Etape Caledonia

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Comments

  • Fionnghal
    Fionnghal Posts: 14
    Thanks Paul.
    I'm fifty, ffs! I'm going as fast as I can!
  • daviesee
    daviesee Posts: 6,386
    Cheers!
    None of the above should be taken seriously, and certainly not personally.
  • krisw
    krisw Posts: 8
    Does anyone know if it's posisble to alter the start time when registering? I made a mistake when entering and put estimated time of <5 1/2 hrs. I am really hoping for < 4hrs as I have already done the ride in <4.5 on open rodes.
    Tried e-mailing > 1week ago with no reply and unable to get through on phone!!
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    krisw wrote:
    Does anyone know if it's posisble to alter the start time when registering? I made a mistake when entering and put estimated time of <5 1/2 hrs. I am really hoping for < 4hrs as I have already done the ride in <4.5 on open rodes.
    Tried e-mailing > 1week ago with no reply and unable to get through on phone!!
    If past form is anything to go on they're not that easy to contact, and not that helpful if you do.
    i've got the opposite problem, I put in <4:30 after doing 4:20 last year, I didn't count on certain little things taking up all my time to the extent that my road miles this year are right up there at about 100 or so. I'd offer to swap but they're quite pernickety about that sort of thing.
  • krisw
    krisw Posts: 8
    I'm sure they are - although it's hard to see why, would just be a case of swapping entries on a spreadsheet. I'll try calling again tomorrow.
  • Dr U Idh
    Dr U Idh Posts: 324
    Going by last year, you can't go before your allotted time, but you can start later. This is useful if your mates are in the same time band, but your surname begins with A and their's begins with Z - hence ending up with a wildly different start time.

    I'm going off at 7:06
  • thecrofter
    thecrofter Posts: 734
    My start time is 7.26. Means I'll be leaving the house about 5.30am :cry:

    I'm guessing the organisers know what they're doing (tin hat on) but 100 starters every minute seems like a lot to me. I know things will string out a bit, but it's still going to be pretty busy on the climb up towards Queens View
    You've no won the Big Cup since 1902!
  • Dr U Idh
    Dr U Idh Posts: 324
    Not too different to last year (3,500 entries). I recall it was pretty well spread out by the Queens View climb, but it probably helps having an earlier start time.
  • BigG67
    BigG67 Posts: 582
    thecrofter wrote:
    My start time is 7.26. Means I'll be leaving the house about 5.30am :cry:

    I'm guessing the organisers know what they're doing (tin hat on) but 100 starters every minute seems like a lot to me. I know things will string out a bit, but it's still going to be pretty busy on the climb up towards Queens View

    The road's pretty wide at the start (always funny that everyone, including me, sticks to the left for the first few miles!) and then there's some lumpy bits that break things up.

    That said one of my mates rode at the back of the field with a "newbie" and he said it wasn't a pretty place to be :shock:
  • BigG67
    BigG67 Posts: 582
    thecrofter wrote:
    My start time is 7.26. Means I'll be leaving the house about 5.30am :cry:

    I'm guessing the organisers know what they're doing (tin hat on) but 100 starters every minute seems like a lot to me. I know things will string out a bit, but it's still going to be pretty busy on the climb up towards Queens View

    The road's pretty wide at the start (always funny that everyone, including me, sticks to the left for the first few miles!) and then there's some lumpy bits that break things up.

    That said one of my mates rode at the back of the field with a "newbie" and he said it wasn't a pretty place to be :shock:
  • thecrofter
    thecrofter Posts: 734
    BigG67 wrote:
    That said one of my mates rode at the back of the field with a "newbie" and he said it wasn't a pretty place to be :shock:

    In what way "not pretty"?
    You've no won the Big Cup since 1902!
  • Fionnghal
    Fionnghal Posts: 14
    Yep. I was wondering that too, as I suspect I may fairly close to there on my frst outing. Would appreciate your thoughts BigG67 as I am guessing there are things to avoid etc.
    I'm fifty, ffs! I'm going as fast as I can!
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    thecrofter wrote:
    BigG67 wrote:
    That said one of my mates rode at the back of the field with a "newbie" and he said it wasn't a pretty place to be :shock:

    In what way "not pretty"?
    Not being able to resist second-guessing him, I'm assuming from the context that it's the traffic jams he's talking about.
    Unless he's talking about some of the participants at the back of the whole, who do not all qualify as climbing snakes...
  • shane515
    shane515 Posts: 139
    BigG67 wrote:
    That said one of my mates rode at the back of the field with a "newbie" and he said it wasn't a pretty place to be :shock:

    Very strange :o I started at 0735 (I think) last year, then punctured early on so spent quite some time at the back of the field, all seemed ok to me, fair enough there was a lot riders about but you have to expect that in such a large field???

    Or am I barking up the wrong tree.........

