Ride like a pro with Sky and Jag
Discussion
yeah, I would say if you are a very accomplished rider it wouldn't be your cup of tea, but for someone at my level it was a fun and reasonably challenging ride/ Couple of category 4 climbs (strava) and a category 3. Managed to average 18, which I am happy enough with. There were plenty going much quicker.
My one gripe was that there were a couple of busy roundabouts near the start, which split the bog starting group up (I was at the back) and the wind basically made it impossible to get back on the back. That said, I think a lot of guys shot off quickly, because I did spend the remainder of the ride quietly picking off the back half of the group. - The not much the organisers could have done really.
But yeah, first time I have ridden as part of the group, and I quite enjoyed it.
My one gripe was that there were a couple of busy roundabouts near the start, which split the bog starting group up (I was at the back) and the wind basically made it impossible to get back on the back. That said, I think a lot of guys shot off quickly, because I did spend the remainder of the ride quietly picking off the back half of the group. - The not much the organisers could have done really.
But yeah, first time I have ridden as part of the group, and I quite enjoyed it.
This was my write up from another forum.
SoliD said:
I don't know if anybody saw but Jaguar were running some "ride like a pro" events, which were basically a ride out with a food stop half way around and some grub at the beginning and end. I went to the one in Midhurst today, was a 48 mile loop, decided to go out with the fast group, which I was debating after the first couple of lumps in the road! But thought I'll persist, once it flattened a bit I got into a rhythm.
That was for all of 6 miles, until a Bee got under my glasses arm and stung me on the side of the head, which made me throw my glasses to the floor and pull over, the group leader said we'll slow the pace so you can catch back up, managed to find my glasses eventually so went back out. I then went and cycled at the hardest pace I have ridden for the next 30 miles or so until the food stop, where the fast group were having a quick bite. Had a quick mars bar and carried on, pushed on for the last 15 miles, but I was shot towards the end. 30 miles at 20-21mph is tough, and made me realise I have got a long way to go!
Was a good fun day with good grub, think there is potential to get picked to do a days session at Silverstone in cars and on bikes, and then could compete for a weeks training trip to Majorca, but I don't think that will happen!
Strava Ride
http://www.strava.com/activities/88540052
That was for all of 6 miles, until a Bee got under my glasses arm and stung me on the side of the head, which made me throw my glasses to the floor and pull over, the group leader said we'll slow the pace so you can catch back up, managed to find my glasses eventually so went back out. I then went and cycled at the hardest pace I have ridden for the next 30 miles or so until the food stop, where the fast group were having a quick bite. Had a quick mars bar and carried on, pushed on for the last 15 miles, but I was shot towards the end. 30 miles at 20-21mph is tough, and made me realise I have got a long way to go!
Was a good fun day with good grub, think there is potential to get picked to do a days session at Silverstone in cars and on bikes, and then could compete for a weeks training trip to Majorca, but I don't think that will happen!
Strava Ride
http://www.strava.com/activities/88540052
I was booked onto the Wilmslow one today but didn't go after a) some of the reports on here b) over 150 people being registered seemingly of all sorts of ability c) the fact people on the strava discussion talking about "full gas" and the like, Jesus wept. Oh yeah, and the weather is s
te.
Well, looks like I was vindicated according to a mate who did go. "Limited" organisation of any note and people far to keen to treat it like a race but with none of the skills, ability, roadcraft etc so lo and behold there were a fair few crashes and tumbles, some pretty serious. He marshalled the other couple of lads from our club into a trio of mutual protection and survived but apparently it was hairy.
If people want to race why don't they go to an actual race?
te.Well, looks like I was vindicated according to a mate who did go. "Limited" organisation of any note and people far to keen to treat it like a race but with none of the skills, ability, roadcraft etc so lo and behold there were a fair few crashes and tumbles, some pretty serious. He marshalled the other couple of lads from our club into a trio of mutual protection and survived but apparently it was hairy.
If people want to race why don't they go to an actual race?
Do they have to give it to someone decent? Just block the day in the diary out as 'PR' and go for a gentle twirl as a couple of fans tag along.
To me it sounds like some very keen beans talking themselves into it being the job interview of their life time. Personally think strava was just another form of mailing list
To me it sounds like some very keen beans talking themselves into it being the job interview of their life time. Personally think strava was just another form of mailing list
Went along on the Midhurst one yesterday, was a good day out. The organisation was great, as good as could be expected. We were told to enjoy ourselves, take care on the busy wet roads and have a good time. There was no selling of Jaguars, didn't even ask me about my car. There was a pro or semi pro there who was going to take the first group of 10 or so out at a fast pace. I was tempted to try my luck but my ride buddies weren't so we went in the third group.
