Tour de Pistonheads 2015
Discussion
The Event
The inaugural Tour de Pistonheads will take place on 8th-10th May, following the opening stages of the 2014 Tour de France. The basic itinerary is as follows:
Thursday 7th May
Gather at the hotel in Harrogate (tbd) on Thursday evening.
Friday 8th May
Stage 1 officially started in Leeds, but we can start in Harrogate and ride the same profile, replacing the controlled start section with the hop from Harrogate to the official race start. This means we can ride a circular route, back to our hotel, eliminating luggage issues for day 1.
https://www.strava.com/routes/1387381
200km, 2,670m
Saturday 9th May
Stage 2 officially started in York, but runs on sketchy roads from York to Knaresborough. By starting from our hotels in Harrogate we cut out the dangerous section and reduce the route by 27km. An optional 27km loop at the start keeps the official distance for the super keen but gives a bit of relief for anybody suffering from Stage 1. Hotel in Sheffield on Sunday evening.
https://www.strava.com/routes/1387408
200km, 4,062m
Sunday 10th May
Stage 3 starts in Cambridge and it's easy enough for us to follow the official route, except for a few deviations to avoid one-way roads and a couple of dangerous A-road tunnels when we arrive in London.
https://www.strava.com/routes/1387398
161km, 1,316m
It's a challenging itinerary that caught out many in the professional peloton. For us mere mortals it is a proper undertaking. We'll try to make it easier by introducing as many of the 'luxuries' that the pros rely on as we possibly can but a healthy portion of stiff upper lip and proper application of Rule #5 will be required. That said, you're welcome to ride just one stage (or even half a stage) as well as the full monty. There are no expectations of blistering speed and stage times that threaten the pro riders. Our PH Peloton is likely to divide into multiple groups at various speeds but we hope to work in teams to help everybody complete their stages.
The event has the enthusiastic support of Pistonheads and we're working towards improving the logistics and the experience for riders. I'll make announcements on this as our plans firm up but time is of the essence and the chaps at PH are a busy bunch so a certain amount of DIY and community spirit is called for. Several generous PHers have already been in touch to offer support car services and one of our biggest challenges will be transferring 'full monty' riders from Sheffield to Cambridge for the start of Stage 3.
Support we need:
Charity
There's a lot of energy around the event and we have the potential to change lives. I'm asking each rider to contribute a minimum of £50/£100 (one stage/full monty) in recognition of the value of the time, petrol and expertise being given up by our support team. It's proposed that the funds raised will go towards providing an injured cyclist with a hand-cycle - something which could prove life-changing for the right individual. Finding a worthy beneficiary is a challenge itself. If you're aware of any candidates please contact me directly. Please be discreet to avoid disappointing anybody.
The contribution could be raised through sponsorship and there's certainly no cap on the amount that could be raised. Every penny raised will go toward worthy causes. No raised funds will be used to pay for the event logistics.
The Jersey
We have our own Tour de PH jerseys! These, along with the regular Team PH cycling kit, can be ordered on this thread. The order is placed on Monday 2nd March though so please be quick if you are keen on any of the kit in this run.
Team Pie
1. Gruffy - Full Monty
2. Tony Hetherington - Full Monty
3. Marcellus - Stage 3
4. Pablo - Full Monty
5. Thurbs - Full Monty
6. Johno_78 - Full Monty
7. Pete R - Full Monty
8. waterwonder - TBC
9. Nikolai - TBC
10. Johnny - Full Monty
11. bakerstreet - TBC
12. j00py - Full Monty
13. tobinen - Stage 3
14. pembo - Stage 3
15. pembo's +1 - Stage 3
16. GarryDK - TBC
17. Black Can Man - Stage 3
18. SixPotBelly - Stage 3
19. 964Cup - Full Monty
20. Jorrocks - Stage 3
21. Jorrocks +1 - Stage 3
22. burriana - Stage 1
23. JustinF - Crew Chief
Tour de PH Strava club.
I'll update this post with key information as it's confirmed.
