Road Cycling
- Thread starter FrenchTart
- Start date
- Joined
- 16 May 2005
- Posts
- 31,297
- Location
- Manchester
Pretty grim day today and tbh I'm quite knackered after a busy weekend. Not sure I can face a turbo session.
Done.
Good job, easy going or struggled a bit. Enjoyed it or hated it?
The weather was horrendous, heavy rain and the wind - jesus it was CONSTANTLY in your face. So annoying.
I've only ever done a 33 mile ride so pacing myself was always going to be hit and miss.
The first 15-20 miles was just battling the rain, once it stopped I felt like I wanted to press on but held back because I didnt want to cook myself, looking back I think the pre feed station leg (40-45 miles in ish i guess) i should have done more.
That said last 10 miles really hurt the legs, also got some right shoulder pain and f'in quad cramps. Last 10 miles I will never forget - brutal.
I need waterproof gloves and winter boots, rain got in instantly.
Well done!
I know what you mean about the "last ten miles". I did the Liverpool Chester Liverpool 100 in 2013 on an incredibly hot day and I was practically hallucinating by the end of it.
Also, there's basically no such thing as waterproof gloves!
I know what you mean about the "last ten miles". I did the Liverpool Chester Liverpool 100 in 2013 on an incredibly hot day and I was practically hallucinating by the end of it.
Also, there's basically no such thing as waterproof gloves!
- Joined
- 16 May 2005
- Posts
- 31,297
- Location
- Manchester
Awesome work merlin. I've totally been there with horrendous weather and the pain of the final stretch. Enjoy the sense of achievement finishing 
https://www.strava.com/activities/888647230/shareable_images/map_based?hl=en-US&v=1488724085
Hope that link works, on phone.
Ok ive got to eat now because ive got the shakes real bad
Hope that link works, on phone.
Ok ive got to eat now because ive got the shakes real bad
So I battled through the headwind & rain and just as the sun came out and the route turned for a back wind my RD snapped off into my rear wheel.
Ride stopped
Grrrrr
Only just seen this - damn
Did you contact something or did it just go on a gear change?
It happened at the round-about before the feedstation. I was standing up pedalling and it snapped and got pulled into the wheel. The wheel is fine but the RD and hanger were detroyed so it was a phone home for collection
https://www.strava.com/activities/888380949
Pretty annoying as I was feeling fresh and was about to smash it with the back wind back home.
Also, my power meter wouldn't sync with my garmin before the ride so no power data and I broke the zip on my waterproof jacket when I got home.
All the bad things come at once
Kudos to you for the ride - the conditions at the start were pretty grim
Last edited:
It happened at the round-about before the feedstation. I was standing up pedalling and it snapped and got pulled into the wheel. The wheel is fine but the RD and hanger were detroyed so it was a phone home for collection
https://www.strava.com/activities/888380949
Pretty annoying as I was feeling fresh and was about to smash it with the back wind back home.
Also, my power meter wouldn't sync with my garmin before the ride so no power data and I broke the zip on my waterproof jacket when I got home.
All the bad things come at once
Kudos to you for the ride - the conditions at the start were pretty grim
Rubbish luck.
As i left the feedstation i saw someone on foot with the chain hanging off - was that you?!
Wearing red - that was me waiting for my pickup.
Whilst I was waiting I saw 2 riders fall over from clip in/out fails
I just sorted the power meter problem. My Garmin wasn't auto finding the ANT signal and I needed to manually input the ANT+ ID into the sensor info.
Electronic devices sometimes do my head in - once working they should just continue to work !!
Whilst I was waiting I saw 2 riders fall over from clip in/out fails
I just sorted the power meter problem. My Garmin wasn't auto finding the ANT signal and I needed to manually input the ANT+ ID into the sensor info.
Electronic devices sometimes do my head in - once working they should just continue to work !!
Wearing red - that was me waiting for my pickup.
Whilst I was waiting I saw 2 riders fall over from clip in/out fails
I just sorted the power meter problem. My Garmin wasn't auto finding the ANT signal and I needed to manually input the ANT+ ID into the sensor info.
