Silly Commuter Sportives

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  • stuaff
    stuaff Posts: 1,736
    Chapeau to anyone who went out in that today.....!!
    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
  • attica
    attica Posts: 2,362
    itboffin wrote:
    cjcp wrote:
    I bailed. A combination of being knackered after a long day yesterday and not fancying the weather. So did 70 miles in RP with JG. Wind and rain for 60 of those miles. Tried to do it on squash and three bananas. Didn't work, and actually bonked on the last lap. Was in all sorts of bother long before then, though: JG had to soft-pedal after all the hills. We did 2:59 for 9 laps. Very pleased with that, but I'm wrecked. Even more pleased I didn't do the Magnificat.

    MTFU :P

    Yep, MTFU you two. :lol:
    9 laps of RP reminds me of a polar bear in the zoo pacing backwards and forwards.

    I'm now sat in ITB's conservatory watching the trees struggling to stay in the ground.
    "Impressive break"

    "Thanks...

    ...I can taste blood"
  • EKE_38BPM
    EKE_38BPM Posts: 5,821
    Attica wrote:
    itboffin wrote:
    cjcp wrote:
    I bailed. A combination of being knackered after a long day yesterday and not fancying the weather. So did 70 miles in RP with JG. Wind and rain for 60 of those miles. Tried to do it on squash and three bananas. Didn't work, and actually bonked on the last lap. Was in all sorts of bother long before then, though: JG had to soft-pedal after all the hills. We did 2:59 for 9 laps. Very pleased with that, but I'm wrecked. Even more pleased I didn't do the Magnificat.

    MTFU :P

    Yep, MTFU you two. :lol:
    9 laps of RP reminds me of a polar bear in the zoo pacing backwards and forwards.

    I'm now sat in ITB's conservatory watching the trees struggling to stay in the ground.

    Yeah, I kinda thought that. Other places to ride do exist.
    FCN 3: Raleigh Record Ace fixie-to be resurrected sometime in the future
    FCN 4: Planet X Schmaffenschmack 2- workhorse
    FCN 9: B Twin Vitamin - winter commuter/loan bike for trainees

    I'm hungry. I'm always hungry!
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    EKE_38BPM wrote:
    Attica wrote:
    itboffin wrote:
    cjcp wrote:
    I bailed. A combination of being knackered after a long day yesterday and not fancying the weather. So did 70 miles in RP with JG. Wind and rain for 60 of those miles. Tried to do it on squash and three bananas. Didn't work, and actually bonked on the last lap. Was in all sorts of bother long before then, though: JG had to soft-pedal after all the hills. We did 2:59 for 9 laps. Very pleased with that, but I'm wrecked. Even more pleased I didn't do the Magnificat.

    MTFU :P

    Yep, MTFU you two. :lol:
    9 laps of RP reminds me of a polar bear in the zoo pacing backwards and forwards.

    I'm now sat in ITB's conservatory watching the trees struggling to stay in the ground.

    Yeah, I kinda thought that. Other places to ride do exist.

    They do indeed, but I was feeling pretty rough after four hours' sleep, and, at the furthest point, I was only four miles from my house if things went south a lot sooner.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • optimisticbiker
    optimisticbiker Posts: 1,657
    You had to be mad to go out today.... saying that CiB and I did the Evan's Hatfield 60miles today (sadly we didnt meet up due to different start times and him being a shed load quicker than me - he must have passed me somewhere tho). It was atrocious weather, windy and very wet...
    Invacare Spectra Plus electric wheelchair, max speed 4mph :cry:
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    :lol:

    normal weather for these parts - I'm a bit annoyed at missing the gold standard though, we route changed from 127 to 81 when the weather turned, had we planned on doing the 81 a gold time would have been assured.

    oh well next year.
    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.
  • the other me
    the other me Posts: 114
    I managed the full 127 miles of the magnificat yesterday, but my word it was slow.

    I punctured at 19 miles and being too pathetically weak to get a sensible amount of inflation from my blackburn airstick, spent the rest of the ride rather underinflated and constantly hoping that the next water station would have a track pump waiting for me. - none did.

    I may have underestimated just how nice the weather was going to be as well, and was cold for pretty much the whole time (except for the uphill bits, which I enjoyed the most).

    I don't think in those conditions I could have got the time I was originally aiming for, but am annoyed that my poor choice of attire probably cost me....
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    I clearly didn't get the memo about wearing blue!

    ae7c00a016d747c495e091317996bbd3.jpg
    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.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    I think I might try the Evans Reading event next, bargain at £12.50
    http://www.evanscycles.com/ride-it/read ... -july-2011

    oh and I posted a couple of images from Sunday's TOBM I think they really do justice to just how tough the route was, my wheel is even off the road in one :shock:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopi ... 1#17073111
    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.
  • the_fuggler
    the_fuggler Posts: 1,228
    My first ever sportive will be the Woodcote Sunday Sportive (17th August) near Reading:

    http://www.southernsportive.com/index.p ... ventid=242

    Going with the 44 mile option to get things started. Looking forward to it!
    FCN 3 / 4
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    itboffin wrote:
    I think I might try the Evans Reading event next, bargain at £12.50
    http://www.evanscycles.com/ride-it/read ... -july-2011

    oh and I posted a couple of images from Sunday's TOBM I think they really do justice to just how tough the route was, my wheel is even off the road in one :shock:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopi ... 1#17073111

