First Sportive just entered !!

[WobblyBob]

Well ive just signed up to do the 'Eden Valley Epic Cycle' Sportive on Sun 3rd March, its 60 miles with about 1200 metres (3950ft approx) of climbing.
This may not sound that much of a challenge to alot of people on here but for me it's gonna be huge !
I started cycling last July & got resonably fit & did a maximum of 45 miles in one sesssion but then the winter arrived, i lost a lot of motivation & just did'nt get out & hence have put on about a stone in weight since Mid Oct
However last year i had agreed to give the C2C a crack on June 1st over 2 days so obviously i know i need to hit the streets again (& i am).
Last night my mate rang me with the details of the above Sportive in Penrith & thought it might be just the motivation to crack on with some quality training sooner rather than later......i just hope i've done the right thing

 

[wisdom]

Well wobblybob i'm sure you will be fine,springs around the corner.Good luck with the ride and imminent training.

 

[Biker Joe]

Hi wobblybob
Do I sense a touch of apprehension here?
I'm sure with the right amount of preparation you will be fine.
You've got 4 months to get prepared and with the better weather coming (says he,full of confidence). Shouldn't be a problem.
I wish you well in your preparations and good luck with the ride.
All the best.

 

[Peteaud]

You will be fine.

On the day with other rider about you get carried along with it all and the miles fly by.

Do some good training and enjoy it.

Day of the ride, have a really good breakfast.

 

[DaveyM]

looks like you have a new bike???

I am planning a few sportives this year if you want someone to put a few miles in with coz I think we only live a few miles apart

 

[WobblyBob]

Thanks for the encouragement guys, i'm acyually more worried about the Sportive than doing the C2C, i suppose because its a proper organised event with obviously lots of other people taking part aswell, not to mention its only 4 weeks tomorrow.

Yeah DaveyM i got the road bike about 10 days or so ago, only managed to ride it twice so far (2nd time got a puncture !!) & out again in the morning up towards Morpeth i think.
Where abouts are you ? I live in the 'South Beach' estate.

 

[Eribiste]

Good luck to you WobblyBob, I reckon you'll be fine. I've got my first Audax coming up this year, but not 'til June. I did my first metric century last year on a charity ride, which was OK, with a couple of rides of 30 miles or so beforehand. A good porridge breakfast on the day, and a packet of wine gums to take with me kept me going.

 

[Phil485]

I'm in a similar boat. Bought my bike second hand lAst August. Just signed up for the wiggle sportive in brockenhurst in April. Same sort of length of 60 miles. Furthest I've gone so far is 28 miles and I had knee surgery last September.
Looking forward to it with apprehension!

 

[DaveyM]

I live near the Bank Top Pub in Bedlington.
I struggle with Sunday mornings due to work.
But am fairly flexible for the rest of the week.
I mainly ride towards morpeth, mitford etc plenty of good roads.
Are you doing the Cycleone (middle distance?)
Nice new wheels by the way

 

[WobblyBob]

I'm in a similar boat. Bought my bike second hand lAst August. Just signed up for the wiggle sportive in brockenhurst in April. Same sort of length of 60 miles. Furthest I've gone so far is 28 miles and I had knee surgery last September.
Looking forward to it with apprehension!

Yup, sounds like we're pretty much in the same boat...good luck for April anyway though

I live near the Bank Top Pub in Bedlington.
I struggle with Sunday mornings due to work.
But am fairly flexible for the rest of the week.
I mainly ride towards morpeth, mitford etc plenty of good roads.
Are you doing the Cycleone (middle distance?)
Nice new wheels by the way

Well i'll be pretty much passing your house tomorrow then, probably going to be doing about 28 miles if it goes to plan....not very impressive in comparison to my buddy i'm cycling with, he's coming from Jarrow & has a 64 mile route planned i think !!

Yeah i work shifts so i'm available all different times & days, yeah we should meet up sometime maybe.....if you slow up a bit for me

Yep i'm planning on doing the middle distance on the Cyclone aswell....Lieu day from work booked already.

Thanks, i'm pleased with my new bike, got a great deal at M. Steel's.......just could'nt say no ha ha

 

[Peteaud]

I'm in a similar boat. Bought my bike second hand lAst August. Just signed up for the wiggle sportive in brockenhurst in April. Same sort of length of 60 miles. Furthest I've gone so far is 28 miles and I had knee surgery last September.
Looking forward to it with apprehension!

That is almost the same route as the rattler, its a good route.

 

[Spartak]

Just go out & enjoy the ride.
Sportif or Audax or Challenge ride are just great days out on your bike.
My only advice is don't start of too fast, you may regret it later

 

[HLaB]

Good Luck WB!

 

[Pale Rider]

Stiff wind up here this morning, so Bob might be a bit Wobbly on his ride.

Track east against it and get blown home would be my approach.

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

Nice one to work towards WB - well have to start a local CC meet soon.
Good 30 miler this morning in the cold and strong wind, went out toward Whalton and then looped round toward Ponteland then across to Dinnington -to and from work. Roads aren't in brilliant condition tho.

Wasn't bad for the first ride of the year.