Ride London 2016

1…910121415…33

Comments

  • mallorcajeff
    mallorcajeff Posts: 1,489
    Ive not had any start time or anything for my entry. Seems like im miles behind anyone? I hadnt even given this a thought. Cant seem to have a log in or anything to find out. Will habe to ring them and ask my start time. Im drivingg down from north essex and leaving the car in a side street around ilford area and cycling from there. Anyone else planning same sort of thing?
  • Chris A
    Chris A Posts: 10
    Riding in from Brentwood for an 0611 start time. Should be going through Ilford at about 0500.
  • mrfpb
    mrfpb Posts: 4,569
    Surrey Commuter wrote:
    DAZZ_A wrote:
    If you miss your Green starting wave must you stick to the same colour for the next wave?

    I'm assuming it's not allowed to jump in the next starting group ie. Red for example?

    Sticking to the same colour is not a problem. I don't know about changing colour.

    Changing colour would be a bit of a hassle - likely to be a bit of a trek from your allocated starting point, and they may not let you in. I'd stick to Green if you are late. Like I said earlier I managed to shuffle forward to an earlier starting group and that was a different colour. The lines of waiting cyclists all converge on the starting line. The marshals try and keep the colours apart, but it's inevitable that they mix a little bit.
  • Cliveyp
    Cliveyp Posts: 173
    My question is, with such a late start time, how busy should I expect it to be?

    I'm guessing it'll string out over the distance anyway, and with my knee being a bit dodgy it might be best if i'm held back in 'traffic' to stop me over working myself too early, but am I likely to be facing walking room only by the time I get any hint of a hill?
    2015 Ridley Fenix 105
    2012 Cube Ltd SL
    2011 Trek 1.2 - Sold
    2001 Giant Boulder - Sold
  • capt_slog
    capt_slog Posts: 3,974
    Cliveyp wrote:
    My question is, with such a late start time, how busy should I expect it to be?

    I'm guessing it'll string out over the distance anyway, and with my knee being a bit dodgy it might be best if i'm held back in 'traffic' to stop me over working myself too early, but am I likely to be facing walking room only by the time I get any hint of a hill?

    I don't know the answer to your question, but I'm afraid I'm going to throw another spanner in your works...

    Like yourself, (forgive me, I'm guessing here) I put down a time which wasn't going to stretch me a lot, and this is why we have similar start times. I don't often do large distances so I thought i wanted to get around in 7 hours (ish).

    This creates a problem, because there are cut off points if you don't get to certain distances in certain times. This means that what was going to be my nice steady ride, is now inadvertently against the clock. I HAVE to be at set points before the cut-offs (and there are three I think) or i get redirected to a shorter route. Now, I can manage this without any problems, but it leaves no room for error or mechanicals (punctures etc)

    Basically, I feel I've shot myself in the foot. :roll:


    Here BTW...
    https://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/ ... -cyclists/


    The older I get, the better I was.

  • mrfpb
    mrfpb Posts: 4,569
    Cliveyp wrote:
    My question is, with such a late start time, how busy should I expect it to be?

    I'm guessing it'll string out over the distance anyway, and with my knee being a bit dodgy it might be best if i'm held back in 'traffic' to stop me over working myself too early, but am I likely to be facing walking room only by the time I get any hint of a hill?

    The opening stretch is on two sets of three lane A road, so loads of room to spread out and string out. It's a lovely surface and easy to go at a decent pace without using up too much energy. I was averaging 12 - 15 mph in my training rides, but was doing 20+ over the first 10 miles easily enough. It doesn't really get tricky until you reach Richmond Park.

    I put down 7 hrs last year and got a late start time. It took me more like 8 hrs but the quick start helped me to meet the cut off points fairly easily. The hard stuff is in the second half.
  • Cliveyp
    Cliveyp Posts: 173
    Capt Slog wrote:
    Cliveyp wrote:
    My question is, with such a late start time, how busy should I expect it to be?

    I'm guessing it'll string out over the distance anyway, and with my knee being a bit dodgy it might be best if i'm held back in 'traffic' to stop me over working myself too early, but am I likely to be facing walking room only by the time I get any hint of a hill?

    I don't know the answer to your question, but I'm afraid I'm going to throw another spanner in your works...

    Like yourself, (forgive me, I'm guessing here) I put down a time which wasn't going to stretch me a lot, and this is why we have similar start times. I don't often do large distances so I thought i wanted to get around in 7 hours (ish).

