19 posts tagged “cyclosportive”
Started at about 7:30 with Graham and Chris. It was a hard ride on a hot hot day. I can't say I have enjoyed riding up Winlatter onwards as cramps, the heat and general fatigue were taking their toll.
I experienced the most welcome spot of rain, a big storm in fact, on Wrynose. Descending Wrynose on that much flowing water was not as bad as I imagined except perhaps hitting a hidden pothole.
About 33' 41' better than last year. My plan of riding slower on the first stretch and struggle less afterwards was utopian. My better time is entirely due to a faster fist section between Coniston and Buttermere.
Highlights of the day:
- Hawkshead and Kirkstone
- Finishing the ride
- The iPamper massage
Will I do it next year? Mmm... I might consider thinking about it when my right knee stops complaining.
Edit:
2007: 10h08
2008: 9h27
This morning I was chatting about how quickly the mighty Fred Whitton challenge is approaching. Al mentioned he has 1000 miles on so far this year but was fearing this year's Fred like never before. Stu has 900 odd miles. I said I probably had 600. I was wrong. 928 miles so far. Quietly pleased about that. I am not saying that I am going to be cocky when considering the upcoming Fred Whitton though. It is a hard one even with good riding conditions. I am just a little more prepared.
I intend to ride just three fairly local audax rides this year.
North Lancs Cycleway and Bowland Forest Populaire (15 June) 109k from CatonBowland early August (3rd August) - reputed to be the hilliest 200k in the UKAutumn in the Peak (21st September) 120k in the peak district
In other cycling news...
1. I have an entry for the Fred Whitton Challenge. I am both happy and terrified. Let's say that I am looking forward to struggling again on those nasty steep Lake district passes. I think I will be better prepared this year with the weekly club runs.
2. White Rose classic has also been entered. I am looking forward to that one as I have not ridden any of the climb this sportive features. One word: Hilly
3. I probably won't enter the Devil's ride nor the Autumn Epic. I don't doubt these two sportive will be great. Last year's Autumn Epic was superb.
4. I am getting a helmet. Crisis of conscience? Needing a good one for riding the Fred? Who knows...
5. I have joined Lune RCC. Nice chaps and great rides on Sundays.
In other news, this blog is not getting many updates. Yikes.
... I am still raving about it...
It was superb. As hard as expected. Beautiful. Little traffic on the roads. Well organised. Well placed food stops. The second food stop after the (short) 25% ramp is a stroke of genius. Stunning scenery around the Elan Valley.
This event will feature high on my list of sportives to ride in 2008.
I am also mighty pleased with my finish time of 6h23'. I am led to believe that it is a silver standard time. However I remain to be convinced it is not the organisers being overly kind and my riding pace becoming anything other than very slow :-D
The third and last Sportive of the year for me on Sunday. Looking forward to it. Even the weather is supposed to be kind.
Here is the link to the route that goes around some glorious welsh countryside:
http://www.cyclosportives.co.uk/Autumn%20Epic%20route%202007.htm
I did go around in 8h22'. 5 minutes faster than last year. So a PB for me 
I could not think it was possible to have worse conditions than in 2006. Well, I was wrong. In many places I was really asking myself why I got up at 4am in the morning to endure this. Yet today I am ready to ride it in 2008.
It is such great ride. Hilly, quiet roads (even though less so than last year), supremely organised, good atmosphere and beautiful scenery to enjoy. Oh and what is in my opinion one of the best descents in this country (Hartside-Alston).
Difficult to beat.
One last thing. Many thanks to chap who told me "jump on" at about 20 miles before the 1st feed when I was at the lowest and clearly not enjoying myself and the conditions. Boy I am glad I did and could jump on. That was exhilerating.
This Sunday I will be riding the Cumberland Challenge.
The weather cannot be worse than last year. The first half of the ride with the heavy rain and strong headwind had sapped up all the little energy I had. I had enjoyed climbing Hartside. Almost continental gradient and long. The descent was fantastic.
Anyhow... I am looking forward to this year even though the summer has not been great to get the miles in...
Mission accomplished. I have completed the Fred Whitton Challenge. My time is not great (10h08') but that was not the objective. The objective was to get round the course unlike a few weeks ago where I had to retreat towards Buttermere about 3/4 of the way.
Early start
Equipped with the new steed, I headed to Coniston at 4:30am. I arrived safely, parked the car in the far flung corner of a field adjacent to the Coniston Sport Centre. After eating about half a Soreen malt loaf I set off at 6am. Nervous about the day.
Passes (1: Comfortable - 5: Impossible)
Hawskhead (1) -- First climb of the day and a good warm-up for the legs. I love that hill. It's got a special feel to it. The descent to Ambleside is superb too.
Kirkstone (2) -- I could feel the triple chainset would make the day a bit more tolerable to the legs. Enjoyed the climb spinning the legs. Sad/shocked to notice a walker got knocked over by an incoming car earlier.
Matterdale (1) -- not really a pass but a steady climb along some of stunning lakeland scenery.
Honister (3) -- Hard slog. Did not walk. Scary descent. Glad to have been equipped with a bike with more efficient brakes.
Newlands (3) -- After a welcome stop at the Coniston youth hostel for some drinks, sandwiches, cakes and bananas, Newlands came is. A steep and consistent hard slog. Nice.
Winlatter (3.5) -- Longer and steeper than I remembered. Right knee was unhappy. Had to stop to get an ibuprofen in.
Cold Fell (3) -- A new territory for me. I suffered on it as I did not know what to expect and previous climbs were starting to take a toll.
Hardknott (5) -- A Killer. Never seen anything that steep. Walked for most of the climb. Even walking was unforgiving. The descent was downright mental. I could not afford to release any pressure from the brakes.
Wrynose (4.5) -- The "cherry on the cake". The last major climb of the day after 105 odd miles. Walked on the last portion of the climb. Scary descent descended at pedestrian pace.
Overall
Superb day on the bike
Support from the crowd
Friendly riding crowd
Thrilled to complete the course in one piece :-)
Looking forward to next year's event :-D
No pain whatsoever following the event. Bring on the ardechoise!
Dilemna of the day: Having to drop a peanut butter sandwich as I got surprised by a hairpin coming in way too quickly. It was the sandwich or falling over quite badly.
I have registered for the above event.
URL: http://www.pendlebikefest.com/ericwrightpedal.htm
6th of August.
"a large anti-clockwise sweep round the remote north-east
Lancashire countryside. It includes the climbs of Barley Fell,
Waddington Fell, Tatham Fell, Trough of Bowland, Longridge
Felland the Nick o'Pendle. Villages passed through include
Barley, Chatburn, Slaidburn, Wray, Hornby, Nether Kellett,
Quernmore, Dunsop Bridge, Chipping, Longridge, Sabden and
Roughlee."
Sounds great.
We might even be locals by then!