    That Evans one looks interesting, I might pop along to that one.....
    Do not write below this line. Office use only.
  • jzed
    jzed Posts: 2,926
    Just entered the ballot for a place in next years Amstel Gold - just have to work out how to transfer the 5euro fee.

    http://www.amstelgoldrace.nl/index.php?pageId=9&stap=inschrijving-regelement&sesKey=1310586933
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    JZed wrote:
    Just entered the ballot for a place in next years Amstel Gold - just have to work out how to transfer the 5euro fee.

    http://www.amstelgoldrace.nl/index.php?pageId=9&stap=inschrijving-regelement&sesKey=1310586933
    Good luck. It's a great ride. Really enjoyed it and stuck around to watch the pros the next day. Saw the whole leopard-trek team training on the course :)
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • notsoblue
    notsoblue Posts: 5,756
    I've got two coming up, the Wiggle Mendips Super Sportive in August, and the Etape Cymru in October. Anyone else doing those?
    FCN 4 PX SL Pro SRAM Red
    FCN 8 Scott Sportster '05
  • jzed
    jzed Posts: 2,926
    notsoblue wrote:
    I've got two coming up, the Wiggle Mendips Super Sportive in August, and the Etape Cymru in October. Anyone else doing those?

    :shock: How much?
  • jzed
    jzed Posts: 2,926
    JonGinge wrote:
    JZed wrote:
    Just entered the ballot for a place in next years Amstel Gold - just have to work out how to transfer the 5euro fee.

    http://www.amstelgoldrace.nl/index.php?pageId=9&stap=inschrijving-regelement&sesKey=1310586933
    Good luck. It's a great ride. Really enjoyed it and stuck around to watch the pros the next day. Saw the whole leopard-trek team training on the course :)

    Flat as a pancake right :lol:
  • notsoblue
    notsoblue Posts: 5,756
    JZed wrote:
    notsoblue wrote:
    I've got two coming up, the Wiggle Mendips Super Sportive in August, and the Etape Cymru in October. Anyone else doing those?

    :shock: How much?

    Ahem. Yes. I have much work to do.
    FCN 4 PX SL Pro SRAM Red
    FCN 8 Scott Sportster '05
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    JZed wrote:
    JonGinge wrote:
    JZed wrote:
    Just entered the ballot for a place in next years Amstel Gold - just have to work out how to transfer the 5euro fee.

    http://www.amstelgoldrace.nl/index.php?pageId=9&stap=inschrijving-regelement&sesKey=1310586933
    Good luck. It's a great ride. Really enjoyed it and stuck around to watch the pros the next day. Saw the whole leopard-trek team training on the course :)

    Flat as a pancake right :lol:
    Yeah, a nice 'gentle' ride...

    ...until the keutenberg, that is 8)
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    Hope most of the rain stays away today :?

    http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/44045004
    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.
  • attica
    attica Posts: 2,362
    @ITB

    Well at least we managed a drink every 10 miles, that's a stat to be proud of.

    Glad we found that handy pub as the thunderstorm hit :lol:
    "Impressive break"

    "Thanks...

    ...I can taste blood"
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    itboffin wrote:
    Hope most of the rain stays away today :?

    http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/44045004

    Where did you go (can't be arsed to sign up!!)?

    I did the Pendle Predator. My speed was 0.2 mph faster than my Fred Whitton speed (which was in far worse conditions). Draw your own conclusions.........

    No, on second thoughts, don't bother, I'll tell you. The route was set by the Evil Monkey and it was evil!

    And here is the Evil Monkey deciding to take the last 10 miles pointlessly over Barley Fell just because he is evil.......

    evilmonkey.jpg

    He destroyed me :(
    Faster than a tent.......
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    Attica wrote:
    @ITB

    Well at least we managed a drink every 10 miles, that's a stat to be proud of.

    Glad we found that handy pub as the thunderstorm hit :lol:

    What this storm? http://youtu.be/mhtlLmFOTGk

    :shock: but still the doombar was good :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.
  • the_fuggler
    the_fuggler Posts: 1,228
    Had a very enjoyable debut at the Woodcote Sportive yesterday, despite rocking up with a temperature of just under 100F. Rode with a friend of mine who picked up a few scalps by riding on a hybrid in trainers (and being in the over-40s category - lucky sod), although we did have to doff our caps to the 14 year old who absolutely annhilated us about 2/3 of the way round.

    Quite interesting to see that hills cause quite a few problems (the award for stating the bleedin' obvious goes to....) - mostly when it comes to descending rather than go up them. We lost quite a lot of speed due to getting caught up behind groups riding three abreast who spent the entire time on the anchors particularly on the way down Streatley Hill. Seemed like a waste of some good speed to me....

