Silly Commuter Sportives

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  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    DonDaddyD wrote:
    I've entered the New Forest Sportive - the standard ride.

    Oh yeh! get in :wink:
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • amnezia
    amnezia Posts: 590
    DonDaddyD wrote:
    I've entered the New Forest Sportive - the standard ride.

    i've signed up for the 'epic' ride because i am epic
  • Bassjunkieuk
    Bassjunkieuk Posts: 4,232
    You go DDD! Good way off the New Forest Sportive but I understand the area is quite nice so should be a good ride :-)
    Who's the daddy?
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    Giant SCR 3.0 - FCN 5
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    I'm meant to be riding the "Kentish Killer" on Sunday. Forecast is for freezing temperature, 30mph winds and heavy sleet showers. You've got to laugh really. I'll be giving it a miss unless the forecast drastically improves, will probably end up down at Richmond Park instead. At least the next big ride planned is over in Italy next month, surely winter will be history by then?!
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/41991871@N ... otostream/
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    DonDaddyD wrote:
    OK so I'm down for the Spring Onion.

    http://www.swrc.org.uk/

    I got butterflys having just looked at the Route, I don't think I'm going to be ready...

    All I want is to complete the course, not be last and do it in less than 4hrs. Is that realistic....

    Well I'd suggest you look to get out into Surrey and tackle a few of the closer climbs first - Whitedown, Leith.

    Enjoy.
  • Bassjunkieuk
    Bassjunkieuk Posts: 4,232
    Il Principe wrote:
    DonDaddyD wrote:
    OK so I'm down for the Spring Onion.

    http://www.swrc.org.uk/

    I got butterflys having just looked at the Route, I don't think I'm going to be ready...

    All I want is to complete the course, not be last and do it in less than 4hrs. Is that realistic....

    Well I'd suggest you look to get out into Surrey and tackle a few of the closer climbs first - Whitedown, Leith.

    Enjoy.

    You missed out DDD's obligatory gauntlet pic :-)
    Who's the daddy?
    Twitter, Videos & Blog
    Player of THE GAME
    Giant SCR 3.0 - FCN 5
  • Jay dubbleU
    Jay dubbleU Posts: 3,159
    I'm planning to do the Wiggle New Forest Standard Route in April but I think I'll see how the Chiltern ride goes first - plan is to work my way up and probably do a 100 mile Bristol to London charity ride for Action Medical Research in August
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    Guys, whats the etiquette on drafting, me and 3 friends are looking at our first sportives, the Wiggle New Forest Spring Sportive Epic Route (83miles) & Wiggle Super Series Jurassic Beast Sportive Epic Route (101miles) as part of training for a 100mile a day tour, assume its ok for us to smash it out as a team?
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    iPete wrote:
    Guys, whats the etiquette on drafting, me and 3 friends are looking at our first sportives, the Wiggle New Forest Spring Sportive Epic Route (83miles) & Wiggle Super Series Jurassic Beast Sportive Epic Route (101miles) as part of training for a 100mile a day tour, assume its ok for us to smash it out as a team?
    Of course. It's not a TT. Groups will naturally form in most sportives...
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    JonGinge wrote:
    iPete wrote:
    Guys, whats the etiquette on drafting, me and 3 friends are looking at our first sportives, the Wiggle New Forest Spring Sportive Epic Route (83miles) & Wiggle Super Series Jurassic Beast Sportive Epic Route (101miles) as part of training for a 100mile a day tour, assume its ok for us to smash it out as a team?
    Of course. It's not a TT. Groups will naturally form in most sportives...

    +1 Although if you do join a group make sure you take your turn at the front!
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    JonGinge wrote:
    iPete wrote:
    Guys, whats the etiquette on drafting, me and 3 friends are looking at our first sportives, the Wiggle New Forest Spring Sportive Epic Route (83miles) & Wiggle Super Series Jurassic Beast Sportive Epic Route (101miles) as part of training for a 100mile a day tour, assume its ok for us to smash it out as a team?
    Of course. It's not a TT. Groups will naturally form in most sportives...

    +1. Try to do your bit at the front, too. Getting people organised to rotate can be like herding cats at times, so, if there's none going on, you and your mates could try to instigate it by rotating amongst yourselves or politely flick the elbow.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • Eau Rouge
    Eau Rouge Posts: 1,118
    I've now signed up fro the Wiggle New Forest Standard one too. I've not done a sportive before. This should be fun...
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    If you're in a group and nobody else is working, ease off the gas, if nobody comes through then once you are rested a bit shoot off the front and drop 'em. Can be easier if overtaking slower riders - overtake them then pull in sharply so that the dude behind can't suck your wheel then power down and away!
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/41991871@N ... otostream/
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    MatHammond wrote:
    If you're in a group and nobody else is working, ease off the gas, if nobody comes through then once you are rested a bit shoot off the front and drop 'em. Can be easier if overtaking slower riders - overtake them then pull in sharply so that the dude behind can't suck your wheel then power down and away!

