Spud Riley

[a_n_t]

Who's in?

 

[phoenix]

I'm in. My first ever Sportive.

I have ridden the bottom part of the route many times but never the short route so will probably only do the short one as it's a chance to ride a few different roads and experience some new hills.

Part of the long route between Elton and Youlgreave is very narrow and has grass growing down the middle of the road, watch out for the gravel on this section both on the ascent & descent.

Anyone have any advice about the short route as I have never ridden it before?

Lets hope the weather stays good.

 

[a_n_t]

weather's looking dodgy

 

[phoenix]

Well, only the two of us then! Will be a quiet ride out.

Is this Sportive really unpopular as on both this and another forum it has hardly any postings and only a handful of people taking part in it. I thought the entry list was full - 600.

I wish it would stay hot and sunny but we are in Britain so I guess it will be wet, windy and cold.

 

[phoenix]

I will be riding part of the route again tomorrow. Then later in the week I will try and drive around the bit I have not done yet. Although the map on the website is lacking a bit of detail so in some places the route is not obvious.

 

[RedBike]

I will be riding part of the route again tomorrow. Then later in the week I will try and drive around the bit I have not done yet. Although the map on the website is lacking a bit of detail so in some places the route is not obvious.

You can't drive the section from Erwood resivoir to the cat and fiddle. It's more or less a footpath/bridleway. (Don't worry, it's smooth tarmac all the way.)

The road climbs more or less all the way from Pott Shigley to the cat and fiddle. It's worth riding this bit before hand, It's never that steep but it's a long one. Crowdecote banks steep and fairly long. (well it kills me!)

 

[a_n_t]

IAlthough the map on the website is lacking a bit of detail so in some places the route is not obvious.

Bit naff aint it? I tried to plot where I think it goes here

http://www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=9065

 

[phoenix]

Great stuff. I will take a copy of that with me just in case. I have visions of me riding alone in the middle of nowhere miles off course, wondering why I haven't see anyone else or any sign posts!

I will only be doing the short route as it looks like that bit has the most challenging hills. The long loop bit doesn't really have anything challenging and I have ridden that part several times.

If it's going to be wet, windy and cold I will probably stay in bed. I can always ride the route some other time when the weather is more suitable for me (over 18 degrees C and sunny).

 

[a_n_t]

Great stuff. I will take a copy of that with me just in case.

It might be slightly out in places so dont blame me!

 

[fossyant]

Not in..maybe next year - can't risk the shoulder....

 

[longers]

Could someone please give me a poke next year, in time to get an entry in please?

 

[fossyant]

Early bird and all that - it's a silly hilly one - all the stupid high gradients, short hills etc, but loads of them....

 

[a_n_t]

all the stupid high gradients, short hills etc, but loads of them....

cant wait!

 

[SimonC]

I'm doing the 100 miler - weather dont look to great on BBC web tho - max 14C and light rain.

 

[a_n_t]

Glad I opted for the 55 mile route and avoided the monsoon/hail/wind/thunder!!