FoD Spring Classic
skinnypunter
Posts: 142
Hi all
Wondered if anyone knew what time the FoD starts? Put in an entry some time ago, and apart from a confirmation email, haven't seen anything more, and can't find out anything on their site.
Ta
Ed
Wondered if anyone knew what time the FoD starts? Put in an entry some time ago, and apart from a confirmation email, haven't seen anything more, and can't find out anything on their site.
Ta
Ed
0
Posts
Who's up for it ?
Surely not another day like last year?
see http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/7days.asp
But who cares anyway as I'm now committed as 3P says let have a good ride and enjoy the day.
: Semi Professional Grease Monkey, Full time Tea boy... :
Forecast does seem to vary a lot only consistenet thing is windy
Great event, but I found the last 10 miles TOUGH. That last climb up Symomds Yat. I've never had to get off and walk up a hill, ever, and that includes my local "killer climb" of Mow Cop in Cheshire..but god i was close to quitting on that last climb.
I thought the event was very well organised. Plenty of food at the stations and well signposted. The riders were quickly set off after a short wait. A great route, and the sun came out.
Is this event regarded as tough, average or what?
From comparison to other sportives I find FOD ride has a lot more hard short climbs, making it very difficult to settle into a rhythm and is constantly testing. Descents were awkward too on the narrow roads. Maybe you noticed but a side lane on climb numbered 2 or 3 was called " Uphill Lane" and I think that sums up the whole event, a lot of hard uphill. Symonds Yat seemed to have got steeper for me this year too !
But a great well organised event and superb weather
Was made a bit harder for me with cramps from about 50 miles having me to hold back a bit and stop on some hills as both legs locked up, and then a puncture in last 20 miles but still enjoyed it, and the last descent is a cracker to finish off with as well.
If you haven't done this one then do! It makes you realise a bit better what this cycling malarky that we are part of is all about and always leaves me with a good feeling.
'Ow, that hurt'.
What did strike me was how overdressed some people looked for the conditions and the day's forecast.
I suppose some people can get away with wearing a bit more if you don't get as hot as I do, there was a bit of a chill at the start but I was working up a nice sweat about 10 mins later, I would have been boiling in long bibs , jackets etc .
Anyone know what the categorisation for Gold, Silver, Bronze were ?
Some people have 5:20 ish times and are down as Silver cat's. That is either a typo or there must have been a super-whippet categorisation or something because that sounds a tad harsh.
So I`m fairly happy with 6h 39min SILVER---and if it wasn`t for road works . traffic lights (waited a LONG tiem at teh bridge back to Monmouth, lights just changed..) would I have cut off another 9 min??
Garetjax, I used to live in Biddulph moor and went up Mow cop from all sides quite often. I reckon the steep way is harder than the Yat any day.
I was suprised by the awful road skills of many. I'm the first to defend riding 2 abreast even when being over taken but many bunches we saw were filling the lane or over flwoing and giving now leeway to traffic. I was missed by inches by a bunch coming up from Bigsweir and several cars I saw were forced to stop by groups who would not narrow in. It did hard to defend some of the actions and I am vociferous to say the least when cyclist get moaned at.At one point I was pushed me into the gutter and I was coming the other way!
Not all riders of course but a few idiots always get the attention of those outside the hobby.
I have to assume that the organisers have some control over the riders , eg they are marshaled to a small extent. Maybe a few warnings might help.
As for the the weather is was obvious that it was going to be nice. Just look at the sky the night before and ignore the telly
worse bit of the day....almost being taken out by some idiot overtaking way to close and way to fast down a very narrow road.
best bit of the day........seeing the same idiot picking himself out of a wall at the bottom of the next descent.
i have no problem with people taking risks with their own lives............
Fortunately the organizers are constantly working to improve things. e.g. feed stations ran out of food and drink two years ago so they compensated and now have lots of good stuff (Clif) at both stations, where you can also sit down inside in case of rain. Signs are also good.
I tend to find this the hardest sportive, largely due to the time of year, and relative unfitness, as well as the constantly changing gradient. I am always getting, or close to cramp by the time I get to Symonds Yat, although traffic was relatively light there this year for some reason.
The last Monmouth descent is great to do, but spoiled a bit on Sunday by some kids throwing a long tree branch at me. I was doing about 60kph at the time and luckily it landed just in front of the front wheel and I was able to roll over it without it getting stuck anywhere.
Still, a good day out and the weather smiled on us.
http://georgeburgessphotography.thirdli ... 060&home=1