Second for Yorks Hill. That's a decent climb. Hurts a bit and goes on for quite a way. Best way to hit that is out of the saddle from about halfway up, then just grind it. I've only done it three times, all of them at the beginning of last year when I was training for L2P24. I wish I lived close enough to Kent to be able to do the climbs there regularly.
Luke - if you get bored doing the Kent climbs, try the Surrey ones. I find there's a lot of variety out that way - from the short sharp bastards like Pebble Coombe to longer, more drawn out affairs like Box Hill, and right the way up to real tough ones like Ranmore, Whitedown and Winterfold. All three of those are long and steady, with some spiteful ramps. There's an absolutely lovely run from Brasted all the way to Dorking on the A25 - with only Redhill and Reigate in the way. You can build up a nice head of speed going through Bletchingley and Nutfield, then again from Reigate all the way through to Dorking, before heading out GUildford way for all the climbs in the area. Well worth an afternoon off.
I see on another thread that Rothko did the London Surrey 100 last year, anyone else on here have any experience of this?
Before January this year I hadn't been on a bike for over 20yrs - and although I've now lost some weight, I'm still very much the 'fat lad at the back'. I've got no ambitions of quick times - I'm just trying to get round the whole course before I get kicked off.
I've never ridden in a sportive/race/cycle event of any kind and just wondered if you lot have any tips for riding in a crowd? Also, any hints for gels/potions/injections to help out with the 'saddle zone'. It is literally the eye of the storm down there right now.
Lol - you should check out 'fat lad at the back' online. It's a clothing brand for the discerning cycling novice
Are you talking about the Ride London in August? If so, then I've ridden a very similar route before, especially through Surrey. The Cycle London sportive in May does a similar sort of route, albeit slightly tougher as it takes in more hills. You'll enjoy it if it's the Ride London one as it's closed roads and there will be crowds cheering you on.
Riding in a group can be unsettling, especially if you're not used to it. However, you get such an advantage when riding in a bunch that it can literally be 50 percent easier, so try and do it if you can. Practice beforehand with some mates or, if you can't or don't have mates who ride, next time you're out on your own, just ask if you can latch on to a bunch.
Two main things to concentrate on when riding in a bunch as a novice are to try and stay about a foot from the wheel of the rider in front, but slightly to the side to give yourself the best chance of avoiding running into them if they hit a pothole; and to try and ride as smoothly as possible so the rider behind you doesn't worry about you jumping all over the road in front of you.
For some great advice on bunch riding and loads of other helpful videos, check out GCN's channel on YouTube. Reams of useful tips on their videos.
Regarding your nether regions - first up, make sure you're riding padded shorts. These don't have to be expensive (mine cost me a tenner a pair on ebay) but make sure they have proper chamois padding. Experiment with wearing just the shorts or cotton pants as well. Bizarrely, I can't get on with just the shorts - since I switched to pants under them 18 months ago I haven't had a single problem with saddle sores. Finally, consider getting a different saddle. Everyone's anatomy is different - and there a lot of different saddle designs that might suit you better than the one you currently have.
Finally got out on my new bike today? My youngest boy put pay to me giving it a spin straight after i got two weeks ago it by insensitively breaking his leg! (poor sod)
Anyways.What fun. Thing's like shit off a shovel compared to my mountain bike. 25 miles done and felt like I could have done more but thought I better take it easy considering I'm new to this. Leroy.Your posh £10 ebay shorts. Mine cost me £3!!! Need to prioritise what need next. Could do with some new clothes,Shoes and cleats(got the spd pedals when i bought it) Helmet, tyres etc. Prob go for the tyres you all mentioned first.
Someone said to me this hobby can be a bit of a money pit! ;-)
I remember when I got a road bike after riding a 180 quid Decathlon hybrid. Felt like I was being pulled along it was so light. You wait until you get a full carbon - it's frightening.
