CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.

Old Town Hall 106km Audax 13 feb 2011

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  1. kaputnik
    Moderator

    The worst thing about Redstone Rigg is that it's a concave slope and gets steeper and steeper as you go up and up. If you find yourself in low gear right at the bottom, you find you've got nowhere left to shift and there's nothing to do but stand up and grind. Oh, and then for good measure there's 2 hairpin bends to catch you out right at the steepest section. If you stop up there, you won't get going again. Plenty of reports of people keeling over on it due to lack of speed during the Xborder100. Also, it's steep enough that walking and pushing up in "road" cleats is very difficult.

    However, when you get over the top and look back, and then look at the view infront of you (weather dependent), it looks and feels bl**dy marvellous :)

    For those of us that did the TrossachsTon last year, here's the crow road in comparison;

    However I found this easier to do than Redstone Rigg as it gets progressively less steep so you can put it in lowest gear at the bottom and as you tire out, the lessening slope compensates.

    Posted 13 years ago #
  2. Smudge
    Member

    Well the only "big" hill I regularly ride is from Falkirk up to Shieldhill, and that does the same trick of steepening near the top though I reckon it's just a tiddler next to those being discussed here!!

    Still, I have a granny ring and I'm not afraid to use it ;-)
    Any other Audax virgins who fancy a leisurely bimble round the course at a touring pace, I'm happy to team up on the day :)

    Posted 13 years ago #
  3. amir
    Member

    The good thing about Redstone Rigg is that it is so early on. It will be very exposed up there though.

    Crow Road was a long way into the T Ton - it was also very warm. I found it quite hard perhaps cos it was new to me. I am much more familiar with the Rigg - the last bit is by far the toughest, though there is a nasty wee climb by Danskine. A granny ring will be beneficial!

    Posted 13 years ago #
  4. kaputnik
    Moderator

    it was also very warm

    Also didn't help on the day that when you turned theright-angle bend at the flat section half way up you moved into dead air! I was glad to have filled up with just water, rather than juice, as I emptied a bottle over my head at that point!

    Posted 13 years ago #
  5. amir
    Member

    The descent was very welcome (but then followed by an unexpectedly tough hill - I thought it was going to be all downhill from the top of Crow Road)

    Posted 13 years ago #
  6. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    Amir: I thought it was going to be all downhill from the top of Crow Road

    Yes, that was a big surprise. I'd no Idea the Campsie Fells were that high.

    Posted 13 years ago #
  7. kaputnik
    Moderator

    entry papers arrived in today's post :)

    Route map and directions seem straightforward enough to commit to memory.

    Have to decide ho w long it's going to take and apply for a starting group though. Options ranging from 3.5-4 hour group up to 7.5-8h group.

    I'm thinking 5 hours-ish myself.

    Posted 13 years ago #
  8. Dave
    Member

    Hmm, so should have ours soon then.

    Are there good cake stops? If so, depending on what sort of ride you want, might be a good idea to opt for the cakiest option, the 8h group..! ;-)

    Posted 13 years ago #
  9. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Route goes through Pencaitland, East Saltoun, Gifford, Garvald, Dtanton, West Barns, Dunbar, Haddington.

    Checkpoints at top of Redstone, Dunbar, Haddington.

    Lunch stop is "Ristorante Umberto" on Dunbar High Street.

    Posted 13 years ago #
  10. Smudge
    Member

    Yup mine has arrived as well, no idea of pace... I'm aiming to do a similar distance tomorrow so will decide after that, or if in doubt I'll just opt for the cake option, it sounds like a winner :-)

    Posted 13 years ago #
  11. amir
    Member

    Advice at http://www.edinburghrc.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=12902.0 is a bit polemic. Before I read that, I thought 4 to 4.5 hours would be okay given that I did the Tour of Tweeddale in 5 hrs 40 (90 miles). However, given the warnings, the time of year, fitness and speed of road, I will probably go for the 5 to 5 hours group.

