That's the 8th annual SCODY High Country Cycle Challenge done and dusted for 2013.
Many, many thanks to all the entrants who've sent me emails telling us they enjoyed the weekend; all the kudos from happy bike riders make it all work in organising an event like this worthwhile. Thanks very much to all of you who came to Mansfield and Mt Buller for what we hope was an enjoyable weekend (sorry about the rain on Saturday - that's the first time that's happened!).
Unfortunately, some of you aren't happy. I apologise once again for the timing system failure.
In case you hadn't heard, the Castech system failed and we have no times available for the King and Queen of the Mountain. Castech Sports Technology has been a partner in the SHCCC for a number of years. They're the same team I worked with at the Sydney Olympic Games; and this is the first time anything like this has happened.
Because of this, all the prizes were given away in a random prize draw during the Crits on Saturday evening. Congratulations to Robyn Tarrant of Pakenham and Ron McDermott from Perth who each won a Garmin 810.
All I can do is apologise and make sure the same thing doesn't happen again.
Otherwise, the weekend went really well. 720 entrants (up from 700 in 2012) enjoyed a great weekend in the High Country. As expected, the pizzas were sensational for lunch at Whitfield Primary School. All reports say the food and service from Amongst the Sticks Catering at Jamieson during the 165km ride were great too (thanks very much Stu!)
Over $1800 was donated to the Harry & Clare Friday Foundation. With the Foundation's dollar for dollar policy, it will mean at least $3600 will go towards equipment at Mansfield District Hospital. Plus over $2600 was donated to The Kids Cancer Project.
Thank you very, very much for your generous donations.
SCODY kit Lot's of really good feedback on the jersey and knicks. Unfortunately, we didn't get enough orders to proceed with the vest. We'll try again in 2014.
The Kids Cancer Project Thank you to all of you who supported The Kids’ Cancer Project either by fundraising or a donation or purchase of a raffle or merchandise at the weekend stall (Raffle winners are publicised on website).
It is people like you who are making the difference to research and improving survival rates for kids with cancer. If you haven’t had a chance to support us yet, please do so at http://www.everydayhero.com.au/event/SHCCC2013
We really do appreciate your support and couldn’t do this without you.
Changes for 2014 First up, a change of date: the Tour de Flavour (which the SHCCC is a part) will be held on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 March 2014.
As more changes specific to the SHCCC are confirmed, we'll let you know. We're hoping it will include some new courses as the local council are planning on sealing some new roads in the coming year!
Have you lost a Garmin? A very honest entrant has contacted me to say they found one. If you've lost one, contact me.
a'qto t-shirts Forgot to collect your a'qto t-shirt? Send a self-addressed post pack to me - Bikevents Australia, 16 Reynolds Street, Mansfield, Vic. 3722 - and I'll send your a'qto t-shirt out to you straight away!
Finally, if you have any feedback you'd like to pass on, or suggestions to improve the SHCCC for 2014, please email me - <mailto:bruce@bikevents.com.au>bruce@bikevents.com.au
Cheers,
Bruce Halket.
Brief de-brief. Sunday 17 March, 2013.
After a busy day and brilliant dinner at home with some of the SHCCC team, it's time for a very brief de-brief.
Firstly, an embarrassing admission and apology: there will be no 2013 King or Queen of the Mountain; the timing system failed. D'oh! Castech Sports Technology and Bikevents Australia apologise profusely but the timing mat at Mirimbah failed completely and we didn't get any timing signals from it. The one in the village worked, so we know when each of you reached the top but we have absolutely no way of knowing when you left the base of the mountain. (Castech are the same team I worked with at the Sydney Games; and this is the first time anything like this has happened - so why did it have to be this weekend!?!) If you'd like more technical information on what went wrong, please feel free to visit www.castech.com.au and ask.
Because of this, all the prizes were given away in a random prize draw during the Crits on Saturday evening. Congratulations to Robyn Tarrant of Pakenham and Ron McDermott from Perth who each won a Garmin 810.
Otherwise, the weekend went really well. 720 entrants enjoyed a great weekend in the High Country. As expected, the pizzas were sensational for lunch at Whitfield Primary School. All reports say the food and service from Amongst the Sticks Catering at Jamieson during the 165km ride were great too (thanks very much Stu!)