You;re right though, it can get stupidly expensive. Set yourself a budget every month and don't go over it. That way at least you'll (sort of) know how much it's going to cost you in advance!
Thanks very much Leroy - it is indeed the London Surrey100 that I'm doing in a couple of weeks time with the closed roads, so hopefully you're right about the crowds and the adrenalin will help it feel shorter.
The undercarriage situation has been an ongoing problem and I've pretty much resigned myself now to just having to ride in pain. I've tried 5 different seats and I'd describe the best of those as: 'almost bearable'. I've already got some gel padded shorts which have helped and 'Deep Freeze' gel (which will definitely turn your brown eye blue). 'Udder cream' seemed to make it worse, as things started parting and sliding that were never invited to the party. Lowering the seat and angling it forward did help slightly though. I'm now waiting for some 'Opsite' spray-on plaster to arrive tomorrow and intend to coat myself in a layer of protective goodness. Just got to wait and see if that does the trick.
That GCN channel certainly looks useful - so thanks again for your suggestions.
Someone told me I was a proper cyclist now that I've done Box Hill! That was last Wednesday and today I was up again as I commute to Reigate by bike once a week. Sunday was London to Cambridge fundraiser... 60 miles... Nothing spectacular but up to 14mph average... three months back I was doing 20 miles a week whereas now it's more like 80-100...and all down to the weather, some bike shoes and much improved wheels! My first contribution to this thread and would be interested in advice on kit and routes / cycling clubs to keep climbing the curve...someone at work trying to get me to a Steven Roche training camp next year but I need to move up the curve a few notches if that is going to happen.
Just seen there is a Strava CL group so maybe try that out.
There's a lot of good hills listed in the last couple of pages here
For routes overall, London to Brighton via the Surrey/Sussex lanes is a good one - if you're feeling up to it you could cycle back, or jump on the train. I do that quite often (though haven't done it for a while now - may do it this weekend.).
I have a nice training loop that takes me out from Croydon to Horsham and back via Kingswood, Box Hill, Dorking, the Holmwoods, Warnham, Mannings Heath, Handcross, Faygate and Reigate - 125km, just the right amount of flats, rolling up & downs and long, fast climbs and descents for me
It depends where you are really. I was in Reigate for a couple of years (perfect cycling country) but anywhere near Kent/Surrey is pretty decent
A thought......probably a not very good one, but.....would anyone be up for a CL "lycra warriors" ride to an away game? Brighton or Reading spring to mind - could potentially do it as a sponsored ride for the Upbeats?
Seeing all these hills mentioned, I'm surprised no one has said Chalkpit lane, just above Oxted and near Beddlestead, absolutely lethal hill which is well over 20% in some places and an average of a 11% gradient.
Also I've been doing racing around the road circuit at the Olympic park (Lee Valley) for the last few weeks, great facility and really nice course, I encourage people to go and check it out.
Had an average speed of 26 mph/41.8 kph around there in the race tonight, was mentally fast, feel dead now. And that was still only 40th place out of 80 riders!!!
Seeing all these hills mentioned, I'm surprised no one has said Chalkpit lane, just above Oxted and near Beddlestead, absolutely lethal hill which is well over 20% in some places and an average of a 11% gradient.
Also I've been doing racing around the road circuit at the Olympic park (Lee Valley) for the last few weeks, great facility and really nice course, I encourage people to go and check it out.
Had an average speed of 26 mph/41.8 kph around there in the race tonight, was mentally fast, feel dead now. And that was still only 40th place out of 80 riders!!!
Fair play to you Cat racers. I just havent got the balls for that. I'm happy riding 50 miles at 18-19mph or over 20 in a chain gang but the thought of riding in a bunch, no thanks. Just thinking about it scares the living daylights out of me. If and when I ever get any money, I want to get a TT bike and start taking TTs seriously but thats a good few years away yet sadly.
