Broken my Century Duck at the Cotswold Spring Sportive.
dru
Posts: 1,341
Hi people,
I just wanted to say thanks to all of you who have contributed advice etc and people I have bought parts off etc over the past 12 months since starting to ride. I got close a few times at the end of last summer but never actually got to break 100 miles in one go on the bike.
On Easter Monday I completed my first ever 100 mile ride, the Cotswold Spring Classic.
For those of you with a few minutes free, I've put down a little bit about the ride and how I got on.
The event was the Cotswold Spring Classic based around Cirencester and riding around the Cotswolds on a mixture of country lanes, winding descents, short sharp uphill grinds and everything in between.
Woody and I packed up the car at 5.45am and left Cardiff to arrive at 7am to sign on etc at the college in Cirencester.
We did this event last year (the 100km version) and it has doubled in size, thank goodness this year they had more than the one toilet open!
We got the bikes out of the car, and got kitted up. Unfortunately as Woody was putting on his Jersey the zip mechanism broke, meaning that that Woody was staring a ride just wearing a base layer and gilets (both with no pockets!)
Fortunately I had done my 'good mothers thing' and packed a complete spare set of ride equipment, so he borrowed one of my other tops. He complained that it was too loose around the stomach, the cheeky git!
Foodwise I started with as many gels as I could take (14) , along with 2 bananas and 4 flapjacks (possibly a bit too much?)
With the clouds still over us as we went to the start line we decided to ditch arm warmers for the ride and just go with gilets until the first food stop.
We had a plan to ride steady, not get caught up in the moment and join the back of groups when they came along. Our goal time was 7-7.30 hours
We set off in a group of 30 riders, and quickly got into our stride, so much so that we were averaging above 20 miles per hour straight away. Woody had to keep keeping me in check 'don't go to the front 'we are here for the long ride' was phrases I kept hearing all day. Also at this point it is fair to say that you have no idea who is riding long or short at this stage, the split comes after 55 miles.
Our first bit of real climbing came after 15 miles, I remember that hill being much harder last year I said to myself when we got to the top. This was a good mindset to be in ¡V as I knew there would be lot worse to come.
We got to the first feed station after 1 hours 45 min, a full 20 minutes quicker than last year, this also included a few miles detour that we had done, thanks to some nice 'anti-cycling' lowlifes had changed some of the direction arrows first thing in the morning. I think it helped having NEG riders going around all day as this meant that any other 'changes' could be immediately rectified by them.
It was interesting thou as many many riders had Edge 705's or 800's and were saying 'we are going the wrong way' 'we should have gone left back there' but who do you believe?
At the first stop the plan was to grab a handful of food, refill the water bottles and head on out to avoid 'cafe stop legs' we did this although I got carried away with the food, I'd eaten far too much food 1 hot cross bun, 3 jaffa cakes and 2 pieces of flapjack.
I blamed Woody as he queued for the toilet. It meant that I had nothing to do but eat. We also took off our gilets now, we were nicely warmed up and under clear blue skies.
With too much food on board the next 30 minutes was interesting! I was pushing 170bpm just riding along the flats as my body tried to digest the mass of food in my stomach, lesson learnt for next time I think.
The food stop had spread out the riders on the course so we rode on our own and when smaller slightly faster groups came past, we grabbed their wheel for a while whilst trying to save our (read that as my) legs.
We then got to a really weird part of the course.
About 40 miles into the ride we were onto an A road and we just kept on climbing, at this point we were a group of 5 and we climbed for about 10 miles, the weird thing is we were doing it at about 20 miles per hour. The road surface was just amazing at that stage!
What goes up must come down and basically we had spent the last 10 miles gently climbing the cotwolds, only then to be sent in a series of plunged and drops down off the main ridge only to come straight back up them again.
Some of these you could see the ascent in front of you and it was just a case of getting on with it, on other climbs there were lots or turns and you did not know which would be the last.
I think that today's ride I finally started getting somewhere as a climber. Yes I was still passed by skinny mountain goat build types but I always will, but I think I got into the right mindset.
