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Careflight Woodford to Glenbrook Challenge


alchemist's picture

By alchemist - Posted on 17 April 2008

NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
When: 
Sunday, 29 June, 2008 - 08:00
Duration: 
4 hours
Come Rain or Shine: 
I'll be there, no matter what the weather.
Ride Database Entry: 
The Oaks
Meeting Point: 

Woodford Bush Fire Brigade Station

Park Rd, Woodford, NSW @-33.734105, 150.470392
Details:

The Woodford to Glenbrook Classic, now in its 10th year, is an event you won't want to miss.

This is not just a sporting event, it's a healthy, fun and exciting day for everyone, from beginning to end. Bring your family and friends to experience the thrill of competing against others while raising funds for NRMA CareFlight.

The event follows 25 km of fire trails in the beautiful Blue Mountains National Park. It starts at Woodford and ends with activities and prize giving at Euroka near Glenbrook.

No matter your skill level, we cater for everyone from expert mountain bikers through to those who would just like to have a social day in the National Park and enjoy the beauty of the natural surroundings.

Hundreds of volunteers from the Blue Mountains area will be there to look after you and make sure the day is one you will thoroughly enjoy. Refreshment bays will be positioned along the route. At Euroka there will be prize giving, games, and food and drink for you to purchase, or you may wish to bring along a picnic to share with your family and supporters.

Come and meet some of the NRMA CareFlight team who will be there to support you and the event.

There is no race entry on the day, entrants need to register beforehand here:

http://careflight.org/help/events/woodford_to_gl...

Who's in?
alchemist, lonhro, dkido, Carlgroover, Noel, Alexd, GHOST_BIKER, linco, unclebullbar, Gonz, trailburner, RaceLeader (12 riders)
alchemist lonhro dkido Carlgroover Noel Alexd GHOST_BIKER linco unclebullbar Gonz trailburner RaceLeader
What Happened?

Blog entries about this meeting (as this is a race standings and times are shown, click on the title for more and to comment)...

Who Title Status Time Pos.Gen. Category Pos.Cat.
Noel 2008 - Careflight Woodford to Glenbrook Challenge - Post Ride

Were you there and have a story to tell?

Ride Gallery
alchemist's picture
The Woodford to Glenbrook Classic, now in its 10th year..

Curiously it appears to be in at least its 19th year.

For those curious on results & times

1989 John Hardwick ???
...
2002 Richard Vollebregt 0:41:50
2003 Richard Vollebregt 0:42:42
2004 Richard Vollebregt 0:45:23
2005 Aiden Leffman 0:43:??
2006 Brian Price 0:44:21
2007 Andrew Lumley 0:47:05

Stuart M's picture

degradation of the trail over the same time? If so, this year should see a cracking pace

Paul's picture

In 2005 at 25k's they must be averaging 36kph - now that's fast.
Only a dawdling 32kph in 2007

alchemist's picture

June 29th is the 2nd Inaugural Woodford to Glenbrook 'Crossflight Cup.

There are two steps for entry, first you have to enter the secondary event known as the Woodford to Glenbrook Careflight Challenge. This small event has been running for a few years and we've chosen to support (or possibly highjack) it to help build it into an even bigger event. Making it possibly the biggest half day off-road cycling & running event on that day in Australia if not the world. Entry forms are available here

http://careflight.org/help/events/woodford_to_gl...

Secondly you need make your self known to President (Robbie "McEwan" Parbery) of the Australian Professional Cyclo-Cross Riders Association on the day to present your bike for scrutineering.

A few Simple rules;
1. Drop bars compulsory
2. Tyres - keep 'em skinny
3. No disc brakes,
4. 'Cross-dressing will be encouraged
5. Consideration of variation to rules 1, 2 & 3 above will be considered on an idividual basis on presentation of a bribe to the President and the Secretary of the APC-CRA

Prizes! We don't need no stinking prizes, but Elvis from Dirt Works has promised a Salsa jersey to go to one random 'cross rider (not necessarilly the fastest) on the condition that rule 3 be waved (allowing Salsa Las Cruz riders). The Surly Flinging Monkeys will provide some post race beverages.

Damien's picture

I might have to get some knobby's for the casseroll If I turn the riser bar upside down would that be considered a drop bar but probably over the legal width of a drop bar the nice easy round town 38/17 gear ratio might be a bit high off road hmm what to do.

Damien's picture

On second thought am I crazy I think will stick with the MTB for this one.

alchemist's picture

Get some knobbies for the Casserole (or even these http://www.phantomcycles.com.au/product.php?prod... work quite well) and we'll let the drop bar rule slide

Damien's picture

Could be a bit of fun I wonder if the bike and fork could handle it strength wise its not really its intended use so will leave it at a maybee for now. Tyres look good 35C is a very close fit though I had some slick 700 x 35c on it to start with and only had a few mm between the tyre and rear brake caliper.

