Etape Caladonia

el_vino

Friend who has done both says Hibernia is tougher - more climbing, if you were planning a trip to Ireland the Sean Kelly Tour at the end of the summer -Aug BH weekend in the UK is the one to do.

I did my first Etape Caledonia this weekend and loved it, excellent event. Only negs for me were the accidents I saw. One girl with a badly cut mouth and what looked like a broken nose was telling the ambulance driver she wanted to get back on her bike as I passed

The other one mentioned here which was more serious frightened the hell out of me, would love to hear an update on how the guy is doing if anyone knows him

thecrofter

screebs wrote:

3stripe wrote:

Wallace1492, I reckon if you signup and can't make it, you just have to consider it a generous donation to a good cause, ie Macmillan

Signed up for the Etape Hibernia fully knowing there was only a 50/50 chance of making it... looking at the course profile now it looks a lot tougher... loads more hills... (?)

I don't think you have to go out on 80 mile rides to train properly... intense hill reps and plenty of 50/60 mile runs with as many sprints as you can muster will get you plenty fit...

Are you sure the Hibernia is hillier?

One of my friends is doing it - he has previously completed the etapeCaledonia - and he was saying whilst tthe EtapeHibernia is a few miles longer (84 miles if i recall correctly), but it is less hilly.

To be less hilly than Caledonia Etape would it not have to be in Holland?

Teddy Westside

A question for those of you who have done both Etape Caledonia and the Pedal for Scotland Sportive:

Which would you reckon is the tougher ride? I've only done the PfS Sportive (last year) and would be interested in tackling the Etape (although it's much pricier and trickier to get to as a non-driver). Obviously the Etape is a shorter route but I've never ridden Schiehallion. From this: http://www.sportivecentral.com/index.ph ... =53&page=8 it looks more long and potentially tiring rather than overly steep. One of the short, sharp climbs on PfS is 20% according to my Garmin and I found that a leg-buster at that stage of the ride even though I made it to the top whilst everyone around me thought I was brave (stupid, I told them! ).

So, all things being equal, which would I likely find harder?

thecrofter

That's the descent you've linked to. The climb is from Innerhadden for about two miles

But the climb really is not much of a climb, there's one steep bit for about three or four hundred yards but other that that it's a series of steps, all in all not in the least bit tough. PfS I would guess wil be the tougher of the two simply down to the extra mileage and time in the saddle

Teddy Westside

Oops! I should've checked the direction in that link! :oops:

That doesn't sound too bad then, Stepped climbs I have no problem with, it's constant gradients my legs complain about and my brain thinks too hard about! For long ascents, I just stare at the front wheel (when safe to do so) and glance up to see if I'm nearly there.

PfS was tough at times but that was more down to fatigue than an actual hard route for the most part.

Thanks for the input.

suzyb

Trinafour wrote:

SuzyB

Like you I did Pedal for Scotland last year.

Along with all other comments the best thing I did was cycle with friends throughout the year winter included. They keep you going, wait at junctions for you and even tops of hills. They keep you going.

I work away from home and it was demoralising hearing that they were out cycling mid-week while I was stuck away from home but I just needed to make the most of my weekend cycling.

Keep cycling and get a group of friends to cycle with and keep you going on the darkest days.

You can only go out with friends if you have some

So far everyone I've cycled with has been so much faster than me I'd pretty much be as well be cycling on my own. And it gets depressing only ever hearing half a conversation because it started when you were still half way down the hill.

I think i'll just need to stay out this forum until I'm fitter

dreamlx10

I think i'll just need to stay out this forum until I'm fitter

You'll probably find that most people on this forum think they are fitter than they really are, just keep it going and the fitness will come. I have a work colleague in South Lanarkshire who is just getting into cycling get together and form a South Lanarkshire bunch

Omar Little

I've riden the route of the Etape Hibernia (not during the event though) and it is a nice ride with lovely scenary and the overall elevation on my garmin was comparable to the Caledonian version. The road surfaces were pretty poor in places though, that would add quite a bit to the fatique if pushing hard. Plus there is a stretch would could get alot of headwind off the ocean, although it was still the day i was there.

suzyb wrote:

So far everyone I've cycled with has been so much faster than me I'd pretty much be as well be cycling on my own. And it gets depressing only ever hearing half a conversation because it started when you were still half way down the hill.

