UK's answer to the Marmotte?

Anonymous

Has anyone seen the Stats for the Dave LLoyd Mega Challenge? Have a look:-

http://www.davelloydmegachallenge.com/

Christ almighty! Theres over 2000meters climbing in the 1st 40kms....

142 miles / 5000 meters ascent...taking in the Brutes of Bwlch PenBarras, Shelf, Horseshoe pass, Worlds End, Bwlch Y Groes(thankfully from Llanuwchllyn and not Dinas), Hirnant...and tons of others in between....its at a good time of year for me...29th June...and its got 4 feedstations...think we will need it...Im signing up for it....it'll be probably the toughest undertaking Ive ever did...and only this year I thought after doing the Fred Whitton...thats enough!....But if I take 10+ hours then so be it...at least i'll have lovely scenery to look at...

Anyone else fancy this carnage?

ash68

been looking at this on cyclesport website.Feel weak just reading about it.At least it's a bit off yet, so time to get some serious training in. Might be out of my league I,m afraid, but if I can get fitter over winter I may sign up in a moment of weakness.

SteveR_100Milers

29th June sounds close to the Dragon ride, if not the same weekend.

ricadus

As long as the route keeps off the busy A roads round there as much as is possible it should be a good one.

Anonymous

SteveR_100Milers wrote:

29th June sounds close to the Dragon ride, if not the same weekend.

Dont think that'll put many off...for the past 2 years all ive seen is negative feedback about the Dragon...this sportifs in a whole other level...it'll most probably attract the lads who do the super tough sportifs like the FWC / EdD / WRC etc...

bahzob

Seen it but think its too close to the real thing. So will give it a miss but good luck to those that try it.

shockedsoshocked

Wow, thats some ride. I'd fancy that perhaps, it's just getting to Wales I might see. I already intend doing the WRC and the Rydale Rumble.

Max_Man

I'd love to do this but sadly don't think I could be fit enough by then....shame, it's in my back yard too.

SteveR_100Milers

RICHYBOYcp wrote:

SteveR_100Milers wrote:

29th June sounds close to the Dragon ride, if not the same weekend.

Dont think that'll put many off...for the past 2 years all ive seen is negative feedback about the Dragon...this sportifs in a whole other level...it'll most probably attract the lads who do the super tough sportifs like the FWC / EdD / WRC etc...

The inference was whether it was deliberately put on at the same time (if indeed it is) as the dragon is sold as a prep event for the Marmotte and etape.

MartinL

I vaguely remember hearing that the dragon was going to get UCI golden ride status and had to change dates due to a clash with an existing golden ride...

Pirahna

RICHYBOYcp wrote:

Dont think that'll put many off...for the past 2 years all ive seen is negative feedback about the Dragon...this sportifs in a whole other level...it'll most probably attract the lads who do the super tough sportifs like the FWC / EdD / WRC etc...

I enjoyed the Dragon last year.

I believe, but could be wrong that the date for the Dragon will either be the 15th or 29th of June 2008. As mentioned above it clashes with the Spanish UCI golden bike ride. I have a feeling it will be on the 15th.

Kléber

A quick question, for these rides in the UK, even if the roads are not closed, can you ride through red lights, are junctions marshalled etc?

Pirahna

The roads are not closed. At the Dragon this year they had Police people on motorcycles at a couple of the traffic light junctions. I asked one copper if he'd nick us for jumping the red, and he said he would. I also saw a few cars pulled over when people had decided to drive like wankers with a large volume of cyclists on the road.

You do get marshals at junctions but not on the small ones I've ridden. They tend to have a couple of motorcycle mounted people riding around the course.

SteveR_100Milers

Kléber wrote:

A quick question, for these rides in the UK, even if the roads are not closed, can you ride through red lights, are junctions marshalled etc?

Nope its not a race remember. That is one disadvantage with the Dragon, it starts and finishes in the centre of Bridgend which after several hours of hard riding not many people can be arsed to stop at red lights when so close to the finish.

nottscobb

MaxMan - There is a shorter (65 miles I think) route too. So it's still possible to enjoy an organised ride in the area without the pressure of having to do the 142 miles.

Michuel

RICHYBOYcp wrote:

Has anyone seen the Stats for the Dave LLoyd Mega Challenge? Have a look:-
http://www.davelloydmegachallenge.com/
Christ almighty! Theres over 2000meters climbing in the 1st 40kms....

