I survived the Etape Caledonia!

Wallace1492

Posting in here as I am a commuter and used my commuter bike...

Did the 81 miles today in 4hrs 31 mins, average of 18.3 mph. For me that was quite astounding, as it was my first "sportive" type event.

Really enjoyed it and it was amazing how the other people pulled you long. The scenery was superb, it was extremely well organised and excellent fun.
Special thanks to the Tricross that did not let me down, kept up with other more expensive thouroughbreds and cornered and descended well - you will enjoy a good clean and oiling tonight!

Oh, and also raised over £700 for MacMillans Cancer Support.

Definately do again!!

Cheers.

lost_in_thought

Great work! That's quick!

MadammeMarie

As a fellow TriCross cyclist: WELL DONE!!!

Is this only for men?

suzyb

Well done

Was it as nice a day there as it was here. Has been dry with outbreaks of sun all day.

Wallace1492

Weather was superb, a little chilly in the morning, but that made you ride hard to warm up, then broken cloud with a little sunshine for the rest of the ride. No rain, and the wind was not too bad, a little against going up Loch Rannoch, but behind on way back. And more importantly no nasty men with tacks!!

Plenty of women doing it, but didn't get a chance to get any phone numbers! :P

Kieran_Burns

The Tricross Triumphs Through The Trossacks!


(did you see what I did there? )

Mickey Eye

Nicely done Wallace.

Canny Jock

Congrats Wallace, that's superb! Encourages me to think about doing my first serious event...

Jay dubbleU

Well done - I see Mr Burns has a new career as a headline writer for The Sun - shame you were in the Grampians

Wallace1492

Jay dubbleU wrote:

Well done - I see Mr Burns has a new career as a headline writer for The Sun - shame you were in the Grampians

Was neither in the Grampians or the Trossachs.... (with a "h") but in the rolling Perthshire countryside, with a dip in towards Rannoch Moor.

Kieran_Burns

Wallace1492 wrote:

Jay dubbleU wrote:

Well done - I see Mr Burns has a new career as a headline writer for The Sun - shame you were in the Grampians

Was neither in the Grampians or the Trossachs.... (with a "h") but in the rolling Perthshire countryside, with a dip in towards Rannoch Moor.

Artistic licence so bugger off the pair of you

Would you prefer: Pansy pedal pusher pootles past Perthshire :P

Wallace1492

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Wallace1492 wrote:

Jay dubbleU wrote:

Well done - I see Mr Burns has a new career as a headline writer for The Sun - shame you were in the Grampians

Was neither in the Grampians or the Trossachs.... (with a "h") but in the rolling Perthshire countryside, with a dip in towards Rannoch Moor.

Artistic licence so bugger off the pair of you

Would you prefer: Pansy pedal pusher pootles past Perthshire :P

Ripped rider roars round Rannoch

wgwarburton

Kieran_Burns wrote:

The Tricross Triumphs Through The Trossacks!


(did you see what I did there? )

That would be the "Trossachs Ton" (June 20th)... 100 miles and over 4000m climbing, I gather. The route appears to have been chosen to link the three biggest climbs in Central Scotland....!

...and, No, I havn't entered... :-(

Cheers,
W.

Wallace1492

WGWarburton wrote:

Kieran_Burns wrote:

The Tricross Triumphs Through The Trossacks!


(did you see what I did there? )

That would be the "Trossachs Ton" (June 20th)... 100 miles and over 4000m climbing, I gather. The route appears to have been chosen to link the three biggest climbs in Central Scotland....!

...and, No, I havn't entered... :-(

Cheers,
W.

I am considering it.....

suzyb

I might if you had a week to ride it

Wallace1492

suzyb wrote:

I might if you had a week to ride it

Suzy, get yourself into the Etape for next year..... you will love it!!

anton1r

Well played fella and in a cracking time too. I assume there was nonsense from any disgruntled locals this year?

No tacks on the road or angry locals chasing you up the road with pitch forks and flaming torches, like last year? (Note: i may have made up one of these issues from last year up )

jonginge

That's a good ride Wallace. Chapeau, sir. It's good fun to ride in a group at a bit faster pace than normal

UndercoverElephant

Wallace1492 wrote:

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Wallace1492 wrote:

Jay dubbleU wrote:

Well done - I see Mr Burns has a new career as a headline writer for The Sun - shame you were in the Grampians

Was neither in the Grampians or the Trossachs.... (with a "h") but in the rolling Perthshire countryside, with a dip in towards Rannoch Moor.

Artistic licence so bugger off the pair of you

Would you prefer: Pansy pedal pusher pootles past Perthshire :P

Ripped rider roars round Rannoch

Super-tricross goes ballistic, ACRE are atrocious.

