Classics (Sportive's) 2018

[ALawson]

So the Tour of Flanders registrations opened today, any other PH'ers doing it?

My mate is going with work (Canyon), if I can sort out a pass from the wife, its the Easter Weekend I am going to go.

Anyone done it before (I recall Okgo doing one Spring Classic last year), I have read a few reviews and it looks like a good laugh I have done this sort of distance before sans pave!

Obviously our resident Endurance supremo has a few tips in his account of Paris Roubaix here https://theadventurecapitalist.wordpress.com/2017/...

Better go buy some new bar tape as a minimum.

[Gruffy]

As you've read, Paris Roubaix was awesome. Brutal, but awesome. I fancy doing at least one classic next year. Probably Flanders or LBL but I'm hoping to get another invite from ASO a bit nearer the time.

[moonigan]

Did the Roubaix a couple of years ago and its was excellent. Booked on the Strada Bianche this year which I'm really looking forward to. The one thing that put me off Flanders is the traffic on the climbs. I read reports of people having to push up due to the volume of traffic.

[okgo]

I did LBL. Rain and 1-4 degrees for the majority of it. Really very unpleasant.

It is a very long day out at 190 miles - https://www.strava.com/activities/554602263 - riding the first 5 hours at 250W which would be a solid 5 hour ride anyway wasn't my smartest move.

I would not do it again, and have zero interest in riding my bike on cobbles. I'm doing the Mallorca 312 next year. But as with LBL we just used it as an excuse to get blind drunk for 3 days, hammered the night before LBL, hammered after it, then beyond hammered for the day the pro's cut their race short due to snow.

Edited by okgo on Tuesday 14th November 10:22

[ALawson]

The 312km looks interesting and was a potential overseas trip. I think it has sold out officially now although there are places from the normal companies selling "trips".
I have missed out on the first 2000 places on Flanders now so won't be able to start with a mate now.

Problem with Flanders was clashing with Easter weekend, I may do some investigations around the 312 now you mention it, can always bale after 230km if the 4000m of climbing have taken their toll.

Also thinking about this.

http://ridethetrafalgarway.com/events/thunderer-20... Exeter to London.

[Gruffy]

okgo said:

I did LBL. Rain and 1-4 degrees for the majority of it. Really very unpleasant.

I think the masochism is part of the appeal of the cobbled classics.

[IroningMan]

Mallorca 312 for me, too. Some long hours to put in between now and then.

[ALawson]

Those doing the 312 you airbnb the accommodation or doing a package? I see places are still available and it's after Easter. Are people going out for the whole week or Friday to Sunday?

[IroningMan]

We booked a handful of rooms in a hotel a stone's throw from the startline after a few of the gang did it this year and decided they wanted another go. Flying out there on the Wednesday and back on the Monday.

[Dowks]

I have done Flanders a few times, enjoyed it but changing this year as Mrs Dowks wants to go somewhere other than Belgium!

Cobbles in Flanders are not even a comparison to those in Roubaix, maybe tempted to go back there if I can get a pass

Three day Haute Route Alpe D'Huez in July and a five day solo LeJog are on the cards for 2018 plus a proper crack at 10 and 25 TT's