Change down early, spin up and accept that the hill can be climbed whether it¡¦s in 5 minutes or 30 minutes etc... I've got all day to do it and it won't beat me!
Some of the climbs had interesting names, Fletchers Knap was one I will remember, also it was the first one where quicker riders that me were being hauled back in and also some people were getting off and walking.. this in my head made me even more pleased with how I was getting on and feeling.
'How are the legs, burning yet?' kept on getting asked by Woody?
They are doing ok, was my standard reply.. although they were just beginning to feel fatigued. Up the last of the sharp climbs and there was the second and final food stop in an old church village hall in the middle of nowhere.
At this point we were 4 hours ride time and 69 miles into the 100 miler. Not bad I thought to myself, just don't eat too much! So under strict orders, it was one peice of flap jack and 2 jaffa cakes and refill the water.
Up to this point I'd only had 2 x 750ml for the entire ride, I was half tempted to just ride with the one full one I had left, although hearing from other riders that the worst was still to come, I decided that at the end point was when I would need them the most, regardless of weight penalty.
Again leaving after only 5 minutes to keep legs well oiled, we again went across another ridge heading for stroud. A sharp ascent at Painswick which would be better off read as Painswift!
Coming immediately back down again and on a section of A road, you knew that there would be more to come, an come it did!
We Turned off onto Slad lane and the road just went up in a very short distance the road went up. We climbed over 500 feet in less than 2 miles with it being in 2 specific areas, the first we were greeted with one of the official photographers!
I have a feeling they put these photographers there to make sure you don't stop or to capture that moment of enduring pain! The second bit, where we did not think it could get any worse twisted and buckled its way up a hill, sharp bends in quick (read less than 10 metres) succession full of debris and lots of loose gravel. Carefully picking our way through the stranded and abandoned cyclists this again felt satisfyingly good, I did not want to get off now, ¡¥just keep it ticking over¡¦ I reminded myself in my head, 'you can do this'... and do this I could!
The final switch back got us onto an A road and a swift descent towards Stroud.
At this point with 83 miles on the clock my legs were getting tired. At this point I had been taking gels every 25 minutes , also I was one water bottle emptied already, the sun was blazing down and a mixture of sweat and sun cream was pouring into my eyes.... not a good place to be. Worse than that was when we got to tha A419 just outside of stroud, instead of heading left to Cirecester (sign posted 12 miles) we were sent heading in the opposition direction... oh well, at least no more hills.... for know!
87 miles and we take a sharp turn off of the A road and realise that the large hill on the lefthand side is our next target. We ride past a 15% gradient sign... no problem I'm eating these for breakfast today! We climb for a mile and arrive in a place called Minchinhampton Common. We have also got back into a group of 5 riders again, where we are all about the same speed.
At the top of the climb there is a small group of well wishers clapping and encouraging us on... this sort of support has been well received today and I have tried to thank every single one of them.
We ride across the open common and descend down into the hamlet of box. This descent was the best of the ride. In a series of switchbacks and hairpins it¡¦s as close to the alps as the Cotswolds can provide. Woody goes off into the distance, he's much better at these than me!
A steady climb up to Avening is a pleasure as the group take it is turns to lead, this has been a blessing today. We get to the top and the guy in the lead tells us that thats all the climbing done, we¡¦ve just got to ride the ridges back to Cirencester.
My garmin reads 93 miles travelled, the problem is there is 13 miles back to Cirencester at this point. I reach a low spot, thinking that there is still 10% to go and my legs are blown away, its then I remember that this is the furthest I¡¦ve ever ridden and that in the next 30 minutes I will have made 100 miles. I reflect on the day and as I look down I capture the precise moment that my Garmin goes from 99.99 to 100.00 I feel like the proverbial king of the world.
Inside i'm jumping for joy!
Just a few moments after the 10km to go sign is out, with endorphins kicking in we pick up the tempo and with 5km we rejoin the A419 for the run in to Cirencester.
