[Closed] Cranfield Synergy Sportive Near Milton Keynes

I guess it isn't a big event then 🙂

Hello

I think I know who this is? are you one of the Essex boys?

Anyway. I did see a map of a previous Synergy Sportive, that seemed to head NW of Cranfield.
I think what might put some people off this one is the recomended minimum speed of about 15.5MPH.
If I actually find any real info I'll let you know.

Nope, not an Essex boy!

yeah would be good if you can post on here if you find anything.

I thought it went North too but one of the climbs is Toms Hill which I think is south.

Are you doing it?

Where did you find out about Toms Hill? that is in Aldbury nice climb.
I'm definately doing it.
Youre not an old roadie that rides with a cetain ex GB rider then?

Details here about climb: http://www.cyclosport.org/eventdetails.aspx?eventid=2369

No, newby roadie who rides mostly on own!

If Toms Hill is THE major climb then we'll be alright.
Where are you based then Shelly, I ask because I'm trying to incorporate a monthly road ride into our outfits weekly sessions.

Based in the south side of Northampton so sometimes venture towards milton Keynes.

Is Milton Keynes where rides would be based?

Probably more towards the Ridgeway, Ivinghoe Beacon etc. Though we would probably start near Woburn.

Ah ok. What is your club then?

I’ll look out for details on here if you are planning to post info?

I ride with the BuzzardsMTB which is probably the oldest group riding Woburn. Though I do a bit of road racing and cyclocross, and a few people have asked if they can join in my road rides.

Shelly
The route goes South in quite a tight loop with the furthest point out being Tring & Aston Clinton.

Many thanks, will have a look on map.

Might see you there if I do the event.

Looking forward to Sundays sportive even though I've always taken a very cinical stance on these events on this forum.
I'm riding with a small group, however one of the guys averages at least 21MPH compared to my sub 18MPH average, I'm forseeing that being a problem.
Any one else on here going out there?

Not sure if I will be doing this now.

Have you already entered?

Do you (or anyone else) know when pre-entries close?

Thank you.

I understand that EOL are still fine. We're going for that because the fast guys a prima donna and won't ride in horrid wet UK weather.

Thanks - wish I could become fast just by riding when the weather's good 🙂

Have just clocked this - I quite fancy it but can't find any details (start times/cost ect). Anyone got a link?

Team Synergy End of Summer Sportive.

8.30am sign on 9.30am start.

£17 in advance £25 EOL.

You should be able to find something

Its a lonely life riding on the round round Northampton although Treadz now seem to do a road ride on a Saturday.

Shelley - where abouts are you south of Northampton ? We'll have to catch up for a ride some time. I tend to ride out South and West towards the cotswolds etc. when I get the time for a long ride.

Nice one - much appreciated

Since posting my 'would you trade your health' post I've come down with proper man flu.
So I might not be there shelly. No point doshing out for a sportive when I'll be coughing my guts up whilsy averaging a sub 15MPH average.
Post again Saturday.
If you are interested there will be anything between three and six of us riding together.

I'm (cough) getting (sneeze) better so definately going. The weather looks good for this as well.

Surely there's a Milton Keynes road posse that's interested in a local event?

That’s good news. I won’t be there now (work).

I’d imagine cos of the time of year most people will be waiting for the weather before deciding whether to do it or not and you are right looks like it will be a fine day.

Good luck.

What was the ride like? Weather was good for you.

Not my cuppa tea.
I'd much rather go for a ride or a training ride, or a reliability trial or simply race.
And although the vast majority of the riders were fit and very competent, there was a certain type of rider that really annoyed me with they're underhand competativeness i.e busting a gut to overtake only to sit up and slow down afterwards. I also witnessed more crashes on the road on one day than I've ever seen racing. And the behavior in traffic and ammount of red light jumping was dreadful. But I guess that what having a timing chip on youre ankle does!
I kept thinking of STW posters as we towed three guys for about forty miles only to see them pass us and jump some red lights at a major A road never to be seen again.
That said I've just mailed some friends about the Marmotte for 2010.

Hi Carl (OG).

My legs were shot afterwards - I had to ride 7 miles home and prob averaged about 11mph!

I thought the organisation was good, well signposted (apart from a slightly hidden one in Aspley Guise). I thought the feed station was a bit underwhelming considering it was £17/£25 to enter.

Agree about people sitting on your wheel but it’s a tricky situation. I’d like to think they aren’t doing their bit because they haven’t got the legs but this probably isn’t always the case.

Having never done a reliability ride I’d be interested to know how they differ to a sportive (In prep for the Jan/Feb Reliability rides in our area)?

The event itself was very well done, the signing was excelent. The food stop was ok but came a bit too soon I thought. Though I was plodding at 17.5MPH so I only needed a banana and one bottle.

Reliability trials.
Firstly they're pretty well all roadies.
You set off in groups based on estimated finishing times, and you remain in that group all ride.
You can get on a faster one and sit in if it's too quick.
They ain't signed (though some might be) you have a route card. Between your group you can find the way.
They're cheap, under a tenner.
W.I cakes afterwards yummy.

I like the idea of starting off in a group of similar speed.

Yesterday I tagged our group on to the back of a fast group that came past as we got to Woburn Woods.

My original group had dropped off by Soulbury.

I got dropped from the fast group on Tom's hill and I spent about 15-20? miles (until just before Hockliffe) on my own. I was then caught by the original group I was in.

Lesson learnt I think, wasted energy riding with a group I was never going to be able to stick with (BTW - took my turn on the front that probably sped up my downfall 🙂 )

What time did you set off? sound like you passed me.
I couldn't believe how split up it all became after climbing to Brickhill and climbing to Soulbury.
I got very irritated by riders whose goal was to simply overtake then just sit up. One bunch did this about three times, and made me loose my cool making me hoon uphill to Soulbury causing me to suffer for a mile or so afterwards.
They're doing one in February, but I might do the Ashdown Sportive on 31/1/10 2000m of climbing and a 25% accent.

I started before you (about 9.20ish IIRC), think you were riding up from the carpark as I was setting off.