Silly Commuter Sportives

Cafewanda

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

DDD - I'm sure you'll do fine at the weekend, as others have said just try not to get caught up in any racing!
Would have offered to come out for a ride with you bit I've been warned by the other half if I go out on Mothers Day much pain will be inflicted upon me :-( Hence my planned weekend ride has been brought forward a day - thinking of heading over the RP for 4/5 laps!

You needed a warning after how many years together? Brave man to even think about doing anything else on that day

Bassjunkieuk

Cafewanda wrote:

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

DDD - I'm sure you'll do fine at the weekend, as others have said just try not to get caught up in any racing!
Would have offered to come out for a ride with you bit I've been warned by the other half if I go out on Mothers Day much pain will be inflicted upon me :-( Hence my planned weekend ride has been brought forward a day - thinking of heading over the RP for 4/5 laps!

You needed a warning after how many years together? Brave man to even think about doing anything else on that day

Look, it's not my fault someone decided to put Mother's Day on the same week as my ride weekend ;-)

Still RP on a Saturday should be nice! Although I imagine I'll be out far to early to spot anyone I recognize......

bigmat

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

Cafewanda wrote:

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

DDD - I'm sure you'll do fine at the weekend, as others have said just try not to get caught up in any racing!
Would have offered to come out for a ride with you bit I've been warned by the other half if I go out on Mothers Day much pain will be inflicted upon me :-( Hence my planned weekend ride has been brought forward a day - thinking of heading over the RP for 4/5 laps!

You needed a warning after how many years together? Brave man to even think about doing anything else on that day

Look, it's not my fault someone decided to put Mother's Day on the same week as my ride weekend ;-)

Still RP on a Saturday should be nice! Although I imagine I'll be out far to early to spot anyone I recognize......

How early? I may be down there on Saturday although more likely I'll try and do a long run this weekend.

Cafewanda

All this talk of sportives is making me want to try one. I'll see what Evans have at my level.

the other me

Fireblade96 wrote:

Well, I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday's sportive, don't even hurt too much today, so might just sign up for another one.

This, in fact:
http://www.evanscycles.com/ride-it/reading-south-chilterns-may-8th-9th-2010#route_info
is pretty much right on my doorstep, it's just a tenner, so it would seem rude not to !

Anyone else ?

I also enjoyed the Watlington ride last weekend, so I think I'll be doing this one.
Its gotta be the 90 tho :twisted:

Clever Pun

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

DDD - I'm sure you'll do fine at the weekend, as others have said just try not to get caught up in any racing!
Would have offered to come out for a ride with you bit I've been warned by the other half if I go out on Mothers Day much pain will be inflicted upon me :-( Hence my planned weekend ride has been brought forward a day - thinking of heading over the RP for 4/5 laps!

Jeez, just thought of all the presents you have to buy from the little ones...ouch

DonDaddyD

londonlivvy wrote:

Yes sir. I am indeed. will be getting train from Streatham Common early doors which I understand is your neck of the woods. See you there?

Sewinman wrote:

I am doing it too by the way.

The Stone wrote:

Owen Lars wrote:

I'm doing the SWRC Onion. Nice ride. Hills early and late, but rolling ride in the middle.
Advance forecast looking a bit warmer than last weekend.

I'm going to be there be good to say hi probably wearing olive green jacket and on an Enigma.

Has anyone received anything in the post from the ride organisers?

I'm going to be driving there, from Wimbledon. Though I do wonder if I'm (my legs) going to be able to drive back....

What's the etiquette here? We could meet prior to the ride or at the start and head off together (we probably won't stay together throughout the route). Or we could meet up at the end. Or not and if I see you (its more likely you'll notice me) I shall say hello.

owenlars

Turn up, say who you are and register, you will be on the list of riders on the web site. I'm going to ride down from Wimbledon at about 07:30, and back afterwards, makes a nice 90 mile ride for the day in total.

You should ride at a pace that is comfortable for you, if that coincides with individuals or groups great, if it doesn't that's great as well. In my view you shouldn't force it nor feel frustrated by slowing to stay with someone (unless you are helping a mate round of course).

DonDaddyD

owenlars wrote:

Turn up, say who you are and register, you will be on the list of riders on the web site. I'm going to ride down from Wimbledon at about 07:30, and back afterwards, makes a nice 90 mile ride for the day in total.

You should ride at a pace that is comfortable for you, if that coincides with individuals or groups great, if it doesn't that's great as well. In my view you shouldn't force it nor feel frustrated by slowing to stay with someone (unless you are helping a mate round of course).

I'm on the list on the web. I feel so proud.

Oooo exciting. Chapeau for riding from Wimbledon. Seriously!

Fireblade96

the other me wrote:

Fireblade96 wrote:

Well, I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday's sportive, don't even hurt too much today, so might just sign up for another one.

This, in fact:
http://www.evanscycles.com/ride-it/reading-south-chilterns-may-8th-9th-2010#route_info
is pretty much right on my doorstep, it's just a tenner, so it would seem rude not to !

Anyone else ?

