Tour of Cambridgeshire

[Banana Boy]

SixPotBelly said:

Banana Boy -

Heard yesterday the organisers are talking with the local authorities to extend the road closure times on the Saturday, which would allow them to release some more places for the Time Trial. They're hoping to make an announcement soon. Keep an eye on their website or sign up for their twitter feed and you may get in the TT yet

I heard that too! Brilliant news, I already had a regular eye on the website but I think now it'll be at least a once daily check-in!

[dontdobends]

1. Banana Boy - Most likely something yellow (I have a slight obsession with yellow tops...)
2. SixPotBelly - PH jersey
3. WinstonWolf
4. Gruffy - FPHKW
5. PeteB0
6. straight dad
7. j00pY - Decathlon aero 9000 bibs and top
8. pembo
9. 3013buz
10. JagBox
11. Celtic Dragon - in PH kit / Poss Velocio Sram Jersey with PH bibs.
12. skibum
13. ALawson
14. Bedford Rascal
15. Evosticks - most likely FLATB yeller jersey
16. Dontdobends - Team Lusso 72design Jersey and bib shorts

[pembo]

1. Banana Boy - Most likely something yellow (I have a slight obsession with yellow tops...)
2. SixPotBelly - PH jersey
3. WinstonWolf
4. Gruffy - FPHKW
5. PeteB0
6. straight dad
7. j00pY - Decathlon aero 9000 bibs and top
8. pembo - Probably a Kellogs Cornflakes jersey
9. 3013buz
10. JagBox
11. Celtic Dragon - in PH kit / Poss Velocio Sram Jersey with PH bibs.
12. skibum
13. ALawson
14. Bedford Rascal
15. Evosticks - most likely FLATB yeller jersey
16. Dontdobends - Team Lusso 72design Jersey and bib shorts

Thought I'd update the list with my kit.

It turns out I might have to do a family ride around Rutland Water the day before with my little one on the back of my bike. That would mean that I might have to do this ride on my Genesis Vapour rather than the Planet-X pro carbon. At least by using the heavier bike for this one it will be good training for my ride from Peterborough to Scotland in July!

[SixPotBelly]

pembo said:

...my ride from Peterborough to Scotland in July!

Do what? That'll be some ride! You got a thread going on it? Would be interesting to follow your preparations and progress.

[pembo]

SixPotBelly said:

Do what? That'll be some ride! You got a thread going on it? Would be interesting to follow your preparations and progress.

No thread, it's surprisingly low key!

I decided I would do it to arrive at my nan's house in Dundee on my 30th birthday. Then a mate said he would come along but he didn't have a bike.

Prep wise I cycle the short route to work, do a 30 mile ride in the week and a longer one at the weekend if I get the chance. My mate bought a bike 3 months ago and has a turbo and has managed a couple of 15ish mile rides and one 30 miles with a hangover with me.

We are booked in to do TOC and the PH TDF to get an idea what we're in for but the more interesting part will be doing it with so little prep!

[SixPotBelly]

Like it. Will be interesting to see if you find the ToC easier having got Stage 3 under your belt. Hat off to you both!

[Banana Boy]

skibum said:

Was a bit bored, so attempted to plot out the ToC GF route on Strava to see what we are in for.

https://www.strava.com/routes/1456458

It's as near as I could get it, given the small picture off the website. It does something different around Alconbury - perhaps we'll be riding across the runway?!

Had today off and had a few hours spare to get on the bike. I had toyed with trying to hit the whole course but got out a bit late and after a bit of a wrong turn I called it a day at Bury/Ramsey and headed home...

Anybody who's used the words 'flat' and 'boring' when describing the course needs to come and put their name down! - OK, I know it's no Alpine pass or continental drag lasting miles and miles but... there's some decent enough assents to challenge short, fat wannabe's like me!

The ride out was lovely, sun shining, fairly clear skies and a moderate wind which was almost pleasant. For every assent there's a decent! There's some good opportunities to get the pedals spinning, managed to top out at 61.6kph!

By the time I'd got to Ramsey and headed home the clouds had closed in, the wind picked up and of course it was strait in, head on, all, the, way, home!... Totally destroyed my avg kph!

Can't wait for June now!

