http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Edinburgh Sportive on 7th of June en Sun, 19 Apr 2026 22:34:00 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12760#post-156411 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 16:25:56 +0000 Focus 156411@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>And I hope the (quote) "rather older guy" who was still stuck in Selkirk at 5pm got rescued ok! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12760#post-156410 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 16:17:17 +0000 Focus 156410@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Well, it wasn't the worst Bethany century for me, but not the best either. I had an early indication things weren't going to go perfectly. I didn't realise that Lasswade Rd was shut at the Bypass (perhaps ironically for extending the cycle path using the railway bridge?) so I took the detour instead of chancing walking or freewheeling between the workmen. That's a fair old detour when you've just done 10 miles to get to the start of a 102 mile ride.</p> <p>Reported in, and waited in line next to the guy who designed the original long route! Though we didn't spend much time together after the start, our paths would meet again. The first section through to Innerleithen went pretty well, the drag up from the bottom of the Moorfoot descent to Innerleithen not making me struggle as much as it usually (and inexplicably does). </p> <p>By now, my Garmin had already decided to act up. It was stuck at 12.97 miles ridden even though all the other functions were working fine. I was over 30 miles in before I decided to try a reboot. But even though I set it to continue the course of the route, the timer didn't start this time and it was several miles later before I pushed the start button to see if it would work, and it did. Aaargh! What I didn't know until I got to the finish was the GPS on my phone had also stopped working for soe reason, and none of my apps had recorded past the 56 mile mark or thereabouts. More aaarrrgh!</p> <p>Witchie Knowe was the usual struggle. I haven't compared times yet, but I feel I ascended slower but less uncomfortably than previously, so I was actually pleased with that. As it was still dry at this point, I was able to descend at my own pace and topped 40mph on several occasions, with 35mph being my approximate average. One poor soul wasn't so lucky. I passed him round the tightest bend, thinking he was just receiving assistance for a mechanical. It turned out he'd crashed. Maybe he wasn't familiar with the descent. I believe it was just cuts and bruises, thankfully.</p> <p>Later on, there were a few spots of rain which came to nothing, but at maybe the 65 mile mark, the heavens opened at it poured down for the rest of the day, making some sections heavy going. I was bale to make up lost ground on people less confident in the rain but equally I struggled on the uphill sections - going downhill I'm a demon, uphill I'm a newborn pussycat at times. had a fun moment out a side road when my rear wheel started to slide out but I caught it. Would have looked good on video :-)</p> <p>I was nearly finished, past the penultimate roundabout, and a couple of riders on their way home said, "Nearly there!". That was the final jinx! Down went the rear tyre! A fellow rider stopped to help, and lent me his pump when mine had decided to unscrew itself and fall apart. but the tube wouldn't hold enough air to make it to the finish. At that moment, one of the support cars came by and I accepted the lift rather than try to change the tube in the pouring rain. </p> <p>There was another bike in the back of the car which my rescuer had forgotten to drop off before heading out again. When we got back, it turned out to belong to the guy from the start line! His gear hanger had broken and he said I should have just used his rear wheel to finish. Wish I'd thought of that! </p> <p>To make matter worse, the final straw was, after the inner core continuously coming out of the valve as I unscrewed the pump back at the school, being locked inside the compound at the back because the caretaker thought everyone was away! Fortunately I caught the attention of someone about to get in their car and he went back in to get someone from reception to let me out.</p> <p>Finally got on my way home only to realise I hadn't close my seatpack properly and had to double back a few hundred meters to find an item which had fallen out!</p> <p>What a day. Still plan on doing it again next year! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12760#post-156305 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 22:39:02 +0000 Mandopicker101 156305@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Survived my first sportive, surprising myself at times. I opted for the 72 mile option and almost immediately had a freak mechanical issue (somehow the innertube was twisted and was pushing the tyre off the rim). If you stopped to offer assistance, many thanks - I lost count of the number of people asking if I was OK, and a random bloke in a 4x4 even stopped! </p> <p>Half an hour of severe cursing later, I reckoned I'd been dropped by...ooh, the entire ride so time to get up the road. Managed to make it back and rode with a couple of guys for a while until I calmed down. Moorfoot Hills just kept on giving, but didn't prove quite the killer climb I'd built them up to be. Seeing Innerleithen and the first stop definitely helped psychologically but pushed too hard on the section afterwards and was feeling the burn by the time the second stop emerged, entertaining notions such as 'What was I thinking!'