2014 MFP Classics Challenge - Entries Thread
Replies
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http://www.strava.com/activities/123252754 - 52.1km
As you may know this week hasn’t gone to plan with my TCR croaking a bit under the last 8 months of pressure since I got it, I was planning something a bit better then this but a training ride is better then no ride at all, after all it’s about the riding and not about the bike and I actually quite enjoyed the old school bike for a change, my legs felt like they had done double the 52.1km on what I now affectionally call the Tank!.
Started the day off with some greek yogurt, nuts, granola, toast (already scoffed) and coffee:
My usual crossing was cordoned off, I dunno I recon I could have jumped it!
The Tank … I mean the Tricross surrounded by the signs of spring:
The recovery meal … finally something Italian
TBY Edit, distance Logged, Spot Points Signs of Spring = 1pt, Post Ride Drink = 1pt, Time Ridden = n/a0 -
Milan Sanremo Ride
http://www.strava.com/activities/123258495
156.43 km moving time 5hr 33min 17.5mph
Todays Sanremo ride fell nicely to fit in with our first club tour of the year - Breenagh, an 80 mile loop from Derry to Donegal taking in Letterkenny out toward Glenties then back by Ballybofey.
I set out an hour earlier at 7.30 to fit in an exrtra few miles when I reached our normal meeting spot I was met with a group of over 30 cyclists ready for this popular tour
the weather had been forecast as cold but with the sun coming out as the morning went on
only 2 mile in an we were struck with a puncture which seemed to take forever to fix! we were all freezing when we set off again so the pace got quite hot splitting the group up just as the Hailstones hit.. we regrouped again at letterkenny and kept it together until we reached the meenaragh climb not to difficult at 4% average but quite long 3.2mile. another regroup was needed when we reached our pre planned foodstop. Once ready to go again we decided to split the group, I stayed with group 1 and had a hasty home return!
Some Pics
Not in the plan but after a 50miler yesterday I needed a bit of carb loading so to get me in the mood I had some nice pasta with a glass(or Two) of Chianti.
The Daffodils
Waiting for second regroup at the foodstop. Donegals Blue Stack Mountains in the back drop
Peroni & Tirimisu (don't mind if I do)
Who Needs An Excuse for more Pizza
Early night me thinks
TBY Edit, distance Logged, Spot Points Signs of Spring = 1pt, Post Ride Drink = 1pt, Time Ridden = n/a0 -
TBY - I loved your potted history of the M-SR history. Very informative. I'm going to watch that Kelly vid as soon as I have finished making this post.
So, Milan - Sanremo challenge entry.
http://www.strava.com/activities/123315925 - 129.4km
This was a sportive called The Cheshire Cat, sponsored by Wiggle and Kilo To Go. The parcours in the blurb didnt really do it justice. There wasnt an unbelievable amount of climbing but it seemed that every hill I climbed today was 15% or more. I died a fair few deaths today and no mistake.
I feel I earnt this beer:
And here is my bear claw pizza, which started life as a calzone. I'd given it a good working over before I remembered I was supposed to record it.
I saw many signs of spring but I was too deep in hurt to think about stopping to take pictures. Maybe next time.
TBY Edit, distance Logged, Spot Points Signs of Spring = 0pt, Post Ride Drink = 1pt, Time Ridden = n/a0 -
23/03/2014 - 56.3km - 1h 54m 25s - http://www.strava.com/activities/123199677
Chance meeting with Hambleton Road Club (HRC)
Easter Flowers
Mr Wheelsucker
Nice bottle of Chianti
Unfortunately, no Pizza - that's tomorrow nights tea :bigsmile:
Bottle of Peroni in the fridge too
Video: http://www.kinomap.com/watch/5we37n
TBY Edit, distance Logged, Spot Points Signs of Spring = 1pt, Post Ride Drink = 1pt, Time Ridden = n/a0 -
Milan Sanremo 24.74km http://connect.garmin.com/activity/466731705
no pictures didn't have much time for a ride today, it was totally dark when I got back, was really happy to ride in since it was 70 degrees. My first ride in the State of Florida!!
TBY Edit, distance Logged, Spot Points Signs of Spring = 0pt, Post Ride Drink = 0pt, Time Ridden = n/a0 -
I was glad when the sun came out about noon today, thought I was going to have to ride in the gloom, would have made for less than stellar pictures
My goal for today was to stay in the saddle for as long as possible, and start working on hills. I was happily successful at both
http://www.strava.com/activities/123467847
I know you hill-climbers are looking at the elevation chart there and scoffing at my version of "hill work" but believe me when I say, that's big hills for me
Now for some Springtime evidence! Let me tell you, trying to find 'signs of Spring" when you live in San Diego which has no seasons other than Spring/Summer, it was hard! But I found some signs after all...
