I have done the maxi classic twice… last year I completed in 4:28 moving with 4:38 total time. I had to stop at km 100 to refill the bottles and drop some extra clothing. My goal this year is to finish without stopping, so I’m getting 2 bigger bottles and an extra “collapsible bottle” in my back pocket Last year was windy and I spent a lot of time chasing due a late start (5th or 6th release). I wouldn’t pay for the highlander group if ftp is under 4.2wkg. I’ll try this year to arrive earlier… and start on the 1st or 2nd release… I’ll see you around, all the best! 🎉
You’ll smash it for sure, already looking forward to your vlog video post event, really enjoyed your Peaks Challenge one. I road the inaugural Bowral Classic, think it was 160km back then but no way near the times you’re pacing for… more back of pack 😂 Wanted to do Bowral this year but decided to spend my 💵 on my first ever Peaks Challenge 2025 and a new (budget build) bike instead. Good luck
@@ModerateCyclist after much research and frustration with western brand price extortion I went for a cheap Chinese frameset direct from an OEM. Been in touch with some other RUclipsrs that did the same a few years ago and they’ve only good things to say about the frameset, but I’m not totally naive so time will tell. Opted for RIM brakes, probably the last opportunity until they’re completely obliterated by manufacturers. Scored some 2nd hand but still in original sealed factory box Winspace Hyper 38 carbon clinchers built 2021 paired with Ultegra 11 spd mechanical drivechain. Finished the build with a Zipp cockpit and Favero SPD power meter pedals that I’ve been using for a months on my old bike, love them. So budget build still comes in at around $4k 😣 collecting the bike from the legends at RideInWorkshop tomorrow and looking forward to a first ride around Akuna/Westhead tomorrow. Love watching your videos on the road as I recognise the landscape
@@ModerateCyclist very happy with the build. First ride wasn’t great but due to a ridiculous 25 degree upswing stem I had lying around, swapped it out for a normal stem 2nd ride and was super happy with the result. Arranging a bike fit now so I can dial in the stack height and get the correct stem/bar combo. Tempted to buy a “spare” frameset 😜
Hi, The wife and I are heading down to Bowral from central Queensland . We are one month into our training and will enjoy watching your journey. Hopefully we will get some good tips along the way.
@@ModerateCyclist You certainly can tolerate 120g. At room temperature, you should be able to mix 200g of sugar in every 100g of water. I usually add 500g of sugar and 4g of Lite Salt into a bottle. And that would cover me for a four hours zone 3 ride, sipping through that every 20 minutes. On top of that, I also eat something solid like a bar or cake every 40 minutes to keep the hunger at bay. So practically, I end up with even slightly higher than 120g per hour. It certainly would do wonders for you if you could increase the carb consumption. Practice this for the next couple of weeks before the race so by then you are certain that it works for you without causing any issues.
I haven’t tried the sugar technique. 200g in a 500-750ml bottle seems intense. But drinking that volume seems easier than gels. I have a few long Sundays coming up. I will start experimenting.
@@ModerateCyclist Yeah, do it. You certainly need a 24oz/750ml or larger bottle. Just feel up a shaker with 250g of warm water, add 500g of sugar, shake for a minute or two until it’s relatively dissolved, pour it into your bottle and off you go! 👍
@@ModerateCyclistyou need to to train up to handle 120g+ a hour of carbs. There’s a very interesting section of video with Pogacar talking about this that I’ll link here. He starts chatting about fueling at the 21min mark ruclips.net/video/PxjM8k639yQ/видео.htmlsi=Gwgx2XkFVRRjKKVX
Ive no doubt you can do it mate. Key to success is finding a group which cooperates well and similar strength. All the best mate
Thanks Josh. I agree, finding the right crew will be very important.
This is the answer. Fight hard for the first hour so you outlast group selection and then hold hold hold.
...and having pointy elbows to fight to the front of the start
I have done the maxi classic twice… last year I completed in 4:28 moving with 4:38 total time. I had to stop at km 100 to refill the bottles and drop some extra clothing. My goal this year is to
finish without stopping, so I’m getting 2 bigger bottles and an extra “collapsible bottle” in my back pocket
Last year was windy and I spent a lot of time chasing due a late start (5th or 6th release). I wouldn’t pay for the highlander group if ftp is under 4.2wkg. I’ll try this year to arrive earlier… and start on the 1st or 2nd release… I’ll see you around, all the best! 🎉
Nice dude. You sound very similar to me. Hopefully we can both get in an early wave and roll some turns. Jersey pocket bottle might be the way to go.
