2018 Sportives

[Usget]

Amateurish said:

I read that there has been a legal challenge to stop Velo South.

https://road.cc/content/news/247930-legal-challeng...

My initial thought was "bunch of nimbys", my second thought was "SMALL bunch of nimbys". But reading their grievances, they do kind of have a point. A more diverse, "festival of cycling" type approach alongside the century ride would potentially have helped with the inclusivity. They can knob off if they want to stop this year's event, but organisers should take note for next year.

[williaa68]

ALawson said:

williaa68 said:

I went and road a chunk of the velo south route on Monday just to get a feel for it. I was amazed by the number of "Stop Velo South" posters etc around. Are we going to end up with some nutters parking across the route or throwing tacks all over the place? I never have figured out how you do an on the go puncture repair on tubeless tyres!

Go to the cycleclinic website, Malcolm has written a good guide on tubeless repair. As far as he is concerns he only takes the tyres off once worn out.

You should in theory check the amount of sealant you have, if concerned put another 30ml into the tyre. That should ensue anything below about 3-5mm self heals.

In my experience holes that size always do, the issue is when they are larger than that.

You then need some tyre worms which you insert with an applicator, let them go off with the aid of some normal patch glue and you should be able to reinflate the tyre. Issue is that Co2 may well blow the worm out or cause the sealant to separate or not work then the gap between worm and tyre continues leaking.

Malcolm is an advocate of carry a small bottle of sealant, value core remover, worms and some super glue.

If the worst happens (which I have had twice in 4 years of tubeless) a big >10mm sidewall team then I am afraid its tyre off, boot in tyre and use a tube (console yourself that it would also have killed a clincher as well). Well ridden tyres should remount quite easily and I use IRC levers, I keep one side of the tyre on the rim if needing to do this.

I rode about 50miles on Ride London with a tack in the tyre with no noticeable reduction in pressure!

Thank you very much - I will watch that with interest and carry a small bottle of sealant. Do people have views on the type of sealant to use?

[williaa68]

lauda said:

williaa68 said:

I went and road a chunk of the velo south route on Monday just to get a feel for it. I was amazed by the number of "Stop Velo South" posters etc around. Are we going to end up with some nutters parking across the route or throwing tacks all over the place? I never have figured out how you do an on the go puncture repair on tubeless tyres!

My sister lives pretty close to part of the route and says there's been quite a bit of local moaning. Hopefully it won't spill over into any unpleasantries though.

Out of interest, were there any parts of the route that were particularly noteworthy? I know the climb up Harting Hill at around 90 miles is going to hurt but do I need to steel myself for anything nasty in advance of that?

Not on the bit that I did, no. I started at Loxwood, rode as far as Harting Hill and then back again, about 50 miles in total. Harting Hill was really the only hill of any note - the reason I did that segment was i'd been told it was tough and I was slightly worried if an old crock like me would get up it. It was indeed properly steep in parts - about 15% for one short bit which had me down in my granny gear but it isn't a long climb. That said God knows what I'll be like after 90 miles (this is my first 100 mile sportive). There was another climb, the strava segment of which is Slade Lane, which Strava reckons is a cat 4, but that didn't seem too bad. Of more interest was how narrow some of the lanes are. I guess it will spread out pretty quickly but I can see some bottlenecks developing early on if they don't get the spacing right.

[ALawson]

williaa68 said:

Thank you very much - I will watch that with interest and carry a small bottle of sealant. Do people have views on the type of sealant to use?

I started with Stans, now use the Italian stuff from Malcolm. I almost went with the finish line tubeless sealant but my local shop said they had had no end of problems so I didn't take a risk with it. You need to be happy you can get your sealant through the valve core if you haven't done it before (i know some people add the sealant before mounting the tyre).

[GOATever]

I rode the route of the Velo South in its entirety, back in March. The most noteworthy bit of the course is the long descent at Duncton (about 5 or so miles into the ride). It’s a long and very fast descent with a sharp right hand bend at the bottom of it. That will almost definitely result in a few ‘hedgings’. The 2 climbs at the end ( 80 miles and 90 miles in ) aren’t that steep, but the second one ( South Harting ) does go on a bit. The section from about 20 miles in, until the halfway ‘pit stop’ is soul destroyingly tedious and dull. There’s an interesting ‘kicker’ at a village called Copsale ( very short, steep, twisty uphill bit). I’m expecting trouble at Plaistow and Ifold, from the locals. After the descent off the back of the South Harting climb, there’s a lane ( Locksash lane ) just off to the Left. If your following a Garmin, it may get confused and try to send you up there. Don’t follow it ( if it does) as the route actually carries on straight down to the Lavants. I had to divert at Elmers Marsh ( about 70 miles in ) because of a burst water main, and the diversion route added another sod of a climb, hopefully there won’t be any issues there on the actual ride.

[yellowjack]

Presuming there's only one Duncton Hill in Sussex. The one on the A285.