I split the ride into thirds in my head, took it easy at first, but got separated from my mates. I then climbed and descended the big hill hard. After that there was a flat bit; I was doing 22 mph for a couple of miles thinking I was the dog's and then a guy appears on my shoulder, with a mate in close proximity. That's always the way in my cycling life! We worked together for a bit and picked up a couple of other groups, finishing in Chichester at the rest stop there was about 12-14 of us.
We had a good day out, breakfast and lunch provided, quite a mix of abilities, no car sales talk at all. Couldn't criticise it in any way. I was a bit disappointed with the group that formed, there were only three of us taking the front, but you can't have everything.
I think we hear about the selection for the second drive/bike track day during the week. Would be nice to get there, I won't get any where if I do go, and I feel I have already had a good free day out.
I split the ride into thirds in my head, took it easy at first, but got separated from my mates. I then climbed and descended the big hill hard. After that there was a flat bit; I was doing 22 mph for a couple of miles thinking I was the dog's and then a guy appears on my shoulder, with a mate in close proximity. That's always the way in my cycling life! We worked together for a bit and picked up a couple of other groups, finishing in Chichester at the rest stop there was about 12-14 of us.
We had a good day out, breakfast and lunch provided, quite a mix of abilities, no car sales talk at all. Couldn't criticise it in any way. I was a bit disappointed with the group that formed, there were only three of us taking the front, but you can't have everything.
I think we hear about the selection for the second drive/bike track day during the week. Would be nice to get there, I won't get any where if I do go, and I feel I have already had a good free day out.
I did the Southampton one yesterday, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. There was coffee and biscuits upon arrival, full briefing and a decent turn out. First impressions were it was a very well organised event. The Jag support car was well equipped with food at the break stop, although in the increasingly wet and windy conditions, I would have preferred a hot coffee.
Unfortunately my mate and I never made it back to the dealership. After the stop in Burley, he started to struggle and I suddenly realised he wasn't behind, so I stopped and waited for him. The rest carried on and that was the last I saw of them. Then I got a puncture! We were stood around for 20 minutes in the pouring rain getting colder! After quite a few wrong turns, including the route wanting to take us up a dirt track!!, we decided to abandon and head home via the main roads.
Overall, a bloody good day's cycling. Met some new people and really enjoyed myself (apart from the puncture). My only niggle would be the route itself, which was supposedly 'risk assessed'. Half way round we encountered a complete road closure, whereby we had to dismount and carry our bikes around the blockage through mud! Then after my mate and I got separated from the group shortly before Brockenhurst, the route was telling us to go up this dirt track. Fine for a MTB, not a road bike! Would be interested to know what other riders did at this point.
Unfortunately my mate and I never made it back to the dealership. After the stop in Burley, he started to struggle and I suddenly realised he wasn't behind, so I stopped and waited for him. The rest carried on and that was the last I saw of them. Then I got a puncture! We were stood around for 20 minutes in the pouring rain getting colder! After quite a few wrong turns, including the route wanting to take us up a dirt track!!, we decided to abandon and head home via the main roads.
Overall, a bloody good day's cycling. Met some new people and really enjoyed myself (apart from the puncture). My only niggle would be the route itself, which was supposedly 'risk assessed'. Half way round we encountered a complete road closure, whereby we had to dismount and carry our bikes around the blockage through mud! Then after my mate and I got separated from the group shortly before Brockenhurst, the route was telling us to go up this dirt track. Fine for a MTB, not a road bike! Would be interested to know what other riders did at this point.
(not for me it turns out).I'm not expecting much from the ride - I think it may even be a frustrating experience. I'm just hoping to get lucky and be drawn into the competitive round. I'll probably do 'OK' in a TT but I'm confident my track driving is at the sharp end, so I could be in with a fair shout at the prize. Probably true of many PHers though.
Gruffy said:
I'm not expecting much from the ride - I think it may even be a frustrating experience. I'm just hoping to get lucky and be drawn into the competitive round. I'll probably do 'OK' in a TT but I'm confident my track driving is at the sharp end, so I could be in with a fair shout at the prize. Probably true of many PHers though.
After winning last years one, you need to have the ability to drive and ride, so being a PHer it was perfect competition for me.I enjoyed the rides out the last 2 years and will be going again, even though I have no chance to win, even if just to nick a load of gels/bars.
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