Tour de Pistonheads 2015
Discussion
yellowjack said:
Life's too short to be pushing all-out for a shallow Strava victory at the expense of enjoying the simple pleasures of riding a bike. Whilst PRs are lovely, I'll happily forgo them to stop and enjoy a view, take a photo, watch some wildlife, or whatever.
Absolutely. Been there, done that. I like taking in the scenery now 
My rides are mostly fuelled by breakfast and malt loaf. Anything over 2.5 hours and I'll add a bar or two along with some shot bloks. The gels really come into their own later into long rides where I won't be stopping. Once glycogen stores are depleted that readily-absorbed gel becomes helpful, but I'm trying to avoid them until the last 30% of the ride.
tobinen said:
I will hopefully be riding stage 3 at around 24 kph (15 mph) and relying on homemade flapjacks (modified GCN recipe) and a large helping of pasta the night before. Plus whatever is on offer en-route
That's my speed and nutritional plan too. Except now I'll also be taking plenty of malt loaf in the jersey pockets. Loved the stuff as a kid but haven't had any in at least thirty years. No idea why not. Thanks for the tip, PHers.
How can this be?Guys, unfortunately I have to bail out. Too much work/family commitments to manage this at the moment. Stage 3 is a possibility but a very slim one. So bike related jollies are off the agenda for a while, despite swmbo recently approving the next n+1 purchase, ah to understand the fairer sex...
Wow, this really has thinned out now. Only Justin left for support. I was going to suggest Justin joined us on the first day, before Pablo pulled out. No real reason while you still couldn't really.
I'm aiming for an average 24-25kmh on the first day, although I could do 27 if I sat on your wheel all day Gruffy
. I'll be taking it relatively easy anyway.
For food, i'll have a large bag of raisins mixed with cheerios, along with a couple of bananas. It's bulky, but works for me and I don't get hungry.
I'm aiming for an average 24-25kmh on the first day, although I could do 27 if I sat on your wheel all day Gruffy
. I'll be taking it relatively easy anyway.For food, i'll have a large bag of raisins mixed with cheerios, along with a couple of bananas. It's bulky, but works for me and I don't get hungry.
Gruffy said:
As for pace, I'm hoping for around 27km/h on stage 1, saving myself for stage 2. Given the profile I'll be happy with 25km/h for stage 2.
Id be happy to be proved wrong, but I think 25kph is 2kph too many under the circumstances and you should allow an extra hour for comfort on stage 2, you're probably a bit younger than me so the target for S1 seems perfectly reasonable Its not that the total elevation in itself is a lot, but unlike say the Marmotte with a similar amount of climb much of it in S Yorks is a brutal 10% and above if only for short bursts which will sap your energy leaving you burnt out for the London run in if you go for it
Gearing wise a compact has to be essential, the balance being something betwen a 28T and 32T on the back
I am in good shape and have ridden from Holmfirth into Sheff alone using a 25T which is pretty unenjoyable even with fresh legs
In my opinion 28T is probably the sweet spot, any lower and you run the risk of wussing out spinning at 5kph on the climbs for comfort making minimal forward progress
I will be in Sheff on the day you arrive, but due to multiply conflicting domestic and work issues cannot commit to meeting you
It would have been nice to shepherd you into town from Langsett on my bike and join you for a beer but his just wont be possible, if the holes in the cheese align I could hopefully shout well intentioned abuse from the side of Jenkin Road though!
Best of luck
johno_78 said:
Wow, this really has thinned out now. Only Justin left for support. I was going to suggest Justin joined us on the first day, before Pablo pulled out. No real reason while you still couldn't really.
I'm aiming for an average 24-25kmh on the first day, although I could do 27 if I sat on your wheel all day Gruffy. I'll be taking it relatively easy anyway.
For food, i'll have a large bag of raisins mixed with cheerios, along with a couple of bananas. It's bulky, but works for me and I don't get hungry.
I'm planning on doing a steady 25 km/h from the comfort of my heated leather I'm aiming for an average 24-25kmh on the first day, although I could do 27 if I sat on your wheel all day Gruffy
. I'll be taking it relatively easy anyway.For food, i'll have a large bag of raisins mixed with cheerios, along with a couple of bananas. It's bulky, but works for me and I don't get hungry.
I'd love to ride it but two things are stopping me, firstly if someone has a major mechanical or physiological issue it'll be no fun in the middle of nowhere without support, secondly if we want to run this as a test bed for a larger scale operation we need to test the support car role too, even if it is for someone else's benefit as I'm likely to want to ride next time out.
