Turbo Club - Meet Ups / Events

[berty bassett]

met up with Randy yesterday - what a thoroughly nice chap - Tommy could learn a lot from him !
seriously under estimated how cold it was and was blue at some points - son had buggered off with my jacket !
had a lovely ride out then got blew back home but ran out of time - i told son i had a 8.30 dead line and he had been tracking me and was waiting in a small town ready to get me home - hes a good lad aint he - wonder if he will put me in a home or push me down the stairs ? it could go either way

 

[Randyberlin]

met up with Randy yesterday - what a thoroughly nice chap - Tommy could learn a lot from him !
seriously under estimated how cold it was and was blue at some points - son had buggered off with my jacket !
had a lovely ride out then got blew back home but ran out of time - i told son i had a 8.30 dead line and he had been tracking me and was waiting in a small town ready to get me home - hes a good lad aint he - wonder if he will put me in a home or push me down the stairs ? it could go either way

The bitter disappointment of a ride cut short at 110 miles.
I kept you at a reasonable rate. With Randy 10.3 mph for 47/ without 20.8 for 57

 

[Whorty]

But I know we can get there in better shape and better prepared 2nd time around. Not just myself and you of course but all of us can target improvements.

In order for me to be anywhere near competitive with you guys I need to get my FTP up by 25+ watts and my weight down by at least 15kg. In theory, both possible, but not happened in the past 2 years (well, I have increased the watts but the blubber refuses to go!). Is this the incentive I need? To not be last in next year's ToC? Ride at Bob's weight (so about 70kg, never gonna get down to Lee's weight ) and get my FTP to at least 275? OK, challenge accepted Once I've finished all the cakes, chocolate and biscuits in the house

 

[Norry1]

Off at a slight tangent.....

At the ToC Exhibition, I walked up to a stand selling cycling glasses - their pitch was "do you struggle to read your Garmin?", which I do as I need reading glasses. I bought a pair of their bi-focals which are photochromatic as well for £90.

I trialled them on the Sportive and they worked brilliantly for me.

So for you long-sighted dudes I can recommend http://www.bzoptics.co.uk/

 

[Aleman]

Off at a slight tangent.....

At the ToC Exhibition, I walked up to a stand selling cycling glasses - their pitch was "do you struggle to read your Garmin?", which I do as I need reading glasses. I bought a pair of their bi-focals which are photochromatic as well for £90.

I trialled them on the Sportive and they worked brilliantly for me.

So for you long-sighted dudes I can recommend http://www.bzoptics.co.uk/

No good for us Short Sighted Beggars that are 'of a certain age' and also need 'reading' glasses Still have to make do with inserts

 

[Norry1]

No good for us Short Sighted Beggars that are 'of a certain age' and also need 'reading' glasses Still have to make do with inserts

I used to be short sighted - until I had laser surgery in 2013. Now just need reading glasses.

 

[LBHIFI]

Now back home and having analysed the TT ride, the data confirms that it was not a 100% effort. Compared to my last TT in DK, I was just slightly down on everything it seems. Lower cadence, lower HR, lower watts and unfortunately lower speed . 20 minutes max avg. was down by 14 watts.
It was an ok effort though, it felt good out there, and the 40:11 time would have been enough to qualify last year

However this years cut was significantly faster at 38:49. Not sure I could have made that even with a 100% ride.
If I look at the speed only, then I'm sure I could do it, but as I learned riding the roads of ToC, speed on the smooth roads of DK and speed on the relativly rougher roads in Cambridgeshire is not quite the same.

Anyway, had a nice time in Peterborough and eventually got around a few pubs. Really nice to meet the Chaingang mob in person You all did a great sportive that Sunday .

 

[Aleman]

I used to be short sighted - until I had laser surgery in 2013. Now just need reading glasses.

My prescription is borderline for Laser Treatment ... although talking to some ophthalmologist friends they advised strongly against it given my age ( ), and script, but have suggested that I consider 'cosmetic' cataract replacement ... basically replacing the lens with a new one with correction built in. I think I'll wait until that becomes more mainstream

 

[bridgy]

Now back home and having analysed the TT ride, the data confirms that it was not a 100% effort. Compared to my last TT in DK, I was just slightly down on everything it seems. Lower cadence, lower HR, lower watts and unfortunately lower speed . 20 minutes max avg. was down by 14 watts.
It was an ok effort though, it felt good out there, and the 40:11 time would have been enough to qualify last year

View attachment 412683

However this years cut was significantly faster at 38:49. Not sure I could have made that even with a 100% ride.
If I look at the speed only, then I'm sure I could do it, but as I learned riding the roads of ToC, speed on the smooth roads of DK and speed on the relativly rougher roads in Cambridgeshire is not quite the same.

