2012-05-27 - Chiltern Hundred 2012

Anyone doing this? There are three courses to choose from, of which I have just been convinced to do the hardest. The biggest ascent I have ever done is Ditchling, I'm going to die. Although I'll be doing this one geared.

Anyone ?

http://www.chiltern-hundred.org.uk/

1. Gran Fondo of 177km (110 miles), with ascent of 2,620m.
   
   

The Gran Fondo is an uncompromising road romp across 177 km of the toughest and most picturesque terrain in the Chilterns. It is relentless in its pursuit of hills, 21 in all, routinely climbing at over 15% grades. From Great Missenden to Dunstable Downs, then SW for the shake down along the scarp slope where the biggest and steepest hills await you. From Watlington return to Great Missenden over the final 6 leg numbing climbs. View Route

1. Medio Fondo of 120km (75 miles) climbing 1,760m.
   
   

The Medio Fondo offers a tough 75 mile ride. The route splits from the Gran Fondo shortly after Chesham and passes through Cholesbury before rejoining the Gran Fondo for the descent of Aston Hill near Wendover. It follows the same route as the Gran Fondo to the finish and is absolutely jam packed with hills. View Route

1. Corto Fondo an 88km (54 mile) challenge ride with some hills and great views for all-comers.
   
   

The Corto Fondo cuts through beautiful Chiltern country and out onto the Aylesbury Plain with its rolling hills and great views. The route will take you to delightful villages before bringing you back to the Chilterns. 54 miles of riding ecstasy. View Route

in.. i don't have a century ride planned yet for May.. this is one of the best

I'd like to do this too, but the first train out of London to Amersham gets in after the start time for the long ride. Any ideas for how to get there from London?

Could get the train to High wycombe or Berkhamstead and ride there I guess, but want to save my legs as much as possible if I can...

Thinking of doing this sportive.

You could always take the train to Great Missenden for 09:08 and pick them up when they come through.

Or take the Tube from baker street to amersham at 7:30 / 8:00
You can easily get bikes on there.

my work here is done.

Yeah, I was planning on getting the Met line from baker street. Took bikes on there a few weeks ago no problem.

good call tommy & hovis, i'll be jumping on the met line at finchley road to amersham..

Yeah, I was planning on getting the Met line from baker street. Took bikes on there a few weeks ago no problem.

Awesome - I didn't realise you could take bikes on the Met line - THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING! Thanks guys

In for this again fixed. Aiming for silver this year after not being too far off last year. Of course the real challenge is making it yup whiteleaf hill.

Fixed? You sir deserve respect. Got any experience/tips to share?

Chiltern 100 specific tips
The first few miles are fairly rolling as you head out of amersham, just watch for the potholes and mental drivers... But you should be in a big enough group at this point not to worry too much.
Once the hills start they keep on coming with little respite so just pace yourself a bit.
There is usually a ten miles to go marker so you can get your head down and put in a tough 10 time as thats all there is to it.
Oh and last year it was 117 miles so make sure you are ready for that too.
Whiteleaf is steep and has a couple of false flats - get into your own tempo and stick to it
Wardrobes has a nasty left turn half way, go as far wide to the right to reduce the steepenss of the turn - this one is tough in a car so go far as you can

Usual riding tips:

do some long rides beforehand and make sure there are some steep hills in there too - i ride a lot of this route including the two tougest climbs - whiteleaf and wardrobes - a few times in the weeks building up just to check form
Eat and drink properly - last food stop gets a bit empty as the shorter routes come through also
First big hill is Bison and last is watlington so if you can make it that far the rest is relatively simple
dont go off too fast and make sure you get in a group so you can share the load and have people to talk to
dont hang around at stops - grab drinks food and then go
do it on fixed ;-)

If you see me come and say hello

Gold fixie - probably the only one there
http://sportivephoto.thirdlight.com/viewpicture.tlx?advsearchid=1328896934&pictureid=15748640

Signed up for this as prep for the Etape - looks like a proper challenge!

I'm foolishly doing the long one - say hello if you see a bloke on a blue Bob Jackson

Am doing the long one too. I'll be riding my CAAD9.

Looking forward to it.

i'm on the long'n too. gonna be tough, but plenty of time to get in shape for it!

bump this.. i am considering 44x18.. single speed for the long one

This is approaching fast and I'm feeling woefully under prepared. I really need to put some miles in and quickly!

Also, I have a friend interested in doing this, but the mid and long routes are full. If anyone can't make it or knows of a spot going then let me know.

Cheers.

bump this.. i am considering 44x18.. single speed for the long one

Jesus. I'll be happy to complete it with a full compliment of gears. Hats off etc.

I'm in

When I say, I'm in. Mean... I'll hope I get a ticket. To run 21 climbs without any drink or food stops isn't really poss.

I just had a look at the route again. I'm really pooing my pants. I havent even done half this amount of climbing in a day, and I've been nursing a dodgy knee so not been training either.

Le fear

Hovis stick with me, we'll get you through. PM me if you have any questions.

I've not ridden enough over the last couple of months, so I did the Hell Of The Ashdown route yesterday to try to get some miles in the legs in perpetration for this. Surprisingly it didn't feel too bad, but at 80 miles and 7500 feet it's made me realise how hard I'm going to find this ride. I think the suggestion of another 30 odd miles and 2000 feet would have met with a whimper.

I am considering a recce ride on Sunday. At least then I will know what to expect on the day and will have more of an idea of how to pace it. At the very least it'll give me a good few days to get my excuses ready.

Hovis stick with me, we'll get you through. PM me if you have any questions.

Thanks almac. I'm actually doing this with a roadie club I just joined, although I discovered a couple weeks ago that they are somewhat stronger than I, so it will be a challenge. Having said that, if you see a lonesome lfgss cap donning chap somewhere down the line, give me a shout, and I will gladly join your brigade!

Where you riding this weekend? I was thinking about attempting the medium length route of this this weekend for training if anyone fancies it.

I've not ridden enough over the last couple of months, so I did the Hell Of The Ashdown route yesterday to try to get some miles in the legs in perpetration for this. Surprisingly it didn't feel too bad, but at 80 miles and 7500 feet it's made me realise how hard I'm going to find this ride. I think the suggestion of another 30 odd miles and 2000 feet would have met with a whimper.

I am considering a recce ride on Sunday. At least then I will know what to expect on the day and will have more of an idea of how to pace it. At the very least it'll give me a good few days to get my excuses ready.

Doth anyone have a spare ticket?