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The [url=or the gruppetto[/url] is the name given to the group of cyclists in a road cycling race who form a large group behind the main peloton.
The autobus forms on mountain stages when non-climbers fall off the back of peloton during the climb. Gradually some riders fall off the back of the peloton and form a large group at the end of the race. These riders are generally sprinters or domestiques unconcerned about their finishing positions in the mountain stages. Their primary concern is beating the elimination time to ensure their survival in a multi-stage race such as the Tour de France.
Anyone else just hoping to avoid the cutoffs?
How tight are the cutoffs?
I want to avoid the cutoffs
I would rather be not cut off than be cut off, so avoidance is a high priority.
I'll be the one a minute inside each one....ok maybe 30 seconds
I suspect I will be there. 100miles, yes, in under 12hours now that is asking a lot!
[i]How tight are the cutoffs? [/i]
A bit too tight if you ask me.
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Me, normal sort of rider, mildy concerned :-/
I've not seen or heard anything specific about the cut off times (or the drop bags, feed stations, required kit).
I know I can ride 100 miles on the road, but no idea about off-road.
Similar questions about the kit list and cehckpoints/feed stations are being asked on
too, but no answers as yet.
How are peoples' preparations going? I've done four rides of more than 50 miles this year, with the biggest being 92 (road) miles. Kielder is going to hurt me, isn't it?
Preparation is going alright, been riding a lot on and off road, I am still a bit worried about the cut offs. 10 at Kirroughtree solo was a good test of ability against time, but I do worry there will be a whole load more climbing in Kielder.
I did the Ryedale Rumble sportive on Sunday, nearly nine hours of riding that kicked my ass but good for the mental strength 😮
I think the gruppetto will be my saviour.
I'd like to think that the route's not going to be 80 miles of 2" hoggin covered fire roads for you all - however I think the likelihood is that it will be... 😕
i'll be forming a second gruppetto behind the original one if anyone's interested 😉
Do you have to book a place on the bus or is it a request stop?
Zulu
that was my concern about it.
however last week i had a peddle over from my mum and dads house(near haltwhistle) over to the lake and back which was about 60miles on road and forest track.to be honest it was nothing like as big and chunky as thought it would be.but then there defo is some parts that are big fat hoggin all the way depends on the route i geuss.
Still not entered yet though.hundred miles man 😯
"Do you have to book a place on the bus or is it a request stop?" I think you just get shot 😀
I am the Autobus driver. You're only allowed on if you have the correct fare ready and you don't play music through your mobile phone speakers.
😉
I've still not entered as yet, still sucking my teeth thinking about 100 miles on SS. It'd be nice if they'd provide some info soon, dontchathink?
Apparently they're keeping the ascent a secret.
I shall be there with my camera to take pictures of those in the broom wagon.
SS for me.Was going to purchase some boingy forks for this as I've only just regained the use of all my fingers after 10@kirroughtree-but the exhaust fell of the hearse ,so rigid it is.Question is, gear up for the flat fire roads or gear down for the boggin big hills.
Apparently they're keeping the ascent a secret.
I think that's a bit silly really! It seems to fall into the category of so many events in Northern England/Scotland of just priding itself on only being achievable by super tough hardmen who they will dub 'real cyclists' rather than actually being any fun!
I'm tempted, but on another level, I'm really not.
Its supposed to be a challenge-if I knew I could do it I probably wouldnt be that interested.There are plenty of doable eventsnot so many "maybe" ones.
But I suspect they're limiting their entry numbers by keeping all that stuff a secret.
But I suspect they're limiting their entry numbers by keeping all that stuff a secret.
D'ya think? I'd have guessed that anyone with half a brain could work out that 100 miles in Northumberland is going to include a lot of climbing. It's not going to be flattish is it?
Maybe they could lie about it, say, 600 feet, total, to boost the entry? 😉
No, I do actually suspect people aren't entering for fear of it being 'too core' I may be wrong, maybe everyone oop there is as hard as they like to make out and they'll all ride the 100 miles with 85000ft of climbing on a rigid fixie with a 53:11 gear, and finish 26 minutes before they left.
It'll be interesting to see the make-up of the event, if it's mainly racey whippety 24hr solo types, or more of the have-a-go-hero types. I'd be concerned about my ability to do 100 miles in 12 hours certainly.
Don't they're keeping anything secret to be honest. I know they are out there at the moment, riding the course and so I guess you'll get an update on the website next week. A map of the course can be found at Purple Mountain at Kielder.
It's not priding itself on being super tough Nick, it's just opening up the door to a new enduro experience. It is also advising that it will be hard, not on easy fire roads and is there as a challenge if you want to do it. They're really popular in the States at the mo.
