RVV Sportive Experiences

ddraver

Hi Guys

I'm doing the RVV (tour of flanders) sportive on Saturday. Now I'm no climber and many of the stories Ive heard suggest that actually the climbs are so busy that inevitably someone stops which blocks everyone else, and actually everyone ends up walking...

Now I use speedplay pedals which are somewhat Diva-ish, especially when it comes to walking so I'm thinking that it might be easier to put the MTB pedals on and use some more sensible shoes, otherwise my expensive road shoes will just get ruined - i ve already mentally written the cleats off... my MTB and road shoes are essentially the same model, with/without tread anyway...

Any comments?

ugo.santalucia

Good idea... Koppenberg and Paterberg can be a long procession of walkers... the sad thing is that you will see folks walking even up the Kwaremont, which is not exactly steep... Molenberg? If it's in the course it's another one for the walkers... Tajeneberg too...

greasedscotsman

Also not a bad idea to put on a lower cassette if you have one. If you get slowed by people in front of you, you might have a better chance of not having to stop with some lower gears.

Also some more robust bottle cages might be worth looking at, but depends on what's avaliable to you and what you currently use.

ugo.santalucia

They say if you do the full course most of the folks are gone by the time you reach the climbs... when I did it, we did the 140 Km and we were bang on in the middle of the chaos

ddraver

yeah, no we re doing the course for normal people so i'm expecting (hoping) for a nice big party!

Thanks, think I ll do that then. Pross - the WiFli cassette is going back on for sure!

greasedscotsman

ddraver wrote:

Pross - the WiFli cassette is going back on for sure!

Pross?

ddraver

Ah massive fail!

Your photos look similar sometimes :oops:

I prostrate myself before you and beg your forgiveness!

greasedscotsman

No worries. Enjoy the ride.

Monty Dog

When I first rode it, I was possible to ride up all the climbs but that was 13 years ago - these days I'd recommend MTB shoes and pedals - if you leave at 6am on the long ride with a reasonably quick group, you hit the key climbs at the same of the mid-packers on the short-ride, notwithstanding the numbties who try to drive the route at the same time.

ratsbeyfus

ddraver - I did it last year in Speedplays on the 'normal' route (80 milles iirc) leaving at about 7am. First big climb everyone was walking up coz of the mass of people. After that the rest were clear enough to cycle. Personally I'd hate to do any great distance in my cross pedals (eggbeaters) as they've got a tiny pedal contact area. Whatever pedals you take, I'm sure it'll be great... unless it rains! :-)

ddraver

Yeah, my MTB shoes are so flipping stiff it makes no difference to be honest...

durhamwasp

At least the Koppenberg is well into it (75km) so might be a bit split up by then. Wondering about start times too, if its worth holding back a bit and starting later.

buckmulligan

ratsbeyfus wrote:

I did it last year in Speedplays on the 'normal' route (80 milles iirc) leaving at about 7am. First big climb everyone was walking up coz of the mass of people. After that the rest were clear enough to cycle.

Exactly the same here, the Koppenberg (one of the steepest) was up first and it was just gridlocked with walkers, but after that everyone kind of dispersed and they were all rideable. If you have got the legs to keep up a decent pace going up the hills, don't be afraid to give a friendly shout and any people walking should get out of your way. Whilst we were walking up the Koppenberg we were passed by a few of people absolutely determined to make it up and somehow they managed to plough their way through!

If you're trying to avoid the crowds I'd say try to get out earlier rather than later. Don't worry about the cleats though, you can always walk in the gutter if necessary, which at least isn't cobbled!

ddraver

The impression I am getting is that it makes little difference. Although there are a few people there who want to race it, there are a great deal more Belgian locals who are just there for the party

I dunno, I think it's the sort of thing you just have to enjoy and have a laugh. If you want to test yourself against Tom or Fabian then go the week after when everyone else is watching P-R

Monty Dog

Get to the start at 6am and enjoy the unofficial Flandrian cycling championships - average speed of 40kph for the first few hours and takes no prisoners IME. You'll find that Flemish cyclists aren't too hot on hand signals either, so expect to hit loose drain covers, kerbs and the like at full pelt - you'll be grateful for running fatter tyres. Some of the bigger clubs have support cars, broom wagons the lot. You can get a nice draft behind a Sprinter van for an hour or two ;-)

markwb79

Monty Dog wrote:

Get to the start at 6am and enjoy the unofficial Flandrian cycling championships - average speed of 40kph for the first few hours and takes no prisoners IME. You'll find that Flemish cyclists aren't too hot on hand signals either, so expect to hit loose drain covers, kerbs and the like at full pelt - you'll be grateful for running fatter tyres. Some of the bigger clubs have support cars, broom wagons the lot. You can get a nice draft behind a Sprinter van for an hour or two ;-)

Does that still happen? I presume thats on the 140km route though?

markwb79

I dont have a ticket, feeling pretty guilty but I am going with a group. So I am still going.

How much do they check?

I will skip all the feed stations as thats just too rude I think.

ddraver

I ve a friend who's from in Oudenaarde and does it every year. Not sure he's ever entered...

ugo.santalucia

I think you'll be fine Mark... it's not the Ride London, where they patrol the course as if Obama had to drive through on a convertible

ddraver

my experience of Dutch/belgian Sportives is that Feed stations are rudimentary at best

Iamnot Wiggins

Feed stations were quite good last year. I recall at least 3 on the 140km route that we did.

Only thing they lacked were bottles of Zot and a regular supply of Leifmanns but that's just me being picky!

Monty Dog

Markwb79 wrote:

Does that still happen? I presume thats on the 140km route though?

Definitely on the longer route - goes out fast and comes back harder. I was talking to a Flemish guy who completed the 275km course in under 8 hours. One year on the old course we went out from Bruges to DePanne and then got murdered by strong westerly cross-winds and driving rain as we headed to Oudenaarde. Packs were echeloned across the road - young guy comes alongside driving a Corsa, toots his horn and indicates to his bumper - jumped aboard and got a tow back to the bunch!