Etape du Dales 2017 May 14th

2

Comments

  • Hinaultscrapcousin
    Hinaultscrapcousin Posts: 647
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:
    I'm doing this on my fixed wheel. Fun times. Yes Ibbo, different name on here ;)

    Have you done it before?

    You'll have to walk up some climbs, but more importantly it's the descents you'll find it tough on fixed.

    Send an email to the organisers, they are not overly keen on people doing weird things, but they might be OK with a fixed

    I've not ridden it before, I was planning it last year but couldn't commit to the training required over winter. I spoke to Nigel last year about it and he was fine with it as long as the bike was road legal (which it is and more so, as I always run a front and back brake) and as long as I understood the difficulty the ride poses and that there are long exposed stretches with no support and limited phone coverage. I've looked at the climbs and I should be fine on most of them, I ride spds on my fixed wheel and I'm fine with walking if I have to, it's part of riding fixed.

    I ride my fixed wheel a lot in Scotland, mainly the Trossachs and I did the Rise Above on it this year (I only had to walk on Penbarras, the rest was tough but fine) which has some very, very tricky descents. To be honest, if it wasn't for the fact I grew up around North Wales/Chester I wouldn't have ridden that one as the downs are similar to the FWC (so I've been told, I've not done the FWC yet and I'll ride it solo rather than during the Sportive). I've done the Robert Millar Sportive route on a fixed wheel lots of times, I did the Tour 'o the Borders route fixed and I do nearly all my club riding fixed too. I'm certainly not underestimating the challenge, and it's possible I won't finish, but I'll definitely be prepared and take it seriously.
  • Hinaultscrapcousin
    Hinaultscrapcousin Posts: 647
    ibbo68 wrote:
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:
    I'm doing this on my fixed wheel. Fun times. Yes Ibbo, different name on here ;)

    Have you done it before?

    You'll have to walk up some climbs, but more importantly it's the descents you'll find it tough on fixed.

    Send an email to the organisers, they are not overly keen on people doing weird things, but they might be OK with a fixed
    He's done the Riseabove Sportive in North Wales twice on a Fixed :wink:
    Some big climbs and descents there!
    Having seen him in action I think he'll be OK!

    Yep, I did the 120km first (as I cut the end of my finger off in the fixed gear fitting mudguards, they managed to reattach it though!) and then the 160km the year after :) I finished 116th in the senior male category this year, 392 overall in 7:17.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
    Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:
    I'm doing this on my fixed wheel. Fun times. Yes Ibbo, different name on here ;)

    Have you done it before?

    You'll have to walk up some climbs, but more importantly it's the descents you'll find it tough on fixed.

    Send an email to the organisers, they are not overly keen on people doing weird things, but they might be OK with a fixed

    I've not ridden it before, I was planning it last year but couldn't commit to the training required over winter. I spoke to Nigel last year about it and he was fine with it as long as the bike was road legal (which it is and more so, as I always run a front and back brake) and as long as I understood the difficulty the ride poses and that there are long exposed stretches with no support and limited phone coverage. I've looked at the climbs and I should be fine on most of them, I ride spds on my fixed wheel and I'm fine with walking if I have to, it's part of riding fixed.

    I ride my fixed wheel a lot in Scotland, mainly the Trossachs and I did the Rise Above on it this year (I only had to walk on Penbarras, the rest was tough but fine) which has some very, very tricky descents. To be honest, if it wasn't for the fact I grew up around North Wales/Chester I wouldn't have ridden that one as the downs are similar to the FWC (so I've been told, I've not done the FWC yet and I'll ride it solo rather than during the Sportive). I've done the Robert Millar Sportive route on a fixed wheel lots of times, I did the Tour 'o the Borders route fixed and I do nearly all my club riding fixed too. I'm certainly not underestimating the challenge, and it's possible I won't finish, but I'll definitely be prepared and take it seriously.

    Sounds like a cool challenge. You will have to walk parts of Fleet Moss, which are 20% and the first part of Buttertubs, which also is 20%. Garsdale head (the Coal Road) is very steep all the way, so you'll have to walk that entirely. A couple of other bits too... before Tan Hill there is another steep 20%, although not very long. If you can climb at 10%, you should be able to do the other climbs.

    You will finish, it'll probably take you a couple of hours longer than if you were on a 7 Kg bike with all the gears
    left the forum March 2023
  • Hinaultscrapcousin
    Hinaultscrapcousin Posts: 647
    ugo.santalucia wrote:

    Sounds like a cool challenge. You will have to walk parts of Fleet Moss, which are 20% and the first part of Buttertubs, which also is 20%. Garsdale head (the Coal Road) is very steep all the way, so you'll have to walk that entirely. A couple of other bits too... before Tan Hill there is another steep 20%, although not very long. If you can climb at 10%, you should be able to do the other climbs.