    Ah, a graduate of the Jens Voight School of Riding :)
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • amnezia
    amnezia Posts: 590
    Eau Rouge wrote:
    I've now signed up fro the Wiggle New Forest Standard one too. I've not done a sportive before. This should be fun...

    I think the New Forest should make a nice first sportive
  • Jay dubbleU
    Jay dubbleU Posts: 3,159
    First run on the Genesis with 28 tyres and the new saddle - shaved 20 mins off my PB for my usual 24 mile training run - now down to 1hr 50mins - looking forward to the Chilterns on Sunday
  • stuaff
    stuaff Posts: 1,736
    I'm in for the New Forest standard route, just signed up. Might have to ride from Southampton station, at least it'll be a warm-up....
    Dahon Speed Pro TT; Trek Portland
    Viner Magnifica '08 ; Condor Squadra
    LeJOG in aid of the Royal British Legion. Please sponsor me at http://www.bmycharity.com/stuaffleck2011
  • Fireblade96
    Fireblade96 Posts: 1,123
    Today I did my very first sportive !
    The Evans ride-it Watlington one, which I signed up to after the January one got cancelled because we were all still snowbound.

    60 miles, and allegedly only a 2/4 on the climbing stakes. In which case I dread to think what a 4/4 is like, there were some cracking hills that had me only just grinding my way up. Still, didn't walk any of them and reached 41 mph on one descent :-)

    Met up with J Dub at the start and rode the first 10 miles together, which was a nice sociable warmup. Sorry for clearing off matey, I got sucked into the wake of that faster guy who came past :-). I thought you'd catch me when I had a pitstop just down the road, you may have shot past when I wasn't looking.

    Glorious sunny weather though a tad chilly, and a final time of 4h50 elapsed - dunno the real riding time, my speedo reset itself after 10 miles, but probably around 4h30 allowing for all the food/drink/etc stops.

    Off to the bath now with a glass of vino :-)
    Misguided Idealist
  • Jay dubbleU
    Jay dubbleU Posts: 3,159
    Likewise but I did the 30 miler - I turned off for the short ride just after we split but it was a good intro to my first sportive - thanks.
    Not sure what my final time was as I only had the watch but I think it was probably around 2hrs 40/50 - stopped at the support for banana and to fill my drink bottle - the ride up to Christmas Common - what was that about ?
    That hill seemed to go on for ever and I had to dismount an go up the bank when some yokel came past with a trailer full of sheep that was as wide as the road.
    Hit a tiny pothole at about 30 on the way down - very loud crack - thought the carbon forks had gone but no damage apparent when I checked it over.

    Now for the Wiggle New Forest ride ! :)
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Did the Surrey Rumble today, organised by Twickenham CC.

    EDIT: big thanks to Twickenham CC and the marshalls for a great event. And to the cake-making people for the smashing cakes. :D

    Opted for the long route - 76 miles. Start was in Cobham, and it headed south into West Sussex before turning to north west and back to Cobham.

    Rode with some club mates and had a cracking time. Some very short go-slow and walking sections due to black ice, and the cold weather has really massacred some of the roads, but the sun shone all day and the route was testing, but very enjoyable - some fantastic countryside.

    Bit of a stiff headwind at times and wondered how my legs would hold up during my first visit to the Surrey hills since last September. I didn't set off with my usual idiotic enthusiasm and made sure I ate regularly - five bananas and some maltloaf - but still started to get hungry around 65 miles, so the pace was obviously starting to take its toll on me. (Note to self: Highclere is 125 miles, so much work needed to be done...)

    Total elapsed time was 5:15, but the computer said a ride time of 4hrs 30mins (our group has two visits from the PF, and we had two reasonable stops at the checkpoints). Pleased with the time, but clearly need to build the endurance/mileage up.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • Fireblade96
    Fireblade96 Posts: 1,123
    JauDubbleu wrote:
    the ride up to Christmas Common - what was that about ?

    It did go on for a bit, didn't it ? On my way up I passed a girl lying in/on the verge, still attached to her bike - but she assured me she was OK so I didn't stop (good job, I'd never have got started again).

    Oh, and the CdF looks great :-)
    Misguided Idealist
  • OldSkoolKona
    OldSkoolKona Posts: 655
    amnezia wrote:
    Eau Rouge wrote:
    I've now signed up fro the Wiggle New Forest Standard one too. I've not done a sportive before. This should be fun...

