You're a special type of athlete when 136km is not long enough.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But that is Pip Ash's "predicament" on the eve of Saturday's Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic.
Or, in the case of the women's race, the inaugural Gibraltar to Inverell des Femmes.
Read also:
For the first time, the women's race will be part of the National Road Series. And, as such, it will be staged from Gibraltar to Inverell.
That is a distance of 136.6km.
The men will continue to race from Grafton to Inverell, a distance of 228km.
Ash debuted in the famous race in 2019. She is now signed to Dhuez Racing, but will compete as a wildcard entrant on Saturday because Dhuez Racing is not an NRS team.
"I do much prefer the endurance side of cycling," Ash said.
"So 136km, I'm quite happy with that distance. I'd actually prefer it to be longer, to be honest.
"I'd prefer it being the full distance. But I'm [still] expecting it to be tough - right from the start."
The Grafton to Inverell is famed for its torturous climbs.
And while the women's race will not be as hilly, Ash - who is not a noted climber - said it would still be a gruelling examination.
"Having done it [the race] in 2019, I'm hoping to use that course knowledge to my advantage," she said.
Ash's fellow Tamworth Cycle Club members, her fiance, Sam Hill, and Luke Deasey, will contest the men's NRS race on Saturday.
The other TCC members competing are Phil Kelaher, Andrew Noakes and Mark Jeffrey, who are all in division three.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark northerndailyleader.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News