Camb2Coast

Crispybug

This saturday I'm taking part in the the Cambridge to Southend-on-Sea bike ride. This is my first sportive (I'm sure the drunken L2B twenty odd years ago doesn't count!), it's 75 miles long, any advice needed?

rick_chasey

Keep at it, make sure you keep the energy (read food) levels up.

Don't let the fact it hurts put you off - it'll be worth it if you meet the mental challenge head on.

Eyon

I'll be doing it too, my first sportive too. What time are you planning to start? me and my pal should be there around 8am to start, hope the weather stays like it has been the last few days, should be a great ride. Drop me a PM with your number if you are starting out at around 8am, always good to ride in a big group

Crispybug

I'll be No. 6018, I'm looking to start right at the 7.30 big off. Basically I've got to be back in Southend as early as possible as my rugby club has a important semi-final to play (I'm not playing though!)
What's your number? I'll keep an eye out for you.

Eyon

6079. Hope to do it in under 5hr with rests. Hopefully the weather keeps warm, just had my shorts arrive today, this sun better not go away!

Crispybug

Did it!!

5hr 10 mins, so not bad for a first go. Was told that I was the 17th rider to finish, was pleased with that.


Last five miles along Southend seafront into a pretty stiff headwind left me in pieces at the finish, but I'll definitely do another one very soon!

Eyon

Great day if you ask me. a really nice route with a killer climb at 50 miles, not often i use the granny ring but this time I was defeated!

5:08:14 here, was holding a really good pace until the end averaging about 16.5mph for the majority of it, but that end grind in that stiff full on head wind, i couldn't keep up above 12mph. Shame also about the battle through Rayleigh, not a nice place to cycle there when the traffic was thick.

Great fun day, my legs feel like lead, but dead proud i did it. if you asked me 6 months ago when i got back on a bike for the first time in years, would you like to do a 74 mile ride, id politely as you to go away, so really happy I managed it and IMO, with the conditions we had, not a bad time either.

Crispybug

Actually the big hill you mentioned (in Danbury) gave me the best moment on the ride, when I noticed a couple of riders who were younger, skinnier and fitter than me got off and walked whilst I managed to complete the hill....yaaay!!

Agree about the bit in Rayleigh (Crown Hill) which could've been easily avoided by taking the ride up Hambro Hill, but this was the first Cambridge to Southend and I'm sure that these are teething problems that will be ironed out in time.