Cycle Sportives

That's the same as me and Pifko. Not ridden 80 miles in a long time, kinda looking forward to it, kinda dreading it...
What time will you and your bro be aiming for? Gold is 19mph average. I think silver is more likely for me (16-19mph).

Weather is looking good for this weekend, looking forward to the ride...
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/54207

Pifko and I ended up getting around in 4h36m (moving time) plus we stopped at both drinks stops and I had a pncture with less than 10 miles to go :( so probably over 5 hours total time.

The course was pretty good, and signed well. There seemed to be loads more people doing the shorter route. Also the weather was perfect, there was a little bit of wind but not blowing a gale, and clear blue skies for the whole day! I'm burnt.

Just checked the results, ended up taking just over an hour for all the stops! 05:39:52 total time, only bronze :( Next time I'll have to be make the drink stops flying visits!

Pifko beat me by a second!

1 second?

...Hah!! :)

Well organised and plenty of food to munch on though, good day out. Shame about the puncture.

I gather that there is to be rather a special sportive this autumn. 100k and only 200m of climbing. [Carlsberg don't organise cliveo-style sportives but if they did....] I'll be in and riding fixed and happy to give a lift if required. Ride is around Romney Marsh and organised by Cyclefit which means the feed stations should be good. Will let you know the date as soon as I know.

200m of climbing over 100k? This mythical flat land of which you speak surely cannot exist!

Romney Marsh all the way down in Kent? Might be a bit hard to get down from Oxford in time, otherwise I'd be in.

I gather that there is to be rather a special sportive this autumn. 100k and only 200m of climbing. [Carlsberg don't organise cliveo-style sportives but if they did....] I'll be in and riding fixed and happy to give a lift if required. Ride is around Romney Marsh and organised by Cyclefit which means the feed stations should be good. Will let you know the date as soon as I know.

i'm in for that. i know those roads like the back of me and guvnor.
a marshman born and bred*

*not strictly true as i was born on the hills bordering the marsh the other side of the military canal.

If you look closely you can see Pifko walking up the hill :p
That's me btw, overtaking everyone on a 33% incline :D

It is a little unfair for the photographers to wait right at the top of the hill, as that's when you are most likely to be looking haggard and distinctly uncool.

god knows why, but i have just signed up for this, i must be insane

http://www.evanscycles.com/ride-it/king-of-the-downs-super-sportive-may-23rd-2010

i think i need to order some AG2R brown bib shorts..

3000m over 200k = piece of piss. I hope you're doing it fixed.

Wish I was doing more rides this year. Have fun.

Anyone else doing the Tour of Wessex?

looks awesome but the tour of wessex could be a bit much for my first sportive attempt, plus i'll be at a mate's wedding in sicily.
going to give this one a go next sunday http://www.swrc.org.uk/May_Flyer_2010.html
anyone else doing it?

San Fairy Ann write up.

Well, that was disappointing. Rode with my brother, after 20 miles he punctured, then broke the valve just as the new tube was inflated. That wasted 15 minutes. Then, while in a group of 12 or so riders, we all of a suddden seemed to be riding on roads that I was pretty certain weren't the correct ones. But as the route was heading in the right direction we carried on regardless. It was only when we were starting to get signposts for Hastings I said to my brother that we should pull over. A look on Google Maps confirmed it, we'd overshot Rye. 8 miles later, we were back on track.

By now, my brother started to get stomach cramps and a sick feeling, so I towed him all the way back to Tenterden at around 13-14mph, stopping every 20 mins or so. As he was now feeling quite rough we took a shortcut back to to the finish.

All in all, what was supposed to be 72 miles ended up being 74, but with 26 miles of it not on the route itself!

I've had a look, and the signposts followed were for the Tour de Weald that was held in Burgess Hill yesterday.

Bummer.

Thanks for not reading.

I've had a look, and the signposts followed were for the Tour de Weald that was held in Burgess Hill yesterday.

There was an article in the Comic last week that the routes for the Evans and the Pearson sportive intersected, too, but even on the same day! 'With the growth in sportives, it was inevitable for this to happen.' Bad luck, Sam!

So, who is going to do the Rubaix this year? I know that Hippy, mrsmythe and I are in.

Grupetto..
Hippy: 260kms
rjs: 260kms (on a unicycle)
Ricky: 180kms (260km next time)
Wayne: 260kms (probably ride back as well)
Tom: 260kms (Swimming the channel both ways)
James: 180kms
Continental: ?

San Fairy Ann write up.

Well, that was disappointing. Rode with my brother, after 20 miles he punctured, then broke the valve just as the new tube was inflated. That wasted 15 minutes. Then, while in a group of 12 or so riders, we all of a suddden seemed to be riding on roads that I was pretty certain weren't the correct ones. But as the route was heading in the right direction we carried on regardless. It was only when we were starting to get signposts for Hastings I said to my brother that we should pull over. A look on Google Maps confirmed it, we'd overshot Rye. 8 miles later, we were back on track.

By now, my brother started to get stomach cramps and a sick feeling, so I towed him all the way back to Tenterden at around 13-14mph, stopping every 20 mins or so. As he was now feeling quite rough we took a shortcut back to to the finish.

All in all, what was supposed to be 72 miles ended up being 74, but with 26 miles of it not on the route itself!

I've had a look, and the signposts followed were for the Tour de Weald that was held in Burgess Hill yesterday.

Bummer.

Thanks for not reading.

That is bad news Sam, hope your brother is better soon, you should of gone with your human Garmin instinct. Bit late now but I was in Tenterden today with the car visiting parents, could of picked you both up. Or not as the wine was flowing...

Anyone else doing the Tour of Wessex?

Yup I am in, looks a hilly one. How many days are you in for willo?

Tour of Wessex: yup, in for three days. I think cliveo and some others a few pages back were also sign up.

Or not as the wine was flowing...

I would have happily joined in!

I've entered all three days - might just do the first two depending on family pressures etc.

Tour De Weald was a pretty good ride. i ended up doing the 104km in 4h17. With one puncture 10k from the end. Pretty happy, rained the whole way and got me a Gold.
I highly recommend the SRS rides. Really well organised and a friendly bunch.

For the next rides i may have to step it up and try some 100milers instead.

I highly recommend the SRS rides. Really well organised and a friendly bunch.

I can vouch for the fact that the signage is top drawer!...