2014 tour of Flanders sportive

bigmat

I get what you're saying Ugo, although the sad fact is that if I bust a spoke then my day is likely over as I've never fixed a spoke in my life! Obviously riding a wheel that is less likely to suffer damage in the first place is a sensible idea, but I have never so much as knocked my Neutrons a mm out of true in thousands of miles of riding so fairly confident in their strength. Not sure new handbuilts is an option at the moment financially but will look into it - otherwise it would have to be my ancient Rigida Condors (still awaiting repair after spoke broke a couple of years ago) or my godawful Aksiums - either of those more likely to be serviceable on the road?

ugo.santalucia

BigMat wrote:

I get what you're saying Ugo, although the sad fact is that if I bust a spoke then my day is likely over as I've never fixed a spoke in my life! Obviously riding a wheel that is less likely to suffer damage in the first place is a sensible idea, but I have never so much as knocked my Neutrons a mm out of true in thousands of miles of riding so fairly confident in their strength. Not sure new handbuilts is an option at the moment financially but will look into it - otherwise it would have to be my ancient Rigida Condors (still awaiting repair after spoke broke a couple of years ago) or my godawful Aksiums - either of those more likely to be serviceable on the road?

The thing is you don't need to fix the spoke if you have many of them... a friend has done the all pave of Paris Roubaix with 31 spokes... if you only have 20, chances are the wheel won't go through the brake pads so you have to tweak it... you can't tweak the neutron on the road because of the above, unelss you want to remove the tyre, the rim tape and you want to carry an hexagonal head nipple wrench with you and even there it might not give you the desired effect.
You can tweak wheels with external nipples (or someone can help you doing it).
It's your call and if you don't have suitably tough wheels, you'll just have to risk it, won't you?

greasedscotsman

Geez, the roads in Flanders aren't that bad!

But then if you really are worried that your trousers might fall down, best wear a belt and braces...

errorist

Hotel question...

Where have people stayed when doing Flanders? Got a hotel booked in Bruges but was wondering how much hassle it is to get back there from the finish in Oudenaarde after the event? The official busses look a bit few and far between.

GJTheunisse

Train back to Bruges from Oudenaarde was straightforward last year: it's about a 1km spin from the where the sportive ends and you can just buy tickets at the station.

errorist

Thanks. Thats good to know. Had visions of riding miles to get to a station!

wilky27

Iamnot Wiggins wrote:

wilky27 wrote:

Has anyone got a route profile or GPX?

Thanks.

Why not just pay your money & ride?

I've paid my money and I will be riding thanks. :roll:

Now, has anyone got a route profile or GPX of the long route, I can't seem to find one anywhere. Would just like to start planning where the climbs are etc. Ta.

lee_d_m

Will be doing this in April for the first time, will have the choice of my Pinarello carbon bike with Mavic Cosmic carbone wheels, or Trek Madone commuter with aluminium wheels

I prefer the carbon bike as it rides beautifully, but not sure the wheels will be able to take the punishment of the cobbles.

Which would be the wisest choice ?

Thanks

mgbrsl

Mornings chaps
I have an entry for this but cannot go. Any takers?

wilky27

lee_d_m wrote:

Will be doing this in April for the first time, will have the choice of my Pinarello carbon bike with Mavic Cosmic carbone wheels, or Trek Madone commuter with aluminium wheels

I prefer the carbon bike as it rides beautifully, but not sure the wheels will be able to take the punishment of the cobbles.

Which would be the wisest choice ?

Thanks

Stick the alu wheels on the carbon?

lee_d_m

Ok, so being a bit of a numpty when it comes to the technical aspect of this sport, what would that involve exactly, is it just a case of putting the cassette that's on the carbon onto the alu wheels then swapping the wheels over ?

The carbon has Di2 and the alu has 105 on it right now.

bigmat

If 10 speed Di2 you should be able to do a straight swap. If 11 speed you'll need to switch cassettes although not clear whether your alu wheels will take 11 speed.

lee_d_m

Di2 is 10 speed, and the Alu bike will be running 10 speed 105 (although I may have a new bike before then which could be running 10 speed Ultegra 6700). The Ultegra cassette is specc'ed as
Shimano Ultegra 6700 10 Speed 11-25 tooth, I don't know the exact specs of the 105.

If either 105 or Ultegra, is it still a straight swap ?

t4tomo

lee_d_m wrote:

Di2 is 10 speed, and the Alu bike will be running 10 speed 105 (although I may have a new bike before then which could be running 10 speed Ultegra 6700). The Ultegra cassette is specc'ed as
Shimano Ultegra 6700 10 Speed 11-25 tooth, I don't know the exact specs of the 105.

