Dragon Ride Wales 2009

sampras38

Toks wrote:

TheSnig wrote:

A friend sent me a link to this forum so I thought I'd jump in...

As one of the unicyclists in the Dragon Ride on Sunday, I'd just like to thank everyone for their support and encouragement. There were times when I felt like giving up but there was always enough motivation to get me to the next milestone. Much appreciated.

Hey Mate I'm not sure if it was you or your friend I spoke to but I could tell you/he were pretty shattered. It was with around 30 miles to go. Once again a massive respect and well done to you and your friend. I was the skinny black guy in yellow Addiscombe gear

Not 100% sure but I think I sucked on your wheel for a bit. Dressed in black with Scott bib shorts and yellow and black Scott CR1 Pro. If it was you, thanks a lot...you got me through a tough period...

Christophe3967

NPH wrote:

My Polar 600 said 116 miles and 2660 metres of ascent

Mine said 115.757 miles and 2716 mtrs climbing. I must have taken a shorter, but slightly steeper route through the feed stations

wastelander

This was my first sportive but definitely won't be my last. Many thanks to those who complimented my jersey (Iron Maiden - Killers) and to those who I teamed up with as and when.

I have a target of sub 8 hours including the feed stations for for next year, and at least now I know where I stand for my Guide Dogs challenge...as I can;'t increase my power output in 3 months I'll have to decrease the mass I'll be lugging up the climbs instead

See you all there next year!

Rik

Toks

sampras38 wrote:

Not 100% sure but I think I sucked on your wheel for a bit. Dressed in black with Scott bib shorts and yellow and black Scott CR1 Pro. If it was you, thanks a lot...you got me through a tough period...

There were a small number of black guys doing the event - the only other ones who wore yellow were De Ver Guys. I was the only black Addiscombe guy...You have to do what you need to do to survive in these sportives so as long as no one was harmed during our encounter its all good. I'm glad I helped

sampras38

Toks wrote:

sampras38 wrote:

Not 100% sure but I think I sucked on your wheel for a bit. Dressed in black with Scott bib shorts and yellow and black Scott CR1 Pro. If it was you, thanks a lot...you got me through a tough period...

There were a small number of black guys doing the event - the only other ones who wore yellow were De Ver Guys. I was the only black Addiscombe guy...You have to do what you need to do to survive in these sportives so as long as no one was harmed during our encounter its all good. I'm glad I helped

There was a guy with a really brightly coloured wooley hat who looked pretty cool. He was motoring quite well if I remember.

sampras38

Toks wrote:

sampras38 wrote:

Not 100% sure but I think I sucked on your wheel for a bit. Dressed in black with Scott bib shorts and yellow and black Scott CR1 Pro. If it was you, thanks a lot...you got me through a tough period...

There were a small number of black guys doing the event - the only other ones who wore yellow were De Ver Guys. I was the only black Addiscombe guy...You have to do what you need to do to survive in these sportives so as long as no one was harmed during our encounter its all good. I'm glad I helped

It was my first sportive and I got round the longer route in 7.50, although I probably spent too long in the feed stations through lack of experience. Felt a bit annoyed at the end as I could have done a better time. But great fun and I'll definately be back.

wastelander

sampras38 wrote:

It was my first sportive and I got round the longer route in 7.50, although I probably spent too long in the feed stations through lack of experience. Felt a bit annoyed at the end as I could have done a better time. But great fun and I'll definately be back.

Yeah - I made the same mistake - my recorded ride time was 7:56 (official time 8:33) and just didn't realise that I'd taken so long at the feeds. Lesson learned!

Rik

Hugh A

Agreed - a grand day out - saw the guys on unicycles near the start and the one remaining on the return leg - respect!

Also remember Toks passing me all too easily on the second time up the Bwlch. Mind you a lot of people did.

Perhaps I should have pushed a bit harder but was worried about getting cramp and then going even slower!

When I saw the guy on the floor at the Bwlch he was being well cared for with a useful big umbrella to shade him. There were quite a few sheep wandering about and I rather thought he might have had a close encounter. My mates who came by shortly afterwards didn't see him so must have been away in the ambulance by then.

8:10 for the long route not very good but ok for me - would have been longer if I had waited around much at the feed stops - a huge number of riders passed me several times - usually just after the stops.