    This creates a problem, because there are cut off points if you don't get to certain distances in certain times. This means that what was going to be my nice steady ride, is now inadvertently against the clock. I HAVE to be at set points before the cut-offs (and there are three I think) or i get redirected to a shorter route. Now, I can manage this without any problems, but it leaves no room for error or mechanicals (punctures etc)

    Basically, I feel I've shot myself in the foot. :roll:


    Here BTW...
    https://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/ ... -cyclists/

    I had spotted that before, and you're not far wrong! I don't do massive distances (I did a fairly hilly 75 mile last year as my first sportive) but am more than comfortable with the thought of sitting on the bike for 8.5hrs if thats what it was to take me. I think I might have put down 6.5-7hrs as my estimated time as i truly had no idea at the time just how long it would take me. Mentally I was setting myself up for a sub-6hr target, but unfortunately due to a knee injury, my training has not exactly gone to plan.

    I've now just been given the go ahead to get back on the bike, but with a few weeks off, and nothing longer than 45 miles in the bank this year, I have given myself two options; defer til next year and let myself recover properly, or just try it and see how it goes. I've decided to go with option 2 (unless this changes later when I manage to get a few flat miles in) as it's just too big an event to miss if I feel able to do it.

    As for the cut off times, well, they are still fairly casual. As they've stated, a 9am start equals a 14mph avg to get to Hampton Court Bridge before the stated cut-off. Correct me if i'm wrong, but the 27 miles you need to do to get to this point are pretty flat, so I can't see this being a problem for the majority of entries (short of a mechanical/physical issue or sheer build up of traffic). As the marker points move on, the average speed decreases slightly until you're down around 11.5mph. I cleared London-Brighton a few years ago at about this average, involving lots of queues, some walking many breaks and much less practice, so I would hope that I can do this too.

    Do you fancy teaming up to help battle through? As a pairing we may pick up some other helpers along the way and form a decent group so we can clear it much faster than expected! 8)
    2015 Ridley Fenix 105
    2012 Cube Ltd SL
    2011 Trek 1.2 - Sold
    2001 Giant Boulder - Sold
  • Cliveyp
    Cliveyp Posts: 173
    mrfpb wrote:
    The opening stretch is on two sets of three lane A road, so loads of room to spread out and string out. It's a lovely surface and easy to go at a decent pace without using up too much energy. I was averaging 12 - 15 mph in my training rides, but was doing 20+ over the first 10 miles easily enough. It doesn't really get tricky until you reach Richmond Park.

    I put down 7 hrs last year and got a late start time. It took me more like 8 hrs but the quick start helped me to meet the cut off points fairly easily. The hard stuff is in the second half.

    This is good to hear. My shorter training rides have been getting steadily faster, where I can cover around 40 miles at 16.5-17mph fairly comfortably in groups, but obviously pacing for the distance I would be bringing this down naturally, and taking into account my knee, I would again expect to see it decrease. As long as I can get myself through the first couple of cut-off's without cutting it fine then I'll be happy for the rest of it. Should my knee decide that Leith Hill was not it's friend, then i'll just have to bypass Box, but hopefully not!

    I'm really hoping to pull together/join a group that is sitting at a comfortable pace and just stick with it...anything to lighten the load! :)
    2015 Ridley Fenix 105
    2012 Cube Ltd SL
    2011 Trek 1.2 - Sold
    2001 Giant Boulder - Sold
  • capt_slog
    capt_slog Posts: 3,974
    Cliveyp wrote:

    As for the cut off times, well, they are still fairly casual.

    Do you fancy teaming up to help battle through? As a pairing we may pick up some other helpers along the way and form a decent group so we can clear it much faster than expected! 8)

    Cut off times. (based on a 9am start)I make the average speeds....

    14.7mph needed for the first 27 miles
    12mph needed to the 51 mile(?) mark at Arbinger Hammer
    11.6mph needed to the 66(?) mile cut-off at Westhumble.

    The "broom wagon" cut-offs take people out of the race completely starting at 13mph average at 26 miles falling to 11.5 over the distance.


    As for teaming up. Sorry, but no.

    I'll be riding with my son and we have a very finely balanced pace which we've found is easily upset by a another rider


    The older I get, the better I was.

  • Cliveyp
    Cliveyp Posts: 173
    Capt Slog wrote:
    Cut off times. (based on a 9am start)I make the average speeds....

