TPCC ToB Tour Rides

[PD 2009]

Is anyone here doing either of The Prostate Cancer Charity Tour of Britain Tour Rides? I've got a friend who works for the charity/organisation, so I'm doing 'em a favour by trying to get people talking about them, and more importantly signing up and riding them.

I'm hoping to do the 20km one at Stoke, but only because I haven't got time to train all the time to do either of the longer routes (70k or 145k), as nice as it'd be to ride a full ToB stage.

The one in London would be more my style (flatter, and a leisurely couple of laps around the final stage circuit), but unfortunately I'm from ooop north, so Stoke it is!

All the details are on the website www.tourride.co.uk so you can see for yourself. So is anyone else taking part? And also any advice for someone like me who's taking part in a sportif for the first time? Yeah I'm know I'm chickening out and going for the shortest option

 

[aJohnson]

I was looking at the 145 Km at Stoke on Trent, I'd have to do ALOT of training though.

 

[Ball]

I've signed up for the 145km ride. I think I'll find it pretty tough as fitting the training around work is proving tough but what the hell, it looks like a beautiful, if challenging ride.

 

[PD 2009]

Yeah I can vouch it really is some fantastic countryside that the 145km ride passes through. All the bit around Alton Towers, and then up around Leek and Tittsworth Reservoir. Along the edge above the reservoir you get fantastic views for almost 360 degrees.

And then of course there's Gun Hill! Some nice photos on the Facebook Group 'Unite ByCycling' if you want to get inspired

 

[Ball]

Excellent! It all sounds fantastic, and if anything will ease the pain of a long ride its 360 panoramic views. I've seen the photos on the facebook group too. Is Gunn hill pretty savage?

Do you think you'll do it?

 

[RedBike]

I ride up Gunn regularly on a single speed. No it's no savage.
The bank up past Alton towers doesn't agree with my legs much though. Not viscously steep, just long.

 

[RedBike]

£40 - owch, thats a bit expensive. Think I will give that a miss.

http://www.tourride.co.uk/rides/stage_5.asp

 

[I am Spartacus]

£40 - owch, thats a bit expensive. Think I will give that a miss.

http://www.tourride.co.uk/rides/stage_5.asp

They only want you for your money not

 

[PD 2009]

Yeah photos on Facebook make it look very nice, caught it on a sunny day, which I'm sure it will be in September.

I went out and had a look at the route last week, and it very definitely wasn't sunny up on the tops! Gun Hill did surprise me though, it's more long and gradual rather than to savage, as RedBike says.

I'm not too sure how much other sportives etc cost, but personally I'd say £40 isn't too bad when you think you're getting NEG riders and the full pro-experience in terms of neutral support and loads of goodies from all the official suppliers (e.g. energy bars & drinks). And that's without mentioning that it is for charity after all!

 

[zaid]

I've just signed up for the 145km proper tour route.

EEEk! What have I done.

Done a few solo rides of my own nearing that distance but never actually been on an organised event before, so thought I'd give it a go.

 

[PD 2009]

Cool, good luck zaid, I'm sure you'll have a great time! Now you just gotta get training

 

[Ball]

See you there Zaid! I think it'll be good fun. The most I've ridden in one go is about 70miles, a bit shy of the distance. Doing a 150km audax in mid-August to prepare. I've never ridden in a group before either though I'm looking forward to it.

 

[zaid]

Cheers Guys, looking forward to it.

 

[aJohnson]

I'm so tempted, I don't know if I'll be able to do the miles by then though. Most I've done is 60miles on my heavy ass mountain bike, but hardly done any on my road bike.

 

[I am Spartacus]

but personally I'd say £40 isn't too bad when you think you're getting NEG riders and the full pro-experience in terms of neutral support and loads of goodies from all the official suppliers (e.g. energy bars & drinks). And that's without mentioning that it is for charity after all!

hmmm for riding around SoT, I can assure you £40 is expensive!
hmmm try grabbing more than 1 energy bar and see if you can get away with it
hmmm the ol' 'it's for charidee' thing - if you bothered that much give 'em £40 direct

maybe I'll stop being grumpy later today when I get out on a training ride..