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Post by fatmanona5a on Aug 12, 2014 8:35:03 GMT
I've written this before in the "what to put in your saddle bag" thread, and I said at the time that it might cause some disagreement, (it didn't, which surprised me a little). However, here goes. Take some Ibuprofen with you, the liquid capsules are the best as they get there really quickly. The sons and I did our first sportive this year, and the youngest (19) ran into problems with pains. It's complicated and personal, so I won't say what the problem was, but this was around halfway on a 50 mile ride. So I did the domestique bit, left him with elder son and rode into the nearest village to find a shop. I came back with said medication, we sat at the side of the road for 15 minutes and had drinks and chocolate bars while we waited for it to take effect, and were able to continue and finish. I later took one when a muscle ache got bad enough to make riding unpleasant. Good Idea! On Saturday @ The FreeCycle they had the Red Cross in attendance, and I had to scrounge a couple of Paracetamol. When you consider how little space (& weight) a few tablets/capsules take up, it would be a good idea to carry a few.....
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Post by joneve on Aug 12, 2014 8:39:10 GMT
Top job! Nice to know its doable! I've no doubt my legs can get me through it. My pathetic back is my only concern. The competitiveness in my will want to aim for the gold award time (just shy of 6 hours averaging 16.2mph), but in reality, I'll need a stretch at the fuelling stations just to keep me loose and will probably end up crawling round the last 20 miles or so! i try and keep as hydrated as possible in general anyway, so hopefully that will stand me in good stead! There's a fair amount of elevation on that ride by the look of the profile so I think the Gold time, though doable, is quite challenging. Perhaps see how you feel after you've got the first two climbs behind you and consider the pace. Unlike a tracker app like Strava, I don't think their timing chips stop the clock when you take your well earned breaks at each of the feeding stations. The key as all have said is to finish the day with a smile on your face even if your legs are complaining. Yea, I'm not expecting to be that quick at all. I did my 52 miler with two similar climbs with a good enough average time, but adding on another 40 miles might change things a little The good news is, two of the climbs are within the first 40 miles, which is good news, but even so, as you say, the clock doesn't stop at the feeding stations! The main aim of the game is to enjoy it though! baz Cheers mate, that's what I'm hoping. captslog I agree. I have pharmacy strength ones (400mg each) which I will be taking before and during the ride. The trouble with lower back problems is that it weakens the legs too, so although it's possible to keep spinning, it makes it more difficult. So if I can keep that at bay, then happy days! My riding position seems to be sorted now, and hopefully the stretching and exercise I've been doing the last couple of weeks will help matters too. Starting to get really excited now, just hope that the weather holds! Oh and shameless plug; if anyone fancies it, I'm doing this ride, coupled with the triathlon I did earlier this year, for charidee, raising money for Macmillan - you can sponsor me here: www.justgiving.com/jonathan-eve Mods, please remove if this isn't allowed!
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Post by r0b1et on Aug 12, 2014 9:36:46 GMT
lucky you! they put the worst climb of mine in at 96 miles.
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Post by joneve on Aug 12, 2014 9:45:29 GMT
lucky you! they put the worst climb of mine in at 96 miles. Oh, don't worry, there's a nasty climb right up to the finish too. But at least 2/3 of them are done whilst the legs are still relatively fresh!
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Post by r0b1et on Aug 12, 2014 10:02:29 GMT
Mosly mine's fairly flat... just downloaded the gpx... the 25% hill is at least short, but still 25% after that distance is liable to be a killer/ walker. Lots of short shart climbs I guess. Anyhow, here's the route: www.brytonsport.com/mapTrackView?id=6067009
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2014 12:29:49 GMT
Did the Wolverhampton to Aberdovey earlier in the summer, amazing how the adrenaline on the day really contributes My top tip is use every descent as recovery, it really helps save your legs
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Post by joneve on Aug 12, 2014 12:34:35 GMT
Did the Wolverhampton to Aberdovey earlier in the summer, amazing how the adrenaline on the day really contributes My top tip is use every descent as recovery, it really helps save your legs Cheers mate! Sounds like a plan. Also, would people recommend cream for my special area for those types of distances?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2014 12:41:36 GMT
Never needed it and I'm on the stock T5 saddle (probably cursed myself now!)
