derrick
The Glue that binds us together.
- Location
- On the edge of London
A quick 21 miles this morning it's a bit nippy out, total for the weekend 108 miles, wish it would warm up a bit and get some proper miles in.
Your ride today.... (part 1)
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
- Status
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HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
Not got my a$$ in gear to go for a ride today but I don't feel too bad after a longer weekend.
I spent the weekend in Flanders
We left the Flat at 6:00am on Friday but I wasn't driving, which is a good job a) because I'm crap at it, b) because I was up at 3:25am on Sunday
We met up with the rest of the lads but they were all doing the 133km and I was doing the 259km, so whilst they partied drank on, till after midnight, I stayed teetotal and got a lift back to the b&b at the back of 11pm and would have been in bed before midnight (like some pantomime).
The b&b was 18 miles out from Oudenaarde where I was getting the 5.15am sportive bus hence the need for the early start.
After a 18mile (-2deg) ride to the start, however I was delighted to see some familiar faces and headed out of Brugge at over 20mph average (albeit wind assisted).
Unfortunately at about 29miles, we caught a group going 19mph and I got boxed in and when they moved we became separated (although I felt good, there was something telling me too the pace would be unsustainable). Double whammy though the pace of the pack began to drop. After a few miles of that I became a bit bored and jumped off in the knowledge I'd catch another group.
I didn't though, despite there being 3,600 cyclists on the long route, 40miles or so in man's land (on my tod).
After about 10miles heading east into a strong headwind! I started to get caught by groups which brought me back to a OK pace.
After not having stopped at the first food stop, I thought it was best to stop at the second. It was well stocked and brought my energy back
Unfortunately, a little bit of cramp had set in (right thigh) at the food stop however, fortunately though it disappeared when I got moving again
Unfortunately (a word I'm saying a lot), I didn't have the speed to hang on to the fastest groups and others were too slow (why does nobody go at my pace 
)
After 85 miles or so I hit the cobbles (not literally thankfully
) and quickly found out a aluminium bike with 23mm is like a bone shaker Bizarrely my body hands and butt etc stayed good but my speed fell dramatically and I was averaging less than 14mph; I think I was going faster up the cobbles than down them.
Unfortunately (there's that word again!) there was a bit of mud on the steepest cobbled climb (the Koppenberg) and that created a cyclist traffic jam and then came the general order from the marshal's to get off it was too dangerous. After a few minutes of slow walking (slipping) up the hill; I got the German shout of 'links' so I moved left and dodged somebody pushing through; then also instantly came the shout of 'rechts' this time I was too slow and although there was no contact I forced the bloke to stop and starting again on 19% cobbles is nigh on impossible, much too his disgust as he repeatedly shouted 'Duumkopf' at me. I couldn't do much apart from apologise and give him a push to get him going again. The day after however, I'm annoyed at myself for being so reasonable; I should have told the arrogant pr1ck where to go
With the earlier food stop being so good, I thought I'd better stop at the 3rd and 4th. Unfortunately
, the 4th stop was the coming together of routes; 16,000 cyclists, fortunately not all at once but it was packed none-the-less! After much queuing and then more cobbles, I got to the 5th food stop, fortunately this was just for the 259km route and it was quieter.
After about 110miles I actually met my friends again. One looked good but the other two were a bit worse for wear (I knew the 20mph+ plus miles wasn't sustainable). So I slowed down to help them out but bizarrely after 20miles or so I managed to drop them on a long fast descent! I then got swallowed up by a pack!
