How's everyone's prep going for this?
I've got a long ride planned for Easter Monday to try out all of my systems (including the 'pedalling while tired' system). If the forecast snow is bad enough then I might have to make do with the turbo trainer and rely on my new socks for extra power on the day.
Was worrying about it more until I did 70km in the Campsies in the snow a couple of weeks back. I'm only on the 130, so the major cutoff being 5hrs to do 60km has also eased my mind a bit. Reckoning I should make it through that okay, barring catastrophe, and the rest can then be as painful as it likes, I'm making it back.
Who’s been getting the miles in and feeling more ‘olympic’ in their asperations prior to DR?
Not me! Battled the elements with the intent of getting plenty of mileage in this week hoping a last gasp glut of miles and hills would ease the fear. Unfortunately wiped out and landed heavy on my hip on Monday, forced rest for a couple of days before trying a rehab ride yesterday and as a consequence struggling even more today grrrrrr.
Still, bike is nice and clean and I’ve got lots of spare time to overspend on gear to at least look the part if not live up to it. Hey ho, enthusiasm and determination should be enough on the day.........won’t it?
Finally starting to up the distances, I sprained my back in early Feb and it took until late March to sort itself out so have had some very light weeks. Headed up to Argyll at Easter for a couple of days and did bits of the Wild About Argyll Trail which is meant to be gravel friendly - we went slightly further than the DR and did a bit more climbing but this was with winter bikepacking kit (got to -3C overnight) and we were in touring mode.
I put the 18T cog on the single speed this morning, unsure how much better or not it is. I'll give it time.
Downloaded the GPX file this morning: looks like 3500 metres of ascent or thereabouts. We did most of the back loop at New Year though in the opposite direction, nothing there to worry about, the climbs are long but very steady.
Wrestled (successfully) with tubeless conversion last weekend. Also fitted new bars so I can actually brake whilst on the drops (I have teeny tiny hands).
Very glad I went for the 130 given how much the weather has played havoc with any "proper" training i vaguely had planned! Have managed a couple of long road rides with plenty of climbing in the past few months. But I do have firm faith utilising the tactic of "eating my way round at a pleasant but not slow pace" at least!
Had a good couple of weeks in Spain racking up the miles but then came back and have had a cold for the last week.
Still going for the 200 but any thoughts of a big improvement over last year have pretty much gone.
I got 120km of road riding in (hilly 80 on Saturday, flat 40 on Sunday) up in the north Lakes last weekend, and I'm feeling about the same as I did last time I posted: I won't be breaking any course records, but I'm 95% sure I'll finish.
Not 'tapering' as such, but with a 5hr Adventure Race tomorrow and working on the Moors & Shores next weekend, I've done my last long ride before the event, so it's focusing on the minor stuff for me now: stretching, sleeping and eating properly. A few pleasant spins, a shakedown on the bike and kit, and that's me as ready as I'm going to be.
Just juggling final gear ratio choice for 29+ . last big ride tomorrow to make sure it feels OK on long climbs without being too Spinny on the flat and final choice of booze for hip flask etc... Work is mad so this will be pretty much the last ride before the event. It'll be fine though someone has to spin in last 🙂
I did a 220k road ride with 2300m of ascent in 10hrs (inc stops) yesterday. Reasonably comfortable. That prob translates to 11 or 12 hours off-road. In other words, survival mode.
....by the way is there any socialising on Saturday night or does everyone just go home/zonk out?
Socialising? Well there'll be the additional Expo/supporters stalls, marquees with seating, extra catering and a tipi bar this time, with local beers on tap bottled aBloc, spirits, hot drinks, pies, raclette....... No excuse not to stay around and rehydrate/recover.
@boxelder great, I'm already booked for Sat night too as I thought I'd be incapable of packing the tent and driving home. A pie and a couple of jars sounds like just the ticket.
@crimsondynamo and the Anglers ran out of beer on the Saturday night last year, so if the expo is serving beer it will be the better option.
If anyone is after an entry let me know, won't be able to make it 🙁
Will have to find another challenge later in the year, is there anything similar out there for mtb or gravel?
If anyone is after an entry let me know, won’t be able to make it
Same here...
Just over a week to go. EXCITE!
Gonna give the bike a good check over tomorrow and then spend the week soaking up awesomeness so I can crush everybody* on the day.
*ride around at a conservative pace, hoping I can finish
final preparations hampered by a cold, I'll polish the bike this weekend instead.
I'm a 1000 miles up on this time last year, mainly due to Zwift but done plenty of 100-130km offroad rides, a few days road riding in Mallorca and the Flanders Sportive and was really looking forward to it this year.
However I had to collect my daughter from Nursery Monday due to illness and the walking germ factory seems to have passed on whatever it is she's got!
Currently debating whether to bother with the Moors & Shores in the hope of being fully recovered for next weekend.
Up on the mileage, up on the power, even have a new bike with a wee bit of front suspension.
