Tour Rides - Tour of Britain

AlistairTR

Nice One Crofter! I'm sure that you'll enjoy it and riding your first ton is always special, so best of luck to your mate

The Running Man

I'll be on the Wales ride : along with the usual strong contingent from our club : it finishes in my home town so I'm really looking forward to a cracking day out!!

F365Eli

I've signed up for the 70km version of the Scotland ride along with 2 work colleagues. Really looking forward to it and starting to get some extra km's into my legs!

mgcycleguy

Alistair Sir.... I note you have a Pashley Guv'nor, you may or may not therefore be aware that a few of the chaps over at the Guv'nor owners club will be riding the Stoke stage on Guv'nors this year... any other Guv'nors are of course more than welcome to join our "Pashley Peleton"... we are embarking on the shorter challenge route as we intend to ride in style and good order (and generally have a damn good time... )

MG

pollys_bott

Is there anyone out there who has ridden the Ryedale Rumble and the ToB Stoke stage? I'm trying to convince my bro-in-law that having done the 110km Rumble last year he'll be able to do the 140km Stoke stage this year but he's not sure. What's Gun Hill like compared to Boltby / Blakey Banks for example?

AlistairTR

Nice one Running Man! What’s the name of your club? I’m going to be in your area this Friday

Hey Eli, good to read you’ve signed up for the 70km in Scotland with two colleagues, it’s always good to cycle with friends

AlistairTR

mgcycleguy wrote:

Alistair Sir.... I note you have a Pashley Guv'nor, you may or may not therefore be aware that a few of the chaps over at the Guv'nor owners club will be riding the Stoke stage on Guv'nors this year... any other Guv'nors are of course more than welcome to join our "Pashley peloton"... we are embarking on the shorter challenge route as we intend to ride in style and good order (and generally have a damn good time... )

MG

Dear MG, How very splendid to hear of such a fine gathering of Guv’nors for the Stoke Challenge. I was unaware of the arrangements and now must consult my diary with great haste. Thank you for generously sharing the information.

In hope that I may be able to join you.

AlistairTR

Pollys Bott wrote:

Is there anyone out there who has ridden the Ryedale Rumble and the ToB Stoke stage? I'm trying to convince my bro-in-law that having done the 110km Rumble last year he'll be able to do the 140km Stoke stage this year but he's not sure. What's Gun Hill like compared to Boltby / Blakey Banks for example?

Hey All,

Anyone able to help Polly?

derbygrimpeur

I've not ridden the Ryedale Rumble, but Gun Hill isn't that fearsome. Tell your brother-in-law to HTFU and enter

chris1001

Gun Hill isn't as steep as the TV commentators make out, its also a fairly short climb.

AlistairTR

Thanks Derbygrimpeur and Chris for your feedback on Gun Hill.

Hope that helps Polly

AlistairTR

Hi All,

I’m up in Wales this Thursday evening to watch Round 2 of the Halfords Tour Series in Aberystwyth and so I’m going to take the opportunity of checking out in detail the Tour Ride Route in Wales (which I’ve already signed up for) from Welshpool Castle to Caerphilly Castle on Friday.

I’ll post as much info here later this week, but feel free to ask any questions that you have about the route.

http://www.tourride.co.uk/wales.asp

It would be great to see some large groups from clubs; I’ve heard that Chippenham Wheelers are putting in a number of riders.......... anyone else part of a group?

Alistair

nickwill

There should be a good group of riders in Cervo Rosso kit at the Stoke ride. This will include members of the Test Team formed to test and give feedback on the clothing and cyclists that enjoy wearing the kit.
This seems an ideal chance to meet up and should include cyclists from Switzerland, Belgium and the UK. As far as I know the idea is that we try and ride round together and treat it as a social event.
Looking forward to it!

mgcycleguy

AlistairTR wrote:

mgcycleguy wrote:

Alistair Sir.... I note you have a Pashley Guv'nor, you may or may not therefore be aware that a few of the chaps over at the Guv'nor owners club will be riding the Stoke stage on Guv'nors this year... any other Guv'nors are of course more than welcome to join our "Pashley peloton"... we are embarking on the shorter challenge route as we intend to ride in style and good order (and generally have a damn good time... )

MG

Dear MG, How very splendid to hear of such a fine gathering of Guv’nors for the Stoke Challenge. I was unaware of the arrangements and now must consult my diary with great haste. Thank you for generously sharing the information.

