To sat June's been a bit hectic would be a bit of an understatement. On the sixth, you know, I rode the complete Paris - Roubaix, the following weekend I found myself in the orthopaedic ward to have pins removed from my broken elbow. This was done under general anaesthetic and my consultant told me to expect a couple of weeks off work. My plan to have a reunion with my old flatmates from Uni was in tatters. We were aiming to compete in the Action Research "Ride 24" road relay at the Dunsfold Test Track, better known for being the venue for the filming of "Top Gear".
Coming to after the operation, I was surprised to realise that I felt good, "must be the drugs" I thought, but as time went by I found no pain at all, in fact I only had a couple of small, neat wounds and half a dozen stitches. Perhaps we could do the ride. On Thursday I made up my mind "I'm in!"
Friday was a bit manic as I found packing a nightmare, in the end I filled the car with everything that might possible help me. I picked up Cobbleshock from Gatwick and we headed to Haslemere to meet JJ at his brother's.
Richard and Shelia were perfect hosts making us welcome and cooking a lovely pasta meal served with plenty of Rioja. We retired early mindful of the weekend ahead.
Arriving at Dunsfold we realised that we were perhaps under equiped, out two man tent and gazebo being somewhat inadequate when compared to the marquees everyone else seemed to be erecting.
As we chased around setting up camp and bikes, my old friend Nugg turned up quickly pitching in to get the bikes numbered and set up.
Retrophoenix phoned to say he'd be late!
At ten to twelve, I was ready to do our first stint, we'd drawn 19th on the grid of 88 teams so decided to attack from the gun to sort the wheat from the chaff. I made the front before the first corner and put it in a big gear for the fast tailwind back straight. Peeking under my arm I was pleased to see a long string gasping in my wake. A strong group soon established itself at the front and it became clear that knowing how to ride in the crosswind that was blowing across the long, long runway was going to be crucial.
We decided that an hour at a time would be an efficient way to tackle the event, and I duly handed over the reins to our leader Cobbleshock, JJ followed on and whilst he was getting stuck in millionaire businessman RetroPhoenix made his appearance. At this stage we were sharing the lead with a couple of other teams, but worringly Team Sky Estall Express were more interested in attacking rather than working together, every change we made saw them launch an attack, and eventually the elastic snapped, we had a tactics meeting deciding to stick to our own plan, work in groups and save our strength for the morning.
As night fell, so did the the temperature. The race however continued to be hot and I found my midnight stint a lonely time trial, the landing lights of the runway blurring my vision as I struggled to keep up the pace on the much darker back straight. Finishing I headed for the solace of a massage, and some comfort food, before climbing into my ski suit and sleeping bag in a vain attempt at sleeping. I was dreading the 4am shift, but with it being June the first hints of daybreak were appearing and my spirits were lifted as the sun crept over the horizon. We were doing well to hold on to second place but had to keep things together to hold off team 77 who were just 1 lap behind, Team Sky were still in a commanding position having put a second lap into us.
Twenty hours in and we switched to 45 minute stints, knowing that Sky were going to stay on top we just hoped to lift the pace a little to make sure of second, this proved top be a good plan as we soon had another lap on team 77.
By eleven the crowds were huge, our final hour was to be two lap sprints, hopefully taking less than 15 minutes each so that we could get in 8 more laps before the mid day finish.
RetroPhoenix did a great job at the end to bring us home with 187 laps completed, thats 536 miles at over 22 mph! Sky Estall Express, took overall honours with 191 laps, and we were pleased to also take the veterans win.
Biggest cheer of the day went to Frenchman Jean Michel Teppaz who rode solo completing 137 laps or 393 miles!
With results ready within 10 minutes of the finish it was a thrill to receive the applause of the massive crowd, and share a few moments with some of the best friends anyone could ask for.
The usual question, "Would I do it again?" Oh yes! It's a fantastic event with absolutely first class organisation.