Once we've had some sleep and collected all the water tanks, tables and signage, we'll do a more thorough wrap-up. Till then, thanks very much to all of you who came to Mansfield and Mt Buller for what we hope was an enjoyable weekend (sorry about the rain on Saturday - that's the first time that's happened!)
Finally, it's likely that the 2014 High Country Cycle Challenge (and the rest of the Tour de Flavour festival) will be a week later - the weekend of 22 and 23 March 2014. Please pencil it in...
Entries still open … just not online. Thursday 14 March, 2013.
Entries are still open for the SCODY High Country Cycle Challenge for 2013. And as we only have a few days till the SHCCC (and the Tour de Flavour) kicks off, we've had to close our online entry system so we can organise registration.
However, entries are still open!
Use this link to go to our entries page and download our PDF entry form. Fill in the form and bring it with you to event registration at Mansfield. You can pay by cash, by money order, by cheque (as long as you have your driver's license handy) or by credit card.
New registration venue on Friday night. Tuesday 5 March, 2013.
The venue for SHCCC Registration on Friday night has changed.
From 4pm to 9pm on Friday 15 March, registration will be inside the Alzburg Resort, 39 Malcolm Street, Mansfield.
If you're riding the 180km Bike Buller Challenge, this is the registration you MUST attend, as there won't be registration available on Mt Buller before your ride starts at 7.00am on Saturday morning. (For the other rides that start at 8.30am in Mansfield, there will still be registration available in High Street.)
Ride Info issue 1 now available. Saturday 2 March, 2013.
Ride Info is now available for download. It contains nearly all the information you'll need to make the most of the SHCCC weekend (if it's not in Ride Info, it'll already be here on the website). It includes start times, start locations, maps and profiles of all the rides, locations of water stations, car parking in Mansfield … heaps of stuff!
One of the most important details is the new registration venue for Friday night.
Specialized road bike winner! Friday 1 March, 2013.
Bruce had the arduous task today of picking a winner of the Specialized road bike from All Terrain Cycles!
And the winner is… this is the major prize so the pause here needs to be longer than usual to build the tension… one of those interminably long pauses, like on the tele, for no good reason really… drum roll please… pause again… ok, ok, sorry... click here to read more.
New KoM prizes from Garmin! Thursday 28 February, 2013.
Garmin have just released two new GPS cycle computers. And to celebrate the Garmin King/Queen of the Mountain, they're now upgrading their portion of the prize.
The King and Queen of the Mountain will now each receive a Garmin Edge 810 as part of their prize! As good as the Garmin Edge 800 is, the new 810 is even better!
Ride it, share it, relive it — all from the road.
Garmin's latest addition to its Edge cycling computer series is the Edge® 810, an advanced touchscreen GPS bike computer with maps, distance, speed and more that offers connected features1 through your smartphone. Compatible with heart rate2, speed/cadence2 and power3. This dedicated device gives you a dynamic ride experience, allowing you to connect with the social world and share and receive data, all from the road. Connected features include instant uploads to Garmin Connect™, live tracking, social network sharing and weather. The 810 also offers activity profiles, allowing you to configure data fields, routing preferences and device settings based on cycling activity.
1. When paired with your compatible Android™or Apple device.
2. Included with some models, sold separately on others.
3. When paired with third-party ANT+™ power meter.
February prize: WIN a Specialized road bike. Friday 1 February, 2013.
We never get sick of giving away prizes. Especially when the prizes are as good as (not one but) FIVE Garmin Edge 500 GPS computers!Today we get to announce the five names of the five winners.
The winners are… yes, more pausing for dramatic effect… maybe a drum roll… click here to read more.
Ride Ambassador: Scott McGrory, OAM. Tuesday 29 January, 2013.
Bikevents is proud to announce Olympic Gold Medallist Scott McGrory OAM as the SHCCC 2013 Ride Ambassador.
Many of you might recognise Scott from when he won gold at the velodrome in the Madison at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. In more recent times he's been a commentator on SBS during their 'Summer of Cycling', Foxtel during the Tour de France and on Channel 9 during the London Olympics.
He's also spent many years coaching at the Victorian Institute of Sport and was the Sports Director of the VIS team when he lead Calvin Watson to victory in the Herald-Sun Tour on the slopes of Arthurs' Seat in January.
So he knows a thing or two about cycling...
During January he's also joined Matt Keenan and Wade Wallace in a new 'TV' show called The Bike Lane on www.cyclingtips.com.au - episode four is out today, so take a gander.
