Wiggle New Forest Spring Sportive April 2013

Lspringett
Lspringett Posts: 16
edited April 2013 in Sportives/audaxes/training rides
Hi Guys,

First sportive this weekend (Sunday epic 86miles), put in 1500miles through the winter so feeling pretty good, just wondering who going and what those who have riden before can tell me what I'm letting myself in for?

2013 epic route: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/1212304

Doesn't seem to be any surprises in the route (link above), but never riden in the new forest before as live down in Cornwall.

Cheers
«1

Comments

  • Fr Howie
    Fr Howie Posts: 28
    Ran in similar sportive last year down there. It was lovely but, there were storms in the previous few days and lots of little flints in gravel had been washed into the road. People were fixing punctures all the time (my riding buddy had four punctures in 60 miles). We had intended to do the epic ride, but having spent seemingly hours at the road-side we had had enough. So, I guess, my advice is to to put your winter tough tyres on and take an extra spare tube or two, especially if it's been raining in the days on the run-up to it.

    Oh, and whilst my riding buddy had four punctures I had none, I suspect because he largely was riding by the curb and me further into the road next to him, so stay out of the gutters.
  • mbthegreat
    mbthegreat Posts: 179
    I'm doing this on Saturday (standard route), looking forward to it.
  • roadiemk
    roadiemk Posts: 19
    Ditto,
    I'm looking forward to Saturday, and will also be doing the Evans MK sportive the day after too :-).

    Initial indications for the weather look promising too.
    I did the autumn new forest sportive last year. Pretty flat so nothing difficult. But it is also pretty open in places, so if you have a headwind, you will notice it!
    Also keep an eye out for the kamikaze horses and cows ;-)
  • zardoz
    zardoz Posts: 251
    I'm doing the long route on Sunday. Weather is looking good so might be flashing a bit of bare leg!
    http://www.strava.com/athletes/1767978
  • topcattim
    topcattim Posts: 766
    I've done this for the last couple of years. Lovely quiet roads. There are no proper hills to speak of - some rises, and one short sharp 20 to 25% climb, that is over very quickly. As has been said, if it is windy, it can be tough in places, as there are sections of the Forest without a lot of forest. Always really well organised by Wiggle, and I note that the start is in a different place to last time, presumably to increase parking (and it will also ease the run into the finish a bit as well, I think).

    You'll have a great day. And so will I, I hope, on the Saturday. Weather for Saturday is less positive, so I think my legs will be remaining covered!
  • Der Kaiser
    Der Kaiser Posts: 172
    I am doing the sunday 58 miler. Looking forward to trying out my Schwalbe Durano Plus over a serious distance.

    Weather looks nice for sunday so I am likely to get my white legs on show.
  • dartmoorscottydog
    dartmoorscottydog Posts: 72
    I'm up for Saturdays ride. Compared with Devon / Cornwall the New Forest is pretty flat. Hoping my lack of serious training won't be laid bare! See you up there and fingers crossed for the weather!
  • neilg7777
    neilg7777 Posts: 142
    I am there Saturday doing the 86 miles looking forward to it. Going down night before
    Neil
  • allez24
    allez24 Posts: 71
    I was up for the standard ride on the Saturday but due to a knee injury now cannot do.
    Anyone interested in buying my place at a knockdown price?
    Discussion is an exchange of knowledge.....
    Argument is an exchange of ignorance...
  • mhj999
    mhj999 Posts: 122
    Hi Guys,

    First sportive of the season this weekend (Saturday epic 86miles), put in 150 roadmiles through the winter so feeling pretty iffy about getting the Gold 15.5mph average
    Sensa Giulia 105
  • mbthegreat
    mbthegreat Posts: 179
    Weather for Sat seems to have taken a turn for the worse 10-20mph wind and rain. Sounds brill...

    Anyone fancy meeting up on Saturday morning? (I'm doing it on me tod, or at least starting it on me tod)
  • SPOC
    SPOC Posts: 109
    I am doing this one on Saturday as well, the epic.

    My body is just about recovered from the Meon Riser on Sunday just past.

    Looks like a good chance to put in pretty quick time over a long-ish distance with no real climbing of note.