The site says "over 1200 metres climbing in the first 40km."

vermooten

Looks good Richyboy - I'll be training for the actual Marmotte on the day so can't make it sadly (well, not really sadly but you know what i mean).

Tom Butcher

What's the Whitton about 4,000m climbing in 114 miles ? So this one is more or less the same as the FW but another 26 miles of the same thing tagged on the end. Not sure if that appeals to me or it's just making it tougher for the sake of making it tougher. Have hear what people reckon to the route.

Michuel

Tom Butcher wrote:

What's the Whitton about 4,000m climbing in 114 miles ? So this one is more or less the same as the FW but another 26 miles of the same thing tagged on the end. Not sure if that appeals to me or it's just making it tougher for the sake of making it tougher. Have hear what people reckon to the route.

FWC is about 3500 metres climbing. That's the figure by those measuring on the road.

Those relying on internet map measuring software estimate 4000m +. I've pointed out on numerous occasions that internet map measuring software overestimates. The highest overestimate was 7500m climbing for a recent Etape. There is an inbuilt tendancy of cyclists to overestimate difficulty, speed etc. Research has recently shoewn this happens in fincancial markets with investor over-confidence resulting in financial bubbles.

Anonymous

Michuel wrote:

RICHYBOYcp wrote:

Has anyone seen the Stats for the Dave LLoyd Mega Challenge? Have a look:-
http://www.davelloydmegachallenge.com/
Christ almighty! Theres over 2000meters climbing in the 1st 40kms....

The site says "over 1200 metres climbing in the first 40km."

Maybe Michuel...but that was before Dave inculded the brutal ascent of Bwlch PenBarras at the beginning...and the 2000meters figure is what he told me...

wildmoustache

i kind of agree with the tougher for the sake of it ... seems to be a bit of that going on?

In anycase, you can't replicate the toughness that comes from extreme heat such as in the pyrenees last summer during the etape. though extreme wind is another sort of toughness i would grant you, and obviously this event is pretty tough in it's own right.

does anyone else feel the way i do and only really get excited about continental sportifs in the sense of actually racing them and caring about the time? The whole push by the likes of cyclosport to try and replicate that in the UK is flawed by the volume of traffic/ abundance of red lights here on the UK roads. at worst it could get pretty dangerous and effectively they are encouraging racing sportifs without the safety measures that are used in proper road racing ... race patrol cars, early morning only etc.

andyp

wildmoustache wrote:

does anyone else feel the way i do and only really get excited about continental sportifs in the sense of actually racing them and caring about the time? The whole push by the likes of cyclosport to try and replicate that in the UK is flawed by the volume of traffic/ abundance of red lights here on the UK roads. at worst it could get pretty dangerous and effectively they are encouraging racing sportifs without the safety measures that are used in proper road racing ... race patrol cars, early morning only etc.

I am in complete agreement with you on this. The fun of continental sportifs is that you're generally riding on closed roads and when you do encounter cars the drivers are happy to share the road. That is rarely the case in the UK, even in those areas where there is little traffic.

richa

The [url=http://www.davelloydmegachallenge.com/mega.aspx]website[/url] wrote:

Ideal for those improving their form for the Etape du Tour, La Marmotte or another top European Sportive in July 2008.

But the Etape or Marmotte is the following weekend. That is not much of a taper...

Incidentally: Provisional date for the 2008 ride is Sunday 15th June

Anonymous

wildmoustache wrote:

i kind of agree with the tougher for the sake of it ... seems to be a bit of that going on?

In anycase, you can't replicate the toughness that comes from extreme heat such as in the pyrenees last summer during the etape. though extreme wind is another sort of toughness i would grant you, and obviously this event is pretty tough in it's own right.

does anyone else feel the way i do and only really get excited about continental sportifs in the sense of actually racing them and caring about the time? The whole push by the likes of cyclosport to try and replicate that in the UK is flawed by the volume of traffic/ abundance of red lights here on the UK roads. at worst it could get pretty dangerous and effectively they are encouraging racing sportifs without the safety measures that are used in proper road racing ... race patrol cars, early morning only etc.

