CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.

Audax + sportives 2014

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  1. Baldcyclist
    Member

    " I really would avoid Lochgelly etc though."

    Indeed, I did a Loch Leven loop on Friday evening, and the stretch between Lochgelly and Ballingry was terrifying. There wasn't a lot of traffic, but it seemed that every second car was trying to kill me. Driving was atrocious, seems stereo typical, but deprived area seems to equate to lots of boy racer cars with drivers with little or no respect for other road users. Did spot plenty of Police vans whilst I was out, driving seemed to improve dramatically for a few seconds each time one was visible.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  2. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    DaveC if you mean the B945, that's way we went, joined the main road at St Michaels and down the main road into Leuchars and the cycle path. Amir has an encyclopaedic knowledge of cycle paths - quite extraordinary.

    the stretch between Lochgelly and Ballingry was terrifying

    I think the return route would be improved by going round the north of the Lomonds into Kinross, over the Cleish hills and down into N Queensferry via Crossford. The Lepra ride in reverse.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  3. DaveC
    Member

    Yes thats the one, we found it good going anticlockwise but clockwise the climb out of St Michaels can be a pain so we tend to head on this route:

    http://goo.gl/maps/tpH80

    Which misses out the A914 altogether until after Leuchars. I rode this with Uberuce a couple of years ago and we rode the A914 all the way from leuchars to Newport on Tay. It was very busy and hell.

    I nice alternative to Falkland hill is not north but south. That Sanny road north is hell into a headwind and a long climb!. Plus adds a lot onto the journey. Strangley I've heard alot about Lochgelly but not seen too much interest from the public locally. We have used the south side before and only adds on ~0.8km extra!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  4. DaveC
    Member

    http://goo.gl/maps/9a04D 50km

    vs

    http://goo.gl/maps/pDjWC 48.9km

    I have riden both, and both preferable to the Sanny road up that hill:

    http://goo.gl/maps/zxIxL

    Posted 10 years ago #

  5. Uberuce
    Member

    Kenny: I definitely would like to book a place in the Galaxy, pretty please.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  6. Kenny
    Member

    pm sent, @Uberuce. If anyone else wants to come at the same time, let me know.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  7. HankChief
    Member

    I got this back for Tour o the Borders on what someone needs to bring to register someone else for the event.

    @tourotheborders: @hank_chief hello, they need to brig the email confirmation of the person they are registering for. Cheers, Fi

    Posted 10 years ago #

  8. Dave
    Member

    Got up early for a cheeky "dry run" of the Tour o' the Borders this morning. Even though I started early based on the forecast I still got a proper soaking on the way back from Peel towards Traquair!

    http://www.strava.com/activities/174234411

    There are just a couple of bits of note IMO - after you cross the Ettrick for the first time (on the way towards Hawick), the second cattle grid has a giant gap to the first rung, except on the very left.

    Not so long after, you top out a short climb that begins at the reservoirs. Immediately on the descent there is a sharp right hander that is literally covered in gravel. I wasn't going too fast but only just kept the bike upright by heading straight for the verge trying to scrub off speed.

    That aside, plain sailing really. I was passed by just four cars in total: none until Selkirk, two between there and Peel and two on the back road to the finish. Road closure probably won't have much impact ;-)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  9. Dave
    Member

    Oh, and for some reason I grabbed Haribo Tangfastics as my rations. Opening them at 7:15am and digging in was a bit.. surreal, and now my stomach wants the rest of the day off!

    Need to find something better for next weekend, because I could really have used some extra juice.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  10. Kenny
    Member

    @HankChief - I believe you also need to know the other person's mobile number and their emergency contact details.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  11. amir
    Member

    That's me booked on the Three Glens Explorer. I am viewing this Sunday's Crystal Run with some trepidation: the forecast is, er, interesting and my body is not up to much at the moment.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  12. crowriver
    Member

    @amir, you have my sympathies. 20mph headwinds and gusts of ?mph plus heavy downpour looks a bit of a challenge. Throw in some steep hills.....well at least if you get a tailwind it will be fun!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  13. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    the forecast is, er, interesting

    Back from Cranshaws Smiddy into heavy rain showers and 40mph gusts.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  14. panyagua
    Member

    Not ideal for Mrs Panyagua's first audax. In addition to the head-gales and across-pours*, I'm expecting some existential threats from a spousely direction.

    *like downpours but horizontal.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  15. chdot
    Admin

    Perhaps she'll 'show you how it's done'!

    (Remember last week's forecast was WRONG (or perhaps just delayed a fortunate amount?)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  16. panyagua
    Member

    @chdot - hope you're right, but it's always good to keep expectations low, so any meteorological surprises will be pleasant ones!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  17. crowriver
    Member

    (Remember last week's forecast was WRONG (or perhaps just delayed a fortunate amount?)

    Very true. They got yesterday wrong too. Yes it rained, but only for a wee while in the afternoon. Rest of the day it was quite nice.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  18. chdot
    Admin

    "hope you're right"

    Can't promise...

    Posted 10 years ago #

  19. ARobComp
    Member

    I am planning to beast sunday so anyone is welcome to come and sit on my wheel if they want. It's 100km so I think 4 hours is reasonable. Who wants to sit out in the rain anyway ;)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  20. crowriver
    Member

    It's 100km so I think 4 hours is reasonable.

    Er.....the route is not entirely flat and the headwind could (potentially) be 24mph minimum on certain sections...

    Posted 10 years ago #

  21. ARobComp
    Member

    There was some hubris to be detected in that. The way the winds forecast at the moment though means that we should be blown pretty smartly around the first half of the course. Then the second half is basically (not all) downhill... Right?

    Posted 10 years ago #

  22. DaveC
    Member

    I'm looking doubtful for this ride too. I've been cycling into work with flem (sp??) in my windpipe and coughing my guts up. Plus I owe the family some time. I'll decide on Saturday eve and let you knwo Panyaqua.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  23. crowriver
    Member

    Phlegm, DaveC. Sounds like a summer cold?

    Posted 10 years ago #

  24. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    Then the second half is basically (not all) downhill... Right?

    Yes, blown uphill for the first half then a long freewheel home.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  25. amir
    Member

    "Yes, blown uphill for the first half then a long freewheel home. "

    Sounds like a cyclist's heaven (or make believe)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  26. panyagua
    Member

    Yes, blown uphill for the first half then a long freewheel home


    This bit     into the wind but... er... not exactly downhill?

    @DaveC - no worries, let me know Sat eve.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  27. ARobComp
    Member

    Uphill into the wind doesn't count because uphill is always rubbish. Therefore that bit can be negated!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  28. crowriver
    Member

    Downhill into the wind is a bit rubbish too, if the wind is really strong. If it's a strong sidewind it can be hellish.

    Anyway, have a great ride! ;-)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  29. crowriver
    Member

    Tomorrow's forecast seems to have improved. Still windy but less variability in direction through the day. Heavy rain less likely until evening. Still not ideal conditions but better than feared.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  30. ARobComp
    Member

    Hurrah. I knew that it would clear up(ish) Now if only I hadn't gotten accidentally smashed last night... Sure I'll clear the beer from the legs by tomorrow morning...

    Posted 10 years ago #

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