    14.7mph needed for the first 27 miles
    12mph needed to the 51 mile(?) mark at Arbinger Hammer
    11.6mph needed to the 66(?) mile cut-off at Westhumble.

    The "broom wagon" cut-offs take people out of the race completely starting at 13mph average at 26 miles falling to 11.5 over the distance.


    As for teaming up. Sorry, but no.

    I'll be riding with my son and we have a very finely balanced pace which we've found is easily upset by a another rider

    No problems....I'm sure we will all get through the time restraints without too much worry though!

    As for the initial 'mile 27' diversion, this is an extract straight from the link you posted...

    Please note: Irrespective of your start time you must cross Hampton Court Bridge (mile 27) by 10:50 to avoid being required to take Diversion one. This equates to an average speed of 14mph if your start time is 09:00 from QEOP.

    For our start time which is slightly before the latest 9am, we've actually got a slight 0.5mph benefit! :)
    2015 Ridley Fenix 105
    2012 Cube Ltd SL
    2011 Trek 1.2 - Sold
    2001 Giant Boulder - Sold
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    It is a shame for those who feel they might be close to the cut off.

    I can see why they stagger the starts by how quickly the participant intends to complete the course, it'll mean less conjestion along the course ... and also means that those of a similar speed can ride together.

    However, if they spread everyone out it would give those who could struggle with the cutoff (mechanicals) a bit of a breather without keeping the course open for any longer.
  • Cliveyp
    Cliveyp Posts: 173
    Surely it would be better to spread them out a little bit. I can understand the faster riders preferring a clear road, but i'm sure there are a few that have got on better than planned with training that estimated a slower time than they now feel they are capable of, so there will always be faster guys needing to battle through. And, as you say, a slower rider with a mechanical issue will soon hit a cut-off if they can't leave until 9am, where they might have a chance if they left at, say, 7.

    I can imagine its a nightmare to organise this many people across such a spread of abilities though, so i'm not going to criticise!
    2015 Ridley Fenix 105
    2012 Cube Ltd SL
    2011 Trek 1.2 - Sold
    2001 Giant Boulder - Sold
  • capt_slog
    capt_slog Posts: 3,974
    Cliveyp wrote:

    No problems....I'm sure we will all get through the time restraints without too much worry though!

    As for the initial 'mile 27' diversion, this is an extract straight from the link you posted...

    Please note: Irrespective of your start time you must cross Hampton Court Bridge (mile 27) by 10:50 to avoid being required to take Diversion one. This equates to an average speed of 14mph if your start time is 09:00 from QEOP.

    For our start time which is slightly before the latest 9am, we've actually got a slight 0.5mph benefit! :)

    They're wrong :lol: 27 divided by 1.8333 is 14.7 mph

    But as you're out of the gate at 8.41, your slowest average is 12.6 for the first cut off.

    It sounds like quibbling, but these tenths of mph do make a lot of difference, just try getting around your favourite loop a 0.1 mph faster than your personal best. :wink:


    The older I get, the better I was.

  • milemuncher1
    milemuncher1 Posts: 1,472
    Slowbike wrote:
    It is a shame for those who feel they might be close to the cut off.

    I can see why they stagger the starts by how quickly the participant intends to complete the course, it'll mean less conjestion along the course ... and also means that those of a similar speed can ride together.

    However, if they spread everyone out it would give those who could struggle with the cutoff (mechanicals) a bit of a breather without keeping the course open for any longer.

    Only an accident / major mechanical / physical / health issue, would normally put a reasonably fit rider, with a suitable bike, anywhere near the broom wagon, in my experience of the event.Don't underestimate the advantage of a group ride, with closed roads.
  • milemuncher1
    milemuncher1 Posts: 1,472
    Cliveyp wrote:
    Surely it would be better to spread them out a little bit. I can understand the faster riders preferring a clear road, but i'm sure there are a few that have got on better than planned with training that estimated a slower time than they now feel they are capable of, so there will always be faster guys needing to battle through. And, as you say, a slower rider with a mechanical issue will soon hit a cut-off if they can't leave until 9am, where they might have a chance if they left at, say, 7.

