Bruce Ridge loop

Saturday night will be a twilight gravel criterium... which sounds more luxe than it will be. The loop is a tick under 2km with about 40m of altitude change. The surface is fine gravel with little to write about. The loop starts with a small flat straight and then a long, straight downhill with a tightish right hander right at the bottom. The bottom of the course is quite flat and straight, which means very fast. The climbing is split in two with a long flat section between. There is one drain pipe near the top of the course that might require a bunny hop or a dab of the brakes to ride over.

This ride will only be about 35 minutes long but I can see it being a belter with a selection being made early and riders duking it out until the last climb to the finish. My prediction is that someone on a singlespeed and large gear will take it, and have to drag themselves through the hills of other two rides.There will be little to no advantage for fat tires, suspension or gears. Bring your lights and be prepared for kangaroos (whatever that means) and the odd jogger. 8 laps of this. Finish is just before the downhill.

Pictures:

This is the right hander at the bottom of the descent. Brakes are on at this stage. Hard.

Bottom straight. Flat and fast. Big geared single speeds will have to hustle to limit losses to geared riders here.

First pinch right after the bottom straight. Maybe 20 seconds of climbing here.

Top flat section that splits the climbing. Very flat and open.

Drain pipe. Small deal.

Last pinch. And you're nearly home. The finishing straight is a slight incline... then do it seven times more.


Here is the map and elevation link:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/28322946

That will take us to the end of Saturday's organised riding, though I'm thinking we will be out and about, up to something or other afterward. There may even be a barbeque! and drinks! but that IS sounding luxe...