@Clem_Snide I would happily cycle to a game (or do some sort of sponsored bike ride), but not sure about sitting at the game in lycra, or leaving my bike locked up outside a football ground...
Not going to ride with A4L tho - that's way too fast for me...strictly MAMIL's only please :-)
If you've got a bike and 'do some miles' join the CL Strava club...
I have actually just started to use Strava, I believe I have also just joined the CL club.
@JohnBoyUK Regarding TT's even if you don't have a TT bike go ahead and enter one anyway, thats what I do. My PB for 10 miles (Only done 4, all on the same course that has a hill in the last 2 miles) is 25:31 and that is just on a normal road bike which is still fairly competitive. If your doing 50 miles at 18-19 mph you shouldn't have a problem getting close to or even beating my PB.
But you will have to take risks on corner's/descents, but thats a personal thing. And yes racing in a bunch of 80 has its hairy moments but you get used to it, I'm definitely way more nervous at the start of a Cat 3/4 race than a 10 mile TT which says all you need to know about which one is more dangerous.
I was considering getting my cat4 license, but like others the thought of riding in a bunch at speed petrifies me. I think I'm better suited to TTs anyway - I do most of my rides either on my own or with a couple of mates at most.
Since you seem to be in the know, A4L, what's the situation with doing a TT - do you just find out where they are and rock up & ride? Do I need a license for them? I average around 33-35kph - so sounds like I'm not a million miles off pace. Do they have handicaps for veterans, as I'm in the over 40s category now
I was considering getting my cat4 license, but like others the thought of riding in a bunch at speed petrifies me. I think I'm better suited to TTs anyway - I do most of my rides either on my own or with a couple of mates at most.
Since you seem to be in the know, A4L, what's the situation with doing a TT - do you just find out where they are and rock up & ride? Do I need a license for them? I average around 33-35kph - so sounds like I'm not a million miles off pace. Do they have handicaps for veterans, as I'm in the over 40s category now
Most of the time for TT's the entering rules will differ as the entering terms are generally sent by the Event Organiser (this could be a club or British cycling themselves etc). Some you may have to enter online first, others you can just show up, sign on at the start line and then go.
However there will always be an entering fee (usually £10-£20)(Or not if you are a member of the club running the TT), and this cost could potentially rise if the event requires a license and you don't have one, meaning you'd have to pay extra for a 'day license' to race. Personally I'd just recommend that you get yourself a Cat 4 license, that way your covered pretty much no matter what TT/race you want to enter.
As for a veterans category I'm not to well rounded on that being in the junior category myself, however if it works the same your result/time will be put into the overall results with all the other male category times, then there will be a separate results for each category of riders .e.g you could come 30th overall but 2nd in your category.
My club, Dulwich Paragon, do a 10 mile TT every other Thursday on the Harry Must course ( http://www.strava.com/segments/qs30-cudham-tt-course-655321 ), which is just turn up, pay and then race. There is one left on August 7th if you're interested.
I do recommend checking this as I'm more knowledgeable on Road Racing/Crits than with TT's but I hope this helps.
I have actually just started to use Strava, I believe I have also just joined the CL club.
@JohnBoyUK Regarding TT's even if you don't have a TT bike go ahead and enter one anyway, thats what I do. My PB for 10 miles (Only done 4, all on the same course that has a hill in the last 2 miles) is 25:31 and that is just on a normal road bike which is still fairly competitive. If your doing 50 miles at 18-19 mph you shouldn't have a problem getting close to or even beating my PB.
But you will have to take risks on corner's/descents, but thats a personal thing. And yes racing in a bunch of 80 has its hairy moments but you get used to it, I'm definitely way more nervous at the start of a Cat 3/4 race than a 10 mile TT which says all you need to know about which one is more dangerous.
I've had a couple of unofficial goes on Q10/26 at West Kingsdown and managed 26:35 about 18 months ago but havent really been on the bike since then apart from the odd ride.