    I can imagine its a nightmare to organise this many people across such a spread of abilities though, so i'm not going to criticise!
    But for the reasons of safety / risk assessment, the organisers can't release slower riders first. It would be like a reversed grid, in a motoring event, but with people who aren't racers. A risky manouvre at best. Plus you would exacerbate bunching on the climbs.
  • sherer
    sherer Posts: 2,460
    Milemuncher1 wrote:
    Cliveyp wrote:
    Surely it would be better to spread them out a little bit. I can understand the faster riders preferring a clear road, but i'm sure there are a few that have got on better than planned with training that estimated a slower time than they now feel they are capable of, so there will always be faster guys needing to battle through. And, as you say, a slower rider with a mechanical issue will soon hit a cut-off if they can't leave until 9am, where they might have a chance if they left at, say, 7.

    I can imagine its a nightmare to organise this many people across such a spread of abilities though, so i'm not going to criticise!
    But for the reasons of safety / risk assessment, the organisers can't release slower riders first. It would be like a reversed grid, in a motoring event, but with people who aren't racers. A risky manouvre at best. Plus you would exacerbate bunching on the climbs.

    Not quite true as not all 7 hour riders are in the last group and not all the 4 hour riders are in the front groups. Although the groups are for average times there is still a big mix of riders across every starting pen. Add in the fact some people have no idea what their actual time will be and just guessed.

    There will be quite a few sub 6 hour riders in the last few waves too.
  • Cliveyp
    Cliveyp Posts: 173
    Milemuncher1 wrote:
    But for the reasons of safety / risk assessment, the organisers can't release slower riders first. It would be like a reversed grid, in a motoring event, but with people who aren't racers. A risky manouvre at best. Plus you would exacerbate bunching on the climbs.

    I understand completely.....but the key thing to remember is "It's not a race", so the comparison isn't really valid. OK, we all know that's not the case and a lot of early starters (and some not-so early starters) will head off with a target in mind and take a lot of chances to meet/beat it, but arguably that isn't the responsibility of the organisers as it's not sold as a motoring event might be.

    As I say, I understand the logic and I seriously hope i'm not one of the ones risking falling back into a broom wagon, but for the benefit of the charity placer's that are hitting this as an epic, once-in-a-lifetime, challenge, this could be considered unfair.....

    [Equality hat removed] - I hope i've recovered enough to get my head down and see some of the highest averages i've ever managed, even at a late start! :lol:
    2015 Ridley Fenix 105
    2012 Cube Ltd SL
    2011 Trek 1.2 - Sold
    2001 Giant Boulder - Sold
  • Cliveyp
    Cliveyp Posts: 173
    Capt Slog wrote:
    Cliveyp wrote:

    No problems....I'm sure we will all get through the time restraints without too much worry though!

    As for the initial 'mile 27' diversion, this is an extract straight from the link you posted...

    Please note: Irrespective of your start time you must cross Hampton Court Bridge (mile 27) by 10:50 to avoid being required to take Diversion one. This equates to an average speed of 14mph if your start time is 09:00 from QEOP.

    For our start time which is slightly before the latest 9am, we've actually got a slight 0.5mph benefit! :)

    They're wrong :lol: 27 divided by 1.8333 is 14.7 mph

    But as you're out of the gate at 8.41, your slowest average is 12.6 for the first cut off.

    It sounds like quibbling, but these tenths of mph do make a lot of difference, just try getting around your favourite loop a 0.1 mph faster than your personal best. :wink:

    Calculator has been dragged from the back of the drawer and dusted off.....I concur! :lol:

    I know what you mean about the tenths making all of the difference, as I do set myself the challenge of beating the previous best every time I head on a similar circuit, so no quibbling to be had. That said, I hope to god i'm not that slow covering the first quarter! :lol:
    2015 Ridley Fenix 105
    2012 Cube Ltd SL
    2011 Trek 1.2 - Sold
    2001 Giant Boulder - Sold
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    Milemuncher1 wrote:
    Cliveyp wrote:
    Surely it would be better to spread them out a little bit. I can understand the faster riders preferring a clear road, but i'm sure there are a few that have got on better than planned with training that estimated a slower time than they now feel they are capable of, so there will always be faster guys needing to battle through. And, as you say, a slower rider with a mechanical issue will soon hit a cut-off if they can't leave until 9am, where they might have a chance if they left at, say, 7.

    I can imagine its a nightmare to organise this many people across such a spread of abilities though, so i'm not going to criticise!
    But for the reasons of safety / risk assessment, the organisers can't release slower riders first. It would be like a reversed grid, in a motoring event, but with people who aren't racers. A risky manouvre at best. Plus you would exacerbate bunching on the climbs.

