Dartmoor Classic coming up.....

jamlala

Anyone else doing it? Scorchingly hot last year, forecast not looking quite so intense for this year. Gorgeous scenery but tough course as I found when I dropped from the 100 miler to the 65 halfway round......

tincaman

Yep, training hard now, helps that I only live 5 miles away.

jamlala

Lucky you, fav part of the world for me! Them hills is nasty!!

Krys

Yep - shall be there. Looks awfully hilly...*gulp*. Still, plenty of time to admire the scenery, right?

jamlala

Tis bloody hilly, I totally underestimated it for my 1st sportive, won't do this time!

Krys

Well it's not my first...but it must be close to being the hilliest one I've done, so it could be interesting. Hey, I can always walk up hill, right?

Having said that - since you've done it before - any tips/tricks/advice?

vorsprung

Lots of people out on nice days on road bikes practicing for this. I live near-ish it

I must enter it one year

johnr76

I've also got in a late transfer to this for the 65 miler. Struggling to find tim to do training at the moment but planning ona ride from Exeter to Dartmoor next weekend.

I struggle up hills at the moment so it's going to be hard-going - although managed to get across Woodbury Common the other night so maybe alls not lost.

It's my first sportive so the target for this year is to just finish it!

jamlala

I signed up to do the 100 miler last year and wimped out at 30 miles (Princetown) to the shorter route. Planned on the longer one this year, but training was interrupted by a 3 week eating and drinking holiday to Oz so have thought better of it and changed to the 65 miler again.

Tips? Pedal effing hard is the main one! Or mainly take it steady for the first half (of the 65 miler) as I felt that the 2nd half was 'easier' with one bitchy climb just to keep you on your toes. It is a stunning event and my other half is doing it this year too which'll be good. Just to emphasize, it is bloody hilly - just knuckle down and grind your way up gently and you'll be reet. It was about 30 degrees last year which didn't help, not looking so promising for this year!!

Oh and if you see anyone walking it'll probably be me!

johnr76

This'll sound like a stuipd question from someone who visits Dartmoor a fair bit - although by car.

Are most of the hills long drags and are there many short steep climbs? I find the long drags not too bad but the short steep climbs cause me to fall out with my legs quite quickly.

grumpygrandad

Did the 100 miler last year. It was indeed hot! Yep - it's hilly. Managed a bronze medal last year and my main aim for this year has been to get silver. Had good intentions, but for a number of reasons (new job etc.) training has been shocking. Never mind - managed 120 mile Dragon last weekend without too much difficulty (but slow - 9hrs!) Did Dartmoor last year on my lonesome (Billy no mates) but have my 3 brothers to help me round this year. Must get some last minute training in!

JST

I am doing the 100km route and it will be my first sportive. Looking froward to it and have just ordered a 13-29 cassette (I have 39/52 chain rings) to help with the hills

johnr76 wrote:

This'll sound like a stuipd question from someone who visits Dartmoor a fair bit - although by car.

Are most of the hills long drags and are there many short steep climbs? I find the long drags not too bad but the short steep climbs cause me to fall out with my legs quite quickly.

I am lucky enough to live near that part of the Moor. During my training I have done the whole 100 km route twice and parts of it several times. It starts off mostly flat to Bovey Tracey (5 ish miles) then goes into a long (about 6 miles) climb but not too steep up and through Manaton. Once you are on the moor proper you pass hound tor and then you have rolling flat for a while until you get to a nice down hill towards Ashburton. The next section I find is the hardest - From the River Dart at Holne Chase there is a very steep but not too long climb (out of the saddle and grinding hard 'n slow with 39/26 gear - hence new cassette!) and then it seems to be mostly uphill all the way to Princetown. From Princetown it is more pleasant with a rolling flatish road with a few small hills to Moretonhampstead. Then you have the final proper climb followed by a nice down hill then mostly flat to home down the lovely Teign Valley.

I have also found the wind a pain as it seemed to be in my face all the way to Princetown but then on my back from there which helped over that section of the moor.