If either 105 or Ultegra, is it still a straight swap ?

yeas as long as you are going 10 speed to 10 speed on any Shimano (or SRAM which is Shimano compatible) cassette.

Just don't stick a Campag wheel / cassette in it.

blim

I did it last year with 23mm Bontrager Race Lites back and front, pressure at 90psi: no problems whatsoever. Envious of those of you doing it this year: hope it's dry for you.

I rode it in 2010 too, and my only useful tip thereafter was to use alu bottle cages because bidons pop out of plastic/carbon ones. Last year my bidon popped out of an alu cage on the Holleweg cobbles anyway. Gotta love Flanders.

My bike is a 2007 Giant SCR3.0: i.e. entry level Alu frame, though I've upgraded almost every component, and it's got me round Flanders twice with no problems.

lee_d_m

yeas as long as you are going 10 speed to 10 speed on any Shimano (or SRAM which is Shimano compatible) cassette.

Just don't stick a Campag wheel / cassette in it.[/quote]


Great, thanks very much for your help

I_BMC

Hi,
I will be doing for the first time this year, and will be staying in Ghent. How will be the easiest way to travel to Oudenaarde (134km) on race morning.

ugo.santalucia

I_BMC wrote:

Hi,
I will be doing for the first time this year, and will be staying in Ghent. How will be the easiest way to travel to Oudenaarde (134km) on race morning.

Ghent to Oudenaarde is not 134 Km... more like 30. Use the N 60, I am sure there will be marshalls showing you where to leave the car

errorist

Anyone know what the weather has been like the past few years?

Has it been pretty chilly?

I_BMC

Would anyone advise cycling from Ghent to the start at Oudenarde on race morning?

blim

Errorist wrote:

Anyone know what the weather has been like the past few years?

Has it been pretty chilly?

Last year was really chilly: there were a few patches of snow on the verges, and a cold (but not too strong) north-easterly wind. It was probably about 4 or 5 Celsius but as long as you were moving it was alright. It warmed up a bit in the afternoon but not much.

The week before, Ghent-Wevelgem had been truncated, and before that K-B-K and Nokere Koerse were cancelled because of the weather: surely it can't be so cold for so long this year as well.

The following day, standing on the Kwaremont for the pro race, was a very cold experience.

blim

I_BMC wrote:

Would anyone advise cycling from Ghent to the start at Oudenarde on race morning?

I wouldn't, personally: the 130km would be far enough. But this article makes it a more attractive prospect:

http://inrng.com/2014/01/schelde-river-path-fietspad/

durhamwasp

3 of us just about to sign up for the 133km route...

Just wondering, what else is going on around Oudenaarde on the weekend - im guessing lots?! Theres a pasta party on the Friday night (€9 entry) - anyone been, is it worth it?

On the Sportive and Race day are there beer and souvenir tents in the town centre? Might also head to Oude Kwaremont, again, guessing there are plenty of beer taps and big screens to watch it on?

Weve done the Flanders tourist routes a few years ago, so are fairly familiar with the area, and the climbs. Should be excellent!

Any help appreciated!

blim

The sportive start/finish is a few minutes' ride north of the town centre/market square, at an industrial unit called Qubus, just beyond the railway station. There is a beer/hotdog/frits tent there, IIRC.

For souvenirs, there's the Tour of Flanders museum, which you'll likely pass en route from the [race] finish line to Qubus. I didn't have time to do the museum last year, but you can go into the shop without having to go into the museum, and I met Freddy Maertens 8)

blim

Oude Kwaremont - great atmosphere on race day. Loads of hotdog and burger stalls, and the excellent Kwaremont beer on tap. There are 2 giant screens, and several thousand people crammed into a very small space. I hope it's warmer this year than last.

durhamwasp

Cheers blim! We went to the museum last time, tho Freddy was off work 'ill' (apparently something to do with taxes...)

Oude Kwaremont sounds like the place to be I think! Either that or watch some and then get to Oudenaarde for the finish. Definitely have a night or two in Oudenaarde too. We stayed on a campsite in Munkzwalm last time.

durhamwasp

Can you remember if there were any shower facilities for after the ride?

pedro118118

Sorry to hijack the thread, but does anyone have an entry they don't need/can't use?

mgbrsl

Hi
I have one if you need it.

pedro118118

mgbrsl wrote:

Hi
I have one if you need it.

Yes please! You have PM.