. Mind you, I probably wasn't feeling it as much as the chap riding the single speed (MAMIL Road Club). The remainder of the route definitely proved testing (for me at least) but I decided as my crosser has a granny ring...it would be rude not to use it. It definitely got me up a few climbs. Just made it back to base before the rain hit, lucky as I left the overshoes at home. </p> <p>All in all, a great day out and a fine sportive in a good cause. Plus the pie at the end hit the spot after a day of sweet stuff. For the record I did the 72 miler in 5:59, not bad considering we've been moving house and training time has been, er, zero other than what I could squeeze into lunch-breaks at work and rerouting my daily commute. </p> <p>Ah well, there's always next year. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12760#post-156239 Fri, 06 Jun 2014 21:32:17 +0000 Focus 156239@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>All the best for everyone taking part tomorrow. Just done a short test ride to make sure I reassembled my front hub and BB properly. Only one slight issue - I need to loosen the front mech's H screw a little and it's seized :-( Hopefully letting a little oil seep in will allow me to budge it. If not, I'm only loosing my top gear to minor chain rub and there aren't all that many significant places to use it for much of the ride.</p> <p>Unless the forecast is significantly worse, I think I'll stick with the 25mm GP4000s/no mudguards option. I could do without changing my mind at 5am tomorrow! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12760#post-155371 Fri, 30 May 2014 12:09:47 +0000 Roibeard 155371@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I don't really do sponsored events, however it appears that I'm half of a team doing this on 7th June...</p> <p><a href="http://www.justgiving.com/tandemsportive" rel="nofollow">http://www.justgiving.com/tandemsportive</a></p> <p>If you wanted to sponsor Steven to pedal harder (and inadvertently make it easier for me), that would be fine by me!</p> <p>Robert </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12760#post-153607 Thu, 15 May 2014 09:34:41 +0000 chdot 153607@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Seems there are still places available -</p> <p>"</p> <p>Dear friend,</p> <p>There are only 3 weeks left before the Edinburgh Bethany Sportive! A 102 or 72 mile cycle rated as “one of the greatest cycle rides in the world” by HarperCollins Publishers.</p> <p>Here is an insight of the route :</p> <p>The Sportive provides an exciting challenge around the Scottish Borders. Leaving from Lasswade High School at 8 AM, riders will head south to Innerleithen running through the amazing landscapes of the Moorfoot Hills before heading back to Lasswade. The shorter route is proposed to those who feel unable to finish the 102 within 8 hours or less. Water and Feed station on hand.</p> <p>This event is above all an opportunity to help people who are homeless or those at risk of losing their home in Scotland. As a result of their participation, riders will help hundreds of homeless and vulnerable people to lead a better future.</p> <p>Please, find attached a poster of the event</p> <p>Entries are limited to 400 participants, sign up now before it’s too late! <a href="http://www.entrycentral.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.entrycentral.com</a><br /> Contact: <a href="mailto:sportive@bethanychristiantrust.com">sportive@bethanychristiantrust.com</a><br /> Visit our website for more information: <a href="http://www.edinburghsportive.btik.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.edinburghsportive.btik.com</a></p> <p>" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12760#post-152488 Thu, 08 May 2014 10:46:49 +0000 alexischaudanson 152488@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>For this 6th Edinburgh Sportive, sign up and receive discount vouchers from our partners: 2 for 1 entry for the Edinburgh Dungeon, 10% off for a service at Pedal Forth, 10% off on accessories &amp; parts and 5% off on bikes at EastSide Bikes! </p> <p><a href="http://www.entrycentral.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.entrycentral.com</a> and search Bethany Sportive </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12760#post-152460 Thu, 08 May 2014 08:15:18 +0000 amir 152460@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>From the event website, the route seems to avoid the A7 this year, probably because the road surface on the NCN1 is a touch better than it has been (still some pots to avoid).</p> <p>I've done the long route a couple of times and cover many of the roads quite regularly. The bit that you have to prepare mentally for (as Cyclingmollie says) is the Old Coach Road which runs parallel to the A7 up to Heriot. It is much more taxing than the profile map would suggest, even to the point that the long reverse climb to the Granites is a relief - at least you know where you stand with a great big hill. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12760#post-152439 Wed, 07 May 2014 22:19:44 +0000 Mandopicker101 152439@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Returning from PoP laden with leaflets, I duly signed up for the Edinburgh Sportive, my first time out on such a ride. I'm down for the 72 miler. With only a month or so to go, I figured the ton might be asking too much of my modest level of fitness.</p> <p>Apart from being a good cause, my other motivation is that I'm going into hospital five days later (nothing serious...) and am assured I'll be off the bike for a fair while. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12760#post-152340 Wed, 07 May 2014 13:16:29 +0000 Focus 152340@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'll just paste previous comments I made in other threads <a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11695#post-134072" rel="nofollow">http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=11695#post-134072</a> and <a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12599" rel="nofollow">http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12599</a>:</p> <p>"<em>...the Bethany, having done it the last 2 years. I've got a love/hate relationship with it as I look forward to it, suffer on it, and am glad I did it! It would be nice if it were more successful, especially as it's probably one of the most genuine charity rides out there (in terms of volunteer set-up and money going to the cause). But then it's also quite nice that it's almost a family atmosphere because there are relatively few people doing it.