The inaugural Tour de Pistonheads will take place on 8th-10th May, following the opening stages of the 2014 Tour de France. The basic itinerary is as follows:
Thursday 7th May
Gather at the hotel in Harrogate (tbd) on Thursday evening.
Friday 8th May
Stage 1 officially started in Leeds, but we can start in Harrogate and ride the same profile, replacing the controlled start section with the hop from Harrogate to the official race start. This means we can ride a circular route, back to our hotel, eliminating luggage issues for day 1.
https://www.strava.com/routes/1387381
200km, 2,670m
Saturday 9th May
Stage 2 officially started in York, but runs on sketchy roads from York to Knaresborough. By starting from our hotels in Harrogate we cut out the dangerous section and reduce the route by 27km. An optional 27km loop at the start keeps the official distance for the super keen but gives a bit of relief for anybody suffering from Stage 1. Hotel in Sheffield on Sunday evening.
https://www.strava.com/routes/1387408
200km, 4,062m
Sunday 10th May
Stage 3 starts in Cambridge and it's easy enough for us to follow the official route, except for a few deviations to avoid one-way roads and a couple of dangerous A-road tunnels when we arrive in London.
https://www.strava.com/routes/1387398
161km, 1,316m
It's a challenging itinerary that caught out many in the professional peloton. For us mere mortals it is a proper undertaking. We'll try to make it easier by introducing as many of the 'luxuries' that the pros rely on as we possibly can but a healthy portion of stiff upper lip and proper application of Rule #5 will be required. That said, you're welcome to ride just one stage (or even half a stage) as well as the full monty. There are no expectations of blistering speed and stage times that threaten the pro riders. Our PH Peloton is likely to divide into multiple groups at various speeds but we hope to work in teams to help everybody complete their stages.
The event has the enthusiastic support of Pistonheads and we're working towards improving the logistics and the experience for riders. I'll make announcements on this as our plans firm up but time is of the essence and the chaps at PH are a busy bunch so a certain amount of DIY and community spirit is called for. Several generous PHers have already been in touch to offer support car services and one of our biggest challenges will be transferring 'full monty' riders from Sheffield to Cambridge for the start of Stage 3.
Support we need:
- Support cars. Capable of transporting one or more bikes plus riders. Carrying basic tools and generic spares (chains, tubes, spokes etc). A little bike-servicing knowledge is a huge help too. Changing a tube is easy enough normally but after 560km riders might be a bit zombified.
- Logistics support car - Saturday. One support car would also be needed to transport luggage from Harrogate to Sheffield during the day on Saturday 9th May and check-in to the hotel on behalf of the riders.
- Logistics support car - Sunday. One support car to transport luggage from Cambridge to London during the ride on Sunday 10th May.
- Mechanical support. At the end of each stage some of those bikes are bound to need some light maintenance: brake alignment, indexing, even a quick wash/degrease/lube. If any local Pedal Powered PHers are able to offer their skills at the end of a stage this would make a phenomenal difference as many will not be in a fit state to attend to this themselves.
- Transfer: Sheffield to Cambridge. Riders, luggage and bikes need to be transported to Cambridge early on Sunday 10th May for the start of the final stage. Currently the best plan for this is to charter a coach/minibus/fleet of friendly PHers. Please get in touch if you have ideas of how we can do this better.
- Local knowledge. Any local tips on a good hotel in Harrogate that's cycle friendly and not too far from the station or the stage starts? Sheffield hotel suggestions that are very close to the stage finish. Ideally hotels will hold 15 riders and either have decent food on-site or be within easy reach of a decent Italian restaurant for copious amounts of pasta.
- Lunch recommendations. Recommendations of good lunch stops along the three stages would be really useful. Ideally somewhere that can hold a decent amount of riders and turn quality food around quickly. One of the support team would be on-hand with locks to secure the bikes.
Charity
There's a lot of energy around the event and we have the potential to change lives. I'm asking each rider to contribute a minimum of £50/£100 (one stage/full monty) in recognition of the value of the time, petrol and expertise being given up by our support team. It's proposed that the funds raised will go towards providing an injured cyclist with a hand-cycle - something which could prove life-changing for the right individual. Finding a worthy beneficiary is a challenge itself. If you're aware of any candidates please contact me directly. Please be discreet to avoid disappointing anybody.
