9 weeks to go for my first enduro of 2012. Booked the accommodation today, getting in plenty of kms, (well, more then normal).

Can't wait

I am at the Crowne Plaza, been doing heaps of racing so yeah really looking forward to this and the Willo the week before as well.

I'm at the plaza as well.

... 100k race! Longest previous race was 50, at Coffs. Should I be nervous? it seems to be one of the easier 100k races. 2010 seemed to be an interesting one (!) but last year's looked a hoot. Anyone done this before? Your times?

Any tips guys? Does one need a duallie? Judging by the videos a hard tail - with comfortable saddle! - is a realistic option. And do you have suggestions for rides that'll be good preparation for the event? (Mostly flat, rolling terrain, it seems.)

Some of the rides scheduled are;
- Oaks starting at Glenbrook, then Anderson's to Wentworth Falls. (More difficult than the CP?)
- Same as above, but then the same route back to Glenbrook. (When the fitness is up!)
- Heathcote Pipeline with Heathcote Loop.
- The Great Northern Road.

I consider a ride 'done' when there's been no walking. Hmmmm ...

Good luck with your preparation; look forward to seeing you out there.

Cheers, Adrian.

I haven't done the CP before but will be doing it on my 29er HT. I've done a couple of 100k races on it with no issues.

I just had a look at the specs ... Yup; should set you up okay! I thought a Stumpjumper was a lot beefier than this. What does it weigh?

I'm not sure what your comment means? Are you asking what my 29er weighs? If so, 10kg.

I rode standing up for half the race last year but besides the crappy time, I actually enjoyed the race. The point to point is a bit different and the road ride in the middle is a little sucky although I was with a pretty cool group and we chatted about bikes for 9 kms which is never too bad. I appreciate that it is necessary to combine such awesome trails as these really are fantastic places to ride and it becomes a little tasting plate of Canberra. Stromlo at the end was fantastic, what a great facility.

You don't need a dually as it's not really that technical but my body appreciates it later in the race. If I had a decent race hardtail instead of my decent race dually I'd happily be on that.

Preparation? Kind of depends on whether you're competing (even against yourself) or just finishing but basically get out there and ride, ride, ride. Long mtbs rides are great but even just long rides on the roadie to build up time in the saddle. One thing I couldn't impress upon anyone enough is to get their nutrition and hydration sorted. Know what you're going to eat, when, how much and ensure that you can stomach it after several hours of riding then make sure you stick to your plan. Within reason, that's the single biggest difference between a good race and a bad race for me, more than a few hundreds kms extra training.

I will be on Yeti Full Sus but will have the rear shock on the firmer side of things and run lock out, unless I can get a 29er in time for the race, which at the moment I doubt.

I will be aiming for sub 4h30mins this time round, I am in Elite Mens and in the 0-10% cat for the start.

Last years CP was my first 100km and I think it's a good way to start as it's not technical, pretty fast and only has one hill in the middle. The previous year's 50km (the muddy one) was my first ever MTB race which quite an intro to the sport (the funny thing is that I thought that's just what MTB races are meant to be like so I had a great time and did pretty well). The non-timed section in the middle also gives you a good break before the final push to the line. I did it on a race hardtail and it was great from an efficiency point of view but my back really took a pounding

Last year's 100km time was 5:17 so I'm shooting for sub-5 this time around as I'm not really any fitter or better prepared

The time for the break, I will be this year, I think from memory it only took 30mins to ride across town, so you can use the last 15mins to get Gels in you, hydrate etc.

@Discodan - I think Stromlo was a bit closer to the end. And feels like a bit more than a hill....

Be interested to see if they can use a slightly more imaginative route between the Arboretum and Stromlo this year also.

I wasn't counting Stromlo as a hill, it's more of an inclined trail. Both years it hasn't really been a killer, I think because a lot of people are just crawling up it in survival mode rather than attacking it.

Agree on the run into Stromlo, let's see what they come up with this year. The more frustrating bit for me was the new single track after you've come down Stromlo which forced everyone into a congo line, there were lots of shagged riders by that point and the whole thing slowed right down and wasn't fun. I'd rather there was a chance to really smash yourself to the line and use whatever reserves you have left

It is about 7 km from memory (although maybe that's from the usual transition area on the crit track), in an almost continuous upwardly direction, to the top of a geographical feature called MOUNT Stromlo. Calling it a hill is understating it. Calling it an "inclined trail" is just showing off

By the time I got to the sniggle at the back of Stromlo last year, there were no conga lines and I was knackered, so I didn't enjoy it either. Looking forward to a more direct descent in the 50 this year.

And isn't there a "hill" or two along the Majura Ridge section before the Majura forest sniggle? I seem to recall being reduced to walking up at least one of those...

Don't get me wrong, Stromlo's definitely big but my experience has been that by then everyone's shot and the granny gear gets some action so it's a slow but manageable crawl up the side of the mountain, the pace usually being dictated by the guy in front so you're not pushing yourself to the point of blowing up.

The killer for me was Hacket Hill at 47km where they have the KOM, from the profile above it looks like about 150m rise and I certainly had to get off at one point when I just couldn't be arsed pushing my crappy 1 x 9 gearing (this year I've ordered a 34 tooth front sprocket and I will damn well nail that c*cksucker of a hill). I can't even remember what was the one at 67km, black mountain maybe?

I don't recall Majura particularly well, I assume that's the lumps and bumps in the 10-25km range. A few steep pinches but not sustained torture

LOL! Showing my ignorance here. Googled '29ER HT' and got a link to S-Works Stumpjumper HT 29er; http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=45861.

Too funny. I was going to say I'll be riding my Agogo but thought you would respond saying "whats that"

I think we are talking about the same hill.

Black Mtn (shoulder) was the other climb, but we all got to have a nice break on the way up at the end of transition, so it didn't seem so bad!

Even with only about 35 km in the legs at the bottom of Stromlo this year, I think granny gear will still get a workout, but hopefully I'll have a bit left to enjoy the downhill finish.

Sold out.

7 weeks to go

Crap, I better start getting some km's in then. It seems all my riding these days (mostly commuting) is training me to be a sprinter and short hill climber and I've lost the ability to do longer rides. Might have to find a long way to the city from Manly

Go via Akuna Bay and that will add some distance

It certainly would, I just couldn't stand leaving the house at 5am. I'm not that committed, I just like to think I am

I start between 5:00 AM and 5:15 AM from Allambie Heights most mornings. Usually don't get as far as Akuna but sometimes head up to Newport way, turn around and head for the city. Either that or take the long way around Balgowlah Heights and enjoy some hills through Mosman. Would welcome the company for all or part of the ride if anyone is ever keen!

Sorry all - I know this should probably go in the wanted/classifieds but it relates to this race. I've got a ticket already but a mate is looking for a 50K entry. If you know of anyone who can't make it for any reasons could you PM me?

Thanks