Meon Valley Riser

[JonnyBlade]

Signed up to ride this as my first event next week. I can do the distance but having rode some of it's hills today I'm kind of thinking 'Oh my Lord you're gonna suffer lad'

Anyone else entering or ridden it before?

I'm sure I'll enjoy it but have a little bit of that new boy panic thing going on. Ran Marathons, Half Marathons, 10k and 5 mile races so I know that race day feeling. Still I am a running convert and this is all new

Jonny

 

[PpPete]

Anyone else entering or ridden it before?

Unlikely - as it's a new event !
Looks like fun though - shame I'm "ooop north" that day

 

[oldroadman]

Signed up to ride this as my first event next week. I can do the distance but having rode some of it's hills today I'm kind of thinking 'Oh my Lord you're gonna suffer lad'

Anyone else entering or ridden it before?

I'm sure I'll enjoy it but have a little bit of that new boy panic thing going on. Ran Marathons, Half Marathons, 10k and 5 mile races so I know that race day feeling. Still I am a running convert and this is all new

Jonny

Just remember, despite what some people seem to thyink, it's NOT a race, so relax, climb steady (within your reasonable comfort zone) and enjoy

 

[JonnyBlade]

Thanks Oldroadman

Very good advice I think. I will enjoy it but it's going to be a long one. I hope it doesn't go dark

 

[john12]

I'm doing it mate - should be a good day.
Can also recommend the new forest rattler organised by the same fellas.

 

[JonnyBlade]

Thanks John12. I'm really looking forward to it now and I'll have a look at the Rattler

Need to get the miles in before a charity ride in September

 

[PAV]

Hi Jonny

It's going to be my first sportive too - really looking forward to it but mega apprehensive that I'll finish it, let alone finish in a 'decent' time!!!

Haven't done this distance yet, but have been training in the hills of Hampshire - hopefully it'll be ok!!!!!

 

[JonnyBlade]

Hi Jonny

It's going to be my first sportive too - really looking forward to it but mega apprehensive that I'll finish it, let alone finish in a 'decent' time!!!

Haven't done this distance yet, but have been training in the hills of Hampshire - hopefully it'll be ok!!!!!

Hi PAV,

We'll be there at the end

 

[JonnyBlade]

What an absolute troll of a ride. More hills than you can shake a stick at
For a first ride out I was impressed and loved the first 70 miles. The last 18 were right out of the book of hell

I have to be pleased with my 5 hours 15 minutes and a bronze timing finish. Missed out on a silver timing by 5 minutes but I wouldn't have made that up if I'd have caught a taxi

Good day

 

[StuAff]

What an absolute troll of a ride. More hills than you can shake a stick at
For a first ride out I was impressed and loved the first 70 miles. The last 18 were right out of the book of hell

I have to be pleased with my 5 hours 15 minutes and a bronze timing finish. Missed out on a silver timing by 5 minutes but I wouldn't have made that up if I'd have caught a taxi

Good day

I did think about entering it, in the end I didn't, partly as I know how awful the road surfaces are on much of the route. Potholes either side of gravel....lovely. On the Wiggle Mega Meon last year, ended up clumping a bank after arguing with some of that stuff.

Had a little run out this afternoon, Pompey-Fareham-Hambledon-Clanfield-Horndean-Pompey, saw quite a few riders going the other way, on the home stretch I presume.

 

[JonnyBlade]

I did think about entering it, in the end I didn't, partly as I know how awful the road surfaces are on much of the route. Potholes either side of gravel....lovely. On the Wiggle Mega Meon last year, ended up clumping a bank after arguing with some of that stuff.

Had a little run out this afternoon, Pompey-Fareham-Hambledon-Clanfield-Horndean-Pompey, saw quite a few riders going the other way, on the home stretch I presume.

Stu
The roads were shocking in parts. Big bloomin holes and naff surfaces. Still, a challenge is a challenge

Clanfield, Hambledon was the home stretch so yep, you are right

 

[PAV]

Wow - what a Sportive to do for my first one - that was hilly and a half!!

I agree - the first 70 or so miles were fab - then for the sting(s) in the tail - several climbs close together!!

The road surfaces weren't the best - and I'm glad that it didn't rain or the surface would have been horrendous.

My timings weren't great - partly to do with fitness and partly due to my mate breaking his chain twice and the having a puncture - that all probably added at least 40 odd minutes!

Had a great time though and looking forward to my next one!

 

[JonnyBlade]

Wow - what a Sportive to do for my first one - that was hilly and a half!!

I agree - the first 70 or so miles were fab - then for the sting(s) in the tail - several climbs close together!!

The road surfaces weren't the best - and I'm glad that it didn't rain or the surface would have been horrendous.

My timings weren't great - partly to do with fitness and partly due to my mate breaking his chain twice and the having a puncture - that all probably added at least 40 odd minutes!

Had a great time though and looking forward to my next one!

PAV. Great 1st one for me too but one hell of a route. Hard is not descriptive enough

 

[JonnyBlade]

Just got the results in.#

Finished officially in 5' 15 and 40 seconds

12th overall

40 seconds off the Gold time

All done on a converted Raleigh Pursuit with mountain bike 9 speed shifters

 

[john12]

Just got the results in.#

Finished officially in 5' 15 and 40 seconds

12th overall

40 seconds off the Gold time

All done on a converted Raleigh Pursuit with mountain bike 9 speed shifters

blimey fella thats an awesome time for that ride....well done.
i came in at 6.01 after getting bad cramp on that last climb up portsdown from southwick....maybe i should have had a bannana or two at the stops?
it was a tough ride - but enjoyable i think (?!) and by cycling to and from the event made my first 100mile ride so at least i've ticked that box.