The contribution could be raised through sponsorship and there's certainly no cap on the amount that could be raised. Every penny raised will go toward worthy causes. No raised funds will be used to pay for the event logistics.
The Jersey
We have our own Tour de PH jerseys! These, along with the regular Team PH cycling kit, can be ordered on this thread. The order is placed on Monday 2nd March though so please be quick if you are keen on any of the kit in this run.
Team Pie
1. Gruffy - Full Monty
2. Tony Hetherington - Full Monty
3. Marcellus - Stage 3
4. Pablo - Full Monty
5. Thurbs - Full Monty
6. Johno_78 - Full Monty
7. Pete R - Full Monty
8. waterwonder - TBC
9. Nikolai - TBC
10. Johnny - Full Monty
11. bakerstreet - TBC
12. j00py - Full Monty
13. tobinen - Stage 3
14. pembo - Stage 3
15. pembo's +1 - Stage 3
16. GarryDK - TBC
17. Black Can Man - Stage 3
18. SixPotBelly - Stage 3
19. 964Cup - Full Monty
20. Jorrocks - Stage 3
21. Jorrocks +1 - Stage 3
22. burriana - Stage 1
23. JustinF - Crew Chief
Tour de PH Strava club.
I'll update this post with key information as it's confirmed.
Edited by Gruffy on Wednesday 25th March 18:21
j00pY said:
One thing I was thinking about is how many of the group would like a physio/sport masseuse at the hotel in the evening? If its quite a few of us it could be worth booking someone in advance to work on our legs as required.
I'm a definite for that. Perhaps one of the team who offer this after local sportives would be keen to help. They're usually pretty good and quite cheap. I'm asking for minimum contributions of £50/£100 (one stage / full monty) for the event itself, which can be raised through sponsorship if you choose. All of that will go to our charity pot though. Our support team are donating their time. Some support services (massage, mechanic, spares) may not be donated and, if so, these will be payable individually to the service provider. They're all optional though so your only 'cost' for the event is the charitable contribution. That said, I'd be keen to see the support team looked after at the bar each evening.
We'll try to identify a group hotel but the rooms will be booked individually and you always have the option to make other arrangements, if you have local friends/family or you simply fancy a different hotel. Then it's food, drink and spares, all of which you have control over yourself.
We'll try to identify a group hotel but the rooms will be booked individually and you always have the option to make other arrangements, if you have local friends/family or you simply fancy a different hotel. Then it's food, drink and spares, all of which you have control over yourself.
GarryDK said:
SO the £50/£100 doesnt cover hotels? just making sure as need to convince SWMBO.
No, that's in recognition of the time and resources that others (including myself) are putting in to create and support riders. To be absolutely clear, every penny of the money we raise goes to charitable causes. I realise it's an additional expense but it seems fair considering we're asking others to give up time and petrol to help us with logistics, without even riding themselves. I am still hoping to be able to deliver extra incentives with the help of the chaps at PH.
Just back from a 70km ride. Uphill out and downhill back. Bear in mind that I lack experience on a bike so I'm not going to have the insight of a proper reviewer. I've only got the Triban to compare it to and given it costs 10 times the price of that I'd expect it to outperform it in every aspect anyway.
On the uphill outward section I have to admit I was struggling. The tanks were empty after a brutal week and my Rule 5 reserves weren't deep enough to overcome the 13mph headwind. My HR was a good 15-20bpm below where I'd normally ride too. My heart just wasn't in it and the vicious sidewinds descending Crystal Palace made me pucker so sharply that I think I sprained my sphincter. I dialled everything back and decided not to force the ride. It was going to be a base miles ride. It also made me question the Canyon. Maybe I'm just too noob to appreciate the differences between bikes but while it felt smoother and the gears and brakes were much better, I wasn't really dialled in to the handling.
