2013-05-05 - Isle of Wight Randonnee 2013

Get the portsmouth to fishbourne car ferry. Takes about 40 minutes instead of about 20 for the catamaran, but it's less than 5 minutes ride to Wootton for camping and checkpoint start (about 1 mile instead of about 4 from ryde). The car ferry is much nicer too.

starting at east cowes, b&bing in cowes the night before..... want to fit in a swim too if its nice weather.

question for T4, which would be the best place to register to start from for the group camping option? Options are Alverstone, Bembridge, East Cowes, Whitwell, Wooton, Yarmouth

Get the portsmouth to fishbourne car ferry. Takes about 40 minutes instead of about 20 for the catamaran, but it's less than 5 minutes ride to Wootton for camping and checkpoint start (about 1 mile instead of about 4 from ryde). The car ferry is much nicer too.

I'll check out this option (campsites etc) and see what's what...

Will be riding with my brother this year and will prob do it as a day trip. Portsmouth-Fisbourne ferry, Wooton start is prob most accessible. Ryde ferry has the option of heading straight for Bembridge but you won't "close the loop" and then won't qualify for your badge.

It's all about the badge...

IOW Randonee Badge by middle of nowhere, on Flickr

1. T4
   
2. chatters
   
3. laner
   
4. laner +1
   
5. hairnet
   
   

this looks great. any ideas of rough cost? I guess between 50 to 150...

Pifko and Eightball,
you will recieve email of registration, were doing it, print off the sheet and keep it,
were staying at Kite Hill campsite Wooton again,
some of you have stayed there already, near pubs and shops, will try and co-incide on the day. sort it out bit nearer the day. yay.

got that. cheers J

How hilly is the iow out of interest? Wondering if my 3 speed would be appropriate.

4600ft over 70miles according to my gps. I was geared for some reason on this particular trip but the others with me were fixed and coped easily so you should be fine (depending on what those 3 speeds are!).

@corny - word!
might be in aGain for this. always a truly epic spin.

^ dude, will talk to you about this if we catchup on the BT on sun.

I'm from the Isle of Wight so very tempted to do this, could combine it with a visit to the 'rents. However am wondering how I will fare fixed, knowing the hills of the IoW well.

Time and a place for fixed, and the IOW Randonnee isn't one of them. See you all on Le Col de Freshwater.

Disagree, fixed is fine for craggy island.

did it fixed my first and only time, its doable, and blackgang was a slog, but its not ruinous...

Depends entirely on your capability and/or degree of botheredness. I've done 2 fixed and 2 geared and all of them were some of the most memorable miles of the year.

the Cowes stage win over greasy whilst on the Merckx being a particular high point ;)

Same here Shoots.2/2.which means its time to take the Rossin up there, pifko told me they're doing anti clockwise this time now and every other now on.the Mary berry style cake makers would get me up anything in one gear.

Unfortunately my only bike is fixed and so if I do it would do it fixed. What gear ratios did people run for it? I'm running 48/18 and feel like that would not be smart for Isle of Wight hills.

You sir are highly astute that's perfect.
Providing you've used it.for a while.
(they used to stage winter races on 72inch in the olden days you know*oldbastard.
I likely do it on 75 this time.

Unfortunately my only bike is fixed and so if I do it would do it fixed. What gear ratios did people run for it? I'm running 48/18 and feel like that would not be smart for Isle of Wight hills.

Yeah that's fine, especially for the anti-clockwise route, which in my opinion is a little easier.

I thought they decided never to do anti again. I think it was most riders starting in the North East causing too many large waves of bikes at the chain ferry whereas clockwise creates a steady flow.

You're totally correct, it's clockwise from now on

If anyone's staying in Portsmouth (might be cheaper?) give us a PM. There's myself and Charlie and a few other boys that'll be happy to show you where to get a beer on the Saturday evening.

Unfortunately my only bike is fixed and so if I do it would do it fixed. What gear ratios did people run for it? I'm running 48/18 and feel like that would not be smart for Isle of Wight hills.

Im planning to do it on either a 42/16 or even 18 or a 48/18 or even 20 both single speed. i willl have a shake down on the saturday to see what gearing suits best. I will be taking the tools and may even do it 42/20 .

I was going to get a hub gear . instead I went for the cheaper option of buying a couple of extra free wheels . ( an 18 and a 20 )