TOB Tour Ride

galatzo
galatzo Posts: 1,295
edited September 2009 in Sportives/audaxes/training rides
Hi

Anyone got any views on the Pro ride route or local knowledge ?
Are any of the hills much of a challenge ?
Wouldn't normally bother with paying £40 for a ride but the closed roads has made this much more appealing.

Regards

Galatzo
25th August 2013 12hrs 37mins 52.3 seconds 238km 5500mtrs FYRM Never again.
«1

Comments

  • Rev\'d Gatlin
    Rev\'d Gatlin Posts: 190
    Sorry, not much in the way of local knowledge, but I'm doing this for my end of Summer Sportive. Not sure if it's a 'closed road' ride. I haven't seen that info anywhere. The route profile looks like it could be quite quick, only three lumps to get over. Shouldn't be too hard on the legs. Hopefully with a few leg stretches I can keep the Cramps at bay.

    TheCramps.jpg

    Note to self: Must get some Tiger print shorts.
    If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers.
  • gbs
    gbs Posts: 450
    Galatzo wrote:
    Hi

    Anyone got any views on the Pro ride route or local knowledge ?
    Are any of the hills much of a challenge ?
    Wouldn't normally bother with paying £40 for a ride but the closed roads has made this much more appealing.

    Regards

    Galatzo

    TOB?
    where?
    when?
    vintage newbie, spinning away
  • craigwend
    craigwend Posts: 321
    Hope it's not like last years... it failed to happen!
    There's always www.cyclechat.co.uk
  • a_n_t
    a_n_t Posts: 2,011
    http://www.tourride.co.uk/rides/stage_5.asp


    £40? having a laugh!!
    Manchester wheelers

    PB's
    10m 20:21 2014
    25m 53:18 20:13
    50m 1:57:12 2013
    100m Yeah right.
  • kingstongraham
    kingstongraham Posts: 26,208
    Take a look at this.... http://www.tourride.co.uk/rides/stage_8.asp.

    £50??? And "Unlike the professionals who’ll be racing at top speed, riders in The Prostate Cancer Charity London Ride will have time to enjoy all the sights around the circuit". So 20km, at a leisurely pace, around streets you can ride anyway?
  • nottscobb
    nottscobb Posts: 147
    The Stoke on trent ride is not on closed roads. It is expensive compared to most sportives but unlike most sportives it's main aim is to raise money for charity so that is where your extra cash is going. I guess they are hoping people will see the novelty value of riding a Tour of Britain stage as worth the extra cash. Personally, the combination of the novelty value and it being for a charity that stikes a chord with me mean I'll be there. Hopefully there will be many others too.
  • Rev\'d Gatlin
    Rev\'d Gatlin Posts: 190
    nottscobb wrote:
    The Stoke on trent ride is not on closed roads. It is expensive compared to most sportives but unlike most sportives it's main aim is to raise money for charity so that is where your extra cash is going. I guess they are hoping people will see the novelty value of riding a Tour of Britain stage as worth the extra cash. Personally, the combination of the novelty value and it being for a charity that stikes a chord with me mean I'll be there. Hopefully there will be many others too.

    I agree. I also want to support the Tour of Britain bandwagon. Compared with what I'll be shelling out when I cross the Channel and have a crack at a European Sportive the £40 isn't that much. And if the money goes to a good cause and the Tour is a success everyone wins.
    If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers.
  • vorsprung
    vorsprung Posts: 1,953
    I live in Devon

    On the thursday the stage goes up through Wivlescombe and over the devils elbow, that's fairly near so I'll go up there. Unless I feel enegetic, later in the day it gets to Winsford Hill which would be better to watch from

    On the friday the route goes about a mile from where I live. I will probably trundle out to a small hill on the route somewhere near and wave and cheer
    Audaxing Blog - Long Distance Cycling
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  • PD 2009
    PD 2009 Posts: 9
    Hi there,

    Thought you guys might be interested in my post in this http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12639081 thread if you want to come and ask any questions, then I can relay them on to the organisers and get you the answers!

    As you've all said, the money does go towards a very good cause, and you do get a full professional experience, so most it'll probably be as close as we'll ever get to riding a stage of the ToB. :(
  • PD 2009
    PD 2009 Posts: 9
    Just a bit more of a follow up to your questions and points guys, as I spoke to my friend last night some more, and he gave me a few pointers.