'Lead us out then' comes a call from Woody. It's down the cassette and turning over the cranks , just this last bit left. It's 24 mph all the way to the 1km mark, where there is one nasty rise, then as it flattens out again I can see the college entrance. Using up the last of my energy its hard all the way to the flag.
My garmin has it recorded that we did 106 miles in total
A Beautiful Sportive with 7600 feet of climbing - some of it very tough! With an 'in the saddle time of 6 hours 37 minutes and total time of 7 hours 3 minutes including food and 'comfort' stops I'm very pleased with my result
It is a solid 'Silver Classification result, Gold cut off time was 6 hours 30, so perhaps something to aim for for next year?
We get free pasta and coffee at the end, along with a goodie bag containing an Easter Egg amongst other things. I would recommend this event to others, I think I was well organised, well sign posted and a great day out.
Oh yes and about all that food I packed. At the end of the ride, I've got 8 gels left and 4 slices of flapjack unused! must make a note of that for next years event, but I suppose it's always to have too much rather than too little.... right?
At the finish, 7 hours after riding out a novice, coming back a centurion!
I just wanted to say thanks to all of you who have contributed advice etc and people I have bought parts off etc over the past 12 months since starting to ride. I got close a few times at the end of last summer but never actually got to break 100 miles in one go on the bike.
On Easter Monday I completed my first ever 100 mile ride, the Cotswold Spring Classic.
For those of you with a few minutes free, I've put down a little bit about the ride and how I got on.
The event was the Cotswold Spring Classic based around Cirencester and riding around the Cotswolds on a mixture of country lanes, winding descents, short sharp uphill grinds and everything in between.
Woody and I packed up the car at 5.45am and left Cardiff to arrive at 7am to sign on etc at the college in Cirencester.
We did this event last year (the 100km version) and it has doubled in size, thank goodness this year they had more than the one toilet open!
We got the bikes out of the car, and got kitted up. Unfortunately as Woody was putting on his Jersey the zip mechanism broke, meaning that that Woody was staring a ride just wearing a base layer and gilets (both with no pockets!)
Fortunately I had done my 'good mothers thing' and packed a complete spare set of ride equipment, so he borrowed one of my other tops. He complained that it was too loose around the stomach, the cheeky git!
Foodwise I started with as many gels as I could take (14) , along with 2 bananas and 4 flapjacks (possibly a bit too much?)
With the clouds still over us as we went to the start line we decided to ditch arm warmers for the ride and just go with gilets until the first food stop.
We had a plan to ride steady, not get caught up in the moment and join the back of groups when they came along. Our goal time was 7-7.30 hours
We set off in a group of 30 riders, and quickly got into our stride, so much so that we were averaging above 20 miles per hour straight away. Woody had to keep keeping me in check 'don't go to the front 'we are here for the long ride' was phrases I kept hearing all day. Also at this point it is fair to say that you have no idea who is riding long or short at this stage, the split comes after 55 miles.
Our first bit of real climbing came after 15 miles, I remember that hill being much harder last year I said to myself when we got to the top. This was a good mindset to be in ¡V as I knew there would be lot worse to come.
We got to the first feed station after 1 hours 45 min, a full 20 minutes quicker than last year, this also included a few miles detour that we had done, thanks to some nice 'anti-cycling' lowlifes had changed some of the direction arrows first thing in the morning. I think it helped having NEG riders going around all day as this meant that any other 'changes' could be immediately rectified by them.
It was interesting thou as many many riders had Edge 705's or 800's and were saying 'we are going the wrong way' 'we should have gone left back there' but who do you believe?
At the first stop the plan was to grab a handful of food, refill the water bottles and head on out to avoid 'cafe stop legs' we did this although I got carried away with the food, I'd eaten far too much food 1 hot cross bun, 3 jaffa cakes and 2 pieces of flapjack.
I blamed Woody as he queued for the toilet. It meant that I had nothing to do but eat. We also took off our gilets now, we were nicely warmed up and under clear blue skies.