Toks

sampras38 wrote:

It was my first sportive and I got round the longer route in 7.50, although I probably spent too long in the feed stations through lack of experience. Felt a bit annoyed at the end as I could have done a better time. But great fun and I'll definately be back.

Hey thats a pretty decent first showing. It take a few goes to know how hard you can ride and for how long without blowing up or suffering from the hunger knock. Despite doing these event for more than 5 years I still occassionally get in wrong so tend to ride a touch conservativey for the first 4 hours. Then with about 30 miles to go I give it full gas :twisted:

Don't forget some of these peeps with really fast time were luck enough to ride in a fast group which can be incredibly efficient and ensure you get a good time

sampras38

Toks wrote:

sampras38 wrote:

It was my first sportive and I got round the longer route in 7.50, although I probably spent too long in the feed stations through lack of experience. Felt a bit annoyed at the end as I could have done a better time. But great fun and I'll definately be back.

Hey thats a pretty decent first showing. It take a few goes to know how hard you can ride and for how long without blowing up or suffering from the hunger knock. Despite doing these event for more than 5 years I still occassionally get in wrong so tend to ride a touch conservativey for the first 4 hours. Then with about 30 miles to go I give it full gas :twisted:

Don't forget some of these peeps with really fast time were luck enough to ride in a fast group which can be incredibly efficient and ensure you get a good time

Yeah, a friend of mine on a brand new Trek 1.7 did the longer route in under 7.50 after only 20 miles of training. Although he's a runner and has done some alps bike climbing in the past. He managed to ride with a few quick groups and it really helped him, and he hardly spent any time at the feed stops.

Git..;-)

sampras38

sampras38 wrote:

Toks wrote:

sampras38 wrote:

It was my first sportive and I got round the longer route in 7.50, although I probably spent too long in the feed stations through lack of experience. Felt a bit annoyed at the end as I could have done a better time. But great fun and I'll definately be back.

Hey thats a pretty decent first showing. It take a few goes to know how hard you can ride and for how long without blowing up or suffering from the hunger knock. Despite doing these event for more than 5 years I still occassionally get in wrong so tend to ride a touch conservativey for the first 4 hours. Then with about 30 miles to go I give it full gas :twisted:

Don't forget some of these peeps with really fast time were luck enough to ride in a fast group which can be incredibly efficient and ensure you get a good time

Yeah, a friend of mine on a brand new Trek 1.7 did the longer route in under 7.50 after only 20 miles of training. Although he's a runner and has done some alps bike climbing in the past. He managed to ride with a few quick groups and it really helped him, and he hardly spent any time at the feed stops.

Git..;-)

And yeah, all comes down to experience. I had done a lot of prep for the ride, i.e. a few 60 mile+ rides around the likes of Box Hill etc, and I felt fine aerobically. Got cramp in both legs at 90 and just rode through it. Felt good at the end and raced a guy for the last 2 miles.

enjoy_the_ride

TheSnig wrote:

A friend sent me a link to this forum so I thought I'd jump in...

As one of the unicyclists in the Dragon Ride on Sunday, I'd just like to thank everyone for their support and encouragement. There were times when I felt like giving up but there was always enough motivation to get me to the next milestone. Much appreciated.

Cheers,
Mark.

Unbelievable effort, chapeau.

If you don't mind me asking, what was your entry number? Going uphill is one thing, but I’ve just got to look you up on the event photo web site to see how you handled that hairpin bend on the final long descent!!

de_sisti

wastelander wrote:

Many thanks to those who complimented my jersey (Iron Maiden - Killers) Rik

"Iron Maiden Man" 8)

kingstongraham

Try number 2270 for the unicyclist (I'm not a stalker, just guessed would be the last finisher!)

There are some cracking pics - showing the gradient and scenery and everything.

pauln99

Graham

Care to share one with us then? Maybe I've been unlucky eh?

P

kingstongraham

Maybe I exaggerate a bit. Try 2270B-DR7 for gradient.

As an example of a descent - 001A-DR3.jpg (not the unicyclist)

Scenery is lacking - but maybe there are some that are unclassified that have the scenery rather than individual cyclists.

