TPCC ToB Tour Rides

[longwayround]

So did anyone do this yesterday and enjoy it as much as I did?

Yep.

I had aimed to complete the 70km ride in less than 3 hours. According to my Garmin, I managed it in exactly 2 hours 47 minutes although that doesn't include the lunch stop in Milwich so I think my official time will be a little over 3 hours.

My first ever sportif/audax ride and first time riding anywhere near this distance in one go, and I did it in 6 hours. I'd said to myself before I began that I'd be happy with anywhere under 8 hours so I was well pleased.

Funniest story of the day was a guy who thought that tube of lubrication grease that came in the free goody bag was an energy gel and as consequence gulped it down. I hope he's feeling OK today!

I was careful to leave that tube at home, just in case I cocked up in that very way. This was the first Sportive I've ever attempted and, as you mention, the organisation was unbeatable.

Finding I had the strength to overtake people on the (admittedly slight) climbs was a great motivator, particularly as I get a great kick out of passing people with lighter bikes and World Champion stripes.

I'm now keenly awaiting the arrival of the official times on the Tour Ride site and the official pictures.

I hope next year to manage something closer to the full length.

 

[zaid]

I also had a great day out, and ditto about that hill (in chederton i think) that was unexpected, I was suffering some cramp on that one. Likewise, GunHill was ok for me too.

The event itself was so well organised, there was plenty of stuff offered to eat and drink and no rationing of supplies (as far as I noticed anyway).

I have to admit that I did find it quite tough going though, especially the last few hills, but I think I did it in just over 6 hours (minus an hour's stop for lunch and a few drink stops at feed stations).

I would definately do another event organised by them.

 

[longwayround]

I see the times have now been published.

And I'm very pleased to see that I finished the Challenge Ride in 50th out of 192 people. (But a little disappointed that, had I spent 2 minutes 37 seconds less on the loo at Milwich, I would have beaten my 3 hour target.)

The fastest time on the Challenge Ride was 2:33'47". On the Pro Ride it was 4:47'40". Not that anyone would have considered treating the event as a race.

Oh no.

 

[PD 2009]

Funniest story of the day was a guy who thought that tube of lubrication grease that came in the free goody bag was an energy gel and as consequence gulped it down. I hope he's feeling OK today!

Oh dear Still was probably tastier than some of the energy gels I've tasted before!

Sounds like it was a good day, disappointed I ended up missing it, but all the more determined to see the actual race now. I take it it should make for a good stage?

Also for anyone like me who missed out/regrets not doing it and lives down south, don't forget the London Ride takes place immediately before the final stage of the ToB. There's also the Skyride the next day so you could make a weekend of riding around on closed roads at the heart of the capital.

The added advantage is once you've ridden you can put your feet up with friends & family and watch the pros do it (alot faster!).

http://www.tourride.co.uk/rides/stage_8.asp

Anyone going to own up to being in any of the pictures on here?

http://sportivephoto.thirdlight.com/gallery.tlx

 

[zaid]

http://www.tourride.co.uk/rides/stage_8.asp

Anyone going to own up to being in any of the pictures on here?

http://sportivephoto.thirdlight.com/gallery.tlx[/quote]


This is me somewhere near the last 20 miles (I think), after swallowing a wasp!

http://sportivephoto.thirdlight.com/viewpicture.tlx?albumid=239764&pictureid=10554169

 

[Ball]

http://sportivephoto.thirdlight.com/viewpicture.tlx?gsearchid=1252610820&pictureid=10549612

And this would be me struggling to the finish about 5 miles away.

 

[longwayround]

Those links just give me a 'Sorry you do not have access to this picture' message.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=311502&id=697425087&l=fcf585ff45

These are mine, mostly as I was sprinting for the line and, afterwards, discovering that my maximum heart rate wasn't the 190bpm that I had thought. My Cavendish style celebration was sadly not caught by the press pack.