Thanks to; Cobbleshock, JJ, RetroPhoenix, Rich, Sheila and family, Sarah and the team at Action Research, BMI massage and everyone who gave up their time to make it such a memorable event.
www.action.org.uk/get_involved/ride24
Monday 21 June 2010
Monday 14 June 2010
Scott CR1 v Paris Roubaix
I was lucky enough to have the loan of a Scott CR1 Pro bike for the recent Paris Roubaix Cyclo Sportive. With a frame 'designed to absorb shock and vibration', I was interested if it would really help rider comfort over such a demanding course.
My first impressions as I collected the bike were of a well specced machine with eye-catching graphics, closer inspection revealed chunky carbon drop outs, and wide flat seat and chain stays profiled to give considerable vertical flex whilst retaining lateral stiffness, this the graphics informed me is Scott Damping System (SDS).
Collecting the bike a full week before the event enabled me to tweak the position, something which took perseverance, as the CR1 has a considerably longer head tube and shorter top tube than my normal bike, however after a few training spins I got a set up which felt very comfortable. Replacing the stock Mavic Ksyriums with handbuilt thirty six spoked Roubaix 'specials' from Victory Cycles, 25mm Panaracer Duro Tyres and adding a second layer of bar tape completed the Pro look.
My initial impressions were that the CR1 really did reduce road buzz, eating the irregularities that are a feature of our roads down here in Kent, consequently I was finishing rides with less fatigue than I'd experience on my Addict. But, and it's a big 'but' how would it fare on the pave of the Hell of the North?"
My first impressions as I collected the bike were of a well specced machine with eye-catching graphics, closer inspection revealed chunky carbon drop outs, and wide flat seat and chain stays profiled to give considerable vertical flex whilst retaining lateral stiffness, this the graphics informed me is Scott Damping System (SDS).
Collecting the bike a full week before the event enabled me to tweak the position, something which took perseverance, as the CR1 has a considerably longer head tube and shorter top tube than my normal bike, however after a few training spins I got a set up which felt very comfortable. Replacing the stock Mavic Ksyriums with handbuilt thirty six spoked Roubaix 'specials' from Victory Cycles, 25mm Panaracer Duro Tyres and adding a second layer of bar tape completed the Pro look.
My initial impressions were that the CR1 really did reduce road buzz, eating the irregularities that are a feature of our roads down here in Kent, consequently I was finishing rides with less fatigue than I'd experience on my Addict. But, and it's a big 'but' how would it fare on the pave of the Hell of the North?"
The first 100k of the P-R are on good roads and other than a slight detour our group stuck together well as we took turns to wind down the kilometres until we entered "Hell". Leaving the first checkpoint at Bohain we felt the tension build as the notorious pave was only 16k away, also and worryingly to me it started to rain, bearing in mind I was riding with metal pins in my elbow following a crash in Ronde Picardie, I was becoming concerned. By the time we reached the first sector at Troisville the roads were awash.
Hitting the cobbles at the front of our group I followed my brother, Richard and keeping to the crown of the road we sped across the broken surface, as the lightening crashed around us. As if by miracle my elbow was fine, in fact everything seemed fine, the tyres gripped and the comfort level was acceptable.
We continued to attack the cobbles and ease off across the tarmac sections, passing dozens of struggling riders on the way, this was a tricky process on the pave, as we had to drop from the raised crown of the road into the flooded gutters, many times I braced myself for the hidden pot hole that would devour my front wheel, fortunately I never found it. We made fantastic progress, Richard generally leading on the rough stuff as we clattered over these historic sectors. In my previous 3 Roubaix's there came a time when I cried "enough cobbles!" However this time it never happened, even the Tranchee D'Arenburg failed to break me, or my bike.
We were now in the area where the true heroes of Roubaix built their legend, and Richard, was building his, I was hanging on whilst he demonstrated his incredible bike handling skills to conquer the cobbles.
Eventually the miles and the cobbles took their toll, I lost the will to overtake on the pave and as we traversed the last three sectors Richard disappeared into the distance, waiting for me as we hit the tarmac again. I was now in full survival mode and gulping down gels and drink in an effort to stave off the inevitable, fortunately we were close to the velodrome and my weary body managed one last rally as the end was in sight. Coasting round the bankings of the famous track Richard and I shook hands, happy to finish a fantastic event.
