Tour of Wessex
Comments
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yes it was a surprisingly tough say today, the heat brought back memories of the Fred Whitton. Gorgeous countryside. But get this: we're gonna not do days 2 and 3, officially cos its going to rain, we'll get I'll, etc etc but the reality is that we're wusses. Already done all 3 days last year and we know how tough it is. Respect to all who complete.0
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Now back home after the first day. Found it surprisingly tough, partly because I had horrendous stomach cramp for the middle 30 miles, but partly because of that fierce headwind in the final 30 or so miles.
Fizz, that guy who went down on Cheddar Gorge must have been about 10 to 30 seconds ahead of me, and I do hope he's ok. He appeared to be moving ok as I went past (his mates were picking him up). Hope its not too churlish to say that I was descending pretty quickly and the pack of 4 of which he was part went hurtling past me in the very high 30s to low 40s I reckon. I certainly chose not to descend a pedestrian heavy twisty road at those speeds. But having said that, I do hope he's well.
Loads of punctures, looks as though yesterday's rain brought all the flints onto the road. I must have seen about 20 punctures (felt really sorry for the guy who had one in the final couple of miles), and sadly I had one in the first 7 miles. I reckon 250 people passed me in the time it took me to fix it....
I was booked in for all 3 days but have wimped out of tomorrow because of the forecast. I might be back on Monday though...
Plus points
* Beautiful route, nice and varied scenery. The early climbs through the woods were great, and it was nice up over Burrington Coombe onto the Mendips. Similarly the straight drag into Glastonbury was memorable
* Well signed. I'd heard that in previous years the signs had gone missing at vital points, but all was well this year.
* Liked the jelly babies at the food stops. And they didn't run out of water, on a day that must have been much hotter than they expected.
* And of course, the weather. I realise they can't be held responsible for the weather, but it really was great cycling weather today (until the wind did its thing)
Minus points
* I'd booked to camp, but the "camp site" was laughable. Can't remember how much I paid for it, but whatever it was, it wasn't worth it. I don't expect to have to wash up in the gents toilet if I've pad a fee to camp.
* Breakfast was poor too. Its great that they put this on, and I really appreciate this. I think it was £5 for a bowl of porridge (which tasted a bit strange...was it instant porridge, not made with real oats?), a couple of slices of toast, a cup of coffee and a very small glass of apple juice. I think they either need to offer more food, something cooked, or charge less.
* T-shirt organisation was poor. When I ordered my shirt, there were no indicative sizes. Sometimes I'm a "medium", sometimes a "large", it depends on how they are sizing up. When I emailed them a while ago to ask about sizing and to see if I could change my order according to their sizes, they said it was no problem, they would have some to swap if it didnt fit me. When I got there, they said they didn't. So now I'm stuck with a t-shirt that's too big for me. Again, easy to sort...they just need to put the sizes up on the site.
* I think they should consider having toilets at the food stops. The pre-ride information encourages you not to attend to "the call of nature" en route. so it would have been a good idea to have portaloos.
I've written all that because I hope and expect that the organisers will look at sites like this. All in all, it was a really good day, and I will definitely be back next year, hoping to complete all 3 days, weather permitting.0 -
A great day - apart from that head wind ... But then it made a nice change from previous sportives I've been in. Normally, in the last quarter, everybody has got straggled out, and nobody seems to want to slow slightly to get into a group or has the extra energy to link up with people in front. This time, maybe out of necessity, there were plenty of small groups, and I think it made everybody's life a lot easier sharing the work - and it's nice to have a chat to take your mind off the pain.
Generally excellent organisation, I thought. Well sign-posted, but there could have been a few more warning notices. There were a few nasty junctions that appeared out of nowhere, and some of the more dangerous descents should have had warnings, or better warnings. There was one just before the esses on the descent to Harptree, but as it was only about 10 metres from the first bend, it wasn't much use.
Oh, and they did run out of water for a time at the second feed stop for a time, luckily the outdoor centre next door had an external tap.
But I don't want to sound negative. Mostly it was excellent.0 -
Hadn't realised about the water at the second stop, George. That would have been annoying.
And definitely agree with you about how it would have been helpful to have the odd warning about dangerous points. There were a couple, I think, about tight bends, which was good, but as you say, there were a couple of junctions that appeared from nowhere.
And while we are offering suggestions to improve what was a great day, how about some signs to say how long left to the peak of each of the more significant climbs?0 -
looking for the icon for windy ... geez!! i set off very late at about 10am but managed a gold so quite happy. didn't do any group riding which was a bit sad but that is due to late start i guess.
i agree it was really well signposted which is great. not a wrong turn all day. feedstops were ok but not great (e.g. no food at first stop, running out of water at second). but not bad overall.
can't help feeling it's expensive for what you get though compared to other sportifs.
i have pussied out due to forecast as well. good luck all those riding tomorrow.0 -
topcattim wrote:Fizz, that guy who went down on Cheddar Gorge must have been about 10 to 30 seconds ahead of me, and I do hope he's ok. He appeared to be moving ok as I went past (his mates were picking him up). Hope its not too churlish to say that I was descending pretty quickly and the pack of 4 of which he was part went hurtling past me in the very high 30s to low 40s I reckon. I certainly chose not to descend a pedestrian heavy twisty road at those speeds. But having said that, I do hope he's well.
