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Alex Robertson (@AlexDRobertson)
06/06/2015 17:14
Last 60km was very very tough
Last 20kmph had the headwind from hell plus hills. Back at car and looking forward to a bbq tonight!
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CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.
Audax + sportives 2015
(298 posts)-
Posted 9 years ago #
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I was a t a ceilidh in Dalkeith last night and a kiltie man had done the Bethany. He was dead on his feet.
Dalkeith very quiet on way home about 10.30pm and eskbank was shut. I think maybe the champions league?
Also agree with arobcomp up thread that weekend riding has been lower almost nothing in May due to bad chest and also very high winds and rain. Hopeful that my commuting has kept up my level of fitness enough as have monster in Lake District in fortnight. Also have to go to apple pie next Saturday in carnwath to hook up with Sean batty who I am told is a presenter of weather on the other channel. He is cycling across Scotland for charidee.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Can only imagine how tough the Bethany Sportive was this year. Actually it could probably match the infamous 2013 Tour o' the Borders for ferocious summer weather. Not so much rain maybe?
I had a customer doing it. They survived afaik. First sportive on an LB bike.Posted 9 years ago # -
As intimated by Chdot above I headed down to carlisle (via car I must admit) for a few beers saturday night (carbs) followed by the Fred Witton Challenge route on saturday.
I rode from Keswick as I foolishly figured that that would be the best bet with the wind. It is a brutal ride anyway, but with the added wind, and riding solo I found it really draining. Coming down from Honister Pass after a monster headwind on the way up, I had to cycle hard just to make it down the other side! Basically lying on the handlebars and pedalling at the bottom of the big ring to go downhill is pretty demoralising.
Stopped for a roll in a lovely village shop in Braithwaite. Pricy at 2.90 but 2 eggs and two huge chunks of black pudding powered me over the hills. I didn't stop again until Gosforth to get fluids and then over the rest back to keswick.
It was a good route, apart from the A66bit for the last 10 miles into Keswick. Absolutely horrible. Going to look at if there is another route you can take tonight.
Favourite climb was probably Hardknott. It feels like it goes on forever. Managed to not put a foot down though and got a few cheers for trackstanding to let cars past (that counts as rest I guess!)
averaged about 20kmph which is alright I suppose.
What brutal hills though!
I know a few people have braved MOK anyway. That's hardcore.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Kudos to anyone who went out on a bike on Saturday but to carry out a audax or sportive route - completely nuts! Well done.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I think I might struggle to get the family on a Sportive again, but then I expected it to be a one-off...
It was only the 30 mile Bethany Taster, so not as epic as those that attempted and completed the 102 mile route!
Robert
Posted 9 years ago # -
After cycling from Heriot along to the B7007 into a colossal headwind my mate asked us why we put ourselves through this, I had no reply. 10 minutes later when we were flying down the granites at over 50mph I was able to give him an answer. That was my Bethany experience.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Well done Broony!
Also Roibeard and family. Solid work!Sounds like a tough old day for it.
Posted 9 years ago # -
It was a good route, apart from the A66bit for the last 10 miles into Keswick. Absolutely horrible. Going to look at if there is another route you can take tonight.
I don't believe there is any way of avoiding the A66 to get from Matterdale to Keswick, unfortunately. You can go along a pleasant rolling B-road from Troutbeck to just east of Threlkeld, but then you need to join the A66.
There is a shared use pavement/cyclepath along sections of the A66 (I think it is there at that junction). It then goes into Threlkeld and along the River Greta into Keswick, but IIRC sections are unpaved.
The A66 is not a fun road to cycle on - lots of HGVs as it's the main way to get to West Cumbria from the M6. It's a shame as it spoils what would otherwise be a good loop from Windermere, over Kirkstone Pass, then through St John's in the Vale (B5322) to Thirlmere and back to Windermere via Grasmere and Ambleside.
Posted 9 years ago # -
@Roibeard I understand that the Bethany 102 miler was shortened to 70-something miles.
Posted 9 years ago # -
@PS yeah I saw the random sections of segregation on the far side of the road and even joined one thinking that a proper path had started - only for it to end about 100m further on.
A prime example of a road where for almost no extra cost they could have included segregated lanes on BOTH sides of the road and it would have been fine.
Rain and headwind didn't help.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Well done to panuagua on doing A Pair of Kirtons 600km audax at the weekend (first 600km?). A great effort in difficult weather.