(Best one with me is 1745-DR7)

wastelander

maander wrote:

["Iron Maiden Man" 8)

That'll be my friend in the Scream jersey then! I barely heard you utter the phrase on the Bwlch 2nd time around. Then again, most of us could barely breath let alone talk at that point!

de_sisti

wastelander wrote:

maander wrote:

"Iron Maiden Man" 8)

That'll be my friend in the Scream jersey then! I barely heard you utter the phrase on the Bwlch 2nd time around. Then again, most of us could barely breath let alone talk at that point!

I know what you mean! I was also in great difficulty. :shock:

jenster88

Any idea how to find your placing for the 180k???

Lazarus

Dont want anybody to confess, never know who is reading the forum, but who smacked the driver on the bwlch then :?: :evil:

I knew i would miss all the action by staying on the rhigos and cheering you lot on

bendertherobot

Lazarus wrote:

Dont want anybody to confess, never know who is reading the forum, but who smacked the driver on the bwlch then :?: :evil:

I knew i would miss all the action by staying on the rhigos and cheering you lot on

What happened there?

Droops

My second time and I enjoyed it muchly!
Lost some time in the middle third due to not getting into decent groups, but had a good final third as I teamed up with a lovely lady who was going at just the right pace for me and we helped each other home very nicely. Thanks, Kate!
The start/finish were very well organised this year and the marshalling and other support were first class. The attitude of the police was really good, with one of the cops watching for traffic-light-jumpers actually waving our group through as the light turned red, because the road was clear.
I agree with others regarding the savoury foods. I was expecting at least Tuc biscuits or something like that, but IMO that was the only (small) failing.
Well done to the organisers and big thanks to all the volunteer helpers.

TheSnig

enjoy_the_ride wrote:

Unbelievable effort, chapeau.

If you don't mind me asking, what was your entry number? Going uphill is one thing, but I’ve just got to look you up on the event photo web site to see how you handled that hairpin bend on the final long descent!!

Yes, as people have guessed, I was 2270. Unicycles have a fixed wheel so going downhill involves keeping pressure on the rising pedal to slow yourself down. No mad racing down hills (which is good) but pedaling 100% of the ride (which is bad).

Regards,
Mark.

attica

bendertherobot wrote:

Lazarus wrote:

Dont want anybody to confess, never know who is reading the forum, but who smacked the driver on the bwlch then :?: :evil:

I knew i would miss all the action by staying on the rhigos and cheering you lot on

What happened there?

Yes yes, come on, what happened?

(Personally I've never been smacked on the Bwlch, but I imagine it hurts quite a bit )

TheSnig

Attica wrote:

Haha, I asked him what his GI was, he had no idea - should be just the wheel diameter on that sort of machine.

were the unicycles purpose built? Chapeau to both for even contemplating it

Having investigated, you're right - I now know that I have a GI of 36.

The unicycles were bought "off the peg" as it were but over the years I've changed everything apart from the frame and the inner tube.

Regards,
Mark.

attica

Wow, I think the technical term for that is "a bit spinny"

No wonder they invented the Penny Farthing!

Toks

jenster88 wrote:

Any idea how to find your placing for the 180k???

When I did the Dragon Ride back in 2005 you'd get a placing and a rank of Gold, Silver and Bronze. Since then this sort of thing has been discouraged because they don't want people racing each other in sportivs.

In contrast, in French and Italian sportivs are actually seen as races. Its silly really because racing goes on unofficially in UK sportives cause everyone want to get a PB or finish quickly. If you put groups of people to gether in an event and say go from A to B quite naturally some people will become competitive. Damn you should see the commuter races in North London - Camden Town to Holloway sometimes - it can be brutal :shock:

itboffin

Toks wrote:

Damn you should see the commuter races in North London - Camden Town to Holloway sometimes - it can be brutal :shock:

sssshhhh!

first rule of SCR :roll:

attica

Easy, we're in Sportives here ITB, they haven't heard of SCR

Lazarus

i don't know many details but all i know is a driver was quite irate going up the Bwlch and had a verbal slanging match with one of the riders, He then drove on and pulled over further up the climb and got out of the car to continue the arguement.

It seems that was a bad move as the cyclist smacked him one and continued on his way.

Only heard about it from a friend last night so really not quite sure of the finer details.