Electronic devices sometimes do my head in - once working they should just continue to work !!
Yep, I definitely saw you - i thought "that guys lost his chain" but i thought no more of it because a) i didn't know it was you and b) i knew there was a mechanic 200ft up the road at the feedstation.
I bought a double shot latte from the coffee van at the feedstation and 15 mins later i was getting palpitations it was so strong!
So on the final stretch you missed TWO more rain showers and some borderline dangerous wind gusts!
https://www.strava.com/activities/888647230/shareable_images/map_based?hl=en-US&v=1488724085
Hope that link works, on phone.
Ok ive got to eat now because ive got the shakes real bad
good stuff - Sounds like Etape Caledonia 2 years ago - horrendous conditions, start to finish, 5 hours of rain, wind and cold. Worse I've ever felt in my life, had the proper bed ridden flu for 5 days afterwards!!!!
It was pretty bloody grim but not quite that bad, I'd say out of 5 hours it rained for a little under 2 hours.
Problem is it was a lot of back lanes so tons of standing water and you had no idea what was under the water - tarmac or a pothole.
SURPRISE.......its a pothole!!
Hahaha, well if it's a Medium/Large and you ever want to sell it...Yes I'm pretty sure it was you that pointed out the deal. Thank you very much for making me buy something I never ended up using
(I'll use it some day!)
Mine is good but I do tend to find I wear thicker winter layers or thinner spring/autumn layers. It can do all of them, it was a great fit on me (the Large is getting a little baggy around the torso now), but it doesn't seem to be the first jersey I reach for when dressing for those conditions. It might be the dark-ish blue I've got mine in, I tend to prefer lighter colours and it also doesn't go with any of my team kits (black/red/white & yellow/white). Think I've worn it more when commuting. Need to wash it in nicwax for spring and I may wear it more...
Good choices, cycling is certainly not a cheap hobby! Although I consider I 'save' myself £2-3000 a year in fuel & running costs of the car by commuting (we also went down to 1 car).Ended up getting a jacket and a jersey in the end. The jacket was the all singing all dancing No Rain jacket. Fits very snugly and it feels like it will keep me very warm but happy with that for the commute. And then got the long sleeve jersey (link below) for when it's not raining but just cold, will take a stuff away waterproof with me when using this one as a get out of jail card.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sportful-fiandre-light-windstopper-jacket/
I thought commuting by bike was suppose to be cheaper!! At the moment it isn't but I'll stop when I've built up a good selection of kit right?
Ooooh, what did I miss!?
Slight shame he's gone, it was fun to try and correct everything he said, but equally such a waste of effort.
Have to agree, I'm looking at 8 speed bits for maintaining the other halfs bike; a cassette and chain is looking at £30! Quite tempted to see if I can find some 5700 shifters this year and move her over to 10 speed.
Gutted to hear this mate, but glad you're ok & the wheel! Hope the PWM is ok too!
Great effort, well done! You did very well with the pacing considering your furthest ride before. How were the climbs and other riders? Bad conditions can be good for making some great new friends! I think most of us who've done Sportives always have a wet one in some pretty horrific conditions. Hopefully the good ones outweigh the bad ones, the sense of accomplishment can be greater though!
The miserable one I did was one of my furthest, was by far the one with the most climbing (& the most I've walked climbs lol), yet also one of the most rewarding due to the friendships that were made. I'm looking to do it again this year, although a different route. I mean, in July it can't rain again can it?!
Lol, some entertainment while you waited?!Wearing red - that was me waiting for my pickup.
Whilst I was waiting I saw 2 riders fall over from clip in/out fails
The big climb was Saintbury - took it steady, didn't have to stop didn't have to push. From Strava seems like there's 380 timings up Saintbury from yesterday - I'm 145. Not too shabby and serves as a marker for next year.
Pretty determined attitude from everyone - good atmosphere - all in it together sort of thing, although I hear loads of riders dropped out after the first hour due to the rain.