    I think the New Forest should make a nice first sportive
    Is Brockenhurst the start for this one? Anyone know what it will be like for trying to get there - train would be easiest normally, but I'm assuming SWT will be their usual helpfulselves and stop more than 2 bikes getting on each train? I can't imagine driving down and parking can be much fun either?
  • stuaff
    stuaff Posts: 1,736
    edited March 2010
    OldSkoolKona wrote:
    amnezia wrote:
    Eau Rouge wrote:
    I've now signed up fro the Wiggle New Forest Standard one too. I've not done a sportive before. This should be fun...

    I think the New Forest should make a nice first sportive
    Is Brockenhurst the start for this one? Anyone know what it will be like for trying to get there - train would be easiest normally, but I'm assuming SWT will be their usual helpfulselves and stop more than 2 bikes getting on each train? I can't imagine driving down and parking can be much fun either?

    Yup, Brockenhurst. I must say I've never had a problem getting a bike on an SWT service, and I've seen four or five bikes in the spaces on the 442s (the white ones). Main problem with the trains is timing- unless I can persuade the parent to give me a lift (which is admittedly a bit of an imposition, it's only 37 miles!), earliest I can get to Brockenhurst is 0856. That ruled out the Epic route, if I wanted to do it, just wouldn't have time at my pace. But that'll do for the standard route, I'd rather do it at a comfortable speed rather than kill myself trying to make the finish time anyway.
    Dahon Speed Pro TT; Trek Portland
    Viner Magnifica '08 ; Condor Squadra
    LeJOG in aid of the Royal British Legion. Please sponsor me at http://www.bmycharity.com/stuaffleck2011
  • Jay dubbleU
    Jay dubbleU Posts: 3,159
    We had one or two ice issues - at one point going downhill it was a choice between ice and loose grit - interesting ! (As in Chinese curse interesting) :wink:
  • Jay dubbleU
    Jay dubbleU Posts: 3,159
    Signed up for the Wiggle Spring New Forest sportive - you can get them at Platinum rates until midnight tonight - cost me 12.50 instead of 15.00

    PS I may regret this later :roll:
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    Not cycling but still one hell of a challenge and I know you all love a challenge

    http://www.dwrace.org.uk/index.php

    Race is from 2-5th April
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    This is the Spring Onion (my sportive on Sunday) route profile

    Thoughts please?

    Also any advice hugely appreciated.

    Who else is doing this, have you heard from the event organisers yet?

    Nervous?

    Would I be overplanning if I said:

    Every 10 miles swig of water.
    Every 15miles - swig of Energy drink/tablet
    Every 20 miles - Cliff bar.
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • Norky
    Norky Posts: 276
    DonDaddyD wrote:
    This is the Spring Onion (my sportive on Sunday) route profile

    Thoughts please?

    Also any advice hugely appreciated.

    Ooh, that comes right past my office and the southern end of the route follows part of my commute home. It's a lovely part of the world. Mind out on Bedham Hill, it's bloody narrow and bendy - not enough room for a car and a bike in places nevermind two cars. It's also shaded by trees and had several icy patches this morning (though most days it's just wet/muddy).

    Have fun :)
    The above is a post in a forum on the Intertubes, and should be taken with the appropriate amount of seriousness.
  • Jay dubbleU
    Jay dubbleU Posts: 3,159
    DonDaddyD wrote:
    This is the Spring Onion (my sportive on Sunday) route profile

    Thoughts please?

    Also any advice hugely appreciated.

    Who else is doing this, have you heard from the event organisers yet?

    Nervous?

    Would I be overplanning if I said:

    Every 10 miles swig of water.
    Every 15miles - swig of Energy drink/tablet
    Every 20 miles - Cliff bar.

    I would say at least 500ml of liquid per 10 miles - I drank over a litre in 30 miles on Sunday and it was a cold run
    Good luck - maybe see you at the Wiggle Spring sportive
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    Jay dubbleU wrote:
    DonDaddyD wrote:
    This is the Spring Onion (my sportive on Sunday) route profile

    Thoughts please?

    Also any advice hugely appreciated.

    Who else is doing this, have you heard from the event organisers yet?

    Nervous?

    Would I be overplanning if I said:

    Every 10 miles swig of water.
    Every 15miles - swig of Energy drink/tablet
    Every 20 miles - Cliff bar.

    I would say at least 500ml of liquid per 10 miles - I drank over a litre in 30 miles on Sunday and it was a cold run
    Good luck - maybe see you at the Wiggle Spring sportive

    My bottle only holds 750ml....
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game

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