Dartmoor Classic 2012

nick_1978

This is my first post on this forum, so I'd like to say hello!

I have entered the 106 mile Dartmoor classic as my first sportive, is there anyone on this forum that can lend any advice on this particular sportive? Anyone else taking part?
I've been a keen cyclist for well over 25 years, with many road and mtb races under my belt. Albeit 10 years ago.
Currently getting miles under my belt in the week and regularly get in 45 mile + on a Sunday morning ride.

Can anyone recommend any gear ratios for the hills on the route?
I went up Holne Hill from Ashburton today and it really, really was tough. 25% Gradient... :shock:
There were a lot of others all out on road bikes, were you one of them??

I'd be interested in any advice, recommendations, stories from previous D.C events.
Thanks in advance,
Nick

Mick Fester

Hi, I scraped a silver on the 106m last year and live locally so ride a fair bit of the route regularly. I ride with a compact 50/34 11-28 which suits the area well. Its a long day so the 34/28 gets used a fair bit to keep cadence up and make it easier on the legs on the long climbs. Holne chase is as bad as it gets with a few other short sections like it but most of the long climbs are more like 8 - 12 %. Many fall victim to cramp so correct hydration is crucial. I carry 2 x 750ml bottles with energy drink and electrolytes and make sure I use both by the first feedstation. The feedstation is very well supplied; Top up with the energy drink available ( I add electrolyte tabs) although it seems like a weak'ish concentration supplied. Take the freely available gels, bananas and have some of the superb cakes on offer. I've never seen them run low but carry enough of your own supplies just in case. If your not use to energy drinks or gels get use to them now to avoid tummy troubles on the day. The first section to the Princetown feedstop is the hardest so once you make that confidence should be high; just keep the hydration & electrolytes up to avoid cramp, get the calories in regularly and move around and stretch on the bike to keep loose. Enjoy your day and keep a pace you can keep up. I can't make this years and have an entry so I'm gutted.

nick_1978

Thanks for the advice!
I've heard good things about it, the organisation, the atmosphere, the route, etc...
I'm quite looking forward to it, despite moaning about the hills in the OP.
Think the legs will be OK by then, if Holne hill is as bad as it gets then I may be OK...
I am aiming for a medal of some description, so will take the advice you've given, thanks.

My current Road bike has a triple, with a 27 on the back. But I am looking to get a new Cube peloton before the event and really want a compact chain set for it. Am I best off sticking with the old bike until after the event?
Pro's and con's for both really... any recommendations?

craker

I'm doing this one - I thought I'd set myself a challenge (I normally do 80 mile flatter sportives). However I did 95 at the weekend on an audax and found that an easy way to get the miles done. Why? I was riding with friends - I think it makes such a difference to be able to sit on someone's back wheel for a few miles. Also the cameraderie. And the cakes.

So I'll be doing this one alone, am hoping I can get into a group of similarly paced riders and do my turn on the front as well as getting sucked along. Here's hoping.

BTW I'll be on a compact 34 /50 / 12 -28, Mike seems to have good experience so I'd get a new bike and put some miles on it before the event to get it set up right.

FoldingJoe

Yep, I'll me there, but only doing the 65 miler.

Currently running a compact with 12-25 on the back, but think I will opt for a 12-28 for the event. Haven't done any riding in that area but getting plenty of practice in around Bude and I am doing the Cornwall Tor end of April.

markp2

I will be doing the 100km this year for the third time. The route has varied a bit over the years but I find that the first half is harder but more interesting than the second.
The event is always well organised. I would second the need to carry and drink plenty of liquid as it can be a very hot and dry event.
Enjoy the ride,
Mark

Krys

I did it for the first time last year, and even though it was properly hard work, it was so well organised and so nice that I'm doing it again this year. Best organised sportive I've done so far. I wrote a blog about my ride if you're interested : http://www.thecyclingmayor.com/dartmoor-classic

nick_1978

Interesting comments and some great advice, thanks. Thanks for the blog too krys!

I'm glad to hear the 1st half is harder than the 2nd... I have taken in Holne Bridge Hill already, which was a pain like no other and last night after work I put in a fast 46 mile road ride that included part of the DC'12 route from Bovey Tracey round Manaton to Hound Tor. That climb up to Manaton is pretty hard going, but given the event is 3 months away I am a bit more confident of completing it in a reasonable time.
I heard that the feed stations are gated, so the time spent at them isn't included in your overall time. Is this true?

It will be my first sportive and I am really looking forward to it!

mamba80

No its not or it wasnt last year the time will be added in but you will see how long you spent eating lol

I think after the event you ll have a better idea of which half is the harder section, i would advise you take it a bit easier for the first section to Princetown, you ve raced so you ll know how to conserve your energy. the 2nd section back up to the Princetown for the return feed station is hardly flat and can be very exposed if there is an easterly breeze.
good luck, its a cracking event!

symo

I should be marshalling this year (got out of it for 3 years so can't complain) so hope to see you.