I think i'll just need to stay out this forum until I'm fitter

You could try one of the skyride local rides - https://www.goskyride.com/find-a-ride/d ... x?cityid=5 There are lots available in the Glasgow area and cater to a mix of abilities. I've not actually riden on one but have heard good things - basically you go out in a small group and there is a ride leader and noone gets left behind.

domhnall_dearg

El Vino wrote:

The other one mentioned here which was more serious frightened the hell out of me, would love to hear an update on how the guy is doing if anyone knows him

According to the Etape Caledonia Facebook page he's still in hospital but is "comfortable".

Wallace1492

suzyb wrote:

Trinafour wrote:

SuzyB

Like you I did Pedal for Scotland last year.

Along with all other comments the best thing I did was cycle with friends throughout the year winter included. They keep you going, wait at junctions for you and even tops of hills. They keep you going.

I work away from home and it was demoralising hearing that they were out cycling mid-week while I was stuck away from home but I just needed to make the most of my weekend cycling.

Keep cycling and get a group of friends to cycle with and keep you going on the darkest days.

You can only go out with friends if you have some

So far everyone I've cycled with has been so much faster than me I'd pretty much be as well be cycling on my own. And it gets depressing only ever hearing half a conversation because it started when you were still half way down the hill.

I think i'll just need to stay out this forum until I'm fitter

Suzy, I would happily go out on a few road runs with you... always happy to help out. Plus doing a fair bit of MTB does build up your climbing muscles, so come along to a few of our runs all winter and that will start to get you ready. Everyone has to start somewhere!! A whole year to get ready is more than enough....

suzyb

I may take you up on that offer some time.

eggyh73

Suzy I'd also add as someone not from a cycling background that I personally found the section you covered the hardest part of the course on the day. Not sure if it was the wind, the course, just a slow start but I struggled on that and had folk flying past me for the first 30 miles.

From that point on I started to feel much better, picked up my pace and on the final twenty miles or so loved every moment and had a big grin on my face. I think I'm partly helped as I have a good cardio base as I do a lot of running. To be honest my preperation wasn't great. I did get a few long rides in, but didn't really do enough miles in training. I finished in 5:34, but I believe I could do much better if I really focused on it, but I wanted to do this just for fun.

The Zip Vit bars seemed to do wonders for keeping me fueled through the ride. I did come out with coldness in mind. If anything I prefer to ride a bit warm than cold.

I absolutely loved the event, and will certainly be back next year.

suzyb

I bought a few of those bars and had one in the first 15 miles or so (split it into 3 more manageble chunks). But I still felt like I had no energy the last few miles to the food stop.

I still have 4 of the 5 bars left though and a gel I picked up at the first food stop so I can do a bit of experimenting and get my fueling right.

thecrofter

suzyb wrote:

I still have 4 of the 5 bars left though and a gel I picked up at the first food stop so I can do a bit of experimenting and get my fueling right.

That sounds to me like you're back in the game.

It's amazing how quickly we recover from the pain of the day. On Sunday evening I was saying I wouldn't be entering next year. Now, a few days later I'm just about ready to register my interest, seems like I'll be back at Bompington's cottage third weekend in May next year, looking forward to the craic already.

Wallace1492

Crofter, I too will be there. (Invitation Permitting) That decision was made on the home run towards Logierait, when I knew I could do soooo much better. (plus one of the guys in the MTB club beat me by 1.5 minutes!! - can't leave it like that!!)

Better bike, better training.....

suzyb

thecrofter wrote:

suzyb wrote:

I still have 4 of the 5 bars left though and a gel I picked up at the first food stop so I can do a bit of experimenting and get my fueling right.

