Tour Rides - Tour of Britain

holmeboy

holmeboy wrote:

thecrofter wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

AlistairTR wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

I'm thinking of doing the Scottish loop but I've already got a busy September. Plus how to get back to Dunbar from Dumfries?

You could cycle

Seriously? How many miles in total would that be?

An extra 100 miles....... no problem :shock:

Mmmmm but what about the milage from Dunbar to Hawick?

Mmmmmmmmmmmm, 60 miles? Whats the Route milage again?

holmeboy

holmeboy wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

thecrofter wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

AlistairTR wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

I'm thinking of doing the Scottish loop but I've already got a busy September. Plus how to get back to Dunbar from Dumfries?

You could cycle

Seriously? How many miles in total would that be?

An extra 100 miles....... no problem :shock:

Mmmmm but what about the milage from Dunbar to Hawick?

Mmmmmmmmmmmm, 60 miles? Whats the Route milage again?

Mmm 170K what's that in miles

holmeboy

holmeboy wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

thecrofter wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

AlistairTR wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

I'm thinking of doing the Scottish loop but I've already got a busy September. Plus how to get back to Dunbar from Dumfries?

You could cycle

Seriously? How many miles in total would that be?

An extra 100 miles....... no problem :shock:

Mmmmm but what about the milage from Dunbar to Hawick?

Mmmmmmmmmmmm, 60 miles? Whats the Route milage again?

Mmm 170K what's that in miles

105 miles added to the others equals a total milage of?

holmeboy

holmeboy wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

thecrofter wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

AlistairTR wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

I'm thinking of doing the Scottish loop but I've already got a busy September. Plus how to get back to Dunbar from Dumfries?

You could cycle

Seriously? How many miles in total would that be?

An extra 100 miles....... no problem :shock:

Mmmmm but what about the milage from Dunbar to Hawick?

Mmmmmmmmmmmm, 60 miles? Whats the Route milage again?

Mmm 170K what's that in miles

105 miles added to the others equals a total milage of?

260 miles cycled at an average speed of Mmmmmmmmm say 15mph, how long would that take me?

holmeboy

holmeboy wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

thecrofter wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

AlistairTR wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

I'm thinking of doing the Scottish loop but I've already got a busy September. Plus how to get back to Dunbar from Dumfries?

You could cycle

Seriously? How many miles in total would that be?

An extra 100 miles....... no problem :shock:

Mmmmm but what about the milage from Dunbar to Hawick?

Mmmmmmmmmmmm, 60 miles? Whats the Route milage again?

Mmm 170K what's that in miles

105 miles added to the others equals a total milage of?

260 miles cycled at an average speed of Mmmmmmmmm say 15mph, how long would that take me?

Mmmmmmmmmmmm Best part of 18 hours
What time would I need to leave.

thecrofter

holmeboy wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

thecrofter wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

AlistairTR wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

I'm thinking of doing the Scottish loop but I've already got a busy September. Plus how to get back to Dunbar from Dumfries?

You could cycle

Seriously? How many miles in total would that be?

An extra 100 miles....... no problem :shock:

Mmmmm but what about the milage from Dunbar to Hawick?

Mmmmmmmmmmmm, 60 miles? Whats the Route milage again?

Mmm 170K what's that in miles

105 miles added to the others equals a total milage of?

260 miles cycled at an average speed of Mmmmmmmmm say 15mph, how long would that take me?

Mmmmmmmmmmmm Best part of 18 hours
What time would I need to leave.

Abou 15 min ago

bendertherobot

weather looks like it could well be ok.

So, the transfer, how does that work? Bikes on a trailer or the bottom of a bus?

AlistairTR

bendertherobot wrote:

weather looks like it could well be ok.

So, the transfer, how does that work? Bikes on a trailer or the bottom of a bus?

Hi Bendertherobot, The Bikes are packed and transported by van.

See you Sunday

bendertherobot

Ta Alistair! Out of interest, how many riders are there?

AlistairTR

bendertherobot wrote:

Ta Alistair! Out of interest, how many riders are there?

I've not been sent the figures for the last week or so, but not as many as we would have liked.

Riders should be able to sign up on the day if they want.

It's a great route, so fingers crossed for good weather for us all.......a northely wind would be nice as well

All the best to you Bendertherobot and all the riders taking part.

Cheerio for now
Alistair

Dr U Idh

That's three of us just signed up, but we've yet to make transport arrangements. There's a decent chance that I will have a 5-6 seater van, so I might be able to offer a lift. I'll post here nearer the time if so.

