresh' and power on till the end

it's going to be tough for Mike when he wakes up if he goes flat out and wants to win, but I hope that he does

nail gripping stuff :)
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 29 March, 2017, 09:20:57 pm
Kristoff will most probably have some sleep soon

I'm not sure. He had a long stop last night and as LWaB said earlier, that could have been part of a strategy to push through to the end. Today has been exciting with the two riders neck and neck for much of the day, but that's all been with the knowledge that Kristof had the benefit of a good rest last night.

Either way, he now has a cushion that will allow him the luxury of another decent break if he feels the need. It's definitely his race to lose now.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 29 March, 2017, 09:51:07 pm
Mike awake and on the move again.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 29 March, 2017, 11:42:44 pm
Kristof is motoring, 423km to go.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: αdαmsκι on 30 March, 2017, 06:35:21 am
Video of Mike riding through The Alps here (https://www.facebook.com/IndianPacificWheelRace/videos/409843289391061/) in which he explains why he cannot see in the dark.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 March, 2017, 10:59:29 am
He certainly looks tired in that video. And Kristof's now about 200km ahead, with Sarah another 200 behind Mike. So it looks like that's the way it's going to stay; though with at least 500 to go, any sense of certainty has to be quite fragile.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 30 March, 2017, 11:46:00 am
Video of Mike riding through The Alps here (https://www.facebook.com/IndianPacificWheelRace/videos/409843289391061/) in which he explains why he cannot see in the dark.

I can sympathise with that - it's why I hate driving at night.

In my case I'm sure it's an age-related thing but Mike is a good 10 years younger than me - hopefully it's just extreme fatigue rather than anything permanent. Seems to have effectively cost him the race though. Shame.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Jabba on 30 March, 2017, 03:10:30 pm
Some of mike's tweeting suggests he caught Kristof and was going to chat but K was having none of it and 'attacked', or was Mike referring to someone else??
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 30 March, 2017, 03:18:51 pm
Some of mike's tweeting suggests he caught Kristof and was going to chat but K was having none of it and 'attacked', or was Mike referring to someone else??

There's a video where Kristof talks about their encounter.  Mike was basically shagged from the effort to catch Kristof and needed to sleep.  Kristof had sleep up a mountain the night before and was good to go. They were riding 15 metres apart, 100 metres apart, and it kept varying, but Mike started dropping back. Kristof wondered what Mike was up to, and so decided to get on with it as Mike decided to bivvy in a campsite. Kristof said that what Mike was trying to do was impossible , crazy, can't be done.  Basically you can't keep riding that long and hard without sleep at this stage of the race.

Kristof in the latest video doesn't know where Mike is at the moment as he hasn't looked at the tracking since their encounter. Kristof is currently about 350km from the finish.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Greenbank on 30 March, 2017, 04:51:04 pm
Even being 1kph faster (moving average) than someone else gives you a big advantage over a ride like this.

5000km / 19kph = 263h09
5000km / 20kph = 250h

So that's an extra ~13h sleep that the faster rider would get on top of what they're already getting. May not seem like much but that's roughly what Mike is going to lose by.

Mike's recent stop skews the figures slightly, my guess he's settled for second place and knows he doesn't have to push it.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Salvatore on 30 March, 2017, 04:56:05 pm

 Kristof is currently about 350km from the finish.

Currently holed up in the Loaded Dog Hotel (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Tarago+NSW+2580,+Australia/@-35.069749,149.654356,3a,75y/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1s105427920!2e1!3e10!6s%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fproxy%2FleL1Z3op4WiKLtPiJLm3LSPA2_d-GmoarriC0JbbMbcjp_OxHP84CJXitRsSLdGA9w3Kv34oh-eHnWH8ZxWl-Zb_JV26drs%3Dw152-h86-k-no!7i6159!8i3465!4m5!3m4!1s0x6b168ede4fd4adf9:0x40609b49043e300!8m2!3d-35.0876839!4d149.6665391!6m1!1e1) in Tarago, I think

Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 30 March, 2017, 06:07:47 pm
Mike is on the move again, Kristof appears to be offline.

Somehow can't see Mike catching Kristof now though.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 30 March, 2017, 10:43:38 pm
Kristof on the move again
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: PeeJay on 31 March, 2017, 12:54:07 am
Some terrible news emerging on the Indi_Pac Twitter feed

https://twitter.com/Indi_Pac/status/847586905050931200

I'm fearing the very worst here.

Nothing confirmed as far as I know but there's speculation that this involves Mike Hall.   It's appears to be in the vicinity of his location.

Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mhP on 31 March, 2017, 12:58:47 am
heartbreaking news. Keeping an eye on social media for confirmation of rider.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: jiberjaber on 31 March, 2017, 01:04:00 am
Yes very mixed reports at the moment, news outlets saying its a ipwr cyclist, a statement from the orgs about an incident and Mike being the only cyclist in that area do point to a conclusion but also some reports saying it is a motorcycle and other reports saying Mike's location is a few KM away from the incident.

I am crossing my fingers for good news but also fearing the worse  :'(
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: hellymedic on 31 March, 2017, 01:08:14 am
 :'( :'(
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: jiberjaber on 31 March, 2017, 01:15:26 am
I'm hoping this is a glimmer of hope

Quote
It is not known if it was a race participant who was killed, but race organisers said they were working with authorities to investigate the incident.

From the 10:58 local time update of this article http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/traffic-diversions-after-serious-incident-on-monaro-highway-20170330-gvaggs.html
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: jsabine on 31 March, 2017, 03:48:52 am
Race cancelled with immediate effect (https://twitter.com/Indi_Pac/status/847630565717065729/photo/1).

That'll be bad news then. Well, the worst.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Thing2 on 31 March, 2017, 03:49:27 am
Cancelled

https://twitter.com/Indi_Pac/status/847630565717065729/photo/1

It doesn't look good.  :'(

edit: beaten by jsabine
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Ashaman42 on 31 March, 2017, 05:54:22 am
Oh how terribly sad  :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 31 March, 2017, 06:16:02 am
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-31/cyclist-killed-on-road-south-of-canberra/8403812?WT.ac=statenews_act

RIP Mr Hall.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: TigaSefi on 31 March, 2017, 06:30:35 am
Wow! I feel sick! :( Sad.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Si S on 31 March, 2017, 06:35:25 am
Oh shit, this is awful  :'(
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 31 March, 2017, 06:48:21 am
How sad
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Jabba on 31 March, 2017, 06:49:23 am
Tragic news to wake up to, sympathies go out to all.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: αdαmsκι on 31 March, 2017, 06:55:10 am
Oh dear God. I just fired up the track to see if Kristof had won, instead saw the message saying the race was cancelled. $hit.

I noticed last night (UK time) Mike's tracker was saying "stop" on the the Monaro highway, which seemed a bit odd as it was early in the morning in Oz. Having been told not to cycle the Monaro Highway into Canberra because it was pretty sketchy for cyclists (Pippa & I cycled the Monaro highway as far north as Bombala last year) I had a sudden worry about Mike's safety, and then didn't think anything further.  Terrible terrible news.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mattc on 31 March, 2017, 06:58:33 am
I cant get my head round this.

