Blue
Mountains mtb rides
Careflight Woodford to Glenbrook Classic
|
This event happens each winter, usually late June or early July, and is held to raise funds for the Careflight helicopter service. Careflight run the rescue helicopters in NSW, and while we hope we never need them, it's good to know they're about if we do. Originally run by Western Sydney mtb Club, the Oaks Classic is now organised by Careflight themselves - more information can be found on their Calendar of Events. The race starts at Woodford railway station and follows the main Oaks firetrail, turning right onto Bennett's Ridge Road not far after the second gate (past Woody Pear Dam). We finish in Euroka, a nice camping/picnic area where you can almost always see some grey kangaroos. Euroka's a great place to have your family and friends meet you for a post race picnic. As an added bonus, if your family meets you, you don't have to ride out! Although the ride out is fine, you should be too knackered to enjoy it after giving your all in the race... It's not only riders out pushing their limits, runners get a go as well, the fastest overtaking the slowest riders, and finishing in less than an hour and a half. |
 |
 Euroka's kangaroos have seen lots of people |
In 1997, some 230 other brave souls took part in the cycle and some 50 runners entered the foot race. in 2009, rider numbers were capped at 750. For 2010, the cap was 650. I think 750 or 650 seem to work, the years when there were over a thousand were a bit too crowded, and I saw quite a few crashes. The worst I saw in 2010 was a SPD stack.
A lot of fun - you don't have to take it seriously at all, many riders take it fairly slowly. Keep left, and be prepared to have some old bloke screaming "passing on your right, on your right" as he barrels past at warp speed, though. There's plenty of room for overtaking, so if you hold your line, the passing rider should get by you safely.
The really serious riders start first, then the rest of us start in waves, gradually getting older - until the under 15s, who overtake many of the oldsters in front of them - the fast ones went past me. Mind you, the fastest 60+ went past me as well - like I was standing still!
In 2010, the track was mostly smooth (not up to 2009's baby buttocks standard), and well packed after recent rain, so times were pretty good. The winner was home in 41:50 minutes. Me? 58:03, only 8:08 behind the class winner (I was 11th in class). I even raised some money for Careflight.
In 2009, the winner was home in an elapsed time of 40:00 minutes (40:04 from start), which I think was a record. I almost managed a PB. with 56:42 minutes riding (56:57 from start). The difference in times is thanks to the excellent timing system. I finished in 56:57 after the gun went off for Curmudgeon class, but I only took 56:42 to travel between the start and finish lines, as I started towards the back of my group.
My best time for the race is 56:11 - around eight and a half minutes behind the winner of my class ("Curmudgeon" - I'm not "get offa my lawn" class yet). Given current track conditions, any time under an hour is pretty good.
Many thanks are due to the volunteers that help with this event, particularly the Rural Fire Service (aka the bush fire brigades), the local Lions club, the good people from St John's ambulance (another group whose help we hope we won't need!), and all those that contribute behind the scenes.
2002 pix
Here are some pix from the start and finish of the 2002 Oaks Classic - I was too busy wheezing to stop and take photos during the race... All photos taken by Tony Fathers, except for the one of the fat hippy impersonating a badly painted garden gnome, taken by Dave!@ (Dave Hughes).
 |
 |
 |
 |
Cath, Jen and Mike get psyched |
Terry gets serious |
On your marks... |
Go! |
 |
 |
 |
 |
the main pack get rolling |
out of our way! |
finally there |
start 'em young |
 |
 |
 |
 |
are we there yet? |
here come Cath & Jen |
Jen's got a hidden helper |
one in every crowd |
The race is always fun and not to be missed - four and a half fat hippies
All rides are now rated in Fat Hippies - one means grab a slice of pizza and stay on the couch, two means not bad, three means well worth a ride, four means a great ride and five means stop looking at your computer, go ride it!
| Distance | ~25 km |
| Difficulty | Medium/Hard - may need to walk some uphills. Best to get picked up in Euroka, or you'll face a few more climbs. |
| Time | Varies - around 40 mins for the winners, anything under an hour is quick. Some riders get beaten by the fast runners. |
| Trains | Woodford, Glenbrook |
| See also... | The Oaks, Anderson's fire trail, Murphy's Glen, Ingar, St Helena, Oaks at night! |
| Interest | fund raising for a good cause, bound to be some clowns all dressed up |
| Raced | June 2010 |
| Reviewed | June 2010 |
another fAt hIpPy production