Also out today is Scott's new SHCCC video (above)… take a look at Scott's assessment of the SCODY High Country Cycle Challenge, some tips for other riders and Simon Gerrans' opinion as Scott attempts to beat Gerro's record time up Mt Buller.
Happy New Year from the SHCCC. Wednesday 3 January, 2013.
Happy New Year!
Bruce and the team at Bikevents Australia hope all our supporters, entrants and followers have a safe and happy 2013…. hope your training for the Cycle Challenge is coming along well too! There's only just over 2 months to go…
January is a big month for the SCODY High Country Cycle Challenge. Keep an eye out for Bruce and the SHCCC team this month at the Bay Crits, the Herald-Sun Tour, Amy's Ride (and the Australia Road Championships) at Buninyong - Go Gerro! - and the Audax Alpine Classic at Bright. It's going to be a busy month!
To celebrate the start of the new year, we also have the pleasure of announcing two more winners from the next of our monthly prize draws. Congratulations to … interminable pause here to heighten the tension for no apparent reason … just as well this isn't television, this pause might never end … is … click here to read more.
Our second SHCCC monthly prize winner. Sunday 2 December, 2012.
November's 'monthly prize' is going to get the winner really fit! It's a custom-designed 8-week training program from Torq Nutrition Products worth just on $520.
The winner is … pause for ages like on one of those reality TV shows … then pause a bit more to heighten the tension but for no apparent reason … drum roll please … is … click here to read more.
2012 – 7 Peaks in 7 Days. Friday 30 November, 2012.
A group of riders from Mansfield (or at least, members or past-members of the Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club) get together each November to ride all of the Alpine Ascent Challenge in a week - 7 Peaks in 7 Days. After each day's riding, a report was usually posted to the SHCCC Facebook page. For those of you not into the 'BookFace' thing, here's a compilation of the reports Bruce wrote.
7 Peaks in 7 Days – Introduction
If you want a bit of a chuckle over the next week, check back here for reports on 7 Peaks in 7 Days (7P7D). Tim and Bruce will be attempting all 1003km of the 7 Peaks; John will join us for four of them with Gez, Rod, Tony, TimS and maybe others joining us along the way. This link will show you the whole course. Feel free to join us for a ride, drop us a line or have a laugh at our expense. I reckon after the first couple of days, the joke will have worn off and I'll need someone to cheer me up!
Less that two weeks left for the TORQ prize! Monday 19 November, 2012.
What better way to get ready for the SHCCC! WIN an 8-week training plan from TORQ Performance Nutrition to help you prepare. Torq's qualified cycling coach will contact you to discuss your individual training plan by email or phone. They'll check your training zones and formulate a plan based on your ability, goals and available time for training. And as part of this you can take advantage of some great nutritional advice. Having your own training plan will ensure you make it to the end of the SHCCC feeling strong! This performance enhancing prize from TORQ is worth over $500! All entries received before the end of November are eligible. (Also, keep an eye on the SHCCC Facebook page in the next week to see how Bruce is going during 7P7D.)
Our first SHCCC monthly prize winner. Friday 2 November, 2012.
October's 'monthly prize' is a real beauty - $400 of 'stuff from Ground Effect - no nonsense cycle clothing for leading the bunch, hammering the singletrack, terrorising the city, or just hangin'. Conceived by cycle nuts, refined by the style police and constructed in New Zealand from hi-performance fabrics. Check out their full range at www.groundeffect.co.nz.
SHCCC teams up with Cycling Victoria. Tuesday 9 September, 2012.
The SHCCC is now part of Cycling Victoria's recreational calendar.
If you're a member of a Cycling Victoria affiliated club, you get access to a great range of events to ride - check out the list here - including the SHCCC! You'll find us between the Ballarat Spokes Cycle Classic and Seymour LifeCycle.
Bib knicks all gone - jerseys still available. Wednesday 12 September, 2012.
All the SHCCC bib knicks are now gone - the first 300 to enter have placed their orders. Sorry if you've missed out.
But there's still jerseys available for the next 400 entries though! And if you check out the SHCCC Facebook page there are more prizes to be won there too!
Prizes from All Terrain Cycles confirmed as Specialized launches 2013 range. Thursday 6 September, 2012.
Shannon from All Terrain Cycles spent a few days last week in Cairns for the 2013 Specialized range launch. He got to ride a whole heaps of great new bikes. (Some people have it tough!)