    I'd be able to agree partly with you if they did slowest first and fastest last.

    Whilst I'm happy to be in an early group, intending on doing a quick time (won't be the quickest - but equally I've done a hilly 100 in 6hours 50 so this should be quicker!) and not having huge numbers of "slowbikes" to overtake, I've ridden (and do ride) with those who would like to do the 100 but may struggle with the cutoffs.
    I rode the inaugural Etap Lochness with a strict 13mph cutoff - we just nipped into an early wave which gave us an extra hour - 3/4 way round we met a girl (she caught us) who had expected on doing it easily but had a couple of mechanicals early on - so they removed her timing chip ... yet she managed to complete the course in the prescribed time ...
    Just seems nuts not to spread out the slower riders in the first few waves to give them time to do it.
  • capt_slog
    capt_slog Posts: 3,974
    I had a reassuring ride on Sunday, Derby to Skegness. 96 miles in 6:16 and that includes 40mins of stops which we had to make at check in points and pees.

    I was pleased that I was able to walk the next day :) and it didn't seem too bad in terms of suffering, bloody hungry though when i got to the end (Pot Noodle is NOT a good ride snack, despite being very light *).


    *joking.


    The older I get, the better I was.

  • surrey_commuter
    surrey_commuter Posts: 18,867
    Slowbike wrote:
    Milemuncher1 wrote:
    Cliveyp wrote:
    Surely it would be better to spread them out a little bit. I can understand the faster riders preferring a clear road, but i'm sure there are a few that have got on better than planned with training that estimated a slower time than they now feel they are capable of, so there will always be faster guys needing to battle through. And, as you say, a slower rider with a mechanical issue will soon hit a cut-off if they can't leave until 9am, where they might have a chance if they left at, say, 7.

    I can imagine its a nightmare to organise this many people across such a spread of abilities though, so i'm not going to criticise!
    But for the reasons of safety / risk assessment, the organisers can't release slower riders first. It would be like a reversed grid, in a motoring event, but with people who aren't racers. A risky manouvre at best. Plus you would exacerbate bunching on the climbs.

    I'd be able to agree partly with you if they did slowest first and fastest last.

    Whilst I'm happy to be in an early group, intending on doing a quick time (won't be the quickest - but equally I've done a hilly 100 in 6hours 50 so this should be quicker!) and not having huge numbers of "slowbikes" to overtake, I've ridden (and do ride) with those who would like to do the 100 but may struggle with the cutoffs.
    I rode the inaugural Etap Lochness with a strict 13mph cutoff - we just nipped into an early wave which gave us an extra hour - 3/4 way round we met a girl (she caught us) who had expected on doing it easily but had a couple of mechanicals early on - so they removed her timing chip ... yet she managed to complete the course in the prescribed time ...
    Just seems nuts not to spread out the slower riders in the first few waves to give them time to do it.

    I have never heard of anybody being swept up. With closed roads, group riding and adrenaline you can expect to go 15-20% faster than your norm.

    They obviously try and phase it but by accident or design there are people out of synch. You really can not have a 30 strong chain going 25-30mph carving through people bimbling along.

    It is difficult to describe how flat the first 50 miles are
  • milemuncher1
    milemuncher1 Posts: 1,472
    Surrey Commuter wrote:

    It is difficult to describe how flat the first 50 miles are

    Yeah, the climb out of Richmond, after less than 20 miles, pffffft, nothing. The climb up Newlands Corner, pffffft, 'tis but a speed hump :roll:
  • Cliveyp
    Cliveyp Posts: 173
    Milemuncher1 wrote:
    Surrey Commuter wrote:

    It is difficult to describe how flat the first 50 miles are

    Yeah, the climb out of Richmond, after less than 20 miles, pffffft, nothing. The climb up Newlands Corner, pffffft, 'tis but a speed hump :roll:

    Hopefully so! :lol:
    2015 Ridley Fenix 105
    2012 Cube Ltd SL
    2011 Trek 1.2 - Sold
    2001 Giant Boulder - Sold
  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    It is pretty flat until Newlands, don't over do it in this first half though otherwise you can blow up and suffer. It is tempting to get on the back of chain gang and go full gas to stay on.
    WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
    Find me on Strava
  • cruff
    cruff Posts: 1,518
    Cliveyp wrote:
    Milemuncher1 wrote:
    Surrey Commuter wrote:

    It is difficult to describe how flat the first 50 miles are

    Yeah, the climb out of Richmond, after less than 20 miles, pffffft, nothing. The climb up Newlands Corner, pffffft, 'tis but a speed hump :roll:

    Hopefully so! :lol:
    Definitely so!

