Who's doing Milton Keynes/more2sea

boogi11
boogi11 Posts: 354
edited April 2013 in Sportives/audaxes/training rides
Just wondering if anybody has done or is doing either of these, I think the more2sea might kill me,

Comments

  • Calpol
    Calpol Posts: 1,039
    Did you mean the Evans Ride It - MK sportive on 14th April. I have signed for the 90 mile - getting a bit nervous now though as haven't ridden much in last 2 months.
  • boogi11
    boogi11 Posts: 354
    That's the one. Me neither it should be fine, it's not hilly. If you see somebody on a blue bianchi say hello, I'll have the look of someone who know what they are doing, the speed of somebody who obviously doesn't
  • Calpol
    Calpol Posts: 1,039
    Maybe we could tow each other round! Riding two up easier than solo!! I'll be looking similarly pro on a Wilier (until we get moving)
  • vala
    vala Posts: 197
    Should be doing this with a couple of mates. Not sure yet which option we're going for. Going to be on a singlespeed Cotic Roadrat.
  • Calpol
    Calpol Posts: 1,039
    vala wrote:
    Should be doing this with a couple of mates. Not sure yet which option we're going for. Going to be on a singlespeed Cotic Roadrat.
    I look forward to seeing you get up Bison Hill with that!! You must be uber fit!!
  • vala
    vala Posts: 197
    The gearing currently isn't very difficult tbh, only 63" but I'll tell my mates we need to factor in that in our training rides.
    Anything remotely similar closer to Milton Keynes?
  • Calpol
    Calpol Posts: 1,039
    vala wrote:
    The gearing currently isn't very difficult tbh, only 63" but I'll tell my mates we need to factor in that in our training rides.
    Anything remotely similar closer to Milton Keynes?
    There are a few around me.

    Search Strava for

    Hexton Hill 13 - Its a steady climb for about 1.5km
    Sundon Hill - a bit shorter and steeper
    Sharpenhoe Clappers - short but probably the steepest sections

    All these climbs are within 2-3 miles of each other and will give you a nice work out.
  • vala
    vala Posts: 197
    Thanks for that.
    I've made a note and will try and factor them all into our training rides.
  • charlie_potatoes
    charlie_potatoes Posts: 1,921
    I'm doing the MK 90 miles with a mate.
    What is this bison Hill? Steep? Long? Both? :)
    "You really think you can burn off sugar with exercise?" downhill paul
  • Calpol
    Calpol Posts: 1,039
    Charlie Potatoes wrote:
    I'm doing the MK 90 miles with a mate.
    What is this bison Hill? Steep? Long? Both? :)
    Its a hill next to Whipsnade Zoo. It certainly was on the route a couple of years ago and probably at around the 80 mile mark. Its not long but quite steep. You certainly know you are working when ascending it

    http://www.strava.com/segments/bison-hill-617752
  • charlie_potatoes
    charlie_potatoes Posts: 1,921
    Calpol wrote:
    Charlie Potatoes wrote:
    I'm doing the MK 90 miles with a mate.
    What is this bison Hill? Steep? Long? Both? :)
    Its a hill next to Whipsnade Zoo. It certainly was on the route a couple of years ago and probably at around the 80 mile mark. Its not long but quite steep. You certainly know you are working when ascending it

    http://www.strava.com/segments/bison-hill-617752

    Thanks Calpol.

    Best I save a bit for 80 miles in then :shock:
    :D
    "You really think you can burn off sugar with exercise?" downhill paul
  • boogi11
    boogi11 Posts: 354
    Calpol wrote:
    Maybe we could tow each other round! Riding two up easier than solo!! I'll be looking similarly pro on a Wilier (until we get moving)


    Cal pol, me and my mate will be doing it your more than welcome to join us, I can't imagine we will take it very seriously. I now have satnav which I did not do on y last sportive, hence I did 120miles on 100mile sportive. I'm not sure what car parking will be like, but if you see a 62 plate mercedes vito sport, I will probably be in the back cooking porridge, come and say hello. Is it your first sportive. This is my tester for the stupid Exeter sportive in September
  • Calpol
    Calpol Posts: 1,039
    boogi11 wrote:
    Calpol wrote:
    Maybe we could tow each other round! Riding two up easier than solo!! I'll be looking similarly pro on a Wilier (until we get moving)