Soon we were on the bus home sharing stories with our comrades who had battled across those damned roads and emerged from Hell with a better understanding of just how tough the life of a pro is.
Monday morning dawned and I reflected upon the CR1, had it lived up to expectations? My body said "yes", previous Roubaix's had left me with swollen knuckles and aches from wrists to shoulders, this time nothing other than sore legs, only to be expected after 170 miles.
So to sum up the CR1, great bike for less than perfect surfaces, perfect for sportive riders, a bit soft for racing, but that's why they make the Addict I guess.
Thursday 8 April 2010
Spring Classic?
Rides can be so frustrating, like buses they seem to all come along at once! No sooner than I'd arranged to take a week in Mallorca with Fasthawesy, than I got an invite to the Tour of Flanders. What to do? To be fair doing both seemed somewhat unfair to the family, after a bit of thought I opted for sunshine rather than cobblestones, I'll get enough of them in Paris Roubaix!
Not going to Flanders left Easter weekend free, and with a couple of weeks to go I floated an idea that's been in my head for a while; Not the "Tour of Flanders". For those of you who know Kent you'll be aware of the North Downs, a ridge of steep hills running West to East across the county. The plan was to organise a low key sportive up and down the Downs, in a similar fashion to the RVV's assaults on the Flemish Ardennes.
The God's obliged on the day with perfect Flandrian weather; wind and later rain. 19 brave souls met at the Bredhurst Bell, to be given their route sheets, with the instruction "Be back here by 2pm if you want chips!" Starting off in two groups we initially warmed up with the easy ascent to the top of the downs to plummet down onto the Pilgrim's way near Boxley, much of our ride was to be on this ancient road, as we deviated up, down and back onto it. We were soon onto the climbs proper, Cold Blow Lane, Hollingbourne, Marley Lane/Flint Lane, Hubbard's Hill, Hart Hill/Stone Stile Farm Hill, Charing Hill half way up as a "treat" we turned left onto The Wynd 1:3 and slippery this was Koppenbergesque, and really got the legs burning. For respite we had a rolling section to follow down to Eastwell Manor, again finding the Pilgrim's Way to the foot of the inframous White Hill by the top of this beast we were down to six, and only half of the climbs done!
The return to Bredhurst was almost a return along the outward route, this time the climbs were; Hart Hill, Rayners Hill, Lenham Hill, Stede Hill and Broad Street Hill, the connection along the tops was a nasty potholed road called Warren Street, and it was up here that as we waited around a corner an apparition wobbled into view, it was SiMo, a broken man, who we filled with gels and sent back along the top to meet us at the pub. With about an hour to go, just as predicted a storm hit us, bringing the temperature right down and smothering us in "Kentish toothpaste", with numb feet and hands we tackled the remaining few miles, finishing with a puncture and the sting in the tail, another White Hill. at 1:6 it was just what we didn't need after 70 odd miles of hills.
Finally we made the pub, of our 19 only four made the full route, and never has a pint and chips felt so good or been so richly deserved. So "Cheers" Sam, Chris and Fasthawesy. I'm sure to do it again next year with a few tweaks and hopefully some more guests.
Including ride from home and back 80 miles, 15 climbs, 6900 ft climbing!
http://connect.garmin.com/player/28716779
Not going to Flanders left Easter weekend free, and with a couple of weeks to go I floated an idea that's been in my head for a while; Not the "Tour of Flanders". For those of you who know Kent you'll be aware of the North Downs, a ridge of steep hills running West to East across the county. The plan was to organise a low key sportive up and down the Downs, in a similar fashion to the RVV's assaults on the Flemish Ardennes.