Any news from DrAfternoon
Posted 9 years ago # -
thinking of driving to Ayrshire to do the Greame obree Flying Scotsman Sportive on 21st June if anyone fancies joining. 71 miles "Beastie" Let me know if you fancy it.
http://obree.com/obree-news/333-the-flying-scotsman-sportive.html
Posted 9 years ago # -
@arobcomp I'm doing the trossachs ton that day which is an alternative if you're not wedded to Ayrshire.
Crow Road, Dukes pass (& optional lap round Loch Katrine & Dukes pass again)
Posted 9 years ago # -
ooo that looks like fun too. Will have to have a think
Posted 9 years ago # -
@amir
Thanks - yes, my first 600km. Three of us from Dalgety Bay completed it - we got a late entry after the Mull of Kintyre was called off. We had a push all the way from the start to the Humber Bridge, then an unnerving side wind across the bridge itself, followed by head/side winds through most of Lincolnshire (though some help on the leg to Boston). Night section with light winds from Boston to Corby Glen, then after an unsatisfactory sleep it was away again at 5.20 and straight into the wind for the next 130 km. Lost a bit of time there, but found a late surge from the final control for the last 75 km, finally rolling back into Poynton on the dot of 8pm.
Certainly an epic, but not one I'd be keen to repeat due to a fair distance on very busy A roads with some aggressive and impatient driving which led to a few heart-stopping moments. At least it was dry and sunny most of the weekend, albeit cool and with that pesky wind. And to be fair, there were some very pretty sections such as around Holmfirth, and on the edge of Staffs/Shropshire.
I just need to find a 400km from somewhere now, having DNS'ed the Southern Uplands...
Posted 9 years ago # -
Is the National 400 not possible?
Posted 9 years ago # -
No, I'll be away on holiday when that's on - bad timing, as it looks like a great event. One possibility is to ride the Deeside Loop 200 km and do a DIY extension - maybe an overnight 200 km ride from home via a zig-zag route to the start of the event. (I have the offer of a lift home from the end.) I never sleep well before a big ride, so I think that would be easier than riding 100 km to and from the event, which would mean setting off about 2.30 am, after (probably) no sleep.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Congratulations to DrAfternoon for completing his Super Randonour, and this year's 600 Mull of Kintyre on Monday and Tuesday! The pictures on his FB page look dreadfull!! I can't imagine having to cycle through that much SUNSHINE!! Poor Duncan!
Chapeau!!
Posted 9 years ago # -
@ panyagua If you're after a 400 the Kingdom Come perm starts just up the road from you in Crossgates.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Thanks Dave! I was pretty nervous about doing 600k solo, but it was fine once I got going. It was a great ride, not all a lovely picnic though, tends to be the nice bits when you stop to take pictures! Great going down the east Mull of Kintyre, but a tough headwind heading back north up the west side, which goes on a long way. Best bit was crossing Ardnamurchan, gorgeous glens and winding roads going up and down through the trees, and then the water at Glen Uig, after a massively fun (well earned) downhill.
Just to share the torture,
photos.Posted 9 years ago # -
@cyclops - thanks, yes that's another possibility. In fact a certain Fife councillor even offered to ride it with me in August, but that might have been the beer talking...
Posted 9 years ago # -
@panyagua well done. You must get that SR finished now.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Deeside Loop 200km on Sunday from Forfar looks like a great route. Forecast is currently reasonable.
The last day for registering for the National 400km up north is tomorrow. Fantastic route.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I'm in for the Deeside Loop... but first I've got my overnight 200k DIY extension to the start. Not sure how mind/body are going to respond to the challenge, but I just need to remind myself of the reward: the chance to buy a badge that says 'Super Randonneur'...
Posted 9 years ago # -
@panyagua you've got just the right level of madness to deserve your badge. Judging by my form over the last week, you still may have more energy than me at the start in Forfar.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Yes, well done @panyagua you've certainly earned it - not least because the weather you've endured this year.
Also the route on Sunday goes past the burned out remains of the Ballater Station Cafe. This year we have also lost the Gordon Arms and the Coylet Inn and last year the Spittal Hotel in Glen Shee.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I'm bailing out of the Deeside Loop, alas. Fitness all over the place, and just too much on right now.
Enjoy!
Posted 9 years ago # -
@cyclingmollie I hadn't heard about the Coylet - my sister was booked to stay there in August, so will need to find somewhere else now. Shame as it's a lovely spot and the food and beer were excellent.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Do we think there is an Audax UK member who is a secret eating establishment hater and pyromaniac?
Posted 9 years ago #
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