Slagiatt (massively unprepared for Lanza, but going for the sunburn) wrote (see)
Thanks Hokori , how was your week in the sun preparing ?
Hey! Well it was tough to be honest, crosswinds were a bit scary at times. I was really lucky the day I did the full course(ish) that there was virtually NO wind.
Wish it would just bloody warm up a bit, I feel I've lost a lot of cycle training because of it and have done a lot of shorter rides but not enough of the longer ones.
I prefer Barley's description myself! I was going to change the gearing on the stead, but doesn't sound like its worth it.....12% inclines.......
Rafi, the climbs are not tough, I found Wales ramps harder, more numerous. But the wind is a factor here as is the heat that will raise your HR a bit higher than normal.
I am carrying a Compact with a 12-28 and I only missed the Double on the descent to El Golfo and on the descent to La Santa.
Summary of my posts,
Dont overdo it on the first climb to Yaiza,
Relax on the come back to El Golfo and do not push through Yaiza specially if we expect headwinds up Timanfaya (Fire Mountain)
Easily spin Timanfaya
Have fun down to La Santa and watch for XWinds
Prepare mentally for the drag from Famara to Teguise and the halfway mark
Do not push too hard through Teguise in the crowd or you will take longer to climb the hills ahead
Count pedal strokes on the couple hard ramps up to Los Nieves
Be careful on the bends to Haria and watch for speed before entering the town as you get some short turns
Do not overdo Haria's steep ramp! Off the saddle only if you lose too much momentum
Be patient up Mirador and remember it has 4 little climbs
Have fun down to the bypass and remember to drink
Focus on your stride before you get to Nazaret during the long rolling drag
Nazaret can be nasty in the heat as is exposed
Relax your shoulders down the Donkey track
Once you start seeing "Monumento del Campesino" road marks you are on the home stretch but remember you still go slightly uphill for around 10k.
Smile a lot from Conil to PC, you only have a marathon to run
Enjoy!
Edit: I have a couple of graphs to show but the add a picture thingy is broken.
Rafi, I have the usual 50/34. I would like to have a 52/34 instead but dont expect to change that for Lanza.
Also I have a big choice of wheels,
Cosmic Elite Set
Cosmic Carbone SL Set
HED Jet 6 Front
HED Jet 9 Back with Powertap
HED Jet 4 Set with Powertap
To Lanzarote I will probably bring the JET 4 set and the Cosmic Elite front. I did not expect the JET 4 to sail so much in the Xwinds. I rode the 6/9 in Wales and loved them there.
I will bring my DEDA ITU aerobar and my Profile T3+ non ITU aerobars as well but I did not stay much in them as I was shaky in the Xwinds so I am unsure if they will make it on to the frame race day.
I recommend using GoogleEarth to analyse the bike course. I used OC's GPS file and if you open it on GoogleEarth and use the "Show Elevation Profile" option you can then drag on the graph and select areas. The system will then provide you average, min, max grades for the selected area.
It is a fantastic tool. I can also provide the data on request if anybody wants.
I fancied a pop at this race, but having read your briefing, Josh, I feel like I've already done it. Think I'll take a couple of easy, recovery days, then head off to ebay to bag myself a Finisher T-Shirt.
Rafi, the website recommends 12-25 and 39-52 but I would not race that in my dreams. It took me 7h15 min in very easy conditions to do the course(ish) with the compact and up to 28 behind.
Wow, Hokori, thank you for that. I will cut and paste it into a word document.
I have the gears my bike came with, which is a compact on the front and a 12/25 on the back. I don't have the money to change them so it's just a case of HTFU for me.
I just went on 'comparethemarket.com' and got a decent deal from there. Annual insurance was from £19.00 but looking at what they covered it was safer to go for a slightly more expensive option.
I looked on comparethemeerkat, have annual worldwide with ski cover for £38, dont know the ins and outs for whether it covers me for participating in the Ironman but it'll do. £38, jobs a good un.
I have created a little word document and a set of screenshots from GoogleEarth's profile elevation feature. I have emailed this to Mouse. Please PM me or request them from Mouse at your convenience.
I have an SRAM 12-32 that I use for the Alps if anybody wants it for Lanzarote. It is actually an MB gear but is road compatible. You will need to extend the chain and realign though. Hope you still keep the chain extra links.
Forgot about the details mouse - i'll try again shortly
nice summary Hokori
my race report from 2012 is on about page 9 of last years mini thread
linky
re wheel choice....
If its a quiet day then I have a set of race wheels 60s on the front, 80s on the rear and all should be ok If its windy then I have 30s I usually ride. the fast downhills usually have some cross winds and these are just about ok with normal wheels - they are pretty scary with deep secitions and high winds. not gusty just you are doing 50 kph and you are leant over at a 20 degree angle and then things start to shake.......
the problem is when packing the bike, what wheels to choose. there is no way to predict race day winds 3-7 days out. and its difficult taking more than one set of wheels away.
