GordonB
Guru
- Location
- Somewhere just north of Ipswich
I suspect we'll aim to leave at 07:00, which was the plan last year until the chips didn't arrive.
Gordon
Gordon
Suffolk Sunrise 2012 - anyone else doing it?
- Thread starter mattobrien
- Start date
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OP
OP
mattobrien
Guru
- Location
- Sunny Suffolk
I suspect that I'll be aiming to leave around the same time, so hopefully may see you at or around the start line.
e-rider
Banned member
- Location
- South West
in stark contrast to the Suffolk Sunrise last year, I just did the AMR Peterborough 100 and it was really well organised - so AMR can actually organise a good ride so fingers crossed for you lot!
GordonB
Guru
- Location
- Somewhere just north of Ipswich
Rezillo and I did a miserable 60 miler today round some of the route of the Sunrise, miserable because the weather was utterly foul, wet and cold. However, the main point in posting is to warn any potential riders that the roads are in an awful state following last weeks rain. There's sand, grit, pebbles and small flints all over the place but especially in dips in the road. If you don't have Kevlar belted tyres on the bike, get some or be prepared to change tubes. If you haven't ridden these roads before be aware that east of the A12 the land is very sandy and I would not advise charging down hills into a corner. Chances are the surface in the corner will be very loose and you risk becoming a serious cropper. Any part of the route from about Melton to Blythburgh is potentially a problem but I suspect other areas could be almost as bad.
Gordon
Gordon
Yes - beware all sharp bends. The B roads aren't too bad on the straight but the single track lanes are in a bad state. The section between Orford and Snape is poor at the best of times but it had us picking our way through sections with sand and gravel to the depth of an inch or two. That's ok for two of us but not something that is easy to do when you're riding in a group at speed and there's no clear road to move into.
It was a miserable "fitness only" ride yesterday, simply because the weather has prevented us from doing the training we should be, and for me I'm not sure that was enough. There is more rain forecast throughout the week - if next Sunday is anything like yesterday, I may cop out. Ironically, we went out yesterday because the forecast for today was rubbish but the rain has held out long enough for it to have been quite pleasant.
John
It was a miserable "fitness only" ride yesterday, simply because the weather has prevented us from doing the training we should be, and for me I'm not sure that was enough. There is more rain forecast throughout the week - if next Sunday is anything like yesterday, I may cop out. Ironically, we went out yesterday because the forecast for today was rubbish but the rain has held out long enough for it to have been quite pleasant.
John
Angus444
Senior Member
You lads seem to be experiencing similar weather and road conditions to me, a few hundred miles to the north on the same coast, in Angus.
I always think that come May, it should be short sleeve jerseys, and some sunshine, but it looks like on the same day you're battling around Suffolk, I'll be doing the same at the Etape Caledonia with base layers and wind jackets.
Oh for the sunshine of Tuscany, Andalucia and the Riviera....
Good luck with the preparations for the day, and safe riding.
I always think that come May, it should be short sleeve jerseys, and some sunshine, but it looks like on the same day you're battling around Suffolk, I'll be doing the same at the Etape Caledonia with base layers and wind jackets.
Oh for the sunshine of Tuscany, Andalucia and the Riviera....
Good luck with the preparations for the day, and safe riding.
OP
OP
mattobrien
Guru
- Location
- Sunny Suffolk
I am sure that there will be plenty of rain to hopefully wash some of the sand and grit off the roads before the sunrise.
That said, the weather forecasts I have been looking at are showing a dry day on Sunday - obviously that has just cursed it.
Managed to get a few miles in today and it is definitely warmer than it has been for a while, so fingers crossed spring is finally making a belated appearance.
That said, the weather forecasts I have been looking at are showing a dry day on Sunday - obviously that has just cursed it.
Managed to get a few miles in today and it is definitely warmer than it has been for a while, so fingers crossed spring is finally making a belated appearance.
Scilly Suffolk
Über Member
Fingers crossed!
I'll look out for you, as I'll be out that way.
I'll look out for you, as I'll be out that way.
OP
OP
mattobrien
Guru
- Location
- Sunny Suffolk
I see that the 'plenty of rain' continues. Still forecast dry for Sunday, but I am not a betting man.
Just got an email re the potential for alternative parking if the field is in a bad way. Guessing I will pack my tow rope for my 4x4, just in case.
