looks like a great day tomorrow so off specking another training route. Is light here till 10.30 so whoopie-do for the summer long days. Only a couple more weeks till I get my new bike together so should be lighter riding when you are all up next. Downside is only my fitness as an excuse rather than heavy bike. Ho-Hum.
http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/763687459
This is Day 2 ride for July. just completed but took me 8 hrs. If weather is kind to us you are going to either love this or hate it.
Will sort day 1 and 3 rides and post later.
Just checked...that's 41.5 miles of climbing, 3 cat 2's, 4 cat 3's 1 cat 4 and 1 cat 5. It averages 1250 ft of climbing per hour . Doing this at 12 mph av or thereabouts seems slow but my legs were good today and I could have gone again. I've tried to do this sort of ride faster and was completely shattered. A lighter bike will help but I am convinced that getting the ride over fast only buggers you for the following day for the dubious benefit of idle time at the nights stop.
Any thoughts? We are looking at 130 miles per day except day 5 at 91 miles and Mt. Ventoux !!!
Just specked the flattish 100 miler we did to extend it to 120 or so. It would include some substantial climbing after 50 miles for 30 miles or thereabouts returning to the flattish return route. Should I include this for August rides or just keep it as a flattish 100 miler day one ? http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/767090591
Looks a good route! I'd like to climb over the North York Moors, so it gets my vote.
I agree that on Paris Nice we should be riding within ourselves each day, whatever our ability. The six days riding will take its toll otherwise. I see the training rides differently. Here we're riding above our current capacity because that leads to faster adaptation and greater fitness. I appreciate that one person's training ride is another person's leisurely ride, but such is life.
On Paris Nice we'll end up forming more than one group on the road. On all the other group tours I've done (quite a few) that has always been the case. You just get the faster guys to start 15 mins later in the morning and get them to take slightly longer breaks during the day and occasionally get them to take a 'morning off' now and again to ride with the other group(s). Works well and keeps everyone satisfied.
I'll be up on Friday morning again for July training. Looking forward to it!
Aiming for Friday morning as per Shaun - looking forward to it.
Agree that we'll need to think about groups for Paris Nice. Maybe even think about mixing the groups with the fitter guys pulling on the front more. I don't want to be on the bike for much over 8 hours a day otherwise with stops it makes for long long days.
125 miles @ 15 mph = 8hr:20mins. 125 miles @ 17 mph = 7hr:20mins. That's not a big time difference. Equates to about 15 mins extra at each stop for the 17 mph group to keep everybody within 3-4 miles of each other all day, with everybody riding at their own pace. This would be beneficial for the organiser too.
This months routes.
SEE LATER POST FOR UPDATED JULY ROUTES
As usual this allows people to drive up Friday and start about 11.00 to 11.30 am
hard ride 2nd day and modified hilly ride sunday
August rides require 9.00am start on Friday so suggest people drive up after work Thursday if possible so they are rested for long flattish ride through N.York moors.
Hard ride day 2 and also day 3. This will hopefully set everyone up for Paris Nice allowing us to rest the week before just easy spinning for a couple of club type rides.
http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/768671701.......Day 1 August 128 mile 6000ft
http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/735658465 ......Day 2 August 105 mile 10500ft
http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/702631415 ......Day 3 August 93 mile 8500ft
good to see you Dominic. Yes we start Friday 24th...we start a little later than Sat and Sun as the guys drive up v.early. Don't forget sleeping bag and towel. The lads can fill you in.
Note to all.........Have sorted a new pub for a meal....I'll book it for Friday. All are getting busy now as holiday season is here. Do you all fancy trying a good Indian for Saturday? if so there is a great one in the centre of Barnard Castle.
All sounds good Geoff and like the idea of an Indian on Saturday.
Dom - you'll need sleeping bag, pillow, towel and stuff for breakfast and snacks. Good to bring whatever you want to drink before and after the pub. There is a fridge for beers.
Hi Geoff, sorry about the slow response; just got back from France last night. I can make this month's trip up north, looking forward to it. Unfortunately my long summer of training comes to an end this week, as I have to start a new job next week, so sadly I'll miss Friday's riding and come straight up after work.
If anyone needs a lift up on Friday evening, I'll be leaving Stevenage at about 4.30 and will have space for one person and one bike (returning Sunday evening). I'll bring a tent(and the other stuff). Cheers, Dave.
Hi Geoff, looks like I am probably not now going to make it as other "commitments" have come up on the home front. Many apologies. I might be able to wrangle something but this depends on some open activities next week. I wanted to let you know sooner rather than later.
Hi Dom. Understand the other commitments problem...It is important to ride 2-3 days of hard rides together and this month will still leave you time to adjust your preparations if you are still not quite there. The advantage up here is that we have long climbs which give you some idea of whether you can sustain the effort climb after climb.
The routes for August are much tougher and so close to our departure there is no time to adjust your training.
Just a thought. Whatever your final decision I know the tour is going to be fun for all of us...if a little painful at times. We'll all pull through somehow. :-)
Thanks Mark...looks like you are on fire and have a great July...Greece looks fun.
thanks Dave...we'll save you a space up front for Sat. and Sunday rides as compensation :-) after all we'll have nearly 90 miles in the legs already and needing a rest.
Looking good Shaun, Jeremy and Robbie. See you Friday.
Oh, forgot to add...picking frame up from Rourkes tomorrow so should have it built and riding for July rides...yipppeeeee......no more lugging heavy bike around, just heavy me :-)
Sorry Tony S, Vincent, James D, Jmac and John haven't been able to make any yet also. How's the training going ?
Likewise .
Hope to see Tim S, Mark and Martin back for August.
Are you up here in July Phil or saving it for August?
Well that about rounds it up. Was out yesterday adjusting Day 1 route to take out the A167 section. Worked out great but put the mileage up a touch. Did 88 miles at 17mph and felt good...was a flat one though :-)
Oh, forgot. Am picking up frame from Rourkes tomorrow so should have it built and riding for July rides....Yippeeeee. No more lugging heavy bike around, just heavy me only :-)
Day 1 Latest and final version......http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/774869627...Day 1 July now 88 miles 3600ft
Day 2 as previous..........http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/763687459 ......Day 2 July 96 mile 10000ft
I am going to change day 3 as it covered much of day 1 route and replace it with a combination of 2 routes we have had to leave out on previous weekends.
Day 3 New Route.....http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/727909063......Day 3 July 65 miles 5600ft
Note to Shaun and All....saving North Yorks 130 miler Day 1 ride for August. Everyone needs to be up here for 9-9.30am start on that Friday as we will be riding long and hard for 3 days whatever the weather. Would be good to see as many of the P/N group for this as it gives us a chance to pace and maybe split groups just like the real event.
Routes here for August
http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/768671701.......Day 1 August 128 mile 6000ft
http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/735658465 ......Day 2 August 105 mile 10500ft
http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/702631415 ......Day 3 August 93 mile 8500ft
I am going to have to be a sole trader riding my own way to fitness for PN. Will do some rides in Wales around visiting folks. Will have to just deal with day after day cycling in France as I don't have the luxury of ignoring the family for that length of time normally. A few Robbie 100s will get me there. Don't want to swap the 53/39 chain rings but will need to revert back to compact soon in preparation.
Got to cambridge on 35 mins today. Fastest by car is 25 mins. That was some tailwind. Should have recorded it on strava. It was a fast outing. 19mph ave on the way back into one tough head wind. Oh I love carbon bikes.
Just about one and a half months to go now. Exciting. Will get back in time to give cycle cross a good bash this autumn. Cheers Robbie for setting up this excellent goal for the year.
If that's stopping you Vincent...bring them up. Sorted. At least you would get a couple of rides with the rest
Tough but fun...sort of J. See you then
Finally have bike..am building so will be ready next week :-)
So that looks like 5 or 6 if Phil comes this week and 9 or 10 of us in August. That's a good number and should be fun.
Bike built. Simply gorgeous, stunning even if I say it myself. Couldn't be happier. Jason Rourke has turned my vision into reality. Some craftsman.
Dave.....we'll probably be at the pub eating when you are due so make yourself at home in mobile home.
If weather forecast holds true then the weather is looking quite good with light breeze and the threat of some light rain at times. Saturday looks the best day and wind directions are mostly favourable and suit the route directions.
We could be lucky again :-)
Sunday looks like poor weather so lucky you Robbie...Friday and Saturday are the key rides...Sunday was to see if we could drag ourselves out for a shorter hilly ride for a third day..see you tmw.
Comments
How many planning to be here?
This is Day 2 ride for July. just completed but took me 8 hrs. If weather is kind to us you are going to either love this or hate it.
Will sort day 1 and 3 rides and post later.
Any thoughts? We are looking at 130 miles per day except day 5 at 91 miles and Mt. Ventoux !!!
I agree that on Paris Nice we should be riding within ourselves each day, whatever our ability. The six days riding will take its toll otherwise. I see the training rides differently. Here we're riding above our current capacity because that leads to faster adaptation and greater fitness. I appreciate that one person's training ride is another person's leisurely ride, but such is life.
On Paris Nice we'll end up forming more than one group on the road. On all the other group tours I've done (quite a few) that has always been the case. You just get the faster guys to start 15 mins later in the morning and get them to take slightly longer breaks during the day and occasionally get them to take a 'morning off' now and again to ride with the other group(s). Works well and keeps everyone satisfied.
I'll be up on Friday morning again for July training. Looking forward to it!