GHOST_BIKER's picture

I haven't done this race for like 8 years, but I remember there being a Men Elite (fit buggers) and Mens open (Everyone else) group, well something like that. Is it still the same? and do you just choose in the morning when you sign-in, etc.?

Noel's picture

It's leets, then age brackets. It says if you miss your age bracket you can leave in a later one.

Got an email tonight from them:

"Entries are ALMOST closed!

If you know someone who is intending to enter and has not yet been on-line to do so, please let them know that we are closing entries this Friday (20th). We will not have registrations available on the day so please make sure they get on-line today or if they can't please get them to e-mail us at events@careflight.org "

Full Email:

"WELCOME TO THE 2008 NRMA CAREFLIGHT W2G CLASSIC!

We're very pleased to have you on board for this years NRMA CareFlight Woodford to Glenbrook Classic! It's set to be a record breaking year - a record number of entries, a record speed for the course (thanks to a freshly graded trail), and hopefully a record tally of fundraising for our Charity.

Feedback from last year has been well and truly received - this year we have a new registration area at Woodford Railway Station as well as a new start line (right near registration at the Railway Station). The finish area has also been moved to the "Daruk" campground within Euroka - It's a great site and this year will include a presentations "Stage" and activities including a Jumping Castle for the kids!

Yet again, the Lions Club of Springwood will be supplying food for us all at the finish line. We also have the very popular coffee van at the start and finish lines.

Make a day of it - bring the family to the finish and have a great W2G08!

Entries are ALMOST closed!

If you know someone who is intending to enter and has not yet been on-line to do so, please let them know that we are closing entries this Friday (20th). We will not have registrations available on the day so please make sure they get on-line today or if they can't please get them to e-mail us at events@careflight.org

Please keep up the Fundriaisng!

Please help us to keep our Doctors in the air by raising some sponsorship as a part of your entry. The entry fee literally JUST covers the cost of running this massive event - we really do rely on your sponsorships and donations so please keep up the good work with your fundraising.

If your friends cannot give you their donation directly, you can send them to the CareFlight website to donate on-line. Please just ask them to mention W2G and your unique ID number when they donate.

What's news at NRMA CareFlight?

Just this morning the NRMA CareFlight helicopter landed at Bexley in Sydneys south so our medical crews could treat a motorist who had been involved in a serious accident on the M5 motorway.

The young man, believed to be in his 30's was treated for Head Injuries and transfered to St George Hospital where he was in a stable condition upon arrival.

Every day our Doctors are on standby to respond to emergencies throughout NSW. None of this would be possible without your support. Community donations and support keeps NRMA CareFlight operating. Who knows - THE NEXT LIFE WE SAVE COULD BE YOURS!"

unclebullbar's picture

As it's my first W2G I was hoping someone who has ridden the race before may be able to help. I want to catch the train from Glenbrook to Woodford the morning of the race, but the train timetable is less than comforting.

Option 1 is to catch a train that arrives at Woodford 2 hours before the race (which the Wife doesn't approve of)
or
Option 2 is to catch a train that arrives at Woodford at 8:54, which means it will be a bit of a rush to collect our bikes and register in time for the start.

How are other riders getting there (train-wise)? Does anyone who has previous experience know if it will be alright to catch the later train? Will we be able to register in time for the start? Do they hold the start back a little if trains are slow?
Cheers.
BWOAR!

Rob's picture

They don't allow bikes on trains on this day. For obvious reasons - they'd just be overrun.

Organisers put on minibus + trailer combos last year, or so I hear (didn't use them).

Best option would be to be self sufficient and buddy up with a few riders, leaving a vehicle at one end or the other. Or simply drive to the top, leave your vehicle there and ride back up when the majority of riders are down. We did this last year, easiest option by far IMHO Eye-wink

Flynny's picture

I find that they a strict on the 1000s of people trying to get their bike ont he train in the morning but if you leave your car at the top you can usually catch the train back up afterwards

Personally I'm not racing, I'll give them a donation instead but 800 weekend warriors trying to cut you off, over take in stupid spots and jumping on the brakes at the first sign of a bump no longer appeals.

And then you ride past the Single trail and disappointingly veer right (Though the run down to the glen can be fun in spots).

All good if you start in elite or expert (Which is what I did the last time and just let the fas u17s over take me) and manage to stay in front of pack but mid pack is a bit hectic

Rob's picture

Ah... I got this last week but it's worth pointing out here. Unlike previous years, there's no entry on the day for this race, so register online here:

http://careflight.org/help/events/woodford_to_gl...

