tug benson
Survived the Tour O the borders 2013
- Location
- Alloa
He entered his first 'proper' race last year at the tender age of 17 and won it
he`s had a lot of press....what a future he must have..
Scotland : Perthshire Etape Caledonia 2013
- Thread starter zizou
- Start date
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he`s had a lot of press....what a future he must have..
Pedrosanchezo
Veteran
- Location
- Perthshire, scotland
My mates swear by porridge with fruit in the morning. Energy-tastic apparently. Yeh bananas are perfect but a nightmare to actually eat when nearly touching the wheel in front, behind, to the right and to the left. I took off my gilet in the middle of the peloton and it's safe to say that it's something you want to do as quick as possible.
That's another thing i noticed - a lot of riders touching wheels and not holding their line through corners. A recipe for disaster in a large group on small country roads. Luckily it appears there were no serious crashes throughout the event. Just some road rash and cuts n bruises.
As long as you had a good time mate then that's all that matters. I will defo be doing it again next year. Riding on completely closed roads is total bliss.
Pedrosanchezo
Veteran
- Location
- Perthshire, scotland
Only 50 seconds off of the record time set by pro Evan Oliphant.He entered his first 'proper' race last year at the tender age of 17 and won it
So if i can go 11 minutes quicker next year i'll take both their records!!!
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
I couldn't even do it in a carOnly 50 seconds off of the record time set by pro Evan Oliphant.
So if i can go 11 minutes quicker next year i'll take both their records!!!
Pedrosanchezo
Veteran
- Location
- Perthshire, scotland
I am going to invent a silent motor for the rear hub. It might be an issue though when i freewheel past up the hill.I couldn't even do it in a car
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
Too late its already been patented by CancellaraI am going to invent a silent motor for the rear hub. It might be an issue though when i freewheel past up the hill.
OP
OP
zizou
Veteran
I know someone who was in the lead group when Evan Oliphant did it - he was chatting away on the front as if it was a recovery ride. Once it got to Schiehallion the group splintered so dont know what happened next but i think the course record might be a bit misleading.
On a related point would love to see what time someone like Wiggo could manage going full gas in a TT!
On a related point would love to see what time someone like Wiggo could manage going full gas in a TT!
Pedrosanchezo
Veteran
- Location
- Perthshire, scotland
He (not Oliphant - the 2013 winner) was in my group until the scheihallion, then it split. Around 3 sizeable groups formed over the top. The first was 10-12 guys which were all really fast up the hill, the second were very strong riders who were hoping to bridge the gap at the top but didn't and the 3rd group couldn't hold on to the 2nd group.
I was between the small first group and the second a few miles after the schiehallion. I tried to bridge the gap on my own but in the end decided to sit up for a few minutes so that i could join the second group. Would have wasted tons of energy on my own.
My mistake was positioning at the Schiehallion. I have not done the Etape before so had no idea where the Schiehallion was.
I should have been right near the front at the foot of the climb but instead i was 40-50 riders back.
The climb completely blew apart the peloton. Lots of big strong guys couldn't get up fast enough and were dropped. This was the difference between being in the front winning group and the second (or 3rd).
One of my club mates (the climbing whippet) is on great form and he was with the front group. He posted a 3:34. I could see him a mile after the Schiehallion but couldn't bridge on my own as they were chain ganging and i was in limbo between the 2 front groups. Annoying having to sit up and wait but the right thing to do i think, given the situation.
OP
OP
zizou
Veteran
Yeah positioning is important, as it was your first time you wouldn't have known it beforehand but there tends to be some jostling from a couple of miles out (likewise for the Logierait turn). The climb is just long enough for power to weight to become an issue whereas for the hills elsewhere on the route the heavier guys who can put out a bit of power are not really at much of a disadvantage compared to the climbers.
Col5632
Guru
- Location
- Cowdenbeath
Pedrosanchezo
Veteran
- Location
- Perthshire, scotland
Great piece. If you like to moan about everything and groan about anything. Someone wants to put her on a shuttle to Mars.
Pedrosanchezo
Veteran
- Location
- Perthshire, scotland
Yup was in big ring for Logierait which meant out of the saddle and power down. Painful yes but managed to get up the hill first in my group by some distance. Not knowing the road has it's perks too. You don't know when a really painful bit is coming.