Anyway, had a nice time in Peterborough and eventually got around a few pubs. Really nice to meet the Chaingang mob in person You all did a great sportive that Sunday .

Thanks Lars - was great to meet you! You did really well - looks like there were some seriously quick guys in your event (as there were in ours actually!)

 

[bridgy]

I hear that!

No reason why we can’t get right to the front. That’ll make a big difference. Plus we both died at the end. I honestly think that could be a four minute swing at least right there. And you need to try get to the bottom of the reccurring cramp thing. It’s a longer course and we were lucky with the wind too. But that’s the same for everyone. I’m happy enough. I couldn’t put in anymore than I did yesterday. But I know we can get there in better shape and better prepared 2nd time around. Not just myself and you of course but all of us can target improvements.

Well, we were dying but we didn't quite die (well I did, but after a few minutes of agony and stretching I rose from the dead!) - as I said before my last 5 miles were at 22mph despite the cramp and you were even faster. Having said that, it's 100 miles next year! Not sure whether that will work to our advantage or not.

Anyway, I will feel a lot more like I know what I'm doing and what I need to do next time! Whether that will be enough, who knows, but it's good to have a target to aim for.

I was very aware that I needed to do some longer rides to train better for it - the vast majority of my rides are about 1 to 1.5 hour medium to intensive efforts, but the problem is fitting long rides around everything else in life (kids football mostly!). I think this might be one of the reasons my legs cramp up after longer efforts - I have the energy to keep going but my leg muscles just aren't used to it.

 

[CXRAndy]

Well, we were dying but we didn't quite die (well I did, but after a few minutes of agony and stretching I rose from the dead!) - as I said before my last 5 miles were at 22mph despite the cramp and you were even faster. Having said that, it's 100 miles next year! Not sure whether that will work to our advantage or not.

Anyway, I will feel a lot more like I know what I'm doing and what I need to do next time! Whether that will be enough, who knows, but it's good to have a target to aim for.

I was very aware that I needed to do some longer rides to train better for it - the vast majority of my rides are about 1 to 1.5 hour medium to intensive efforts, but the problem is fitting long rides around everything else in life (kids football mostly!). I think this might be one of the reasons my legs cramp up after longer efforts - I have the energy to keep going but my leg muscles just aren't used to it.

I know Martin said he doesn't stop for 100milers, but how do keep the fluids topped up for such long rides, you are looking around 4-4.5 hrs at pretty much threshold pace. Unless you can get into a big pack 30-40riders and float along then you'll have to work at holding pace.

 

[bridgy]

I know Martin said he doesn't stop for 100milers, but how do keep the fluids topped up for such long rides, you are looking around 4-4.5 hrs at pretty much threshold pace. Unless you can get into a big pack 30-40riders and float along then you'll have to work at holding pace.

Yeah if the weather's like it was on Saturday I'll have no choice but to stop for more fluids - or find a way to carry more than two bottles! I didn't have enough for 80 miles let alone 100!

 

[kipster]

Fluids are really weather and effort dependant, and very personal. In the winter I can do 65miles at a good pace on 600ml, on a hot day I can do a fast 70 miles on 1500ml. A 100 mile ride I would need another 750ml if it's hot.

Regarding training I have a very understanding wife (she love cycling so I tend to get away with it), the club do 60-70 mile rides every Saturday, Thursday evening 30-40 mile speed sessions, and a Sunday cafe ride, which is supposed to be social but tends to morph into a who's got what left in their legs from yesterday. I then do at least one cycle with my wife a week. All round a good mix of different stuff to keep the legs working. Unfortunately not many big hills locally so the DD might catch me out!

 

[bobinski]

In order for me to be anywhere near competitive with you guys I need to get my FTP up by 25+ watts and my weight down by at least 15kg. In theory, both possible, but not happened in the past 2 years (well, I have increased the watts but the blubber refuses to go!). Is this the incentive I need? To not be last in next year's ToC? Ride at Bob's weight (so about 70kg, never gonna get down to Lee's weight ) and get my FTP to at least 275? OK, challenge accepted Once I've finished all the cakes, chocolate and biscuits in the house

Carl, I am 73kg at moment. Actually having eaten like a porker since Sunday actually 75.5kg this morning.
Everyone will tell you it’s less about weight on a flattish route and more about watts, absolute power. And the draft. Always good to carry less weight but fwiw I would concentrate on power and ensuring you eat to train for that power increase. Otherwise risk is you fatigue your body.

 

[bridgy]

Had an email a couple of days ago saying early bird entries (limited to 500) for next year will be £59. Looked at website just now and it says £65. Also I notice the free parking will be up until 7am rather than 8am as it was this year. Cheeky bar stewards....

Having said that in my opinion the cost is well worth it for the unique experience of riding on closed roads - I'd rather do this than any other normal Sportive (with perhaps the exception of the DD of course!)