    Cal pol, me and my mate will be doing it your more than welcome to join us, I can't imagine we will take it very seriously. I now have satnav which I did not do on y last sportive, hence I did 120miles on 100mile sportive. I'm not sure what car parking will be like, but if you see a 62 plate mercedes vito sport, I will probably be in the back cooking porridge, come and say hello. Is it your first sportive. This is my tester for the stupid Exeter sportive in September

    Hi.
    Its my first official 90 mile ride. I will probably park at my Aunt's in Old Farm Park. I should imagine that there will be load of parking the other side of the railway line in the actual MK. Its a very short ride up to the start point from there. Alternatively Codicote Lake has parking which might not be a bad idea. I aim to ride at c15mph pace average so hardly threatening any records!
  • boogi11
    boogi11 Posts: 354
    That is bout the same as us, say hello if you see us
  • vala
    vala Posts: 197
    Just booked onto the 90 mile ride with a friend. And the Cotic has been replaced with a Bianchi Via Nirone 7.
  • Alexvs
    Alexvs Posts: 52
    Thought I'd sign up as only 2 days away, so who's looking forward to it/wondering if they've over-estimated their abilities :-p

    I'll put myself in the possibly over-estimating my ability as the longest ride I've done so far is around the 60ish mile mark and still recovering from knee pains. I'll be riding with vala and have just had a proper fit by velomotion at (all3motion) so hoping that will help with the pains I was having before. I can certainly say I'm preparing for a lot of soreness and can imagine waddling around after. I'll be riding over from Kents Hill as I'm not lazy enough to drive round the corner lol.

    I'll be on a Specialized Secteur Comp and if the weather's as nice as it's supposed to be will be in my red/black BMC kit so say hi if you see me and vala. We'll be over first thing so to get out in the first group(s).

    See you there.
  • Calpol
    Calpol Posts: 1,039
    Alexvs wrote:
    Thought I'd sign up as only 2 days away, so who's looking forward to it/wondering if they've over-estimated their abilities :-p

    I'll put myself in the possibly over-estimating my ability as the longest ride I've done so far is around the 60ish mile mark and still recovering from knee pains. I'll be riding with vala and have just had a proper fit by velomotion at (all3motion) so hoping that will help with the pains I was having before. I can certainly say I'm preparing for a lot of soreness and can imagine waddling around after. I'll be riding over from Kents Hill as I'm not lazy enough to drive round the corner lol.

    I'll be on a Specialized Secteur Comp and if the weather's as nice as it's supposed to be will be in my red/black BMC kit so say hi if you see me and vala. We'll be over first thing so to get out in the first group(s).

    See you there.
    Definitely in the same category. Seriously considered bailing into the medium route but am going to turn up and have a go at the 86 miler. It doesn't look too hilly from the course profile if Garmin is correct. I did a 50 miler with 3000ft of ascent on Sunday and was ok ish. I reckon if i can get into a small group I might be ok as 50 to 60 solo miles is prob worth a bit more in a group. Weather forecast looks ok but likely headwind at start. I will be on my white and silver Wilier Izoard. If you fancy adding another rider to your peloton give me a shout :)
  • Alexvs
    Alexvs Posts: 52
    Calpol wrote:
    Definitely in the same category. Seriously considered bailing into the medium route but am going to turn up and have a go at the 86 miler. It doesn't look too hilly from the course profile if Garmin is correct. I did a 50 miler with 3000ft of ascent on Sunday and was ok ish. I reckon if i can get into a small group I might be ok as 50 to 60 solo miles is prob worth a bit more in a group. Weather forecast looks ok but likely headwind at start. I will be on my white and silver Wilier Izoard. If you fancy adding another rider to your peloton give me a shout :)
    It'll be ok we'll get out in a group and it'll make things a lot easier and make the most of any descents where we can. I'm awful at hills but manage to get up Ashridge so as long as that's the biggest type of hill I'm happy. If the weather gets worse I may still bail and stick with the medium at the splitting point but I really want to get the 86 done and under the belt as my notch towards doing the Dunwich Dynamo which is 120 miles in July. The more people we can get in a group the better as will help stay at a consistent pace so you're more than welcome to join us, like I said we'll be there to set off with the first group if possible :)
  • mpatts
    mpatts Posts: 1,010
    I live in MK (woburn sands), so would be rude not to. There are a bunch of us doing it, can;t wait!
    Insert bike here:
  • Calpol
    Calpol Posts: 1,039
    Well I did it. Let me first say that it was a well organised and very friendly event. Congrats to Evans cycles for that. I have to say that with it being my first sportive I was a bit nervous however as the Mrs and M-I-L were also doing the ride (short route) I decided to MTFU. Weather forecast was for a dry day and warming up but it was a bit chilly to begin with so opted for knee warmers and thermal base layer.