Saw plenty of fellow roadies out today, don't know if any were PH'ers? I said 'Morning' to all - from the short guy on a pannier adorned tourer - black tights, flouro yellow top, red hat... (colour coordination isn't a strong point!)

https://www.strava.com/activities/272898568

2015 03 23 - ToC Prep Ride by Ben Magee Creative Arts, on Flickr

I think I missed Vinegar Hill, I turned the wrong way today... bugger!

https://www.strava.com/segments/8046860

Edited by Banana Boy on Monday 23 March 17:14

[SixPotBelly]

The Gran Fondo has just been awarded UCI World Qualifier status, alongside the TT that already had it.

Tour of Cambridgshire today said:

We are very pleased to announce that the Tour of Cambridgeshire Gran Fondo on Sunday 7th June 2015 is now a UCI World Cycling Tour qualifying event.
...
The top 25% of finishers in each age group in male and female Masters categories will qualify for the UCI World Amateur Road Championships, the former UWCT Final and UCI Masters Road World Championships, where champions are awarded a rainbow jersey.
...
For more information on the UWCT please visit www.uciworldcyclingtour.com

I've as much chance of finishing in the first quartile as an elephant on a unicycle, but there must be some fast PHers entered who are in with a shot...

[Bobley]

1. Banana Boy - Most likely something yellow (I have a slight obsession with yellow tops...)
2. SixPotBelly - PH jersey
3. WinstonWolf
4. Gruffy - FPHKW
5. PeteB0
6. straight dad
7. j00pY - Decathlon aero 9000 bibs and top
8. pembo - Probably a Kellogs Cornflakes jersey
9. 3013buz
10. JagBox
11. Celtic Dragon - in PH kit / Poss Velocio Sram Jersey with PH bibs.
12. skibum
13. ALawson
14. Bedford Rascal
15. Evosticks - most likely FLATB yeller jersey
16. Dontdobends - Team Lusso 72design Jersey and bib shorts
17. Bobley - Black boardman bike, black kit, "3T" jersey, black/flouro lid

[Celtic Dragon]

SixPotBelly said:

I've as much chance of finishing in the first quartile as an elephant on a unicycle, but there must be some fast PHers entered who are in with a shot...

Depends on the age bracket I suppose, if you are in your 20's I suppose you have no hope unless your fast, 30's you might be lucky, if your 60+ then you could be in with a good shout.

I'm now here near it as my predicted solo time is about 5.5 hours (100k took 4.5 hours, and I cycle at 5 mile / 20 mins)

There could also be a lot of qualifiers. If theres 1000 in your age group, then 250 will qualify! at the 25% cut off.

Edited by Celtic Dragon on Friday 8th May 15:43

Edited by Celtic Dragon on Friday 8th May 19:35

[SixPotBelly]

Celtic Dragon said:

Depends on the age bracket I suppose, if you are in your 20's I suppose you have no hope unless your fast, 30's you might be lucky, if your 60+ then you could be in with a good shout.

I'm now here near it as my predicted solo time is about 5.5 hours (100k took 4.5 hours, and I cycle at 5 mile / 20 mins)

There could also be a lot of qualifiers. If theres 1000 in your age group, then 250 will qualify! at the 25% cut off.

My not unambitious target is to get round the 132km in 5 hours, which depends on me being able to average 26.5 km/h and not stop. The fast riders in my category will be under 3.5 hours, I'd have thought.

Thanks for the encouragement and I suppose if three quarters of those in my category treat it like another sportive with good long rests at the feed stops then anything's possible. I won't be keeping the date of the final free in anticipation though

[Celtic Dragon]

As long as I beat you I'll be happy!!

Only kidding!


Im in the 35 -39 cat so I'm guessing tthe fastest riders will also be clocking 3.5 hours.


I sstill haven't worked out if its just on the people who have elected to race it or the whole field.

[SixPotBelly]

Celtic Dragon said:

As long as I beat you I'll be happy!!

Challenge accepted! (I say hoping to make up the pasting I'm going to get in our TT improvement challenge)

Celtic Dragon said:

I sstill haven't worked out if its just on the people who have elected to race it or the whole field.

I'm taking it as the whole field. They told me a while back they'll only be checking race licences for entry to the advanced starting area, but I was given to understand that everyone will be on the same clock and get given a finishing position.

Edited by SixPotBelly on Friday 8th May 21:59

[Birdthom]

I'm signed up in the race section at the front. I'm 39 but I'm in vet40-44 as I turn 40 this year.

[Some Gump]

Banana Boy said:

Anybody who's used the words 'flat' and 'boring' when describing the course needs to come and put their name down! -

2015 03 23 - ToC Prep Ride

I think I missed Vinegar Hill, I turned the wrong way today... bugger!

https://www.strava.com/segments/8046860

Now please don't get me wrong, cyclist 1 upmanship is as crappy as the world can get but....

