Nig mtb
Über Member
- Location
- Bramley, Surrey
Has any one done one of these, I have just signed up for it.
I am just looking for some tips
I am just looking for some tips
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chappers1983
Senior Member
- Location
- Bishops Stortford
Did it last year - awesome. One of my favourite rides of the year!
Much hillier than I was expecting - but it was more short and regular than anything too steep or difficult. Lovely quiet roads and you'll be amazed how tolerant French drivers are to cyclists!
My only tip is they don't tell you about the 5am start until much closer to the event! Be prepared! I had to book a hotel fairly late notice
Much hillier than I was expecting - but it was more short and regular than anything too steep or difficult. Lovely quiet roads and you'll be amazed how tolerant French drivers are to cyclists!
My only tip is they don't tell you about the 5am start until much closer to the event! Be prepared! I had to book a hotel fairly late notice
OP
OP
Nig mtb
Über Member
- Location
- Bramley, Surrey
Thanks Chappers, I found an online review, it did mention a early start.
I have now got 5 mates roped in, best book a Hotel soon
I have now got 5 mates roped in, best book a Hotel soon
Nomadski
I Like Bikes
- Location
- LBS, Usually
I did it two years ago with someone who had just taken up cycling, and hadn't done enough prep! It was slow going as I was waiting up each hill for her, and we ended up only doing the short route. Must admit would have hated it if I was just starting cycling, but with any miles behind you its a blistering lovely ride through some quiet rural french country roads, no bothers from cars (they will hang back an unnerving amount of time actually) and some nice hills.
My friend ended up calling the broom wagon up, while I set off to the last 15 miles as fast i could so I didn't miss the last ferry, they were packing up all the Wiggle paraphernalia when I arrived!
To note a few things:
*As others said, VERY early start. You need to be at the car park, unpacking your bike from 5am.
*The last 6 miles is flat, before that is the biggest hill of the ride, the Escalles Hill. You will go down it on the way out, take note and save some!
* The ferries leave at their respective times, regardless of any delays you had going outbound. You may not have the full 7 hours to complete the route. Shouldn't be an issue depending on your ability.
*The police escort from the ferry to the car park is very cool!
Couldn't get my cycling mate interested in doing it so swerving it, but is on my list of things to do again, so I can have a proper go at it.
My friend ended up calling the broom wagon up, while I set off to the last 15 miles as fast i could so I didn't miss the last ferry, they were packing up all the Wiggle paraphernalia when I arrived!
To note a few things:
*As others said, VERY early start. You need to be at the car park, unpacking your bike from 5am.
*The last 6 miles is flat, before that is the biggest hill of the ride, the Escalles Hill. You will go down it on the way out, take note and save some!
* The ferries leave at their respective times, regardless of any delays you had going outbound. You may not have the full 7 hours to complete the route. Shouldn't be an issue depending on your ability.
*The police escort from the ferry to the car park is very cool!
Couldn't get my cycling mate interested in doing it so swerving it, but is on my list of things to do again, so I can have a proper go at it.
HertzvanRental
Veteran
I'm doing that!!
OP
OP
Nig mtb
Über Member
- Location
- Bramley, Surrey
Thanks Nomadski, looking good, 2 of us did the Insanity Sportive last weekend in the cold, wind, and rain, great training for the summer!!!
OP
OP
Nig mtb
Über Member
- Location
- Bramley, Surrey
That was a great day out, very wet between the 2 feed stops which strangely when it rained for the mid part of the long route.
Very well organised by the UK cycling events people, despite having to endure the French 100% passport checks as they where working to rule, meaning the ferry left Dover 30 minutes late, imagine that 800 or so cyclists having their passports checked one by one! as well as the cars & trucks.
I thoroughly enjoyed the ride, through some lovely quiet country side on very smooth roads with a very fast finish, yes it would of better with a sunny day.
One thing to note the event does make for a very long day.
Very well organised by the UK cycling events people, despite having to endure the French 100% passport checks as they where working to rule, meaning the ferry left Dover 30 minutes late, imagine that 800 or so cyclists having their passports checked one by one! as well as the cars & trucks.
I thoroughly enjoyed the ride, through some lovely quiet country side on very smooth roads with a very fast finish, yes it would of better with a sunny day.
One thing to note the event does make for a very long day.
HertzvanRental
Veteran
∆∆∆ agree with all of this, although the delay in leaving Dover was much longer. Good route, that would have been enhanced if the weather has been kinder. Many of the roads were simply farm tracks. Very little motor traffic but a mixture of cow dung and rain makes for an interesting ride! Very well organised.
A bonus of this sort of event is that you get to meet and chat with more of the riders than you would on a normal sportive.
A long, tiring day but I enjoyed it immensely.
A bonus of this sort of event is that you get to meet and chat with more of the riders than you would on a normal sportive.
A long, tiring day but I enjoyed it immensely.