If so, I've clocked myself at nearly 59 mph (Garmin GPS) going down (the straight bit of) Duncton Hill, heading NW away from the coast. Absolutely bloomin' petrified I was too! Only just got myself around the left hand bend at the bottom between Folly Ln and Beechwood Ln, to find a LandRover Defender on it's side in the ditch. I've ridden it twice since, once in December when I chickened out at 39 mph, and again a year after I first rode it, when I couldn't get over 47 mph. It's a hell of a downhill stretch, really easy to build a lot of speed on it. But don't underestimate those bends at the bottom of the hill. I needed everything I had in terms of braking and bike handling to get around safely that first time. As my times show, on subsequent rides I just can't let myself go as fast because I'm acutely aware of what's coming when I start to lean the bike over to make the bend.

If you're talking about doing Duncton Hill the other way, ignore my guff, because I've never ridden it heading toward the coast. I've always ridden it on the way home from Goodwood, taking a left out of Selhurstpark Road.

https://www.strava.com/segments/1287442?filter=ove...

[yellowjack]

Trawling through a few other riders' activities on Strava just now, and I found this chap, who's taken a couple of photos of witty phrases that locals have painted onto the road to encourage the Velo South riders...

https://www.strava.com/activities/1835047344/

[GOATever]

yellowjack said:

Presuming there's only one Duncton Hill in Sussex. The one on the A285.

If so, I've clocked myself at nearly 59 mph (Garmin GPS) going down (the straight bit of) Duncton Hill, heading NW away from the coast. Absolutely bloomin' petrified I was too! Only just got myself around the left hand bend at the bottom between Folly Ln and Beechwood Ln, to find a LandRover Defender on it's side in the ditch. I've ridden it twice since, once in December when I chickened out at 39 mph, and again a year after I first rode it, when I couldn't get over 47 mph. It's a hell of a downhill stretch, really easy to build a lot of speed on it. But don't underestimate those bends at the bottom of the hill. I needed everything I had in terms of braking and bike handling to get around safely that first time. As my times show, on subsequent rides I just can't let myself go as fast because I'm acutely aware of what's coming when I start to lean the bike over to make the bend.

If you're talking about doing Duncton Hill the other way, ignore my guff, because I've never ridden it heading toward the coast. I've always ridden it on the way home from Goodwood, taking a left out of Selhurstpark Road.

https://www.strava.com/segments/1287442?filter=ove...

Yes you were right the first time, the route climbs from west to east, then descends through the tight right hand bend. Yes it’s very wide and very quick. It’s the bit on this where I hit 42 mph before realising the bends were there.

https://www.relive.cc/view/1493205581

Edited by GOATever on Thursday 13th September 19:33

Edited by GOATever on Thursday 13th September 19:36

[MON]

Does the Velosouth event include a lap of the Goodwood circuit, or is it just the start/finish venue?

[Gruffy]

My understanding is that you enter the circuit at the end of the course to cross the timing gate on the start/finish line. Then you ride around the circuit, taking the pit entrance rather than completing a full lap.

[lauda]

williaa68 said:

Not on the bit that I did, no. I started at Loxwood, rode as far as Harting Hill and then back again, about 50 miles in total. Harting Hill was really the only hill of any note - the reason I did that segment was i'd been told it was tough and I was slightly worried if an old crock like me would get up it. It was indeed properly steep in parts - about 15% for one short bit which had me down in my granny gear but it isn't a long climb. That said God knows what I'll be like after 90 miles (this is my first 100 mile sportive). There was another climb, the strava segment of which is Slade Lane, which Strava reckons is a cat 4, but that didn't seem too bad. Of more interest was how narrow some of the lanes are. I guess it will spread out pretty quickly but I can see some bottlenecks developing early on if they don't get the spacing right.

Thanks for this (and GOATever’s reply). Sounds like I should be ok physically to get round without too much of a problem. Not looking forward to any friction with the locals though. It’s supposed to be a fun day out...

[GOATever]

lauda said:

Thanks for this (and GOATever’s reply). Sounds like I should be ok physically to get round without too much of a problem. Not looking forward to any friction with the locals though. It’s supposed to be a fun day out...

I imagine any ‘friction’ with the locals, will be on a short 5 mile stretch ( at about 60 miles ), and consist of a few red corduroy clad types, walking along the route, and tutting.

[GOATever]

Gruffy said:

My understanding is that you enter the circuit at the end of the course to cross the timing gate on the start/finish line. Then you ride around the circuit, taking the pit entrance rather than completing a full lap.

That’s correct.

[flight147z]

flight147z said:

flight147z said:

I'm back - 6 months later. I've started a blog which I hope to update over the course of the ride. The link is below if you are interested. Just 19 days to go!

https://nkbdoesrab.wordpress.com

I'm two days in - still updating the blog daily even though I'm about dead each evening if anyone is interested. Should get day 2 up tonight

Not sure if anyone here is following but I finished the ride yesterday. I've blogged all of the days - I'd recommend the ride to anyone that fancies doing LEJOG - it's a nice way to do it

[dojo]

Anyone do London to Brighton yesterday?

[GOATever]

dojo said:

Anyone do London to Brighton yesterday?