I also enjoyed the Watlington ride last weekend, so I think I'll be doing this one.
Its gotta be the 90 tho :twisted:

Ah, another Reading-based commuter ! Greetings !
I'm tempted to go for the 90 next time, but think I might be better off trying for a good time on the 60. My training rides are pretty much a shorter variant of this course so I know it well, and so long as the provisional course is stuck to there are no complete nightmare climbs. However, given where it starts, they might decide to add in Whitchurch Hill itself :shock: which is my 40+mph downhill route, not something I want to have to climb !

Fireblade96

double post. @rse !

Bassjunkieuk

MatHammond wrote:

How early? I may be down there on Saturday although more likely I'll try and do a long run this weekend.

Normally early for me is leaving house between 8 and 8:30 so I imagine I'll be in the park around 8:45-9:15 depending on how quickly I ride over there :-)

@CP - She'll be getting a single present combined from all of them thankfully :-) Although I may pop into town on Saturday with the eldest to get some smaller bits.....

King Donut

owenlars wrote:

I'm going to ride down from Wimbledon at about 07:30, and back afterwards, makes a nice 90 mile ride for the day in total.

Rollox... This might force me to ride there and back just for the stats. Every time I update you seem to be above me.

@DDD, it'll be my 1st sportive. It'll also be my first 50+ miler of the year so my preparation has hardly been great. Honestly, I've been wondering if it's a bit hilly for me, but now I'm looking forward to it and not worried about time etc. My only concern is that I'm still feeling the cold the last couple of weeks, so no doubt I'll overdress come Sunday.

Gonna go at my own pace but if I see you anywhere on the day I'll say hello.

DonDaddyD

Cool be sure to say hello right back. I'm more excited about this now, still nervous as hell. I don't want to overdress though... Overshoes or no overshoes...

Also, when I mentioned starting together or arriving together. I never meant staying together during the ride. I fully intend to go at my own pace and drop or be dropped within the first 30secs - 1min.

londonlivvy

What do you normally wear for long rides? I go with overshoes cos otherwise I get cold feet.

Happy to meet you at the start and wish you luck etc. I'm planning on getting the train that gets in at 8.24 to leatherhead so should be at the leisure centre by 8.35ish. See you then!

King Donut

DonDaddyD wrote:

Overshoes or no overshoes...

This is my biggest conundrum :?
I'll probably spend so long at home deciding that I'll miss the start.

On Saturday I thought it was warmish so headed over RP in shorts but after 2 laps my knees were shot. Shame cos there was a belter of a tailwind up Sawyers and I'd hooked up with a similarly paced Phoenix rider on the second lap.

King Donut

londonlivvy wrote:

What do you normally wear for long rides? I go with overshoes cos otherwise I get cold feet.

For some reason I can't get on with full overshoes, so unless it's raining or close to freezing I don't bother. Picked up some Gore toe protectors a few weeks ago but not sure how they'll stand up to anything more than a couple of hours. Guess I'll have to stop being such a tart and find out.

il_principe

Overshoes, I regretted not having them in RP on Sunday and it'll be colder out in Surrey.

Bassjunkieuk

Il Principe wrote:

Overshoes, I regretted not having them in RP on Sunday and it'll be colder out in Surrey.

I'd say being em if you have em, if only to keep your feet warm! I hadn't realized how well vented by R1's are until I ventured out with thin socks on and them back at the start of winter!!

cjcp

King Donut wrote:

londonlivvy wrote:

What do you normally wear for long rides? I go with overshoes cos otherwise I get cold feet.

For some reason I can't get on with full overshoes, so unless it's raining or close to freezing I don't bother. Picked up some Gore toe protectors a few weeks ago but not sure how they'll stand up to anything more than a couple of hours. Guess I'll have to stop being such a tart and find out.

Now, I'm biased because I think they're sh!t and cr@p, and the zip on the left overshoe broke this morning after only buying them in January (whereas the Planet X overshoes last two years' woth of commuting), and because the material wears too quickly, but I wouldn't recommend the Endura overshoes.

tailwindhome

Don't know what the weather is like with you guys, but I took an extended commute into the hills last night and the windchill on descents was excruciating*. At one point I was bearly able to grip the bars my hand were so cold - I had a flashback to Jens Voight(?) in the TDF and slowed right down.

The point is you may need to carry two sets of gloves - mitts for the way up and thermal for the way down. And a hat.



* at the top of the climb there was neither tifosi handing out newspapers nor a nutter dressed as the devil. I was shocked and frankly v disappointed

bigmat

If its anything like last Saturday then winter gloves a necessity. Buff for head wouldn't be a bad idea either (I went without, felt like my ears were going to drop off until I warmed up). Overshoes? I'm not a fan, just takes the lycra gimp look one step too far, so will avoid if possible. Feet were fine with two pairs of socks on under shoes although any colder / longer and I may have regretted that decision!

DonDaddyD

King Donut wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

Overshoes or no overshoes...

This is my biggest conundrum :?
I'll probably spend so long at home deciding that I'll miss the start.

On Saturday I thought it was warmish so headed over RP in shorts but after 2 laps my knees were shot. Shame cos there was a belter of a tailwind up Sawyers and I'd hooked up with a similarly paced Phoenix rider on the second lap.