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Post by ChrisD on Aug 12, 2014 14:13:39 GMT
lucky you! they put the worst climb of mine in at 96 miles. And whose idea was it to call it Blissford Hill...? Enjoy the ride Rob!
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Post by r0b1et on Aug 12, 2014 15:01:58 GMT
I just spent a pointlessly long time (because I can't get my head into real work today) putting it into strava (why dear God can we not import a gpx file?): www.strava.com/routes/630043Blissford Hill looks like one to not be in a group for, bomb the descent and use momentum to sprint it (it's only 200m of steep. Still if the route planners are to be believed it will have more than double the total climbing of any previous ride I've done - it's not really my longest ride, but Reading-London-Reading was almost pan flat - other long ones have included finishing in the velodrome etc. Plus I live in a flat area.
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Post by ChrisD on Aug 12, 2014 15:18:09 GMT
I just spent a pointlessly long time (because I can't get my head into real work today) putting it into strava (why dear God can we not import a gpx file?): www.strava.com/routes/630043Blissford Hill looks like one to not be in a group for, bomb the descent and use momentum to sprint it (it's only 200m of steep. Still if the route planners are to be believed it will have more than double the total climbing of any previous ride I've done - it's not really my longest ride, but Reading-London-Reading was almost pan flat - other long ones have included finishing in the velodrome etc. Plus I live in a flat area. I know what you mean! I thought Garmin Connect could import gpx and tcx files but it doesn't want to know after I built a couple of routes in Strava yesterday. Said it didn't recognize the file types. Yes, I think Blissford is definitely a blaster. This video shows an example of how it should (and shouldn't?) be done. The Forest is lovely rolling terrain which is great but it can drain you down on a long ride. Your route for Sunday has some reasonable bumps in first 60km but with some nice flats thrown in to enjoy the effort you have put it to get the elevation. Hopefully the wind will have eased up a bit too. The middle section is relatively flat (from the run into Lymington and on up to Ashurst) but with the occasional bump (like Beaulieu) to keep you on your toes. In the last 60km you're in top end of the Forest where it's what goes up generally comes straight down so save some reserve for that and make the most of what's on offer at the feed stations. Hope it goes well Rob!
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Post by joneve on Aug 13, 2014 12:21:59 GMT
Would it be right/wrong of me to do a last training spin of about 20 (hillyish) miles on Thursday? And also to cycle the 6 miles to the start location on the day as a warm up?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2014 12:49:16 GMT
Would it be right/wrong of me to do a last training spin of about 20 (hillyish) miles on Thursday? And also to cycle the 6 miles to the start location on the day as a warm up? Sounds ok to me, just don't attack too hard on either ride, good luck Btw I'd make it a 10mile warm up and turn the thing into a 100 miler for the day. Mucho kudos. Trust me you'll be fine, remember cruise down the hills and draft whenever you can. I spent the day slingshotting from group to group (after taking a turn of course)
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Post by goffski on Aug 13, 2014 13:42:41 GMT
As previously mentioned, i use Udderly Smooth, it works a treat.
As for the Thursday night ride you'll be fine, just don't push it too much. On the day use the the descents to recover but keep pedalling. Try to stay within groups you'll find it much easier and save a lot of energy. 6 miles to the start should get the legs warmed up a little. Good luck and enjoy!
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Post by joneve on Aug 13, 2014 14:00:57 GMT
Would it be right/wrong of me to do a last training spin of about 20 (hillyish) miles on Thursday? And also to cycle the 6 miles to the start location on the day as a warm up? Sounds ok to me, just don't attack too hard on either ride, good luck Btw I'd make it a 10mile warm up and turn the thing into a 100 miler for the day. Mucho kudos. Trust me you'll be fine, remember cruise down the hills and draft whenever you can. I spent the day slingshotting from group to group (after taking a turn of course) One step ahead of you sir, it's 6 miles from my mates house to the start, then 6 miles back, so I'll get the tonne in if we decide to do that
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