That sounds to me like you're back in the game.

It's amazing how quickly we recover from the pain of the day. On Sunday evening I was saying I wouldn't be entering next year. Now, a few days later I'm just about ready to register my interest, seems like I'll be back at Bompington's cottage third weekend in May next year, looking forward to the craic already.

Well back on the bike. Just a short ride but an enjoyable one despite the wind.

If only I could keep my average speed as high on hilly longer rides as I can on my little loop.

And if I do go back again, I'll be booking my accomodation earlier so I can get somewhere closer to the start line.

robmurr2000

Mixed feelings this year for me.I had hoped to better my time of 4:41 from last year but the writing was on the wall at the 30 mile mark. One minute I'm in a great bunch flying along at around 25mph or so and then the next thing I know is bikes and cyclists going down in front of me then I'm off and someone has hit me. Picked myself up,checked others guy in front ,grabbed my bike out the way and got to the side.Both wheels were now well out of 'true',hanger bent inwards and rear derailleur looking a bit worse for wear. Decided to carry on regardless anyway as I was determined like I said,to beat last years time.
Things were going really good again,42 miles in 2hrs,got over the main 'climb',descended safely enough despite both wheels looking well dodgy.Anyway,I was feeling great,enjoying the ride when at the 65 miles mark,going up a little incline my rear wheel ceased up alltogether.Again,I got the bike safely off the road,looked at the problem and realised at that time that it was finished for me.The rear derailleur and hanger had gone into the spokes and sheared off completely! The Mavic car was a fair distance behind so I just had to sit and watch everyone else go by,and thanks to all those that asked if I was ok.
When the support car arrived,the ever so helpful French mechanic managed to turn my bike into a single speed for the last 16 miles or so which made Logierait a rear grind but not once did I put a foot down!! Didn't beat my time from last year but found an inner strength and determination that got me round to at least finish.I was the guy on the blue and white Trek,in the Spokes Cycles gear wearing number 1109,and I won't forget the 2011 Etape Caledonia ina hurry-until next year!
oh,and by the way,my LBS has also really cheered me up by now telling me that my rear wheel is totally knackered,it's going to cost at least £90 to replace my ultegra rear mech,also need new chain,front wheel 'trued' and a new cable....God I love cycling

Teddy Westside

oh,and by the way,my LBS has also really cheered me up by now telling me that my rear wheel is totally knackered,it's going to cost at least £90 to replace my ultegra rear mech,also need new chain,front wheel 'trued' and a new cable....

Much as it hurts the wallet, at least you'll get the "new toys" feeling when all the replacements are fitted!

dulldave

Teddy Westside wrote:

A question for those of you who have done both Etape Caledonia and the Pedal for Scotland Sportive:

Which would you reckon is the tougher ride? I've only done the PfS Sportive (last year) and would be interested in tackling the Etape (although it's much pricier and trickier to get to as a non-driver). Obviously the Etape is a shorter route but I've never ridden Schiehallion. From this: http://www.sportivecentral.com/index.ph ... =53&page=8 it looks more long and potentially tiring rather than overly steep. One of the short, sharp climbs on PfS is 20% according to my Garmin and I found that a leg-buster at that stage of the ride even though I made it to the top whilst everyone around me thought I was brave (stupid, I told them! ).

So, all things being equal, which would I likely find harder?

You'll be fine. The Schiehallion climb isn't as hard as that stinky climb on the PFS but it's a good bit longer. Like the PFS, there isn't really much climbing to talk about other than that one. There's a wee ramp toward the end but it's nothing compared to the climb on PFS.

Teddy Westside

Good to know, thanks. At least if I go in for it I'll know it should hold no fears of all going Pete Tong for me. 8)

derek48

Enjoyed the ride in big groups, flying along, but the route is just not challenging enough. There must be a few more big climbs in the area and I'd happily trade the closed roads for a better route. To the girl at the start who was shivering with cold, my offer of a hug was to share my body heat. Honestly