Not in the same league as the above, but... after 18 months of waiting and 3 postponements I finally did the Etape Loch Ness yesterday. Really, really enjoyed it, despite the 6am start - type I fun I think - even the big hill in the middle wasn't too bad.
The weather gods were kind, which helped enormously, no wind, no rain, a bit of mist at the start (the sun even came out towards the end). Would recommend, though the same ride on a rainy day in April might have been type II fun.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.
Audax and Sportives 2021
(247 posts)-
Posted 3 years ago #
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@vladimpala - the Etape even got mentioned on radio news. Never ridden that one - Tour o' the Borders instead x 3.
Well done - a good day out as you say!
Any 'unusual' bikes? First ToB had people on shed bikes. By the time it had gone 5 years the whole field changed towards 'serious' lycra riders rather than 'have a go' ones. Mind you they stuck Talla on to route, tackled by at least one rider on a handcycle.@bill - that's something else. You'll break Strava!
Posted 3 years ago # -
@Laidback - no unusual bikes that I saw, but there was a bloke running up the big hill a la Chris Frome, except he was pushing his bike. Looked like his rear derailleur was stuffed and he was stuck on the little cog. When it eased off a bit he jumped back on and powered off into the distance.
Doing Tour o' the Borders in 2 weeks. Haven't climbed the Talla road for a few years - so that will be... interesting.Posted 3 years ago # -
@All thanks!
@Greenroofer Apparently most of the gates on the A9 path are now gone, so probably better than the time you were there. But still a lot of faff. A9 was quite scary and i was relieved after every car passed us safely.
@HankChief LOL! That sums it up perfectly!
@gembo we will go but not from Lockerbie way... :)
@vladimpala we saw the signs about the road closure along Loch Ness and were wondering if it was for Etape Loch Ness.
I also discovered that Jakemans lollies provide great constant supply of sugar and sooth the throat at the same time. They really helped my legs with climbs. I know some swear by jelly babies but hard sweets last much longer. I nearly finished two packs of them by the end.
Posted 3 years ago # -
@bill, some great photos of this Epic Adventure over on Facebook.
Posted 3 years ago # -
@frenchy - no waiting list but it was set to close 3 weeks before to allow extra time to sort groups out etc under the Covid rules in place at the time the event was created. Now less of an issue so I’ve amended it to close at T-minus 2 weeks so you should now be able to enter. Limited to 40 places and sitting at 35 at the moment. Hope to see you there!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Entry received @frenchy
Posted 3 years ago # -
Excellent, looking forward to it - should be a nice mix of roads I know well and some which are completely new to me.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Anyone doing "Lyon, Lawers and Moors" 200 from Dunblane this Saturday?
Posted 3 years ago # -
Looks like a good one but won’t be there :(
TallaHo entrants; should have my final email out this week following yday’s route check. Got a few minor tweaks to make.
Posted 3 years ago # -
@bill - I'm doing Lyon, Lawers and Moors, along with Mrs Panyagua. I've not met you before but will hopefully do so at the start, which will be the last time we see you I expect! (We are likely to be "full value" riders).
I'm also riding Talla Ho the following weekend - looking forward to meeting you then @edinburgh87.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I can't make that one @bill. It looks good but I'm still south of the border
Posted 3 years ago # -
Anyone else on Tour of the Borders this weekend.
It's been a while since I've done Talla - I'm hoping it has flatter than I remember...
Posted 3 years ago # -
@HankChief - I'm doing Tour of the Borders.
Haven't been up Talla for a couple of years, but I do seem to remember it being decidedly double plus un-flat.Posted 3 years ago # -
I'll be riding it from home as a 200km loop.
@Hankchief we seem to be in the same wave so unless I'm delayed I'll hopefully see you at least briefly at the start.
Talla sounds interesting but I'm more worried about the 4am start.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I was booked for TOTB but decided a while back not to do it. Was down for the first wave but I'm nowhere near fit enough to keep up with those cats any more. Have barely been on a bike for a few months. Getting Covid last week sealed my fate.
Posted 3 years ago # -
@panyagua i will see you tomorrow -- i will be in an Audax Ecosse blue jersey (I am slow, so I see you around plenty, hopefully)
Posted 3 years ago # -
Final-Final info sent to Talla-Ho participants. Let me know if not received.
Posted 3 years ago # -
See you all tomorrow in Bonnyrigg. I hope edinburgh87 has been carrying out the necessary ceremonies to ensure good weather.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Are either of the Dick McTs Century Classic or Musselburgh RCC Tour of East Lothian events worth considering as a first audax?
Posted 3 years ago # -
Both are good audaxes. They may be fairly basic, especially given COVID, but representative of audaxes around this area. I expect both will be relatively well attended for local audaxes - meaning several 10s rather than 100s. I am not sure what caps there are on numbers.
The ToEL usually runs more like a reliability ride than a traditional audax, being on the short side. It attracts a wider range of participants, long-time audaxers, a lot of the local roadies, and first timers. In a way the demographic is more like a sportive.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Pondering the Tour of EL myself (it's my wife's birthday but I'm sure if I ask nicely...)
Posted 3 years ago # -
I will be doing the McTaggart Classic, cycling in from home to get the 2 points.
I haven't done the ToEL for a while (and haven't signed up - run out of leave licences). It usually is challenging due to the time of year e.g. getting stranded in snow, multiple punctures etc.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I've signed up to do the ToEL. How the legs feel after that will determine whether or not the McTaggert Classic is achievable this year. If not then next year...
Posted 3 years ago # -
Good luck with the ToEL CocoShepherd. I am not sure how long the organiser will keep entries open for the McT Classic. She was going to close early but her plans changed.
Next after that there is the Scottish Borders Randonneur 16 Oct, a 200 from Selkirk. Fairly hilly. Then Etal-U-Can a 200 from Gala on 23 Oct, or there is a classy shorter 110km loop on the same day. 6 November brings the autumn evergreen Long Dark Teatime of the Soul 200 from Gala. Nice route if the autumn colours are good but certainly needs lights.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I hope edinburgh87 has been carrying out the necessary ceremonies to ensure good weather
It has definitely improved, however riders returning approx 1830 onwards may want to pack some light waterproofs (and possibly stay away from trees)...
Posted 3 years ago # -
That was fun! Thanks @edinburgh87 for organising, and good to see @bill and @amir again, and also to meet several other CCEers for the first time, although I'm afraid I've already forgotten most of your usernames...
I was pleasantly surprised by how well my legs held up - this was the first time in almost two years I'd cycled more than 110 km, and I was planning on keeping an average speed of ~20 km/h. Ended up being 23.3km/h, making it my fastest ever 200+ km ride.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Glad to hear it @frenchy, and good to see @bill, @amir and @panaguya too. Think I’m up to 7 real life CCE encounters now! Will be running this one in 2022 (minus Abington) based on feedback so far, so watch this space.
Posted 3 years ago # -
It was a good day out. Thanks @edinburgh87 and great to see all the Cce forum folk, including DrAfternoon
Posted 3 years ago # -
Seems as though ToEL is off :( clash with the Musselburgh half marathon
Posted 3 years ago #
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