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There's an initial run out from the HQ of about 15 miles (I think) Prees Island roundabout, which serves as the hub for the next 22hours, and you alternate between the Quina Brook circuit which is about 13 miles, and a 20mile out and back (ie 40 total) down SE to Telford - the Quina Brook is used in the evening and after dawn, so the 40 miler gets pretty bleak in the middle of the night.
After 21+ hours they run you back towards the HQ, and onto a ten mile(?) finishing circuit, with a series of timekeepers on so they can calculate your exact distance once your time limit has elapsed.
The change of scenery and loops is very welcome, not sure how I'd cope on one of those motor-circuit 24hrs.
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ha ha, yeah, well, I think the origins of tt in the UK meant it happened in out-the-way-places at obscure times, gotta love it. B&B's for the win! I'll pm you if I hatch a plan...
In the meantime, check out the fun from the weekend in this video from Damon Peacock. You get a good idea of the passage of time (I love the birdsong in the morning), and the different characters at the event, and check out the winner (John Warnock, 516.11miles) finish. Jaw dropping.
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sorry for the crossing over of events, but I guess it's all relevant to the topic title. Quick write up here of the weekends fun;
http://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/Home/tabid/36/itemid/2069/Default.aspx
the winner, John Warnock, hit 516miles, an incredible feat, even moreso when he had a puncture in the first half. Second furthest distance only to Andy Wilkinson's record of 525miles. I was in the showers when he was literally carried in and had to be propped up in a camping chair under the reviving waters. I was f*cked, but it puts in perspective what you have to do to yourself to win these bloody things. Chapeau to the man.
Hippy, are you thinking about a 12? KCA 12, 5th September, I think I'll be there, could try to share support crew if you need?
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yeah. the stats are for those climbs only? I'd kill for 7000m of constant climbing over 86k's - unless you're only doing the climbs, back-to-back, in which case I admire your stamina for trans-europe driving.
get stuck in, you'd be mad not to!
oh, probably best to go for deep sections with regular braking surface if you intend to ride them in the hills. I've seen a couple of full carbon rims in pieces this year (inc a Lightweight) from being cooked by the braking heat.
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dont miss out the other big climbs next to those classics - if you're going to Alp d'Huez, the Glandon/Croix de Fer, the Telegraph, and the stunning Galibier are just round the corner (I've a feeling the tour will take in the Galibier next year).
In the Pyrenees you can easily put together a route to take in the Marie Blanc ('10 Etape), Peyresourde, Aspin, Aubisque or Soulor. easy job.
bling carbon road wheels? Edge.
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just go exploring round that area, there's loads to pick and choose from - but I'd recommend going a shade further and heading out over Sydenham Hill, through Crystal Palace, Anerly, Elmers End Road, and finally finding your way out of town on Laymans Lane and onto some proper hills. Doesn't take long, the roads are pretty smooth, traffic reasonable, and plenty of green. Enjoy.
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Fixedwheel, I might well be up for that, a twelve would be perfect after this weekend
I went out pretty quick (too quick it turns out) and posted 239 for my first 12, then cracked around 16 hours in. The next 7 hrs were absolute hell, having to dig the deepest I've ever gone, nothing left, no power, knowing I still had 8 hours and a target of 200 miles left. Fortunately the berserker spirit took over for the last hour and I gave it everything - blitzing through the HQ crowds at 27mph was f*cking amazing - until I passed my final timekeeper at 14.02 and had to call for a lift back...
Total distance 429miles, 9th place, with my teammate posting 434miles and 8th place - a massive thanks to the support crew for a stirling job.
Can't recommend this event highly enough, it's unique.
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If my life has improved by next year
I wouldn't worry about that, you'll not get anywhere if you're all happy and contented and satisfied with life!
seriously though, if the '11 24tt is down south, I think there would be enough interest and support to put in a load of riders/team.
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Hmm... 24 hr TT..
What are the entry requirements for one of these (other than being a total lunatic)?
not a great deal; a cheque for fifteen quid and a completed entry form from the CTTC site. I don't think you can get much better value for your money.
The Mersey Roads 24 is the only 24hr tt left in the country, and - as Fixed Wheel Nut will testify - is a brilliant event with a pretty broad range of competitors including a handful of fixed riders. I entered it for a laugh last year (some mates were up there and I figured what's the worst that could happen) and had a great time. I should have posted earlier to drum up interest, entry is now closed for this years but could be something for a LFGSS team of three next time round?
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Anyone on the Naitonal 24hr TT on the 24th/25th July?
I know it's the same weekend as the DD, but it would be good to know if any other forumers will be out on the Mersey Roads to say hello - I know Fixed Wheel Nut was on the '08 one - and I hear next years will be down south Brighton way. ...put it in your diaries now.
