Cannock Chase 100

AllanES

Anyone else entered the Cannock Chase 100 sportive in July?
Or done it in previous years?

I've signed up to do the 100 miler but I'm having reservations. Partly because my current longest ride is around 60 miles and at the end of that I couldn't imagine having to do another 40!
But of course there is time to up the mileage before the event. So, for now I'll keep my entry at 100 with the possibility of dropping down to the 60 nearer the time if I don't feel I can manage the 100.
I just wondered if anyone else had any experience of this event and likely route?

Allan

dempsey1

did it last year. like you i'd done around 60 milers(100km) sportives only. i figured it would be pretty flat and a good event to have a go for a 100 miler. It was! . go for it , pace yourself and enjoy bagging a century

AllanES

dempsey1 wrote:

did it last year. like you i'd done around 60 milers(100km) sportives only. i figured it would be pretty flat and a good event to have a go for a 100 miler. It was! . go for it , pace yourself and enjoy bagging a century

Excellent. Just what I wanted to hear
I'm not familiar with the area - it's my wife's neck of the woods rather than mine - so I wasn't sure how hilly/flat it was likely to be.

Kieran_Burns

If it's going over the Chase, it ain't gonna be flat.

When I was a student, the only hill I couldn't climb was the one going up onto the top of the chase, but the downhills are bloody marvellous (as is the view and the roads)

My step up was from 100Km rides to 100 miles and two friends have stepped up from 40 and 50 mile maximums. It's all about energy management not fitness when you can cycle those kind of distances. It's really a mental effort, and I hit the "wtf am I doing????" moment at about 75 miles the first time but I kept going, you just do.

I think you'll regret not trying, so you should keep yourself on the 100 mile route and try a few hills out.

AllanES

Kieran_Burns wrote:

If it's going over the Chase, it ain't gonna be flat.

Not what I wanted to hear :? But i guess there has to be some hills in a 100mile bike ride!

My step up was from 100Km rides to 100 miles and two friends have stepped up from 40 and 50 mile maximums. It's all about energy management not fitness when you can cycle those kind of distances. It's really a mental effort, and I hit the "wtf am I doing????" moment at about 75 miles the first time but I kept going, you just do.

I think you're right about energy management...and nutrition/hydration levels. I definitely noticed a difference when I've started out with the attitude of "this is going to be a long ride, let's not rush it" compared to speedy from the start! And also carrying plenty of energy bars and fluid with me makes a very noticeable difference

Velonutter

Any of the small lumps around Cannock Chase are Easy, worst I can think of is Brockton which is only about 15%, seriously I can't see anyone who reads on here no being able to ride any of the small climbs on the Chase.

I can think of a couple over by Hednesford and even them aren't hard, just take your time spin it in a nice easy gear.

BTW I ain't a climber :-)

AllanES

Velonutter wrote:

Any of the small lumps around Cannock Chase are Easy, worst I can think of is Brockton which is only about 15%, seriously I can't see anyone who reads on here no being able to ride any of the small climbs on the Chase.

I can think of a couple over by Hednesford and even them aren't hard, just take your time spin it in a nice easy gear.

BTW I ain't a climber :-)

Thanks ....from another non-climber......for your opinion

bails1310

Just signed up for the 100, may decide if this is a good idea on the day depending on the heat :oops:

Think it will be a 'just get round' day and not a 'how many PR's' day

I've tried downloading the .gpx or .tcx file from the website to Garmin so I have the map in reserve if need be, but when trying to manually download to Garmin, it states "Not All Activities Could be Downloaded".

The file I've saved is a gpx/tcx file but not sure if I'm missing something.

Alternatively if someone has the route already, could they stick it somewhere I can get hold of it.

See you there if anyone is doing it.

AllanES

bails1310 wrote:

Just signed up for the 100, may decide if this is a good idea on the day depending on the heat :oops:

I've signed up for the 100. It'll be my first time to that distance - most i've ridden so far is 85 miles. But hoping the heat doesn't put a stop to me doing the 100! But definitely going to be a "get round" ride. :-)

bails1310 wrote:

I've tried downloading the .gpx or .tcx file from the website to Garmin so I have the map in reserve if need be, but when trying to manually download to Garmin, it states "Not All Activities Could be Downloaded".

I had the same problem. And being new to Garmin and .gpx files I couldn't find a fix for it. In the end I re-drew the map using Garmin Connect and transferred it to my 500 by that means. I just hope I've redrawn it accurately!!

Kieran_Burns

I've not entered as yet, as I'm concerned about the heat as well. I emailed the organisers and got the following back:

Thank you for your email, <snip>

At the event headquarters we have fluids for people before they start as well as feed stations en route (60 mile route @ approx 33 miles – 100 mile route @ 39 miles & 70 miles)

The route also passes other pubs which you could top up if needed, we are also advising people to use two bottles on their bikes

We will also have a lovely feed station set up at the finish, I hope this helps & hope to see you on the big day

I think some of those leaps might be a bit much with the temps expected on Saturday. So you'd be lowering your work-rate to keep cool enough.

bails1310

bails1310 wrote:

I've tried downloading the .gpx or .tcx file from the website to Garmin so I have the map in reserve if need be, but when trying to manually download to Garmin, it states "Not All Activities Could be Downloaded".