Depends what level your on...if you are "racing" the likes of the Marmotte etc then you are either top amateur or retired pro...most of the lads on UK sportifs are usually not racing but just want to acheive a best time and survival, have a craic with fellow cyclists and have a general real nice experience....im not a great cyclist...in fact I reckon I maybe fail on the likes of the Marmotte..ive been up all the associated climbs but stringing them altogether would be different...the Dave Lloyd Challenge is more akin to the repetitive climbs I endure weekly so I reckon my body is more accustomed to UK weather / Road Climbs...but I reckon this sportif will be everybit the challenge the Marmotte is...142 miles and 5000 meters ascent in stunning North Wales...

I get very excited about UK sportifs...it brings lots of cyclists together for a good shared experience..I reckon Cyclosport is doing a tremendous job promoting UK cycling and these sportifs sell out in no time (and they raise tons of cash for charities)so it shows that cycling is on the increase in the Uk - which is real nice.

As for dangerous due to no road closures..yes we all know that France etc have a different view towards cycling so they endure the road closures....try closing a road in the UK for cycling and see the reaction...(different if it was a bloody football match)cycling is dangerous period...and it doesnt matter where you are......but deep down I reckon ive enjoyed this years Fred Whitton / Polkadot / Wild Wales more than my cotinental adventures......and from the feedback from lots of the Lads is that the UK sportifs are much better organised aswell...and Daves Challenge looks the most challenging.....I personally cant wait....I admire the organisers of the Uk sportifs.....I honestly like cycling as much in the UK as I do in France etc...so for me the UK sportifs are the best thing for my enjoyment of cycling...everyones different but anything that encourages folk to take up cycling in the UK is a good thing.

rusty nuts

The organisers have listened to many of the suggestions from the last few rides and there will be a new start/finish venue a short distance outside of Bridgend which will avoid any traffic lights on the return run. It also avoids having to go through Port Talbot on the run out. The Bwlch is now climbed twice in different directions.

They will make sure that the feedstations are very well stocked with supplies in reserve and will ensure that the split timing points are better identified.

Date is Sunday 15th of June.

oldwelshman

Steve, I think I will do this instead of the CGF as it is later in June that CGF so weather should be better.
With respect to some other comments, this route has stunning scenary also. YOu do not have to race it, you can plod around and take pics, or ride it hard.
I just had a laugh listening to the guy on the climb he sounded as if he was dying
Withe respect to comparing uk sportives to european it is almost impossible really.
In some European rides the route is either closed or marshalled very well, which allows for massed starts. This ensures you can always find a goup to ride with. In uk it is hit or miss and you could end up doing majority of ride alone so comparing times is difficult unless everyone rides alone. It is easy to gain or loose 20 minutes or so.
The standard of riders is also far better ( well toward the front anyway ) in european rides, thoug some wpould disagree
The profile of this route is as close to Eurpoean you can get with length and grade of slopes although it does have some nasty steep bits in it.
I don't think this has been cobbled together just to get the steepest climbs in and it looks as if Dave has used his experience of the area to create a very challenging but very scenic route.
LAst year I did CGF super and day before did climbs easily with 39 x 23, but on the day with shitty weather and long distance needed my 39 x 27 and still struggled on last climb of Hirnant at 120 odd miles so for this I am going to use a compact and play safe just in case

wildmoustache

[quote="RICHYBOYcp"and from the feedback from lots of the Lads is that the UK sportifs are much better organised aswell...and Daves Challenge looks the most challenging.....I personally cant wait....I admire the organisers of the Uk sportifs.....I honestly like cycling as much in the UK as I do in France etc...so for me the UK sportifs are the best thing for my enjoyment of cycling...everyones different but anything that encourages folk to take up cycling in the UK is a good thing.[/quote]


I agree that anything that encourages cycling is to be welcomed and wasn't having a go at UK sportifs per se. IME I disagree strongly with your statement about organisation. Some UK sportifs are well organised and some not. Every gran fondo and etape i've been to has been very well organised indeed.

I still feel very strongly that UK sportifs, if they are encouraged towards racing sportifs (a la Marmotte, Etape etc.) are an accident waiting to happen.

Tom Butcher

I don't know - sportives I've ridden have been fairly safe - the fact you've got 100 miles to ride and the hilly terrain means there isn't much point in taking silly risks and you don't tend to get the big bunches you'd get in a race. I have ridden sportives for a fast time but that's a long way from racing as in a road race. I see a lot more sillyness on local chain gangs or the local reliability rides than sportives but that may be the nature of the local riders.

DaveyL

The Marmotte isn't on closed roads. The descent of the Lautaret (unlit tunnels, anyone?) is about as hairy as most of the stuff you'll encounter in a UK sportif.