Went to Richmond Park in 3/4 lengths, no overshoes, longsleve jersey and jacket. My feet were so cold I had to sit down for a while and massage warmth back into them. When I got home I couldn't feel my little two for about an hour.

I'll see on the day.

Rest of my kit is sorted. Tights, base layer, shortsleve jersey, coat, gore gloves, shoes, ankleless socks.

@Livvy and everyone, I'll be there about 8.30.

It's not that far from my gaff, but still gonna drive.

rolf_f

cjcp wrote:

Now, I'm biased because I think they're sh!t and cr@p, and the zip on the left overshoe broke this morning after only buying them in January (whereas the Planet X overshoes last two years' woth of commuting), and because the material wears too quickly, but I wouldn't recommend the Endura overshoes.

I was darning my Endura MTB500s after every few rides as they snagged on the flat pedal pins (what I need is some cheap flats of the sort you get supplied with a new mountain bike - that would be fine for my commute. Unfortunately, one of mine was toasted in an accident) - I could cope with this even though the packaging mentioned nothing about them being unsuitable for use with flats. However, after a major darning session, the next thing that happened was the zip broke. Returned them to the shop and I've now learned that Endura are repairing them. I can't wait to see what I end up with but kudos to them for trying

Jay dubbleU

I was quite comfortable on Sunday apart from the top of my head as I had a helmet but no cap - I don't usually wear overshoes and my feet don't seem to get cold - I do however wear silk socks and my winter leggings are long enough to cover my ankles. I wore my soft shell on a training ride the week before and I was too hot so this week I just wore a base layer and jacket with a lightweight windproof jacket.

cjcp

Rolf F wrote:

cjcp wrote:

Now, I'm biased because I think they're sh!t and cr@p, and the zip on the left overshoe broke this morning after only buying them in January (whereas the Planet X overshoes last two years' woth of commuting), and because the material wears too quickly, but I wouldn't recommend the Endura overshoes.

I was darning my Endura MTB500s after every few rides as they snagged on the flat pedal pins (what I need is some cheap flats of the sort you get supplied with a new mountain bike - that would be fine for my commute. Unfortunately, one of mine was toasted in an accident) - I could cope with this even though the packaging mentioned nothing about them being unsuitable for use with flats. However, after a major darning session, the next thing that happened was the zip broke. Returned them to the shop and I've now learned that Endura are repairing them. I can't wait to see what I end up with but kudos to them for trying

Well, first, the thing you hold to pull the zips up broke. On both overshoes. Grrr. The zip went. I'm going to write to Wiggle because I'm most put out.

They're useless for commuting, if you have a lot of stopping/unclipping points.

Fireblade96

Unless there's a sudden onset of summer, it's still feckin' cold out there.
Last weekend I wore short-sleeve base layer, lovely toasty Campag windproof jersey, winter bib tights, wooly socks and overshoes. Skull cap under the lid and fleecy winter gloves. At no point was I too hot, I started out with an additional Montane gilet, took that off once I warmed up.

Thankfully it was sunny so that added some warmth, I *occasionally* unzipped my jersey by about, oh, 2 inches on climbs !

In fact, I have to put in a good word for the Campag jersey - my first foray into expensive bike gear, and worth everysingle penny. Keeps me warm but never clammy sweaty. Recommended.


:-)

stuaff

Well, last Sunday, I had bib tights, long-sleeve base layer, jersey, jumper, and jacket. No overshoes, not cold either, despite stiff wind.

itboffin

cjcp wrote:

King Donut wrote:

londonlivvy wrote:

What do you normally wear for long rides? I go with overshoes cos otherwise I get cold feet.

For some reason I can't get on with full overshoes, so unless it's raining or close to freezing I don't bother. Picked up some Gore toe protectors a few weeks ago but not sure how they'll stand up to anything more than a couple of hours. Guess I'll have to stop being such a tart and find out.

Now, I'm biased because I think they're sh!t and cr@p, and the zip on the left overshoe broke this morning after only buying them in January (whereas the Planet X overshoes last two years' woth of commuting), and because the material wears too quickly, but I wouldn't recommend the Endura overshoes.

Pro overshoes, I notice LondonLivvy sporting a very similar "repair" technique as myself :oops: I'm still amazed at how such a thin overshoes keeps my feet so warm and dry even if they are failing to bits. FWIW I have the thicker cold weather version which are harder to do up and really don't offer much more protection.

Castelli's look ace and sexy as you'd expect, offer virtually no protection from the cold and no protection from drunken crashes :?

Christophe3967

cjcp wrote:

Am keen on this Wiggle New Forest one.

The Hampshire Hilly Hundred and the King of the Downs look interesting, too.

I did the King of the Downs last year and have never been so miserable out on a bike - it was cold wet and windy and I baled out after the first half then almost fell asleep driving home afterwards. My fault for thinking it was summer, not having the right kit for winter, and stopping to shelter from the torrential rain, then getting very cold. Most of the first half will be familiar territory for you...second half looked more interesting.