    Does anyone know what the gold time for this is? Can't see anything on the main page of the website.
  • neilg7777
    neilg7777 Posts: 142
    Its in the pre-event stuff, think its 5hrs 30mins or around there
    Neil
  • zardoz
    zardoz Posts: 251
    Only 15-38mph winds forecast for Sunday.... :cry:
    http://www.strava.com/athletes/1767978
  • neilg7777
    neilg7777 Posts: 142
    Think Of the tail wind lol.
    Neil
  • SPOC
    SPOC Posts: 109
    neilg7777 wrote:
    Its in the pre-event stuff, think its 5hrs 30mins or around there
    Neil

    Thanks mate, found it in the pre-race stuff.

    Epic Gold 86 Miles >15.5 mph <5hr 32m
    Epic Silver 86 Miles >14 mph <6hr 8m
    Epic Bronze 86 Miles <14 mph >6hr 8m

    Although I think they've probably mucked that up, I wouldn't understand why silver and bronze would be the same.

    I'm just about 20 miles down the coast in Gosport today and the weather is horrid, lets hope it's not as windy as this tomorrow or Sunday!
  • topcattim
    topcattim Posts: 766
    SPOC wrote:
    neilg7777 wrote:
    Its in the pre-event stuff, think its 5hrs 30mins or around there
    Neil

    Thanks mate, found it in the pre-race stuff.

    Epic Gold 86 Miles >15.5 mph <5hr 32m
    Epic Silver 86 Miles >14 mph <6hr 8m
    Epic Bronze 86 Miles <14 mph >6hr 8m

    Although I think they've probably mucked that up, I wouldn't understand why silver and bronze would be the same.

    I'm just about 20 miles down the coast in Gosport today and the weather is horrid, lets hope it's not as windy as this tomorrow or Sunday!
    They're not the same. You get a silver if you complete in less than 6 hours and 8 mins. And you get a bronze if you complete in more than 6 hours and 8 mins. (Not sure what you get if you complete in exactly 6 hours 8 mins! :wink: )
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Doing the epic on Sunday. Just be sunny, dry and calm, please?

    As if.

    I rode the final 3rd a few weeks ago and put this segment up, something to chase!

    http://app.strava.com/segments/3711653
  • SPOC
    SPOC Posts: 109
    Well just got home. So cold and wet it's unreal out there today.

    This was only my third sportive so I don't have much to compare it on, but can't say I am impressed.

    Didn't think it was the best organised compared to the two I have ridden before, the course wasn't great and Wiggle didn't seem to do much about the sign damage from the anti-cycling protesters, although on the other hand I guess what could they do? But it was very frustrating.

    Anyway did it in 4hours 37min and that includes a 10 minute stop for a puncture, but still well happy with that in really terrible conditions!

    Hope everyone gets out the car park ok, that was another problem. It was still raining when I left about 14:00 and much more rain and it looked like it might be carnage.
  • topcattim
    topcattim Posts: 766
    SPOC wrote:
    Well just got home. So cold and wet it's unreal out there today.

    This was only my third sportive so I don't have much to compare it on, but can't say I am impressed.

    Didn't think it was the best organised compared to the two I have ridden before, the course wasn't great
    Its always difficult when the weather isn't good. I wonder if you might have thought differently about the route if it had been sunny? I thought it was fine - and this is my third year on that route - the first year was an absolute delight, really sunny, loved the route.
    SPOC wrote:
    Wiggle didn't seem to do much about the sign damage from the anti-cycling protesters, although on the other hand I guess what could they do? But it was very frustrating.
    I did notice a few signs torn down, but not very many - and Wiggle had taken the precaution of painting on the roads - as you say, there's not much more that they could have done, is there?

    The whole "No to mass cycling in the Forest" thing is bizarre, to my view. What rational reason can they have to object to this? Some cyclists litter, of course, but so do some drivers (I bet the Costa cups I saw on the roadside today weren't dropped by cyclists!) and I also bet that Wiggle now go round clearing the route? Yes, cyclists slow traffic at points, but not as much as cars in say, Lyndhurst. And I bet that the Sportive brought in a lot of people both to local b & b and also to the area in general, so they can come back and spend their tourist pound in dodgy fudge shops in Burley.
    SPOC wrote:
    Hope everyone gets out the car park ok, that was another problem. It was still raining when I left about 14:00 and much more rain and it looked like it might be carnage.
    Totally agree about the start point, though. Really lacked atmosphere. I know that this was the result of the rain, but it was so spread out it just didn't have a buzz. Much prefer the College as a start point, and it has showers, a big [lus on a day like this. And yes, that car park was carnage - going to be really tough for people arriving tomorrow!
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Also just got in.