    I set off with another bloke who was riding alone and we resolved to buddy up to make it a bit easier. The wind was pretty brutal. The first section which was pretty much heading south out of MK and seemed to be straight into a headwind. The route wasn't supposed to be overly hilly but anyone who knows the area will appreciate that there are plenty of ups and downs. The ups were ok, the downs were generally into the wind and in general I found the conditions quite sapping. It was a great route but not a ride I particularly enjoyed (aside from the company of my ride buddy) as it was a real slog.

    There was one section in particular as you came out of Marston Moretaine and and headed to Lidlington which was straight into the wind and up a ramp through the towns high street. I think I was doing about 6mph at that point. No respite after that as it all seemed into the wind. I was pretty drained.

    All in all, really pleased I did the event. It was good mileage in tough conditions and an enjoyable start to my sportive career. Next one I think will be the Hitchin Nomads one in a month.

    Very proud of my wife and M-I-L who battled out 35 miles. My Mrs on a mountain bike and she even fixed a puncture. Onwards to the next one
  • mpatts
    mpatts Posts: 1,010
    The headwind was brutal...and the crosswinds.

    Just checked my splits, and I managed 30kph millbrook --> marston....I was being chased mind!
    Insert bike here:
  • Alexvs
    Alexvs Posts: 52
    We ended up getting there a little later than expected and then stupidly just joined the queue for the timing start rather than going in and registering lol. Once we got to the front and realised we went in and sorted all our bits. I think we saw you Calpol walking away from the start as we rejoined the queue but didn't really want to shout out "Calpol" lol.

    I got dropped at Great Brickhill as I'm not a climber by any means so I rode the first 20 or so mostly alone until a fellow cyclist caught me up as really was being battered by the wind and then we stuck together....by stuck together he just drafted me for most of the time so I cycled in the middle of the road to give him some wind as that gets boring after a while. Personally I should've just gone ahead as would've been some margin quicker but it's always better doing distance with someone than alone. The route is definitely very much up and down with some big ups. I've ridden Ashridge a few times now and it isn't getting easier lol. I caught one of the iCycle guys up on the hill and when he told me that wasn't the biggest of them I was a little deflated to say the least.

    Anyway I soldiered on, dropping this guy further and further as I think the hill killed him off. I slowed to wait for him as the fact we still had a long way to go I really couldn't be bothered going solo just yet. When we got to the final drink/food stop he was finished and decided to take the shortcut through Woburn as his back was done so I set off for the final 20 miles. I don't think I've ever pushed so hard from there till Lidlington averaging about 18-20mph and then I saw the climb to come so pulled over and caught a quick break. Whoever's idea it was to put a hill that big so close to the end is just cruel lol but I did make it up without stopping so was happy with that.

    I was extremely proud to have just finished and not bailed out on to a shorter route. My final ride time from the Garmin was 6:15 dead and the final ride time including stops was 7 hours with stops and waiting around and my total distance including the ride there and home was 93 miles which is the longest I've done. The times are up if you've not seen them already: https://www.box.com/s/vzodw14n2hnhq1f20m76.

    Oh yeah and 37mph down one section felt amazing completing my fastest mile in 2 mins 26 secs which is probably my fastest mile ever!

    Extremely well organised event by Evans which I'll probably do again as long as I find someone who won't leave me behind lol.

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