"The Struggle" this Sunday
Kevparr
Posts: 8
Just wondered if anyone is doing the above this Sunday http://www.tripreston.co.uk/Sportif.html as this is going to be my first “Sportive” and need some advice on what to expect and if I'm going to be fit enough as had both bike and injury problems in build up.
Bike problem is I bought Boardman Team Carbon a month ago done 4 rides (67 miles in total) and it has gone back to Halfords after each ride due to nipple problem on rear wheel - common problem I now see from various posts on here. http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... n-09-33934
Mechanic in Halford is trying to get wheels upgraded for me, given the inconvenience caused and the fact that the last time it went back into Halfords the wheel was replaced and the problem occurred again after a 20 mile ride. Given I may not get the bike back before Sunday I will probably be doing the ride on my very old Barracuda Azzauri which has a gearing of 53/39t crankset and 12-23t cassette.
The injury problem is an old calf strain problem, which has required two weeks off the bike and a course of physio to correct. Went out on Sunday for first time since injury managing 30 miles in just over two hours, climbing just over 2000ft and surprisingly I had no ill effects yesterday. However, when I look at the Struggle details for the 100km route it will be climbing over 5500ft.
Given the above problems in my build up do you think I should give it a go on my old Barracuda given the gearing is far from ideal and my fitness is not at the level I would like it to be?
Your advice would be much appreciated
Bike problem is I bought Boardman Team Carbon a month ago done 4 rides (67 miles in total) and it has gone back to Halfords after each ride due to nipple problem on rear wheel - common problem I now see from various posts on here. http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... n-09-33934
Mechanic in Halford is trying to get wheels upgraded for me, given the inconvenience caused and the fact that the last time it went back into Halfords the wheel was replaced and the problem occurred again after a 20 mile ride. Given I may not get the bike back before Sunday I will probably be doing the ride on my very old Barracuda Azzauri which has a gearing of 53/39t crankset and 12-23t cassette.
The injury problem is an old calf strain problem, which has required two weeks off the bike and a course of physio to correct. Went out on Sunday for first time since injury managing 30 miles in just over two hours, climbing just over 2000ft and surprisingly I had no ill effects yesterday. However, when I look at the Struggle details for the 100km route it will be climbing over 5500ft.
Given the above problems in my build up do you think I should give it a go on my old Barracuda given the gearing is far from ideal and my fitness is not at the level I would like it to be?
Your advice would be much appreciated
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Comments
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Personally, I would wait until I were fitter before tackling something like that. Other people on this forum may differ in their opinion however. The last thing you need is to exacerbate the problem by overdoing it on an overgeared bike. Hope this helps... :-)2010 Lynskey R230
2013 Yeti SB660 -
Thanks for your comments jrduquemin. Decided to have a go at it and completed my first Sportive of 70 miles in just over 5 hours. As expected I ran out of gears on the four largest climbs and had to walk, probably due to a mixture of the bike and fitness. Good thing is that I have had no reoccurance of the calf problem, so hopefully can get my new bike back and get a clear training build up before my next Sportive on 14 June.0
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Fair play for having a go. Much respect. Now you know where you stand. Keep up the good work.0