I hope we get half decent weather for it

johnr76

JST wrote:

I am lucky enough to live near that part of the Moor. During my training I have done the whole 100 km route twice and parts of it several times. It starts off mostly flat to Bovey Tracey (5 ish miles) then goes into a long (about 6 miles) climb but not too steep up and through Manaton. Once you are on the moor proper you pass hound tor and then you have rolling flat for a while until you get to a nice down hill towards Ashburton. The next section I find is the hardest - From the River Dart at Holne Chase there is a very steep but not too long climb (out of the saddle and grinding hard 'n slow with 39/26 gear - hence new cassette!) and then it seems to be mostly uphill all the way to Princetown. From Princetown it is more pleasant with a rolling flatish road with a few small hills to Moretonhampstead. Then you have the final proper climb followed by a nice down hill then mostly flat to home down the lovely Teign Valley.

I have also found the wind a pain as it seemed to be in my face all the way to Princetown but then on my back from there which helped over that section of the moor.

I hope we get half decent weather for it

Thanks for that. I'm planing a ride up there from Exeter weekend after this one to do part of the course. Closest I've got so far is up Woodbury Common into a head wind. I'm expecting this to be a lot worse.

I am looking forward to it though!

jamlala

JST wrote:

I am doing the 100km route and it will be my first sportive. Looking froward to it and have just ordered a 13-29 cassette (I have 39/52 chain rings) to help with the hills

johnr76 wrote:

This'll sound like a stuipd question from someone who visits Dartmoor a fair bit - although by car.

Are most of the hills long drags and are there many short steep climbs? I find the long drags not too bad but the short steep climbs cause me to fall out with my legs quite quickly.

I am lucky enough to live near that part of the Moor. During my training I have done the whole 100 km route twice and parts of it several times. It starts off mostly flat to Bovey Tracey (5 ish miles) then goes into a long (about 6 miles) climb but not too steep up and through Manaton. Once you are on the moor proper you pass hound tor and then you have rolling flat for a while until you get to a nice down hill towards Ashburton. The next section I find is the hardest - From the River Dart at Holne Chase there is a very steep but not too long climb (out of the saddle and grinding hard 'n slow with 39/26 gear - hence new cassette!) and then it seems to be mostly uphill all the way to Princetown. From Princetown it is more pleasant with a rolling flatish road with a few small hills to Moretonhampstead. Then you have the final proper climb followed by a nice down hill then mostly flat to home down the lovely Teign Valley.

I have also found the wind a pain as it seemed to be in my face all the way to Princetown but then on my back from there which helped over that section of the moor.

I hope we get half decent weather for it

Sounds like a perfect description of the route last year, thanks JST!! Can't wait but in fear and trepidation! Best part of the country in my biew!!

Paul C, Devon

Hi

I've also done it for the last 2 yrs - got a bronze 2 yrs ago and missed out on a medal last year by 6 mins (groan!), obviously spent too much time eating and drinking at the feedstations. Yes last year was very hot and this year I feel as if I have done more training and have managed to lose nearly a stone over the spring so feel quite good about it.

Got the e-newsletter this week from the organisers and I see that there is another sportive covering dartmoor and exmoor in July (it is run by a local Rotary club i think) - If the dartmor goes well I might enter that one.

If anyone fancies a ride over part of the course then let me know

Johnr76 - I live near woodbury common - dartmoor is a different kettle of fish to be honest

cheers

Paul

rjh299

Paul C, Devon wrote:

Got the e-newsletter this week from the organisers and I see that there is another sportive covering dartmoor and exmoor in July (it is run by a local Rotary club i think) - If the dartmor goes well I might enter that one.

Is that the Two Moors sportive? I did it last year, it was quite a small, basic event but the feedstations had everything you needed and it was a good route. It only flirts with the two moors rather than going fully onto and over either, so it's not the most challenging but enjoyable all the same.

tincaman

johnr76 wrote:

This'll sound like a stuipd question from someone who visits Dartmoor a fair bit - although by car.

Are most of the hills long drags and are there many short steep climbs? I find the long drags not too bad but the short steep climbs cause me to fall out with my legs quite quickly.

Its got all of that I'm afraid

Here are the two elevation profiles:

Paul C, Devon

Is that the Two Moors sportive? I did it last year, it was quite a small, basic event but the feedstations had everything you needed and it was a good route. It only flirts with the two moors rather than going fully onto and over either, so it's not the most challenging but enjoyable all the same

yes thats right - sounds a little less serious than the dartmoor - still might do it if the dartmoor goes ok

napper

What you really need to do is the Tour of the Moors audax, coming up this Sunday. See Audax UK website for details.
This properly covers both Dartmoor and Bodmin moor, is 200km., only £4.50 to enter, is harder than the Dartmoor Classic - ideal prep for the Classic imho.

rjh299

napper wrote:

What you really need to do is the Tour of the Moors audax, coming up this Sunday. See Audax UK website for details.
This properly covers both Dartmoor and Bodmin moor, is 200km., only £4.50 to enter, is harder than the Dartmoor Classic - ideal prep for the Classic imho.