Leroy, for the TTs, you need to be an affiliated member of a cycling club. I'll ask my mate Rich who rides TTs for Bigfoot what the score is but he cant ride them for Eltham Velo because they dont have the licence/membership thing.
Now my mate Rich, Charlton Charlie met him a couple of times. Used to be really overweight like me, got bitten by the cycling bug and now races TTs for Bigfoot. He's got a heart problem, he smokes, he drinks...and then he can ride a bike like this...
(Oh and he deliberately doesnt ride with a HR monitor. In his words. "TTs are supposed to hurt. If you're not hurting, you're not riding hard enough and I dont need my Garmin to know my heart is pumping out of my chest!")
Cheers for the TT info chaps - might pop along and ride a couple of the Catford CC tt circuits to see how I'd stack up. My pal used to ride for them, but participation is low, so he ditched it last year. Went out yesterday via Kingswood, Reigate, R**hill, Godstone and back through Westerham, Sevenoaks and Farnborough - smashed a few sprints early on out through Surrey, but didn't have much left in my legs by the time we got through Westerham. Did Brasted and Toys for the first time in well over a year - is it my imagination, or has the Toys climb back up to Emmetts Lane got significantly worse in the past 18 months? The surface is abysmal now - coming down it from the top of Brasted I was seriously panicked a couple of times when I went over ruts as deep as tractor tracks at 60k/h...
@Leroy Ambrose The surface on Toys Hill is awful. I use my phone as a GPS and have it sat on the stem of the handlebar, and as I went down that section from Emmetts Lane the other week, the vibrations from the road surface were so bad on the bike and the phone, that it came off, smashing onto the road. didnt manage to get to it until after two cars had attempted to run it over. I've been using the holder for over a year and its always been very secure which just shows how bad the surface is.
Anyone done the coast to Coast ( c2c) from Whitehaven to Newcastle/Sunderland? Really fancy it but not sure a road bike is suitable for it.
Is that the one that does a load of climbs? Was considering it as part of training for the l'etape - if it's the one I'm thinking of, the mileage wise it's OK, but has a large amount of climbing overall?
Anyone done the coast to Coast ( c2c) from Whitehaven to Newcastle/Sunderland? Really fancy it but not sure a road bike is suitable for it.
Is that the one that does a load of climbs? Was considering it as part of training for the l'etape - if it's the one I'm thinking of, the mileage wise it's OK, but has a large amount of climbing overall?
Reckon so. Think it's about 140 odd miles. You can do it over a few days. Think there's quite a bit of off road on the original route but have looked on a few forums and these can be avoided.
Okay, so looking to get a decent hybrid bike for uni in which I will be able to keep for after as well. Had a look on Halfords, but not a clue really on where to start to look elsewhere? Thanks
@SHoare93 sorry for late reply..it's all down to budget... For a decent hybrid, the Boardman's at Halfords are good value, otherwise looks for bikes from Marin, Specialised or Trek...any of the 'big names' will suit you fine. Safe pedalling!
Has anyone on here (Charlton Charlie, JohnBoy maybe?) ever been or are currently a member of a cycling club? I've been reluctant to do this up until now because I can't be dealing with all that cliqueiness that seems to go with amateur sports clubs, but I really need to improve, and have left all my mates way behind me. If I can find a club that isn't full of tossers, I think it'll be a great help for me.
I've sent an email to the registration Secretary of Addiscombe CC as they seem to be OK when out on the road (not tossbags like most of the Paragon tools, or old men like Catford).
If anybody has been a club member and has advice, that would be great
Comments
Luke - if you get bored doing the Kent climbs, try the Surrey ones. I find there's a lot of variety out that way - from the short sharp bastards like Pebble Coombe to longer, more drawn out affairs like Box Hill, and right the way up to real tough ones like Ranmore, Whitedown and Winterfold. All three of those are long and steady, with some spiteful ramps. There's an absolutely lovely run from Brasted all the way to Dorking on the A25 - with only Redhill and Reigate in the way. You can build up a nice head of speed going through Bletchingley and Nutfield, then again from Reigate all the way through to Dorking, before heading out GUildford way for all the climbs in the area. Well worth an afternoon off.
