Etape Caledonia 2013
Comments
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Training not going well, can't get enough miles in, the wind always seems to be coming from the front. Going to do 50 miles today.0
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Training has gone ok although still lacking with endurance for hard efforts late on in a long ride. Want to beat my time from last year obviously but also want to be able to sprint up the last drag to the finish without cramping up
Should be finding out the starting waves pretty soon0 -
Tried to put in the miles over winter but the weather defeated those plans to a great extent. Didn't mind the miles in sub-zero temps (water bottle froze during one ride after an hour) but that east wind in the last few weeks just wears you down to the point where you don't have the incentive to climb onto the bike.
Weather now getting a bit warmer (but wetter). Doing the Rutland CICLE Sportive on 20th April so that should give me a pointer as to my fitness levels.
Long range forecast looks encouraging:-
http://www.metcheck.com/UK/180days.asp? ... WcA_qJllGg
but we all know how that can change in a heartbeat in the Scottish highlands.0 -
Anyone know any B&B's, hotels with any cancellations..just found out last week that my room has been overbooked...just dandy with 4 weeks to go. :evil:0
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Gazzetta67 wrote:Anyone know any B&B's, hotels with any cancellations..just found out last week that my room has been overbooked...just dandy with 4 weeks to go. :evil:
Try the Dunkeld/Birnam area. Google the royal hotel of Dunkeld, Birnam hotel, erigmore have chalets, and plenty b & b's call the tourist info centre on 01350 727688. It's only 12 miles up the A9 to Pitlochry. And the pubs are pretty good.
Me I'm staying at my folks place in Birnam - sorry only one spare room and I don't fancy a top n tail...0 -
Gazzetta67 wrote:Anyone know any B&B's, hotels with any cancellations..just found out last week that my room has been overbooked...just dandy with 4 weeks to go. :evil:
Try the Aberfeldy area too.0 -
arlowood wrote:Tried to put in the miles over winter but the weather defeated those plans to a great extent. Didn't mind the miles in sub-zero temps (water bottle froze during one ride after an hour) but that east wind in the last few weeks just wears you down to the point where you don't have the incentive to climb onto the bike.
Weather now getting a bit warmer (but wetter). Doing the Rutland CICLE Sportive on 20th April so that should give me a pointer as to my fitness levels.
Long range forecast looks encouraging:-
http://www.metcheck.com/UK/180days.asp?MonthOf=5&zipcode=Pitlochry#.UWcA_qJllGg
but we all know how that can change in a heartbeat in the Scottish highlands.
If only that could be a confirmed forecast. 4 mph wind, 9C and clearish skies would be ideal.0 -
Gazzetta67 wrote:Anyone know any B&B's, hotels with any cancellations..just found out last week that my room has been overbooked...just dandy with 4 weeks to go. :evil:
At a push you could look at Hotels and B&B's on the northern edge of Perth.
I have blagged a room from my son who lives in central Perth and the sat nav suggests my travel time will be about 40mins
If you can find somewhere on the Dunkeld Road out of Perth that would save you 5 or 10 mins.
http://www.visitscotland.com/destinatio ... ommodation0 -
Thanks guys for the replies, I dont mind a half hour drive to pitlochry as ive already booked a car parking space in the big field. will give some of the hotels/numbers mentioned and see if there is any spaces.0
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Gazzetta67 wrote:Thanks guys for the replies, I dont mind a half hour drive to pitlochry as ive already booked a car parking space in the big field. will give some of the hotels/numbers mentioned and see if there is any spaces.
No probs, and good luck in the borders on Sunday.0 -
I stayed at one of the Travelodges in Perth a couple of years ago (the one just off the A9), was only about a half hour drive in the morning so quite convienient and i also managed to book it quite late on so worth trying their website.0
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Omar Little wrote:I stayed at one of the Travelodges in Perth a couple of years ago (the one just off the A9), was only about a half hour drive in the morning so quite convienient and i also managed to book it quite late on so worth trying their website.
Good shout Omar.
Both Travelodge's on the A9 near Perth have availability for 11th May. One is charging £52 (Huntingtower) and the other £32 (Broxden Junction). Plenty of eating places nearby as far as I recall.
Gazetta should be able to get sorted and still only have about 30 mins drive on the Sunday morning.
