Velo South 2018
Comments
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lettingthedaysgoby wrote:Looking at the route this morning, there's a lot less climbing than last years Birmingham route - only 4574 ft in total (Strava reckons 6800 ft for last year).
Final climb has peaks over 25% though by the look of things...
Isn't the last "big climb" https://www.strava.com/segments/2724911 , which hits ~18%? Turkey Island supposedly hits ~25%, just to the east.
Just checked https://www.doogal.co.uk/StravaSegment.php?id=2724911 and they think it's steeper than Strava, but not a cat4... So who is right?
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2020 Voodoo Marasa
2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
2016 Voodoo Wazoo0 -
Ah, I might have been looking at the wrong bit then:
https://www.strava.com/segments/3377582 is the segment that goes over 25%0 -
Either way, I'm looking forward to it already. Aiming for comfortably doing it in under 6 hours
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CptKernow wrote:Finally booked my accommodation. Am staying in Selsey.
What's the parking like in Chichester on a Sunday, as I was thinking of driving that far...
Normally it's fairly easy to park - but with 15k+ riders turning up I guess it's going to be busy. If it were me - from Selsey I'd look for onstreet parking north of the theatre (residential) and ride over (~2miles - flat) . There are city carparks but they're closer to the city center and not ideal for Goodwood - plus (iirc) it's not free ..
There is a Sainsburys, Lidl & Aldi just to the south of Goodwood - can't park there all day though - and just realised - they won't be open in time for the start and probably closed by the time you get back! 0 -
Isn't there parking available at Goodwood as part of the event? Or is that only for the people who paid extra for the fast track entry?0
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lettingthedaysgoby wrote:Isn't there parking available at Goodwood as part of the event? Or is that only for the people who paid extra for the fast track entry?
I think it is available to anyone that books it. I guess there is plenty of room far car parking as they have big events there several times a year.
I'm a bit disappointed with the route. I'm sure they initially said there would be over 1700 m of climbing, so they have reduced that, possibly makes it more inclusive? They missed a trick after the descent of Duncton, there's a lovely right turn through Coates that rolls up and down with a nice lake to gawp at, and the bit around Lurgashall is my favourite riding in the county, but they have missed Blackdown (highest point in Sussex) and Bexley Hill which is a mini-Barhatch. I think it will pay to keep something in reserve for the last 30 miles.0 -
yup - surprised that they go right through Duncton - but I suppose it means it's more accessible for spectators. My knowledge east of there is limited. Not surprised they miss Bexley Hill - a) it'd be a bit tight getting everyone up and down as it's a single track road b) you'd have to close off significant parts of Petworth/Cowdry - which wouldn't go down well ... c) you then have to go back north to get the miles in. Blackdown - I've ridden that once - can't say I noticed
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Thanks for the parking info. I think the parking at Goodwood was £25 for the day, which seemed a bit on the pricey side, especially as it's a Sunday...
I'm looking forward to a flatish route - don't get many of them down here in Cornwall. My usual shorter routes work out at about 100ft climbing per mile...0 -
Others have ridden the route and recorded 5-5.5k feet of climbing - so a little more than the 4.5k they're advising - but not overly hilly.0
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CptKernow wrote:Thanks for the parking info. I think the parking at Goodwood was £25 for the day, which seemed a bit on the pricey side, especially as it's a Sunday...
I'm looking forward to a flatish route - don't get many of them down here in Cornwall. My usual shorter routes work out at about 100ft climbing per mile...
If you look to the north of Goodwood, there are lots of lanes and small villages, I think you'll find plenty of parking there for free. If it was me I would park on Selhurst Park Road, which is east of the (horse) race track. There are walks in the woods round there so a few little car parks off the road, then you'd have a simple roll down to the start in the morning maybe 5 km. The climb back afterwards isn't too bad...0 -
Thanks Dave. Have been on Google Street View checking out a few likely spots and have a few - including where you mentioned.