There was yet another food stop but for some reason I thought it was a 151miles sportive and that meant the stop was only 10miles or so; I was wrong as I realised a 5miles or so down the road and the '15km to go' sign
It then cooled down fast and light snow briefly tried to fall but I was almost home (well Oudenarde) as the Flamme Rouge indicated. Then came the count down 800m, 600m, 300m, 200m and I opened out into a sprint; 18mph according to Garmin if you can call that a sprint (well I had cycled 177miles) and with loud speaker of pro sprint commentary I kinda got caught up in the moment :-)
Then I spotted the sign 3km to the Sportive finish, doh
The organisers had lost my main light (from Left Luggage) and rather than cycle back I thought Id call the mate I'd driven with. We arranged to meet outside the town (Oudenarde). Unfortunately ( there's that words again) after 178miles my navigation skills had deserted me, so after 3miles or so I had to ask him to come into town.
It was a great experience and if I ever do it again though I think the only thing I'd change is 25mm tyres
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/291429253
The next day surprisingly I felt good and went for a walk to see how the pro's do it
The quality of my camera phone isn't good however, so I thought I'd add a few photos by others too. Hopefully the link works because they are quite good.
I spent the weekend in Flanders
We left the Flat at 6:00am on Friday but I wasn't driving, which is a good job a) because I'm crap at it, b) because I was up at 3:25am on Sunday
We met up with the rest of the lads but they were all doing the 133km and I was doing the 259km, so whilst they partied drank on, till after midnight, I stayed teetotal and got a lift back to the b&b at the back of 11pm and would have been in bed before midnight (like some pantomime).
The b&b was 18 miles out from Oudenaarde where I was getting the 5.15am sportive bus hence the need for the early start.
After a 18mile (-2deg) ride to the start, however I was delighted to see some familiar faces and headed out of Brugge at over 20mph average (albeit wind assisted).
Unfortunately at about 29miles, we caught a group going 19mph and I got boxed in and when they moved we became separated (although I felt good, there was something telling me too the pace would be unsustainable). Double whammy though the pace of the pack began to drop. After a few miles of that I became a bit bored and jumped off in the knowledge I'd catch another group.
I didn't though, despite there being 3,600 cyclists on the long route, 40miles or so in man's land (on my tod).
After about 10miles heading east into a strong headwind! I started to get caught by groups which brought me back to a OK pace.
After not having stopped at the first food stop, I thought it was best to stop at the second. It was well stocked and brought my energy back
Unfortunately, a little bit of cramp had set in (right thigh) at the food stop however, fortunately though it disappeared when I got moving again
Unfortunately (a word I'm saying a lot
), I didn't have the speed to hang on to the fastest groups and others were too slow (why does nobody go at my pace )After 85 miles or so I hit the cobbles (not literally thankfully
) and quickly found out a aluminium bike with 23mm is like a bone shaker Bizarrely my body hands and butt etc stayed good but my speed fell dramatically and I was averaging less than 14mph; I think I was going faster up the cobbles than down them.Unfortunately (there's that word again!) there was a bit of mud on the steepest cobbled climb (the Koppenberg) and that created a cyclist traffic jam and then came the general order from the marshal's to get off it was too dangerous. After a few minutes of slow walking (slipping) up the hill; I got the German shout of 'links' so I moved left and dodged somebody pushing through; then also instantly came the shout of 'rechts' this time I was too slow and although there was no contact I forced the bloke to stop and starting again on 19% cobbles is nigh on impossible, much too his disgust as he repeatedly shouted 'Duumkopf' at me. I couldn't do much apart from apologise and give him a push to get him going again. The day after however, I'm annoyed at myself for being so reasonable; I should have told the arrogant pr1ck where to go
With the earlier food stop being so good, I thought I'd better stop at the 3rd and 4th. Unfortunately
, the 4th stop was the coming together of routes; 16,000 cyclists, fortunately not all at once but it was packed none-the-less! After much queuing and then more cobbles, I got to the 5th food stop, fortunately this was just for the 259km route and it was quieter.After about 110miles I actually met my friends again. One looked good but the other two were a bit worse for wear (I knew the 20mph+ plus miles wasn't sustainable). So I slowed down to help them out but bizarrely after 20miles or so I managed to drop them on a long fast descent! I then got swallowed up by a pack!