It has to be up North as it's the only place they can feasibly find enough area to 'race' over offroad on one lap. It won't be suitable for everyone and more importantly it's a competitive race, not a 'ride' like a Merida. It will be a challenge and I guess is suitable for those who want to push themselves to see if they can do it, a bit like any enduro really. If someone wants to ride singlespeed then good on them, it's not part of the race requirement...
No doubt it will be tough, Kielder isn't at all flat and they are trying to ensure the majority of the race takes place offroad and not just on fire roads.
So far the entry list is a great mix of have a goes and 24 race whippets with everything in between.
Should be a grand day out.
Kit list and feed station info will be updated on the web probably by next week and I'm sure entrants will get an email with all this listed.
See you out there;0)
I'll just be trying to survive it and make the cut-offs. For me taking part in an event that I might not be able to finish is part of the appeal. I'm sure I won't be the only one if so!
There are cut off time details there now:
6.30am - Race Start
2pm - Check-point Cut Off 1 (55 miles)
4.30pm - Newcastleton Cut Off 2 (65 miles)
8pm - Sunset
So, 7.5 hours to do the first 55 miles.
A further 1.5 hours to do the next ten miles (9 hours to do 65 miles)
You're expected to complete the 100 miles by 8pm, which is 13.5 hours.
They seem reasonable to me.
There's also info there on the required kit:
[i]It seems to fall into the category of so many events in Northern England/Scotland of just priding itself on only being achievable by super tough hardmen who they will dub 'real cyclists' rather than actually being any fun![/i]
places with hills tougher to mountain bike in that flat places, eh? dearie me, who'd have thunk it...
eek-sometimes it's better not knowing!
It seems to fall into the category of so many events in Northern England/Scotland of just priding itself on only being achievable by super tough hardmen who they will dub 'real cyclists' rather than actually being any fun!
It doesn't have to be fun to be fun 😉
I'm not a racey whippety 24hr solo type or a super tough hard man, I just like riding my bike a long way.
Steady away for most folk to avoid the cutoffs I reckon.
Those do seem very reasonable cut offs, my post was very much tongue in cheek, although the number of Scottish events that seem to entail a long dull climb followed by a super-technical descent seem to give some gravity to my comments!
This does look like a good event, and I'm definitely tempted to do it, I'd be interested to see a course map/profile though! What can I say, I'm just a whinging Southerner 🙂
From what I've recently heard there can't be to much hill. A fastish course.
[i]although the number of Scottish events that seem to entail a long dull climb followed by a super-technical descent seem to give some gravity to my comments![/i]
some examples please (other than the recent British Cycling XC Champs)?
[i]they'll all ride the 100 miles with 85000ft of climbing on a rigid fixie with a 53:11 gear, and finish 26 minutes before they left.[/i]
No. It's supposed to be hard, not something my mum could do.
[i]
[/i]they'll all ride the 100 miles with 85000ft of climbing on a rigid fixie with a 53:11 gear, and finish 26 minutes before they left.
I thought we were all riding fixed. No?
I thought we were all riding fixed. No?
Yes, and I was thinking of not bothering with a saddle either.
My kit list is missing one important element - a bike. But luckily that isn't on the required equipment list
Before this week I thought my prep was going well. Need to go and sort out a 'demo' ride today.
You could always run it, Martin.
I just like seeing what i can do and how far i can go on a bike. If I wanted to win stuff I'd do another sport.
although the number of Scottish events that seem to entail a long dull climb followed by a super-technical descent seem to give some gravity to my comments!
Rather than riding round in circles in a flat muddy field?
100 miles is a LONG way off road.
That distance is the M25 to Nottingham on the M1.
I think the closest thing to this must be the Bucks off road Sportiv, which is 121km.
I've got their route and will be having a go shortly.
No point in going all that way only to be turned back.
I can ride Meridas (they too have cut off times) but it's this whole timed business & not at all like racing a 24hr event where you can take time out for a meal or a rest as it best suits you.
Still not sure if I am a strong enough rider yet.
Rather than riding round in circles in a flat muddy field?
Exactly!
No, IMO a decent course has lots of climbs rather than one big one, which doesn't make for good racing. The BUSA champs race at Dunkeld really epitomised a terrible XC course for me, I didn't speak to anyone who enjoyed it who wasn't Scottish, which I guess just shows you like what you're used to, and before all the 'learn to ride a bike' comments, the downhill course was the most enjoyable bit!
Anywho back OT... considering the prevalence of 100 mile events in the US I think it's good that we're catching up, and considering the reasonably long cut off times I'm more tempted to try it! I guess this is likely to be reasonably unique though, with England's restrictions on racing on public rights of way.