What is the Holbrook Cycling Weekend?
Some FIT members are planning to attend the Audax cycling event in Holbrook, 29-30 April. This event is a non-competitive long distance ride on the Saturday and Sunday and is pretty low-key. All FIT riders are invited to attend the weekend away, and it will also be the target event for the March/April ‘Not-a-novice’ course.
What are the ride details?
Audax rides are non-competitive long distance bicycle rides. Distances at the Holbrook event are 50km, 100km, 200km (and more!) each day and the terrain is mainly flat-ish with a few small hills. The idea is you ride your chosen course within a set timeframe (so you are not too fast or slow).
Coach Emma is aiming to do the 100km on the Saturday, and the 50km on the Sunday – you are welcome to do whatever distance you are prepared for. FIT riders will likely form small groups (based on fitness) to share the work and provide moral support as we complete the loops.
Entry for the rides will be direct to the ride organiser at least a week before the ride. You pay on the day (it is preferable to enter and not turn up, than enter on the day). The ride cost is $16 each day for non-Audax members. More entry details will be provided closer to the time.
How much training do I need to do?
You will need to ride regularly in the lead-up to the weekend, both to ensure appropriate fitness and prep the sitting zone for around 4-ish hours in the saddle. The event is not a race, the aim being to ride steadily to finish within the target time bracket (so not to fast, not too slow).
FIT rides on Wed, Fri and Sun over March and April will be structured to help you train for the Holbrook weekend (e.g. a mix of intervals, hills, long rides).
A generic training plan can be made available to those who express interest in attending, but you will be responsible for adapting it based on all the other things you do (e.g. running, swimming).
Where will we stay, what will we eat?
There’s plenty of accommodation options in Holbrook – from Caravan Park through to more expensive options (budget around $100 for 2 nights accommodation). Individuals will be responsible for organising where they stay – we’ll get a discussion amongst interested parties to coordinate room and ride sharing.
Ideally we will all gather at a central place for dinner on the Saturday night – Holbrook isn’t that big!
Count me in!
Email coach Emma to express interest in attending the weekend. She’ll then develop a plan of attack to keep everyone in the loop and coordinated (ie a FIT Basecamp, Facebook or email list)