You are reading a single comment by @105champ 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.
@105champ
It's a long way, but you're not cycling race pace and with food stops about every 20ish k it's very do-able. I did it 0530-1730 stopping at every stop and wasn't overly fit/trained up for it. It's essential to start early, even though it's freezing, just take some kneewarmers, stuff some paper in your top and take some form of glove for the wind chill, used cut up socks last year and chucked them, once sun was up.
The two climbs are quite sharp, second to Asciano worse, as it's very exposed to sun and you're tired. Sensible to have low range gear on your bike, rather than a racing block.
Weather can make it more tricky, as rain makes the strada bianca very slippy, plus takes a certain degree of balls to fly downhill on the gravel, quite soul-destroying braking and riding at 10mph down a steep downhill, which kills your average speed.
By the time you reach the last 40ks you realise you're almost there, the last bit's not too difficult, you fly down a steep tarmac hill into Gaiole, have your photo taken, take the grit out of your eyes, re-hydrate with cold beer and sense of satisfaction is immense.