CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Sport

Bit nervous about first organised event (Pedal for Scotland 110 mile route)

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  1. Neil
    Member

    Not sure this is the correct section for this. Basically, I'm doing my first sportive at the beginning of September, the Pedal for Scotland 110 mile Big Belter. I decided i would train for it when i bought my first proper road bike 3/4 months ago, for the challenge, to lose weight etc... etc... I'm happy with my fitness, and from practice rides around 90 miles that are slightly more challenging in terms of climbing I'm satisfied that I've reached the level I'd hoped to be at fitness wise. Now I want to be fit and skilled enough to do the Beleach Beag up at Applecross next April :P mainly because I love the area :-)

    However (!) I really don't know what to expect on the day. I've never done any kind of group riding and it's been hard enough increasing my hours with a demanding job and two toddlers without trying to join a club run or something ! Basically, i guess I don't want to be the one that causes a massive pile up!! I'm fine at holding my line etc... but although I've got better descending but I'm cautious, getting better without taking too much risk, and I'm slower descending than people who's speed I can match or exceed on flat/uphills. Slightly nervous about being swept into a group on a downhill for e.g.

    Any advice much appreciated!

    Posted 9 years ago #

  2. Neil
    Member

    That's 3-4 months ago not 3 quarters of a month ago ;-)

    Posted 9 years ago #

  3. gembo
    Member

    Think you have picked a good one in some ways then, no real pinch points, roads are fairly wide, no steep narrow descents really like in tour of the borders last week.

    If you are doing this on your own, try to join a group or another singleton when they are going at your pace. It is one almighty slog. If winds kind you will get a little bit of assist towards the end.

    I think you will be fine. On our fietsclub run today there was a guy who had done it on a flat bar bike with a group from work and enjoyed it. Also two other guys who had done it on their own, different years. They hadn't enjoyed it so much.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  4. Neil
    Member

    That's really reassuring to hear it's a forgiving route :P Glad I asked!

    Yeah, doing it on my own. My mate that i was going to do it with pulled out because he's now doing a marathon in France. Decided just to stick with it and do it myself.

    Ive pretty much just been working up hours, with a rest week every 4th week. Ended up doing 4 blocks that end next week then plan to taper :P I've planned out practice routes that (at least on total ascent) are proportionally as challenging. Longest is between 80 and 90 miles. That's pretty much been it, not got into any specific training like hill sprints and intervals....to be honest I haven't had the bandwidth!!

    Concern about joining a group is not being used to riding in them, but will just be honest about that! Fall back for downhills etc...

    The wind always seems to be in my face when I go up the a70 from Edinburgh to Carnwath!

    Posted 9 years ago #

  5. gembo
    Member

    Forgiving in the sense that the field spreads out quickly. Less forgiving in the first thirty miles into the wind and the next forty a bit mixed but carnwath to Edinburgh if the wind is south westerly is fine.

    Posted 9 years ago #

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