Once I'd reached Tatsfield the original plan was to descend into Westerham and that back via Biggin Hill but I stopped and, given the fatigue and low morale, thought about retracing my steps back for a downhill ride home and skipping the big climb. Then I remembered that the Tour is only 8 weeks away and I suck at climbing, so I puckered up and dropped down into Westerham, smashed a salted caramel gel and pointed it at Westerham Hill. Last time I rode this I blew up and had to pull in near the top for a quick coronary, so I was a bit apprehensive given the move from a 30-28 to a 36-28. Last week's gluttonous ski trip packed on 3kg but the Canyon is 5kg lighter than the Triban, so that still gave me 2kg in the bank. It was a struggle, like last time, and I briefly doubted myself as a I passed the scene of the crime, feeling like I was under-geared, but I MTFU'd and crested feeling relatively pleased. Strava shows a new PR, despite my form leaving me over the winter. It didn't feel like a PR effort so I'll chalk that up to the weight reduction and I'm looking forward to dropping a couple more kg to hit my summer weight.
Now it was downhill pretty much all the way home and I'm so glad I stuck it out for the full route. THIS is what the Aeroad is designed for! Get it up to speed and it takes so much less effort to maintain it (admittedly this is compared to the Triban). The bike comes alive above 40-45kph and spanking along at 50+ was pure unadulterated joy. I just need to work on the engine now so that I can ride at those speeds on the flat.
The ride is comfortable enough, even though I've quickly bodged through the setup and haven't tweaked anything properly. The pads of my hands hurt a little more on the hoods but I think I've got the bars rotated a bit too far down so it's just hot-spotting. It's set at 0° but I may raise it just a touch. Riding in the drops is lovely. Even though I've not gone through a proper fit yet I'm able to ride the drops comfortably for much longer than before. This could be a geometry thing or it could be the extra compliance that's softening the ride compared to the alloy-forked Triban.
The brakes. Wow. 120km in now and the brake squeal is only really present on heavy stops from speed. Pulling up at lights it just sounds like a pod racer from Star Wars. They're much more capable than the grip from the Mavic tyres though. The back end is quite lively under heavy braking but I discovered the bike is easy to drift, thankfully. I think the heavy Triban let me get away with sloppy weight management under braking but I need to work on that now. The lever feel is awesome, needing just a tiny pull to generate what feels like huge braking force. The Ultegra groupset is a beautiful thing. Gear changes are buttery and this is probably the largest difference between the bikes.
Despite the fluro bar tape and booties, the stealth finish seems to be a bit deadly. I had three serious SMIDSY near-misses today and one minor one. There may have been swearing.
Overall, it's a lovely thing to ride and a beautiful thing to look at (it sits in my office, looking like it's doing 5kph just leaning against the wall), but it really needs a thorough spanking to bring it to life. I'm looking forward to upping my game and being able to ride it how it deserves to be ridden later this year.
On the uphill outward section I have to admit I was struggling. The tanks were empty after a brutal week and my Rule 5 reserves weren't deep enough to overcome the 13mph headwind. My HR was a good 15-20bpm below where I'd normally ride too. My heart just wasn't in it and the vicious sidewinds descending Crystal Palace made me pucker so sharply that I think I sprained my sphincter. I dialled everything back and decided not to force the ride. It was going to be a base miles ride. It also made me question the Canyon. Maybe I'm just too noob to appreciate the differences between bikes but while it felt smoother and the gears and brakes were much better, I wasn't really dialled in to the handling.
Once I'd reached Tatsfield the original plan was to descend into Westerham and that back via Biggin Hill but I stopped and, given the fatigue and low morale, thought about retracing my steps back for a downhill ride home and skipping the big climb. Then I remembered that the Tour is only 8 weeks away and I suck at climbing, so I puckered up and dropped down into Westerham, smashed a salted caramel gel and pointed it at Westerham Hill. Last time I rode this I blew up and had to pull in near the top for a quick coronary, so I was a bit apprehensive given the move from a 30-28 to a 36-28. Last week's gluttonous ski trip packed on 3kg but the Canyon is 5kg lighter than the Triban, so that still gave me 2kg in the bank. It was a struggle, like last time, and I briefly doubted myself as a I passed the scene of the crime, feeling like I was under-geared, but I MTFU'd and crested feeling relatively pleased. Strava shows a new PR, despite my form leaving me over the winter. It didn't feel like a PR effort so I'll chalk that up to the weight reduction and I'm looking forward to dropping a couple more kg to hit my summer weight.