AlistairTR

Dr U Idh wrote:

That's three of us just signed up, but we've yet to make transport arrangements. There's a decent chance that I will have a 5-6 seater van, so I might be able to offer a lift. I'll post here nearer the time if so.

Nice one

See you Sunday!
Alistair

TanukiRider

jackfeeder wrote:

Any idea on how many have entered the Welsh event?

Also, anyone got any recommendations on places to eat in Welshpool?

Ta,

If you are talking about the Friday night, the Raven pub near the roundabout at the top of town is pretty good. A decent fish bat, Andrews, only restaurant per se is the Corn Store just off the main street, which is ok.

Theres a few Indian and Chinese takeaways, which are a bit hit and miss.........


Hope that helps! See you Sunday, look out for the lads in Hafren CC Jerseys, I'll be amongst them!

AlistairTR

TanukiRider wrote:

jackfeeder wrote:

Also, anyone got any recommendations on places to eat in Welshpool? Ta,

If you are talking about the Friday night, the Raven pub near the roundabout at the top of town is pretty good. Hope that helps! See you Sunday, look out for the lads in Hafren CC Jerseys, I'll be amongst them!

http://www.theravenwelshpool.co.uk/contact-us-3636.html

Looks good, just might see some of you there. Looking forward to a dry ride on Sunday. Best of luck to all who have signed up and are taking part, if any of your friends want to join in you can still sign up on the day!!

Cheerio
Alistair

The Running Man

Curate's egg for me : (good in parts) : just had one of those days when for no really good reason the legs refused to work.

I thought the first half of the course was lovely and we were incredibly lucky with the weather which was sunny and hot : the roads from Welshpool down to Brecon were scenic and fast but from Hirwaun to Caerphilly not only did it inevitably become more built up and urban but the choice of route was decidedly suspect and we were taken down busy major trunk roads for quite long stretches.

As far as the race (oops) the ride was concerned I just managed to hang to my fellow Wheelers til the feed stop at about 45-50 miles : we were averaging around 20mph but made my mind up that if I was going to get to the finish I needed to let them go as they were flying and I wasn't so I planned to potter the rest of the way.

One of the guys kindly offered to cruise back with me so that's what we did, except that I found every single hill a nightmare. Maybe it was the poor night's sleep, the stomach upset over the previous 2 days, too many miles the week before but whatever it was it hurt like buggery all the way to Caerphilly Castle.

And the finish on a 100 yard long grass chute wasn't clever either : but all in all a good trip.

John and I finished in about 7hrs 11 mins elapsed (6.38 rolling time) and Rich, Steve and David about 30 mins faster so well done to them (damn and blast ....)

I've got some helmet cam clips to edit so I'll put up a link to them later in the week. Thanks to everyone for their company, especially to John for dragging me home!!

senoj

Anyone know of where the sportive photos can be seen?
Just noticed.
Times are up photos are not as yet.
Probably tomorrow.
Jackfeeder, nice sitting with you mate,Did you manage your 7hours?
I came in 7:25.

Cleat Eastwood

I'm thinking of doing the Stoke version. what are the foodstops like etc. Ta.

bendertherobot

The foodstops were excellent. Egg rolls rock.

AlistairTR

Fantastic day yesterday, we were so lucky with the weather. Thanks to all those who came up to me to say “hello”, it was great to meet you outside of the forum and in reality!

Thank you all for supporting the Tour Ride in Wales and if you fancy doing another one, you’ve still got time to sign up for Stoke, Scotland or London!

Cheerio for now

Alistair
PS. If you fancy a week with Dean Downing check out my website

bendertherobot

I thought this was excellent to be honest.

Little bit more planning with the transfer van needed (I was the bloke doing the loading for some reason!)

Good start, excellent feedstations. And a great route.

Now, you might critcise the route, but, of course, that IS the route. Personally the TOB organisers (i.e. the competition) could do better, that is not really the organisers of this ride's fault!

I even loved the grassy bit, though you were lucky with the weather.

Best goody bag I've ever had. Pasta superb.

But, that hill. Oh my that hill.

bendertherobot

Oh, and if no 125 reads this:

Next time, do some work for the first, oh, say 85 miles

AlistairTR

Thanks for the feedback Bendertherobot

I know what you mean by the hill (at the end)! Nice bit of downhill after

Cheerio for now
Alistair

jackfeeder

senoj wrote:

Jackfeeder, nice sitting with you mate,Did you manage your 7hours?
I came in 7:25.