    Anyway, the event was well organised and had a very friendly bunch, even if we did spend most of the first half an hour dribbling over the array of technology on show. Despite us not really having the gear or much of an idea, we didn't feel out of place, and would recommend that anyone who fancies taking on such an event should give it a whirl.
    FCN 3 / 4
  • notsoblue
    notsoblue Posts: 5,756
    I did the Wiggle Mendip Sportive on Sunday. The ride was pretty awesome, I'm still buzzing (and hurting) from it. This was the course:
    http://connect.garmin.com/activity/106693229

    I had my sights set on a Gold time, which unfortunately I missed, but this was mainly due to having to go slow or wait at feed stops for my mate. Overall though I'm really quite pleased with my performance. My time was 5:55 which is Silver, but my moving averages suggest gold would have been in my reach (Avg for Gold 16mph+, my moving avg was 16.6mph, and solo sections were 17mph+). I know its not a race, but I like to have targets :)

    The other participants were really friendly, I was riding with this chap from devon for about 40 miles and had a nice chat. We were in a bunch with a load of incredibly fast riders, but managed to keep up. We blasted up Cheddar Gorge thanks to a lovely tailwind, and some competition. It was only once we got to the very top that we realised that the guys we were riding with were on the Standard length which is "only" 70miles so they were pretty much sprinting home stretch. We still had another 40 miles to go! Irregardless, I didn't burn out, so again quite happy with that.

    The Sportive was really well organised. Very well signposted, and the feed stops were superb. They were manned by helpful cheery staff. At every stop we could fill up our bidons with energy drink, pick up an energy gel, and scoff flapjacks, fig roles, jelly beans, peanut butter sandwiches and energy bars. In the end I didn't eat any of the food I brought myself. The three stops were spaced pretty evenly so it was possible to pace yourself.

    The weather was pretty good. The wind wasn't too much of a problem, though I did spend all my time at the front when we were on the Somerset broads where I was hoping to recover a bit before the last brutal climb. We had some drizzle at the start of the sportive, and it was a bit wet, but after the first dozen miles it dried up and was lovely and sunny.

    All in all, great fun and I can't wait to do another :)
    FCN 4 PX SL Pro SRAM Red
    FCN 8 Scott Sportster '05
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    Good luck to the brave HOTA riders, 24th Feb isnt it ?
    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.
  • cyclingprop
    cyclingprop Posts: 2,426
    itboffin wrote:
    Good luck to the brave HOTA riders, 24th Feb isnt it ?

    Yep. I've got a feeling its going to bloody hurt. Not as much as if I hadn't shifted nearly a stone since early Jan, but I'll still be carrying too much.

    Others planned this year:
    Evans Gatwick (Feb)
    Hell of the Ashdown (Feb)
    Wiggle No Excuses (March)
    RAB Epsom (March)
    Wiggle Ups and Downs (April)
    Wiggle New Forest (both days) (April)
    Somerset HIlls Gran Fondo (May)
    London Revolution (both days) (May)
    Ride Across Britain - JOGLE - (June)
    London Tri - Corporate - Bike Only - (July)
    RideLondon 100 (August)

    What are you lot doing?
    What do you mean you think 64cm is a big frame?
  • sketchley
    sketchley Posts: 4,238
    Ride London 100, plus various fnrttc rides throughout the year.... Need to start doing some meaningful weekend rides, and lose some weight... Almost a stone down since jan, but still 10lbs off where I was before accident last year. Dd a lot more miles in jan and feb last year as well.... Need to take it up a gear quickly....
    --
    Chris

    Genesis Equilibrium - FCN 3/4/5
  • Santa cruzing
    Santa cruzing Posts: 157
    Any one in for the VO2 Sportive on 10th March from Hildenborough?

    Other than that I'm aiming for:
    Cycling Weekly ride from Lewis on 23rd March
    Hospice In The Waeld - Wheels in the Weald 6th April
    Self arranged JOGLE in sept.

    Nothing else in the diary yet.
    AKA Captain Blackbeard
    Going Top to Bottom - E2E for Everyman and Headway - Spet 2013
  • the_fuggler
    the_fuggler Posts: 1,228
    Hoping for three or four this year:

    Magnificat in July
    Southern Sportive - Woodcote - August
    Something in the Cotswolds in September / October
    Lands End 100 - October (pass permitting)
    FCN 3 / 4
  • hegyestomi
    hegyestomi Posts: 504
    JonGinge wrote:
    JZed wrote:
    JonGinge wrote:
    JZed wrote:
    Just entered the ballot for a place in next years Amstel Gold - just have to work out how to transfer the 5euro fee.

    http://www.amstelgoldrace.nl/index.php?pageId=9&stap=inschrijving-regelement&sesKey=1310586933
    Good luck. It's a great ride. Really enjoyed it and stuck around to watch the pros the next day. Saw the whole leopard-trek team training on the course :)

    Flat as a pancake right :lol:
    Yeah, a nice 'gentle' ride...

    ...until the keutenberg, that is 8)

    "....the 48th Amstel Gold Race will run for a total of 251 km........

    The 48th edition of the Amstel Gold Race will be held on Sunday, April 14th, 2013. The race begins at 10:15 in the Market Square in Maastricht and is expected to finish at around 16:45"

    It looks like you should be doing 38km/h average. :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

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