Nothing to do with that, but I haven't actually been feeling so crash hot this week so am going to pull the pin on this and do a local ride of relaxation instead. I know, I know... before anyone says it - I need to TTFU! Sad

Noel's picture

[THIS COULD BE WRONG, I'M JUST THINKING ALOUD]

Need to register <30 mins prior to start time.

Cyclist start time is 9:30

I'm in Wave D (age 30 - 39) which is scheduled for 9:39.

I plan on parking at Glenbrook, and catching the train. Looks like I will be catching the 6.53 or 8.23 from Glenbrook. I will allow 30 mins to unpack, give them my bike and get to the train I recon. www.whereis.com.au says "Travel 59.26 km, Est. Time 45 mins" (Thornleigh tio Glenbrook). I think it's BS so it looks I'm leaving at 5:30 am or 6:30 am, oh god thats early. I better cut back on the beers.

It states "If you are going to drive your car to the event, we recommend that you park at Glenbrook Railway Station and catch the train to Woodford Station. If you have a bike, that will be transported separately from Glenbrook Railway station to Woodford by the event volunteers. Following the race at Euroka, there will be transport from 1pm back to Glenbrook Railway Station where you car is parked."

GHOST_BIKER's picture

Why don't you just jump on their shuttle trucks/bus things to and from the race. The info should be in the pack they sent out and the email they send.

Flynny's picture

Yeah, Don picked up our trailer tonight and has the 2 from WSMTB aswell. apparently they shuttle up from Glennbrook station in the morning and then out of Euroka (Though If ride back up to the start of the Single Track and then out there is something wrong with you).

With 1000 entrants I wouldn't be relying too heavily on the Shuttles though. The trailers take 48 bikes between them, not sure if they have pantecs to load bikes into as well

Carlgroover's picture

I rode the Woodford to Glenbrook track today as casual as I could to check the changes since the grader went over it, it is certainly going to be faster than the last few years. It is wider in places with more lines around corners that can be ridden fast, so passing will be easier. The general roughness is now much smoother but the two most likely places to be injured are still quite bad, especially the second one which is known as "Dead Mans corner" so take it easy in these spots. From the Helipad down the condition is improved so expect some quick times here. I'll be racing the 29er for the first time tomorrow and the slightly higher gearing this gives me will be welcome down from the Helipad. Alchemist if you're taking the crosser tomorrow, you'll be smiling till it hurts. We better wear our NoBWeaR tomorrow to help us spot each other.
I'll be riding back to Woodford after the race so if anyone else wishes to do that you get to drive to Woodford in the morning, it will be the easiest way of getting here.
Cheers John.

ar_junkie's picture

Go hard, but no injuries ok! Eye-wink

alchemist's picture

No injuries to Carlgroover when I saw him last at the finish - he still had to ride out though. Perfect course for a 29er - no corners!

Carlgroover's picture

for a crosser, virtually no bumps on the trail now. I also managed to ride up the Oaks to Woodford without a single scratch thank you caring guys. The race was fast as expected with Brian Price winning in a time of 42 mins something. I'm almost certain I got 2nd in Masters in about 52mins but 2nd doesn't get a plastic trophy or a mention in this race anymore.
Cheers John.

alchemist's picture
Perfect course for a crosser, virtually no bumps on the trail now.

Spoken like somebody with big fat tires and a cushy fork - I certainly felt a lot of bumps!

Gonz's picture
ar_junkie's picture

Winning time = sub 40mins! Jawdropping!

Paul's picture

Was that Alex in 12th place?

leximack's picture

the sub 40mins time was a timing error, winner was Brian Price in 42min ish. Still very fast indeed.

Carlgroover's picture

of doing well in the W2G is to start with the elite field rather than in your age category as each age group starts 3 mins apart, so by starting with the elites you get a chance to draft with them and any faster riders passing you later hopefully around the helipad. Craig last year lead the field of Masters and had almost no drafting as all the fast riders started ahead of him, once he finished he was sure he had won it but his category was won well before he got there. Alex who did finish 12th outright this year came 2nd in the same way this year and I came 3rd place to the 2nd placed rider that started 12 mins earlier. It doesn't always affect the placings just most of the time.
John.

Flynny's picture

If he entered an age cat and then start with elite he's cheat as he had a different start time
Smiling

Carlgroover's picture

allow it, as your time only starts when you go over the sensor mat, however it's not a fair race if you're not starting together. I think if you start in elites you shouldn't be also racing in the other categories.
John.

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