Travelodge's are a bit soulless but at least you can store your bike in the room with you and come and go when you like. A B&B might be more restrictive in those respects.0 -
Up until 2days ago two friends managed to book in the pitolochry backpacers hotel dormitory right on the start line cheap and cheerf, we're staying there again this year has its own kitchen to cook your own food, full of etapers, wifi, free pool table, free tea and coffee, give it a shot you may be lucky!All lies and jest..still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest....0
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Started my training yesterday it's just been far too cold to go out for months. Managed to do 43 miles yesterday and died a thousand deaths, finishing it will be a challenge for me. :oops: 0
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RandG wrote:Started my training yesterday it's just been far too cold to go out for months. Managed to do 43 miles yesterday and died a thousand deaths, finishing it will be a challenge for me. :oops:
Do 53 this weekend then 63 the weekend after and 73 the weekend after that. You'll make it chief! :-)0 -
thegreatdivide wrote:RandG wrote:Started my training yesterday it's just been far too cold to go out for months. Managed to do 43 miles yesterday and died a thousand deaths, finishing it will be a challenge for me. :oops:
Do 53 this weekend then 63 the weekend after and 73 the weekend after that. You'll make it chief! :-)
I also recommend a turbo when you cannot get out (because of the weather or domestic restrictions). I work on a five day training programme with two rest days built in per week.0 -
thegreatdivide wrote:
Do 53 this weekend then 63 the weekend after and 73 the weekend after that. You'll make it chief! :-)
Did 31 last night in the wind and rain, felt much better. Hoping to get out on Thursday for another 30ish then try for 50ish come the weekend, though I really think I'm gonna be the most undercooked rider in the field.0 -
Believe me, you're definitely not - every year hundreds of people who do not even think of themselves as cyclists do it, many of them haven't even covered 81 miles in all their training put together. Just get in all the miles you can, indoors or out - don't keep pushing it right up to race ( :twisted: ) day of course.RandG wrote:though I really think I'm gonna be the most undercooked rider in the field.
As for me, I've had this knack of finding things to do that are more important than riding a bike, but miles are starting to flow a bit better - it helps that the winter tyres & clothing are finally off. And the biggest boost has been to recruit my kids to help my lousy self-discipline when it comes to diet - you just can't believe how effective teenagers can be as the diet police
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I was on hols in the Etape Caledonia area recently and was reminded that you tend to get some favourable tailwinds on the Etape route, plus some big bunches on the day to tuck in behind - once you've taken your turn on the front, of course.
Schiehallion is covered in snow and looks fantastic. Road surfaces are not too bad. They are quiet smooth surfaces and not too potholey after the harsh winter. A lot better than Edinburgh anyway. 0 -
quite smooth anyway0
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My training has been so restricted I have registered for the 2014 event, and I'm gonna use this years event as a training day for then....0
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35mph winds yesterday, so did a couple of hours on the turbo, great fun.0
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You tend to get some quite unpleasant headwinds too - in particular if the wind's in the east to north east, and it has been a couple of years, the stretch from the turn in Glen Lyon to Logierait is a long drag - I remember one time doing long stints into the wind at the front of small groups on this whole stretch (I obviously don't have the group riding skills to get others to come through) only to get dropped every time there was a slight rise in the road.Alain Quay wrote:I was on hols in the Etape Caledonia area recently and was reminded that you tend to get some favourable tailwinds on the Etape route, plus some big bunches on the day to tuck in behind - once you've taken your turn on the front, of course. Schiehallion is covered in snow and looks fantastic. Road surfaces are not too bad. They are quiet smooth surfaces and not too potholey after the harsh winter. A lot better than Edinburgh anyway.
But overall you're right, the opportunity to tuck in helps a lot into the wind and you will get tailwinds for some significant bits of the route. Long term weather forecast obviously still uncertain, but the met office are currently suggesting more settled weather, i.e. high pressure, around the middle of May - good news in general, but watch out for early morning frost and easterly headwinds on the long drag home!0 -
Last year's westerly was brutal, but the run to Logierait was tremendous fun. I did most of it on the other side of the road - because I could 0
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Last years westerly was indeed brutal, I could have wept at one point, had it not been for the group of girls around me at the time I probably would have. :-(0
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All the gear, but no idea...0
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So less than 4 weeks, and I have a total of 94 miles under my belt this year. This could be a looooooonnnnggg day 0
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Me three. The closed roads really are a big part of what makes the Etape C such fun.Silly Old Hector wrote:0 -
In some respects the strong winds last year added an element fun....very rare that you'll get a chance to ride in an echelon in the UK. Plus its always nice to see skinny climbers really having to suffer into a head or side wind :twisted:
That being said, we had the fun of the wind last year would prefer a still, clear, dry and warm day this year! 0 -
No rain, sunshine would be nice, and something over 10 degs and no more than a light Westerly or South Westerly breeze would be fine please fay ce que voudres0