Now it was downhill pretty much all the way home and I'm so glad I stuck it out for the full route. THIS is what the Aeroad is designed for! Get it up to speed and it takes so much less effort to maintain it (admittedly this is compared to the Triban). The bike comes alive above 40-45kph and spanking along at 50+ was pure unadulterated joy. I just need to work on the engine now so that I can ride at those speeds on the flat.
The ride is comfortable enough, even though I've quickly bodged through the setup and haven't tweaked anything properly. The pads of my hands hurt a little more on the hoods but I think I've got the bars rotated a bit too far down so it's just hot-spotting. It's set at 0° but I may raise it just a touch. Riding in the drops is lovely. Even though I've not gone through a proper fit yet I'm able to ride the drops comfortably for much longer than before. This could be a geometry thing or it could be the extra compliance that's softening the ride compared to the alloy-forked Triban.
The brakes. Wow. 120km in now and the brake squeal is only really present on heavy stops from speed. Pulling up at lights it just sounds like a pod racer from Star Wars. They're much more capable than the grip from the Mavic tyres though. The back end is quite lively under heavy braking but I discovered the bike is easy to drift, thankfully. I think the heavy Triban let me get away with sloppy weight management under braking but I need to work on that now. The lever feel is awesome, needing just a tiny pull to generate what feels like huge braking force. The Ultegra groupset is a beautiful thing. Gear changes are buttery and this is probably the largest difference between the bikes.
Despite the fluro bar tape and booties, the stealth finish seems to be a bit deadly. I had three serious SMIDSY near-misses today and one minor one. There may have been swearing.
Overall, it's a lovely thing to ride and a beautiful thing to look at (it sits in my office, looking like it's doing 5kph just leaning against the wall), but it really needs a thorough spanking to bring it to life. I'm looking forward to upping my game and being able to ride it how it deserves to be ridden later this year.
Edited by Gruffy on Wednesday 11th March 13:54
Not insured yet, but tackling that as a priority and it won't leave my sight until I have. Any recommendations? The home insurance jokers wanted £600pa.
Good job on the Surrey Hills today chaps. I didn't realise I had local PHers. A London/Surrey PH ride must surely be on the cards. 150km and 2,000m later this month, anyone? Anyone?
Good job on the Surrey Hills today chaps. I didn't realise I had local PHers. A London/Surrey PH ride must surely be on the cards. 150km and 2,000m later this month, anyone? Anyone?
This Sunday is the only one I can do in March, at a relaxed pace.
Black can man, I could go out for a proper beasting on Saturday and then I wouldn't be worried about a slower, more social ride on Sunday. Or we could meet in Richmond Park and I'll just bang in some hot laps beforehand to empty the tanks. Probably not bad practice for Stage 2!
Black can man, I could go out for a proper beasting on Saturday and then I wouldn't be worried about a slower, more social ride on Sunday. Or we could meet in Richmond Park and I'll just bang in some hot laps beforehand to empty the tanks. Probably not bad practice for Stage 2!
The climbs are the element that loom largest in my mind. I'm trying to add extra climbs into my routes to simulate them but there's nothing on quite the same scale in London. Has to be hill repeats, I think, or long rides around the Surrey Hills doing longer hill intervals. I'll give it a few weeks but Wiggle may be getting some more money in return for a 32T cassette and a compatible derailleur.
I've learned today that I'm not able to pull off some the grander ideas in time for this year's Tour. I also don't want to impose a charge on anybody and reduce the field. Hopefully we can still raise a meaningful sum but I think it's appropriate to make any contributions voluntary this year.
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