Ken Laidlaw Sportive 21st august 2011

[tippy]

Welcome to The Ken Laidlaw Sportive to be riden on the 21st of august 2011 This event is now open and entries are now being taken. Entries have been opened up to 500 riders after last year sell out event. See links to main wb sitehttp://www.hamishdsm...ling/index.htmllink to Cyclo sport web sitehttp://www.cyclospor...506&eventid=383
Features of the Scottish Borders

• The event is held mainly on well-surfaced back roads with very little traffic
• The views around this Borders route are fantastic, and in fact the challenge takes in the Samye Ling Tibetan Monastery, the largest Buddhist centre in Europe.
• We like to think that our hospitality is second to none; this is an event organised by cyclists for cyclists.

Rewards and facilities

• First class facilities at Hawick Rugby Club, including showers and changing rooms - and a hot meal at the finish will be provided in the club, free to all riders
• Lavishly stocked feed stations on all routes
• All entrants will receive all of our excellent services, benefits and new gifts
• New for this year: electronic timing
• Photos of riders made available free online
• Route card
• Broom wagon, support vehicles, mountain rescue and mechanics
• List of finishers published on this website

There will be three routes (Important! Note the changes for 2011!)

Red route (Long distance: 105 miles)

This route is the same as in previous years - but in reverse. The same beauty and challenge from a new viewpoint. With a distance of 104.8 miles (168.6 Km) and 10 big climbs totalling 2422m, the red route is a tough challenge.Feed stations: 35 miles and 74 milesDetails of route

Blue route (medium distance: 52 miles)

This 51.7 mile (83.3 Km) challenge follows 35 miles of the full route and then turns off for the feed station.There are 5 big climbs totalling 1557m. Details of route

Yellow route (short distance: 22.2 miles)

Initially taking in the first 7 miles of the red route - drinks and food are provided at Stintyknowe - the yellow route includes two challenging climbs totalling 429m (1410ft).The distance is 22.2 miles (35.7Km).Details of route

 

[HLaB]

When I done it, I didn't see any of the pics but then again I had my eyes shut




Its a great well organised ride though and the food stops are excellent, out of all the Sportives I've done I'd rate this the best and naturally enough I'd recommend it

 

[Scoosh]

Thiks is such a fabulous Sportive event - one of the very best organised, most value-for-money sportive rides in the country

(that's the UK country, not just Scotia

) !

It's an absolute cracker, challenging enough but superb feed stops soon get the energy/ motivation back.

So, who is up for the Ken Laidlaw Sportive this year ?

 

[Waspie]

I've done this the last two years. An excellent event.

Think I'll sign up again, the reversal of the route should make things a bit more interesting for folk who've done it previously.

Hopefully the weather will be more like last year than two years ago.

 

[MrRidley]

Thiks is such a fabulous Sportive event - one of the very best organised, most value-for-money sportive rides in the country

(that's the UK country, not just Scotia

) !

It's an absolute cracker, challenging enough but superb feed stops soon get the energy/ motivation back.

So, who is up for the Ken Laidlaw Sportive this year ?

Suppose i'd better sign up, seen as i've something to prove from last year, think i'll give the roll n sausage a miss this year though

 

[arranandy]

I'm thinking of doing it this year. I had entered last year but had to withdraw due to a back injury which keep me off the bike for 5 months.

Going to Majorca next month for a week of cycling so that should be a good test for my back

 

[magnatom]

Following my survival at the Kinross Sportive, I decided to up the up the challenge a bit once more. This sportive seemed to be the obvious choice, especially considering the good reviews it has had.

So today I have entered the Red Route .


So is anyone else here doing this, this year?

I expect I will book a place to stay on the 20th in Hawick. It's a little too far to travel on the day.

 

[JimtheScot]

I’ve never done this run before but yesterday (28/4/11) I signed up for the Red Route as well.



I’ve received a ‘Receipt for Payment’ from the Hawick cycling club, but will I receive anything else? Will I receive any joining instructions etc. Do they print a list of all entrants anywhere?



Looking forward to the run and to meeting some of the guys who’s posts I’ve been reading for the last year but never had the chance to cycle with yet.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

i did this sportive 2 years ago. the only thing lacking in the organisation was the weather (i emptied a half litre of water out of my bike's frame after).

if i'm in scotland for then, i'll be happy to do it again.

if anyone is thinking of doing the red route and doesn't mind doing it at a sociable pace with a sassanach, pm me; my usual riding partner has been helping his wife recover from cancer and is unsure he's up to it…

 

[aberal]

I'm thinking about signing up for the red route - but there doesn't seem to be much info on their websites and the links to the route profiles seem to be broken. Anyone got any more info on the routes?

 

[HLaB]

I'm thinking about signing up for the red route - but there doesn't seem to be much info on their websites and the links to the route profiles seem to be broken. Anyone got any more info on the routes?

This is the 105mile route.

 

[aberal]

This is the 105mile route.

Excellent, thanks. Profile looks quite tough, although total ascent isn't that much more than the Etape. How would you compare the two?

 

[HLaB]

Excellent, thanks. Profile looks quite tough, although total ascent isn't that much more than the Etape. How would you compare the two?

The Etape is pretty easy in comparison, I average 19.1mph last year for it without training where as I trained for the Ken Laidlaw and only managed 16.9mph but my bike was full of a bout a pint of water, it rained heavy non stop for the 105 miles. The same year with training I averaged 19.1mph for the Etape too but it was disrupted by the tack incident, I had been going faster till then.

 

[Waspie]

Excellent, thanks. Profile looks quite tough, although total ascent isn't that much more than the Etape. How would you compare the two?

Don't know either figure but I can't imagine the ascent in the Etape is any where near the ascent in the Ken Laidlaw. That's not intented to put you off though, it's a cracking, if tough, route. Good feedstations as well, proper food rather than synthentic energy stuff.

I think I was actually more tired after this years Etape C than I was after last years Ken Laidlaw, the reason being is that I went flat out in the effort to get a 'good' time in the Etape whereas in something like the Ken Laidlaw I'm quite happy just completing it with my dignity intact!

 

[primalgeek]

I'm intrigued by this

Before I go wasting my money on a sportive I have no hope of completing, I need some advice from the veterans: Is there enough time to train up for this between now and then?

I currently cycle 30miles most days to and from work on pretty much a flat route and my longest bike ride to date has been 67 miles round the Forth Bridges, so the way I see it the pros and cons of me being able to do this are:

Cons

• I'm slow. I generally average 13 - 14mph on my commute (including stops for traffic lights etc...)
• I don't do hills (although I introduced myself to the Bathgate Hills on Sunday morning)
• I've never gone this distance before (I was struggling to finish my 67 miler)

Pros

• SWMBO has given me clearance to spend Sunday mornings out on the bike in addition to my commute.
• I'm currently waiting for delivery of my 'Sunday Best' bike and now need to justify the purchase to my wife
• I live near the bathgate hills so should'nt have a problem finding some hills to train on.