    You will finish, it'll probably take you a couple of hours longer than if you were on a 7 Kg bike with all the gears

    Thanks for the info, always appreciate any help I can get with routes I don't know! Climbing on a fixed wheel is very dependent on the actual profile, I can manage 20% if it's a corner/very short section and isn't too steep running into it. The worst bits are just long, steepish sections, 300m+ at 12-15%, they just drag on and hurt! I'm planning to come down and at least ride some of the hills beforehand so I know what I'm getting in to. Most climbs seem to follow the kind of profile that works for me and I'll use a fairly spinny gear of around 74-5" (47/17). Coal Road is the climb to Garsdale head isn't it? That's the one I've had marked down as a walker since I looked at the profile. A mate of mine and Ibbo's rode it last year so I've been studying his Strava profile a fair bit. I'm planning to train over the winter on gears between 91" and 81", then drop to the 74" around March time and do some hard hill repeats on the Tak Ma Doon:

    https://www.strava.com/segments/1170757

    It has some sections that seem to replicate a lot of what I'll encounter (although maybe not as steep for the worst bits).

    Bike is a steel Lemond Filmore so while it's not heavy it's certainly not as light as some fixed wheel bikes can be. Seems to do me ok though. Hoping to get some new brake calipers for it if anything pops up in the black Friday sales.


    And, of course, if I don't feel up to it I'll bring out the geared bike and still have fun, but fingers crossed I'll do it fixed.
  • london-red
    london-red Posts: 1,266
    In. Decided to plump for this over the Dragon, so fingers crossed for a Fred '16 type of day...
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
    London-Red wrote:
    In. Decided to plump for this over the Dragon, so fingers crossed for a Fred '16 type of day...

    Well done... I'd be happy if it was less windy than 2015 and not a complete washout... :)
    left the forum March 2023
  • london-red
    london-red Posts: 1,266
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    London-Red wrote:
    In. Decided to plump for this over the Dragon, so fingers crossed for a Fred '16 type of day...

    Well done... I'd be happy if it was less windy than 2015 and not a complete washout... :)

    Looking forward to it - never ridden in the Dales, so it will be new territory..
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
    London-Red wrote:
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    London-Red wrote:
    In. Decided to plump for this over the Dragon, so fingers crossed for a Fred '16 type of day...

    Well done... I'd be happy if it was less windy than 2015 and not a complete washout... :)

    Looking forward to it - never ridden in the Dales, so it will be new territory..

    Indeed... descents are the fastest in the country... folks have reached 100 Km/h going down Fleet Moss 8)
    left the forum March 2023
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
    Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:


    And, of course, if I don't feel up to it I'll bring out the geared bike and still have fun, but fingers crossed I'll do it fixed.

    The other climb to watch out for is Turf Moor... probably second steepest after the Coal Road... It begins with a long 17% slab and only slightly lessens after that... be interesting to see how you get on with a fixed gear... it's in the second Simon Warren's book, number 142
    left the forum March 2023
  • Hinaultscrapcousin
    Hinaultscrapcousin Posts: 647
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:


    And, of course, if I don't feel up to it I'll bring out the geared bike and still have fun, but fingers crossed I'll do it fixed.

    The other climb to watch out for is Turf Moor... probably second steepest after the Coal Road... It begins with a long 17% slab and only slightly lessens after that... be interesting to see how you get on with a fixed gear... it's in the second Simon Warren's book, number 142

    I've got both books somewhere, I hadn't even thought of checking them, thanks! Honesty, that sounds like something that'll have me pushing up it, thinking I should practice my portage... probably going to restart my blog, will link it if I do.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
    Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:


    And, of course, if I don't feel up to it I'll bring out the geared bike and still have fun, but fingers crossed I'll do it fixed.

    The other climb to watch out for is Turf Moor... probably second steepest after the Coal Road... It begins with a long 17% slab and only slightly lessens after that... be interesting to see how you get on with a fixed gear... it's in the second Simon Warren's book, number 142

    I've got both books somewhere, I hadn't even thought of checking them, thanks! Honesty, that sounds like something that'll have me pushing up it, thinking I should practice my portage... probably going to restart my blog, will link it if I do.

    If I see someone carrying his bike on the shoulder a la cyclocross I'll say hi!
    left the forum March 2023
  • Hinaultscrapcousin
    Hinaultscrapcousin Posts: 647
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:
    If I see someone carrying his bike on the shoulder a la cyclocross I'll say hi!

    I'll try not to be too grumpy! :)

    Going to need to practice carrying with two bottles on the bike though, will probably be quite uncomfortable...
  • chill71uk
    chill71uk Posts: 1
    Having ridden Ride London for the last couple of years I fancied a different challenge so I've signed up for my first Etape du Dales this year and having read the comments on here it seems like I have made a great decision :-)
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
    chill71uk wrote:
    Having ridden Ride London for the last couple of years I fancied a different challenge so I've signed up for my first Etape du Dales this year and having read the comments on here it seems like I have made a great decision :-)

    Unless it blows a gale like two years ago, then you have!
    left the forum March 2023
  • Hinaultscrapcousin
    Hinaultscrapcousin Posts: 647
    How is everyone's training going? I'm in the position of losing most of April as we've bought a flat and my evenings and weekends are going to be taken up by painting and removing carpets then moving in. Looking like I might have to knock the fixed wheel idea on the head. Half thinking about biting the bullet and not riding. I'm back out on the geared bike now when I can, need to get used to it again as my legs hated it at the weekend!
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
    Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:
    How is everyone's training going? I'm in the position of losing most of April as we've bought a flat and my evenings and weekends are going to be taken up by painting and removing carpets then moving in. Looking like I might have to knock the fixed wheel idea on the head. Half thinking about biting the bullet and not riding. I'm back out on the geared bike now when I can, need to get used to it again as my legs hated it at the weekend!

