Flatout in the Fens
vs4b
Posts: 257
Anyone else doing this in a couple of weeks?
Any advice for a first time rider?
Any advice for a first time rider?
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I am doing the 73 mile route, should be fun, if the wind isn't blowing, I did a half marathon in the fens, nice and flat, but boy oh boy was it windy!!!!!0
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We're doing the 73mile route too. First proper long ride. Maybe i'll see you there.
Odd question - Do you post on LARF on RW too? I think we've exchanged posts before.0 -
LARF? :?
RW, I assume you mean runnerworld?, if so, yes 8)0 -
rode some of the roads, dont fancy 150 miles could turn out a bit tediuos
although pretty much flat watch out for the winds0 -
What time does it start? I live in St Neots and could well do with trying to get into this, quite like the thought of the torture of riding into the wuind for miles on end
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Start times haven't been released yet, still waiting on the email......0
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Signed up anyway! Hopefully the sun will be shinning!0
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Sun will be shinning and it will be very hot too, a cooling breeze might be in order, but not too strong please!!0
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They closed the online entry on Sunday. I tried to sign up and could'nt Monnday morning. I called them and they said no entry on the day
Then I got an email saying you can and to check the website for details. I did and was surprised to find the fee had gone up to a massive £35 (daylight robbery). :roll: 0 -
Brilliant day today!
First sportive, first 50mile ride, first 75mile ride, first 100km.
We were round in 4h40 on the short course and really enjoyed it in spite of the heat.
Hope you all had as good a day!0 -
Nope, I didnt tbh,
Ride was ok. I did the middle distance route with was my first ever 100mi+ ride, but the finish seemed abandoned at the end, of the three organisers/marshalls? sat chatting at the end, not one of them could summon up a 'well done lads' or similar for our group of 4 as we rolled in.
More annoying, given the price, was that we didnt even get a generic piece of tat medal at the end. Not that I need anything really, but I like a little memento of the day.
Compared to that Shropshire Highlands audax that I rode last Sunday (£6 I think it cost) this ride didnt offer anything like value for money and the organisers are clearly spending as little as they can get away with.
Wont be riding any of this series again (assuming the others are similar in profit margins)
Well done on your first sportive/100km though - you certainly picked a warm day for it!
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It was tough yesterday compared to last time out.
Got round in 3hr50 for the 730 -
3hr 50 for me on the short route, quite enjoyable, but felt a bit let down by the quality of the road surface (puncture @ 6 miles due to a pothole) and the signage, very nearly completely missed two of the signs as they were almost hidden in the hedge.
Lack of momento was also a downer, but its a rush doing 70+ miles flatout!0 -
Were you the guy in all white on the left hand side of the road from the first group?0
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Well, I had a white top on, and a red spesh upside down!!!0
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i did the 112 mile option, did the first 75 miles alone which was a bit of a killer and then picked up a decent group that i rode to the finish with. overall time 6 hours.
i can see where some people are coming from with their criticisms, i thought they should have had a shorter start line opening window so that riders were let off in big groups and to encourage more group riding, i was on my own a very long time and at some points you couldn't see any others in front or behind.
overall though i enjoyed it, it was tough, no complaints re signage, and it was interesting cycling in such a different location.0 -
yes, i was in a group of three and on the one bit we joined another group it was a lot of fun, i'd certainly like o do more of that.
The signs were fine most of the time but we nearly missed a couple, i guess i dont know whats normal on thiese events it being my first. I must admit to be a bit surprised by some of the route where the roads were almost like bridleways, but that was a very small proportion.
I thought the entry was pretty high, but overall i'd do it again, maybe the 112 next time0 -
I managed to hook up with a group most of the way, which makes a huge difference to your avg speed.
I was with a fastish group up to the first feed stop, where they all decide to peel off into the stop, but I continued, this meant I had a stint on my own, untill I spotted another group in the distance.
It took me over 10 miles to catch up with them!!!, but stayed with them till the final feed stop.
Then I was alone till the end, whos idea was the "hill" at the end?, nasty buggers!!!!
Will definately consider doing it again next year though.0 -
I did the 156 mile trip (my legs are really feeling it now!!) and was glad with my performance overall. Did some group riding and solo efforts so covered all bases. Overall just under 9 hours, including stops so not too bad, considering how very hot it was.
Thanks to all those I rode with, definetely made it easier to get round!0 -
danowat wrote:Well, I had a white top on, and a red spesh upside down!!!
Yeah I saw ya.0 -
A fair few people buzzed past, but I managed to get the tube changed quite quickly, so I was up and on the way again.........after depositing the contents of my saddle pack when I forgot to zip it up......0
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Agree the finish line was a bit of an anti climax after such a long day.
One thing they/someone should have given out apart from a handclap was a bottle of water asap - it was seriously hot day for riding 112/115 miles (mine and others comps recorded few miles longer) and I was focused on keeping bottles full wherever possible.
Did the 112ish in 5.50 with 4 friends upto 65mile then 3 of us till finish, went to some dark places following the wheel and then doing my turn in the last 25.
After getting over the crippled toes, dehydrated cramps and stiff neck I can say I enjoyed it, signage ok for us.0 -
Any results posted from this yet?
Can't seem to see any links on their website or anywhere else :roll:0 -
theyre all too busy diving into their money pit, scrooge mcduck style 0
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cjw wrote:Any results posted from this yet?
Can't seem to see any links on their website or anywhere else :roll:
Got sent by email last year if I remember rightly.0 -
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Cor Blimey, am chuffed with mine.
Went slower than last year (due to the heat of course..!!) but overall the times feel a little slower.
(not that it is competitive of course)0 -
Quite pleased, 13th overall in the 73 milers, shame my chip time was 20mins+ slower than my watch time, damn that pothole and those traffic lights!!!0
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danowat wrote:3hr 50 for me on the short route, quite enjoyable, but felt a bit let down by the quality of the road surface (puncture @ 6 miles due to a pothole) and the signage, very nearly completely missed two of the signs as they were almost hidden in the hedge.
Lack of momento was also a downer, but its a rush doing 70+ miles flatout!
Saw you to, I had puncture as well about 5 miles down the road due to pothole
Ended up doing the 112 mile route because I completely failed to see or notice the route diversion signage...0 -
Apparently I've started but not finished yet according to their first results sheet :roll:
Hope the new timing sticker method's not going to screw the times cos at the moment all 5 of our group not given right or any time at all.0