</em> "</p> <p>"<em>I've ridden the last two (102m) sportives, and they are a good challenge. The route is generally well-planned (and it's not always possible to find roads that are both quiet and well-surfaced), the feed stops are stocked with a good variety of nutrition and all the volunteers who make it possible are very friendly and encouraging. Hannah and her team have done a great job. Even cold, a macaroni pie at the end is the height of luxury!</p> <p>I'm hoping to ride again this year if I can get cover for other commitments. Fingers crossed for more consistently warm weather as being 'out in the wilds' in freezing cold mist is definitely less fun. It's a proper charity event though, so you know your money isn't lining pockets of corporate organiser.</em> "</p> <p>(<strong>right-click and select "view image" for full pictures</strong>).</p> <p>The 2013 full route:<img src="http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/reggiedunlop77/Cycling/Bethany2013route.jpg"></p> <p>The A7 stretch is reasonably short at least, and feels better (i.e. less bad) if you have company: <img src="http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/reggiedunlop77/Cycling/BethanyA7.jpg"></p> <p>Hannah and the team <em>do</em> act on feedback (which they encourage) each year, and make changes to the route as a result. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12760#post-152301 Wed, 07 May 2014 10:36:41 +0000 PS 152301@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The long route was my first 100 miler 5 years ago (I think). Great route (it avoided the A7 completely back then), the weather was fantastic (hot and sunnny) and cramp started to kick in in the cutting heading up to Clovenfords. The last 30 miles were tough as the feed station was just before Heriot - I'd say 10 miles to late for me). Really enjoyed it though.</p> <p>I did the shorter route the following year. Was a blast, but the ride, for me, was too short to really warrant doing it as a sportive - by then I was confident of my ability to ride that route on my own and unsupported, and not have to get out of bed at 6am for the pleasure of doing it. :) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12760#post-152300 Wed, 07 May 2014 10:34:49 +0000 steveo 152300@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Roibeard, I can try and coerce my one from my dad. Its a fairly small old EBC (Pre revolution) but it still works. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12760#post-152296 Wed, 07 May 2014 10:09:01 +0000 Cyclingmollie 152296@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It's odd but the first time I really enjoyed it; the helpers were encouraging, the food was okay, the route was quiet. The second time the route was changed to use the A7 from Gorebridge to the B7007 both out and back. And the food seemed a bit sparse: crisps, bananas and oat biscuits I think. It feels quite remote around the Witchie Knowe and the Forest of Yair. The return by old coach road towards Heriot is truly grim. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12760#post-152295 Wed, 07 May 2014 10:01:23 +0000 earthowned 152295@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've been talked into this by a friend. Don't normally 'do' sportives. I'll probably be wearing my blue CCE jersey so stop and say hello if you see me. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12760#post-152294 Wed, 07 May 2014 09:49:05 +0000 CycleCommute.CC 152294@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've signed up for this. It sounds pretty tough going, anyone done it before and how was it? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12760#post-152284 Wed, 07 May 2014 08:59:08 +0000 Roibeard 152284@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>There are a few CCE folk participating in this already, although I'll let them out themselves...</p> <p>Any chance that I could borrow a rack pack thingy from someone for the day? I'm afraid my usual array of cavernous Ortlieb panniers aren't aero enough for my stoker...</p> <p>Robert </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12760#post-152140 Tue, 06 May 2014 14:07:24 +0000 alexischaudanson 152140@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Bethany Christian Trust, an Edinburgh based charity, is inviting serious amateur cyclists to take part in its 6th annual Sportive, on 7th of June. The Sportive provides an exciting challenge of a 102 or 72 mile route around the Scottish Borders. Leaving from Lasswade High School at 8 AM, riders will head south to Innerleithen running through the amazing landscapes of the Moorfoot Hills before heading back to Lasswade. The shorter route is proposed to those who feel unable to finish the 102 within 8 hours or less. This event is above all an occasion to help people who are homeless or those at risk to lose their home in Scotland. As a result of their participation, riders will help hundreds of homeless and vulnerable people to lead a better future.</p> <p>Entries are limited to 400 participants, sign up now before it’s too late! <a href="http://www.entrycentral.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.entrycentral.com</a><br /> Any participants hoping to register for a FREE sponsored place must email Laurie BEFORE they sign up through Entry Central: <a href="mailto:sportive@bethanychristiantrust.com">sportive@bethanychristiantrust.com</a><br /> Visit our website for more information: <a href="http://www.edinburghsportive.btik.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.edinburghsportive.btik.com</a> </p>