    I've already done a few 150 and one 200 km ride... haven't done any real climbing, but I have three weeks in Italy in April to address that. Not overly worried about it, mainly because my worries are mostly centered around the National AUK 400 in June
    left the forum March 2023
  • dish_dash
    dish_dash Posts: 5,647
    Been doing decent 100km-ish rides since the start of the year. Going to get the first 100 miler out of the system this weekend. Then be up in the Lakes for Easter. 200km Audax on the bank holiday followed by Tour of the Peak the weekend before Etape du Dales.

    Main goal this year is the C2C in a day in June. Drove the last 50 miles to Whitby on the weekend... looks punchy to the end!
  • Hinaultscrapcousin
    Hinaultscrapcousin Posts: 647
    I'm maybe going to have to not ride this. We've bought a flat and I'm going to lose pretty much the whole of April in terms of riding. I'm not sure riding this on a fixed wheel after being off the bike for a month will be a good idea. I'm still thinking about doing it on a geared bike but I signed up for a challenge and that's not really what I wanted. A bit frustrating but we got a brilliant deal on the flat and I'm very excited to move so can't really complain.
  • dish_dash
    dish_dash Posts: 5,647
    Ach come along and do it on the geared bike anyway... realise it won't be the same, but still fun!
  • Hinaultscrapcousin
    Hinaultscrapcousin Posts: 647
    I'll see how I feel and what the weather is like. I was planning on camping, it's a long drive etc. and I could do something local with a mate who's doing the TCR. I do kind of fancy it still though...
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
    See how the weather pans out... if it's half decent, it is a brilliant ride and challenging even on a geared bike... bear in mind you'll do 5 of Simon Warren's 100 climbs in a day (Fleet moss, Buttertubs, Turf Moor, Tan Hill and Garsdale Head)
    left the forum March 2023
  • Midlands Grimpeur
    Midlands Grimpeur Posts: 340
    Anyone know if you can still sign up for this? Coming up as event closed on BC website but thought you were usually able to sign up until the day.
  • sniper68
    sniper68 Posts: 2,910
    Midlands Grimpeur wrote:
    Anyone know if you can still sign up for this? Coming up as event closed on BC website but thought you were usually able to sign up until the day.
    Contact the organiser Nigel Bishop:-
    etapedudales@live.co.uk
    Lynskey R480

  • Midlands Grimpeur
    Midlands Grimpeur Posts: 340
    Cheers, have dropped him an email.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
    Midlands Grimpeur wrote:
    Anyone know if you can still sign up for this? Coming up as event closed on BC website but thought you were usually able to sign up until the day.

    I would assume so... 2 years ago you could sign up on the day
    left the forum March 2023
  • Midlands Grimpeur
    Midlands Grimpeur Posts: 340
    If anyone is looking for a late spot they have extended online registrations (through BC website) until Weds May 4th. Not sure if they will be taking sign ups on the day or not in light of this.
  • london-red
    london-red Posts: 1,266
    So, let the countdown begin... Can't say I'm looking forward to this one, feel much less prepared than for the Fred last year.
  • dish_dash
    dish_dash Posts: 5,647
    Alright Champs, nailed Tour of the Peak last weekend and all set for the Dales.

    Anything about the route and organisation that I should know?

    On the ToP feedstations were fine for me, but my wife who was a couple of hours behind struggled to get enough food. Should I be expecting more from the EdD organisers than most sportives?
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,313
    dish_dash wrote:
    Alright Champs, nailed Tour of the Peak last weekend and all set for the Dales.

    Anything about the route and organisation that I should know?

    On the ToP feedstations were fine for me, but my wife who was a couple of hours behind struggled to get enough food. Should I be expecting more from the EdD organisers than most sportives?

    4 food zones, generally well stocked... especially the Tan hill one. If it's windy, 1st to second food stop can be a bit of a grind (3 climbs in between), so better make sure you have enough water with you and maybe a gel if needed. Tan hill is endless and often very windy, better to not overdo it at the start

    Descents are more similar to the lakes than to the Peak District... first two are VERY fast, you can reach 60 mph, but the bends down Buttermer can take you off guard... the others are more twisty and technical. Garsdale head is a grind, similar to Winnats pass in length and gradient, the other climbs are doable (Turf moor has a steep first section)
    left the forum March 2023
  • dish_dash
    dish_dash Posts: 5,647
    Cool Cool. Look forward to it... nearly got taken out by a car pulling out without looking as I came around a corner at 40kmph on Sunday so fingers crossed the Dales have better drivers.

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