Also found a Boeing 747 mid-flight here on Google Maps: 50.859468, -0.653158 ?!0 -
lettingthedaysgoby wrote:Looking at the route this morning, there's a lot less climbing than last years Birmingham route - only 4574 ft in total (Strava reckons 6800 ft for last year).
Final climb has peaks over 25% though by the look of things...
I rode the route in April. It’s got some pain in the Arris climbs dotted throughout. The first 6 miles is a constant up hill slog ( although not steep ). An interesting point in the route is just before Christ’s hospital school ( up at the Haselmere end )there’s a nasty little 12% climb, and a bit of a shocker at a place called Copsale. The majority of the route is ‘rolling’ at best though. The toughest climb is at South Harting ( about 90 miles in ), it’s steep ( just after the church on the right) then there’s a false flat for a couple of hundred yards, then there’s a slog up a constant 18% until you reach the top, where there’s a 25% step. There’s a really nice pub, called the white Hart in between Fittleworth and Pulborough railway stations, that’s going to be a good spot for any spectators.0 -
Can anyone post some Strava segments for the interesting bits of the route?0
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sent you a PM with a link to a strava ride ...
depends how you define "interesting" .... 0 -
https://www.relive.cc/view/1493205581
Here’s the route, as I rode it in April. I was forced to take a couple of minor diversions, due to road closures ( Elmers Marsh in particular) and a couple of accidents, which meant I had to go further west ( towards Petersfield ) for about a mile before the South Harting Climb, and I was diverted up Locksash Lane ( a nasty little climb, just after the South Harting climb, and before the Lavants ) it added about 3 miles to the route, and an extra climb which won’t be in the actual event, but 99 percent of the route is as it will be in the event.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1493205581
That’s the ‘Strava’ with the segments of interest on it.0 -
Thanks for the Strava links chaps. Looks like there are two, possibly three points of interest!0
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ugo.santalucia wrote:cgfw201 wrote:£75 to ride on roads overflowing with mamils? Don't see the appeal.
Amazing place to ride down there, much rather do it in the quiet on any other day of the year and not have a fat chap called Steve getting in the way taking selfies and not knowing how to ride in a bunch.
Some people enjoy crowds, some don't. I only did one 20K people ride and frankly it was a hit and a miss... some bits were nice, like overtaking dozens going up the Kapelmuur (hooray!), others were depressing, like having to walk up the Paterberg because the road was a wall of people walking on cleats (boooo!).
I like the sense of an "event", but I like smaller events: the Eroica in Tuscany was great when it was a 500-1000 riders events, now that it is a 7,000 riders event, it's not so great anymore. With big crowds come vendors only interested in churning a big profit... everyone is just there to rip you off.
As for road closures, they don't do anything for me... the roads that you would like closed are typically depressing with or without cars. The nice roads typically don't have much traffic anyway and that includes the Snowdonia section of the A5... :shock:
As you can see ugo, the event has sold out and there are lots of excited people doing it which is great for the sport.
Take a hint - nobody gives a flying f*ck about what you once did when it was all so exclusive. Move on.0 -
thegreatdivide wrote:Take a hint - nobody gives a flying f*ck about what you once did when it was all so exclusive. Move on.
Charming... left the forum March 20230 -
I'm surprised anyone has managed to squeeze out 25% on the Harting climb, it touches 20% at best but is consistently a little lower, but it is a fantastic almost straight, nearly side junction free, descent (with one small climb) all the way into Chi.
I think of it as Ditchling Beacon's big brother!
(Just be grateful you're not coming down it and turning left at the bottom)
Coming away from climbs, and sorry if I'm repeating myself, but the section from 55 to 80 miles is superb 'gentle' rouleur country.
The quality of the roads are ok, the locals won't even notice they have been closed, you're unlikely to get a tailwind but if the sun is out you ought to make the best of that.0 -
I kicked that stone out of the way last time I went up it ...PostieJohn wrote:I'm surprised anyone has managed to squeeze out 25% on the Harting climb,
Er - it's coming direct south through Compton to the "back road" - not down via Chilgrove - it's still quick to the back road (just north of Westbourne) with a couple of "speed bumps" - then flat(-ish) all the way to Hunters race - you usually have a tailwind for that section too...PostieJohn wrote:but it is a fantastic almost straight, nearly side junction free, descent (with one small climb) all the way into Chi.