First time a thing like this has happened to a guy I've had a beer with - and that was only back in November. He was a bit of a hero of mine and just a totally utterly nice decent bloke.

I'm still reading the news posts thinking it must be some shitty viral fake news.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 31 March, 2017, 07:00:44 am
In 2009, HK and I rode out of Canberra on the Monaro Highway during the Sydney-Melbourne Alpine 1200 LRM. It wasn't a fun road to ride then.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 31 March, 2017, 07:03:12 am
Oh dear God. I just fired up the track to see if Kristof had won, instead saw the message saying the race was cancelled.
...
Terrible terrible news.

This. Stunned.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Hot Flatus on 31 March, 2017, 07:12:50 am
I cant get my head round this.

First time a thing like this has happened to a guy I've had a beer with - and that was only back in November. He was a bit of a hero of mine and just a totally utterly nice decent bloke.

I'm still reading the news posts thinking it must be some shitty viral fake news.

It's a tiny community, and and awful lots of us have shared the road with him. As you say, a really nice guy.

Absolutely gutted.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: DrMekon on 31 March, 2017, 07:23:35 am
Just so awfully sad - dreadful news.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Graeme on 31 March, 2017, 07:31:07 am
Oh no. Mike.  :'(
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: jiberjaber on 31 March, 2017, 07:43:10 am
I was hoping to wake to better news, this is really sad. RIP Mike.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 March, 2017, 08:11:05 am
Never met him at all but still feel sad.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: JonB on 31 March, 2017, 08:19:02 am
Very very sad.  Mike joined the group ride from the AUK reunion this year to Bristol and I really enjoyed chatting with him - very easy to talk and a genuinely nice guy. Such awful news.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Paul H on 31 March, 2017, 08:27:51 am
Stunned.
Never met him, but it feels like I have.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 31 March, 2017, 10:07:56 am
Ride in peace Mike, ride in peace.

I rode with him on the Auk reunion 50km ride. His girlfriend was at the back on a hill in the Blackdown Hills. I'd dropped back to keep her company up the hill. Mike looked back and gave her a wink and a smile of encouragement.  Rode briefly with him on BCM last year before he disappeared up ahead. Such an inspiration, very humble about his achievements, and encouraging to us all. Lovely guy from my briefest of encounters.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Karla on 31 March, 2017, 10:37:07 am
RIP Mike.  I never met you but I really wish I had.  Keep riding round whatever world you're on now, yeah?
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: DuncanM on 31 March, 2017, 10:51:33 am
RIP Mike.
It's amazing how emotionally attached you can be to someone represented by a dot that you've only ever seen on a map. He sounds like a fantastic guy and my thoughts are with those close to him.
:'(
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: hellymedic on 31 March, 2017, 11:56:19 am
RIP Mike.
I knew before I went to bed as we keep astronomers' hours.
I was gutted then and remain gutted now.
Second time Australian roads have claimed superb men I have had the honour to meet.
 :'( :'(
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Phil W on 31 March, 2017, 12:13:18 pm
Tribute from Kristof

https://twitter.com/AllegaertK/status/847753957006901248
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: citoyen on 31 March, 2017, 12:19:54 pm
Tribute from Kristof

https://twitter.com/AllegaertK/status/847753957006901248

I wondered if he would ride on to the finish, being so close. That's really quite moving.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Fidgetbuzz on 31 March, 2017, 12:21:49 pm
RIP Mike.
It's amazing how emotionally attached you can be to someone represented by a dot that you've only ever seen on a map. He sounds like a fantastic guy and my thoughts are with those close to him.
:'(

+1.   Tragedy .. no adequate words.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: morbihan on 31 March, 2017, 01:10:02 pm
Devastating.
The colour has been drained from the World today.
I've been glued & enthralled, watching the race unfold and heard the tragic events last night ( on Bermuda time)
I was so looking forward to meeting Mike at the start of TCR#5 in July.
terrible, terrible loss.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Jabba on 31 March, 2017, 01:26:34 pm
JustGiving page has been set up to help his family with costs

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Mikehall
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: trekker12 on 31 March, 2017, 01:32:14 pm
An inspiration,

I never met him and didn't really expect to but seemed to come across as a down to earth bloke who could do extraordinary things and inspire the rest of us to find out what we can achieve.

RIP
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: zigzag on 31 March, 2017, 02:11:15 pm
i've read the terrible news last night and couldn't really fall asleep from shock and disbelief. we did some riding together (even some friendly wrestling!) with Mike and he was a huge inspiration to me. his legacy will live on in the lives he touched, directly or indirectly. my deepest condolences to his family and friends. Mike has been taken away from us way too soon. tragic.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: ElyDave on 31 March, 2017, 02:22:40 pm
just looked up from work to see this on the beeb.

Never met him, but my thoughts echo all those above.

RIP.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: clarion on 31 March, 2017, 03:39:52 pm
I haven't met him, either, but admired his achievements.

Thoughts are with family and loved ones.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: sojournermike on 31 March, 2017, 04:28:11 pm
Was just chatting with a friend in the car and he rode with Mike last year in an event across Wales.

Terribly sad, again I am afraid.

Mike
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: andyoxon on 02 April, 2017, 11:52:19 am
Peter Sagan posted a tribute to Mike... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0yCS4TkAW8
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: dim on 02 April, 2017, 08:44:47 pm
Mike was concerned about the Austalian roads as far back as 2013 .... watch this video from 4 minutes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GRUZhBAPPk

Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: simonp on 03 April, 2017, 12:01:24 pm
Was chatting with my former rowing coach on Saturday. Turns out he used to work with Mike.

Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: αdαmsκι on 02 June, 2017, 11:31:24 am
His last ride:

http://road.cc/content/news/223542-ultracycling-legend-mike-hall-taking-his-last-ever-ride-%E2%80%93-follow-his-%E2%80%98dot%E2%80%99

Mike's Last Dot (http://trackleaders.com/mikeslastdot17f.php)

 :'(

Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 17 June, 2017, 09:54:55 am
I've not yet seen anything official about the crash, like a police or coroner's report. Has anybody else?
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: αdαmsκι on 18 June, 2017, 07:37:21 pm
I haven't seen anything either and I would assume the info would end up in the public domain pretty quickly.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 on 28 June, 2017, 08:34:18 am
At Mike's funeral I spoke to his mother and she mentioned that there might be an inquest next year.  That sounds a bit late but, given the context, I didn't press her for details. 
Title: IPWR 2018
Post by: quixoticgeek on 02 October, 2017, 01:12:36 pm

The Indian Pacific Wheel Race has been announced as running again in 2018.

Tweet on the subject (https://twitter.com/Indi_Pac/status/914779635874922497)

IPWR About the race (https://www.indianpacificwheelrace.com/about)

They are adding a relay category to the solo category. Am looking forward to dot watching.

J
Title: Re: IPWR 2018
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 03 October, 2017, 02:19:31 pm
Unless Kristof goes back for another crack at this, my money is on Sarah Hammond.