    The Stoke ride isn't on closed roads, but there are National Escort Group motos patrolling the route and offering assistance where needed. There'll also be warning signs where extra care or caution are needed, and of course marshalls at certain locations. Remember even the actual Tour of Britain itself is only on a rolling road closure, so this will be as close as you can get to the real thing, just without having to earn a pro-contract first :D

    The London ride though is on close roads, as the circuit will all be ready for the afternoon's final stage. So it'll be just like riding it yourself, no traffic, riding within barrier lines and under the Start/Finish gantry etc.

    As I say in the other topic, keep your questions coming :)
  • Mozza1
    Mozza1 Posts: 128
    Sorry, not much in the way of local knowledge, but I'm doing this for my end of Summer Sportive. Not sure if it's a 'closed road' ride. I haven't seen that info anywhere. The route profile looks like it could be quite quick, only three lumps to get over. Shouldn't be too hard on the legs. Hopefully with a few leg stretches I can keep the Cramps at bay.
    Well I live fairly close to the first 50k/31m & don't think it'll be that easy. The first 25m is reasonably easy. When you approach Milwich the road surface isn't as good resulting in a loss of rhythm & pace. After this the route uses very small country lanes that are even worse; a fair bit of loose material on the roads. I also missed the junction for Stramshall first time out so I drove the route the day after. Went as far as Windy Harbour which looks harder than the profile suggests. I believe that Gun Hill is also quite hard.
  • Rev\'d Gatlin
    Rev\'d Gatlin Posts: 190
    Mozza1,

    thanks for the local knowledge. I'm sure it isn't going to be easy.
    If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers.
  • Mozza1
    Mozza1 Posts: 128
    Just checked on the TOB site & they've changed the route slightly; less of the ridiculously small twisty & slippery roads after Milwich. Although I seem to remember the road into Fole having some nasty pot holes the other day. Perhaps the council will have them filled in for us…………….. :lol:

    PD 2009,
    Can you see if we’ll get an updated map & profile?
  • PD 2009
    PD 2009 Posts: 9
    I'll take a look and will see what I can do.
  • itisaboutthebike
    itisaboutthebike Posts: 1,120
    It is expensive compared to most sportives but unlike most sportives it's main aim is to raise money for charity so that is where your extra cash is going

    Some said that for the Graet Notts Bike ride of the entry fee only £2 went to charidy........
  • Mozza1
    Mozza1 Posts: 128
    Thanks PD 2009 that'll be great! :D
  • nottscobb
    nottscobb Posts: 147
    itisaboutthebike wrote:
    Some said that for the Graet Notts Bike ride of the entry fee only £2 went to charidy........

    Well if some said it about one ride then it must be true about that ride and all the other charity rides out there. :roll:
  • PD 2009
    PD 2009 Posts: 9
    Mozza1 wrote:
    Can you see if we’ll get an updated map & profile?

    Apparently the ones on the website are the latest, so everything should be all present and correct there. I think there might be a slight difference between the ToB route and Tour Ride route where you refer to, to keep the sportif riders off the A-road for longer, so that might be where the confusion is. Hope that helps you Mozza!

    In other news, my friend has been speaking to Brian Rourke as part of their promotion in Stoke, and gave me this quote:
    "I am personally very proud that The Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Ride is taking part in Stoke-on-Trent and fully intend to show my support for the charity and the region by riding the 145km leg. Join in!"

    As Brian say's join in, you'd better all had! :lol:
  • PD 2009
    PD 2009 Posts: 9
    As posted elsewhere, but thought I'd make sure it was in here too, nice video of the ride here with Kristian House for company

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x088Q-k5X94
  • nottscobb
    nottscobb Posts: 147
    So, I'm now sat at home recovering from this ride. It was definitely one of the most well organised sportives I have taken part in, everything ran very smoothly. The start was nice and easy, there were plenty of people to help out where needed. I had no problems with directions as the signs were all clear. The food stops were great with a good variety of products on offer and there was no sign of the usual scrum for food or drink and I was never at the food stop longer than I wanted to be. Everything at the finish was very well organised and the free pasta dish was much appreciated too.

    All in all I would echo the comments heard from others at the finish and say it was worth the extra money I paid as well as doing some good for a much underrated charity. A big thank you to all involved.
  • Crayton
    Crayton Posts: 8
    I got some pictures here from todays ride

    http://www.robcrayton.co.uk

    Sorry but the images are in time order not rider number, so you will have to look through in time order. I was roughly 20 mins from the start
  • weapons
    weapons Posts: 367
    I agree with nottscobb and everyone I spoke to afterwards thought the same. Best organised sportive I've ever done, right from entering the sportive online through to the event itself.

