2012-09-08 Tour of Britain Stage 1 sportive

Ah, yeah, I forgot that it wasn't finishing in the city. Odd decision, that - would be great for the spectators on the Sunday if it went through Norwich. I might see if I can convince the better half to bring some cold tins and meet me at the finish line. Or we could limp a mile or two to the UEA and their bar. Depends how soon you need to get on the coach.

My better half has unexpectedly declared a willingness to hang around for drinks with forumengers after the finish, so we're in.

I wasn't going to take a phone, but will if there's a chance of meeting people.

The return coach is scheduled to leave at 5:45pm so I'll need to crack on if I want a pint at the end.

Just back from a stag night and wedding which may not, in hindsight, have been ideal preparation...

PS A light southerly wind to speed us on our way and provide a little cooling: temperatures in the mid-twenties...

I feel a bit rotten and coldy. Going to head to Liverpool Street in a bit, and gorge on M&S sandwiches on the way up to Norfolk. That'll sort me out.

I feel a bit rotten and coldy. Going to head to Liverpool Street in a bit, and gorge on M&S sandwiches on the way up to Norfolk. That'll sort me out.

#stud

Finished Tour of Britain. Ouch. Waiting to hear my time now (this includes slow rides to start/from finish): http://app.strava.com/rides/21256161

Saw Sansovino at the start but broke my pedal in Melton and lost him.

Superglue and gaffer tape bodge done I finished after 7h 20m in the saddle.

Now wolfing the feast of champions: fish fingers & beans!

7h45 and I felt crap by the end. I recon I drank between 8 and 10 litres during the ride but according to the pissometer I was still a bit dehyrated when I finished.

My biggest problem I think was failure to replace electrolytes.

I've just signed up for this as the start is right next door to the GF's parents. I'll be riding a pale blue Ciocc in huge farm gate size. After 205km I'll be looking forward to a pint in the Murderers when we get to Norwich.

I think you said "Hiya" to me when you passed me. If it was you then you were wearing a blue top with a horizontal stripe.

I was on a white Trek hybrid with a luggage rack, wearing a bright orange shirt.

I'm not well today, really not well. Bloody sportives.

I only saw one discarded bidon on the route, near Snape. Saw loads of happy cyclists out on the roads of Suffolk but, as predicted, my group didn't reach the Tour route until after everyone had passed through. Loads of happy cyclists back at Liverpool Street Station as well - a fine sight.

I lost a bottle en-route; but there was one in the goody-bag so I call that a draw...

Ach, that was pretty hard in the heat - got through a lot of fluid and had nasty cramps in the last 10 miles. Scilly, sorry to lose you - we merged into that group ahead at Woodbridge, I looked back and couldnt see you.
Earthloop, I think I saw you - twin bottles behind your saddle, right?

Sounds like you lot doing the Pro ride had a bit of a hard time!

The Challenge ride wasn't that challenging but was good fun. Following the guy doing it on a penny farthing was a high point; that's what I call serious fixed riding.

Earthloop, I think I saw you - twin bottles behind your saddle, right?

Yup, that was me. Good to nearly meet you.

Well that was a fun day out - you guys doing the pro-ride must have been pretty frazzled by the end though!

Here's my attempt at the challenge ride:
http://app.strava.com/rides/21513894

Anyone know when/if the official times will be posted up?

Ach, that was pretty hard in the heat - got through a lot of fluid and had nasty cramps in the last 10 miles. Scilly, sorry to lose you - we merged into that group ahead at Woodbridge, I looked back and couldnt see you.
Earthloop, I think I saw you - twin bottles behind your saddle, right?

No problem: the pace you were setting, you'd have dropped me sooner or later! What was your time?

Slightly embarrassed my "local knowledge" saw us skip the route not once, but twice...

Results: http://www.tourride.co.uk/product.php/38/38/finish_times

Oh yes, (I know that sportives are not a races but...) pretty happy with a top-ten finish on the Challenge ride!

How do you find out your place? The pro-ride is ordered by rider number.

Copy & Paste the data into excel then sort by finish time - a few on the pro ride appear to have either been put into the wrong list or did it in the car though...

7h 31so not too bad - minus the stops it's around the 7 hours riding I was hoping for but I definitely went off too quick and took a few too many turns on the front of that group in the first third - at the last rest stop I had to sit in the dark of the village hall with a cup of coffee for 20 minutes to convince myself to carry on.

I managed 7hrs 12mins. For the first 60 miles I was tucked in with a good group of VC Norwich riders, but I lost them after that. No idea how. Then I did the rest of it almost on my own, occasionally taking turns with other solo riders until one or other fell off the back.

I really, really enjoyed the last half: spotting someone in the distance, chasing them down for a mile or two, taking turns with them, occasionally chatting and spurring each other on. Sometimes dropping them, sometimes being dropped.

There were a bunch of people that I wish I could thank for pulling me along when it all got a bit much, especially the chap who I did the last 10-15 miles with in the Solo jersey from Ipswich. We took turns on the front for ages, then about three miles before the finish line I just bonked hard and he slowed down to help me across the line - thanks fella.

I gave someone a spare gel towards the end, then promised another to his mate but I'd run out. Sorry about that. You seemed to fall off the back after the promise of calories disappeared, hope you made it in the end. Wish I could PM people based on their race numbers.

Would love to do more rides like that, what's coming up?