Doing Pedal for Scotland 94 mile, anyone else?

2

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  • popularname
    popularname Posts: 173
    Doing the 50 miler with my two boys. Will be wearing an Edinburgh RC jersey, riding a silver ridgeback touring bike and encouraging Ruaridh, the 11 year old (the 15 year old will be off fast...). Give Ruaridh some encouragement if you see us...
    __________________________________________
    >> Domane Four Series > Ridgeback Voyage
  • suzyb
    suzyb Posts: 3,449
    nhoj wrote:
    fuzzynavel wrote:
    The PfS sportive has more competitors than any other I've done but a smaller starting window (7:00 - 7:30 last year), so maybe it's not going to make as much difference.
    Start window is 7 - 7:45 this year. Then the challenge route start window starts at 8.

    Anyway I'm off out for my last long "training" ride before next week.
    Whippet
  • nhoj
    nhoj Posts: 129
    suzyb wrote:
    Start window is 7 - 7:45 this year. Then the challenge route start window starts at 8.
    Good, 15 minutes more in bed :)
    Anyway I'm off out for my last long "training" ride before next week.
    Good on you. Think I'll go out in the afternoon, but not a long one.
  • Robert72
    Robert72 Posts: 84
    now I find out the reason training has not been going well is that I have shingles. I had thought I had pulled a couple of muscles a few weeks ago. Hopefully all will be well for next Sunday.
  • Nairnster
    Nairnster Posts: 602
    Ohh not nice. I thought I had a re-occurence of a nerve problem once, which turned out to be shingles. The reason it can feel like that, is that lies dormant and then flairs up along nerves apparently.

    Hope all is better for you by next weekend
  • Garryboy
    Garryboy Posts: 344
    suzyb wrote:
    nhoj wrote:
    fuzzynavel wrote:
    The PfS sportive has more competitors than any other I've done but a smaller starting window (7:00 - 7:30 last year), so maybe it's not going to make as much difference.
    Start window is 7 - 7:45 this year. Then the challenge route start window starts at 8.

    Anyway I'm off out for my last long "training" ride before next week.

    Went out early this morning (6.30) and did 45 miles up around Eaglesham, Mearns and across to East Kilbride, 2,500ft of climbing and done in 2hrs 50m - will be well chuffed with something in that region next week - and also if weather is same as today!
  • suzyb
    suzyb Posts: 3,449
    nhoj wrote:
    suzyb wrote:
    Start window is 7 - 7:45 this year. Then the challenge route start window starts at 8.
    Good, 15 minutes more in bed :)
    Anyway I'm off out for my last long "training" ride before next week.
    Good on you. Think I'll go out in the afternoon, but not a long one.
    Not so good as it's only my second long training run for the event. Been busy with work and September has kind of sneeked up on me :wink:

    Did 33 miles out toward West Calder and back in just over 2 and a half hours. Average speed came out at 13mph which means I'm on track to beat last years time if I can do that kind of ride next week. Especially since next week I wont have to ride into a headwind for half the ride. So much for the southerly :(

    Hope you get better soon Robert.
    Whippet
  • fuzzynavel
    fuzzynavel Posts: 718
    Does anyone know what sort of food/snacks are offered at the feed stops....Do I need to take some cash with me?
    17 Stone down to 12.5 now raring to get back on the bike!
  • Nairnster
    Nairnster Posts: 602
    I would take some cash with you as well, only a tenner or so.

    Imagine it will be stuff like flapjacks, bananas, sarnies, possibly chocolate bars etc.

    On another note, does anyone know how soon after this ears event, it will be before oyu can register for 2012?
  • suzyb
    suzyb Posts: 3,449
    I think the sportive route had "proper" energy bars and gels last year.

    On the challenge route it was pretty much all just cakes and bananas.
    Whippet
  • fuzzynavel
    fuzzynavel Posts: 718
    suzyb wrote:
    I think the sportive route had "proper" energy bars and gels last year.

    On the challenge route it was pretty much all just cakes and bananas.