I was on the back of that group of 4. He went down right in front of me, classic to much corner entry speed and then target fixation on the bank and thats where he ended up.I saw him sit up and his upper body go stiff and I thought oh dear you're going on the floor.
I live in the area so I know the Gorge road quite well and I've been up and down it on my motorbike again I guess it helps with what lines to take and which way the road goes to.
He went down quite hard I was glad when he got up. He looked fine, just his seat was twisted on the seat post. I caught up the guys he was riding with and I told them what had happened so he had his mates waiting for him.
He was quite cross with himself as he knew exactly what he'd done. No harm done from the looks of it just bruised pride.
Yeah the water at the 2nd stop was a bit irritating I'd had enough of energy drink by that point and I really wanted some water, but I'm not letting that spoil my memories of the day.
Re the signs that would be useful, I guess because I'm local I know what to expect from the roads around here, especially in the Cheddar area.
Its hard to fault the organisation otherwise though.
I'm glad I'm only doing day 1, weather looks pants for tomorrow and Monday.0 -
Great day - Great headwind and final ascent home!
Was the return leg different to last year? The road seemed to be more of a main road - I think we were off to the right last year.
No water stations/feed stops at all, on the 55, which was a shame. The final stop run by the ATC last year was not there, so I rode the final 10 totally dry.
Unbelievably considerate motorists - Was followed by a Wincants lorry on a flat 25mph section, who stayed behind even when I waved him on - gave me a friendly toot when he did finally come past. Even saw cars stopping in the road to let the bunch out. Wouldn't happen round here near London - you'd wake up 5 miles away on the bonnet!
Glad the early morning rain and cold cleared up - Although I wore tights, which proved a slightly warmer option!
Couldn't get a tea in the morning, having set out at 5 in the car - It was 5 quid for the breakfast, or nothing! When we got back, all the food was still foil wrapped, and they weren't doing bacon butties, so unfortunately the charity lost out to the baked potato wagon.
Thankful for the early start - did you see the monster Bank Hol. queues on the A303/M3 Westbound, later in the day?
The guy I was riding King Alfred's Tower with came to a grinding halt, and fell off on the slippy tarmac - That was a bit of a comedy slippy section.
(Neil, hope you're OK - I pushed on as there was a bunch behind us, and I didn't want to add to the congestion - Waited on the way up, but didn't see you - did you come past me? Not sure - was a bit chaotic).0 -
Was a good ride. Did 5 hrs 40 or just under. Had to walk up Alfreds after the guy in fornt of me just stopped. Was a bit annoyed.
Very friendly event. Hard work as previously mentioned with that headwind.
Good luck to those doing tomorrow.0 -
And while we are offering suggestions to improve what was a great day, how about some signs to say how long left to the peak of each of the more significant climbs?
Sometimes you just don't want to know ... :shock:The guy I was riding King Alfred's Tower with came to a grinding halt, and fell off on the slippy tarmac - That was a bit of a comedy slippy section.
I couldn't believe it. I'm no power-house, but I was getting wheel-spin all the way up. Not what you want when you're on the limit.0 -
RE: King Alfredo.... Yeah, it was either off the front of the bike wheelspinning, or off the back, pulling wheelies!
Fortunately, I rode the steel winter trainer, which has sticky winter tyres and a longer wheelbase/more solid, so I just about managed to weave in and out of the randomly dotted walkers and stoppers, taking care with the "On your left/right" calls that not everyone bothered with! (was thanked several times for calling out first).
Couldn't help laughing at those who were confidently zooming it for the first time, only to come to a grinding halt as the incline exponentially increased!
Found some dry patches, but the combination of trees and a dry spell followed by a rain induced greasing made it quite tasty.
The 55 included about 5 miles of newly gravelled road too! Frustrating, as it was a nice flat speedy section.
Stuck in the office for the next two days - suppose I better do some work now! - Probably the best place, judging by the wind and rain. Good luck to all those still out there.0 -
Negatives - a surprise £10 deposit required at the sign-in. Food at food stops was yuk (would you like some tuna with your mayo?) - anyone who rememnbers the quality food at last year's will understand my grief. Also, I thought there were too many main roads - they seem to add more and more with each year, e.g. in year 1 there was a lovely route from Cheddar to the levels, but that got replaced with the main road.
But these are nigglles, cos I'm in a bad mood. On the whole it's very good event, well worth doing. yesterday I cracked on the hill just before the finish...0 -
sandwhiches were dreadful i agree. also making your own is not great if you are pushed for time.
all in all i though the foodstations had a penny pinching feel to them.0 -
A colleague and I did part of the Wessex route yesterday (climbed Burrington, went another way down to Cheddar, then across the Somerset Levels before going home). The wind was a bugger across the Levels! We picked up a few riders who were grateful of a tow but cursed us when we turned off.
What was nice were all the locals out watching and cheering.
Kudos to anyone who finishes the three days in this weather.
