Yep, I fancy this one. Need to sort a few things out though ...
I have a world congress in Dubai starting work very end (30th) November so race will have to be towards the end of my trip. Good news is Dubai's on the way home (looks like I'll be flying Emirates then).
Need to look at transport arrangements from Sydney to Hobart and all that jazz. How long would we need/ want to be in Taz?
Lots to discuss. I need a beer ...
The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph
Thing is, I turn 50 towards the end of next year (as I believe do another couple of forumites). I've never been to Oz, so what better way to celebrate the half-century than flogging ones sorry carcass up a mountain for 13 miles on the other side of the world.
(14-09-2010, 11:25 AM)Seafront Plodder Wrote: so what better way to celebrate the half-century than flogging ones sorry carcass up a mountain for 13 miles on the other side of the world.
There's not many Englishmen can say that in reference to a tour to Australia
The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph
The race is on Nov 21 this year, so if it sticks to the same schedule (3rd Sunday of the month) it should be on Nov 20 next year.
It's a cracker of a run - 21.4km at an average 6% gradient, and much of it far worse than that. There's only one tiny little section about 50m long that is (very) slightly downhill, otherwise it's all UP. Quite a lot of runners run the first 10km (a gentle 4%) to the start of the mountain proper and walk the rest. Of course, RCers are far tougher than that; even so, expect it to take 15 - 30 minutes longer than your typical half marathon time.
The event has a limited number of places due to the need to provide buses after the event, so we need to have made final decisions around this time next year when race entries open, although obviously the earlier the better for organising flights, accomodation, annual leave etc. I would suggest a few months hill training might be in order as well!
There are a lot of other touristy options in Tasmania plus numerous good restaurants and pubs, so we'll not want for entertainment down there. For those wanting to explore more of the country remember it is a *very* big place and requires a lot of travelling. Domestic flights are however reasonably cheap - not quite Ryanair or EasyJet perhaps, but much cheaper than driving (unless you have a van-load) and far, far quicker. You also have the advantage of a favourable exchange rate, you lucky sods.
I can give you one reason: as I'm writing this at 1 o'clock in the afternoon, on top of Mt.Wellington it is currently -4.3C with a wind chill of -23C. And this is spring.
I can give you one reason: as I'm writing this at 1 o'clock in the afternoon, on top of Mt.Wellington it is currently -4.3C with a wind chill of -23C. And this is spring.
Wimp.
El Gordo
Great things are done when men and mountains meet.
-23 sounds just about right. Rather that than +23!
If I wasn't going to Africa for 3 weeks next spring I would join you guys for this trip. Hate to miss what I'm sure would be a fun trip - even with a race up a mountain! Just think of the reward you'd deserve after that.