Ken Laidlaw Sportive

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  • brin
    brin Posts: 1,122
    edited August 2010
    Ok, sorry about the 2 comments at end of my previous post, however, my understanding was the 1st feed stop was the half way point of the short ride as the sign at the junction of the village hall clearly stated 'for short route riders only' and there were plenty of marshalls to advise,plus there was a sign on the southern side of the small bridge just out of Newcastleton. every sign i encountered was well in advance of any junction, and those that were actually on the junction were where marshalls were present. Difficult to understand how you could possibly 'get lost' on the B6399, it only leads to Hawick, then it's almost a straight road through the town back to the finish, still, if this was only your 2nd sportive maybe you expected more? try the long route next year, you will see it different.
  • Hooligan Bill
    Hooligan Bill Posts: 27
    If you liked this one, the Tour of Tweeddale on the 5th Sept is as good and only a tenner to enter.
  • brin
    brin Posts: 1,122
    Hooligan Bill wrote:
    If you liked this one, the Tour of Tweeddale on the 5th Sept is as good and only a tenner to enter.

    I'm giving this one some serious consideration as the roads up there are fantastic, just got to sort a few personal things out first, hope i can manage it tho. (will you supply the same weather too? well cept' the wind)
  • grantus
    grantus Posts: 690
    Actually my mate who rode the 50 miler said the same about the signage when coming back into Hawick. He was more annoyed with the bell-end on the PA system who called out "who ate all the pies" when he finished. Apparently the guy did it to him at the first feedstop as well. Bang out of order, that is. :x Hopefully he'll pick on the wrong person someday and get more than he bargained for :twisted:

    Anyway, as for my day, it was torture - went off far too fast and as a result suffered on Holm Hill. From Langholm all the way passed the monastery I wanted to stop and intended to chuck it at the second feed station. Fortunately I got in with a group going at a nice pace for me about 10 miles before Ettrick and had recovered a bit by the time we got to the feed stop.

    Felt much better to the finish thereafter although was spent by the end.

    Thought everything was first class about the day.

    I liked the climbs except Holm Hill into that wind :)

    Favourite was Note O the Gate and the two climbs out of Eskdalemuir. The Swire was torture in 39*25 - have been down that in the Gordon Arms TT and remember feeling robbed that the descent wasn't worth all the effort coming up - how wrong was I!!

    Despite being knackered I thought the Leap Linns was a great climb, as was Woll Rig - funny how people suffer at different points in the ride, eh?!?

    Any chance someone with the times could tell me how number 363 got on?

    Cheers,

    Grant
    www.westlothianclarion.co.uk
  • grantus
    grantus Posts: 690
    Actually my mate who rode the 50 miler said the same about the signage when coming back into Hawick. He was more annoyed with the bell-end on the PA system who called out "who ate all the pies" when he finished. Apparently the guy did it to him at the first feedstop as well. Bang out of order, that is. :x Hopefully he'll pick on the wrong person someday and get more than he bargained for :twisted:

    Anyway, as for my day, it was torture - went off far too fast and as a result suffered on Holm Hill. From Langholm all the way passed the monastery I wanted to stop and intended to chuck it at the second feed station. Fortunately I got in with a group going at a nice pace for me about 10 miles before Ettrick and had recovered a bit by the time we got to the feed stop.

    Felt much better to the finish thereafter although was spent by the end.

    Thought everything was first class about the day.

    I liked the climbs except Holm Hill into that wind :)

    Favourite was Note O the Gate and the two climbs out of Eskdalemuir. The Swire was torture in 39*25 - have been down that in the Gordon Arms TT and remember feeling robbed that the descent wasn't worth all the effort coming up - how wrong was I!!

    Despite being knackered I thought the Leap Linns was a great climb, as was Woll Rig - funny how people suffer at different points in the ride, eh?!?

    Any chance someone with the times could tell me how number 363 got on?

    Cheers,

    Grant
    www.westlothianclarion.co.uk
  • grantus
    grantus Posts: 690
    Oops! double post :P

    I had about 6.25 but I set my computer from after the neutralised part so I think 6.45 may be closer to my real effort right from the very start.
    www.westlothianclarion.co.uk
  • Brian B
    Brian B Posts: 2,071
    grantus wrote:
    Oops! double post :P

    I had about 6.25 but I set my computer from after the neutralised part so I think 6.45 may be closer to my real effort right from the very start.

    Grantus you can get your official time from the email which should have been sent out to all who entered. Could not see number 363 from the times though. Bad for your mate but when I crossed the line the guy shouted out my name and home town and thought that was a good touch.
    Brian B.
  • robmurr2000
    robmurr2000 Posts: 166
    This sportive was really good and have now entered the Tour of Tweeddale on Hooligan Bill's recommendation.
  • grantus
    grantus Posts: 690
    there was a mix up with my entry and they had no record of me when i went to sign on - looks like i've been missed off the times too. I'll be able to figure it out from the finishers when the list is published as i finished with 2 dundee thistle riders and another fella. ultimately i dont suppose it really matters whether it was 6.35 or 6.40 or 6.45 - its enough of a target for next year and i had expected to go under 6 hours but had a nightmare on the day so hopefully next time will be better.
    www.westlothianclarion.co.uk

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