    Got a 0703 start time this year :D
  • fnb1
    fnb1 Posts: 591
    basically, large numbers of cyclists, many of which may not be used to group riding, groups . pacelines form and dispand as people shuffle to find a speed that suits them, first hills, the slow climbers shell backwards and lighter riders start to filter through, then a bit of the reverse can happen on the ealry downhills as more confident decenders slice through the slower ones. usually sorts itself out within a few miles once the exurberance subsides

    Just need to keep your wits about you, keep left if you are feeling slower than those around you and try not to cahnge line too much or too suddenly and do not worry about being vocal to warn others. easier if you are riding with a group or can atach yourself to one fairly early, rememeber it is always polite to ask to take someones wheel but most will not mind you sitting in, or even taking your turn on the front :) Good Luck!
    fay ce que voudres
  • thecrofter
    thecrofter Posts: 734
    fnb1 wrote:
    rememeber it is always polite to ask to take someones wheel but most will not mind you sitting in, or even taking your turn on the front :) Good Luck!

    Thanks for that, I wasn't sure of the etiquette. This'll be my first big run, although I'm doing the Bealach Beag next week as a warm-up (there are only 400 - odd riders in that).
    You've no won the Big Cup since 1902!
  • BigG67
    BigG67 Posts: 582
    bompington wrote:
    thecrofter wrote:
    BigG67 wrote:
    That said one of my mates rode at the back of the field with a "newbie" and he said it wasn't a pretty place to be :shock:

    In what way "not pretty"?
    Not being able to resist second-guessing him, I'm assuming from the context that it's the traffic jams he's talking about.
    Unless he's talking about some of the participants at the back of the whole, who do not all qualify as climbing snakes...

    IIRC my mate's comments, then much of what bompington says....a bit of weaving about making passing a challenge, jams on some of the hills and in particular last year folk changing tyres that aren't that used to doing it. I'm fairly new to road cycling myself so this isn't a critisism just an observation.

    As for the aesthetics, it wasn't the racing snake or not it was how close some seemed to be to collapse....and a few did.

    As suggested all of this is a consequence of a big field...but the more folk that take up cycling the better so a "price" well worth paying.
  • themightyw
    themightyw Posts: 409
    Was feeling pessimistic when I signed up, so put myself down for a slow speed. Did a recce ride a couple of weeks ago and was about 45 mins faster than I thought, but I'll be leaving with the last bunch on the day.

    I did email the organisers to see if I can move but they've said they're not able to - which is kind of fair enough. I can just imagine the floodgates that would open if they allowed people to jump up and down groups.

    At least I'll be able to pretend I'm Wiggo as I power past complete beginners giving them The Look.

    I'm fairly sure that even at the back I'll be able to settle down with a reasonable group to work with.
  • Fionnghal
    Fionnghal Posts: 14
    TheMightyW - give us a shout when you come up behind me and I'll try to keep up with you.

    Will be wearing a Black Dog Bikes shirt.

    Cheers

    Fiona
    I'm fifty, ffs! I'm going as fast as I can!
  • aberdeen_lune
    aberdeen_lune Posts: 547
    I had a practice on the route a few weeks ago and thought it was quite tough. The Schehallion climb isn't a problem its all the little undulations especially at the end.

    I think it is much quicker on the day if your riding in a group but its not an easy route.

    Remember to enjoy it and keep something in reserve for the small ring climbs at the end.
  • thecrofter
    thecrofter Posts: 734
    Aberdeen_lune wrote:
    I had a practice on the route a few weeks ago and thought it was quite tough. The Schehallion climb isn't a problem its all the little undulations especially at the end.

    I think it is much quicker on the day if your riding in a group but its not an easy route.

    Remember to enjoy it and keep something in reserve for the small ring climbs at the end.

    Agreed, definately make sure you have a little bit left in the legs for the last five miles on the wee road from Logierait into the back of Pitlochry, two short but pretty steep little climbs
    You've no won the Big Cup since 1902!
  • Fionnghal
    Fionnghal Posts: 14
    Yep. noticed those on my own recce.
    I'm fifty, ffs! I'm going as fast as I can!
  • Big Wib
    Big Wib Posts: 363
    thecrofter wrote:
    Aberdeen_lune wrote:
    I had a practice on the route a few weeks ago and thought it was quite tough. The Schehallion climb isn't a problem its all the little undulations especially at the end.

    I think it is much quicker on the day if your riding in a group but its not an easy route.

    Remember to enjoy it and keep something in reserve for the small ring climbs at the end.

    Agreed, definitely make sure you have a little bit left in the legs for the last five miles on the wee road from Logierait into the back of Pitlochry, two short but pretty steep little climbs

    from memory the first of those is just after a left turn on a fairly flat stretch. you will get warned either by the spectators of the shouts of oh sh*t from the people just in front
  • mykaloon
    mykaloon Posts: 86
    Had a dry run around the course on Friday with my wife and a few others who have entered the event. This was only my second outing (31 miles the week prior and a fair bit of indoor/rpm training over the winter months) on my road-bike (Specialized Allez Sport) having just caught the bug......

