La Ronde Picarde
Discussion
Following my entirely expected failure in the Ride London ballot, I was Googling for an event to look forward to after the Tour of Cambrdgeshire when I came across La Ronde Picarde. I hadn't heard of it before, but then I'm still very wet behind the road-cycling ears.
From the entry website: "Considered as not so difficult (almost no altitude difference), La Ronde Picarde has plenty of character and peculiarities with his well-known winds. A cyclosportive initiated by the famous French cycling journalist Henri Sannier, this race attracts numerous amateurs, foreigners and celebrities"
It's on September 12th in Abbeville, just an hour's drive from the tunnel. There's the choice of 180, 130 or 50km routes. From what I've gleaned from the net, about 2,000 riders take part, from pro to recreational level. Mass start, and a full-on race at the front but with bunches forming at various more relaxed paces behind. Organisation seems good, with motorcycle outriders and marshalled junctions, and there's beer and pasta waiting for riders at the finish. Aside from his well-known winds, what's not to like? It's cycling, in France, in the late summer. I'm in.
Entry website
Anyone else going?
Anyone done it before? The PH search function didn't bring up anything.
From the entry website: "Considered as not so difficult (almost no altitude difference), La Ronde Picarde has plenty of character and peculiarities with his well-known winds. A cyclosportive initiated by the famous French cycling journalist Henri Sannier, this race attracts numerous amateurs, foreigners and celebrities"
It's on September 12th in Abbeville, just an hour's drive from the tunnel. There's the choice of 180, 130 or 50km routes. From what I've gleaned from the net, about 2,000 riders take part, from pro to recreational level. Mass start, and a full-on race at the front but with bunches forming at various more relaxed paces behind. Organisation seems good, with motorcycle outriders and marshalled junctions, and there's beer and pasta waiting for riders at the finish. Aside from his well-known winds, what's not to like? It's cycling, in France, in the late summer. I'm in.
Entry website
Anyone else going?
Anyone done it before? The PH search function didn't bring up anything.
I did this last year. It was fantastic!
Don't be fooled by the elevation data, it's on the coast and there is very little shelter so the wind can be a real factor. The event is mass start and effectively a race if you get into the first few groups on the road. The first ten miles are epic as it's closed road and everyone is fighting to get up to the fast boys (those that finished the previous year within a certain time start at the front of the bunch).
https://www.strava.com/activities/194377116
Don't be fooled by the elevation data, it's on the coast and there is very little shelter so the wind can be a real factor. The event is mass start and effectively a race if you get into the first few groups on the road. The first ten miles are epic as it's closed road and everyone is fighting to get up to the fast boys (those that finished the previous year within a certain time start at the front of the bunch).
https://www.strava.com/activities/194377116
Impressive time there, Ponk. Chapeau for the gold. I'll be happy to come away with silver myself!
I've gone for the 180km too, but I'm reading online that more do the shorter 130km route. Did you find that? It normally wouldn't bother me what other people do but, as it's a notoriously windy course, I might go with the flow to increase my chances of staying in a group after the split.
I've gone for the 180km too, but I'm reading online that more do the shorter 130km route. Did you find that? It normally wouldn't bother me what other people do but, as it's a notoriously windy course, I might go with the flow to increase my chances of staying in a group after the split.
Edited by SixPotBelly on Monday 2nd February 08:53
No reason why you can't enter the 180k and take the split at 120k if you're feeling it. Quite a few of my group did. It will screw up your time though. I nearly got taken out as I was in a group where half turned and half didn't!
It really is a fantastic event. Great atmosphere at the start, good multilingual banter on the way round and you get your ten euros back once you return your timing chip which is ideal beer money for the pasta party!
Edit: just remembered this video one of the guys made.
http://youtu.be/BXrKuI7yjBw
It really is a fantastic event. Great atmosphere at the start, good multilingual banter on the way round and you get your ten euros back once you return your timing chip which is ideal beer money for the pasta party!
Edit: just remembered this video one of the guys made.
http://youtu.be/BXrKuI7yjBw
Edited by Ponk on Monday 2nd February 19:51
It's been a while since I put my entry in, and I've been able to take part and come nearly last in some great events since, but September's not so far way now and I thought I'd check out a few vids of previous years' Rondes to get me back in the mood.
Was half-watching this 2010 reportage and what do I see but a PH Smiley (04:22). Anyone we know?
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xessxd_ronde-pica...
Was half-watching this 2010 reportage and what do I see but a PH Smiley (04:22). Anyone we know?
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xessxd_ronde-pica...
Edited by SixPotBelly on Monday 17th August 09:01
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