    I like the sound of energy bars and gels!! Problem is that I eat a completely Paleo diet nowadays....may just have to have a cheat day....hope all the processed sugar doesn't send me a bit mental as I haven't had any for a while now!
    17 Stone down to 12.5 now raring to get back on the bike!
  • suzyb
    suzyb Posts: 3,449
    You could take your own food. Nothing says you need to partake in what the feed stops supply.
    Whippet
  • fuzzynavel
    fuzzynavel Posts: 718
    suzyb wrote:
    You could take your own food. Nothing says you need to partake in what the feed stops supply.

    I have already thought of this and spent £16 in Tesco last night on a few bags of nuts, fruit and honey to make into energy bars.....very tasty....not the cheapest way to live though......not sure that they will give the kick that I need.....there will be nearly 2500 calories in the 6 bars that I take along so may be enough....may take some precooked chicken strips or other meat concoction along too.......mmm meatloaf is calling...need to find a Paleo, tomato free version!!
    17 Stone down to 12.5 now raring to get back on the bike!
  • nhoj
    nhoj Posts: 129
    There was a discussion about last year's event and one of the organisers joined in:
    The middle stop at Douglas will have a timing mat at it, so you can stay and have a proper break and it won't affect your time. The other two are more like pit stops and are counted as part of your overall time.
    ...
    There will be food and water ... it will be snack bars, granola, bananas and those energy gel sachets etc and bottled water.
    You shouldn't need any money.

    I seem to remember after last year's event they didn't wait long to offer discounted registration for the next year, and you had until the end of January.
  • Garryboy
    Garryboy Posts: 344
    Well, certainly looks like a fair tailwind, according to Metcheck....


    http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/7da ... de=glasgow
  • fuzzynavel
    fuzzynavel Posts: 718
    Garryboy wrote:
    Well, certainly looks like a fair tailwind, according to Metcheck....


    http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/7da ... de=glasgow

    LOL...224mph winds......and there is still cloud cover of 84%....may want to stay at home that day!
    17 Stone down to 12.5 now raring to get back on the bike!
  • fuzzynavel
    fuzzynavel Posts: 718
    Just looked at the 5 day forecast....14 mph winds with 32mph gusts....west south west....met office is currently showing Easterlies closer to Edinburgh which should be fun when we are tired.

    There is a high possibility of rain being heavy at times too!
    17 Stone down to 12.5 now raring to get back on the bike!
  • fuzzynavel
    fuzzynavel Posts: 718
    Just looked at the 5 day forecast....14 mph winds with 32mph gusts....west south west....met office is currently showing Easterlies closer to Edinburgh which should be fun when we are tired.

    There is a high possibility of rain being heavy at times too!
    17 Stone down to 12.5 now raring to get back on the bike!
  • nhoj
    nhoj Posts: 129
    How can there be any rain left!? "Heavy rain, heavy rain, heavy rain..." :(

    Look on the bright side. The forecast says Sunday is the best day of the week. I know, that's not saying much.

    Rinse, blow dry, repeat.

    Hopefully by the time we hit any easterlies we'll already be on the descent into Edinburgh.
  • fuzzynavel
    fuzzynavel Posts: 718
    nhoj wrote:
    How can there be any rain left!? "Heavy rain, heavy rain, heavy rain..." :(

    Look on the bright side. The forecast says Sunday is the best day of the week. I know, that's not saying much.

    Rinse, blow dry, repeat.

    Hopefully by the time we hit any easterlies we'll already be on the descent into Edinburgh.

    The wind and rain has been a little ridiculous over the last couple of days....That has been the story of the entire summer.
    17 Stone down to 12.5 now raring to get back on the bike!
  • the_spooks
    the_spooks Posts: 190
    Didn't realise but I regularly cycle on part of the route they use for this event. My normal Sunday route goes through Avonbridge and into Linlithgow and last weekend they had signs about it. Certainly nothing demanding on that part of the route, one testing hill for me, not steep just a quick burner coming outa Avonbridge, but I'm still a newbie to cycling. Hope the weather clears a bit for ya'all, ain't nice out there at the moment.
  • fuzzynavel
    fuzzynavel Posts: 718
    Just checked the weather......again....Looks like we should have the wind at our backs....may get some rain for the first couple of hours but will clear up later.
    17 Stone down to 12.5 now raring to get back on the bike!
  • fuzzynavel
    fuzzynavel Posts: 718
    I hope that everyone had a good ride....I heard that there were 16000 people overall in all the events.