My favourite bit is once you have done the Princetown loop, running a compact you can spend most of it in the big ring nailing it. Especially once you hit the teign valley.

nick_1978

symo wrote:

I should be marshalling this year (got out of it for 3 years so can't complain) so hope to see you.

My favourite bit is once you have done the Princetown loop, running a compact you can spend most of it in the big ring nailing it. Especially once you hit the teign valley.

Looking at the route on the DC website, the end of the Princetown loop is 75 miles in... I don't think I will be nailling anything at that stage!
Just looking forward to it now, I want to get my av.speed up a little ready for it.

Anyone go out on the MDCC Long Sunday rides?

symo

Used to, still a member but location means I don't anymore. Hugely fun rides, B run always hits a good cafe and the A run is fast; which is no surprise when you consider Brennan Townshend,JTL, Yanto et al were always in it. Colin Lewis normally goes with the B run but I know as I was leaving there was B+ run started for those that wanted to move to the A run.

IIRC then there is a club run of the DC route a week or two before the event.

nick_1978

symo wrote:

Used to, still a member but location means I don't anymore. Hugely fun rides, B run always hits a good cafe and the A run is fast; which is no surprise when you consider Brennan Townshend,JTL, Yanto et al were always in it. Colin Lewis normally goes with the B run but I know as I was leaving there was B+ run started for those that wanted to move to the A run.

IIRC then there is a club run of the DC route a week or two before the event.

Excellent, I may join them for a Sunday B run.. I saw a large-ish group coming up the Teign valley this morning - must have been the MDCC, I had just recce'd the Doccombe hill out of M'hampstead. I had forgotten what it was like. Not been up it on a bike for about 12 years!
I used to go out with Colin & the club on a weekday night (can't remember which one..) and raced against Yanto a few times when I was in my teens.
Am quite looking forward to the classic now, all I hear is good things about it!

CakeLovinBeast

I'm also an MDCC member, but haven't been out with any of them since racing Ilton a few weeks back. FWIW the B+ run that Symo mentions is called the M run these days. Because I've not been a member for that long, I'd signed up for the classic before becoming a member, so no marshalling for me this year!

Quite a few of the guys rode the South Hams Hammer yesterday and said that it was a particularly brutal ride, something like 8500ft of climbing over 80 miles. I was supposed to be riding, but ultimately was feeling unwell and didn't think it was a good idea to be too far away from bathroom facilities!

Get yourself along for a club run if you're nearby - it's a great group of people and it's always nice to see new faces. If you fancy it, the midweek chaingangs and TT's are just about to start back up again too.

Cornish-J

I'm doing the 65mile option - looking forward to it. Not done this event before but also heard good things about it.

fingers crossed for some sun and no wind!

El zilcho

I'll be doing the full length option. I'm getting very excited already. As someone who's never really followed a training programme before I can't believe how much having a target like this motivates you.

nick_1978

El zilcho wrote:

I'll be doing the full length option. I'm getting very excited already. As someone who's never really followed a training programme before I can't believe how much having a target like this motivates you.

I'm with you on that, on Sunday mornings these days I don't think of having a lay in, I'm focused on getting 50 to 60 miles in before the Mrs has woken up...

Cornish-J wrote:

I'm doing the 65mile option - looking forward to it. Not done this event before but also heard good things about it.

fingers crossed for some sun and no wind!

I did a 60 mile on a part of the full route last Sunday, there was a horrific head wind on the exposed high ground... I found it really hard going. So I really am hoping for NO wind that day.

symo

CakeLovinBeast wrote:

I'm also an MDCC member, but haven't been out with any of them since racing Ilton a few weeks back. FWIW the B+ run that Symo mentions is called the M run these days. Because I've not been a member for that long, I'd signed up for the classic before becoming a member, so no marshalling for me this year!

Uncle Ken will get you in the end

lkalkwarf

It's a great ride. Done the 65 for the last two years which were great. Very well organised ride with a really good vibe both before and after the ride.
My advice on Holne Bridge is not to burn yourself out. You'll pay for it later.
The first half is def tougher than the second, but keep some in the tank for the the last 15 miles or so and it can be a real pleasure. If you dont have anything in the tank it can be a tedious grind to the end.

El zilcho

I went and did the loop out from Princetown through Tavistock from the longer version last weekend, and apart from a howling headwind on the aptly-named Pork Hill it was a beautiful ride. I'm getting really excited about it now.

rake

i stayed in the national park dartmpoor a few weeks ago. i couldnt find a flat piece of road anywhere.it must be a couple of miles hard climb out of bovey tracey. hard riding and can be hazardous on the narrow downhill in the rain with grit strewn all over the road but great fun. i wish id seen the event earlier, the route goes past where i stay.

CakeLovinBeast

rake wrote:

...it must be a couple of miles hard climb out of bovey tracey...

And then some!
Not to mention that the Classic takes the longer run through Manaton and up to Hound Tor, which is more like 8 or 9 miles.