spent my day dribbling into a cup.
So normal day at the office?
Get better soon bud, bad backs are horrible things!
Probably best to go to a bike shop and ask to try a few out. Out of the three, I can only get on with the bars on this one, but I guess some of that could be do with the bike geometry, how how or low the horizontal bar of the bar is relative to the ground/saddle (and the other bikes)
https://static.evanscycles.com/prod...oad-bike-black-blue-white-EV200687-8500-1.jpg
Thanks, but that's nothing like what I linked/asked about. I've tried a few out, but need to purchase one to get some real time using it, don't tend to get numb hands in just 5/10 minutes!
6 days and counting, for my first ever Sportive.
Ordered some gels, a few drink tabs, i usually skip breakfast but i sure as hell won't skip breakfast Sunday - will fuel up properly.
Just umming and arring over what to take, do you guys usually bother with a spare tyre or just tubes? How about chain link and chain tool - overkill?
Depends on the size of your saddlebag & chain tool! I've got the
little park one and it's easy to squeeze in. I've never had to use it at the roadside (in 5 years) but still carry it with me. Take one tube in saddlebag and if you have a bar bag or space in your pockets take another. It's very unlikely you'll get two punctures, but always good to be prepared! If you've not used gels before (?) then it's be worth doing a training ride with one before hand to at least get a feeling on how they operate - I see so many people hitting a climb and downing a gel, it's hilarious! They're not instant power/energy! Personally when doing a long sportive I find gels take 20-30 mins to hit my system, I'm quite a regular eater tending to 'save' gels for the last 1/3 or so, more of a 'get me home', using my other food for real energy. The after effects also can be alarming, I've found some gels give me an uneasy stomach for 24h (or more) afterwards.
The
Saintbury Hillclimb will be brutal (it's right next to
Dover's hill one of the top100), looks like it ramps up at the bottom then eases off a little before a long slog to the top. Don't hit it too hard, try to pace the bottom part and when it feels like its easing off just be aware that it's another 0.7 mile of the same before any respite. When you're at 60 miles in (around Wootton Wawen, what a name!), just be conscious that it's a fairly consistent long drag of small/slight climbs back for the last 10+ miles. If you're struggling there (before the climbs), it's be best to really ease off and take your time. Once you cross the M42 you're pretty much home, the lanes back in from there (Forshaw Heath & Poolhead lane) can be quite busy (used to do a lot of work at the GC there) with not many cars sticking to the speed limits - as it's used as a cut through from the motorway.
This time of year you're best to watch the weather forecast and dress for the worst one you can find, carrying at least a packable rain cape and dressing for the morning/evening & winds, rather than the mid-day couple of hours of 'almost warm sun'. The wind will probably be the worst factor for you, so arm/leg/knee warmers minimum, with overshoes and full fingered gloves.
If it were me I'd be wearing a light windproof softshell, gilet and carrying a rain cape, winter shorts and leg warmers. I'd be wearing my winter gloves, but carrying a lighter pair with me. I would be riding fairly low intensity wherever possible (due to the distance) so I wouldn't be overheating (tend to prefer to be slightly warm, than slightly cold). I'd have 2 bottles with tabs and a spare tab or two for refilling (probably a 3-4 bottle ride for me), 2 clif bars, couple of mini bags of haribo, 2-3 gels and at least one banana (probably 2). I'd be carrying packable and gloves in 1 pocket, all food in another and my remaining pocket would have a tube, phone, dry face/neck buff and £30 in cash (stuffed in my phone case). I'd have front and rear flashing lights, but I wouldn't expect to be riding in the dark, just for the gloom, I do tend to run a rear light all year though!
I'm doing that on Sunday too, although due to time constraints I'm only riding 80% of the route.
Threshold it and complete the whole thing?
I should've got my name down and done it, I've always meant to but it catches me out being so early! Annoying start/finish this year too.
Sounds like you're describing an anatomic drop rather than round/compact. We tend to do a lot of the Pro stuff, Vibe mainly. I like the 31.8mm diameter right across the whole top bar with no taper.
Ahhhh, that's what it's called! Thanks! Got a link to the pro? I'm surprised I've not spotted many others but I've only really looked on Wiggle.
Ex
NFTO Edmund Bradbury (now riding for JLT) smashed a load of
Sa Calobra times, now 5th overall. He rode it TWICE with the GB rowing team, impressive times both times! Not bad considering he's more of a TT'er than a climber!