Purple dot ftw
Title: Re: IPWR 2018
Post by: quixoticgeek on 03 October, 2017, 02:22:05 pm
Unless Kristof goes back for another crack at this, my money is on Sarah Hammond.

Purple dot ftw

That was my thinking. Am hoping that Juju tries again and has more luck this time.

J
Title: Re: IPWR 2018
Post by: paddyirish on 03 October, 2017, 02:44:06 pm
Sounds great- seconded on the class displayed by Mike's family.

In terms of people I'd like to see line up, in addition to the above, my wish list would include Lael Wilcox, James Hayden and Bjorn Leonard.  Maybe Josh Ibbett will be in Australia at that point during his world tour...
Title: Re: IPWR 2018
Post by: quixoticgeek on 22 January, 2018, 10:26:42 am

Well the roster of riders has been announced.

None of the names mentioned in this thread are on the list. No Kristoff, No Sarah, No Juju.

I don't recognize any of the names on the roster.

Will be interesting to watch the race.

J
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 on 23 January, 2018, 11:36:05 am
The inquest starts on 8 Feb.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race - cancelled!
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 February, 2018, 11:32:19 am
From the IPWR website
Quote
As you’re probably aware, the matter of Mike Hall’s death is before the A.C.T. Coroner’s Court with an inquest likely to be held later in the year.

Given this situation, and as more information about the potential outcomes of this process have become clear only very recently, it is with an extremely heavy heart that we cancel the 2018 Indian Pacific Wheel Race (IPWR) with immediate effect. That is, Dragon Face Pty Ltd will not be facilitating the riding of the IPWR in any way.
 
That reads like some fingers of blame are going to be pointed at the organisers. Crap.
Title: Re: IPWR 2018
Post by: Darren Franks on 06 February, 2018, 05:09:47 pm
Unfortunately the Indi-Pac won't be running this year. Jesse has just posted a statement announcing the immediate cancellation, which reads to me like he's been advised that he might face some liability in the inquest into Mike's death.

https://www.indianpacificwheelrace.com/
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 on 06 February, 2018, 05:18:06 pm
It does have that feel to it.

It may not quite come to that (and I very much hope it doesn't) but I can see a lawyer advising Jesse that it would be unwise to proceed before the inquest has reached its conclusion, in case it either criticises him or suggests that certain things should be done to mitigate risk. 

It's a bit shit that the inquest is happening now, approaching the anniversary of Mike's death, rather than months ago so that it was out of the way.  Having it around the anniversary will make it harder for the family.
Title: Re: IPWR 2018
Post by: quixoticgeek on 06 February, 2018, 05:21:23 pm
Unfortunately the Indi-Pac won't be running this year. Jesse has just posted a statement announcing the immediate cancellation, which reads to me like he's been advised that he might face some liability in the inquest into Mike's death.

https://www.indianpacificwheelrace.com/

I'm guessing it's more that the full inquest won't be complete before the race would have started. It makes a lot of sense as a decision. Let's hope the event happens next year.

J
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 on 07 February, 2018, 09:44:44 am
It appears that they've not been able to get organiser's liability insurance.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 February, 2018, 10:20:09 am
Ah.

I can imagine, pending outcome of the inquest, the liability might be difficult to calculate.

Wonder what the implications are for TCR and trans-am? Insurance underwriters are global institutions.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: morbihan on 07 February, 2018, 11:47:58 am
Ah.

I can imagine, pending outcome of the inquest, the liability might be difficult to calculate.

Wonder what the implications are for TCR and trans-am? Insurance underwriters are global institutions.

Not necessarily global institutions Mc Ch.  This may also be a peculiarity of Ozzy regs.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Charlie Polecat on 07 February, 2018, 02:33:20 pm
We've had no problem getting insurance for the inaugural Texas Overland Wheel Race in October, but as one said, it's probably an Oz thing and in any case, Coroner's Courts anywhere in the former empire have wide ranging investigative responsibilities and I suppose Dragon is taking the wait and see attitude to heart.

I hope the IndiPac comes back but no doubt it all depends on the outcome of the court. Whether or not the accident will prove to have been the result of cyclist error or drivers error, one additional requirement TOWR will make is a mandatory six hour rest at night.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 February, 2018, 02:42:10 pm
Mandatory 6hour rest periods at night are a huge change from normal ultra-distance racing practises. Was that decision made on safety grounds alone?  I can imagine that the discussions over bringing in such a rule would have been, um, intense.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 on 07 February, 2018, 02:45:14 pm
I find it hard to envisage that there would be a claim against the organiser, but I can see that an insurance company would not want to run the risk for what was most likely much revenue from the policy.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 07 February, 2018, 02:53:33 pm
RAAM tried an option one year where Solo racers had a minimum mandatory time off the bike. It wasn't repeated.

Edit: 2006 Enduro category http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2006/jun06/RAAM06/default
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: quixoticgeek on 07 February, 2018, 02:57:32 pm
Mandatory 6hour rest periods at night are a huge change from normal ultra-distance racing practises. Was that decision made on safety grounds alone?  I can imagine that the discussions over bringing in such a rule would have been, um, intense.

I'm inclined to say that it's a bad idea to put a mandatory rest in. To quote the IPWR FAQ:

Quote

Will you put minimum requirements around sleep? Surely race organisers are putting road users at risk if they don’t?
Similar to Audax events, the experts in ultra-endurance cycling, no restrictions to daily riding time will be included in the IPWR rules. This is a far more complicated issue than many without considerable unsupported ultra-endurance bike racing experience would realise at first glance. Ultra-endurance cyclists are managing unpredictable conditions, situations and terrain out on the road and need to be able to make the calls that are best suited to their particular circumstances. Riders must have the freedom to decide when and where they stop, for their own safety.

There are many scenarios where any restriction on ride time would result in serious danger. These are scenarios that the IPWR ringleaders have personally experienced in multi-week unsupported races. A rider must not be forced to stop at the top of a mountain pass in a snow storm if they misjudged the time required to complete the climb and their ride time limit is up, they must have the choice to continue for their own safety - stopping for hours could result in hypothermia. A rider must not be forced to stop in the desert when being followed by dingos if their ride time limit is up, they must have the option to continue until safety is reached - stopping could result in a dangerous animal encounter. A rider must not be forced to stop short of a critical resupply, shelter or medical option if their ride time limit is up, they must have the option to continue to reach an urgent supply of water, food or medicine. Stopping could result in dehydration or waiting longer for medical treatment. Riders must have the freedom to decide when and where they stop, for their own safety.

J
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 07 February, 2018, 03:06:35 pm
Hmm - making the requirement as loose as 'stop for 6hours at night' does allow for considerable latitude in deciding when to stop and take the break. It would have to become part of the route planning - I guess you could, say stop at 6pm one day, set off at midnight, ride for 28hours continuously and stop to sleep at 4am.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mattc on 07 February, 2018, 03:11:24 pm
RAAM tried an option one year where Solo racers had a minimum mandatory time off the bike each day. It wasn't repeated.
I recall reading about this a few years ago - info was a bit scant, but the reversal seemed to come down to the riders that needed less sleep not liking the rule.