    Was the hardest thing that I have ever done....My end time was around 7 hours 20 including feed stops for the 94 miles...The last 5 miles were pretty slow as we came into Edinburgh.

    In terms of the weather I am glad that I took my waterproof jacket....I reckon there was at least 3 hours of driving rain with another 2 of lighter rain but the wind remained....

    I managed to get with a couple of much faster riders for the first 30 and was riding well but my lack of long distance riding/training this year so far showed after 30 miles.

    I missed the food stop at 23 miles due to feeling good...that was a mistake as I bonked around 30 miles and had a hard slog to get to the feed around 50miles....I was still making ok time once I got some energy drink down me and a nutty/fruity Paleo snacks on the road aroun 35miles...
    I never saw the faster guys again and tried several times to get on the back of another group but my thighs wanted to cramp everytime I put any effort in. I took a couple of energy gels at the 50ish mile food stop and they seemed to have the desired effect to get back towards my desired speed.
    50 - 70 miles was uneventful....more wind and rain and twisty, hilly roads.....going into the wind really sapped the energy whilst I was solo again for a while.
    Edinburgh has crap roads and my hands and feet were getting extremely sore coping with them....

    So glad it is all over....may post my garmin link later once I have uploaded it
    17 Stone down to 12.5 now raring to get back on the bike!
  • fuzzynavel
    fuzzynavel Posts: 718
    Just uploaded my Garmin and I miscalculated my time....

    I said 7 hours 20 and Garmin measured it as 6 hours 21

    .http://connect.garmin.com/activity/113613301

    I was actually 5 hours 58 of moving time.......I am dead chuffed with that.
    17 Stone down to 12.5 now raring to get back on the bike!
  • suzyb
    suzyb Posts: 3,449
    I learnt last year not to miss a feed stop.. Not that it made any difference this year, was just as knackered and even slower.

    Well done on the doing a good ride.
    Whippet
  • Garryboy
    Garryboy Posts: 344
    fuzzynavel wrote:
    Just uploaded my Garmin and I miscalculated my time....

    I said 7 hours 20 and Garmin measured it as 6 hours 21

    .http://connect.garmin.com/activity/113613301

    I was actually 5 hours 58 of moving time.......I am dead chuffed with that.

    Great ride, well done

    Hoping to do the 100 mile next year, will need plenty winter training!

    Here's my 47 miles today

    http://connect.garmin.com/activity/113539056
  • the_spooks
    the_spooks Posts: 190
    Well done to all that took part and completed it, had tried to pop along to Linlithgow to cheer ya'all on but a puncture stopped me in my tracks.
    Hope that next year I will be taking part.
  • sumosprintstar
    sumosprintstar Posts: 171
    It was brutal! I had one very short stop at half way as it was just too cold to stand around. I rode pretty much the whole way on my own as no one seemed to be interested in forming a group. It was a long hard ride to cope with on your own. The run in to Edinburgh was great, I over took a Renault Clio at about 34mph (going downhill)....the look on the passenger's face was priceless :D
  • Malcolm44
    Malcolm44 Posts: 9
    yes it was a great day despite the weather. Unfortunately I did not finish as my rear wheel decided to throw its second spoke (the first one at 40 miles) after 84 miles and in sight of Edinburgh on the downhill portion !!!. For those of you who were asking if I was OK then - thanks, just a bit pissed off and FREEZING, but had the cows for company. Even more determined to do it next year..

    Great day and well worth the effort
    exercise.png
  • fuzzynavel
    fuzzynavel Posts: 718
    Garryboy wrote:
    fuzzynavel wrote:
    Just uploaded my Garmin and I miscalculated my time....

    I said 7 hours 20 and Garmin measured it as 6 hours 21

    .http://connect.garmin.com/activity/113613301

    I was actually 5 hours 58 of moving time.......I am dead chuffed with that.

    Great ride, well done

    Hoping to do the 100 mile next year, will need plenty winter training!

    Here's my 47 miles today

    http://connect.garmin.com/activity/113539056

    You should be pretty happy with that as the conditions weren't that good...a 17mph average is pretty respectable over nearly 50 miles..
    17 Stone down to 12.5 now raring to get back on the bike!

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