Silly Commuter Sportives

roger_merriman

MatHammond wrote:

Riding down Hardknott is arguably even less fun than riding up it...

indeed some of the hills nr my folks place are steep wee beasties and are quite fun up, in a sweaty I WILL beat this hill. but down you can hear the rims and pads being worn away....

Big Wib

At the other end of the scale:

27th June 2010 : Kilo to Go - Verenti Flatout In The Fens 2010
The longest day in the year goes hand in hand with the longest cycle sportive event. Verenti Flatout In The Fens starts on Sunday 27th June. The Verenti Flatout in the Fens in the UK's longest single day cyclosportive ride. It's also the flattest as there are absolutely no hills on the routes whatsoever - but loads of superlatives to get over. Set in the beautiful vast open countryside around Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire, big horizons and flat fast riding come as standard. If your style includes taking in beautiful tranquil English countryside rather than worrying if you'll be walking up the next hill then this ride could be right up your street. We've got a distance option which is perfect for triathletes in training; not because of it's flat fast profile but because it's 112 miles on the button. This year Flatout is just 6 weeks before IRONMANUK in Bolton; so it's an ideal opportunity to brush-up on your technique and assess your cycling form. But you don't really have to ride it flat out because Flatout takes place on one of the longest days of the year. So if you're looking for a totally unique and different type of challenging ride this is the cyclosportive you've been longing for.

gert_lush

Coopster the 1st - Standard route.
iPete + mates to draft off - Standard route
StuAff- Standard. 
amnezia - Epic
Jay Dubbleu - Standard 
King Donut - Epic
Eau Rouge - Standard
JPM5555 - Epic
Gert_Lush - Epic

Edit
Will be riding my nicely un-colour coordinated Trek1500 if anyone spots me, give me a shout

amnezia

It was a lovely day out in the New Forest today for the Wiggle Sportive. Ride was not too challenging but not ridiculously easy either; a few small hills and some winding descents. Can't comment on the cake stops as i didn't stop but it all seemed well organized with the route well signed. Turned up, registered and went - it was nice not too have to hang around for a start time.

Got in a few very fast groups at the start and was flying for the first half, but a crash split the group up and found myself on my own for large sections of the second half.

Don't know what my official time is yet but my speedo says 4:36 for 83.5 miles (Avg 18.1mph).

I have some quite impressive sunburn on my arms, despite it only being April :oops:. I swallowed 4 or 5 flies and almost got taken out by a pony, but all said an done twas a good day out

Jay dubbleU

Great day out - brilliant weather and good route - just turned up and rode - not sure what my time was - somewhere around 5 hours for the 56 miles less about 20 mins for banana and water stops. As it was my first 50 miler I was happy just to make it without worrying too much about the time

Eau Rouge

I really enjoyed it. I was just happy to get there, on time, with all my stuff. We set off in a smallish group but before we'd left Brockenhurst there was just two of us. We stayed together, reeling in riders ahead and trying to stick with some guys in pink jerseys for the first half. I lost touch when it got a little lumpy half-way around, the guy I was with climbed like Contador. I decended like a stone, so we stayed in contact until a long run without a decent.:)
For some wierd reason I thought the big hill was before the feed stop, so wondering how I missed it, I put a bit on effort into getting to the stop. A few minutes rest, and a few miles later, there's the big hill. D'oh. Whoever the kids were near the top clapping and shouting "Allez Allez", thank you, getting up that hill was all due to them.
After that I felt knackered. What with groups and chasing people up hills I'd been going a bit harder than I planned. I was expecting to hit a wall fairly soon. Then four riders came passed, I latched on, and we made good speed, and once we were within the last 10k I knew my legs would last. Some racing-snake joining us with about 5k to go upped the pace a little, I countered his attack a few k's out (got knows how) then suddenly found myself off the front alone. They must have added a kilometre to the end of the route though, and I finally had to ease off. Racing snake caught me, and then, just as we turn back onto the main road to finish, there is the guy I had started with. He hadn't stopped but had done the second half alone.