With too much food on board the next 30 minutes was interesting! I was pushing 170bpm just riding along the flats as my body tried to digest the mass of food in my stomach, lesson learnt for next time I think.
The food stop had spread out the riders on the course so we rode on our own and when smaller slightly faster groups came past, we grabbed their wheel for a while whilst trying to save our (read that as my) legs.
We then got to a really weird part of the course.
About 40 miles into the ride we were onto an A road and we just kept on climbing, at this point we were a group of 5 and we climbed for about 10 miles, the weird thing is we were doing it at about 20 miles per hour. The road surface was just amazing at that stage!
What goes up must come down and basically we had spent the last 10 miles gently climbing the cotwolds, only then to be sent in a series of plunged and drops down off the main ridge only to come straight back up them again.
Some of these you could see the ascent in front of you and it was just a case of getting on with it, on other climbs there were lots or turns and you did not know which would be the last.
I think that today's ride I finally started getting somewhere as a climber. Yes I was still passed by skinny mountain goat build types but I always will, but I think I got into the right mindset.
Change down early, spin up and accept that the hill can be climbed whether it¡¦s in 5 minutes or 30 minutes etc... I've got all day to do it and it won't beat me!
Some of the climbs had interesting names, Fletchers Knap was one I will remember, also it was the first one where quicker riders that me were being hauled back in and also some people were getting off and walking.. this in my head made me even more pleased with how I was getting on and feeling.
'How are the legs, burning yet?' kept on getting asked by Woody?
They are doing ok, was my standard reply.. although they were just beginning to feel fatigued. Up the last of the sharp climbs and there was the second and final food stop in an old church village hall in the middle of nowhere.
At this point we were 4 hours ride time and 69 miles into the 100 miler. Not bad I thought to myself, just don't eat too much! So under strict orders, it was one peice of flap jack and 2 jaffa cakes and refill the water.
Up to this point I'd only had 2 x 750ml for the entire ride, I was half tempted to just ride with the one full one I had left, although hearing from other riders that the worst was still to come, I decided that at the end point was when I would need them the most, regardless of weight penalty.
Again leaving after only 5 minutes to keep legs well oiled, we again went across another ridge heading for stroud. A sharp ascent at Painswick which would be better off read as Painswift!
Coming immediately back down again and on a section of A road, you knew that there would be more to come, an come it did!
We Turned off onto Slad lane and the road just went up in a very short distance the road went up. We climbed over 500 feet in less than 2 miles with it being in 2 specific areas, the first we were greeted with one of the official photographers!
I have a feeling they put these photographers there to make sure you don't stop or to capture that moment of enduring pain! The second bit, where we did not think it could get any worse twisted and buckled its way up a hill, sharp bends in quick (read less than 10 metres) succession full of debris and lots of loose gravel. Carefully picking our way through the stranded and abandoned cyclists this again felt satisfyingly good, I did not want to get off now, ¡¥just keep it ticking over¡¦ I reminded myself in my head, 'you can do this'... and do this I could!
The final switch back got us onto an A road and a swift descent towards Stroud.
At this point with 83 miles on the clock my legs were getting tired. At this point I had been taking gels every 25 minutes , also I was one water bottle emptied already, the sun was blazing down and a mixture of sweat and sun cream was pouring into my eyes.... not a good place to be. Worse than that was when we got to tha A419 just outside of stroud, instead of heading left to Cirecester (sign posted 12 miles) we were sent heading in the opposition direction... oh well, at least no more hills.... for know!
87 miles and we take a sharp turn off of the A road and realise that the large hill on the lefthand side is our next target. We ride past a 15% gradient sign... no problem I'm eating these for breakfast today! We climb for a mile and arrive in a place called Minchinhampton Common. We have also got back into a group of 5 riders again, where we are all about the same speed.
At the top of the climb there is a small group of well wishers clapping and encouraging us on... this sort of support has been well received today and I have tried to thank every single one of them.
We ride across the open common and descend down into the hamlet of box. This descent was the best of the ride. In a series of switchbacks and hairpins it¡¦s as close to the alps as the Cotswolds can provide. Woody goes off into the distance, he's much better at these than me!