In hope that I may be able to join you.

...its a pleasure Sir.... any Guv'nor owners reading this, more than welcome to pop over and say hello at ... http://www.guvnorownersclub.com/

MG

AlistairTR

Nickwill wrote:

There should be a good group of riders in Cervo Rosso kit at the Stoke ride. This will include members of the Test Team formed to test and give feedback on the clothing and cyclists that enjoy wearing the kit.
This seems an ideal chance to meet up and should include cyclists from Switzerland, Belgium and the UK. As far as I know the idea is that we try and ride round together and treat it as a social event.
Looking forward to it!

Sounds excellent Nick! Have fun!

Alistair

F365Eli

Regarding the Rider Chips that are sent out, where do you fix these? I know when you get given chips at a marathon, for example, it clips onto the laces of your running shoes.

Does it matter where the chip goes when cycling? Does it need to clip to your frame, for arguments sake, or can you just pop it in a saddle bag/pocket?

nickwill

It's a few years since I did a 'Tour Ride', but that time they used a chip which fastened to the front forks via the dropouts .

AlistairTR

Hi Eli and Nick,

The timing chips are aprt of the rider numbers will be sent out by post prior to the event. The are best attached to the handlebars, but don't wrap them around the head tube as they may not work. The timing chip and number are disposable and by the way, no registration is required, just turn upon the day and ride.

Also, your rider manual will be emailed to you before the ride containing everything you need to know.

Hope that helps.....please pass on the good news!

Cheerio
Alistair
P.S. Off to round two of the Halfords Tour Series tomorrow in Aberystwyth!! Say hello if you're there

F365Eli

Thanks Alistair.

I got my first e-mail (aside from the confirmation) today so I guess they're moving on with the manuals/training guides/gpx routes, etc. now?

AlistairTR

That's good news Eli, the route is all sorted and the gpx should be out soon.

I'll report back after I've cycled the route on Friday.

Cheerio
Alistair

jackfeeder

Well did you ride the route or did the weather spoil your plans?

AlistairTR

Hey Jack,

Thanks for asking, well we were very lucky with the weather. After watching Round 2 of the Halfords Tour Series in Aberystwyth, where the gale force winds were hammering the riders, I was a tad unsure how Friday would be!

How luck were we! We got to Welshpool and somehow managed to dodge the rain all day and had an excellent time with Yanto Barker and Chris Sidwells. Just between us, Chris is hoping to publish an article on 16th June in Cycling Weekly (actually spread the news, it should have some great pics).

It is such a scenic route, initially in the Severn Valley and then winding its way to Builth Wells. After Brecon the road is breathtaking, in more ways than one, as it climbs up Glyn Tarell, over the Brecon Beacons and then descends passed the reservoirs and down into Caerphilly, with the finish right next to the castle.

I’m up for the Dragon Ride this weekend, but I have to say, I’m soooooooooo looking forward to the Tour Ride in Wales and cycling it with so many riders!

Goodson1974

Hi all

I'm all signed up for the East Anglian 200km ride and I'm really looking forward to it

Does anyone know if the details of the transfers are available as I'd like to get mine booked up ASAP?

I can't seem to find them on the website.

AlistairTR

Hi Goodson,

I gather the last few details are being sorted out regarding the transfers. I'll let you know here as soon as they are listed.

Great weather, have a brilliant weekend cycling everyone!

orbeaorca

Goodson1974 wrote:

Hi all

I'm all signed up for the East Anglian 200km ride and I'm really looking forward to it

Does anyone know if the details of the transfers are available as I'd like to get mine booked up ASAP?

I can't seem to find them on the website.

I am a bit wary of how they propose to transfer a large quantity of bikes, can't see them being very well protected.
Make sure you get some details before you find out how they intend to transport your beloved steed!

AlistairTR

orbeaorca wrote:

I am a bit wary of how they propose to transfer a large quantity of bikes, can't see them being very well protected.
Make sure you get some details before you find out how they intend to transport your beloved steed!