There are clearly practical issues to iron out - as detailed in qg's post above. But I'd say almost all of them go away in RAAM, or any event with follow vehicles (such rules work for long-distance goods drivers).

An event with organised stop stations would also find it much easier.

[A little OT: many ultra-runs enforce a MAX break time at feed stations! I think the logic is that tired muscles seize up if you stay still for long... ]
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Ivan on 11 February, 2018, 06:59:12 pm
TAW has introduced mandatory rest stops for this year, from https://www.transatlanticway.com/rules/
Quote
two new rules for 2018

11. All riders must take a mandatory continuous 3 hour stop in every 24 hour period. Excluding the first 24hr and last 24hrs of your race.

12. All riders need to light up like Christmas trees during darkness hours. and display some form of hi-vi during the day and reflective gear at night ( helmets, tape, bags, jerseys, bands, vests, flags, anything at all that improves your chances of being seen. make an effort.)

Will be interesting to see how that works out, but obviously the terrain is somewhat different to IPWR with more opportunities for shelter and fewer dingos.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Karla on 11 February, 2018, 07:10:41 pm
That second rule makes me want to cry.  Just how ambiguous and nonspecific can you get?!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 11 February, 2018, 07:12:27 pm
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cycling/intrepid-cyclists-will-power-on-despite-indian-pacific-race-cancellation-20180208-h0vs52.html
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: quixoticgeek on 11 February, 2018, 07:49:16 pm
That second rule makes me want to cry.  Just how ambiguous and nonspecific can you get?!

I know right... My Christmas tree had no lights this year... If you're going to have a rule, be specific and direct. No ambiguity...

J
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 on 12 February, 2018, 01:12:04 pm
Adrian means well but his rules are not thought through and amount to victim blaming. They implicitly agree with the view that riders in other events have been hit by cars because they were too tired and/or inadequately lit. There's no evidence whatsoever for either. But accepting those arguments takes the responsibility off the drivers.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: quixoticgeek on 12 February, 2018, 01:22:15 pm
Adrian means well but his rules are not thought through and amount to victim blaming. They implicitly agree with the view that riders in other events have been hit by cars because they were too tired and/or inadequately lit. There's no evidence whatsoever for either. But accepting those arguments takes the responsibility off the drivers.

Exceedingly well put.

Given that a rider legally only has to have front/rear lights, front/rear reflectors, and pedal reflectors. And a driver should be over taking giving reasonable clearance (≥1.5m), there is no way that this should be the fault of the rider. No matter how tired and spaced out a rider is. If a driver can't see a rider in these conditions, then the driver is either going to fast, not paying enough attention, or needs their vision checked.

I object to the victim blaming nature of race rules that mandate specific lighting arrangements. It's as if the solution to gun violence was to mandate everyone wears a bullet proof vest.

I've entered an ultra race that has very similar (almost cut and paste) rules on lighting to those of the IPWR, even tho they technically contravene local traffic law for the country the race is in. I don't like the rules, but I want to do the race, so I'll play by the letter of them, have the rear of the bike in christmas tree mode, and be done with it, but I'm not exactly eager to do so and will remove all the excess bits after the race is over.

J
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 February, 2018, 01:39:54 pm
Those rules need proofreading; "registered paris".

Nothing in them rules out recumbents, which surprised me.

I understand the intention of the lighting rules, however they are very badly written.
Asking for two independent front and rear lights, plus some form of reflectors fitted either to the bike or the rider would be relatively reasonable. Pretty similar to PBP rules, I think.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mmmmartin on 12 February, 2018, 01:58:23 pm
Pretty similar to PBP rules, I think.
PBP wanted everyone to have a high viz gilet. So it gave everyone a high viz gilet. A simple answer. Merely saying "make an effort" isn't really enough. Nor, I suspect, would it stand up in court as proof of having taken "reasonable care".
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: quixoticgeek on 12 February, 2018, 02:05:55 pm
Those rules need proofreading; "registered paris".

Nothing in them rules out recumbents, which surprised me.

I understand the intention of the lighting rules, however they are very badly written.
Asking for two independent front and rear lights, plus some form of reflectors fitted either to the bike or the rider would be relatively reasonable. Pretty similar to PBP rules, I think.

Thing with PBP is that France has different rules to the rest of Europe on what is needed for cycling. As well as prohibiting headphones (grumble argh, fnnng), they also require you to wear a hivi vest when cycling outside urban areas in the dark or in poor visibility. So for PBP everyone needs a hivi top, as well as any other lighty stuffs.

Pretty similar to PBP rules, I think.
PBP wanted everyone to have a high viz gilet. So it gave everyone a high viz gilet. A simple answer. Merely saying "make an effort" isn't really enough. Nor, I suspect, would it stand up in court as proof of having taken "reasonable care".

This is a really good way of doing it. If you are going to mandate specific light/reflect stuff, then provide it as part of the entry.

J
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 12 February, 2018, 02:13:53 pm
PBP did it because French road rules require reflective vests to specific EN standards and marked as such. Outside of the EU, nobody could source such reflective vests. Some folk from the EU wore their own reflective vests, rather than the (rather too warm) PBP vest.

RUSA and Audax Oz require reflective vests but don't mandate a specific national standard. That allows riders to use something cooler and smaller than the standard roadworker vest.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mattc on 12 February, 2018, 02:17:26 pm
AUK just tells riders to stick to the law. I don't see why any organiser needs to do anything more than that.

(The only even vaguely feasible excuse for extra rules is organiser insurance - but I know damn well that isn't the reason that most helmet rules exist for events. )
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Charlie Polecat on 12 February, 2018, 03:41:26 pm
Regardless whether or not a particular race requires lights, it would appear to be in the selfish interest of the racer to be lit up like a 'Christmas Tree'.

Of course drivers are usually the responsible party when cyclists are hit, but it is pretty difficult to argue the toss from the grave.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mmmmartin on 12 February, 2018, 04:02:38 pm
You are of course correct. Although it's easier to be lit up like a Christmas tree for one night in England than it is for several days across a desert with nothing and nowhere to buy more batteries for the rear lights.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Charlie Polecat on 12 February, 2018, 04:20:39 pm
True, but any of these are used by Rando riders over here:

https://www.cyclingabout.com/dynamo-hub-recommendations-for-bicycle-touring/
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Karla on 12 February, 2018, 04:22:27 pm
I don't think those constitute Christmas trees.  My view of what is a Christmas tree is better than your view.  So there.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 on 12 February, 2018, 06:17:54 pm
The IPWR rules are fine.  When I rode it, my lighting and reflector setup would have complied with them.  The only think I didn't have was the reflective gilet. Australian, like UK, law doesn't require it, but it's not a bad idea to have one.  And if everyone is carrying one then there's no bulk penalty - I wouldn't have a problem with taking one.  And it's easy enough to have enough power for decent lighting across the Nullarbor without having to use a dynamo.  Dynamos are only necessary for the off-road ultras like Tour Divide when you need high-powered lighting.