A steady climb up to Avening is a pleasure as the group take it is turns to lead, this has been a blessing today. We get to the top and the guy in the lead tells us that thats all the climbing done, we¡¦ve just got to ride the ridges back to Cirencester.
My garmin reads 93 miles travelled, the problem is there is 13 miles back to Cirencester at this point. I reach a low spot, thinking that there is still 10% to go and my legs are blown away, its then I remember that this is the furthest I¡¦ve ever ridden and that in the next 30 minutes I will have made 100 miles. I reflect on the day and as I look down I capture the precise moment that my Garmin goes from 99.99 to 100.00 I feel like the proverbial king of the world.
Inside i'm jumping for joy!
Just a few moments after the 10km to go sign is out, with endorphins kicking in we pick up the tempo and with 5km we rejoin the A419 for the run in to Cirencester.
'Lead us out then' comes a call from Woody. It's down the cassette and turning over the cranks , just this last bit left. It's 24 mph all the way to the 1km mark, where there is one nasty rise, then as it flattens out again I can see the college entrance. Using up the last of my energy its hard all the way to the flag.
My garmin has it recorded that we did 106 miles in total
A Beautiful Sportive with 7600 feet of climbing - some of it very tough! With an 'in the saddle time of 6 hours 37 minutes and total time of 7 hours 3 minutes including food and 'comfort' stops I'm very pleased with my result
It is a solid 'Silver Classification result, Gold cut off time was 6 hours 30, so perhaps something to aim for for next year?
We get free pasta and coffee at the end, along with a goodie bag containing an Easter Egg amongst other things. I would recommend this event to others, I think I was well organised, well sign posted and a great day out.
Oh yes and about all that food I packed. At the end of the ride, I've got 8 gels left and 4 slices of flapjack unused! must make a note of that for next years event, but I suppose it's always to have too much rather than too little.... right?
At the finish, 7 hours after riding out a novice, coming back a centurion!
0
Comments
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Well done that man! I did my first 100k a week or so back (started riding in December) and want to crack the century before the year is out. Sounds like a great event too
Freelance Journalist
ex-Team Cycling Plus 2011
Three Boardmans and a Spesh,
numerous test rigs0 -
.Dru wrote:Hi people,
On Easter Monday I completed my first ever 100 mile ride, the Cotswold Spring Classic.
We Turned off onto Slad lane and the road just went up in a very short distance the road went up. We climbed over 500 feet in less than 2 miles with it being in 2 specific areas.......
.........here we did not think it could get any worse twisted and buckled its way up a hill, sharp bends in quick (read less than 10 metres) succession full of debris and lots of loose gravel. Carefully picking our way through the stranded and abandoned cyclists this again felt satisfyingly good, I did not want to get off now, ¡¥just keep it ticking over¡¦ I reminded myself in my head, 'you can do this'... and do this I could!
Welcome to my neck of the woods! The hill you mention is the one that when i first got my Allez i used as a trainer to get me used to climbing hills, mainly as there are several "escape" roads off it in case of emergency bail outs! I actualy lived off the Slad road in the Vatch Valley so i had to climb out the valley then head up the hill towards Birdlip etc!
Still a chalenge now but one i'll always rise to 8)0 -
Great read that Dru, all the best mate. Well done.A Brother of the Wheel. http://www.boxfordbikeclub.co.uk
09 Canyon Ultimate CF for the Road.
2011 Carbon Spesh Stumpy FSR.0 -
"Cotswold Spring Classic"
F*ck, F*ck, F*ck, F*ck, F*ck.
I missed it.
Purveyor of "up"0 -
Enjoyable read Well done and congrats! Simon0
-
I too live in Stroud and know that the area has some very deceptive little climbs. I went to see several of you all suffer - sorry I mean sample - the delights of the valley. I was hoping to do it this year but I had other commitments on Easter Monday.
Well done to you all. You were very lucky with the weather.0 -
It's called a "Century".
A Centaur is a mythical creature that is part human and part horse.