The God's obliged on the day with perfect Flandrian weather; wind and later rain. 19 brave souls met at the Bredhurst Bell, to be given their route sheets, with the instruction "Be back here by 2pm if you want chips!" Starting off in two groups we initially warmed up with the easy ascent to the top of the downs to plummet down onto the Pilgrim's way near Boxley, much of our ride was to be on this ancient road, as we deviated up, down and back onto it. We were soon onto the climbs proper, Cold Blow Lane, Hollingbourne, Marley Lane/Flint Lane, Hubbard's Hill, Hart Hill/Stone Stile Farm Hill, Charing Hill half way up as a "treat" we turned left onto The Wynd 1:3 and slippery this was Koppenbergesque, and really got the legs burning. For respite we had a rolling section to follow down to Eastwell Manor, again finding the Pilgrim's Way to the foot of the inframous White Hill by the top of this beast we were down to six, and only half of the climbs done!
The return to Bredhurst was almost a return along the outward route, this time the climbs were; Hart Hill, Rayners Hill, Lenham Hill, Stede Hill and Broad Street Hill, the connection along the tops was a nasty potholed road called Warren Street, and it was up here that as we waited around a corner an apparition wobbled into view, it was SiMo, a broken man, who we filled with gels and sent back along the top to meet us at the pub. With about an hour to go, just as predicted a storm hit us, bringing the temperature right down and smothering us in "Kentish toothpaste", with numb feet and hands we tackled the remaining few miles, finishing with a puncture and the sting in the tail, another White Hill. at 1:6 it was just what we didn't need after 70 odd miles of hills.
Finally we made the pub, of our 19 only four made the full route, and never has a pint and chips felt so good or been so richly deserved. So "Cheers" Sam, Chris and Fasthawesy. I'm sure to do it again next year with a few tweaks and hopefully some more guests.
Including ride from home and back 80 miles, 15 climbs, 6900 ft climbing!
http://connect.garmin.com/player/28716779
Sunday 21 February 2010
Bikes of Paris Roubaix
Having recently had discussions about which tyres to use in June's P-R sportive, the question of the rest of the bike came up. If you buy your kit like me using your best carbon machine is out of the question. I've ridden P-R three times now, once as a racer and more recently twice in the sportive.
Ride one was in 1984, kit was pretty standard; Reynolds 531 frame, by Bill Philbrook of Gillingham, Campagnolo Super Record Group Set, 32 spoke wheels Mavic GP4 rims, Clement Paris Roubaix tubs. So how did it perform? Frame held up well, but there were problems; shortly before the first sector at Troisvilles I punctured the front tub, a quick change from the team car saw me racing back through the convoy, sporting a skinny Barum PBW, rejoining the back of the peloton within 100m of the first cobbles, unfortunately my arrival coincided with a huge crash which I managed to leap into, puncturing my new front tyre, service here was impossible, so I rode the flat tyre to the end of the sector before grabbing a second replacement. Now in the laughing group I ploughed on through a continuous drizzle, desperately avoiding the inevitable crashes as the pave took it's toll. My bike continued to suffer, the single bolt holding the saddle stripped from the cradle, leaving the saddle pointing up at a rather uncomfortable angle. The final problem was that my shoelaces undid themselves, a problem which could have been prevented by a little Duck Tape.
So lesson learned, fast forward 20 years or so, to the P-R Sportive 2006, I had a choice of two rides; My Klein Quantum or Trek XO1 cross bike. The Trek won, with a full alloy frame, including forks, it was not the most forgiving, however it did have huge clearances and a generous wheelbase. Mavic Cosmos wheels, 28mm Conti 4 Seasons tyres, latex tubes, gel bar tape, Blackburn Ti bottle cages and 39x53 rings and 12-21 cassette made for a satisfactory mount. My only issue being a puncture when I hit a culvert hidden in the verge as I tried to dodge the cobbles.
By the time the biannual event returned in 2008 I'd upgraded my best bike to a Scott Addict, not wishing to wreck it I decided on the Klein, fat alloy tubes, carbon forks, 1inch alloy steerer, it seemed a good choice, I replaced my race wheels with a 32 spoke pair of Pro wheels, again using 28mm Conti's. It performed admirably with the only problem being a broken spoke in the front wheel, fortunately it remained pretty true.