I had the same problem. And being new to Garmin and .gpx files I couldn't find a fix for it. In the end I re-drew the map using Garmin Connect and transferred it to my 500 by that means. I just hope I've redrawn it accurately!! [/quote]

Be interested in getting a copy if you don't mind, not sure if you can publish it on Garmin Connect - if I know who you are I'll gladly get you a beer post ride.

AllanES

bails1310 wrote:

Be interested in getting a copy if you don't mind, not sure if you can publish it on Garmin Connect - if I know who you are I'll gladly get you a beer post ride.

I'd be happy to share (although you'd definitely need to check it for accuracy against the "official" route on the website ) if you have a better idea than me how that can be done! I'm a novice on Garmin Connect etc.

AllanES

Kieran_Burns wrote:

I think some of those leaps might be a bit much with the temps expected on Saturday. So you'd be lowering your work-rate to keep cool enough.

I was a little concerned by the gaps. And that was even before the heatwave!
But being a novice on sportives, i assumed these intervals were standard.

AllanES

bails1310 wrote:

Be interested in getting a copy if you don't mind, not sure if you can publish it on Garmin Connect - if I know who you are I'll gladly get you a beer post ride.

Sent you a PM

Kieran_Burns

AllanES wrote:

Kieran_Burns wrote:

I think some of those leaps might be a bit much with the temps expected on Saturday. So you'd be lowering your work-rate to keep cool enough.

I was a little concerned by the gaps. And that was even before the heatwave!
But being a novice on sportives, i assumed these intervals were standard.

Drink 'til you're sloshing at the feed stops and rather than need a pee, you'll sweat it out 8)

I can get to 40 miles without needing a stop normally as I eat enough to cover the distance then it's snacking and gels as I go.

I might end up looping through some of the same parts even if I'm not on the Sportive as the roads 'round those parts are really great.

bails1310

...................decent down Drayton Cliff at 69 miles is pretty good, IMO.

bails1310

AllanES wrote:

bails1310 wrote:

Be interested in getting a copy if you don't mind, not sure if you can publish it on Garmin Connect - if I know who you are I'll gladly get you a beer post ride.

Sent you a PM

Many thanks, PM'd you back.

R0B75

Kieran_Burns wrote:

I've not entered as yet, as I'm concerned about the heat as well. I emailed the organisers and got the following back:

Thank you for your email, <snip>

At the event headquarters we have fluids for people before they start as well as feed stations en route (60 mile route @ approx 33 miles – 100 mile route @ 39 miles & 70 miles)

The route also passes other pubs which you could top up if needed, we are also advising people to use two bottles on their bikes

We will also have a lovely feed station set up at the finish, I hope this helps & hope to see you on the big day

I think some of those leaps might be a bit much with the temps expected on Saturday. So you'd be lowering your work-rate to keep cool enough.

I said to Rob the other day that I'll be doing this:

Taking 2 bottles, refill both at first feed station. Refill both again at second feed station. 6 bottles should be enough, but if its not, there will be other places to stop and refill. Shops, pubs etc. The heat will be an issue, but with plenty of liquid and a more relaxed pace (like Saturday) you'd be fine and so would Rob, unless he has 2 pints of Cider again

Get yourself entered!

Kieran_Burns

Saturday wasn't THAT relaxed!

R0B75

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Saturday wasn't THAT relaxed!

Well it could have been slower, but we would have been overtaken by stationary objects.

Kieran_Burns

R0B75 wrote:

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Saturday wasn't THAT relaxed!

Well it could have been slower, but we would have been overtaken by stationary objects.

You mean Rob? :P

R0B75

Kieran_Burns wrote:

R0B75 wrote:

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Saturday wasn't THAT relaxed!

Well it could have been slower, but we would have been overtaken by stationary objects.

You mean Rob? :P

Possibly...

By the way, it looks like its going to be cooler on Sunday. No excuse now then 8)

nik6158

I did the 60 mile ride and had a great time averaging 17.8mph which is a lot faster than I can usually manage.

R0B75

Well done.

Beat me by 0.1mph. I did the 100 miler, which was actually 102 miles.

Kieran_Burns

Or 108 if you got lost...

R0B75

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Or 108 if you got lost...

Or ZERO if you were a massive fanny and stayed at home

AllanES

I did the 100 miler and was glad of the wee diversion around the 60 miles mark. As this was my maiden 100 mile ride I was worried I was going to enter the grounds of Shugborough having done only 99.2 miles! Thankfully the detour took me beyond the hundred! :-)

Kieran_Burns

R0B75 wrote:

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Or 108 if you got lost...

Or ZERO if you were a massive fanny and stayed at home

Guilty as charged.

mrbobuk

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Or 108 if you got lost...

Well, to do 108 in the first place Mr Burns (and get lost, as around 30 or more others did I might add, due to signpost issues at one particular part), you have to DO the Sportive in the first place. Not fanny out of participating when you have a triple on a carbon frame. Me? I'm more of a standard 12-25 kinda guy. RIDE the Sportives, rather than romanticise about them!

Great day though. Shame you couldn't be there.

mrbobuk

R0B75 wrote:

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Or 108 if you got lost...

Or ZERO if you were a massive fanny and stayed at home

+1 Rob. You beat me to it!