Easy. Just go and send it 😜 Good luck. Sure you will smash it 💪
It’s already in the bag, with a group you’ll smash it. Good luck with the training. 👍🏻
Thanks James. Hopefully we can build a peloton Highlander Hunters 😜
Best wishes mate !
Thanks dude.
I'm confident that you can do it.
Thanks mate, I will give it a solid crack!
Good luck, I hope you smash it .
See you there
Getting excited!
You’ll smash it for sure, already looking forward to your vlog video post event, really enjoyed your Peaks Challenge one. I road the inaugural Bowral Classic, think it was 160km back then but no way near the times you’re pacing for… more back of pack 😂 Wanted to do Bowral this year but decided to spend my 💵 on my first ever Peaks Challenge 2025 and a new (budget build) bike instead. Good luck
Peaks is a good choice. You can do Bowral anytime. Peaks budget build sounds interesting. What are you cooking up?
@@ModerateCyclist after much research and frustration with western brand price extortion I went for a cheap Chinese frameset direct from an OEM. Been in touch with some other RUclipsrs that did the same a few years ago and they’ve only good things to say about the frameset, but I’m not totally naive so time will tell. Opted for RIM brakes, probably the last opportunity until they’re completely obliterated by manufacturers. Scored some 2nd hand but still in original sealed factory box Winspace Hyper 38 carbon clinchers built 2021 paired with Ultegra 11 spd mechanical drivechain. Finished the build with a Zipp cockpit and Favero SPD power meter pedals that I’ve been using for a months on my old bike, love them. So budget build still comes in at around $4k 😣 collecting the bike from the legends at RideInWorkshop tomorrow and looking forward to a first ride around Akuna/Westhead tomorrow. Love watching your videos on the road as I recognise the landscape
@anemlachhomebrewing3690 that is a cool build. $4k is not too bad given what it’s got (especially a power meter). How did your first ride go?
@@ModerateCyclist very happy with the build. First ride wasn’t great but due to a ridiculous 25 degree upswing stem I had lying around, swapped it out for a normal stem 2nd ride and was super happy with the result. Arranging a bike fit now so I can dial in the stack height and get the correct stem/bar combo. Tempted to buy a “spare” frameset 😜
Hi, The wife and I are heading down to Bowral from central Queensland . We are one month into our training and will enjoy watching your journey. Hopefully we will get some good tips along the way.
That is great Rodney. Is it your first Bowral Classic? Which course are you doing?
@@ModerateCyclist Yes, first timer and chose the 120km.
120km is a good course. Watch out for the steep pinch straight after the last rest stop.
You certainly can do it mate. What’s your current FTP? Why not 120g per hour carbs?
Cheers dude. Last 20m test was 335w. I am not sure my guts could handle 120g. Are you able to do that much?
@@ModerateCyclist You certainly can tolerate 120g. At room temperature, you should be able to mix 200g of sugar in every 100g of water. I usually add 500g of sugar and 4g of Lite Salt into a bottle. And that would cover me for a four hours zone 3 ride, sipping through that every 20 minutes. On top of that, I also eat something solid like a bar or cake every 40 minutes to keep the hunger at bay. So practically, I end up with even slightly higher than 120g per hour. It certainly would do wonders for you if you could increase the carb consumption. Practice this for the next couple of weeks before the race so by then you are certain that it works for you without causing any issues.
I haven’t tried the sugar technique. 200g in a 500-750ml bottle seems intense. But drinking that volume seems easier than gels. I have a few long Sundays coming up. I will start experimenting.
@@ModerateCyclist Yeah, do it. You certainly need a 24oz/750ml or larger bottle. Just feel up a shaker with 250g of warm water, add 500g of sugar, shake for a minute or two until it’s relatively dissolved, pour it into your bottle and off you go! 👍
@@ModerateCyclistyou need to to train up to handle 120g+ a hour of carbs. There’s a very interesting section of video with Pogacar talking about this that I’ll link here. He starts chatting about fueling at the 21min mark
ruclips.net/video/PxjM8k639yQ/видео.htmlsi=Gwgx2XkFVRRjKKVX
Should have gone highlanders 😅
Haha, I was waiting for someone to say that… my fear here was blowing up from holding too high of a pace too soon.