Pedal For Scotland 2009

[goo_mason]

I've had an email and registration is now open for this year's run on the 13th September.

Who's up for doing it again this year (or indeed doing it for the first time this year) ? A grand, warm & sunny day out was had by Team CC Scotland & Norway last year, and we probably ended up heavier by the end with all of the free food, drink, chocolate, water and bananas that we managed to cram in !

Not only that, but round-the-world record-holder Mark Beaumont got very excited at having stood near the famous Magnatom, and at one point looked like he was going to come over for an autograph !

Once we get a few names, we can start registering under a team name. So - who's coming ?

 

[HLaB]

September seems like a long way off but I'll be up for it I hope my bus driver doesn't get lost this year.

 

[eldudino]

Gutted, I'm going to be on holiday in Cornwall that weekend!

 

[magnatom]

I started a thread about this ages ago ya muppet!

Aye, I've already cleared a date for it. Should be a scoosh this year what with all this long distance riding I'm planning!

 

[HJ]

Not only that, but round-the-world record-holder Mark Beaumont got very excited at having stood near the famous Magnatom, and at one point looked like he was going to come over for an autograph !

Aye that was the hardest bit, being in Magnatom shadow all day, but the groupies were good...

 

[MrRidley]

Count me in.

 

[goo_mason]

I suppose we should merge the two threads. Can the mods do that ?

 

[magnatom]

Aye that was the hardest bit, being in Magnatom shadow all day, but the groupies were good...

Oh aye, groopies... they all seemed to be wearing cyclechat tops and had hairy legs...

(Although I seem to remember one Hairy Jock, who had very noticably smooth legs if my memory serves me right! )

 

[marooncat]

Where does the route go and what sort of time do people tend to take to do this in? Think some of the people on here could do 55 miles before breakfast without breaking a sweat but I would find it hard going

 

[Scoosh]

Where does the route go and what sort of time do people tend to take to do this in? Think some of the people on here could do 55 miles before breakfast without breaking a sweat but I would find it hard going

I've been tying to find the link to the route from last year - without success at present, I regret.

However - it is on roads out of Glesga (Glasgow Green start), goes through Drumpelier Park*, Caldercrux, Avonbridge*, Linlithgow*, Hopetoun House*, and to Embra's Victoria Park [* = food/water stop]. Some is on roads, some on cycle paths. No big hills, though there is a bit of a climb out of Avonbridge.

Transport is available (bus for people, trucks for bikes) from Embra - Glasgow for the start and from Embra - Glesga at the end.

How long does it take ? Well some greyhounds try to do it as quick as poss but, partly because of the massive numbers (5,000+), it is not really possible to go fast and half the point is the social side, so it takes as long as you want to - say 4-6 hours, with stops. I think they keep the finish 'open' till about 7pm, which allows everyone to finish, given that the start is from about 8.00am !

Would you find it hard going ? Depends if you have been on a bike in the 3 months before the event. If you have, you'll manage it OK. If you haven't - you'll probably struggle but can you do it ? "Yes, you can"

 

[marooncat]

Might give this some serious thought then,.. apart from the bit about going anywhere near Avonbridge, please tell me it was not through the gorge? I have seen so many cyclist strugling up there!

Am doing between 15-20 miles a day at the moment when I cycle to work which is 3 or 4 times a week so given this is a few months off I have enough time to get fitter.

Biggest pain would be getting to the start and back again. I live near Livingston so mid way between them both and I assume the bus/lorries do not do stop off'e en route. Is Victoria Park down in Leith direction??

 

[Scoosh]

Might give this some serious thought then,.. apart from the bit about going anywhere near Avonbridge, please tell me it was not through the gorge? I have seen so many cyclist strugling up there!

Am doing between 15-20 miles a day at the moment when I cycle to work which is 3 or 4 times a week so given this is a few months off I have enough time to get fitter.

Biggest pain would be getting to the start and back again. I live near Livingston so mid way between them both and I assume the bus/lorries do not do stop off'e en route. Is Victoria Park down in Leith direction??

Not sure if the Avonbridge bit was gorge-ous but it is not a hard climb - more an "uphill slope" . Hey, Mags made it OK - and on his hybrid too

15-20 mpd 3-4 x per week will see you fine. If you can do a 30-40 miler sometime before PfS, you'll have no worries. It's not a race, there are people doing it who haven't been on a bike more than twice before they set off and they make it.

Livingston to Start might be the biggest hassle. There must be others coming from Livi to Leith, so maybe a lift somewhere ? [One could be unkind and say something like: "that's (one of) the problem(s) of living in Livingston" - but that would be neither fair nor kind. True, though ]

Yes, Victoria Park is in Leith direction, between Trinity and Leith, on the cycle network.

Of course, if you want to get in some miles, with some good company, in a non-threatening, no-need-to-worry-if-you're-not-a-fit-greyhound environment - then the CC Scotland Forum rides are just for you
If you are at all concerned about being 'left behind', read the comments which followed our last excursion, especially from those who had the same anxieties (TechMech comes to mind) here (there are only 4 pages !) - and we'll see you for the next one , not to be confused with the Trossachs Ton.

So much choice ! - just do them all !

 

[marooncat]

Suspect from looking at a map I know where the route went and it would not have been up the gorge..

I have got a car so could throw bike in the back of that and drive into to near the finish if parking is at all possable there (but I suspect that lots of others will be trying that also so parking could be a nightmare)

Have been half keeping an eye on the cycle chat ride thread but still not convinced that my fitness level is enough yet. I know that you go at the speed of the slowest rider etc but I am a bit worried about holding everyone up so much.

 

[ACS]

Suspect from looking at a map I know where the route went and it would not have been up the gorge..

I have got a car so could throw bike in the back of that and drive into to near the finish if parking is at all possable there (but I suspect that lots of others will be trying that also so parking could be a nightmare)

Have been half keeping an eye on the cycle chat ride thread but still not convinced that my fitness level is enough yet. I know that you go at the speed of the slowest rider etc but I am a bit worried about holding everyone up so much.

Please do not concern yourself about this. NO one, absolutely NO one gets left behind, it is a ride out with like minded people of ALL abilities and standards, not a race, its a chance to have a bit of a banter, learn from others and most of all enjoy the company of others. The fast boys take in the view and give slower riders a chance to catch their breath before the next leg. Join us you know you want to

 

[magnatom]

marooncat,

Last year when I took part on PfS it was my longest ride ever. I had only ever commuted 10 miles a day, max. I also had a monster of a hybrid. At the end, I was a little stiff, but nothing more, and the feeling of doing your first 55 mile ride with good company to cheer you along is well worth the mild stiffness.

You will be fine.