Norwich 50/100 2009

carl_p

Glad you mentioned the idiots out there today Markos. I thought the same. Why is it so necessary to get close to the person you are overtaking, especially when there is no oncoming traffic? It wasn't a race, it wasn't a sportive as such and given there were so many inexpereinced riders out there (I include myself in that) in dreadful conditions it was down right irresponsible.

Will have to have a think of what event to do next.

markos1963

Mothyman wrote:

well done all...did you complete Marcos?
anyone see my mate Clive on a blue trek 1.9? He texted me saying he was soaked to the skin but chuffed he'd completed it in tough conditions. he said last 30 was easiest as well..strange

Nearly didn't, one of our group snapped her chain at Hoveton(breaking it clean in half on the plate, not the pin. Something I've never seen before) Tried to fix it with my KMC link but it wouldn't work as I was 10sp and she was 9sp. She insisted we should carry on whilst she waited for a club member to come out from Norwich to fix it. Top Girl.. She only finished 10 mins behind us.

Goodson1974

Hi all

It was my first bike event and i must say that i absolutely loved it (apart from the rain and wind around Cromer and along the coast!).

I managed to do it in 6 hours 25 mins which i was well chuffed with as it was the furthest i'd ridden in a single day. Rode with several different groups which i really enjoyed as i'm usually out riding by myself (my mates just won't give up their mountain bikes!) so i've never experienced group riding before.

I think i'll be joining a club now.

Does anyone know anything about the accident at about 6 miles to go? It appeared that a camper van had tried to turn round in the road and had hit a cyclist. Does anyone know if the cyclist is OK?

sugarbeet

Didn't see the accident, so have no news on that.

I'd just like to say thank you to the mystery band of 6 or so efficient looking club riders who were charging into the wind (& rain) on the horrid Cromer section. Hid behind them for most of the coastal run. Would have sportingly done my time at the front, but I couldn't possibly have held the pace lads. So thanks & sorry. It was all I could do to stay at the back! Later followed a cyclist who sounded like he had Tourettes Syndrome as he splashed through the puddles.

Also saw slightly more than average dodgy riding. Mostly testosterone fulled from men old enough to know better. Resulted in some very dodgy variable pacing (fast, very fast, slow, very very slow). On the upside I rode with lots of groups of friendly people.

Pleased with my time (just under 6hrs 30min). Felt fine physically, could have pushed a fair bit harder. More pain caused by being frozen & wet than tired. In conclusion. It was fun, especially retrospectively! Next year I want to be able to stop for an ice cream.

markos1963

I don't think it was you Sugarbeet(he had a black Scott) but we had a hanger-on on this section who huffed and puffed for miles not working for our group at all. Then a few hundred yards from Yaxham he sprinted passed trying to look really good and then turned off into a car park! Thanks for the help!

sugarbeet

No definitely not me (Blue waterproof, black Racelight - was me) such antics are rude and I always endeavor to be a polite fellow who is happy to do his bit at the front, abilities permitting. My good samaritan's left me for dead when we came to a moderate hill close (ish) to the tea stop, where the effects of the wind were negated a little

dav1

I managed it in 5hr40 excluding stops, about 6hr30 with stops included and am very VERY chuffed with that time!

Got into some good groups which really helped.

I did tow a few in the earlier stages when in small groups and I , I helped for a bit to get a few of us into the back of a bigger group but from there I just wasn't confident enough to make my way forward and be the pacemaker being an utter newbie at all this.

What really helped was chatting to a more experienced rider quite and sticking with him (thanks again Adrian if you are reading this). Gave me a lot more confidence and helped me to push on faster then I would have otherwise.

Thanks also to the guys who powered the big group we caught at about 65 miles and followed home to arrive at about 1:30 ish.

Sorry if I upset anyone, did get a bit close in the group to a few people a couple of times (I was on a yellow carrera virtuoso wearing a black endura waterproof jacket), was quite a lerning curve to pick up the ettiqute, understand the hand signals and keep in formation being as it was my first time in a road event. Was great to ride with such a nice group of people, seemed that the horrible weather didn't spoil anyones day. Personally I loved every second of it, will be doing it again next year without a doubt!

All I heard bout the accident is that somone was hit by a car, really hope they are OK and have a speedy recovery.

decepticon

hi all,
have to agree with most that the norwich 100 was excellent. i have never done such an event having previously always been mtb focused. all my road riding (since feb) has been solo and was amazed how much easier it was to be able to use the groups to aid progress, i did do my fair share at the front though! the best bit by far was the 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 mile markers near the end. total overall riding time was 5:05 which i am well chuffed with. shame the weather was wet at the cathedral
are many people considering the huff puff north norfolk 100miler?
cheers
neil

hopper1

Unfortunately, I've been so busy with work this year, I didn't have sufficient miles in my legs to have a go (feeble excuse really, I could have had a crack at the 50, at least!). :oops:
Anyway, I was passing the Recruiting Seargent PH at around midday, (I guess this was the point at where the fifty course rejoined the 100). I decided to be polite, and stopped my 4x4 at the junction, to let a stream of cyclists out, both from the refreshment stop and also those joining the main route for the last few miles...
As the riders rejoined the road in front of me there was an almighty screaching of brakes... Some pretty fast guys had come up behind me, and not thought to give a little caution in the traffic, they just darted up my inside, and it was a very close call, too. The fastest rider actually wearing the number '1'. I reckon that being so close to the finish at midday would have given him a very good time.
There was so much swearing and glaring, I almost felt embarrassed to have stopped!!!

I hope you all had a good ride, seeing so many riders out, I was so jealous, and pee'd off with myself!

Paul

m0scs

I did the 50 on my mtb. I found it tougher than last year because of the weather and my general level of unfitness. I was going great guns on the flat but slowed way down on any hills. I always ride alone and found the experience of riding in a bunch great fun and much less effort. I now understand the concept the peleton

Riding with other, seeing who was faster, slower and what they were riding was interesting and made me see my own weaknesses. A real eye opener for me.

I also noticed how many racing bikes got flats compaired to other bikes.

Big respect to the young lad on a fixed hear bmx bike.

A great day despite the rain.

MattSparkes

I did the 50 on my fixed gear in 2:56. Hope I didn't annoy anyone by overtaking - had to get the momentum where I could...

http://stopreadingthisandrideabike.word ... 0100-ride/

andrew_b_1975

Did anyone else see someone wearing a team GB jersey in a bunch with (i think) Streetlife Cycles?

Who was it?

BMX Bear

andrew_b_1975 wrote:

Did anyone else see someone wearing a team GB jersey in a bunch with (i think) Streetlife Cycles?

Who was it?

Ah the secret BC training program has been discovered

From what I konw his next ride is at the Dragon this coming weekend!

dav1

I saw that group. Had a frendly hello from one of the streetlifers in the croud as well who gave me a bucketload of good advise earler in the week on energy bars,gels and drink .

BMX Bear

It wasn't a GB team member, just one of the crew, we did have a decent bunch of about 2 dozen from the start but ended up split into 2 groups by Hindringham. Great fun and a good bunch of guys to ride with.