Etape Caledonia 2009
Comments
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Yes,
http://www.salite.ch/
is one of my favourites, too. However, be warned, it is highly addictive and makes you want to go out and do ludicrous things on your bike.
http://www.salite.ch/stal1.asp?mappa=ht ... priseH=661
for example, which I have been down in a tourbus and nearly sh&t myself with terror!0 -
By the sounds of most of the posts on this it is a fairly competitive event with some very quick riding.
I am all set to enter this year as I bottled it last year. Shouldn't think I'll be anywhere near the time the roads re-open but won't be anywhere near the front.
Is there going to be a fair few sitting at a lower average speed of am I going to have a bit of a lonley day?
Suppose I could really step up the training and try to keep up but that might be a bit much to ask!!Current steed is a '07 Carrera Banshee X
+ cheap road/commuting bike0 -
Nah she'll be apples mate.
I'm relying on the pack and my adrenelin to push me along for two thirds of the ride, and after that I'll just enjoy the view. 8)
The long grazed legged one0 -
Steve_F wrote:By the sounds of most of the posts on this it is a fairly competitive event with some very quick riding.
I am all set to enter this year as I bottled it last year. Shouldn't think I'll be anywhere near the time the roads re-open but won't be anywhere near the front.
Is there going to be a fair few sitting at a lower average speed of am I going to have a bit of a lonley day?
Suppose I could really step up the training and try to keep up but that might be a bit much to ask!!
No, really, you should see me on a bike; I'm no finely tuned athlete. There are riders of all abilities on this one, don't worry, you'll love it. One of the spectators last year made the shrewd observation that, as the riders passed her during the morning, they seemed to get more and more portly and less and less competitive.0 -
Steve_F wrote:By the sounds of most of the posts on this it is a fairly competitive event with some very quick riding.
I am all set to enter this year as I bottled it last year. Shouldn't think I'll be anywhere near the time the roads re-open but won't be anywhere near the front.
Is there going to be a fair few sitting at a lower average speed of am I going to have a bit of a lonley day?
Suppose I could really step up the training and try to keep up but that might be a bit much to ask!!
Steve
You wont be lonely........unless you ignore me!!
I am no racing snake and intend enjoying the ride AND the day, as its a long way to travel to spend the day starring at my front wheel!!
Shane0 -
So, am I right in thinking this is climb 4 of the Etape Caledonia...
http://ciclismo.sitiasp.it/altimetria/1656/Scozia/salita_Garrow+Glen+Quaich+-+Kenmore.aspx
A rating of 68.69, 6km climb with an av gradient of 6.9%, 412m worth of climb. Sharp ascent at the start then a steady climb.
Emu - check out the Col de Marie Blanque on the site
Pneumatic - good site!0 -
No that climb is nearby but not on the EC route. The main climb on the side of Schiehallion has a height gain of only about 180m. Using 2 seperate barometric altimeters I found the total climb last year to be 900-1000m. The total height gain is often greatly exagerated using mapping software or else the promoters are trying to make the event sound tougher than it really is. My average speed on the Etape Caledonian was 11 kpm faster than the Etape du Tour - Pau-Hautacam.0
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There are three noticeable climbs on the EC route.
1. The ride up to Queen's View, just after the start, which is a bit of a grunt,
2. There is one sharp ramp on the Sheihallion climb and the rest is just a bit awkward because the gradient keeps changing so it is hard to hit a ryhthm.
3. In some ways the worst of them is the minor road out of Logierait (?) right at the end of the course, which starts with an unexpected 30percent odd heave and continues like a rollercoaster until you get back to Pitlochry.
The organisers exaggerate the total climb. Most of it is flat and fast. The views and the closed roads are what make it special.0 -
pneumatic wrote:3. In some ways the worst of them is the minor road out of Logierait (?) right at the end of the course, which starts with an unexpected 30percent odd heave and continues like a rollercoaster until you get back to Pitlochry.
I'd totally forgotten about that kick towards the end of the route! I think it caught quite a few folk out around us, we'd done the full route a few weeks before so knew that it was coming up thankfully
You're right about the Queens View slog too, it's up and down so much it's really hard to get into a decent rhythm until you're on your way down past Strath Tummel etc.How's that for a slice of fried gold?0 -
Art Vandelay wrote:Emu - check out the Col de Marie Blanque on the site
Portalet is a lot harder than Col de Marie Blanque....but then it's the fact I have to do 3 of these big bast*rds in one day is of my main concern. :shock:
Sorry I digress, this is about Etape Caledonia.
The long grazed legged one0 -
I notice that they have passed 3000 entrants already. Looks like it may sell out. :shock:0
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ellieb wrote:I notice that they have passed 3000 entrants already. Looks like it may sell out. :shock:
Yeah, aside from charity places the entries are closed now!