Before January this year I hadn't been on a bike for over 20yrs - and although I've now lost some weight, I'm still very much the 'fat lad at the back'.
I've got no ambitions of quick times - I'm just trying to get round the whole course before I get kicked off.
I've never ridden in a sportive/race/cycle event of any kind and just wondered if you lot have any tips for riding in a crowd?
Also, any hints for gels/potions/injections to help out with the 'saddle zone'. It is literally the eye of the storm down there right now.
Are you talking about the Ride London in August? If so, then I've ridden a very similar route before, especially through Surrey. The Cycle London sportive in May does a similar sort of route, albeit slightly tougher as it takes in more hills. You'll enjoy it if it's the Ride London one as it's closed roads and there will be crowds cheering you on.
Riding in a group can be unsettling, especially if you're not used to it. However, you get such an advantage when riding in a bunch that it can literally be 50 percent easier, so try and do it if you can. Practice beforehand with some mates or, if you can't or don't have mates who ride, next time you're out on your own, just ask if you can latch on to a bunch.
Two main things to concentrate on when riding in a bunch as a novice are to try and stay about a foot from the wheel of the rider in front, but slightly to the side to give yourself the best chance of avoiding running into them if they hit a pothole; and to try and ride as smoothly as possible so the rider behind you doesn't worry about you jumping all over the road in front of you.
For some great advice on bunch riding and loads of other helpful videos, check out GCN's channel on YouTube. Reams of useful tips on their videos.
Regarding your nether regions - first up, make sure you're riding padded shorts. These don't have to be expensive (mine cost me a tenner a pair on ebay) but make sure they have proper chamois padding. Experiment with wearing just the shorts or cotton pants as well. Bizarrely, I can't get on with just the shorts - since I switched to pants under them 18 months ago I haven't had a single problem with saddle sores. Finally, consider getting a different saddle. Everyone's anatomy is different - and there a lot of different saddle designs that might suit you better than the one you currently have.
Anyways.What fun. Thing's like shit off a shovel compared to my mountain bike. 25 miles done and felt like I could have done more but thought I better take it easy considering I'm new to this. Leroy.Your posh £10 ebay shorts. Mine cost me £3!!!
Need to prioritise what need next. Could do with some new clothes,Shoes and cleats(got the spd pedals when i bought it) Helmet, tyres etc. Prob go for the tyres you all mentioned first.
Someone said to me this hobby can be a bit of a money pit! ;-)
You;re right though, it can get stupidly expensive. Set yourself a budget every month and don't go over it. That way at least you'll (sort of) know how much it's going to cost you in advance!
The undercarriage situation has been an ongoing problem and I've pretty much resigned myself now to just having to ride in pain. I've tried 5 different seats and I'd describe the best of those as: 'almost bearable'.
I've already got some gel padded shorts which have helped and 'Deep Freeze' gel (which will definitely turn your brown eye blue).
'Udder cream' seemed to make it worse, as things started parting and sliding that were never invited to the party.
Lowering the seat and angling it forward did help slightly though.
I'm now waiting for some 'Opsite' spray-on plaster to arrive tomorrow and intend to coat myself in a layer of protective goodness. Just got to wait and see if that does the trick.
That GCN channel certainly looks useful - so thanks again for your suggestions.
My first contribution to this thread and would be interested in advice on kit and routes / cycling clubs to keep climbing the curve...someone at work trying to get me to a Steven Roche training camp next year but I need to move up the curve a few notches if that is going to happen.
Just seen there is a Strava CL group so maybe try that out.