Can't wait for it, I've even signed up for a 350k race in three weeks time so the mental pressure is off with this one.
Had a good weekend last weekend: 70km on MTB on Friday; 60Km on single speed on Saturday and 160km on the road bike on Sunday. Hopefully get a couple more long rides in this weekend.
Got the bike pretty much Reiver Ready, unfortunately been unable to ride the last two weeks after damaging my hip, i had planned to hammer the miles the last couple of weeks in preparation to catch up on a lack of training so going to the wire on whether im going to be ok to make it. Even if i do its going to be a real struggle now, gutted. Might well turn up anyway and just see how it goes as campervan pitch booked.
@jonnyboi that kind of confidence and preparedness is quite frankly unnecessary.
Dont get me wrong if im starting im damn well leaving with one of them finisher badges. Just be swearing my way round a bit more than planned. BEER AT THE FINISH THEY SAY!
Argh! Nothing like an emergency rear hub replacement (by the lbs thank goodness) to help with last minute preparations...
So after riding into the back of a parked car two weeks ago and smasing myself up it looks like I'm not going to make it 🙁
Will decide on friday but after an extremely iffy MTB ride last night where I could barely put any weight on my left arm I suspect a 130/200km gravel ride might be somewhat foolish.
Ah no, that's rubbish dazh! Hope you heal up quickly.
Will a 2x11 50-34 with 11-32 cassette be adequate? Or do I need some super low gearing for the hills?
Will a 2×11 50-34 with 11-32 cassette be adequate? Or do I need some super low gearing for the hills?
How strong are you? I asked some questions about gradients:
We did some riding in Kielder at Xmas, most of the climbs on the route we were doing were fairly steady if long, some are also on the DR. I think the steepest would have been the first bit of the climb of the Forest Drive out of Kielder Castle. Anything steeper than that?
The answer was
From memory, no. That and the one after the 150km feed station seemed the steepest but obviously your feeling it by then.
And this bit of advice:
climbs are long but steady, choose a gearing set up that allows you to spin and not overtire your muscles.
Looking at the map, the climb out from Kielder Castle that's the biggest one on the route profile gains 240 metres in 6km, that's an average of 1 in 25 or 4%, the bottom bit's a bit steeper so it's not even but it's not steep - at least compared to round here.
I've settled for the single speed! 39x18 with 37C WTB Riddler tyres setup tubeless.
Compact chainset and big cassette is perfect for most people. None of the climbs are really mega steep - it's steady away all the way. But yes, there's still a lot of them and it's a long way...
I'm cheating. My gravel bike has a triple 😉
Cheers folks! Wasn't coming if it wasn't! Done no training whatsoever so should be interesting..
@speedstar, you are my new hero. I expect you to have my pint ready when I (hopefully) collapse over the finish line (next two rounds on me, if you go to the bar for them)
@d4ddydo666 50:50 on whether i'll be in the medical tent or the beer tent but look out for me
ill be the one in the medical tent with a beer, or in the bar on a drip! Hip on the mend, Man flu now hit, its like a conspiracy. Just got a call from the campsite to confirm camper pitch, bloke sounded spot on, should be a laugh
I've got the proper fear now.
In preparation for my last big ride last Sunday I double wrapped my bar-tape as advised. I then instantly undid it because it looked uncool and I'd never suffered sore hands before. I then did my last big ride and got sore hands.
It's looking good for you boys weather wise for Saturday ..only a 5% chance of rain with sun & clouds and a high of 17c....so far 😉
It's a glorious morning here this morning ..good luck to you all on the day ..I will be heading in the opposite direction to Staveley Wheelbase for 9.00am on the day ...
Also getting the fear big time!
Been fighting the man flu that’s wiped out half my team at work, completely naff timing. At least the legs have been well rested 😉
Not sure I’m believing the forecast, just seems ‘too’ good...wondering if another bottle cage would be a good idea!
@hodgynd - I reckon I'll be taking two 750ml water bottles and a small Camelbak with about a litre in it. It's a couple of hours minimum between feed/watering stations. It was warm enough riding in to work this morning at 0730.
Stem cells fitted, just need to move the Oregon mount over from the hardtail.
for all those who have the fear, and who maybe haven't trained enough... just do it!
The cut off time is fairly generous, and if you are struggling you always have the option of taking the 130 route instead. It's a great day and out and this year looks like it will be cracking weather. plus there will be loads of manufacturers at the gravel exp.
You may be tired and broken inside at the end, but the endorphin high and sense of achievement when you get over the line will be worth it.
The missus is doing the 200 (first gravel event - nutter!), so I'm marshalling. Will heckle/cheer etc as appropriate!
I've loaded the hipflask with a special "concoction" its very boozy and loaded with sugar so it's an 80% energy gel. If folks are suffering look for a tattooed thing riding a silly titanium bike with tubes all over place and I'll sort you out 🙂