That'll be fun in the weather predicted for Sunday! Good luck if your doing it, hope it's not as rough as it looks it might be.
I've been meaning to do some audaxs, there's a few in August down my way I might try for starters.

napper

mtfu -it's only wind and rain! Seriously, yeah, you're right, it's looking pretty bloody miserable for this Sunday.

My take on it is that I'll have to work a lot harder, physically and mentally, and hopefully be fitter and better prepared at the end of it - simples.

JST

JamLala wrote:

Sounds like a perfect description of the route last year, thanks JST!! Can't wait but in fear and trepidation! Best part of the country in my biew!!

Yes as far as I can see from the website they are using the same route as last year. You can see from the route profiles tincaman posted above how steep the climb is from Holne bridge! and then mostly up hill to Princetown. It is this part that knackers me out

Have fun on the Audax napper - that would be a bit too far beyond my current abilities I think but I'll get there...

JST

Anyone else doing this? Just over a week to go...

risi

Hello, yes, I'm doing it too.
Did it last year but felt rotten so bailed onto the short course at Princetown, so I'm back for revenge on the 100 mile. And in a departure from the normal getting-up-hideously-early-in-the-morning routine, I will be camping at River Dart Country Park for reasons not connected with the event, just happy coincidence. Planning to head over the the start on Saturday to get registered and all that.

Doesn't look like its going to be anywhere near as hot this year. I don't handle heat very well so this is a good thing as far as I'm concerned.

The route is pretty much the same this year, only difference is the direction around Princetown at the feedstop to avoid having people leaving having to turn into the path of those arriving. Its all one way this year.

Lookyhere

I train alot over the western part of the moor and west devon around tavistock.
Top tip.... get a triple or a compact with 12/27 and save your legs over holne chase, its barely 20miles in and its steep but worse its very long
using a compact and a 27, i did just over 6hrs for the long route last yr so big gears not needed.
for me, the best and most beautiful part is the gentle climb up through Coryton to Lydford, as you approach it from chilaton. you see the side of the valley, the church and Dartmoor in the background and it is lush
the worst.... the 3 climbs out of tavi back up to Princetown :evil: but if its a prevailing s/w wind then its breeze all the way to the finish!

JST

I haven't got a compact but I have just bought a 13-29 cassette which with the 39 ring should help on that hill. I have been up it in 39 - 26 but it took a lot out of me which didn't help for the rest of the ride.

The section from Princetown to Moretonhampsted is nice when the wind is on your back

Yeoer

This is my first too. Signed for the 100 miler then thought about it a bit more and saw the route! doing the 65 instead now :oops: !

I'm running a 50/34 - 25/12 so i'm hoping i'll be ok :roll:

The scary thing is we did a 54 miler last weekend around where i live (Bodmin Moor, Cornwall) taking in some of the bid hill's around here, when we got back i plugged my garmin in thinking it would be of a simular climb as Dartmoor only to find it was miles away... i mean looked flat! :oops: so i've gone from thinking good time nice medal to lets just finish!

Fingers crossed it all goes well and see you guy's there.

JamieW

hey, i'm coming down to do this again this year. third year in a row. love the course and countryside.

from what i remember all the big climbing is on and off the moor. once your up on the top, its much more rolling. the one bit that i dont like is the final climb up to princetown - every year + everytime i ride it it seems to go on forever.....

JST

JamieW wrote:

the one bit that i dont like is the final climb up to princetown - every year + everytime i ride it it seems to go on forever.....

Yeah it does feel like a long climb. It doesn't help that it is a proper road rather than a lane so you feel like you ought to be going faster, also the prevailing wind is in your face at that point and there is usually a nice breeze on the moor to slow you up! At least after Princetown it should be behind us...

tincaman

Every ride I have done over Dartmoor this year has had the wind behind on the way back from Princetown to Moretonhampstead

JST

Current forecast is looking ok, sunny spells, 19 deg C and light SE wind. Could all change by Sunday though!