There was yet another food stop but for some reason I thought it was a 151miles sportive and that meant the stop was only 10miles or so; I was wrong as I realised a 5miles or so down the road and the '15km to go' sign
It then cooled down fast and light snow briefly tried to fall but I was almost home (well Oudenarde) as the Flamme Rouge indicated. Then came the count down 800m, 600m, 300m, 200m and I opened out into a sprint; 18mph according to Garmin if you can call that a sprint (well I had cycled 177miles) and with loud speaker of pro sprint commentary I kinda got caught up in the moment :-)
Then I spotted the sign 3km to the Sportive finish, doh
The organisers had lost my main light (from Left Luggage) and rather than cycle back I thought Id call the mate I'd driven with. We arranged to meet outside the town (Oudenarde). Unfortunately (
there's that words again) after 178miles my navigation skills had deserted me, so after 3miles or so I had to ask him to come into town.It was a great experience and if I ever do it again though I think the only thing I'd change is 25mm tyres
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/291429253
The next day surprisingly I felt good and went for a walk to see how the pro's do it
The quality of my camera phone isn't good however, so I thought I'd add a few photos by others too. Hopefully the link works because they are quite good.
G3CWI
Veteran
- Location
- Macclesfield
Short run out on the hybrid with a friend. Slowish pace to facilitate chatting. Lots of folk out on bikes. Realised that the handlebars on the hybrid had been set wrongly by the LBS when I bought it 10 years ago - and have been wrong ever since. Now fixed. Far too cold for this time of year.
G3CWI
Veteran
- Location
- Macclesfield
I don't follow cycling but who is this "Ali" they are cheering for?
Billy Adam
Senior Member
- Location
- Aldershot
What's that thing underneath me. Oh yeah it must be the moon coz I'm so over it. First sixty today. Suprised myself with that one. www.strava.com/activities/46779565
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/291707778
My ride today. Bitter cold winds sometimes had me standing up and pushing down hard ON THE FLAT! I had two pairs of pretty much everything on but even so, my hands were numb-er than a very numb thing.
My ride today. Bitter cold winds sometimes had me standing up and pushing down hard ON THE FLAT! I had two pairs of pretty much everything on but even so, my hands were numb-er than a very numb thing.
craigwend
Grimpeur des terrains plats
31 miles,into & along the coast, the wind seemed to be against me for 20+ off them,
cold, cold & dull, even trying to trick myself with orange lenses did not make it feel any warmer....
My longest ride of th year so far, I seriously need to get some miles in!
cold, cold & dull, even trying to trick myself with orange lenses did not make it feel any warmer....
My longest ride of th year so far, I seriously need to get some miles in!
tug benson
Survived the Tour O the borders 2013
- Location
- Alloa
First ever century ride today....a wee run around fife, headed up to St Andrews from Alloa early doors knowing that i would have the head wind to deal with, 45 mile to get to St Andrews...had a bit of lunch then headed back to alloa, cycle some great roads in fife, but if i came from kirkcaldy, methil, buckhaven i think i would kill myself what a dump these places are..
http://app.strava.com/activities/46798753
http://app.strava.com/activities/46798753
Andrew_Culture
Internet Marketing bod
- Location
- The People's Republic Of Suffolk.
Top speed of 36.8mph on a singlespeed? Yup, it's windy out there! http://app.strava.com/activities/46807868 #fb
threebikesmcginty
Corn Fed Hick...
- Location
- ...on the slake
I've worked up there a bit and they make Ilkeston look like Belgravia.
Nice one on the 100!
Glow worm
Legendary Member
- Location
- Near Newmarket
Just a 12 miler today out in the flatlands along the Lodes Way for me. I set out in very dull conditions but the sun soon appeared though the wind was ferocious- with nothing to impede it really between here and the Urals.
The ride was nearly spoilt in the first couple of miles at a place called Reach where an ar$e driver bizzarely decided 20 feet of road was too narrow for me to pass by. I could hear the moron shouting some fanatical nonsense or other, entombed within his horrible little cage- such complete inexplicable rage - how on earth do folk go though life like that? Anyway, my middle finger remained firmly on the handlebars and I went on my merry way ignoring the vacant streak of pish.
