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8am Saturday 20th

JaneJane
edited June 2015 in Club runs
It's a bit close to Marmotte now and people may want something exceptionally long/hilly ... but Stage 4 of the Womens Tour of GB finishes in Old Town, Stevenage at about 1pm on Saturday

Route is here and we have a CCA slot to ride the finish line at 11:30 for 11:40. Pros expected to finish between 12:44 and 13:18

So how about riding Hexton Hill, Sharpenhoe/Sundon Hill +/- Emily's ... on to Old Town for espressos and cheering ... return via Walkern, Rushden, Redhill (which is the route of the Tour, in reverse). Pretty sure we've ridden something like this before, but my memory's sketchy of the middle 1/3. Any other ideas?

Comments

  • Robbie LRobbie L
    edited June 2015
    If we did two laps of the Sundon loop then on to Emily's... then off to Whitwell where there is an option for a left turn to Stevenage (to the race) or right to continue to Redhill via Walkern time permitting etc. Sounds cool.
  • JeremyPJeremyP
    Will definitely be out this weekend and heading out so that folks can see the Womens ToB sounds like a good plan. Don't want to be out too late so will probably push on at Whitwell.

    Robbie - are you thinking of finishing with the M?
  • phil kphil k
    womens TOB has QofM stage on road up from royston to therfield (last leg of M) - comes through about 12.05'ish - my idea was to do fast grafham and back; watch QoM halfway up hill - then do an M
  • Robbie LRobbie L
    All sounds good.... logistics not my strength
  • Pete WPete W
    What about Jane's idea of riding some of the race route. Would be shame not to use the CCA slot?
  • skeldersskelders
    I will be on time constraints so Phil's plan works for me :-)

    Back permitting, still struggling from last weekend :-(
  • JeremyPJeremyP
    I prefer Jane's suggestion but can be flexible. Maybe need Robbie to make an executive decision.

    Tim - I suffered terribly with back problems riding in an overly aggressive race position. Any ride over 60 miles I had to stretch at every opportunity and after 3 cafes ride I could hardly move for 24h. The Domane and the raised "gentlemans position" has completely eradicated all pain in my back. Not only is the bike super comfortable but it is also pretty quick and nimble. I cannot recommend this type of bike more.
  • skeldersskelders
    thanks for the tip Jeremy, I think I just strained it up one of those nasty climbs on the last day... off to the gym in a min so I'll see how it fares!
  • JaneJane
    edited June 2015
    I'm not precious about sprinting the finish line, but I'd rather be in Old Town for the finish, than spectate at Therfield Heath. (The race route doubles back on itself at the south end of the High St ie 2 sharp right turns, which might be more interesting to watch than the actual finish line?)

    Having mulled it over, Hexton-Sundon-Sharpenhoe route is better training for me, this close to Marmotte, (than Grafham). If we aim to get to Stevenage 12:15ish, we'd have the option to stop and watch the Tour or carry on to Ashwell +/- Royston hills on the way. Just need to be aware of road closures between Stevenage and the Heath - or plan to stay off the race route
  • phil kphil k
    2x sundon is good for me....
  • JeremyPJeremyP
    Yep - good decision. Looks like heavy rain showers from mid-morning tomorrow.

    See you at the Tuns at 8am.
  • ShaunShaun
    I should be there
  • FDFD
    Anyone got a map/route please showing the 'Sundon loop' and how this relates to the Hexton and Sharpenhoe climbs?

    Does Hexton come first, followed by the other 2?

    ...Need to get hill climbing and will set off direct from Hitchin

    Ta

    John
  • ShaunShaun
    Normally we do Shillington, Higham Gobian, Hexton, over the hill, then right to Streatley. The Sundon loop starts/finishes at Streatley and goes down Sharpenhoe Hill, Harlington, Up Sundon Hill (or the reverse of that).
  • FDFD
    edited June 2015
    Thanks Shaun

    I wasn't sure if it was down the Clappers to Harlington, up Sundon Hill, loop around on the Streatley Rd, turning left to go back down past Sundon School to Harlington and up the Clappers to Streatley then left to Hexton again!

    John
  • VincentVincent
    Less of the clappers. This is a respectable forum.
    Not sure I'll be out but then again I need a Robbie ride so will try to be out. On train back from London so will see who wins: sleep or alarm chimes.
    Either way I am pleased you have worked out a plan for the ride. Please plan out any rain.
  • JeremyPJeremyP
    Will join you at the water tower en route to Langford.
  • ShaunShaun
    Thanks guys and girl and Phil for the perma-tow...

    (Now fixed my squeaky bearing)
  • JeremyPJeremyP
    Another good Saturday ride - Emily's was very welcoming after two laps of the Sundon loop. I had 75miles at a tad over 18mph average. Great to catch the Women's tour of Britain in Walkern - looked hard.

    Getting some good miles in on the new Domane. All good apart from the over complicated seat post - slipping down and not holding the saddle tight enough. How can Trek get it so badly wrong? A trip back to Trisports required.

    Good luck to all the Marmotte riders. Look forward to hearing about the trip.
  • skeldersskelders
    Just the one loop for me, obviously didn't see you but did bump into John on my way back to Hitchin. Bit slower than u guys as well, back still being a pain... Literally :-(
  • FDFD
    edited June 2015
    Just the one Sundon loop for me as well....that was enough after Hexton....didn't realise that Sundon Hill is 18% at its steepest, according to Garmin! Then onto Whitwell, where turned left to St Paul's Walden and then up through Hitch Wood to Preston. Good to meet Tim nr Streatley for a brief ride in the rain.....really hammered it down as I reached Redcoats, but I wasn't far from home.

    The climbing is slightly easier, if not any quicker, having shed 21 llbs (9.5 kilos) over the past 3 weeks....that's the same as if my bike now weighed nothing! Still have another 16 llbs to lose to reach target before Paris-Nice in 11weeks....
  • Robbie LRobbie L
    edited June 2015
    Good group riding today with lots of blue train pulling by Phil and Jeremy.... we're all getting there!!!
  • JaneJane
    edited June 2015
    What a great day!

    Plenty of hills, plus some pacey group-riding. Then a quick stop to watch the pros, plus assorted flashing-blue motorbikes, bike-laden team cars etc ... oh and an idiotic car driver being put straight by a policeman. (Wouldn't it be great if they could get out and about and do that more often?)

    Big thanks to the stronger members for pulling hard, but not so hard as to break the team. Somehow the rain and gritty lanes between Stevenage and Sandon wrapped up the ride perfectly. Felt like a Rapha film in black and white, where you can't see the dirt but you absolutely know that it's there
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