You are reading a single comment by @BigFatAl and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
London Fixed Gear and Single-Speed is a community of predominantly fixed gear and single-speed cyclists in and around London, UK.
This site is supported almost exclusively by donations. Please consider donating a small amount regularly.
@BigFatAl
The Surrey Rumble, 77 miles so that will be adequate preparation for Flanders, together with a (reasonably) regular commute from Walton via Richmond and Chiswick Bridgeberg to work. Training done.
A trip to Tesco's and raid their extensive range of sports supplements. Nutrition done.
Hammer down the M20 and across to Belgium, arrive at Brugge at 11.00pm, a quick beer, bed at 12.00 and up at 6.00. Rest done.
Having had a rather busy few months moving house etc, I possibly didn't plan this event as effectively as I had hoped. Waking up on the day, I thought that I'd have a good 13 hours to complete the event if I left at 7.00. Arrived in the main square to find a huge queue to receive the relevant start number etc. Queued for over an hour, got cold and left at 8.30. Bearing in mind that the instructions said that the last checkpoint would close at 7.00pm and the finish at 8.00pm, this now left 11.5 hours.
Left Brugges and cycled with a couple at a comfortable pace, soon realised that although this was OK, once the distance and terrain took its toll I'd be lucky to make the cut-off point. Fortunately, a big group came through and I joined this until the first checkpoint. However, it was obvious that due to my late start, the number of cyclist on the road at this point had dwindled considerably - most people being up ahead. Continued up to the third checkpoint, but was getting tired by now. The girlfriend had said that she would be at the fourth and final checkpoint, so thought I'd climb off and make my way back to the hotel. Called her, she told me that she was there and it was 59km from the finish. Was it f**k! At 140 miles the checkpoint arrived, she'd gone to the finish and had no alternative but to continue. Must admit that if this hadn't happened I wouldn't have completed this. Was absolutely dead and by now was walking up parts of the steepest bergs.
Finish I did, and feel good for it - but training was totally inadequate.
Best moment - finishing
Priceless moment - an Italian cycling up behind me as we entered a cobbled section going 'peep, peep, peep, peep' to urge me to move over. Duly did, as he decided that cobbles were not for him. Watched as he moved on to the gravel section, then a slightly rutted grass surface before disappearing down a ditch with arms and legs flailing. He was OK, his ego battered...