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blog update and film coming soon;
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Was great riding with (against?) you all, that was a great day out. I was on the office team, not sure we were meant to win, apologies for that, but I put it down to the team riding well together on the flat and different riders knowing different areas we passed through for some good navigation decisions. Great to see all the different tribes coming together for the event, some great team outfits.
Highlights include passing over Blackfriars bridge with the moto camera alongside, shadowing Mosquito for a few miles until we knew the time was right to put the hammer down and push on, and the welcome at the Cycle Club; so good to have a drink and catch up fellow team's stories from the road - like learning that the Brompton team went on the steam train at Bluebell Railway. Class.
Lowpoints ...riding past the Tweedsters post-crash (there were plenty of people on hand + and ambulance heading in) was sad to see you guys out but chapeau for finishing off at the club, and the naked bike ride. A un-passable river of flesh, hair and heckling which cost us a fair bit of time - I could have had a dip in the briney for goodness sakes.
Looking forward to more events in the future - maybe we should put a team in for some LFGSS events...
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^give em a break, they'll all be going into the red tomorrow, no hiding out there!
Anyone have a team in Velogames Fantasy Giro? Maybe we should make a mini-league for the TdF
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authentic commentary.
disappointingly,it's not so authentic as to be half-cut and giggling through a face full of 'the most amazing apple cake. ever...'
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try the links through cyclingfans.com, or Gazetta sport tv has it with authentic commentary.
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Jonny! In the Hermits whatever, Camberwell ...ten days too late and a holiday-in-the-hills between the spotting, but good to see you fella.
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a storming run down into Ninove
Just remembered the chemical tang of the Redbull shots station, 20k from the finish. That'll explain that then.
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Raphist Plug Racer on the Koppenberg on Sunday, how was your day fella - and did you ride the cobbles??
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Wayne, good to see you and the Grupetto, great looking kit and great looking bike! I could see you were digging deep there, nice one for sticking at it.
Bit of a bonkers ride in all, but strangely not as tough as I'd made out in my head. Riding the cobbles was fun, as were the bergs, weather was pleasantly authentic despite the gorgeous start to the day. I wanted sideways hail and never-ending mud-caked walkalator climbs :-( hey-ho maybe next year.
My memories of the ride - after witnessing the worst drunk driving I've ever seen at 5am - are; A perfect morning in picturesque Bruge, then endless grey skies, rain, headwinds, punctures, grit and silt everywhere, spray, honey loaf and waffles, crosswinds, headwinds and more headwinds, cobbles and lost bottles, cobbled climbs and snapped derailiers, a huge perfect rainbow springing from the foot of the Muur, punctures, a storming run down into Ninove, and then chilling down very quickly at the finish to near freezing. oh, and frites.
Had a few beers and watched Boonen marking Cancellara up the Koppenberg the next day before dashing to the ferry. A great weekend definitely do it again.
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there's about 12 grupetto's going over chopsicle - keep an eye out for this kit
will do, and great shot; I have fond memories of being an innocent, fresh-faced thirteen year old at Calshot on an activities week, and seeing friends sliding down the beaten track, bikes skittering all over the banking. Oh, to be given the chance to hear their howls and the clatter of pedals again....
Most important question surely; what embrocation?
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Will do Wayne, is there many of the Grupetto heading over?
I'll be on a red S-Works E5, probably wearing as much white as I possible and/or crying in a gutter. The best tip I've heard is to check everything is tightened, preferably lock-tite'd, to stop stuff dropping off (as in Herbie Goes Bananas?), and bottles are a tight fit into cages. I don't want to be the twat skittering around trying to pick up an ejected bidon.
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Wayne, I'm heading over, woefully out of shape and on an unsuitable bike. Bring on the rain and headwinds, it's sure to be a great weekend. Are you on the 260k?
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I'd recommend mixing it up a bit, vary the route and distance (unless that's the point), or else it gets a little monotonous.
If possible try to break it's back earlier on, with a big push on the first/second day and factor in an easy(ier) day as a treat later on - and this will also allow for unforeseen problems or the weather taking miles off you.
Maybe see if someone wants to join you on one of the days, it's nice to have a bit of company to break things up a little.
Oh, and consider what you'll be doing in the few days after - an enforced rest would do you well, (instead of dancing a merry jig with the demon booze all weekend) and something to look forward to.
Have fun, looking forward to the updates - actually, that's a good point. Figure out an easy and quick way to document your days (like a kind of template?) there's nothing worse than wanting to hit the sack and you've got to file a report! - all the best for it.
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Hillbilly Jim, Old Ford Road last night, looming out of the damp darkness, still looking handsome.
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terrible news. My thoughts are with her family.