7 hours - did I f### lol, found the route harder than I thought. Spent most of the ride on my own, didn't seem to get into many groups so the headwind took it's toll.
Time was 7:45, 7:09 on the bike.
Had my bad spell climbing out of Brecon to Storey Arms, struggled there, but made it up Caerphilly Mtn so pleased with that.
Enjoyed the day (& 1/2), shame I didn't get to the start earlier, may have been able to have been towed along by your bunch. Good to meet you tho.

Alastair, there was a motorbike filming me and another rider up the final climb and round to the finish - any idea if we will be able to view that footage anywhere?
Cheers for helping to sort a good day/event, I enjoyed it.

Hope they get those roads sorted by Caerphilly for when the pros arrive!

AlistairTR

Hi Jackfeeder,
I know what you mean about the headwind. I seemed to be on my own for about 45 miles, but it gave me time to enjoy the view.

Yeap, those road works were pretty rough, real filling shakers!

The filming footage is not normally posted, but used to make up a fresh film for next year to promote the rides. If it gets posted I’ll let you know here.
Thanks for taking part and hopefully catch up again on a ride somewhere.
Alistair

JamJarST

I did the Challenge ride with a friend (she was the 5th fastest lady) and we loved it. The route was fantastic and we were so luck with the weather. We both made it up that killer mountain at the end too

A couple of notes and these are not complaints, but constructive criticisms:
- The feed station was fantastic, but for Challenge riders I suspect that 65km is a long way to go before the stop. I also know of a few people that missed it altogether because it was off the actual route.
- The transfer could have been slightly better organised, I was the one helping bendertherobot load the bikes on the van. The transport company were not aware of the requirement and did not have rope and the van would have been too small if there were more riders.
- Personally I would have put some marshalls on the very busy roundabouts in the last section of the route, the presence of some people in Hi Viz and signage would have helped with the drivers.

All in all we loved it and will definately be back. On a personal note I was very disappointed that so few people took part in what is one of the best events I have taken part in.

JamJarST

jackfeeder wrote:

Alastair, there was a motorbike filming me and another rider up the final climb and round to the finish - any idea if we will be able to view that footage anywhere?
Cheers for helping to sort a good day/event, I enjoyed it.

Hope they get those roads sorted by Caerphilly for when the pros arrive!

Hi Jack, I spoke to the camera lady because she filmed the lady I went with as she was doing the mountain. She was doing it for Caerphillycouncil and some of it will be on their web site.

AlistairTR

[/quote]Hi Jack, I spoke to the camera lady because she filmed the lady I went with as she was doing the mountain. She was doing it for Caerphillycouncil and some of it will be on their web site.[/quote]

Thanks for that JamJarST, I didn't know about that! How great forums are for keeping us all informed.

Thanks again
Alistair

Dr U Idh

Alistair - are you also involved in the Peebles-Dumfries ride? I was looking at the route of the Sportive as posted on the website. It diverts from the "Pro" route just before Dumfries, going over a small track and in to Tinwald. A quick glance at Google Streetview confirms that this track is not negotiable by road bikes.......

AlistairTR

Hi Dr U Idh,

Thanks for your question. I'm not and have not been up to see the route, however I will find out for you and get back to you here. Thanks for posting your question.

Cheerio for now
Alistair

thecrofter

Dr U Idh wrote:

Alistair - are you also involved in the Peebles-Dumfries ride? I was looking at the route of the Sportive as posted on the website. It diverts from the "Pro" route just before Dumfries, going over a small track and in to Tinwald. A quick glance at Google Streetview confirms that this track is not negotiable by road bikes.......

I was a bit confused by that myself. I guess we'll find that we follow the Pro route at johnstonebridge and down the main A701. The small farm type roads always looked a bit confusing and tricky to follow especially for a large peloton.
I was down in Peebles on Sat morn to recce the first bit of the route as far as Moffat. The roads are pretty smooth (with the exception of the descent at Talla), it's a really nice run. The section from Tweedsmuir up to the Devil's Beef Tub is an 8 mile up hill slog into the wind, but you do get the reward of 7 miles all downhill into Moffat at 30mph all the way. Going back to the descent at Talla, a good deal of care is needed, doubly so if it's wet. It's a single track road and VERY bumpy, 20% gradient. with a very sharp corner at the bottom, which is always wet due to water running off the hill. If you take the brakes off for a second it's amazing how quickly you accelerate. :shock: