ROAD Gran Fondo Training Ride – 80 miles / 1600 meters
| 3 March, 2012 | ||
| 9:15 am | to | 1:15 pm |
As Ian R and I have entered the Wiggle Dragon Ride http://www.wiggledragonride.com/routes-gran-fondo.php and are competing in long route called the Gran Fondo which is 128 miles and a massive 3350 meters of up, ME (not Ian) really needs to get my ar5e in gear and do some training, so this ride is to start that. The emphasis on these rides is to get time in the saddle and climbing back into the ride rather than an all-out race blast.
Details of the ride below so around 75 miles / 1600 meters of up with a small stop around the half way mark. The average pace to be around 18mph.
I will add more of these rides and ratchet up the distance and climbing as the event moves closer.
Other riders are free to join us if they feel this suits them, or they can do a shorter loop or whatever suits.
** The start point is here http://binged.it/xNx0dm which is just over the bridge on the A40 heading to the Forest, the usual spot. You cannot park here BTW. I will be leaving my house at around 08:50 to get there for 09:10 if anyone fancies joining me **
The map is below (starting Gloucester) and this link you can view in more detail and also the Elevation Profile if you select the “Show” on the drop down http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/gran
Yes from me.
Ian
yes from me team
Yes from me and about 4 of my work mates who will make sure the pace remains ‘relaxed’. Has to be done….
Well if Pete’s colleagues are coming to keep the pace a bit more human, then I could be tempted…
Is there an off road plan if it is raining? Or are you riding regardless?
Hi Tim and all the lycra posse,
If it is wet/raining I will shy away from the road ride as getting wet on a road bike is not pleasant and I do not have mudguards..but I will see Friday evening what the latest is. If road is not suitable I will ride the SS, off road local and will but up the details but let us hold out for the off road first.
Fingers crossed
Jason
Up for this ride too, ’bout time I showed my face again! Mudguards are overrated anyhow Jason, a uk obsession I understand not shared by our continental neighbours! Although I quite like the image of Fab Cancellara and his fellow pro’s rattling along the notorious cobbles of the Paris – Roubaix or Tour of Flanders sporting their mudguards!!!
watching the email traffic this morning from all, this is still a go..unless it is “peaing
” it down…fingers crossed
On that bing map link, looks like a parking area just on the other side of the road from that slip lane – on Horseshoe Drive. I’ve given up on trying to ride only on dry days – my road bike is muddier than my mtb!
All.. The weather has turned dramatically and it’s raining and windy in quedgeley…call to be made at 8,30 to see if the ride is on,cancel or maybe hold off until a bit later …. Time is 8:08
Hi all… I am going to whimp out as it still raining in quedgeley…happy to go out later if anyone fancies it…
I think mike j is still going to be there for 9.15 with a map if you are still keen
Mike j starting the ride nearer 9,30
Good to see it stopped raining about 10 seconds after your decision to bail Jase!
tell me about it Mike..not a happy camper…grrrr
Yes, the clouds moved on at about 9.30ish and shafts of sunlight broke through, revealing blue skies above. I joined up with my old triathlon club who meet in Gloucester and went out for a 40 mile hack over the Malverns to Ledbury then Staunton and back to the city. The sun shone all the way – and was particularly glorious as we hauled our broken bodies over Hollybush hill – but there was a lot of surface water and a hefty headwind going back westwards. Still, with six of us in the group we formed an efficient little chain-gang averaging 18mph and even found the energy to push 28mph average on the A417 heading back to the ring road.
Should’ve checked the website before leaving this morning but as the rain had eased before I left I didn’t feel the need to do so and duly arrived at meeting point for 09:05 but no show by 09:20. Still I was all geared up so headed out Maisemore way and by the time I reached Hartpury I had to remove the shower proof coz it was blazing sunshine. Turned into a monster ride though taking in Plump Hill, Yat Rock, Speech House and Ruspidge for a 60+ miler. Caught in a bit of a squall around Flaxley on the return but it was shortlived. Got back about 13:00.
Sorry I missed you Mike. Hopefully next time!