It's the TAW rules that I was referring to. 
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: dim on 12 February, 2018, 07:49:25 pm
Regardless whether or not a particular race requires lights, it would appear to be in the selfish interest of the racer to be lit up like a 'Christmas Tree'.

Of course drivers are usually the responsible party when cyclists are hit, but it is pretty difficult to argue the toss from the grave.

perhaps they are saying that you should not use a black jacket at night and rather use something like the new Proviz REFLECT360 CRS jackets? ... hi viz for day, and it turns super bright at night:
https://www.provizsports.com/en-gb/reflect360-crs-mens-cycling-jacket.html (https://www.provizsports.com/en-gb/reflect360-crs-mens-cycling-jacket.html)

daytime:
(https://www.provizsports.com/en-gb/media/catalog/product/cache/38/image/500x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/o/r/orange_jacket_3.jpg)

and night time:
(https://www.provizsports.com/en-gb/media/catalog/product/cache/38/image/500x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/m/e/mens_360_jacket_front_on_lr_1.jpg)


Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mmmmartin on 12 February, 2018, 07:52:29 pm
They're very sweaty according to owners to whom I have spoken.

The PBP gilet is fine in decent weather but when things get a bit Norwegian I use an Endura windproof gilet with an Altura cycling-specific hood sewn to it.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 on 12 February, 2018, 07:55:38 pm
I discovered during a thunderstorm last year (not on IndyPac) that a problem with (PBP-style) high-viz gilets worn over the top of a waterproof is that, if it really starts raining, they can cause your waterproof to fail by holding a layer of water on its surface.   
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mmmmartin on 12 February, 2018, 07:59:38 pm
Yes, that's a real problem. You can sort of stop it by treating the gilet with the Paramo waterproofing. You need to wash it first in the tech wash then wash it in the waterproofing and after it is important to tumble dry it, the heat kind of melts the waterproofing into the fabric. Not perfect but does make a real difference.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mattc on 12 February, 2018, 10:56:13 pm
Regardless whether or not a particular race requires lights, it would appear to be in the selfish interest of the racer to be lit up like a 'Christmas Tree'.

Of course drivers are usually the responsible party when cyclists are hit, but it is pretty difficult to argue the toss from the grave.
You can wear whatever you think makes you safe; but please don't tell me what to wear, or how to equip/ride my bike.

Not hurting others and complying with the law suits me fine,  thanks.

[oops too late - you like to force people to wear helmets. I almost forgot.]
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Charlie Polecat on 12 February, 2018, 11:57:02 pm
Silly!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: C-3PO on 13 February, 2018, 01:28:53 am
Silly!

That remark is non-excellent.

Please remain excellent!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Ivo on 13 February, 2018, 09:07:08 am
The type of jacket as available at PBP can even be a safety hazard. It's that hot that on a warm night the risk of overheating is serious. And overheating leads to drowsiness and falling asleep.
That's why I had a seperate non windstopper gilet at PBP (with the apropriate EN markings).
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Tim Hall on 13 February, 2018, 09:16:36 am
Regardless whether or not a particular race requires lights, it would appear to be in the selfish interest of the racer to be lit up like a 'Christmas Tree'.

Of course drivers are usually the responsible party when cyclists are hit, but it is pretty difficult to argue the toss from the grave.

perhaps they are saying that you should not use a black jacket at night and rather use something like the new Proviz REFLECT360 CRS jackets? ... hi viz for day, and it turns super bright at night:

"perhaps" isn't really the desired outcome for a rule though. A rule should define what is and isn't acceptable.   
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: quixoticgeek on 13 February, 2018, 09:36:04 am
You can wear whatever you think makes you safe; but please don't tell me what to wear, or how to equip/ride my bike.

Not hurting others and complying with the law suits me fine,  thanks.

Amen to that!

J
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: quixoticgeek on 13 February, 2018, 09:38:31 am
The type of jacket as available at PBP can even be a safety hazard. It's that hot that on a warm night the risk of overheating is serious. And overheating leads to drowsiness and falling asleep.
That's why I had a seperate non windstopper gilet at PBP (with the apropriate EN markings).

Which one were you using? I have a very simple runners hivi I got so that I could at least attempt to comply with french law when cycling through France at xmas, but am thinking I may need something more suitable for cycling for the summer.

J
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 on 13 February, 2018, 09:49:17 am
The best one IMHO is the Sportful one, which is minimalist so not too warm.
Halfords are giving them away for £5 ATM.  I paid many times that much for mine a couple of years ago.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/cycling-clothing/jackets-gilets/sportful-reflex-bretelle-en-471 (http://www.halfords.com/cycling/cycling-clothing/jackets-gilets/sportful-reflex-bretelle-en-471)

Edit, just seen they are out of stock.  Might be available elsewhere
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Tim Hall on 13 February, 2018, 09:51:31 am
The best one IMHO is the Sportful one, which is minimalist so not too warm.
Halfords are giving them away for £5 ATM.  I paid many times that much for mine a couple of years ago.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/cycling-clothing/jackets-gilets/sportful-reflex-bretelle-en-471 (http://www.halfords.com/cycling/cycling-clothing/jackets-gilets/sportful-reflex-bretelle-en-471)

Edit, just seen they are out of stock.  Might be available elsewhere

They make a bit of a strong claim as to its powers though:
Quote
a high visibility vest that ensures you stay safe at all times whether out on your bike or in the workplace.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 on 13 February, 2018, 11:53:53 am
No wonder it's out of stock if it is that good!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Charlie Polecat on 13 February, 2018, 02:11:43 pm
Silly!

That remark is non-excellent.

Please remain excellent!

Are you his mother?
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 February, 2018, 02:39:22 pm
Those gilets always seem to be very flappy, non-aero things to me.

Would have through a retro-reflective belt over strong solid colours (international orange preferred) would be as good and more adaptable.

There is precious little cycling gear in 'international orange'. I seem to recall a discussion years ago that pointed out how fluoro yellow disappeared against a backdrop of streetlights, and some of the 'strong' colours vanished against a backdrop of trees and stone walls.
The consensus seemed to be that something like a dark top with a square or triangle in a colour like international orange or fluoro yellow stood out the best in all circumstances. Never seen anything like this on the market though.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: sg37409 on 13 February, 2018, 02:41:07 pm
Silly!

That remark is non-excellent.

Hardly.   I think your response has more to do with the poster than the remark.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 February, 2018, 02:49:26 pm
International orange is the colour they use on the Golden Gate Bridge, isn't it? Presumably chosen for some other reason than worrying about it not being seen! Maybe to show up its graceful lines in order to wow tourists under all weather conditions (cue Mark Twain quotes).
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 February, 2018, 03:01:12 pm
No, it is the colour of lifejackets, and that daytime proviz jacket. Very solid bright orange that shows up in most conditions.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Karla on 13 February, 2018, 03:05:45 pm
I must admit I find it way less visible than yellow.  Admittedly it's only about 5% of people who have a colour vision defect and not all of those will be the same, but don't blame me if I crash into you because you weren't wearing regulation yellow hi-viz  :P
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 13 February, 2018, 03:23:08 pm
That's why it needs to be combined with another colour.