So what will I be riding this June? In all liklihood it'll be a Scott CR1 with the new for 2010 SDS (Shock Damping System), or the trusty Klein. One thing is certain I'll be using a pair of handbuilt 36 spoke wheels, Ultrgra hubs, and Mavic Open Pro rims, courtesy of my brother Richard at Victorycycles.co.uk. Tyres are still to be decided, probably Panaracer Extreme Duro 25s.
Monday 15 February 2010
As I was saying yesterday...
As you can see there's still quite a bit of snow hanging around here in Kent. These pictures were taken this afternoon during my training ride. Needless to say I did have to retrace my tracks a bit. Still managed some quality miles on treated roads between the snowdrifts. Incidentally the pictures were taken at the top of the North Downs between Doddington and Lenham. Sunday 14 February 2010
Whinging about the cold
I've finally had enough of everyone whinging about not being able to train! True we've had the coldest winter I can remember, but an excuse not to train? No.
So, here's the rub; First, what's wrong with the turbo? "Boring" I agree but it's a means to an end, do swimmers moan about lengths of the same pool being boring? No they get on with it, THEY ARE TRAINING!
Anyway what stops you from riding on the road? Too cold? Get real, mountaineering in tweed jackets in the 20's was cold. With today's high tech fabrics there's no need to freeze, X-C skiers manage to survive when it's well below zero.
Ice on the roads? Back in the 80's I arrived in Brittany from a Majorcan training camp. Having put in the hard miles for three weeks I was alarmed to find the roads around our village locked in perma ice! The solution? Wellies, ski jacket and a 4 Km walk to the nearest treated road, boots and coat left in cafe whilst I rode laps of the main road. Bonus was a coffee when I finished training and nice warm boots for the walk home.
All this got me thinking, what are we out training for? does it matter where we train (So long as it's safe)? Do we need to ride a circular route? I don't believe we do. You're training for races, not cycle touring.
So when its icy I get onto the nearest treated road and ride up and down it, and if it's really too bad I hit the garage and the turbo.
So, here's the rub; First, what's wrong with the turbo? "Boring" I agree but it's a means to an end, do swimmers moan about lengths of the same pool being boring? No they get on with it, THEY ARE TRAINING!
Anyway what stops you from riding on the road? Too cold? Get real, mountaineering in tweed jackets in the 20's was cold. With today's high tech fabrics there's no need to freeze, X-C skiers manage to survive when it's well below zero.
Ice on the roads? Back in the 80's I arrived in Brittany from a Majorcan training camp. Having put in the hard miles for three weeks I was alarmed to find the roads around our village locked in perma ice! The solution? Wellies, ski jacket and a 4 Km walk to the nearest treated road, boots and coat left in cafe whilst I rode laps of the main road. Bonus was a coffee when I finished training and nice warm boots for the walk home.
All this got me thinking, what are we out training for? does it matter where we train (So long as it's safe)? Do we need to ride a circular route? I don't believe we do. You're training for races, not cycle touring.
So when its icy I get onto the nearest treated road and ride up and down it, and if it's really too bad I hit the garage and the turbo.
Monday 1 February 2010
Cobbleshock
In response to Cobbleshock's recant Blog regarding the importance of quality rest in your training programme;
It hasn't always been this way; Way back in the winter of 1984 Cobbleshock, Retrophoenix and I were students in Eastbourne. Cobbleshock was a fresher and RP and I were third and second years respectively. It might be an understatement to say that RP and myself were somewhat competitive; We were both First Cat racers and our competition often continued over into training.
On this particularly miserable January day the three of us set off in bitter conditions to do a "long one", RP and I set the tempo on the front as we braved the biting wind and occasional sleet and hail storms. Up and over Beachy Head we pushed, each turning the screw a bit tighter as we tried to half wheel each other into submission. This punishment continued for an hour or so, neither of us prepared to submit to the will of the other. Finally having turned into the wind to head North through Piddinghoe RP turned to me and spoke his first words for an hour "Matt's gone"
I looked around, Cobbleshock had indeed "gone" he was nowhere in sight. We pottered on for a mile or so to give him the chance to catch up, nothing. We turned around and retraced our tracks for a mile or so, still nothing.