Well done, Wallace.

Big Wib

well done indeed Wallace, much better than my pedestrian 5hrs 13 inc stops.

I knew I was slow (just ask Cori ) but I've learned that doing this 4 weeks after a marathon and as just your 3rd long ride (over 20 miles) of the year is not the best.

however, despite the pain, still an excellent day. Much more fun without the enforced stops of last year and the craic as always was great as was the support from the locals.

Wallace - were you in a Perth cycling top or was that another Tricross rider?

dreamlx10

Why don't people just ride with other people for free every weekend ? The roads are always there and you learn to ride together properly if you do it on a regular basis. Wait a minute is that not called a "Club" !!!

"They still have bodies that can walk for five days and four nights through a desert of snow, without food, but they accept praise for having taken a one hour bicycle ride"

suzyb

How about because not everyone lives in an area where there are cycle clubs at their level.

itboffin

dreamlx10 wrote:

Why don't people just ride with other people for free every weekend ? The roads are always there and you learn to ride together properly if you do it on a regular basis.

we do, take a look at this thread which is just one of many on the forum http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopi ... ocial+ride

kelsen

dreamlx10 wrote:

Why don't people just ride with other people for free every weekend ? The roads are always there and you learn to ride together properly if you do it on a regular basis. Wait a minute is that not called a "Club" !!!

"They still have bodies that can walk for five days and four nights through a desert of snow, without food, but they accept praise for having taken a one hour bicycle ride"

Feeling a bit cynical, are we? You could say the same thing for people doing the London Marathon.

Presumably you didn't do the ride then? If you did, you'd realise what a unique experience it was cycling alongside thousands of other cyclists through 81 miles of beautiful highland roads without having traffic to contend with. The atmosphere was brilliant, and the support from the locals who came out to watch was amazing. Oh, and there's the little matter of £400,000 raised by the event for Macmillan Cancer Support as well...

Wallace1492

Big Wib wrote:

well done indeed Wallace, much better than my pedestrian 5hrs 13 inc stops.

I knew I was slow (just ask Cori ) but I've learned that doing this 4 weeks after a marathon and as just your 3rd long ride (over 20 miles) of the year is not the best.

however, despite the pain, still an excellent day. Much more fun without the enforced stops of last year and the craic as always was great as was the support from the locals.

Wallace - were you in a Perth cycling top or was that another Tricross rider?

Perth cycling top? and me a Weedgie!! I had my Sunday best on - A castelli windproof jacket. I did see a couple of other Tricrosses though.
Excellent fun, and already signed up for next year.

Big Wib

Wallace1492 wrote:

Big Wib wrote:

well done indeed Wallace, much better than my pedestrian 5hrs 13 inc stops.

I knew I was slow (just ask Cori ) but I've learned that doing this 4 weeks after a marathon and as just your 3rd long ride (over 20 miles) of the year is not the best.

however, despite the pain, still an excellent day. Much more fun without the enforced stops of last year and the craic as always was great as was the support from the locals.

Wallace - were you in a Perth cycling top or was that another Tricross rider?

Perth cycling top? and me a Weedgie!! I had my Sunday best on - A castelli windproof jacket. I did see a couple of other Tricrosses though.
Excellent fun, and already signed up for next year.

I was fairly certain it wasn't you but had to consider the possibility you might have been in disguise

almost certainly won't do it next year as its a long weekend with the 6 hour drive each way

suzyb

I didn't think sign ups would be open this early.

Wallace1492

suzyb wrote:

I didn't think sign ups would be open this early.

Get in there Suzy, you will love it. You will exceed all expectations, and be wondering why you did not do it before... and it is a superb target to aim for.

suzyb

hmmmm, I don't really like committing to things so soon. When did places for this year run out, would I have time to wait.

btw where's the pictures?

Big Wib

For next years event (this year's was sold out before Christmas but can't remember when):

https://www.clubsonline.com.au/eventsregform/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_event_detail&EventID=4278&OrgID=1941

For photos:

http://www.sportcam.net/competitorsearch.aspx?mode=singlerace&RId=246

My bib no. was 1959 & I wish I could find a slimming colour :oops: although I suppose I could have another go at losing weight

Wallace1492

Big Wib wrote:

For next years event (this year's was sold out before Christmas but can't remember when):

https://www.clubsonline.com.au/eventsregform/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_event_detail&EventID=4278&OrgID=1941

For photos:

http://www.sportcam.net/competitorsearch.aspx?mode=singlerace&RId=246

My bib no. was 1959 & I wish I could find a slimming colour :oops: although I suppose I could have another go at losing weight

Number 3942 for me. Quite like my photo, but a bit pricey to buy.

Now do I do the Trossachs ton...... I think I know the answer.....