Starting to think about what the support car needs to have on board too; as many racks as seats is a given, a fairly comprehensive tool kit, I've got various spare tyres (mostly oem stuff that came on bikes, about 6 or so), 5 litres of water per rider, a supply of bananas, malt loaf and coke/red bull, a fairly comprehensive first aid kit, usb batteries for garmin top-ups, track pump, GT85, cable ties, chain lube, duct tape, a small box for each rider to put personal items/kit in to make stops as smooth as possible.
The LBS will be stocking me with tubes and whatever else I need within reason (stuff from stock rather than special order) so I'm thinking; brake blocks, 10 speed chain, 11 speed chain, spare cable and outers, patch kits, shot blocks, gels and electrolyte tabs.
Quick links aren't a stock item for them and hangers are too frame specific but I'd assume you guys carry some anyway?
What have I missed?
Looks like a comprehensive list to me. A workstand might be a good addition for making life easier if we need to tackle larger jobs.
numtumfutunch said:
In my opinion 28T is probably the sweet spot, any lower and you run the risk of wussing out spinning at 5kph on the climbs for comfort making minimal forward progress.
I've just troubled Wiggle for a 32T. I'm keen to make progress but I've had a lot of knee surgery and asking too much of them on the hills is the biggest threat for me over three days. Gruffy said:
I've just troubled Wiggle for a 32T. I'm keen to make progress but I've had a lot of knee surgery and asking too much of them on the hills is the biggest threat for me over three days.
Aye thought about bringing the workstand but need to consider 5-up+gear+luggage transfer against boot space.Gruffy said:
As for pace, I'm hoping for around 27km/h on stage 1, saving myself for stage 2. Given the profile I'll be happy with 25km/h for stage 2. On the Sunday, I'll hold nothing back but have no idea what I'll be capable of as I fully expect stage 2 to require some serious rule 5 reserves.
There's no way I'll be doing nearly 17mph average on Stage 1!Is this going to be everyone riding at their own pace or are we going to ride steady and to the pace of the slowest? I will be happy with 14mph average (no idea what that is is foreign measurement, I'm English!).
The gradients on Kidstones, Buttertubs and Grinton aren't horrific but they are 15% plus. So, with the distance, and the stunning scenery, I will just be aiming to get round in a relatively pleasant state, not grovelling to hit a specific average speed, which will simply end up with me blowing at about 65 miles (Luckily, just before Buttertubs!).
pablo said:
Guys, unfortunately I have to bail out. Too much work/family commitments to manage this at the moment. Stage 3 is a possibility but a very slim one. So bike related jollies are off the agenda for a while, despite swmbo recently approving the next n+1 purchase, ah to understand the fairer sex...
Shall I assume then that you will not need a driver? I will keep my driver reserved and use my car in that case. It will also be good for me for a lift back to Cambridge.That's my concern and it would seem a bit pointless doing it if we don't all stay together. I always hang back for the ladies on our mixed rides and, to be honest, I enjoy the rides far better than if I was trying to hang on to someone's rear wheel.
I would suggest that if you go for a 17mph average on day 1, you will be knacked for day 2, unless you are seriously fit. Far better to take an hour longer and enjoy the scenery, IMHO of course.
Another slight problem is that having checked, the first tea stop on day 1 at Cracoe will not be open by the time we get there so I will need to check out an alternative (of which there will be plenty).
Any thoughts on start time from the gates at Harewood House? It is 8 miles and 35 mins from the hotel.
I would suggest that if you go for a 17mph average on day 1, you will be knacked for day 2, unless you are seriously fit. Far better to take an hour longer and enjoy the scenery, IMHO of course.
Another slight problem is that having checked, the first tea stop on day 1 at Cracoe will not be open by the time we get there so I will need to check out an alternative (of which there will be plenty).
Any thoughts on start time from the gates at Harewood House? It is 8 miles and 35 mins from the hotel.
tobinen said:
Shall I assume then that you will not need a driver? I will keep my driver reserved and use my car in that case. It will also be good for me for a lift back to Cambridge.
Yes thanks for the offer but its not required now. If I do get up top Cambridge for Stage 3, I'll just leave the car there and get the train back at the end of the day.I have a s
t load of drugs now for sale if any one is interested. My Spanish friend assures me they are "alta calidada"...Gruffy said:
Early enough to avoid the worst bits of rush hour. The earlier we start stage 1 the more recovery time we have before stage 2 too.
Well, leave Harrogate 06:15, we will be leaving Harewood House gates at 07:00. We will be travelling along the Otley-Ilkley-Skipton road in rush hour BUT, the traffic will be coming the other way At that rate I reckon we should be back in Harrogate for 5:30-6pm. It will be home time in Ripon but it won't be too bad.
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