Pedal for Scotland 2010: 100 mile sportive

Crapaud

I've had a quick look, but don't see a thread for this.

Anyhoo, got an e-mail this morning with details of the 100 mile challenge sportive.

The route's not what I expected. I thought that they'd go north, Crow Rd / Tak me doon-wards. Instead they're going south via the long slog up the Ayr Rd, across to Leadhills and back up to Edinburgh.

Bastards! I might have to do this now.

Can't see any details of the cost, though. :?

White Line

I got something in the post about it this morning. Sportive costs £30, with transport to Glasgow at £15.

Considering doing it, but I'd rather not do 100 miles then have to wait a while before I get home to get a shower and a decent meal. :?

Crapaud

Does the £30 include the £20 sponsorship, Whiteline?

I was considering cycling back. I was put off using the transport after the last time when the guys next to me cracked open the beer on the bus. I should be up to 200 km rides by then so a few more won't hurt. I'll see nearer the time. Might just get something to eat in Edinburgh and get a later train back.

White Line

It's listed under Entry Donation, where the Challenge Ride is £10/£20 and the Family Ride is free, so I guess it does. :?

I used the transport last year too. Never again - especially not with my pretty new bike! My bike came out the back of the truck with the chain hanging off and a big line of blue paint on the chain and seat stays. I can only assume it was left rubbing against another bike on the trip back.

As for the transport. I don't fancy being stuck on a bus with a load of random sweaty people - with the stench made even worse by all the cotton t-shirts that most people wear. If I decide to do it I think I'll be requesting that I get picked up in the car. Not really up for ~150 miles. :roll:

On the plus side though, the sportive route shouldn't be full of loads of slow BSOs.

Crapaud

For curiosity's sake I've plotted the route on Bikely to get an elevation profile:

Total climb: 1253mTotal descent: 1209m Total climb: 4111ftTotal descent: 3966ft

I'm not sure how accurate this is; validated audax routes are about 1/3rd less than Bikely. The second long climb appears to start from Galston and is nowhere near as steep as the profile suggests. IIRC it's a long slope.

LorneC

I was considering this, but taking part in Action Medical's Cross Border 100 the following weekend, so don't think the wife would be understanding of me doing both.

pneumatic

I am contemplating it, and will probably leave the car in Edinburgh the night before for a quick getaway.

Anyone know how brutal the climbs are compared to the Dukes Pass and Crow Road that I managed on Sunday?

Crapaud

pneumatic wrote:

... Anyone know how brutal the climbs are compared to the Dukes Pass and Crow Road that I managed on Sunday?

They aren't brutal at all. The first is a long slog from Eastwood Toll to Newton Mearns - approx 4-5 miles. The second is more of an incline, but longer and with a good chance of a tailwind. You won't have a problem with either, Pneumatic.

If there are any steep hills they must be quite short and after Uddington (I don't know the roads after that).

When I had a quick first look at the route I assumed that it'd go via Wanlockhead; it doesn't. Looking at it closer this afternoon it's not really that challenging, except the distance. I guess that it's aimed more at past PfS beginners who're looking for a new challenge.

Sportive lite.