Comments
I thought we'd covered the course on the first page
Hey! Well it was tough to be honest, crosswinds were a bit scary at times. I was really lucky the day I did the full course(ish) that there was virtually NO wind.
We need to get out for a ride!
We did, he meant p.i.s.s., which stands for "pretty intense sunny sufferfest", right?
Nah, seriously, its a piece of piss.
I prefer Barley's description myself! I was going to change the gearing on the stead, but doesn't sound like its worth it.....12% inclines.......
It's going to come round quick this now!
Wish it would just bloody warm up a bit, I feel I've lost a lot of cycle training because of it and have done a lot of shorter rides but not enough of the longer ones.
Can't wait for a week in the sun though
Rafi, the climbs are not tough, I found Wales ramps harder, more numerous. But the wind is a factor here as is the heat that will raise your HR a bit higher than normal.
I am carrying a Compact with a 12-28 and I only missed the Double on the descent to El Golfo and on the descent to La Santa.
Summary of my posts,
Enjoy!
Edit: I have a couple of graphs to show but the add a picture thingy is broken.
What gearings your compact them Hokori?
Ive a 34/52, 12-27 and ill be glad of it.
Needed all of those easy gears on my ride yesterday.
Rafi, I have the usual 50/34. I would like to have a 52/34 instead but dont expect to change that for Lanza.
Also I have a big choice of wheels,
To Lanzarote I will probably bring the JET 4 set and the Cosmic Elite front. I did not expect the JET 4 to sail so much in the Xwinds. I rode the 6/9 in Wales and loved them there.
I will bring my DEDA ITU aerobar and my Profile T3+ non ITU aerobars as well but I did not stay much in them as I was shaky in the Xwinds so I am unsure if they will make it on to the frame race day.
I recommend using GoogleEarth to analyse the bike course. I used OC's GPS file and if you open it on GoogleEarth and use the "Show Elevation Profile" option you can then drag on the graph and select areas. The system will then provide you average, min, max grades for the selected area.
It is a fantastic tool. I can also provide the data on request if anybody wants.
I fancied a pop at this race, but having read your briefing, Josh, I feel like I've already done it. Think I'll take a couple of easy, recovery days, then head off to ebay to bag myself a Finisher T-Shirt.
I have been to spectate a few years ago .... can I have a tshirt for doing that ?
Me and Seren and Mouse did our hill training on Monday so we're sorted
May have to change the gears me thinks - currently riding 53/39 with a 12/27.......
I daren't look to see what I have
Aaarrggghhhhh
I have the gears my bike came with, which is a compact on the front and a 12/25 on the back. I don't have the money to change them so it's just a case of HTFU for me.
Covered with BTA for race day
Hokori, nice write up thank you ... Like Mousey, I'm stuck with what I've got and a helping of HTFU
I just went on 'comparethemarket.com' and got a decent deal from there. Annual insurance was from £19.00 but looking at what they covered it was safer to go for a slightly more expensive option.
I looked on comparethemeerkat, have annual worldwide with ski cover for £38, dont know the ins and outs for whether it covers me for participating in the Ironman but it'll do. £38, jobs a good un.
I have created a little word document and a set of screenshots from GoogleEarth's profile elevation feature. I have emailed this to Mouse. Please PM me or request them from Mouse at your convenience.
I have an SRAM 12-32 that I use for the Alps if anybody wants it for Lanzarote. It is actually an MB gear but is road compatible. You will need to extend the chain and realign though. Hope you still keep the chain extra links.
I believe that a good knowledge of the course is a great mental asset come race day and I would have liked it for my IMW.
I would really like to think this little effort off-race can help somebody out there come race day.
I'll PM you Hokori, could do with the info.
Hokori, I've tried to PM you, but dam website is still playing up!! (or is it just mine??)
Rafi, I have tried PMing you too and it does not let me haha. I have sent the info to Mouse and Pingu. Maybe they can relay it to you?
Yes .. just the basic insurance needed for me I think
Bike is covered away from home on my contents insurance
I am covered race day from BTA
So just basic travel and medical stuff needed I think
Forgot about the details mouse - i'll try again shortly
nice summary Hokori
my race report from 2012 is on about page 9 of last years mini thread
linky
re wheel choice....
If its a quiet day then I have a set of race wheels 60s on the front, 80s on the rear and all should be ok
If its windy then I have 30s I usually ride. the fast downhills usually have some cross winds and these are just about ok with normal wheels - they are pretty scary with deep secitions and high winds. not gusty just you are doing 50 kph and you are leant over at a 20 degree angle and then things start to shake.......
the problem is when packing the bike, what wheels to choose. there is no way to predict race day winds 3-7 days out. and its difficult taking more than one set of wheels away.
I would err on the side of caution