Where did you see the list of entrants so far ellieb? I've been looking about for the entry list that used to be linked up but can't find it anywhere at all :?How's that for a slice of fried gold?0 -
I found it from another forum. I've no idea why it doesn't appear on the Etaqpe Caledonia website
www.clubsonline.com.au/eventsregform/in ... =7220095610 -
Cheers!How's that for a slice of fried gold?0
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Am I missing something here...why is the Mortirolo getting compared to the Etape Caledonias climb?.....the Mortirolo is a 1300meter climb in 12Kms....10.5% average...thats a 180meters more than Alpe De Huez in 2 Kms less distance....and along with the Zoncolan and the Angliru is the most feared climb in Procycling......the climb on the Etape Caledonia is a nice easyish climb coming up from Rannoch? with probable avg gradient of say 4 or 5%... Glen Quiach is a far more serious effort...with sustained steep sections which are on par with gradients seen on the Mortirolo.....but only for a few Kms...where the Mortirolo is steep throughout...
The Etape Caledonia is most probably one of the easiest sportives on the calendar...its fairly short and has no serious hill efforts...but with closed roads a fast pace is set I presume...and thats maybe the attraction?....a sportive which is more a half breed race?...0 -
I see that despite everything that happened last year to the profile of the sport, the BBC still has its finger off the pulse about cycling:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tay ... 885427.stm
The graphic accompanying this story shows a couple of MTB enthusiasts, eating up the dirt on an off-road event.
It is like accompanying coverage of the 6 Nations with picture of the Superbowl final.
:roll: :roll:0 -
An interesting turn of phrase in the article. It says all places have been booked rather than all places have been filled. Is the start list on the site this year? Haven't found it yet.================================
Cake is just weakness entering the body0 -
There are a few hundred places left that you have to apply for through the nominated charity, rather than just as an ordinary punter. Effectively, these last places are more expensive, because you have to raise a minimum donation to the charity as well as the entry fee.
It is a sophisticated form of ticket touting, done in the name of charity.
The truth is that nobody I know would sponsor me to ride 80 miles around Scotland, as I do that most weeks for my own enjoyment and, by doing so, deprive my nearest and dearest of my company. It would be like sponsoring me to go the pub! (hmmm 8) )
Personally I get a bit teed off with some of the things that are done "for charity". It seems to me often to be a lame excuse for coercion, extortion, blackmail and humiliation. I can't wait for comic relief. It is the one day of the year TV is banned in my house.
Ok, so I am a miserable bu88er but I do give to charity. I just prefer to do it on my own terms and not with a gun to my head or a knife to my throat or some clown saying "go on, take your trousers off, sing dancing queen falsetto and dive into a vat of mucus, its for charideeeee!"
Oh dear, this may need to be pasted into soapbox!0 -
A wee bit tough there pneumatic...the additional money does go to the charity not IMG and entries have been open for 8 months+ for regular entries.
I've done a couple of events (e.g. Corrieyairack) where a min charity donation/fund raising commitment has to be made by ALL entrants.0 -
pneumatic wrote:Personally I get a bit teed off with some of the things that are done "for charity". It seems to me often to be a lame excuse for coercion, extortion, blackmail and humiliation. I can't wait for comic relief. It is the one day of the year TV is banned in my house.
My favourite non-challenge is the numerous charity "walk the tay bridge" events, it's not even a 4 mile round trip ffs,
The only sponsored walk I have ever done was Coylumbridge to Glen Doll, via the Lairgh Ghru and Jocks Road, we failed at Braemar because the leader decided going up Jocks Road was too risky with only 2 people capable of normal walking speeds. So instead we started walking up the road towards the Cairnwell until our lifts home met us.Do Nellyphants count?
Commuter: FCN 9
Cheapo Roadie: FCN 5
Off Road: FCN 11
+1 when I don't get round to shaving for x days0 -
pneumatic wrote:There are a few hundred places left that you have to apply for through the nominated charity, rather than just as an ordinary punter. Effectively, these last places are more expensive, because you have to raise a minimum donation to the charity as well as the entry fee.
It is a sophisticated form of ticket touting, done in the name of charity.
The truth is that nobody I know would sponsor me to ride 80 miles around Scotland, as I do that most weeks for my own enjoyment and, by doing so, deprive my nearest and dearest of my company. It would be like sponsoring me to go the pub! (hmmm 8) )
Personally I get a bit teed off with some of the things that are done "for charity". It seems to me often to be a lame excuse for coercion, extortion, blackmail and humiliation. I can't wait for comic relief. It is the one day of the year TV is banned in my house.
Ok, so I am a miserable bu88er but I do give to charity. I just prefer to do it on my own terms and not with a gun to my head or a knife to my throat or some clown saying "go on, take your trousers off, sing dancing queen falsetto and dive into a vat of mucus, its for charideeeee!"
Oh dear, this may need to be pasted into soapbox! thats made my Monday morning a little easier, a post from the heart
Shane0 -
Well there's lots of confusion about climbs here, I for one am a bit surprised to find that the route takes in the Italian alps and all.