    Newlands is a bit of a lump to get over, but warms the legs up for Leith - which is a little more challenging - but is the only real 'climb' on the route (Box Hill isn't much of a challenge). Sawyers takes about three minutes. You won't even notice a bump until Newlands, if you stick with a group you'll be around 3mph faster than your usual rides
    Fat chopper. Some racing. Some testing. Some crashing.
    Specialising in Git Daaahns and Cafs. Norvern Munkey/Transplanted Laaandoner.
  • marcusjb
    marcusjb Posts: 2,412
    For various complicated reasons, I am out.

    A little relieved in some ways, as it's a hairy old ride on a tandem with people not realising how long we are etc.

    Mrs. JB will ride on a solo bike.
    Stuff about riding a bike a long way
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    drlodge wrote:
    It is pretty flat until Newlands, don't over do it in this first half though otherwise you can blow up and suffer. It is tempting to get on the back of chain gang and go full gas to stay on.

    Hmm - happy to join in a chaingang - not sure I'll go FULL GAS though ... my distance rides this year has consited of er ... Flanders @ 80+ miles - quite bumpy though ;) and a hilly ride around home - the rest has been short & sharp efforts - I just haven't had the time to ride for 5+hours - so I'm going to be limiting my heart rate down a little and see where I get to.
    Hopefully with a reasonable group we can average >20mph for the first 1/2 ... :)
  • Thigh_burn
    Thigh_burn Posts: 489
    zebulebu wrote:
    ...if you stick with a group you'll be around 3mph faster than your usual rides

    I'd just come to ask exactly this question. I keep seeing everyone saying you'll go faster in a group, but wondered how much.

    I assume rather than a fixed mph faster, it's actually a % you'll go faster, but if 3mph is a rule of thumb, that's helpful.
  • Cliveyp
    Cliveyp Posts: 173
    Slowbike wrote:
    drlodge wrote:
    It is pretty flat until Newlands, don't over do it in this first half though otherwise you can blow up and suffer. It is tempting to get on the back of chain gang and go full gas to stay on.

    Hmm - happy to join in a chaingang - not sure I'll go FULL GAS though ... my distance rides this year has consited of er ... Flanders @ 80+ miles - quite bumpy though ;) and a hilly ride around home - the rest has been short & sharp efforts - I just haven't had the time to ride for 5+hours - so I'm going to be limiting my heart rate down a little and see where I get to.
    Hopefully with a reasonable group we can average >20mph for the first 1/2 ... :)

    You're doing better than me! My longest ride this year has been about 45 miles, thats all. I was hoping for more, but have been off the bike for the last couple of weeks due to injury. This weekend I'l'be starting back off steadily on the turbo, but I think i'll be pushing it if I can get in any more than a 50 by the weekend before......and thats only if my knee doesn't argue about being used again! I'll be rolling out steady until at least Leith is out of the way, then hopefully i'll have enough after Box to give it full beans until home. :?
    2015 Ridley Fenix 105
    2012 Cube Ltd SL
    2011 Trek 1.2 - Sold
    2001 Giant Boulder - Sold
  • milemuncher1
    milemuncher1 Posts: 1,472
    zebulebu wrote:
    Definitely so!

    Newlands is a bit of a lump to get over, but warms the legs up for Leith - which is a little more challenging - but is the only real 'climb' on the route (Box Hill isn't much of a challenge). Sawyers takes about three minutes. You won't even notice a bump until Newlands, if you stick with a group you'll be around 3mph faster than your usual rides

    I was in my 'pen' with someone who was ( loudly ) proclaiming how "easy and flat" the first bit was, last year. He was the archetypal water cooler warrior / FPKW type. I took a mental note of his number, and off we went. He was flapping his legs around ( avant Suplesse) like a goodun, really going for it, like a true 'pro'. When we got to the Richmond park climb, no prizes for guessing who was off the bike, pushing it up the hill :lol:. I imagine it was a major 'mechanical' or something :roll:. Much as I wanted to, I didn't stick with him to see how he dealt with the rest of the "flat / easy" ride. 8)

Categories