Hi Orbeaorca,
That’s a pretty fair comment you have made, I know what I’m like about my bike, I get very protective. I used the transfer system last year from Teignmouth (South West Tour Ride) and all went well, with a lot of bikes on board the van. If I recall, they used thick cardboard to separate each bike. I’ll try and get some more details and post them here. I’d certainly trust my bike again to the transfer team and will be doing so in Wales. Talking of Wales, I had a brilliant time at the Wiggle Dragon Ride yesterday, an excellent circular route. The Tour Ride of Wales now awaits me

orbeaorca

AlistairTR wrote:

orbeaorca wrote:

I am a bit wary of how they propose to transfer a large quantity of bikes, can't see them being very well protected.
Make sure you get some details before you find out how they intend to transport your beloved steed!

Hi Orbeaorca,
That’s a pretty fair comment you have made, I know what I’m like about my bike, I get very protective. I used the transfer system last year from Teignmouth (South West Tour Ride) and all went well, with a lot of bikes on board the van. If I recall, they used thick cardboard to separate each bike. I’ll try and get some more details and post them here. I’d certainly trust my bike again to the transfer team and will be doing so in Wales. Talking of Wales, I had a brilliant time at the Wiggle Dragon Ride yesterday, an excellent circular route. The Tour Ride of Wales now awaits me

Thanks for the response, I am keen to do the ride as are several other local riders but the logistics are a problem unless I go for the transfer option. Look forward to some follow up details. Eager to get my entry in!

jackfeeder

Alastair TR,
After doing the Welsh ride and the Dragon how do both compare?
And how steep is the final climb up to Caerphilly Mountian, can you compare it to any other climbs on the Dragon or any other Welsh/South West sportives?
Over the last few years I've done the Dragon, Tour of Black Mtns, Longleat Lionheart, Autumn Epic.
Ta,

AlistairTR

Hey Jack,
Well there are quite a lot of similarities, I guess, the countryside the flow of the roads and the way the way that the mountains are crossed. The Wiggle Dragon Ride this year was considered to be harder than last. I completed the Medio ride due to other commitments and so can’t make a direct comparison, however the stats will be quite similar. I’ve set out a few details about the ride below, just my thoughts, so don’t totally hold me to the detail. I think it will prove to be a very satisfying ride and I always love a linear route, it’s a real journey as well as a challenge!

The start is pretty level with the odd bump here and there and stays like that until you get to Newtown/Y Drenewydd. You’re then climbing for about 7 miles or so at an average gradient of 4%, so easy enough to just turn the pedals, until you reach the highest point at 370m (Gwynant). After that you’re losing height for about 35 miles with the usual bumps/hills again to keep the legs warm.

For the Pro Ride, Brecon is reached at about 70 mile mark and from here I think the road is a real peach, nice steady climbing, again averaging about 4% and stunning views as you wind your way through the national park. Once you’ve got to the Storey Arms Centre you can let gravity take over, well almost, those short sharp little hills still keep cropping up a bit, but not too much, okay the road around Caephilly Common is a bit of a sting in the tail, just to wake up those leg muscles again, before a spectacular finishing backdrop around the castle.

AlistairTR

Hi Again All,

Hot off the press, well even before its listed on the website, here are the details of the transfer options for the Tour Ride in Wales. You read it here first!! It should go live on http://www.tourride.co.uk this week.

Option 1 (for Pro Tour riders) Price £20.00
Transfer service for riders and bike from Caerphilly to Welshpool on
Saturday 20th August
Transfer Duration 2hr 45 mins (approx)

Option 2 (for Pro Tour riders) Price £10.00
Transfer service for riders only from Caerphilly to Welshpool on
Saturday 20th August
Transfer Duration 2hr 45 mins (approx)

Option 3 (for Challenge Tour riders) Price £ 15.00
Transfer service for riders and bikes from Caerphilly to Builth Wells on
Saturday 20th August
Transfer Duration 1hr 30 mins (approx)

Option 4 (for Challenge Tour riders) Price £ 7.50
Transfer service for riders only from Caerphilly to Builth Wells on
Saturday 20th August
Transfer Duration 1hr 30 mins (approx)

Option 5 (for Pro Tour riders) Price £20.00
Transfer service for riders and bikes from Caerphilly to Welshpool on
Sunday 21st August
Transfer Duration 2hr 45 mins (approx)

Option 6 (for Challenge Tour riders) Price £15.00
Transfer service for riders and bikes from Caerphilly to Builth Wells on
Sunday 21st August
Transfer Duration 1hr 30 mins (approx)