The weather was just perfect, the riding was great, the course was enjoyable and I'll never know how I was able to ride the last few km's as hard as I did. The Garmin says 3:15 riding time, 3:19:44 total time, which would be a Silver. I'm very happy with that.

stuaff

+1 for a splendid day out. My time was also 4:36 according to my Garmin, rather less impressive than amnezia as I did the standard route. Not half bad though, it was my first sportive, I am a scrawny old fart, and I was on a flat bar 26" folding hybrid (went for the Cadenza rather than the Jetstream in part to avoid too many chain drops- promptly had a couple, didn't it..grr). And I also rode in from Southampton, so more mileage for the stats there. Took my time at the feed station (about 15 mins or so)- very nice flapjack- with that, a couple of 'rest stops' and aformentioned de-chainage, moving time was 4:02. With the Viner, that would probably be my total time...ho hum. Walked up Blissford Hill, by far the worst climb of the day (small, yes, but nasty)- just couldn't be bothered to kill myself trying to ride up. As I know well from the social a few weeks back, the Forest is rolling terrain- nothing too bad apart from Blissford, but plenty of little climbs (and descents ). A mere single fly swallowed, glad I replaced the sunglasses I lost last week, needed them. Well organised, some useful 'freebies' (we probably paid for them with the entry fee, but...), and some smashing cake at the college afterwards. I think I'll do one or two more of the Wiggle series- the Meon one starts a mere seven miles from home for one thing!

Jay dubbleU

I missed the big hill as well - thought it was going to be before the feed station then I saw the sign where we turned right - I'm afraid I only made it halfway up the steep section before I ran out of gears - felt like my legs were going to explode :shock:

stuaff

Jay dubbleU wrote:

I missed the big hill as well - thought it was going to be before the feed station then I saw the sign where we turned right - I'm afraid I only made it halfway up the steep section before I ran out of gears - felt like my legs were going to explode :shock:

Steep 'section'? It was all steep......!!!

coopster_the_1st

I 3rd the great day out.

My first sportive and really enjoyed it.

Despite there being 1000 people registered for the event it never felt busy and only a small queue for the car park at 8:10am.

Did the standard 56mile ride (my comp said 57.88miles!) in 3:08 at an average of 18.4mph. Official time will be a bit slower as I stopped for a couple of minutes at the feed stop. My longest ride ever by 16 miles and legs do not feel too bad at the moment.

Made it up 'The Wall' without getting off. Man that is a steep bit of tarmac!!!

Wore a base layer and long sleeve cycling jersey which was fine for first 30 minutes when it was cold but then it got too hot. :roll:

Route was good with more ponies than cars.

Massage at the end was lovely 8)

If all sportives are that well organised I will be doing lots more.

Did nearly crash into the timing tag detectors at the finish by taking the last corner too fast. Got away with just hitting a support leg of the one that stuck out the most :oops:

Jay dubbleU

StuAff wrote:

Jay dubbleU wrote:

I missed the big hill as well - thought it was going to be before the feed station then I saw the sign where we turned right - I'm afraid I only made it halfway up the steep section before I ran out of gears - felt like my legs were going to explode :shock:

Steep 'section'? It was all steep......!!!

I was referring to the top 20m where it shot up like a ski slope

gert_lush

Great work guys, I agree with all above, what an amazing day, although I thought it was a really flat course but to be fair the only other sportive I have done is the Dartmoor classic which is pretty hilly! !

Fingers were a bit chilly for the 1st hour, managed to find a good group to ride with till stop one, where they all carried on and i stopped for a bottle refill and a "natural break" managed to find a guy to ride with for the next 30 mins taking it in turn gunning it, how nice were the roads! the hill was pretty steep only just got up it, there were plenty of people struggling to walk up when I was there. We then managed to form our own group and nail it on to stop two where I stopped for another bottle fill and then managed to catch up the group again who were messing around no one wanting lead, so I took the helm and accidentally dropped them so rode on my own for half an hour before getting another fast group going for a while, then wanted to really break myself so i tried my cancellara break away and did the last 7 miles on my own.