Anyone watching the Giro today? Cheddar Gorge always reminds me of the Marmolada. Not nearly as tough of course
Jeff Jones
Product manager, Sports0 -
just done second day. Apart from from a bit damp at start was much better than first day. Great groups formed with everyone doing their bit. No wind. Hurrah. (well apart from me that is. Sorry anyone behind me) Lots of people did'nt show because of forcast but pays to check early in morning as it changes quite a lot around here. I think tomorrow will be wet but ever hopeful . 0
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well done reaper. i was watching the forecast enviously today as it looked dry .
tomorrow does look wet I'm afraid. good luck anyway. day 3 is a great route.0 -
Well done reaper, I've been looking out the window today weathers been quite nice this afternoon. Definately a better day for it.0
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I have done the first two days and my excuse for not doing the third day was that my freehub decided to be really free and broke when I was about 5m from the finish line. Managed to roll across to some cheering from all the grinding and banging that was going on, how lucky was that!!!! I knew something was wrong as about 3 miles out I lost the ticking noise as you freewheel but it still seemed to be working okay until the end. Don't know whether it is just dirt and water from the rain or whether completely broken.
I thought the 2nd day was the better day and thanks to one of the Pendragon riders for the advice over the last 15 miles even if it wasn't completely correct about the last hill.
Respect to those out there today. The rain, the hills and what looks like a head wind all the way back.
I will definitely be back next year, great event guys.0 -
Well i really enjoyed it on saturday but hell that wind made it tough. Chapeau to anyone who's done all three days i don't know if i could face it with the added torrential rain, respect.
Does anyone know if they will post results on t'internet, me and my mate had to shoot off sharpish after we finished so i only know my ride time on my 'puter (5h 31m).pm0 -
When I was looking up my time on the laptop in the place where people were scoffing cakes, the person in front of me asked about the times as was told they would be going on the website.
HTH0 -
Thanks Fizzpm0
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I did day one, loved every minute of it... well, maybe not the the tower climb but the rest was great
I must of been lucky with the feed stops as they had plenty when I went through but no doner kebabs on offer which upset me a little.
I will certainly be looking to do it again next year and as I live very close to it I might just ride the route a few more times over the summer months to keep the legs spinning.0 -
Pathfinder. If you want to keep up the miles talk to people on TOR2000.co.uk as we are a somerset club that races and does sportives. We train at ilton airfield on tuesday nights and most people go out for rides everyday or weekends and are happy to have new people with them. On the web site go to news, then noticeboard which is a basic forum to contact people0
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Man oh man, that was tough...
I rode Stages 1 and 2 but bottled the third stage after checking the forecast (and the fact that my body was not thanking me for the previous 200 miles). I think you have to be very tough mentally to complete all three stages, especially in those sort of conditions.
Stage 1 was great. Due to a late 09.40 start I didn't get to ride in any groups all day, although it is a great motivator trying to chase down the "rabbits" in front of you. Had a few worrying moments on Alfreds Tower with the constant wheel spin whenever I got out of the saddle but made it up ok. No supplies at the first feed stop except liquids but had enough on me anyway so was fine. The wind was ridiculous especially on the flat stage after Cheddar - felt like I rode into a wall (didn't help not riding in a group obviously). Riding time (not incl feed stops) was 6hr 15min.
Stage 2 weather was shocking to start with...peeing down, wet and cold. Combine that with sore muscles and you have a pretty unhappy camper. Again, I started pretty late and rode almost the entire stage on my tod trying to chase down rabbits. Great to see the giant on the hill above Cerne Abbas. Ride time was 6hr 45min.
Sat in the canteen afterwards with one of those 'thousand yard stares' dribbling egg yolk onto my bib. Good event and great training for the summer sportives.0 -
Must have been some pretty slow rabbits, I did 5.13 (total elapsed time including food stops) and I felt slow compared to some riding into that wind.0
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rob2008 wrote:Must have been some pretty slow rabbits, I did 5.13 (total elapsed time including food stops) and I felt slow compared to some riding into that wind.
Do you have to try to be a pr!ck or does it just come naturally?0 -
hobbescp wrote:rob2008 wrote:Must have been some pretty slow rabbits, I did 5.13 (total elapsed time including food stops) and I felt slow compared to some riding into that wind.
Do you have to try to be a pr!ck or does it just come naturally?
I think rob2008 was really saying "I got a gold standard time and I just wanted to post so that everyone else would know about it..."
The official times aren't up on the site just yet, but I'd expect that 6h15 and 6h45 were both none too shabby for solo riding...0 -
Sorry mate, I actually was genuinely disappointed with my time and wasn't aware it was a gold time - I'm 43 and thought <5 hrs was gold. I can see how my words look derogatory and apologise.0
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Did all 3 days and lived to tell the tale. Actually if the weather is going to be crap then better its on the last day rather then second (like last year) or first (year before).
Already booked hotel for next year - here's hoping for sun.
re posts above: Think any comparing of sportive times between individuals is like a blunt pencil. IMO the only meaningful use of times on UK sportives is for setting your own goals and measuring yourself against them. (I specify UK sportives as others elsewhere are run more along road race lines so comparisons a bit more meaningful)Martin S. Newbury RC0