Final ride now completed, just need to clean the bike, lube everything that needs lubing
Just got an email re the potential for alternative parking if the field is in a bad way. Guessing I will pack my tow rope for my 4x4, just in case.
Final ride now completed, just need to clean the bike, lube everything that needs lubing
GordonB
Guru
- Location
- Somewhere just north of Ipswich
Rezillo and I will be trying to get to Framlingham for 06:30, ready for a 07:00 start if anyone wants to meet up. We'll be in a silver Toyota Verso with a tow bar mounted rack, John will be riding his common as muck Orbea, I'll be riding my finely crafted metallic green Roberts. Decided not to ride the Olmo as the road conditions on the coastal section are potentially too harsh to risk such a rare frame on. The Roberts is likely to be a tougher frame as it doesn't have the age of the Olmo and at least it could be replaced if the unthinkable happens.
Happy to ride with any CC'er who wants to risk to abusive interchanges that usually fuel our rides. Skin as thick as a rhino recommended!
Gordon
Happy to ride with any CC'er who wants to risk to abusive interchanges that usually fuel our rides. Skin as thick as a rhino recommended!
Gordon
Wimp! He's worried his precious will get rusty......
I'll have a Cyclechat jacket on for the first section and an Adnams shirt after that.
John
OP
OP
mattobrien
Guru
- Location
- Sunny Suffolk
Gents, I too am planning on a 6:30 arrival, for a 7am start. Would be great to try to meet up so I am not billy no mates on my very first sportive.
I will be arriving in a rather pikey dark blue Toyota Hilux Surf, with the bike safely stowed in the back. Am planning on wearing a fairly bright blue Gore jersey and I will be on my even more common than muck Spesh Allez.
Abusive interchanges ought to provide some light entertainment / comic relief for the the journey.
Look forward to hopefully meeting you both tomorrow.
I will be arriving in a rather pikey dark blue Toyota Hilux Surf, with the bike safely stowed in the back. Am planning on wearing a fairly bright blue Gore jersey and I will be on my even more common than muck Spesh Allez.
Abusive interchanges ought to provide some light entertainment / comic relief for the the journey.
Look forward to hopefully meeting you both tomorrow.
OP
OP
mattobrien
Guru
- Location
- Sunny Suffolk
Job, jobbed.
John and Gordon, really nice to meet you both, thanks for putting up with me for the vast majority of the ride.
I hope the final 22 odd miles weren't too painful.
Managed to stretch my legs a little for the final part - didn't get overtaken once and having looked on Strava, managed to averaged 18.2mph following the final food stop. Quite pleased with that, all things considered. Wouldn't have been possible without having stuck to a sensible pace for the large part of the day.
Strava ride is here: http://app.strava.com/rides/8443380
Just now contending with two small children who both want to wear daddy's medal and have no concept of me having slightly tired legs...
John and Gordon, really nice to meet you both, thanks for putting up with me for the vast majority of the ride.
I hope the final 22 odd miles weren't too painful.
Managed to stretch my legs a little for the final part - didn't get overtaken once and having looked on Strava, managed to averaged 18.2mph following the final food stop. Quite pleased with that, all things considered. Wouldn't have been possible without having stuck to a sensible pace for the large part of the day.
Strava ride is here: http://app.strava.com/rides/8443380
Just now contending with two small children who both want to wear daddy's medal and have no concept of me having slightly tired legs...
Thanks Matt, your company was very welcome.
I blew up about 2 miles from Rumburgh and the last twenty or so miles was just a question of plodding to the finish line. I'm not surprised - overweight this year and not enough long distance rides beforehand. Even so, Gordon was in much better shape than me.
Here's a video still of you disappearing into the distance on the last leg.
Cheers
John
I blew up about 2 miles from Rumburgh and the last twenty or so miles was just a question of plodding to the finish line. I'm not surprised - overweight this year and not enough long distance rides beforehand. Even so, Gordon was in much better shape than me.
Here's a video still of you disappearing into the distance on the last leg.
Cheers
John
GordonB
Guru
- Location
- Somewhere just north of Ipswich
Nice to finally meet another CCer and a thoroughly nice bloke. good to have additional company, much as I enjoy riding with John. Didn't feel too bad this morning but I've been lecturing from 08:30 to 19:00 almost non stop today and feel more than slightly knackered tonight. Only three and a half similar days to go!
Gordon
Gordon