Then, thankfully it was off the roads, away from the motorised idiots and onto the fen. Hardly anyone about today, put off by the wind and earlier cloud. I bumped into another 'Lodes Way irregular' and we chatted for half an hour or so as a marsh harrier passed by.It was too cold for standing around though and I was soon frozen, despite several layers. This is Newnham Drove, between Burwell and Wicken - a nice track though the odd idiot in a car tries to use it. Drivers can be so dumb, I sort of feel sorry for them in a way.
It's not what you'd call spectacular country, but it has its own charm, and I like the byways and farm tracks and being able to escape the human race completely for a while.
Further along, is Tubney Fen where the National Trust have bought a hundred acres or so which are grazed in the summer .There's normally lots of birds to see here (wheatears are common in summer) but not much today save for the odd meadow pipit and kestrel. The concrete steps in the pic are to give horse riders a step up as they mount their steeds. They are also handy for tired cyclists to do the same!
Out of the wind it was nice and warm and the sun is pretty strong now. My pal I saw earlier turned up at the hide and said I'd just missed a hen harrier- curses. We shared a biscuit or three and then I headed for home- thankfully no more muppets once I got back on the road. 12 miles in just over 3 hours- Strava can shove it!
The ride was nearly spoilt in the first couple of miles at a place called Reach where an ar$e driver bizzarely decided 20 feet of road was too narrow for me to pass by. I could hear the moron shouting some fanatical nonsense or other, entombed within his horrible little cage- such complete inexplicable rage - how on earth do folk go though life like that? Anyway, my middle finger remained firmly on the handlebars and I went on my merry way ignoring the vacant streak of pish.
Then, thankfully it was off the roads, away from the motorised idiots and onto the fen. Hardly anyone about today, put off by the wind and earlier cloud. I bumped into another 'Lodes Way irregular' and we chatted for half an hour or so as a marsh harrier passed by.It was too cold for standing around though and I was soon frozen, despite several layers. This is Newnham Drove, between Burwell and Wicken - a nice track though the odd idiot in a car tries to use it. Drivers can be so dumb, I sort of feel sorry for them in a way.
It's not what you'd call spectacular country, but it has its own charm, and I like the byways and farm tracks and being able to escape the human race completely for a while.
Further along, is Tubney Fen where the National Trust have bought a hundred acres or so which are grazed in the summer .There's normally lots of birds to see here (wheatears are common in summer) but not much today save for the odd meadow pipit and kestrel. The concrete steps in the pic are to give horse riders a step up as they mount their steeds. They are also handy for tired cyclists to do the same!
Out of the wind it was nice and warm and the sun is pretty strong now. My pal I saw earlier turned up at the hide and said I'd just missed a hen harrier- curses. We shared a biscuit or three and then I headed for home- thankfully no more muppets once I got back on the road. 12 miles in just over 3 hours- Strava can shove it!
Rob3rt
Man or Moose!
- Location
- Manchester
Another 10 mile TT today, no idea of my position yet as I left to catch my train before all results were in but it was a nasty race, very cold and a brutal headwind. Missed out on a 24 by 2 seconds. Those 2 seconds are going to bug me for weeks now because it is 25 mile TT's the next few weeks now, lol! I am never satisfied!
MattHB
Proud Daddy
- Location
- Deepest darkest Dorset
Freezing ride through the new forest helping out the ride leader break the air for the skyride strong+ group behind. Jeez it was windy! We had some good moments in places as it was dead behind, but 80% of the time it was dead ahead or quartering.
I'm SO looking forward to the new forest wiggle sportive in 2 weeks.
I'm SO looking forward to the new forest wiggle sportive in 2 weeks.
Supersuperleeds
Legendary Member
- Location
- Leicester
- Status
