Challenging weekend ahead.

[Bbunter]

I'm currently within striking distance of completing the Strava Eddy Merckx challenge, and I've entered the Gran Fondo 10 ( I'm getting a bit of a Gran Fondo jersey addiction). I can finish both challenges by riding 3 routes, which I've previously ridden, and know well. However, I still have to tick Southampton to Oxford and back, Southampton to Bath and back, and Southampton to Bristol and back, off of my 'been round it or through it but never to it' list. I've changed the bike onto shielded tyres, and restocked my tube supply. I'm just trying to decide whether to go for the routes I know, and guarantee a finish in both challenges, or risk the unknown routes, and maybe fall short on the Eddy Merckx.

Edited by Bbunter on Tuesday 30th September 10:05

[Hackney]

Bugger

I don't use Strava, so missed this challenge.
However, this made me laugh:

strava said:

Complete the Challenge and you will unlock the ability to purchase a limited edition jersey for $120. There is both a Men's and Women's version available.

So ride a lot and I earn the right to give Strava lots of money. Brilliant.

ETA good luck with the challenge.... but as it's a challenge, surely you should make it one rather than a route you know you'll complete?

[Bbunter]

Hackney said:

So ride a lot and I earn the right to give Strava lots of money. Brilliant.

ETA good luck with the challenge.... but as it's a challenge, surely you should make it one rather than a route you know you'll complete?

Very true. I've never actually bought the jerseys, they're virtual jerseys, although the colour of this new one, reminds me of a fun car I used to have (Mk4 Fiesta) it was totally crap, but a piece of cake to work on, and put ridiculous modifications on (I was young, I'll let myself off).

[CVP]

Voyage of discovery I reckon, go for the challenge and a route you're not 100% sure of.

[Gruffy]

What would Eddy do?

[Usget]

Definitely go for something interesting. Southampton to Bath via Salisbury and Warminster would be a nice spin out.

[Bbunter]

Usget said:

Definitely go for something interesting. Southampton to Bath via Salisbury and Warminster would be a nice spin out.

The only part of that route I'm not familiar with is the last bit into Bath. The rest of the route is pretty nice. I love the run into Salisbury via West Dean. And the bit west of Wilton.

[SoliD]

Couldn't you nail Bath and Bristol in one go?

[Bbunter]

SoliD said:

Couldn't you nail Bath and Bristol in one go?

That's one way of getting the Gran Fondo done and dusted. I'd rather split that into Southampton Bath and back one week, then Southampton to Bristol and back the following week. For no other reason than I'd quite like to spend some quality time around both places, and not be on a tight time schedule. I might get the Gran Fondo by doing Oxford and back on Friday, then add the Bristol and back on Saturday to finish the Eddy challenge. That's the plan anyway. If there's anything left in the tank, I'll do Bath and back on Sunday. I'll play it by ear.

[scubadude]

SoliD said:

Couldn't you nail Bath and Bristol in one go?

You could ride along the cycle path for a laugh...

[Bbunter]

scubadude said:

You could ride along the cycle path for a laugh...

I'm thinking of doing the Brizzle and back on the trekker anyway. I've just spent an hour or so replacing the brake pads and tyres on that, so it needs a run out to take the shine off.