For routes overall, London to Brighton via the Surrey/Sussex lanes is a good one - if you're feeling up to it you could cycle back, or jump on the train. I do that quite often (though haven't done it for a while now - may do it this weekend.).
I have a nice training loop that takes me out from Croydon to Horsham and back via Kingswood, Box Hill, Dorking, the Holmwoods, Warnham, Mannings Heath, Handcross, Faygate and Reigate - 125km, just the right amount of flats, rolling up & downs and long, fast climbs and descents for me
It depends where you are really. I was in Reigate for a couple of years (perfect cycling country) but anywhere near Kent/Surrey is pretty decent
Also I've been doing racing around the road circuit at the Olympic park (Lee Valley) for the last few weeks, great facility and really nice course, I encourage people to go and check it out.
Had an average speed of 26 mph/41.8 kph around there in the race tonight, was mentally fast, feel dead now. And that was still only 40th place out of 80 riders!!!
Not going to ride with A4L tho - that's way too fast for me...strictly MAMIL's only please :-)
If you've got a bike and 'do some miles' join the CL Strava club...
@JohnBoyUK Regarding TT's even if you don't have a TT bike go ahead and enter one anyway, thats what I do. My PB for 10 miles (Only done 4, all on the same course that has a hill in the last 2 miles) is 25:31 and that is just on a normal road bike which is still fairly competitive. If your doing 50 miles at 18-19 mph you shouldn't have a problem getting close to or even beating my PB.
But you will have to take risks on corner's/descents, but thats a personal thing. And yes racing in a bunch of 80 has its hairy moments but you get used to it, I'm definitely way more nervous at the start of a Cat 3/4 race than a 10 mile TT which says all you need to know about which one is more dangerous.
Since you seem to be in the know, A4L, what's the situation with doing a TT - do you just find out where they are and rock up & ride? Do I need a license for them? I average around 33-35kph - so sounds like I'm not a million miles off pace. Do they have handicaps for veterans, as I'm in the over 40s category now
However there will always be an entering fee (usually £10-£20)(Or not if you are a member of the club running the TT), and this cost could potentially rise if the event requires a license and you don't have one, meaning you'd have to pay extra for a 'day license' to race. Personally I'd just recommend that you get yourself a Cat 4 license, that way your covered pretty much no matter what TT/race you want to enter.
As for a veterans category I'm not to well rounded on that being in the junior category myself, however if it works the same your result/time will be put into the overall results with all the other male category times, then there will be a separate results for each category of riders .e.g you could come 30th overall but 2nd in your category.
My club, Dulwich Paragon, do a 10 mile TT every other Thursday on the Harry Must course ( http://www.strava.com/segments/qs30-cudham-tt-course-655321 ), which is just turn up, pay and then race. There is one left on August 7th if you're interested.
I do recommend checking this as I'm more knowledgeable on Road Racing/Crits than with TT's but I hope this helps.
Leroy, for the TTs, you need to be an affiliated member of a cycling club. I'll ask my mate Rich who rides TTs for Bigfoot what the score is but he cant ride them for Eltham Velo because they dont have the licence/membership thing.
Now my mate Rich, Charlton Charlie met him a couple of times. Used to be really overweight like me, got bitten by the cycling bug and now races TTs for Bigfoot. He's got a heart problem, he smokes, he drinks...and then he can ride a bike like this...
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/493742555
21:24 for a 10. The man is a fcuking machine.
(Oh and he deliberately doesnt ride with a HR monitor. In his words. "TTs are supposed to hurt. If you're not hurting, you're not riding hard enough and I dont need my Garmin to know my heart is pumping out of my chest!")
Just left Froome for dead up mount kilamanjaro FFS !
Fella was busted and in bits two months ago and puts in a performance like that. I'm no expert, but is that not questionable?
I've sent an email to the registration Secretary of Addiscombe CC as they seem to be OK when out on the road (not tossbags like most of the Paragon tools, or old men like Catford).
If anybody has been a club member and has advice, that would be great