    Posted 13 years ago #
  12. Smudge
    Member

    Well it took me six hours in the saddle (7 1/2 including navigation/water/food/etc stops) to cover the eighty miles to Langholm yesterday, so I think, given the grim warnings of difficulty, the slow group for me and if I'm running ahead of plan then I win a tea and bun stop :)

    Posted 13 years ago #
  13. DaveC
    Member

    I got my form back last week. We set off around 10.25am.

    Posted 13 years ago #
  14. druidh
    Member

    LOL - I read that as "I got back from last week - we set off around 10:25".

    Posted 13 years ago #
  15. druidh
    Member

    What do you reckon? With no preparation other than a 10 mile commute 6 times a week (3 return journeys), do I sign up?

    Posted 13 years ago #
  16. Smudge
    Member

    H*ll yes! I've signed up to do it on a 15kg clunker with knackered knees! You'll sail through it ;-)

    Posted 13 years ago #
  17. ruggtomcat
    Member

    is there still time?

    Posted 13 years ago #
  18. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    Dave Crampton: I got my form back last week

    I wish I could get my form back.

    Posted 13 years ago #
  19. DaveC
    Member

    @Cyclingmollie

    I guess your talking about your application form? I thought I might be ready for this but last week I cought a flue bug which has prevented me from a weeks cycling to work and over the weekend. I'm hoping I don't die over the course.

    Posted 13 years ago #
  20. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    @Dave Crampton

    No, I meant my cycling form. I had the flu in the middle of January and now I'm out of breath just climbing the stairs. Add in the snow around Christmas and laryngitis in December and, well you get the picture. I'm still going to do the ToEL though.

    Posted 13 years ago #
  21. kaputnik
    Moderator

    I'm still going to do the ToEL though

    Unless it does you first :)

    Posted 13 years ago #
  22. gembo
    Member

    Druidh you did the e-tape in 4 hours you will manage mussel burgh audax. Is there still time to sign up?

    Posted 13 years ago #
  23. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Is there still time to sign up?

    Yes but get your entries in ASAP, they recommended applying with at least 2 weeks notice, so that was yesterday. It's all old-fashint on paper and envelopes and "cheques".

    Posted 13 years ago #
  24. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    kaputnik: Unless it does you first :)

    Yes, I'm starting to sound like a golfer getting the excuses in before I start. I've put myself down for the 5 to 5.5 hours group going off at 10.25am.

    Posted 13 years ago #
  25. DaveC
    Member

    @ Cyclingmollie, starting at 10.25

    Snap! Make yourself known to us at the start, we look like this:

    http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10150354960680284&set=o.119093321465572

    Posted 13 years ago #
  26. kaputnik
    Moderator

    @CM & DC - I think I've requested this group also. Anyway, if not I'll be hanging around at the start as I was planning on riding to the start with a friend who's going to put themselves in a slower group than myself.

    Not sure what I'll be wearing until I've seen a weather forecast, but there aren't too many other matt black Cannondales with yellow tyres, pedals, cables, tape and saddle :)

    Posted 13 years ago #
  27. ruggtomcat
    Member

    Unfortunatly with the prospect of comfort just around the corner I dont think i can stomach the idea of that much neck pain. Have fun!

    Posted 13 years ago #
  28. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    @Dave Crampton I've tried to commit your faces to memory. Here's what I look like:
    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=357535&l=edfd45b453&id=100001254946074
    though I may be wearing a flouro top if the weather's a bit milder. I'll be riding a Tifosi - either red and blue or just blue.

    Posted 13 years ago #
  29. DaveC
    Member

    oo matching tops, flash!!! I'll watch out for you all....

    Posted 13 years ago #
  30. Dave
    Member

    What's the email address of the chap to send start time desires to?

    We don't really care (there's really only 15 minutes either way at stake) but I'd like to reply from politeness, and can't find the slip!

    Posted 13 years ago #

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