Halfmanhalfbike
Über Member
- Location
- Edinburgh
Kinross sportive 2011
- Thread starter sleekitcollie
- Start date
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Ranger
New Member
- Location
- Fife borders
Cycled some of the black route (Cleish Hills) today and the Council have got huge sections of the road blocked off and dug up for pothole repairs so keep your fingers crossed.
Still ice and snow on the tops though
and the descent from the Cleish Hills is very tricky at the bottom with lots of leaf debris in the road surface making it quite slick.
Still ice and snow on the tops though
and the descent from the Cleish Hills is very tricky at the bottom with lots of leaf debris in the road surface making it quite slick.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
Eek! This ride is fast approaching, and I am particularly unfit. Due to the weather, courses I needed to attend and a multitude of bugs, my commuting (which is my only cycling) has been intermittent. And I am supposed to be doing the black run. Oh joy!
From what Ranger says above the Black route goes over the Cleish Hills you won't really have a problem there. What I can't remember is whether or not it goes Dunning to Path of Condie (through the Ochils); that a harder part (iirc max 21%) but I'm sure you'll be fine; Good Luck!
Halfmanhalfbike
Über Member
- Location
- Edinburgh
Just found out the big boss at my work is doing the ride as well. 2 scenarios may result:-
1. As he's much thinner than me he sprints off into the distance and I get dogs abuse from him at work ever after for being a slow git
2. He hasn't trained properly and runs out of steam about half way round. I catch up and overtake him and get dogs abuse from him at work for being a selfish git for not waiting
No win situation for me here I think
1. As he's much thinner than me he sprints off into the distance and I get dogs abuse from him at work ever after for being a slow git
2. He hasn't trained properly and runs out of steam about half way round. I catch up and overtake him and get dogs abuse from him at work for being a selfish git for not waiting
No win situation for me here I think
Eek! This ride is fast approaching, and I am particularly unfit. Due to the weather, courses I needed to attend and a multitude of bugs, my commuting (which is my only cycling) has been intermittent. And I am supposed to be doing the black run. Oh joy!
You can change your choice of route .....
I have entered the Black route but now feel I am unable to ride that distance**. Can I change the route?
If you feel you are unable to complete in your preferred route you will be able to change routes right up until the start of the event. But please try to let us know via the web site contact page at least by the 15 April. Oh and changing routes can also mean upgrading to a harder route if you feel your winter training has gone particularly well.
** It's not the distance - it's the hilly bits along the way .....
I have decided to stick with my choice of the Red (middle) route - mainly because I want to enjoy the ride, not put myself under pressure to do the Black one.
I'm not a club racer/rider, I'm not trying to be super-fit and I want to enjoy my day without being too stressed, either before or after.
*AHIP
[*AHIP ?
= Age Hath It's Perks
ACS
Legendary Member
- Location
- Just below the snow line
Its not a race, is it? Prizes? Bragging rights on club night? (not for me anyway)
I'm treating the black route as a challange, start as early as possible finish before the contol closes.
Simples.
May even shout abuse at Mags as he glides past leading the CC fast boys peloton to a dramatic Cav like sprint at the crest of the Path.
Banjo
Fuelled with Jelly Babies
- Location
- South Wales
Eek! This ride is fast approaching, and I am particularly unfit. Due to the weather, courses I needed to attend and a multitude of bugs, my commuting (which is my only cycling) has been intermittent. And I am supposed to be doing the black run. Oh joy!
Obviously not having ridden with you its impossible to say for certain but my feeling is you wont have any problems unless you attack it too fiercely. 5500 ft climb over 87 miles isnt too strenuous. Whats the time limit?
The route runs from Path of Condie down into Dunning then back up over Dunning common (3 miles at ca 7%) to the Yetts o Muckart. Means you're coming down arguably the hardest climb in the area but the road from path to Dunning has it's own 20% section that comes straight after a junction (Junction is sharp and blind so you hit 20% from a virtual stand still). I was up there last weekend and there is a lot of debris on the roads (sand, grit and stone). Also the road from Middle Rigg to Path is quite technical so combined with the debris it's not letting you carry a great deal of speed. Shouldn't forget the Wicks o'Baiglie as it has it's own 20% section.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
The routes coming down the steepest part Mags should be fine he's a much better descender than me. I never thought the roads around Wicks O Baiglie were that steep, which section is that?
PS Good Luck All :-)
Aye, you are a big girls blouse when it comes to descending!
My problem is that I am a fast descender, so issues with the road surface are certainly of concern. If folks in the area can keep us informed nearer the time that would be great.
I should add, that I have no doubts that I can physically make it around, but I have serious doubts about how much pain and suffering I'll experience as a result!
Due to a number of things going on this year, my time for sportives will be limited. This might be my only one this year, so it'd be nice to get around before dark!
ACS
Legendary Member
- Location
- Just below the snow line
Info here
"Riders must finish by 5.00pm"
With a 9am start and average 11mph on the road you will be in with about 5 minutes spare.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
I've just had a look at the route Mags; you'll have no probs you are going down the steepest bit as said, down the steeper side of the Cleish hill (the bit from about 1:50 in this vid) and it isn't that steep. The Wicks O Bailie isn't that bad either, looking at old GPS tracks it was 15% max which is more realistic IME steep but not too steep, if you know I mean ;-) I remember right it rises up sharply to the M90 but once you are over the bridge its not too bad.
Good Luck Again :-)
Good Luck Again :-)
I was up over Dunning at the weekend and the road from Dunning is bad - lots of gravel on the road. The ascent (for me) from Yetts o Muckart was covered in snowy slush! Heard today from a mate that there's snow at Gleneagles today.
Speaking of Muckart - the worst road of the day was the bit from Rumbling Bridge going north. Watch out generally, the whole place is like the Road of Bones at the moment.
Speaking of Muckart - the worst road of the day was the bit from Rumbling Bridge going north. Watch out generally, the whole place is like the Road of Bones at the moment.
Halfmanhalfbike
Über Member
- Location
- Edinburgh
I was up in Abernethy at the weekend and it's the same over that way. Back roads are a nightmare. I'm going to do a recce (by car) a couple of days before the event. Hopefully, that way I can remember where all the bad bits are. That way I can some confidence on the descents.
If you like I'll post a report here as well.