    Excellent marshalling, superb feed stations and it's good to see a lot of the major sponsors getting on board. The course itself was a lot tougher than I expected it to be - wasn't expecting any major climbs after Gun Hill!

    Cheers for the great event. I hope it runs again next year.
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    Extremley well organised, I only did the family ride £5, must have got that back, with the free T shirt, free dinks and food.....Wife and kids had a great day, the free rides on the novelty bikes were great.

    Really fancy the whole thing next year - how tough were the larger rides ? - I could and have road 90 miles - just wonder around the terrain ?
  • morgs2001
    morgs2001 Posts: 159
    Found it very hard today but really enjoyed it,Like most have said it was extremely well organised and signed .The weather stayed good for us too!
    Loved the finish .The last 6 or 7 miles were great .
    Any body know where you find your timing results and other photographers sites?
  • louise148
    louise148 Posts: 25
    +1

    The 145km ride was brilliant, tough going in places but well worth doing. I hope it's on again next year.

    The event was really well run throughout the day and in the run up, a big thank you to the organisers.
  • Rev\'d Gatlin
    Rev\'d Gatlin Posts: 190
    +1

    Thanks to everyone involved in the organisation, we were well looked after. I'll look forward to seeing the pro's doing it next week. The hills were a good test and there were some nasty little ramps on the way back to the stadium. I've never seen so many snapped chains in a sportive. I managed to keep the cramps at bay until the service station on the way home. All in all, a good day out.

    Good luck to all involved in the main event.
    If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers.
  • galatzo
    galatzo Posts: 1,295
    There seemed to be loads of photographers out.

    Anyone know who else was taking them apart from Rob

    www.robcrayton.co.uk

    and

    www sportivephoto.com ?
    25th August 2013 12hrs 37mins 52.3 seconds 238km 5500mtrs FYRM Never again.
  • galatzo
    galatzo Posts: 1,295
    Did the 90 miler and I enjoyed it.
    Directions were good on the whole, just 2 occasions were we weren't sure which way and it quickly became clear. A bit too many main roads but you have to remember your mirroring an exact stage of the TofB and they have to take main roads sometimes and go through towns as that gets the revenue for them. Suppose it's hard to do 90 miles without a main road though.
    Only done a few Audax's before, never a Sportive so not much to compare it to but I would agree that the organisation was very good.
    Food seemed pretty good although there was a lot of Mule Bar Mango Tango left over and I don't care if I never see another Soreen bar in my life !!
    That last major climb, in Chedderton I think, were you went over a crossroads and past some kind of scrap metal / recycling type place with trees overhanging the road was a beast at that stage. Loads were walking and I had to go to my bottom gear 39X27 for the first and only time and was lucky to make it. This was my first ride on the new bike too (Focus Expert Campa delivered just in time on Friday) after having a compact with 34X25 bottom gear on so pretty happy with the fitness as hadn't ridden for 3 weeks.
    Would I do it again ?
    If it was another Tour Ride I'd look at the route a bit closer next time but this was within 40 mins drive in an area I've not rode before so jumped at the chance. I'd certainly do another Sportive as having signs is loads better than an Audax list of instructions. Cost was reasonable considering some went to charity (don't know how much though) but I think a couple of year depending on cost (up to £30 is enough I think) and location as it's just nice being part of a large well orgainsed event.

    Thanks to the Tour Ride people.

    PS Please bring back the Bakewell to Nottingham stage.
    25th August 2013 12hrs 37mins 52.3 seconds 238km 5500mtrs FYRM Never again.
  • paulgw
    paulgw Posts: 135
    +1

    I was a late entrant - only decided to do it on Saturday so was a little undercooked and consequently suffered for about 20 miles in the hills I snapped a drive side spoke which hampered be somewhat on the hills (I only have 24 in total on the back - Fulcrum Racing 3's).

    I heard what sounded like a bad crash behind me on the descent to the reservoir drinks stop. Anyone know anything about that? hopefully no-one was hurt.
  • Mendip rouleur
    Mendip rouleur Posts: 163
    +1

    Great day all told, especially the marshalling at tricky/dangerous junctions. Superb organisation so well done to all. Pleased to have done it without having to walk up that nasty little hill near the end, very unexpected.

    Took me 5hrs 50 of moving time, I bet the pros will do it very quickly because the hills are relatively short and only 2 are that steep.

    Does anyone know where we can see official timings on the web?
    “I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle.”

    http://mendiprouleur.blogspot.com/

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