I'm soooooo happy, and sore, which is good, and makes me happier

Definitely the fastest and best sportive I have done, no idea how I managed to go so fast for so long, not sure on my offical time but my Garmin said

slightly pink nose, 85.1 miles 4hrs 18 mins average speed 19.8mph!!! avHR 150 maxHR 175 add a few mins for the 2 stops so hoping my total time is just sneaked into gold

Had to dodge a few horses, some what looked like donkeys, some wild boars, some highland cows and a napping badger

cjcp

8) Sounds like a great day.

Fireblade96

Jealous !
I spent the day in the various cramped and uncomfortable compartments of my boat, rewiring most of the basic electronics.
Still managed to get some sunburn though 8)

itboffin

Sounds like great fun, i might give that route a go next weekend ;-)

DDD werent you signed up for the new forest?

iPete

Echo all of the above, my first sportive and it was fantastic, flying through the New Forest was awesome in that weather, it was like one massive SCR!

A big thanks to the guy who paced it along with me for 40 odd mile and massive apology for not making it clear I was doing the standard until we parted ways very sharply! Wish I'd be down for the epic.

Oh and have wiggle moved the medal thresholds?

coopster_the_1st

iPete wrote:

Oh and have wiggle moved the medal thresholds?

No idea but I would not trust their timings.

I have a 13 minute difference between my time and their recorded time.

And a mate of mine who started with me is listed as starting 6 minutes later :roll:

I think the course was 57.9 miles and not 56 so they may have move the bandings accordingly.

DonDaddyD

itboffin wrote:

DDD werent you signed up for the new forest?

Yep but my participation was touch and go right up to the wire.

In the end couldn't do it.

Personal reasons. Not happy.

(Only have London2Brighton left).

stuaff

Coopster the 1st wrote:

iPete wrote:

Oh and have wiggle moved the medal thresholds?

No idea but I would not trust their timings.

I have a 13 minute difference between my time and their recorded time.

And a mate of mine who started with me is listed as starting 6 minutes later :roll:

I think the course was 57.9 miles and not 56 so they may have move the bandings accordingly.

+1. Mine's a couple of minutes out (I didn't start the Garmin until I was rolling).

stuaff

DonDaddyD wrote:

itboffin wrote:

DDD werent you signed up for the new forest?

Yep but my participation was touch and go right up to the wire.

In the end couldn't do it.

Personal reasons. Not happy.

(Only have London2Brighton left).

Sorry you couldn't make it. Plenty of others though......

coopster_the_1st

DonDaddyD wrote:

itboffin wrote:

DDD werent you signed up for the new forest?

Yep but my participation was touch and go right up to the wire.

In the end couldn't do it.

Personal reasons. Not happy.

(Only have London2Brighton left).

Pity, would have been a good scalp to have :twisted:

rolf_f

cjcp wrote:

Have been up Birker Fell. Stayed in a cottage in Eskdale, just by the bottom of it, about five years ago. I rode to the foot of Hardknott and thought "NFW", so turned around and rode up BF. It was very unpleasant. I had to stop. Twice. I was heavier and my gears were jumping everywhere and I was wheezing like an asthmatic chipmunk. Going down it was much more fun.

There's a road the other side of Birker Fell - it heads down to a main road. It's like a cliff face.

The one at Ulpha or Broughton? Had to cycle up both to get to the start of Hardknott.......

gert_lush

iPete wrote:

Echo all of the above, my first sportive and it was fantastic, flying through the New Forest was awesome in that weather, it was like one massive SCR!

A big thanks to the guy who paced it along with me for 40 odd mile and massive apology for not making it clear I was doing the standard until we parted ways very sharply! Wish I'd be down for the epic.

Oh and have wiggle moved the medal thresholds?

