Cycle Sportives

Sam [quote]hippy Why not just ride the extra distance? How far is it?
Or, do the Harp Hilly 100 Reliability ride in the Chilterns.

The start is 21 miles from Seven Dials (as a standard starting point). Makes the day's mileage 106 (or 167 clicks for those people who are that way inclined).[/quote]

I'm starting to think Ashdown might be a good idea rather than Harp Hilly but it'll be a long day..

I've found accomm for Wessex. It's 5mi from the start which should be a nice warmup. It's also half the price of The George at £42 per night for a double.
Sam, Ralph, anyone, whisper and I'll send your their details.

actually the mrs has taken over with the b&b search. she reckons 'the george' looks haunted...haha. so, where did u book hippy?

cant be bothered doin the extra distance for the ashdown. besides, dont think ill be fit enough that soon...im way out of shape. oz trip really stuffed me up (literally)

and no, dont think it's flat. they're all over 2km gain, and the 3rd day is the hardest. good luck! sam, you doin ToW as well? illy, signed up yet? anyone else?

OT - hippy, got your full carbon bike yet? did 3 laps around rich park over the weekend on mine. rides great although still needs a little bit more adjustments...might not get full benefits yet until i take it on longer rides, but it feels stiff and very light.

fatboyralph actually the mrs has taken over with the b&b search. she reckons 'the george' looks haunted...haha. so, where did u book hippy?
cant be bothered doin the extra distance for the ashdown. besides, dont think ill be fit enough that soon...im way out of shape. oz trip really stuffed me up (literally)
and no, dont think it's flat. they're all over 2km gain, and the 3rd day is the hardest. good luck! sam, you doin ToW as well? illy, signed up yet? anyone else?
OT - hippy, got your full carbon bike yet? did 3 laps around rich park over the weekend on mine. rides great although still needs a little bit more adjustments...might not get full benefits yet until i take it on longer rides, but it feels stiff and very light.

Nice one Ralph, mine's organising an Egypt trip so I didn't want to disturb her :)
Ashdown, gee come on slacker! How do you think you get fit? You ride!! :P
I was joking about the "flat" comment. It's hilly as fsck and I'm going to die. I booked a pub 5mi away in Sparkford. £42 for a double x 3 nights.
I've not picked the S-works up yet.. I'm hanging onto my cash as long as possible hehe.. It'll be great to take it out though. Fuck, I'm actually gonna have to clean this one. :(

Ralph - not signed up for the Ashdown as it's the same weekend as the Berlin six-day :(

hippy - good luck doing all three days of Wessex, are you doing all three as well Ralph?

I think I'm gonna do Ashdown. Somehow.
That'll require 50 milers this/next weekends for training I suppose...

Brett - might be hitting Brighton again using your route this weekend if you're interested?

ooohhh...tempting. what day you plannin on doin this brighton ride?

do tell illy, you might find yourself in a peloton

or are you keeping it a secret so 50x14 doesn't find out ;)

I'm registered for the Ashdown. I'm registered for the 100km route but I fear I'll have to wimp out and do the 50 if I don't get some riding done soon.

Re rail replacement: it appears that you CAN get a train to Otford which is reasonably close to Knockholt.

fuzzbrain I'm registered for the Ashdown. I'm registered for the 100km route but I fear I'll have to wimp out and do the 50 if I don't get some riding done soon.

Re rail replacement: it appears that you CAN get a train to Otford which is reasonably close to Knockholt.

thanks for the info fuzz. you doin that singlespeed?

jonny do tell illy, you might find yourself in a peloton

or are you keeping it a secret so 50x14 doesn't find out ;)

:)

Nope all welcome! Was thinking Saturday.. 9.30 or thereabouts to make the most of the light. Want to hop on Jonny?

fuzzbrain Re rail replacement: it appears that you CAN get a train to Otford which is reasonably close to Knockholt.

Yep, missed that. Soz. First train gets you there at 8:30am, from there it's just over 3 miles, includes taking in the final climb of the day up Star Hill. Not much of a climb, but after 95km it's a different story!

illy, might do. will know for sure tomorro. am well up for getting the miles in already and i am not even signed up for any sportives. just doing it out of love dude.

Possibly too on the Brighton run but will let you know!

i might be ok for saturday, ill let you guys know come thurs. will go in gears tho...need to get used to the new ride

[cite]fatboyralph:[/cite]thanks for the info fuzz. you doin that singlespeed?

Seeing as the only bike with gears I've got is my old MTB, it looks like I'll have to. I guess the object of these things is to build up fitness...

I know fatboyralph has a bling new Wilier. Do most of you guys doing cyclosportives have road bikes in addition to your fixed mounts?

any of you big miles guys doing http://www.cycleisland.co.uk/ ?

I'd be interested to do this ride to Brighton illy. Pushing the friendship with the gf, oh well, has to be done. :)
Can you remember where to go? :) I certainly can't! But I have just bought a GPS (that won't arrive on time).
I'll be riding gears. I don't need extra effort right now.

Kelvin any of you big miles guys doing http://www.cycleisland.co.uk/ ?

I'm sure someone mentioned that Isle of Wight thing ages, jonny I'm guessing?? jonny?? You ride it every year or something?

Brighton on Saturday sounds fun - I haven't ridden up a hill since the last time we did Ditchling, or ridden on the road since the last week in November, apart from a 4 mile round trip to the West End :( Have to get permission though...

Is it going to be rolling along at sort of club-run pace? Might have to consider gears or switching up from 67" to 72" if that's the case. I'm not much of a spinner :p

@jonny - what gear did you ride for the Isle of Wight thing?

BringMeMyFix Is it going to be rolling along at sort of club-run pace? Might have to consider gears or switching up from 67" to 72" if that's the case. I'm not much of a spinner :p

haha :)

I'm up for leaving everyone behind again if you wanna up the pace. :) Nah, I'm sticking to my 130-150 HR range (except hills) so it won't be as bad as last time.

Kelvin any of you big miles guys doing http://www.cycleisland.co.uk/ ?

That looks

hippy [quote]Kelvin any of you big miles guys doing http://www.cycleisland.co.uk/ ?

I'm sure someone mentioned that Isle of Wight thing ages, jonny I'm guessing?? jonny?? You ride it every year or something?[/quote]

Yeah that looks good. Good timing for the other rides too.

Okay, Saturday is looking good. Was planning on going fixed, but happy to break out the gears if everyone else is.

hippy I'd be interested to do this ride to Brighton illy. Pushing the friendship with the gf, oh well, has to be done. :)

:)

Can you remember where to go? :) I certainly can't! But I have just bought a GPS (that won't arrive on time).
I'll be riding gears. I don't need extra effort right now.

Thought I'd saved the route which Brett printed out, but can't remember if that was for Catford, so might have to get someone to pedometer it for us.

I've got the all clear for Saturday. Looking more and more likely I'll be on the gears, 25s, mudguards, etc...

Any chance of a 9am start - get moving before all those shoppers jump in their motors?

yeh, the earlier the better...actually id prefer 8ish. looks like a quick bunch this