A solid orange/Yellow square on a black background shows up better for people who are colour-blind than jagged/random arrangements of colours. It will just be a lighter colour on a dark background.

Some cycling tops amount to a good version of dazzle camouflage!
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Si S on 13 February, 2018, 03:28:30 pm
Some cycling tops amount to a good version of dazzle camouflage!

Funny you should say that, I like this, other than the stooopid price
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1096/9584/products/Pro_Air_Jersey_Blu_Front_1024x.png?v=1493301302)

It's even called the dazzle range  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 February, 2018, 03:34:50 pm
Wikipedia (no less – and no more!) lists Golden Gate Bridge as one tone of international orange.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_orange
It also lists a separate safety orange
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_orange
which seems to more one specific shade.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Karla on 13 February, 2018, 03:39:52 pm
Some cycling tops amount to a good version of dazzle camouflage!

Funny you should say that, I like this, other than the stooopid price
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1096/9584/products/Pro_Air_Jersey_Blu_Front_1024x.png?v=1493301302)

It's even called the dazzle range  :facepalm:

... or my latest cycling purchase.  It's got 'fluo' in the name so it must be good right?

(https://dbyvw4eroffpi.cloudfront.net/product-media/1H21/1000/1000/Ale-PRR-Camo-Short-Sleeve-Jersey--Black-Green-Fluo.jpg)
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Si S on 13 February, 2018, 03:44:40 pm
^^^ There's a guy in the cycle shed next to ours who has that top and matching bib shorts, camo it 'aint.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: hellymedic on 13 February, 2018, 03:54:01 pm
Silly!

That remark is non-excellent.

Please remain excellent!

Are you his mother?

As I understand it, C3PO is inanimate and has no offspring.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mattc on 13 February, 2018, 05:37:09 pm
Silly!

That remark is non-excellent.

Hardly.   I think your response has more to do with the poster than the remark.
The funny thing is that Charlie/Kenneth has posted many less logical rebuttals. (and I'm not including him calling me a twat).
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Ivo on 13 February, 2018, 07:16:37 pm
The type of jacket as available at PBP can even be a safety hazard. It's that hot that on a warm night the risk of overheating is serious. And overheating leads to drowsiness and falling asleep.
That's why I had a seperate non windstopper gilet at PBP (with the apropriate EN markings).

Which one were you using? I have a very simple runners hivi I got so that I could at least attempt to comply with french law when cycling through France at xmas, but am thinking I may need something more suitable for cycling for the summer.

J

The official PBP one is too hot (2015 edition). I used a runners one from Decathlon.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: dim on 13 February, 2018, 08:39:31 pm
They're very sweaty according to owners to whom I have spoken.



I don't have a Proviz jacket yet, but I will definatey get one as I commute throughout the year (sun or snow), and  I ride  for approx 1 1/2 hrs in pitch darkness during winter ... I leave home at 5am and get home at 19h15.

The guys who you can spot from very far in the dark, are the guys wearing the Proviz jackets.

I think that the old jackets (that look grey in the day) could be the ones your friends are refering to .... There are new Proviz Jackets now that may have adressed the issue of being 'too warm or sweaty)?

Not cheap (£159.99), but these are the new Proviz jackets:

https://www.provizsports.com/en-gb/reflect360-crs-plus-mens-cycling-jacket.html (https://www.provizsports.com/en-gb/reflect360-crs-plus-mens-cycling-jacket.html)

they have one that cost even more £229.99

https://www.provizsports.com/en-gb/reflect360-elite-mens-cycling-jacket.html (https://www.provizsports.com/en-gb/reflect360-elite-mens-cycling-jacket.html)

Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: DuncanM on 13 February, 2018, 08:47:31 pm
YMMV, but my friend who has a grey one is complaining that as well as being boil in the bag, his is no longer waterproof.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Kim on 13 February, 2018, 09:29:55 pm
Provis jackets are truly spectacular for spotting from a long way away in the dark, but can be unpleasant to ride behind in a group.

(I remain sceptical that being visible from a long way away gives a real safety benefit in terms of not being hit by motorists, but it's awesome bling, a completely retroreflective jacket could give you WTF factor[1], and I suppose it might help rescuers find you quickly if something goes wrong.)


[1] The process by which recumbents get given more overtaking room and better junction priority respect than regular DF bikes.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: dim on 13 February, 2018, 09:34:38 pm
Provis jackets are truly spectacular for spotting from a long way away in the dark, but can be unpleasant to ride behind in a group.

(I remain sceptical that being visible from a long way away gives a real safety benefit in terms of not being hit by motorists, but it's awesome bling, a completely retroreflective jacket could give you WTF factor, and I suppose it might help rescuers find you quickly if something goes wrong.)

so en'lighten' me .... what would you wear ?
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Kim on 13 February, 2018, 09:42:24 pm
so en'lighten' me .... what would you wear ?

Whatever was appropriate for the weather conditions.

I've chosen jackets based on fit, affordability and how well it could breathe.  In the absence of any that can breathe effectively, I've chosen cheap ones that fit, and rarely wear them.  They have some retroreflectives on them, which is fine, but it doesn't contribute anything to my safety as it's usually rolled up in my bag.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: dim on 13 February, 2018, 10:02:52 pm
so en'lighten' me .... what would you wear ?

Whatever was appropriate for the weather conditions.

I've chosen jackets based on fit, affordability and how well it could breathe.  In the absence of any that can breathe effectively, I've chosen cheap ones that fit, and rarely wear them.  They have some retroreflectives on them, which is fine, but it doesn't contribute anything to my safety as it's usually rolled up in my bag.

so what's your 'favorite' assuming that you were to ride 1000km (which included riding several hours during pitch darkness), and assuming that the temp and weather were mild? ... and assuming that you could only have 1 jacket
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Kim on 13 February, 2018, 10:18:27 pm
so what's your 'favorite' assuming that you were to ride 1000km (which included riding several hours during pitch darkness), and assuming that the temp and weather were mild? ... and assuming that you could only have 1 jacket

If the temperature's mild I wouldn't be wearing a jacket because I tend to run hot.  Iff I were to attempt this sort of race (which I wouldn't; I'm not capable of it) I'd probably choose something that could pack down as small and light as possible.

In the real world, I have a standard Altura Night Vision.  I've done plenty of overnight riding, but very little with a jacket on, and when I have worn it it's contributed little to my visibility because there's usually been a seat in the way.

I'm not sure why this is relevant...  we were talking about hi-vis rules.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: quixoticgeek on 14 February, 2018, 07:46:58 am
Whatever was appropriate for the weather conditions.

I've chosen jackets based on fit, affordability and how well it could breathe.  In the absence of any that can breathe effectively, I've chosen cheap ones that fit, and rarely wear them.  They have some retroreflectives on them, which is fine, but it doesn't contribute anything to my safety as it's usually rolled up in my bag.