Really? a 150ft hill is hilly? You need to come to the peak district, sooooo much more fun.
Out of interest, what was distance / total elevation for the route?

[3013buz]

HELP!!!

This was going to be my main goal on the bike for the year. It started well in January and February with 5am starts 2 or 3 times a week on Trainer Road (with a 10% improvement in FTP). Since February; work, stag dos, weddings, birthdays and excuses have crept in and I've completed one pathetic 45 miLe bike ride at 15mph.

I think I'm going to struggle! Anybody have any tips on intensive 4 weeks of training in preperation with 14 hour days, a stag do and another wedding thrown in?

[Some Gump]

14 mph? Fully pro chief. My first sportive was 11, just don't fret - no-one wins (especially the sad fkers tht are quickest round the course, but don't dare to race for real).

The issue you have will be distance. Try to get 2-3 rides in evenings, doing easy for 5 miles, peg it as hard as you can for 5, easyfor 5, peg for 5, home. Should take about an hour and a half tops.

On the weekend, just do long rides best you can. As long as you can get to 75% distance for the big challenge, you'll finish it laughing. If you can get to 50%, you'll finish it crying. Either way, challenge complete =)

[Celtic Dragon]

3013buz said:

HELP!!!

This was going to be my main goal on the bike for the year. It started well in January and February with 5am starts 2 or 3 times a week on Trainer Road (with a 10% improvement in FTP). Since February; work, stag dos, weddings, birthdays and excuses have crept in and I've completed one pathetic 45 miLe bike ride at 15mph.

I think I'm going to struggle! Anybody have any tips on intensive 4 weeks of training in preperation with 14 hour days, a stag do and another wedding thrown in?

Up untill Monday I was the same except I'd got 2 50km rides in! So I set the challenge of 100k in 1 ride to coincide with a strava challenge. 6.5 hours later it was job done. Ok I stopped for 2 hours to watch a bike race but 4.5 of moving time and I've cleared the triple digit hurdle.


Going for it again this weekend without the 2 hour stop. Just to convince myself I can do it. After this weekend I have 1 more free weekend to teain then its crunch time.

[Banana Boy]

Some Gump said:

Banana Boy said:

Anybody who's used the words 'flat' and 'boring' when describing the course needs to come and put their name down! -

2015 03 23 - ToC Prep Ride

I think I missed Vinegar Hill, I turned the wrong way today... bugger!

https://www.strava.com/segments/8046860

Now please don't get me wrong, cyclist 1 upmanship is as crappy as the world can get but....

Really? a 150ft hill is hilly? You need to come to the peak district, sooooo much more fun.
Out of interest, what was distance / total elevation for the route?

I didn't say it was hilly, I just said it wasn't flat! That route was 99.4km @ 300m total but I think Cycling Weekly put the total at 437m? I fully understand that there are 'proper climbs' out there, I have cycled on and off road in the lake district so I know what a 'proper hill' feels like. I fully intend to do more in the future but right now my time, effort and money are invested in the ToC!

FWIW I'd like to post a 42 minute TT and a 4 1/2hr GF, but TBH I'm not really interested in the leader boards as I totally understand that many, many people are lighter, stronger and fitter than I am with much more experience - my focus is on me, my bike and the sands of time!

[Some Gump]

Banana Boy said:

I didn't say it was hilly, I just said it wasn't flat! That route was 99.4km @ 300m total but I think Cycling Weekly put the total at 437m? I fully understand that there are 'proper climbs' out there, I have cycled on and off road in the lake district so I know what a 'proper hill' feels like. I fully intend to do more in the future but right now my time, effort and money are invested in the ToC!

FWIW I'd like to post a 42 minute TT and a 4 1/2hr GF, but TBH I'm not really interested in the leader boards as I totally understand that many, many people are lighter, stronger and fitter than I am with much more experience - my focus is on me, my bike and the sands of time!

OUCH! 99.4 miles? I've done similar before, twice - both times less than a gnats pube from a milestone. Promise it wasn';t a criticism - I went riding in Cambridge lst week and didn't like it (42 miles / 400ft elevation, sob).. Not sure what your other times are (dnt look like 10's or 25's, and I thought GF was girlfriend) - but as per last post -this is cycling, there's always someone out there who maks your achievement look totally lame - like when Cancellara won the Paris Roubaix and OKGO was there at the end - having done it twice with a hangover =)