Magnificat 2014

itboffin
itboffin Posts: 20,052
Anyone else signed out for this?
It's my local sportive so i usually enter, sadly last year I took it too easy and missed out on setting a very good time, this year i'm the most unfit i've been in the last 7 years so its going to be a gentle ride in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside for me.
Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.

Comments

  • If you're riding in Wiltshire, you've taken a wrong turn.
  • the_fuggler
    the_fuggler Posts: 1,228
    Really enjoyed it last year, although it was absolutely baking. Unlikely to make it this time round, but have submitted the forms to the EPO just in case...
    FCN 3 / 4
  • MattC59
    MattC59 Posts: 5,408
    If all goes well (I have 6 week old baby who tends to hold the veto on my riding at the moment !) I shall be riding the Magnificat this year. It's my local ride and was great last year, if a little warm (35 c at times !!!)

    I live a couple of miles from Newbury racecourse so shall turn up on the day and see if there are any places.
    Science adjusts it’s beliefs based on what’s observed.
    Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved
  • Druidor
    Druidor Posts: 230
    Spotted loads of people out doing this one today.

    was not in it myself I was doing my sunday ride newbury. Wantage. Shrivenham. Lambourne and back to newbury. In the opposite direction to the route.
    ---
    Sensa Trentino SL Custom 2013 - 105 Compact - Aksium Race
  • Lefthook
    Lefthook Posts: 124
    Yeah will be doing it this year for the first time.

    Really hope you did not spot people doing it on Sunday Druidor, Im not turning up until the 13th July ;-)

    Did the the 111mile Tour of the Peaks on Sunday, so this will be another bump in distance, but hopefully a bit more rolling than the Tour of the Peaks. Also signed up for 'The Long One' in June, which is same distance, 125 miles, but listed at 1000ft more.

    So this should be easy in comparison ;-) :D
  • apreading
    apreading Posts: 4,535
    Did it last year and thought it was a great route, was V hot, but the problem was waaaayyy too many riders and of too wide a level. Some ultra competitive, drafting novices an inch or two from their wheel and coming way too close on corners. Much prefer the Evans Rideit events for fewer riders and generally more cameraderie. Dates dont work for me this year, otherwise I would probably do it despite this reservation, as it is so local - but cant say I am sorry to miss it...
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,052
    apreading wrote:
    Did it last year and thought it was a great route, was V hot, but the problem was waaaayyy too many riders and of too wide a level. Some ultra competitive, drafting novices an inch or two from their wheel and coming way too close on corners. Much prefer the Evans Rideit events for fewer riders and generally more cameraderie. Dates dont work for me this year, otherwise I would probably do it despite this reservation, as it is so local - but cant say I am sorry to miss it...

    Yeah it is getting more popular if you do it again try for the earliest start that usually thins the herd a bit
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • Vino'sGhost
    Vino'sGhost Posts: 4,129
    Its a cak event. but easy to get to. The route is boring and the scenery (after the first 20 miles) dull.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,052
    Hopefully the weather hold today for a little recce ride
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,052
    itboffin wrote:
    Hopefully the weather hold today for a little recce ride

    Did a recce of the medium route today and whilst the potholes have been repaired and road resurfaced sadly with that loose stone gravel type stuff, it was really hard going everytime i hit a section my average speed took a dive, i doubt that will have enough time to bed in before the day :evil:
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,052
    done!
    road surfaces proper hardwork, now i need my bed :?
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • gethinceri
    gethinceri Posts: 1,510
    Did it, enjoyed it, climbs not tough enough. More punctures than I've ever seen on a sportive, possibly due to that b/s top dressing they put on the road.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,052
    of all the events i've done over the years the Magnificat has by far the most punctures, even the Rapha hell of the north isnt as bad.

    i wont be back next year i'm fed up with the shity road surfaces
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • veterangaz
    veterangaz Posts: 79
    Avoided punctures but saw loads of people on the side changing theirs. My main gripe, unless me and my mate were really not concentrating, was that we missed the turn for the epic route and ended up just doing the 85 mile standard. Had paced ourselves for the longer distance, plus i don't get out on the bike much so wanted to do the full length whilst I have the chance. Very annoying, we may have been a bit silly for not spotting the turn but I don't feel it could have been sign posted that well for both of us to miss it.
  • Lefthook
    Lefthook Posts: 124
    I seem to remember that the route splits were well signposted.

    Although there were a couple of odd signs that seemed to point in the wrong direction. Indicating turns on a straight road etc.

    Main gripe, and could have just been me being stupid, was I never saw the 2nd feedstop on the epic route. When I got to the 3rd stop, desperately needing food and water, the other 6-8 people who pulled into the stop while I was there had not seen it either!

    I was in the second wave on the road and was dragged along by a fast group, so maybe they had not set it up in time. They were still putting the High five flags up at the first stop when we got there.
  • veterangaz
    veterangaz Posts: 79
    Lefthook wrote:
    I seem to remember that the route splits were well signposted.

    Although there were a couple of odd signs that seemed to point in the wrong direction. Indicating turns on a straight road etc.

    Main gripe, and could have just been me being stupid, was I never saw the 2nd feedstop on the epic route. When I got to the 3rd stop, desperately needing food and water, the other 6-8 people who pulled into the stop while I was there had not seen it either!

    I was in the second wave on the road and was dragged along by a fast group, so maybe they had not set it up in time. They were still putting the High five flags up at the first stop when we got there.

    Blimey, we must have been day dreaming away to miss the epic split then. Feel like a right plonker.
  • Lefthook
    Lefthook Posts: 124
    Well I don't have a good track record, have gone wrong twice in Sportives in the last 2 years. Both times no one else had any trouble, apart from the couple of guys who were following me! So I can definitely zone out on rides at times. The last time I even had the route loaded on the Garmin, but had not started it!