    Anyway, the route starts off with a few little climbs early on then things settle down for a wonderful run around Loch Rannoch and back along the other side. The climb over the shoulder of Schiehallion was a bit of a test being 40 miles in.

    As mentioned earlier the run down the other side of Schiehallion was a blast and I can imagine with the full width of the road and (hopefully) dry conditions a lot of ground will be made in a very short time!

    The last bit of note which is at about 76 miles in at Logierait where there is the short sharp left turn up off the main road through Logierait Wood. If ever there's a time to get your self in the right gear this is it - tired legs by this stage....

    Really enjoyable run....took us just over 5hrs to go round.....missed the boat for entering the 2010 event but already looking forward to getting my name down for 2011. Will be there to cheer wife and others along though!
  • themightyw
    themightyw Posts: 409
    Big Wib wrote:
    from memory the first of those is just after a left turn on a fairly flat stretch. you will get warned either by the spectators of the shouts of oh sh*t from the people just in front

    Yep! Keep an ear out for the sound of a couple of hundred front mech's scrabbling to find the big ring and gears grinding all over the place... that's you're cue.
  • Steve_F
    Steve_F Posts: 682
    thecrofter wrote:
    Thanks for that, I wasn't sure of the etiquette. This'll be my first big run, although I'm doing the Bealach Beag next week as a warm-up (there are only 400 - odd riders in that).

    That was my plan as well, use the Bealach as a tune up/final preperation event. Only problem is, I've heard from a lot of people who've done both, the Bealach is the harder of the two!!

    From what I hear if you can make it around that one (even though it's only 43 miles) the Etape will be do-able.

    Good luck with both.
    Current steed is a '07 Carrera Banshee X
    + cheap road/commuting bike
  • thecrofter
    thecrofter Posts: 734
    Steve_F wrote:
    Only problem is, I've heard from a lot of people who've done both, the Bealach is the harder of the two!!

    From what I hear if you can make it around that one (even though it's only 43 miles) the Etape will be do-able.

    That makes sense, the total ascent on the Bealach route is 3133ft, on the Etape it's only 2070ft. Seems like the Etape might be for Big Jessies.

    Looking forward to both though, I hope to do the Bealach in just over three hours and the Etape in just over five, maybe see you there, I'll be on a white/yellow/black Giant Defy wearing a green Edinburgh Cycling top. Good luck.
    You've no won the Big Cup since 1902!
  • BigG67
    BigG67 Posts: 582
    thecrofter wrote:
    Steve_F wrote:
    Only problem is, I've heard from a lot of people who've done both, the Bealach is the harder of the two!!

    From what I hear if you can make it around that one (even though it's only 43 miles) the Etape will be do-able.

    That makes sense, the total ascent on the Bealach route is 3133ft, on the Etape it's only 2070ft. Seems like the Etape might be for Big Jessies.

    Looking forward to both though, I hope to do the Bealach in just over three hours and the Etape in just over five, maybe see you there, I'll be on a white/yellow/black Giant Defy wearing a green Edinburgh Cycling top. Good luck.

    It depends how you do them - the Etape is fine if you cruise around but hard if you're chasing a time. On the balance I'd say that the Bealach Beag is harder if climbing's not your strength (the Bealach na ba is a mighty bit of roadl) but the Etape is longer and so tougher for mental and physical endurance.

    On times (again depending on climbing ability and weather) you might find you're out a bit. I was 4:30 for the 2008 Etape and 3:25 for the 2009 Bealach Beag.
  • thecrofter
    thecrofter Posts: 734
    BigG67 wrote:
    On times (again depending on climbing ability and weather) you might find you're out a bit. I was 4:30 for the 2008 Etape and 3:25 for the 2009 Bealach Beag.

    I was working on the theory that even if the climb takes an hour, which going on last years times seems reasonable, then the descent takes, conservatively, 15 mins. The other 32 miles are do-able in a couple of hours. SIMPLES!!
    You've no won the Big Cup since 1902!
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    edited May 2010
    thecrofter wrote:
    on the Etape it's only 2070ft. Seems like the Etape might be for Big Jessies
    Depends who you ask - according to the organisers, it's 1949 metres, that's over 6,000 feet.
    GPS seems to give people a lot less than this, FWIW Memory Map on my computer says closer to the 1950m mark.
    I did the Beag route the week after the Etape last year, I would agree with BigG's comment that it all depends on what your strengths are and how you do it. I think on balance that the Etape felt harder to me, I've done it twice and had to dig deep to fight very, very tired legs, and quite vicious cramp, on the last few miles - but I'm incapable of taking it easy in an event like this, something that is seriously worrying me this year as I am really, really not fit.

    EDIT - a quick look on Bikehike shows the Beag route at 1340m, Etape at 1280m; I suppose someone has accurate info, but blowed if I know which is better - I do suspect the Etape route isn't that hilly though, so the lower figures might be closer to the truth.

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