    I'd say that's a bit unfair. They can't really so much if signs are being pulled down. They had sprayed the route onto the roads and the food was good and the staff charming as ever.

    100 miles (there and back from home) in the pouring rain didn't make for much fun, but glad to have stayed strong at the split!
  • mbthegreat
    mbthegreat Posts: 179
    dartmoorscottydog and I had a grand first 15 odd miles, until he decided to proceed and do the epic route like a madman. I sensibly went for the short route, though the wind still made me suffer. Event seems well run enough, just a shame about the weather. Getting out of the carpark was interesting, did it in reverse in the end.
  • Erebus
    Erebus Posts: 11
    Sunday cancelled - damn
  • Erebus
    Erebus Posts: 11
    just to add - bits of course flooded as is event centre. Rescheduled to 1June or you can transfer to three similar events (not specified).

    Going pub instead of packing........
  • BelgianBeerGeek
    BelgianBeerGeek Posts: 5,226
    Hello all.

    This was my first sportive, having been a sub for someone. I was told about it on Friday about 1330. So loads of prep then! We did the standard route.
    We (3 of us) set off and the rain set in at the first food stop. Hey-Ho, it rains in Britain. My tuppence worth:
    The route was really well marked out. Marshals were on hand to give info about crossings etc. The food provided was good, varied and plentiful. registration was easy and straightforward.
    The group we were in was stopped by a bunch of locals with an axe to grind with the organisers, they made their point and we moved on. BTW there were lots of other cyclists out there, were we an easy target because of the number tags?

    All in all, a good day out. And I hope the guy who took a spill on the cattle grid on the way back in is ok.
    Ecrasez l’infame
  • topcattim
    topcattim Posts: 766
    BelgianBeerGeek wrote:
    The group we were in was stopped by a bunch of locals with an axe
    Had to read that bit twice... :D
  • SPOC
    SPOC Posts: 109
    I'm a bit less grumpy about this now I'm warm and fed!

    Still thinks its a shame the local hillbillies tried to ruin it for whatever reason. Sucks tomorrow is off for anyone planning it, but honestly the car park would be near on impossible for access so I would say its probably for the best if they are offering to run it at a later date anyway.
  • Sidewinder2
    Sidewinder2 Posts: 2
    I can't beleive they've only just announced they are cancelling this tomorrow.

    I pre-registered in person at 5pm and there was no indication they were going to call it off. I have my helmet timer and goodie bag all ready to go.

    They basically sent round an email at 6.30pm with out even any form of apology on it
    Dear Rider,

    Due to extreme weather the event center and parts of the course have been flooded. Sunday's (14th April) Wiggle New Forest Spring Sportive has unfortunately been POSTPONED. We are currently working on a rescheduled date for Saturday 1st June.

    Riders who cannot make the re-scheduled date will also be given the option to transfer to three similar Wiggle Super Series events.

    We will be in touch via e-mail over the next few days with further details.

    Signage for tomorrow's event will remain up for Sunday morning for any riders wishing to ride the course, although you will need to find your own parking in Brockenhurst.

    Thank you,

    UKCE

    As far as I can see the site has done a "Silverstone" - ie it can not cope with cars and wet weather - they had only setup for people to park on grass which is waterlogged. All quite predicatable given the forecast wet weather has come.

    Now, I understand that it could make it too expensive to put in matting for the parking, but giving us more notice that there might be a problem if the clearly forecast weather happened would have helped alot.

    I think they will have a lot of unhappy people who will travell down tomorrow morning having not heard it's off :oops: and given the circumstances, not offering a refund is a bit much - they will (should) have event insurance to cover the costs of cancelling it.
  • topcattim
    topcattim Posts: 766
    topcattim wrote:
    BelgianBeerGeek wrote:
    The group we were in was stopped by a bunch of locals with an axe
    Had to read that bit twice... :D
    More seriously, what was the substance of their objection, beyond "lots of cyclists"?
  • paul_uk
    paul_uk Posts: 4
    I reckon it was only cancelled last minute due to the car park (field). I was one of many who had to be pushed out of there (thanks to the staff there who were great) and it will be in no fit state for the same number of cars tomorrow.

    It isn't great to be cancelled last minute but I don't think they had much choice.

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