Cycle Sportives

There was some weird cycle event type thing happening out west today. Looked like lots of noobs riding along the A413 for some reason. Not sure why they'd send them along that road to be honest, it's not super nice.

I imagine they were training for some 24 hour tt thing

That was me. I declined the marshall's directional suggestions and carried on at my own pace, for once knowing where I was going.

Also did the Little Lumpy 65-miler on Sunday. Also couldn't understand all the moaning about signage. I've virtually no experience of these things, hadn't really looked at the route beforehand, but found the directions pretty clear. Only nav fail for me was taking a right up Turkey Hill for a second time after the last feed stop. Could have done without that.

Otherwise, cakes excellent, good mechanical backup, good roads and a nicely varied route. Would definitely do it again.

Also did the Little Lumpy 65-miler on Sunday. Also couldn't understand all the moaning about signage. I've virtually no experience of these things, hadn't really looked at the route beforehand, but found the directions pretty clear. Only nav fail for me was taking a right up Turkey Hill for a second time after the last feed stop. Could have done without that.

Otherwise, cakes excellent, good mechanical backup, good roads and a nicely varied route. Would definitely do it again.

I think a lot of the signage problems were on the Epic route - there were so many loops that there needed to be really clear signs at certain junctions which were absent. The Turkey Hill one was where I went wrong, as there was no indication that you had to go straight on the second time you got there. Almost everyone I spoke to did the same unless they knew the roads.

Anyway I still had a great time, only thing I would have liked would have been to find a fast group. Riding fast (for me) on my own for 30 miles without any respite hurt a fair bit

Was turkey hill the small road on the right about 5 miles after the final (duplicate) cake stop? I almost took that by mistake too. If I'd been thinking straight I'd have realised that any turn with Epic and Challenge specific signage was not the right road for going home.

Yeah that's the one. Thinking straight wasnt happening for me at that point!

So much cake.

I finished on five pieces of flapjack (including one from a feed stop that belonged to a different ride), a science flavoured energy bar, three bananas, and two cups of cold instant coffee.

One lift (cheers again), one train, and home to find that my girlfriend had bought me a snazzy ginger flapjack from a local bakery. I ate that an' all.

"Bainbridge - Did the Little Lumpy 65 miler today too. Was a good route but some of the signposting was quite dodgy, I heard of lots of people getting lost - I took a wrong turn myself but realised pretty quickly. Squeezed in under the Gold time at 3hrs57 (Garmin says 3hrs46) with an average of 17.3, pretty pleased with that. "

I dream of doing 44mph without sh*tting my strides...

Anyone doing this on Sunday?

Another legendary leg breaker..
http://www.evanscycles.com/ride-it/king-of-the-downs-2011-22nd-may-
it was hot last year, and got a tee-shirt tan as a souvenir..

Anyone doing this on Sunday?

I could be tempted... if I'm not at the lake, either way I'm in the area :)

Etape Caledonia sabotaged.. AGAIN..
http://www.cyclosport.org/article.aspx?id=1902

Luckily it was found out before and cleared so didn't effect the sportif at all. Can't believe these people how they can be so petty. Hope they get caught and prosecuted this time.

I did the event and it was amazing like it was the last year as well. They changed the King of the Mountains though, this year the finish was end of the steep bit at the beginning instead of at the top of Shiehallion. Evan Olliphant won it this year, good to see some class riders doing it even though he probably had to as his team sponsor it.

Tour of Wessex anyone?

I'm up for all three days and hopefully doing better than I did last year.

Good to hear, cliveo. I'm signed up for the third day.

I might be dead by the third day but will look out for you.

Good luck Clive. I expect a full 3 days of pain from you this year.

Didn't see you but then I had my shark pit jersey under a rain jacket.

Did two and a half days but needed to get home as a car is picking me up at 6:45 tomorrow morning to take me to the airport. If I had done the extra 60 miles I wouldn't have been home until very late. I felt capable and will do it next year.

[memo to self: book the Tuesday off]

Had Tuesday booked off... But some family stuff came up that meant I had to skip it. 2 1/2 days is not to be sniffed at. Looked a damp start today, and really windy yesterday.

Will be back next year to finally get the TOW done.

It will be good to see you there. The Tour of Wessex is one of the most challenging, best organised and friendliest of sportives and to be heartily recommended to everyone.

anyone doing this:

http://www.srs-events.cc/event2/event-details.htm

it'll be be my first one and i'm really looking forward to it.

anyone doing this:

http://www.srs-events.cc/event2/event-details.htm

it'll be be my first one and i'm really looking forward to it.

I want to do it, just because the guy on the opening page in yellow look so incredibly happy

Hi guys, I've been tasked with spreading the word of Addiscombe's sportive this weekend - starts right on the edge of South London near Coulsdon and heads out for 85 miles taking in too many climbs on the North Downs while raising money to get bike clubs in remote areas of Peru up and running
If you didn't get in the Dragon and still fancy testing yourself check http://www.addiscombe.org/addiscombe-sportive/ For more details

Official copy -

Join us for a glorious day on the bike in sunny June. Discover beautiful lanes that will take you through some of Surrey’s most picturesque villages buried deep in the heart of the Surrey Hills. This testing 85 mile course will see you crest some of the area’s highest climbs and be rewarded with some of the best descents. For the affordable price of just £20 you’ll get safety cover, BC insurance, full signposting, sag wagon, cycle repair, feed stations, free car parking and the satisfaction of completing the first ever Addiscombe Challenge sportive AND that your entry fee will be helping develop cycling in an under developed remote area of the Northern Andes in Peru. See you at Coulsdon on June 5th, this one is going to be a belter!

Cheers
Marco Framboli

Nice one Marco. I will sign up for that.

anyone doing this:

http://www.srs-events.cc/event2/event-details.htm

it'll be be my first one and i'm really looking forward to it.

fun day. shitty wet windy weather from start to finish. great 100k course though with lots of short sharp climbs and dips. really well organised and run. top day out despite the weather. shattered now, despite holding back to the point of being cold all day to stick with my friends - allowed myself a 10k belt to the line to get warmed up though. only one flat and one comedy off (ran over a dropped bottle and then someone ran into me).

will definitely be signing up for more soon.

a