Dude, you are soo right, I didn't set off till about 0830 so meant quite a few had already gone off so was great seeing people ahead on those big long flat roads and then trying to hunt them down, especially where the epic rejoined the standard route for the last few miles, the Red mist descended and I was like, right i'm having you all mu hah ha ha :twisted: :twisted:

some guy latched onto my back wheel for the last few miles and we nailed back to HQ and was the most friendly and apologetic guy ever, "Thanks mate, I really needed that to get me back fast and there was no way I was gonna let you try and drop me...although did mean leaving my mate..ah well )love the friendly competitiveness of it all

Eau Rouge

I wonder if their timing system might not have been reading the chips. They had people at the start/finish putting peoples numbers into handhelds, which is a relatively imprecise.
The guy I started with is listed as having started with the previous group and hence has a longer time, and the time is still a few minutes out for us both.
They have extended the times for the bands too (quite a bit for the standard at least), which should cover the extra minutes some people have due to the possible chip issue, but if they have done that your band should be based on their timing, not your own shouldn't it?

amnezia

My time is a bit out as well but i'm not really that bothered, looking back on it was a lot of fun.

I dragged an Aussy girl for the best part of 35 miles, delivering her to the split with a gold time for the Standard route. You're welcome if you reading this :P

Lots of very expensive bikes on display as well, made my Alu Giant look a touch shabby.

iPete

gert_lush wrote:

iPete wrote:

Echo all of the above, my first sportive and it was fantastic, flying through the New Forest was awesome in that weather, it was like one massive SCR!

A big thanks to the guy who paced it along with me for 40 odd mile and massive apology for not making it clear I was doing the standard until we parted ways very sharply! Wish I'd be down for the epic.

Oh and have wiggle moved the medal thresholds?

Dude, you are soo right, I didn't set off till about 0830 so meant quite a few had already gone off so was great seeing people ahead on those big long flat roads and then trying to hunt them down, especially where the epic rejoined the standard route for the last few miles, the Red mist descended and I was like, right i'm having you all mu hah ha ha :twisted: :twisted:

some guy latched onto my back wheel for the last few miles and we nailed back to HQ and was the most friendly and apologetic guy ever, "Thanks mate, I really needed that to get me back fast and there was no way I was gonna let you try and drop me...although did mean leaving my mate..ah well )love the friendly competitiveness of it all

Ha :twisted: , I left at 9:15, shook off several people who did nothing but draft me for the first 30 minutes (including my cheeky mates) and did nothing but over take for the next 2 and a half hours, teamed up with somebody else doing the same, great guy, I left him at the split as I foolishly entered the standard distance but didn't know till the last second, if you read this, chapeau!

The times are out by 4-5 minutes for my two mates, I didn't have any data with me but finished in 2 hours 59 and 13 seconds, irritatingly close to the original cut off and I waited over a minute to get on the final road! Can't escape traffic can you

Maybe the chips started timing as we all waited near the start line during the breif, might e-mail cycle event uk for any official explanation..

Oh and does anyone have software at their disposal to xls the pdf results, want to have a play!

gert_lush

IPete you can highlight a column at a time and paste it into excel, that's what I did, took a few mins but didn't know how else to do it.
If I go by the official results I am 84th in the epic, Although having sorted the epic results I think some people must have swapped routes as 3hrs for the epic would have been 28mph...surely not :? or maybe i really really really need to MTFU!

iPete

Chapeau, think you can eliminate a few people from that list and move yourself up in that case! Arg I must be using a crappy copy of Adobe pdf reader.

gert_lush

iPete wrote:

Chapeau, think you can eliminate a few people from that list and move yourself up in that case! Arg I must be using a crappy copy of Adobe pdf reader.

PM me your email and I can send the excel over if you want

iPete

gert_lush wrote:

iPete wrote:

Chapeau, think you can eliminate a few people from that list and move yourself up in that case! Arg I must be using a crappy copy of Adobe pdf reader.

PM me your email and I can send the excel over if you want

Thanks you have PM...