We decided he'd had enough of the cold and wet and binned it, feeling slightly guilty we pressed on, our ride truly becoming a "big one" of five hours or so.
Returning to Eastbourne, we thought that it would be nice to check that CS was OK so we pulled by the halls of residence and popped up to his apartment. His roomie was in; "Hi Brad, seen Matt?"
"Er, no wasn't he out with you two?"
We explained how we'd lost him, but assured Brad he'd be back shortly, (it was getting dark after all), and we were feeling genuinely guilty, remember?
RP and I rode down to our flat for showers, and dinner before deciding that we really ought to check on CS again. So off we went back across town to his halls. Here we found the shell of the man formerly known as "Cobbleshock" Still kitted out in the full 80's winter regailia from the tip of his Duegi overeshoes to the top of his peaked winter hat, he was crashed out on his bed, fast asleep just the way he'd stumbled incoherently into the room.
Brad elaborated, "He wobbled in here, fished an old Mars bar from the bin, scoffed it and passed out"
Eventually we roused him and over a cuppa he recounted his tale of woe. " Lads, I was so tired. We've done so much training this month and it was so cold, when we turned at Newhaven I'd had it, I shouted but with the wind must have been deafened you both. I stopped and went onto a pub to try and buy chocolate. Then I decided to shelter from the weather in a bus shelter, I must have dozed off for a moment or two. When I woke up I was really concerned I'd still not have the energy to get home when, by pure chance Robin's mum drove by and gave me a lift."
Clearly Cobbleshock's learned from our mistakes!
Cobbleshock, is this how it was?
It hasn't always been this way; Way back in the winter of 1984 Cobbleshock, Retrophoenix and I were students in Eastbourne. Cobbleshock was a fresher and RP and I were third and second years respectively. It might be an understatement to say that RP and myself were somewhat competitive; We were both First Cat racers and our competition often continued over into training.
On this particularly miserable January day the three of us set off in bitter conditions to do a "long one", RP and I set the tempo on the front as we braved the biting wind and occasional sleet and hail storms. Up and over Beachy Head we pushed, each turning the screw a bit tighter as we tried to half wheel each other into submission. This punishment continued for an hour or so, neither of us prepared to submit to the will of the other. Finally having turned into the wind to head North through Piddinghoe RP turned to me and spoke his first words for an hour "Matt's gone"
I looked around, Cobbleshock had indeed "gone" he was nowhere in sight. We pottered on for a mile or so to give him the chance to catch up, nothing. We turned around and retraced our tracks for a mile or so, still nothing.
We decided he'd had enough of the cold and wet and binned it, feeling slightly guilty we pressed on, our ride truly becoming a "big one" of five hours or so.
Returning to Eastbourne, we thought that it would be nice to check that CS was OK so we pulled by the halls of residence and popped up to his apartment. His roomie was in; "Hi Brad, seen Matt?"
"Er, no wasn't he out with you two?"
We explained how we'd lost him, but assured Brad he'd be back shortly, (it was getting dark after all), and we were feeling genuinely guilty, remember?
RP and I rode down to our flat for showers, and dinner before deciding that we really ought to check on CS again. So off we went back across town to his halls. Here we found the shell of the man formerly known as "Cobbleshock" Still kitted out in the full 80's winter regailia from the tip of his Duegi overeshoes to the top of his peaked winter hat, he was crashed out on his bed, fast asleep just the way he'd stumbled incoherently into the room.
Brad elaborated, "He wobbled in here, fished an old Mars bar from the bin, scoffed it and passed out"
Eventually we roused him and over a cuppa he recounted his tale of woe. " Lads, I was so tired. We've done so much training this month and it was so cold, when we turned at Newhaven I'd had it, I shouted but with the wind must have been deafened you both. I stopped and went onto a pub to try and buy chocolate. Then I decided to shelter from the weather in a bus shelter, I must have dozed off for a moment or two. When I woke up I was really concerned I'd still not have the energy to get home when, by pure chance Robin's mum drove by and gave me a lift."
Clearly Cobbleshock's learned from our mistakes!
Cobbleshock, is this how it was?
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