Slag, it's a fast course, no comparison to IMW, that's for sure! There are sections that are along busy roads that I wasn't too keen on but a lot of it is on pretty country roads. There is as Robbie says the hill about 16 miles in, but really, there's not much too it! Other than that, a few undulations, you'll be fine
Having done a long ride today on mostly good roads, I was reminded how much difference a decent road surface can make. Any comments on the quality of the roads on the route?
Morning everyone! As what the others say, great ride, better company and lovely weather! Thanks for all being so patient with me! As for the course ... The northern loop is mainly on A roads and, as such, a great surface to ride on in the main. The southern loop is country roads and a lot quieter, but the road surface suffers as a result, not too bad mind you, just not as good! Mind out for the flies in the southern loop! Although extra protein is always a bonus! Not sure about the lack of wind mind! Some parts are quite exposed. It certainly, in my opinion (although no experience), won't ever be as windy as IMW last year! For a flat course I seemed to be riding up long shallow inclines a lot! Anyone with any worries about the 'hill' stop worrying NOW! It raises the heart rate a little, but as the Surrey Pirates will testify, I am so crap at hills and even I got up it without any problem. It felt like going up towards Newlands Corner! That's it! My average speed yesterday was 15.5 mph. I'm normally a 14 mph ish rider! Pleased with the ride and, like BHF, I've adjusted my 'ride time' down a bit as well! the worst thing about yesterday? My neck hurts from being aero for most of the day and craning up!
Thanks again for looking after me, lovely to meet you all and ... less than 3 weeks now! Arrgh!
Thanks for the reports guys, it's great to hear you all think it's a nice fast route. Really looking forward to it now!!! Last week of hard training and then I get to eat LOTS for two whole weeks... that's how the taper goes right??
Bloody hell GB! Does the penis sign look similar?!! Ooo .. nurse! I've got this enormous swelling. It's all red and throbbing. Will you suck the poison out?
Couldn't make it to the pool this morning... the idea of rotating my shoulders round for an hour non-stop didn't sound so appealing. Struggled at the physio last night trying to roll around a bench... more excuses!!
GB mate just keep cool and party mate. there is only a few weeks on and being rested for the start might be better for you than hammering it now. Just stick at it at the fizz.
*caveat being that I'm going to hammer it this weekend on the bike and hope for the best.*
I meant I couldnt swim and struggled to roll around the bench because of sunburn... not because of injuries
Will cycle for 2-3 hours at the weekend. My thinking is that because I havent had any big training loads for a couple of months now I can afford to keep training to an extent
...and i bet when you saw me putting my sun cream on in the morning you thought WTF was i doing - it was so overcast. Older and sometimes wiser well actually lesson learned from the hot weekend before
Comments
Slag, it's a fast course, no comparison to IMW, that's for sure! There are sections that are along busy roads that I wasn't too keen on but a lot of it is on pretty country roads. There is as Robbie says the hill about 16 miles in, but really, there's not much too it! Other than that, a few undulations, you'll be fine
Having done a long ride today on mostly good roads, I was reminded how much difference a decent road surface can make. Any comments on the quality of the roads on the route?
Trogs, a bit of a mixed bag, some brand new bits and most of the rest pretty good, just a few rough patches.
Overall feeling much more confident now and have reduced my expected / target time a bit
Thanks bhflyer
Sunburn?! Got distinctly cold and damp towards the end of my ride in deepest Surrey/W Sussex
JC Excellent news on The Bridge !
Even better news on the course
Great ride guys. Note to self - shit happens now so that we're prepared on the day!!
GB - you certainly had your fair share of bad luck
Think we got really luck on the weather, everyone else I've spoken to has said it was rainy all day. Just don't forget the sunscreen!
Meldy, Bridge is really good location, close to the lake, lots of parking, lots of space and 3 very friendly dogs,
Morning everyone!
As what the others say, great ride, better company and lovely weather! Thanks for all being so patient with me!
As for the course ... The northern loop is mainly on A roads and, as such, a great surface to ride on in the main. The southern loop is country roads and a lot quieter, but the road surface suffers as a result, not too bad mind you, just not as good! Mind out for the flies in the southern loop! Although extra protein is always a bonus!
Not sure about the lack of wind mind! Some parts are quite exposed. It certainly, in my opinion (although no experience), won't ever be as windy as IMW last year! For a flat course I seemed to be riding up long shallow inclines a lot!
Anyone with any worries about the 'hill' stop worrying NOW! It raises the heart rate a little, but as the Surrey Pirates will testify, I am so crap at hills and even I got up it without any problem. It felt like going up towards Newlands Corner! That's it!
My average speed yesterday was 15.5 mph. I'm normally a 14 mph ish rider!
Pleased with the ride and, like BHF, I've adjusted my 'ride time' down a bit as well!
the worst thing about yesterday? My neck hurts from being aero for most of the day and craning up!
Thanks again for looking after me, lovely to meet you all and ... less than 3 weeks now! Arrgh!
Oh + 1 for the Bridge too!
Warning
Make sure you wear suncream on the day!!!
Ouch.
Top of the packing list will be P20 two bottles.
Silly boy!! I was out for only 3 hours yesterday, forgot to put any suncream on and I'm feeling it across my face today!!
If any good I've found the uv bodyglide works quite well for this. it's waterproof so you can sort yourself out before the swim.
Ouch!!!!!
Thanks for the reports guys, it's great to hear you all think it's a nice fast route. Really looking forward to it now!!! Last week of hard training and then I get to eat LOTS for two whole weeks... that's how the taper goes right??
I think I won't bother anyway on the race day...
Didn't you know Red makes you go faster!!!
Ouch GB, that looks really sore. Would it be bad to say that the sun topped my tan up nicely
Golden Boots' problem is that he's out in the sun for so long because he's rubbish on the bike...
Yesterday that was pretty much the case...
At least you'll be able to change a tyre...
blindfolded, standing on one-leg and using nothing but my teeth with the amount of practice i got yesterday
Bloody hell GB! Does the penis sign look similar?!!
Ooo .. nurse! I've got this enormous swelling. It's all red and throbbing. Will you suck the poison out?
How the hell do you get that in Nottingham of all places? It almost looks like paint!
I can assure you Dusty. I saw the beginings of it at the pub and paint it isn't!
It was a nice day, not overly cloudy, not overly sunny, but with a nice cooling breeze! And he has milky white northern skin!
Couldn't make it to the pool this morning... the idea of rotating my shoulders round for an hour non-stop didn't sound so appealing. Struggled at the physio last night trying to roll around a bench... more excuses!!
GB mate just keep cool and party mate. there is only a few weeks on and being rested for the start might be better for you than hammering it now. Just stick at it at the fizz.
*caveat being that I'm going to hammer it this weekend on the bike and hope for the best.*
I meant I couldnt swim and struggled to roll around the bench because of sunburn... not because of injuries
Will cycle for 2-3 hours at the weekend. My thinking is that because I havent had any big training loads for a couple of months now I can afford to keep training to an extent
Oh sorry mate throught you where still poorly sick. In that case I can give you a big bearhug in a few weeks.
My arms aren't much better! Lesson learned though!
...and i bet when you saw me putting my sun cream on in the morning you thought WTF was i doing - it was so overcast. Older and sometimes wiser well actually lesson learned from the hot weekend before