Tour de Pistonheads 2015
Discussion
I'm afraid that I am going to have to pull out of stage 1 and 2. I've been putting loads of time into training (first ever 300km week last week 
) and its causing some issues at home with my gf while we are trying to sort out moving. Sorry to mess people around but if I spend any more time on the bike until moving is sorted, I am likely to get kicked out of the house and will have to move in with my bicycle.
I will still do L2B2L, stage 3, but its very unlikely that I will be able to do stage 1 and 2.
) and its causing some issues at home with my gf while we are trying to sort out moving. Sorry to mess people around but if I spend any more time on the bike until moving is sorted, I am likely to get kicked out of the house and will have to move in with my bicycle.I will still do L2B2L, stage 3, but its very unlikely that I will be able to do stage 1 and 2.
Any thoughts on what time you want to set off on Stage 1. I presume you will want to ride out from Harrogate to Harewood House for a traditional start? This will take about 30 mins from Harrogate, but after 07:00 there is A LOT of traffic.
Although there are no particularly steep hills by Yorkshire standards, there is a lot of undulation that will sap the leg strength. With this in mind, I would hazard a guess at 10 1/2 hours including stops.
I would think there is more value to setting off early and getting back early enough to relax before day 2.
Although there are no particularly steep hills by Yorkshire standards, there is a lot of undulation that will sap the leg strength. With this in mind, I would hazard a guess at 10 1/2 hours including stops.
I would think there is more value to setting off early and getting back early enough to relax before day 2.
OK so altitude training of which I've done lots today including staying hydrated of which i have also done lots (a nice 2008 Fleurie with the bavette to top up)
So bearing that in mind darren can you confirm we need to book the harrogate premier inn for the nights of the 7th and 8th May and then the sheffield ibis for the 9th?
So bearing that in mind darren can you confirm we need to book the harrogate premier inn for the nights of the 7th and 8th May and then the sheffield ibis for the 9th?
JustinF said:
Twin rooming would be great, are you doing full monty, Harrogate/harrogate/sheffield into London?
Full monty for me. There's no turning back now. I've just booked twin rooms for the premier inn and ibis inc. breakfast at both hotels, although premier inn haven't emailed me, so that's a call in the morning to confirm.If you want the second bed, it's yours.
Food in Harrogate is not in short supply. Plenty of Italians, also arguably the architecturally most magnificent Wetherspoons you will have ever have visited, simple food and cheap beer, not a bad atmosphere.
There is also a chinese that does a superb all you can eat buffet for £11.95, and it is very good. That is about 300 yards from the hotel.
There is also a chinese that does a superb all you can eat buffet for £11.95, and it is very good. That is about 300 yards from the hotel.
I've had a "sense versus bravado" think and decided that I'm only going to do Stage 3 now.
Basically, skiing for then next couple of weeks which will only give me 4 weeks to the ride when i get back and the last one of those needs to be a "rest week" and i've started my training far too late to be able to survive the first two days.
Basically, skiing for then next couple of weeks which will only give me 4 weeks to the ride when i get back and the last one of those needs to be a "rest week" and i've started my training far too late to be able to survive the first two days.
johno_78 said:
JustinF said:
Twin rooming would be great, are you doing full monty, Harrogate/harrogate/sheffield into London?
Full monty for me. There's no turning back now. I've just booked twin rooms for the premier inn and ibis inc. breakfast at both hotels, although premier inn haven't emailed me, so that's a call in the morning to confirm.If you want the second bed, it's yours.
Those backing out of the full deal, is it a fitness thing?
The reason I ask is to give one of you an option, I'm driving support for all 3 days but will ride a stage if someone wants to swap duties for a day.
edit to add, if you want to do this say so soon so I get off my lazy arse and train!
The reason I ask is to give one of you an option, I'm driving support for all 3 days but will ride a stage if someone wants to swap duties for a day.
edit to add, if you want to do this say so soon so I get off my lazy arse and train!
Edited by JustinF on Tuesday 24th March 20:43
JustinF said:
Those backing out of the full deal, is it a fitness thing?
The reason I ask is to give one of you an option, I'm driving support for all 3 days but will ride a stage if someone wants to swap duties for a day.
edit to add, if you want to do this say so soon so I get off my lazy arse and train!
For me yes it is fitness/power..... Reality is i only got back ona bike properly about 4 weeks ago after 5years off and the fitness just isn't there, in recent weeks I've done a couple of cat 4 climbs and not made it in one hit, being realistic in the 3weeks i have to train when i get back from the alps this is unlikely to change massively so all it will mean is that i buckle slightly further up the cat 4.................... But we're not doing cat 4 climbs on the TdePH.The reason I ask is to give one of you an option, I'm driving support for all 3 days but will ride a stage if someone wants to swap duties for a day.
edit to add, if you want to do this say so soon so I get off my lazy arse and train!
Edited by JustinF on Tuesday 24th March 20:43
I did look at "contingency plans" such as having katie as my almost personal support driver, using a mountain bike on the climbs and the swapping at the top back on to the road, doing a smaller or alternative route each day so start with the group and then divert round the climbs and cut corners so i end up at the same point but all of which arent really in the spirit of the ride.
So hence the sense versus bravado decision about days 1 and 2.
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