So, unless you grew hooves and a tail, congrats on your first Century!!0 -
Pokerface wrote:It's called a "Century".
A Centaur is a mythical creature that is part human and part horse.
So, unless you grew hooves and a tail, congrats on your first Century!!
Spelling like Hill Climbing was never my forte :oops: so typo sorted (just wish that the climbing ability could also be changed as quickly
) 0 -
A very inspiring and interesting read Dru. Some of us are daunted at the prospect of a 50-miler so a '100' is off the scale for this newbie whose longest distance so far is 36 miles.
Well done!0 -
Good read, and very inspiring. Have only managed just over 51 so far, alone I might add, but will be looking to get up towards to century later this year, but God it seem like such a long way on a bike!!!Limited Edition Boardman Team Carbon No. 448
Boardman MTB Team0 -
Interestingly enough, I've just found a remarkable coincidence.
My Garmin has it that I was moving for 6 hours and 37 min (so 30 minutes stationary at junctions, lights, food stops and rest stop etc)
Have you seen my race number...... spookey or what! (637)
Perhaps I should have signed up earlier, that way I might have got a gold time! 0 -
14 Gels?, bananas, flapjacks plus stuff at food stops :shock: jesus man, I'd have been asleep!!!
The longest ride I've done, 200k (127.5miles) Audax was done on 1 x 750ml bottle of PSP22, 1 x 750ml bottle of hydrate fluid, 3 powerbars, 1 petrol station sandwich and 1 flapjack.
Good read though, well done on the century fella 0 -
Great read and congrats on your first imperial century.
I don't often get right through some of the long write ups, but this one was a pleasure to read. Almost made me feel like I was riding it too.
Regards,
Peter0 -
danowat wrote:14 Gels?, bananas, flapjacks plus stuff at food stops :shock: jesus man, I'd have been asleep!!!
well done on the century fella
I did come back with 8 gels and 3 bits of flapjack un-used as well thou, but yes, it was a lot to lug about.
I guess the other thing to mention at this point was, at this time last year I weighted more that I did this year, including the weight of the bike and those flap jacks 0 -
Dru wrote:I did come back with 8 gels and 3 bits of flapjack un-used as well thou, but yes, it was a lot to lug about.
I guess the other thing to mention at this point was, at this time last year I weighted more that I did this year, including the weight of the bike and those flap jacks
Better to come back with spare rather than not taking enough. If you are like me, you don't like eating a product you haven't had before.
And next time, you'll know how many.Simon0 -
The furthest I've ever rode is 75 miles & this weekend I'm entering a 130 mile sportive.
Thanks for ur story, i have no idea how fit u are compared to me ( I'm 6th 4, 15 St) but u've given me hope!!!!!!
Cheers!fellow cyclists please visit - www.justgiving.com/markfaloon0 -
Va Va Boom wrote:The furthest I've ever rode is 75 miles & this weekend I'm entering a 130 mile sportive.
Thanks for ur story, i have no idea how fit u are compared to me ( I'm 6th 4, 15 St) but u've given me hope!!!!!!
Cheers!
But you're hardly a lardy a$$.
Good luck on raising money for a worthy cause.Purveyor of "up"0 -
Va Va Boom wrote:The furthest I've ever rode is 75 miles & this weekend I'm entering a 130 mile sportive.
Thanks for ur story, i have no idea how fit u are compared to me ( I'm 6th 4, 15 St) but u've given me hope!!!!!!
Cheers!
You'll be fine I'm sure.
The increase in distance I think is mostly in the head, get out of the mindset that
a: its quick and will be over shortly... because that won't happen but more importantly
b: Its not going to be a hard long unenjoyable slog. Enjoy it for what it will be, you can beat every hill you come up against, there is no rush, go a a pace that you can sustain. Also, try and get into a group that will allow you some respite during the day - will make it much easier, socialble and more enjoying
BTW, I'm 5.7 and 13.8 stone - so hills aren't the easist thing, but each one is getting easier, one pedal turn at a time 0