The great news for the SHCCC is that he can now confirm the great bikes one lucky SHCCC entrant will win at the end of February next year.
If a lady's name is drawn out, she'll win a 2013 Specialized Ruby Comp worth $3299. The Ruby Comp is a quick and efficient, FACT 9r carbon bike, with Zertz vibration dampers in the frame and fork, designed to cover long distances in maximum control and comfort. DT Axis 3.0 wheelset and Shimano Ultegra/105 compact drivetrain provide lightweight dependable performance.
a'qto t-shirt design has arrived. Friday 31 August, 2012.
Damian and the team at a'qto have just sent through the design of the new Cycle Challenge souvenir t-shirt - a first for the SHCCC.
a'qto's short-sleeved T-shirt, designed exclusively for SHCCC takes inspiration from speed, vintage road cycling (a passion of Damian's) and the challenge of climbing mountains - and includes the 'world-famous' SHCCC quote, "Spend the weekend in heaven and ride like hell."
Bruce is pleased to show you the layouts of the new SHCCC designs, which have just arrived from SCODY.
The design is based on the 2012 design but with a few changes to differentiate the two (the reason the two have been designed to be similar will become clear on SHCCC weekend - which is when we'll have a special offer for SHCCC entrants).
Entries for the 2013 SHCCC are now open. Thursday 2 August, 2012.
Bikevents Australia are pleased to announce that entries to the SCODY High Country Cycle Challenge are now open.
Changes to the SHCCC. Wednesday 1 August, 2012.
We've made a few changes for 2013, many based on feedback from entrants, so please take a moment to take them all in.
Bike Buller Challenge shortened to 180km
Your feedback told us that the finish area on Mt Buller had lost its atmosphere by the time the 200km riders got there. So, we’re shortening the Bike Buller Challenge so you’ll finish earlier in the day. (We couldn’t just start earlier – we don’t have permission to start from Mt Buller in the dark.)
Sunday rides lengthened
Due to changes requested by Mansfield Shire Council and recommended by VicRoads, the two Sunday rides will leave Mansfield via a slightly different course to last year – adding about 10km onto each.
They both return to Mansfield the same way as last year though. (The new course out of Mansfield on Sunday is actually the same way riders leave on Saturday.)
So 2012’s 50km ATC Classic will now be the 60km ATC Classic for 2013. Likewise, 2012’s 125km TORQ Bushranger Ride will change to the 135km TORQ Bushranger Ride.
Bib knicks for the first 300 entrants
There’s a change to the SCODY souvenir kit for 2013. The first 700 riders to enter will receive a free jersey. Plus... the first 300 will receive free bib knicks. (No, sorry – no knicks for 2013; bib knicks only.)
Order yourself an SHCCC a’qto t-shirt
To celebrate a’qto joining the list of SHCCC supporters, they’re designing a souvenir t-shirt for entrants.
As a special offer, a’qto are offering their “Spend the weekend in heaven and ride like hell!” t-shirt to you for just $29.95 (reduced from $49.95) when you enter online. Just choose your size and $29.95 will be added to your entry fee; collect your t-shirt from a’qto when you get to Mansfield on the SHCCC weekend.
Teams entries easier
Register Now have changed the way teams can be registered for the SHCCC - each team member can now pay for their own entry. The team captain just needs to register the team's name with his or her entry. Subsequent team members can simply select the correct team name to enter as part of the team. Registering as a team will save you time at event registration in Mansfield - one team member can collect all the team's jerseys, bib knicks, wrist bands, transponders and event bags. Register your team here now.
Get fit for the SHCCC. Wednesday 1 August, 2012.
Here are a few upcoming events to help get you ready for the SHCCC. The highlights are the other two rides in the TKCP Triple Challenge Cycling Series. Tell 'em Bruce sent you.
Fitz's Challenge - Sunday 28 October, 2012.
Fitz's Challenge is Canberra’s biggest and best known long-distance one-day participation event offering you the choice of four fantastic challenges: It is not for the faint-hearted and includes some of the toughest climbs in the Canberra region. Test your skills, fitness and endurance by taking on the Brindabella Ranges in one of 4 challenges. 2012 will be its 24th year. This challenge is still unique in its combination of terrain, distance and weather!
Visit http://www.thekidscancerproject.org.au/News-Events/Events-Calendar/Fitz’s-Challenge.aspx for more details.