On the breathing front, I have several Páramo jackets, I've found them to be the only jackets that are both waterproof, and breathable in the quantities of sweat produced when cycling. The only downside is they are too warm for cycling in for about 6 months of the year. But in winter, Autumn, and early spring, they are fantastic. I wear my Quito jacket daily for commuting in throughout the winter, even sub zero, and never have any issues with boil in a bag sensation like I've had with membrane jackets in the past. It's got some reflective piping on the shoulder seem, but that's all it's got. I have the lights I need to comply with the law, I don't see a need for any additional reflective clothing.

J
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 on 14 February, 2018, 07:58:30 am
The answer to best jacket depends on the weather. 

In a shorter event such as yours, you can have a pretty good idea if it is going to rain much or not beforehand so can prepare accordingly. 

I took a Gore jacket on IndyPac that I was grateful to have in a thunderstorm, but I wouldn't take it if I thought there would only be showers as it doesn't pack very small.  I've got a Sportful one which packs smaller than my fist and weighs nothing, which would be fine as a top windproof layer with shower protection.     
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: quixoticgeek on 22 March, 2018, 10:24:15 pm

Despite the Indipac not running officially this year, enough of those who were planning to enter, have decided to ride anyway.

There's a tracking page at: https://indianpacificwheelrace2018.maprogress.com/

There's someone on twitter who's got a spreadsheet comparing daily totals of this years unofficial riders, and last years official riders. So far the p1 rider abdullah zeinab is going slightly slower than Kristof last year.

Given it's not the real race, and all the stuff surrounding it, I'm really struggling to get as enthused by the dots for this race as I have for races in the past.

J
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 28 February, 2019, 07:03:28 am
The coroner has finished and presented the usual victim-blaming bullshit.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-47396799
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-28/cyclist-mike-hall-death-avoidable-canberra-coroner-finds/10857010
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Peat on 28 February, 2019, 09:06:56 am
I've composed and deleted 2 replies already.

What's left to be said? If you want to murder someone, wait til their on a bike.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 on 28 February, 2019, 10:58:19 am
I've just read the actual report.
https://courts.act.gov.au/__data/assets/­pdf_file/0007/1324555/Hall.pdf?fbclid=Iw­AR3oXHyBEdt0jHnYoRkYTUPFl5PRa6q16eM0Rugg­9pagJbhRUxsfY-hoRIo
 (https://courts.act.gov.au/__data/assets/­pdf_file/0007/1324555/Hall.pdf?fbclid=Iw­AR3oXHyBEdt0jHnYoRkYTUPFl5PRa6q16eM0Rugg­9pagJbhRUxsfY-hoRIo)
Essentially, it is a victim blaming document in that it focuses on what could Mike have done to make himself more visible, and what new laws can be brought in to force other cyclists to do so, rather than what could drivers do to avoid hitting things in front of them.

However, my reading of it is that it says that the driver may have been guilty of 'negligent driving' which carries a sentence of up to 2 years. The decision on whether to prosecute is to be referred to the police.  Chances are that they will decided to do nothing, but the option to do something remains open to them.

One thing I don't understand is that when a car hits another car from behind there is an automatic presumption that the car doing the hitting from behind is liable (In Australia as well as UK, I believe).  Why should that not apply when the vehicle being hit is a bike?
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 28 February, 2019, 10:59:24 am
The police have already absolved the driver.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 on 28 February, 2019, 11:03:37 am
Yes, but the coroner has now referred it back to them as part of her judgement. 

'I  will,however,refer  the  matter  to  the  AFP  for consideration  as  to  whether  a  section  6  charge  has  been  committed.'  (right at the end)

While I'm not holding my breath, presumably the inquest could be new info for them to take into account in their decision...? 
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: k_green on 28 February, 2019, 11:20:52 am

Essentially, it is a victim blaming document in that it focuses on what could Mike have done to make himself more visible, and what new laws can be brought in to force other cyclists to do so, rather than what could drivers do to avoid hitting things in front of them.


This is ridiculous, they admit they lost his clothes and therefore can't prove one way or the other how visible he was.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mattc on 28 February, 2019, 11:44:00 am
One thing I don't understand is that when a car hits another car from behind there is an automatic presumption that the car doing the hitting from behind is liable (In Australia as well as UK, I believe).  Why should that not apply when the vehicle being hit is a bike?
I don't *believe* that is the case (in UK, anyways!) - it's just one of those "common law" udnerstandings (i.e. if you rear-end another car, you will need a VERY strong case to put the blame on t'other driver). If it's actually documented anywhere, it will be (interesting) news to me.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 28 February, 2019, 11:55:04 am
One concern has always been that the coroner's verdict would contain criticism of the idea of endurance racing in principle. The organiser outlined the dangers before the start.

Quote
“No one will help a rider if things go wrong for them in any way – riders will be alone. Understand that this is a personal challenge against the clock,” the disclaimer reads. “By signing up riders get nothing but an excuse to plan and execute their own adventure, one which is dangerous and has serious risks for those unprepared. This race is definitely not for everyone and it is probably not for you.”

Carlsson makes no apologies.

“You’re gonna be out there alone. If something goes wrong, no-one’s gonna necessarily hear you scream,” he said. “You’re gonna need to know how to solve all the problems out there.”

But he admits to worrying.

“In any of these races you’re always worried about someone having a run in with traffic, getting hit by a car or something like that, so it goes with the territory unfortunately. Hopefully everyone stays safe.”

That's from an article written just before the start.
https://cyclingtips.com/2017/03/indian-pacific-wheel-race-lifetime-adventure-folly-foolhardy/

Quote
The adventurers and risk-takers in our midst should be supported and applauded for daring to do the things and go to the places that most of us will never contemplate. There’s great personal reward to be had in challenges like the Indy Pac, and these can reach beyond the individuals. Jesse Carlsson agrees.

“It’s inspiring; ordinary people doing remarkable things like this,” he said. “It motivates people to do all sorts of cool stuff.”

Cool stuff indeed. Some of the entrants have quit their jobs. Documentaries and cinema launches are being planned, books will be written, blogs and vlogs will grow; and there will be countless photographs, video updates, and all manner of social media snippets emerging from the Indy Pac story.

The article highlights the historic aspects of the Indy Pac.

Quote
You could say the Indian Pacific Wheel Race has a good dose of Oppy’s DNA in it. The Indy Pac start date of March 18 also happens to be the same date as the Audax Australia Fleche Opperman All Day Trial, a 24-hour team time trial that has been held since 1985 in honour of Oppy. Fittingly, this year is also 80 years since the last time Hubert Opperman rode from Fremantle to Sydney and broke that record.

It is clear from speaking with Indy Pac organiser, Jesse Carlsson, that he has deep respect for Australia’s first endurance cyclists. That is also evident from the Indy Pac website itself which includes many snippets of Australian overlander history.

Many stories emerged from the early cross-Australia rides.

Quote
Few realise there was a time when Australia was regarded as the ‘long-distance cycling centre of the world’. (See the bottom of this article for a list of just some of the distance cycling achievements from Australia’s past.) The early Australian riders (the ‘Overlanders’ and ‘Indefatigables’ as they were called) played a key role in promoting cycling as a past-time and sport, and the development of roads and other cycling infrastructure. The widespread interest their efforts attracted also helped spark the public imagination about new possibilities for moving around Australia.