I’m afraid not, I was on a ride up to Salisbury and back yesterday, where I happened across / ended up in the middle of the ‘epic’ route of a Wiggle Sportive. It’s always funny when my route goes against their route, and people start shouting “wrong way mate”. No it isn’t . To be fair, the bike I was riding, still has the seat post number from this years PRLS attatched.

[lufbramatt]

Haha that was the New Forest 100. Did it with my dad, our first century. Was aiming for sub 6 hours, we were on track up to half way and had done 54 miles by the 3 hour mark but my dad had severe hamstring cramps on the hillier second half so we ended up with 6:21 chip time (6:08 moving time). I still felt really strong at the end and think I could have done easy sub 6 but wasn’t going to leave him out on the course. Was a lovely route and really enjoyed it none the less and we just scraped the “gold” standard:-)

Edited by lufbramatt on Monday 17th September 15:24

[Chrisgr31]

Usget said:

Amateurish said:

I read that there has been a legal challenge to stop Velo South.

https://road.cc/content/news/247930-legal-challeng...

My initial thought was "bunch of nimbys", my second thought was "SMALL bunch of nimbys". But reading their grievances, they do kind of have a point. A more diverse, "festival of cycling" type approach alongside the century ride would potentially have helped with the inclusivity. They can knob off if they want to stop this year's event, but organisers should take note for next year.

I am not sure they do have a point. I believe they have caused the cancellation of an event in a village that was designed to promote safe cycling etc.

They would have been against Velo South irrespective of what CSM had done in advance and indeed had Velo South done huge amounts in advance it would just have given them the chance to spread their negativity in advance. The objectors say 2 weddings have had to be cancelled. Really not sure I believe that. How many people get married on a Sunday? I have also read the legislation about the roa closure and not sure I agree with their comments on that either.

We have a local carnival that has road closures for a couple of hours. There are always complaints from a handful of people who are too important to be able to change their plans for a charity event, or have a need to go shopping or something in that small window.

Social media and the need for the media to get readers/viewers gives objectors to these things an undeserved platform. Yes the ride is going to disruption peoples lives, but it will also offer benefit, the health benefits tot he riders, the interest in cycling which those watching will get, the money for charity, the benefits of every form of local accommodation being booked, the impact on tourism etc. However those against Velo like to talk about the profits Velo might make. However surely they deserve a profit, they are taking on the risk. Those against also say it should be using the main roads. Oh yes so they wouldnt object if all the traffic displaced from the main roads was on the rural roads?

Unfortunately I broke my wrist in training for the event so won't be participating. As long as those against dont get their way I hope to be on it next year,

[GOATever]

lufbramatt said:

Haha that was the New Forest 100. Did it with my dad, our first century. Was aiming for sub 6 hours, we were on track up to half way and had done 54 miles by the 3 hour mark but my dad had severe hamstring cramps on the hillier second half so we ended up with 6:21 chip time (6:08 moving time). I still felt really strong at the end and think I could have done easy sub 6 but wasn’t going to leave him out on the course. Was a lovely route and really enjoyed it none the less and we just scraped the “gold” standard:-)

Edited by lufbramatt on Monday 17th September 15:24

Good effort there.

Here’s the route I was using on Sunday.

https://www.relive.cc/view/g24822166152


it was about 82 miles in the end, and was supposed to be a social bimble up to Salisbury and back. I caught the Sportive route a couple of times, once on the way out, and once on the way home, which threw the ‘social bimble’ out of the window, and initiated a nasty bonk, as I hadn’t planned on / packed food for, making any particular effort . Still, there was a lovely craft beer and burger joint, within staggering distance of where I blew out.



That sorted me out nicely. .

[GOATever]

Chrisgr31 said:

I am not sure they do have a point. I believe they have caused the cancellation of an event in a village that was designed to promote safe cycling etc.

They would have been against Velo South irrespective of what CSM had done in advance and indeed had Velo South done huge amounts in advance it would just have given them the chance to spread their negativity in advance. The objectors say 2 weddings have had to be cancelled. Really not sure I believe that. How many people get married on a Sunday? I have also read the legislation about the roa closure and not sure I agree with their comments on that either.

We have a local carnival that has road closures for a couple of hours. There are always complaints from a handful of people who are too important to be able to change their plans for a charity event, or have a need to go shopping or something in that small window.

Social media and the need for the media to get readers/viewers gives objectors to these things an undeserved platform. Yes the ride is going to disruption peoples lives, but it will also offer benefit, the health benefits tot he riders, the interest in cycling which those watching will get, the money for charity, the benefits of every form of local accommodation being booked, the impact on tourism etc. However those against Velo like to talk about the profits Velo might make. However surely they deserve a profit, they are taking on the risk. Those against also say it should be using the main roads. Oh yes so they wouldnt object if all the traffic displaced from the main roads was on the rural roads?

Unfortunately I broke my wrist in training for the event so won't be participating. As long as those against dont get their way I hope to be on it next year,

The weather looks like it might be a bit gash on Sunday, that should ‘dampen’ the protesters spirit a bit.