For what it's worth, my mapping software (memory map) has generally proved to be fairly accurate (I would say less than 10% off whenever I've been in a position to check) and it comes up with 1870m for the Etape C: by contrast, my experience (limited I grant you) with GPS & altimeters suggests that they are not so accurate for this kind of thing (my GPS never read less than 200m altitude in 10 days in Holland last year).
I'd have thought that the answer to the question "how hard is it?", which is what people want to know, is that it's as hard you want. There, who'd have thought it? Last year finishing times ranged from just over 3 1/2 hours to over 6 (and some of the DNFs must have been more), if you want to kill yourself (and I for one will be trying), then good luck, but I know plenty of people who did it last year who would not actually describe themselves as cyclists at all.
What amuses me, though, is the roadie snobbery that always has to prove that
"I've done longer, harder, colder, etc... etc... closed roads are for wimps... zzzzzzzzzz....0 -
Okay, let's set the record straight. There are no serious climbs on this route. I cycle in the area on a regular basis and the route does not take in any real climbs. There are many climbs a route in this area could have included, but this route is not one of them. There are a few lumps which might require a little bit of effort but no serious climbs. And for anyone to say otherwise is incorrect.
The main attraction of this route is the closed roads (and the scenery of course) but not any climbing of note.
So if it's climbing you want this is not the event for you. If it's closed roads on a relatively easy route which will allow you to achieve a fast time then this is the event for you.
Now can we stop speaking about how much climbing is involved cos there is bugger all of note.0 -
see what I mean?0
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bompington wrote:see what I mean?
No....what do you mean?
Noodley is just telling the truth....hes not a snob....the Etape Caledonia is a very easy route....80odd mile of very gentle terrain....its in a lovely setting....you can make it harder with going faster...and thats what the closed roads allow?......hes not putting the event down in anyway?
Most cyclists like a challenge....and if this is what floats your boat then fine.....but for me, I like to really test myself on the terrain, Im not interested in Times and all that stuff...but I go for the big tough challenges of England and Wales (and I live in Central Scotland)...thats what floats my boat...I'm no snob....its just what I see as a challenge...0 -
Sorry if my post was interpreted as snobbish as it was not intended as such. Maybe those reading it are attaching their own slant to it. Fair do's to those wanting to ride it, as I said it's great scenery and you can get a fast time. But it's wrong to speak about it as a hilly ride.
I'll be riding on the same day as the Etape Caledonia, much slower and on open roads. But it's what I like to do. Nothing snobbish about that at all.0 -
I rode a few sportives last year including the Etape du Tour and have ridden the Caledonia both years it's been staged.
All events have differing "parcours". Sure, the Caledonia isn't a mountain event, it's total climbing is overstated by the organisers and even Schiehallion is gentle by comparison with almost any continental HC climb you care to mention.
But for the field there will be many who will find its climb memorable and maybe they won't ever tackle anything so challenging in their cycling life.
My personal view is that the closed roads and high speeds are a thrill in their own right. I set myself a modest target of under 4 and half hours last year and to do it needed to complete the final 35 kms in not much more than an hour. I got into a fast group of around a dozen with 5 or 6 of us prepared to take our turn at the front pushing hard. I did my time and I'd rate that 35km as the best hour I spent on my bike all year.
It's a great event worth supporting - it's not worth spending time arguing its merits as a killer mountain event - there are plenty of other plusses that entitle it to be a great addition to the cycling calendar.Where the neon madmen climb0 -
You know what, I agree with you all. Some of us just can't help pushing buttons any more than pedals! As a newbie to the whole cycling world, I guess I'm still in the transition stage from "they're a strange bunch" to "we're a strange bunch". More power to your pedals, wherever you ride. If you're on your bike going where you want, as fast as you can or want to go, with anybody or nobody as you choose, what else really matters?0
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As a Clydesdale I am absolutely delighted that an event like the EC exists. Most sportives that I'm aware of lean towards the climbers so if the EC is one for the rouleurs, then thank goodness for that! I do hope they aren't tempted to turn it into yet another run-of-the-mill rampfest. There are plenty of those in the sportive calendar as it is.
It'll be a welcome opportunity for me to repay climbers whose wheels I have made a habit/art of sucking on ascents. I make a nice fast hole in the air, and you're very welcome to it.
The best thing about the location is that it is so far from home we'll have to stay in Pitlochrie on Sunday night. Barring any strange local licensing that I'm not yet aware of, we should be able to enjoy a relaxed post-event piss-up. :-)
Now, does anybody know where you can get a decent pint of Guinness in town?0 -
I agree
The challenge of any event is not solely in it's terrain, but also in the time taken to complete it...I could do the Etape du Tour course tomorrow with no training at all - might take a "wee while" (including sleeping by the road) and when there's no broom wagon but I could do it.
Likewise the Etape Caledonian is a OK for me in 5hrs with good weather, but I'm trying to break 4 -15 this year which will be bloody hard...every bit as hard as getting round the Fred Whitton, Etape du Dales etc etc0