The notes they made, the stories they told of their experiences, and the touring maps that resulted, paved the way for many others that followed them.

The dominant story of Indy Pac has been the demise of Mike Hall. That's inevitable, given Mike's high profile, and the apparent novelty of unsupported adventure racing. However, there's a much bigger back-story to long-distance riding, and there have been similar incidents on rides I've done, and what happened to Mike has happened to friends.

Quote
Jesse Carlsson (and the cast of others who have helped him) should be congratulated for bringing this Indy Pac adventure to fruition, for wanting to see a resurgence in Australian ultra-endurance cycling, and for his efforts in building an engaged community around that big idea. However, events of this scale are very unsettling. And maybe that is exactly the point.

Come this Saturday morning, March 18, I will certainly be one of what I suspect will be a very large virtual crowd of onlookers staring into their computer screens, eager to see how this bold new thing called the ‘Indy Pac’ unfolds.

I’ll be reading the dispatches from the road, scanning the social media updates on race progress, and following a handful of Indy Pac racers that have captured my interest for whatever reason. I will also be holding my breath, and praying to the Gods of cycling that everyone gets through this massive thing safely.



 
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 on 28 February, 2019, 12:03:56 pm
One concern has always been that the coroner's verdict would contain criticism of the idea of endurance racing in principle. The organiser outlined the dangers before the start.
...
The dominant story of Indy Pac has been the demise of Mike Hall. That's inevitable, given Mike's high profile, and the apparent novelty of unsupported adventure racing. However, there's a much bigger back-story to long-distance riding, and there have been similar incidents on rides I've done, and what happened to Mike has happened to friends.

That's right (your first point).  And, as far as I can see, it didn't do that - which is good news.

Re your second point - Mike was actually not even the first person on that event to be hit by a car.   Another rider was a couple of days earlier and was put out of the race but not seriously harmed.  Given that most of the route has very light traffic, the statistics were awful but not surprising based on my experience of the driving practices.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 on 28 February, 2019, 12:06:17 pm
One thing I don't understand is that when a car hits another car from behind there is an automatic presumption that the car doing the hitting from behind is liable (In Australia as well as UK, I believe).  Why should that not apply when the vehicle being hit is a bike?
I don't *believe* that is the case (in UK, anyways!) - it's just one of those "common law" udnerstandings (i.e. if you rear-end another car, you will need a VERY strong case to put the blame on t'other driver). If it's actually documented anywhere, it will be (interesting) news to me.

Isn't that what I said...?  It's automatically presumed by all that the guy behind is at fault, even though I too have no knowledge of it being law.  But when it is a bike there is no such automatic presumption by all parties.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mattc on 28 February, 2019, 01:03:11 pm
I suppose it depends what you meant by "automatic"! But yeah, I think we are on the same page Frank. (I think I read what people often write on this issue, not what you ACTUALLY posted  :facepalm: )

Sadly, it's never been the same (in the UK) where a bike is involved. It's just "collision occurred whilst overtaking" - "just one of those things". :(
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: quixoticgeek on 02 March, 2019, 10:29:05 am

Given this coroners ruling, what do people think will be the chances of the IPWR being organised officially again ?

J
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 on 02 March, 2019, 06:31:34 pm

Given this coroners ruling, what do people think will be the chances of the IPWR being organised officially again ?

J

I think it's unlikely.
The verdict was pretty much in line with expectations.
Reading between the lines with no inside knowledge, but interpreting what was said this time last year, I think what most likely happened is that Jesse's organisers ' liability insurers decided they didn't want to cover it, forcing him to pull the plug. A plausible reason for that would be if they had been in receipt of a claim from Mike's insurers. Or they may have just decided it wasn't worth the risk for what was most likely a modest premium. I suspect the inquest won't have changed things on the insurance front. Also Jesse's heart might not be in it after all the aggro and pain that it has brought him.
FInally it kind of works as an unofficial ride.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: hellymedic on 02 March, 2019, 06:48:02 pm
I find the Coroner's verdict VERY hard to swallow having seen the video on YouTube of Mike riding just a few hours before he was hit. He was well-lit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvZpUjEfU74 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvZpUjEfU74)
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Ivan on 03 March, 2019, 10:06:01 pm
Here (https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/53421839_2005633699506488_6245659386493009920_o.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=46879a72d6bd5b09723923db0c4592fa&oe=5CE4948A) is the organisers of the TCR's official response (should work even if you aren't on FB).
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: tonyh on 04 March, 2019, 06:14:40 am
Thanks Ivan.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 04 March, 2019, 09:57:28 am
I find the Coroner's verdict VERY hard to swallow having seen the video on YouTube of Mike riding just a few hours before he was hit. He was well-lit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvZpUjEfU74 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvZpUjEfU74)

But, the driver thought he'd hit an (unlit) kangaroo! How could you doubt him?

Honestly, I grew up driving on those sorts of roads (other side of the country, but similar, winding roads in hilly country, trees next to road, constant danger of kangaroos). Only idiots don't keep their eyes on the road. Kangaroos are a serious risk, they jump out very abruptly, from trees that can be 2-3 ft from the bitumen.

The only mitigating excuse that I could accept would be one where the driver said "I couldn't distinguish a rear led light from the roadside post reflectors and thought it was a post further away." (Australian roads being lined with posts with red and white reflectors). It is a good reason to use a rear light on flash mode in Oz.

The police were negligent in not maintaining a proper chain of custody. The driver was grossly negligent. The world has lost a lovely inspirational person.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: morbihan on 20 March, 2019, 01:50:15 pm
That plant based chap is really motoring. Way off the front now. I can't fathom his daily totals, the time/speed stats are funky.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: quixoticgeek on 20 March, 2019, 01:55:05 pm
That plant based chap is really motoring. Way off the front now. I can't fathom his daily totals, the time/speed stats are funky.

I've no idea who it is, but I'm amazed by just how fast they are going. That's crazy speed.

J
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 on 20 March, 2019, 10:14:01 pm
Not wanting to take anything away from him (and he's faster than I was) but as this chart (posted by Emma Flukes) shows, he is quicker than the others out there now, but not nearly as quick as the fastest riders in other years.  He is already over a day behind Kristoff in 2017

(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/54462307_10156374424967523_7864907519313838080_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=c832f170bb08952fea278739f40e2293&oe=5D06E41D)
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 20 March, 2019, 10:37:41 pm
A couple of familiar names (from years ago) in the 2019 graph. Rhino has come a long way, both figuratively and literally.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: Frank9755 on 21 March, 2019, 11:17:35 am
Unfortunately for him he is now only limping along as he has knee problems, for the third time running on this event.

I met him briefly in 2017. He recognised my jersey. Turned out his uncle had been a Westerley member during a stay in London.
Title: Re: Indian Pacific Wheel Race.
Post by: quixoticgeek on 29 March, 2019, 09:28:02 am

Looks like Plantbasedpedaller is going to finish in the next day or 2. Just over 500km to go. Seriously impressive!

J