Agree that we'll need to think about groups for Paris Nice. Maybe even think about mixing the groups with the fitter guys pulling on the front more. I don't want to be on the bike for much over 8 hours a day otherwise with stops it makes for long long days.
SEE LATER POST FOR UPDATED JULY ROUTES
As usual this allows people to drive up Friday and start about 11.00 to 11.30 am
hard ride 2nd day and modified hilly ride sunday
August rides require 9.00am start on Friday so suggest people drive up after work Thursday if possible so they are rested for long flattish ride through N.York moors.
Hard ride day 2 and also day 3. This will hopefully set everyone up for Paris Nice allowing us to rest the week before just easy spinning for a couple of club type rides.
http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/768671701.......Day 1 August 128 mile 6000ft
http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/735658465 ......Day 2 August 105 mile 10500ft
http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/702631415 ......Day 3 August 93 mile 8500ft
let me know what you think and see you in July.
Note to all.........Have sorted a new pub for a meal....I'll book it for Friday. All are getting busy now as holiday season is here. Do you all fancy trying a good Indian for Saturday? if so there is a great one in the centre of Barnard Castle.
Let me know how many are coming.
cheers G
Dom - you'll need sleeping bag, pillow, towel and stuff for breakfast and snacks. Good to bring whatever you want to drink before and after the pub. There is a fridge for beers.
So far I think we've got:
Jeremy
Dom
Robbie
Shaun
1 stop at 50 miles Lakeside caf
I can make this month's trip up north, looking forward to it. Unfortunately my long summer of training comes to an end this week, as I have to start a new job next week, so sadly I'll miss Friday's riding and come straight up after work.
If anyone needs a lift up on Friday evening, I'll be leaving Stevenage at about 4.30 and will have space for one person and one bike (returning Sunday evening).
I'll bring a tent(and the other stuff).
Cheers,
Dave.
Dom
Please confirm who is definitely going up to geoff's on the 24 July. It's going to be big...
I'll be there 10.30am at Geoff's on Friday morning.
Will be there in time for Friday's ride.
The routes for August are much tougher and so close to our departure there is no time to adjust your training.
Just a thought. Whatever your final decision I know the tour is going to be fun for all of us...if a little painful at times. We'll all pull through somehow. :-)
Thanks Mark...looks like you are on fire and have a great July...Greece looks fun.
thanks Dave...we'll save you a space up front for Sat. and Sunday rides as compensation :-) after all we'll have nearly 90 miles in the legs already and needing a rest.
Looking good Shaun, Jeremy and Robbie. See you Friday.
Oh, forgot to add...picking frame up from Rourkes tomorrow so should have it built and riding for July rides...yipppeeeee......no more lugging heavy bike around, just heavy me :-)
Sorry Tony S, Vincent, James D, Jmac and John haven't been able to make any yet also. How's the training going ?
Likewise .
Hope to see Tim S, Mark and Martin back for August.
Are you up here in July Phil or saving it for August?
Well that about rounds it up. Was out yesterday adjusting Day 1 route to take out the A167 section. Worked out great but put the mileage up a touch. Did 88 miles at 17mph and felt good...was a flat one though :-)
Oh, forgot. Am picking up frame from Rourkes tomorrow so should have it built and riding for July rides....Yippeeeee. No more lugging heavy bike around, just heavy me only :-)
Day 2 as previous..........http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/763687459 ......Day 2 July 96 mile 10000ft
I am going to change day 3 as it covered much of day 1 route and replace it with a combination of 2 routes we have had to leave out on previous weekends.
Day 3 New Route.....http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/727909063......Day 3 July 65 miles 5600ft
Note to Shaun and All....saving North Yorks 130 miler Day 1 ride for August. Everyone needs to be up here for 9-9.30am start on that Friday as we will be riding long and hard for 3 days whatever the weather. Would be good to see as many of the P/N group for this as it gives us a chance to pace and maybe split groups just like the real event.
Routes here for August
http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/768671701.......Day 1 August 128 mile 6000ft
http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/735658465 ......Day 2 August 105 mile 10500ft
http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/702631415 ......Day 3 August 93 mile 8500ft
It's going to be emotional :-)
Got to cambridge on 35 mins today. Fastest by car is 25 mins. That was some tailwind. Should have recorded it on strava. It was a fast outing. 19mph ave on the way back into one tough head wind. Oh I love carbon bikes.
Just about one and a half months to go now. Exciting. Will get back in time to give cycle cross a good bash this autumn. Cheers Robbie for setting up this excellent goal for the year.
Tough but fun...sort of J. See you then
Finally have bike..am building so will be ready next week :-)
Bike built. Simply gorgeous, stunning even if I say it myself. Couldn't be happier. Jason Rourke has turned my vision into reality. Some craftsman.
Dave.....we'll probably be at the pub eating when you are due so make yourself at home in mobile home.
We could be lucky again :-)