Never been up or down - so can't comment!PostieJohn wrote:I think of it as Ditchling Beacon's big brother!
If you're thinking about the going up via the bends - then yes - descending is "tricky" and I wouldn't want to do that with those racing for a time - and then with a left turn you get the insult of a short/sharp climb again ...PostieJohn wrote:(Just be grateful you're not coming down it and turning left at the bottom) 0 -
Oh yes, so it does my apologies, although getting straight outta Compton is probably a nicer route, until the Funtington bit.Slowbike wrote:Er - it's coming direct south through Compton to the "back road" - not down via Chilgrove - it's still quick to the back road (just north of Westbourne) with a couple of "speed bumps" - then flat(-ish) all the way to Hunters race - you usually have a tailwind for that section too...
If you're thinking about the going up via the bends - then yes - descending is "tricky" and I wouldn't want to do that with those racing for a time - and then with a left turn you get the insult of a short/sharp climb again ...
NOT TALKING ABOUT THE ROUTE
Oh god it's awful doing it in reverse.
Not only does turning left put you at the bottom of an 18% er but the descent finishes sending off to the right, so you end up carrying too much speed, having to turn back in the road, while geared for a steep climb.0 -
This is THE South Harting cllimb, as far as I can work out -
https://www.strava.com/segments/2724911
Looks like 18% max to me, for a short time. I don't think I have ever ridden it so better get my ass over there soon!0 -
that is the climb
NOT TALKING ABOUT THE SV route
Yes - it's a pain doing it from the Chilgrove road - on a TT setup you have to change before you start the descent, so you can't get any more speed. On a road bike it's a bit easier and you can put some effort in going down - but be ready to change down on that last section before hitting the climb - fortunately it doesn't deliver you at the steepest point - but it's still not nice.
Back on the SV Route
TBH, the "climb" is hard - but doable even if you're knackered - just don't try and get a PB. I think the main concern would be getting cramp ... because then you're off and walking. It's certainly not 25%, but it does get up to about 17-18% in places - even the shortened section "little switzerland onto short harting" is only coming up at 11% overall ... it's short, it's sharp - but I can see there will be plenty of walkers ...
btw - if you're after tea stops - Compton village shop is very nice.0 -
DaveP1 wrote:This is THE South Harting cllimb, as far as I can work out -
https://www.strava.com/segments/2724911
Looks like 18% max to me, for a short time. I don't think I have ever ridden it so better get my ass over there soon!
It’s mentally tough, because you can’t see the steep bit until after a blind left, blind right section, but it’s a steady 15-18% climb, until the last 50 yards or so, which really hurts the thighs.0 -
Ah - I've ridden it enough to know it's there and what it's like - so mentally it's not an issue - I can see how some get phased by it though.0
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It's an 82 meters climb... is it really worth more than one page on a thread?left the forum March 20230
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I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles0
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Now you have opened up an old wound.Slowbike wrote:btw - if you're after tea stops - Compton village shop is very nice.
When last in there not only was my mate Col de Col's sponge cake about a third bigger than mine.
The (pitiful) slice I got had an air pocket in as well.
I'll tell you what when I replied "yes it's lovely" I was actually giving the waitress a very hard stare, from behind my shades.0 -
Yesugo.santalucia wrote:It's an 82 meters climb... is it really worth more than one page on a thread?0 -
How old? It's changed into Village ownership just a couple of years ago now ...PostieJohn wrote:
Now you have opened up an old wound.Slowbike wrote:btw - if you're after tea stops - Compton village shop is very nice.
When last in there not only was my mate Col de Col's sponge cake about a third bigger than mine.
The (pitiful) slice I got had an air pocket in as well.
I'll tell you what when I replied "yes it's lovely" I was actually giving the waitress a very hard stare, from behind my shades.0