First, a couple of Storks and a cormorant, which leave in the late Fall and return to the Lakes in the Spring:
Next, buds on one of the few trees that actually looses it's leaves around here:
Finally, some blooming flowers along the side of the road:
BONUS PIC: Taken yesterday so doesn't count for points, but is a TRUE sign of spring here - the vines are budding in Temecula Wine country!
No qualifying recovery snack... when I got home, I was having a mad craving for some Nutella, and used pretzels as the delivery mechanism
TBY Edit, distance Logged, Spot Points Signs of Spring = 1pt, Post Ride Drink = 0pt, Time Ridden = n/a0 -
Somewhat belated ride report from yesterdays ride.
I'd lots of plans for the ride, but in the end, the weather kind of took charge and defined what was going to have to happen - I ended up with pretty much my standard route.
http://app.strava.com/activities/123237089 - 93.7km
day started well, with the customary pick-me-up...
before squeezing into the full Gabba and Nanoflex ensemble, ready for the forecasted cold windy and showery weather.
First 35km was pretty much howling along with the wind behind me, trying to take it east, knowing full well that the rest of the ride was going to be headwinds or side-headwinds. It's an indication how drafty it was that even taking it steady, I managed to get 2 PB's and a couple of 2nd fastest times in Strava. The next 30km was all I was dreading and more. In the distance, there were 2 mahoosive black clouds, complete with the diagonal streaks that reach the ground - the ones that you just KNOW mean it's lashing it down underneath. I hit the clouds just as I left Cawood - unfortunately, I was wrong about the rain. It was actually Hailstones. The next 7km's to Ulleskelf were just a very cold, painful and incredibly noisy experience. Then, as suddenly as it started, it was gone. So I stood by the side of the road on the top of the Railway Bridge, removed my helmet, and evicted the half-pound of little icy ball bearings that'd got in through my helmets vents and were giving me the worlds worst brain-freeze headache...
I was also wet enough that frankly I'd no inclination to get my phone/camera out and take any pictures I'm afraid. Okay, not as wet as the racers got, but hell, they're getting paid for it..
So, back home, it was time for a shower, bite to eat and something warm to drink...
Ride complete, time to refuel...
and later in the evening, yet another phenomenally rustico pizza, washed down with a couple of glasses of Moretti and slipping into something more comfortable - like unconsciousness in my comfy chair, missing the re-run of the race in the process (D'Ohhhh...)
TBY Edit, distance Logged, Spot Points Signs of Spring = 0pt, Post Ride Drink = 1pt, Time Ridden = n/a0 -
Milan-San Remo Report: DNS. Maybe another time.0
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And that's the entry thread closed for the Milan Sanremo. Thanks and Well Done to everyone who got a ride in.
Full Results to be added in the "discussion thread"...0 -
30.03.2013 Gent – Wevelgem
The Gent–Wevelgem is a Flanders Classics cycle road race held in Belgium in late March each year. The event was first run in 1934, and it is often called the sprinters' classic due to its flat finishing terrain. Its early-season date means riders are often tested by wind and rain. Further challenges include a number of climbs, including two ascents of the cobbled, difficult, and often selective Kemmelberg.
Indeed, the selectivity of the course means that very few editions of Gent–Wevelgem actually end in a bunch sprint. An smaller elite group (including some sprinters) often contest the finish line. In recent years, the race has been situated on the Wednesday between de Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris–Roubaix, and while not officially part of the Vlaamse Wielerweek (Flemish cycling week), it can be seen as an unofficial finale of the series of cycling classics in Flanders. In 2010 the fixed date of the race shifted from the Wednesday after the Ronde van Vlaanderen to the Sunday before the Ronde. Since 2005 the race has been part of the UCI ProTour, and since 2009, part of the UCI World Ranking calendar.
Despite its name, the race hasn't started in Ghent since 2004, traditionally beginning on the market square of nearby Deinze. The course then sets westward towards the Belgian coastal region, after which it moves southwards near the French border towards the Monteberg and Kemmelberg, before heading towards Wevelgem. The 73rd edition was held on March 27, 2011, and covered 219 kilometres.
The first edition was played on September 9, 1934 as a junior race for a distance of 120 km. Its origin is a tribute to Gaston Rebry (Wevelgem natural) who in that year to the win in the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. After the Second World War took place, and for professionals, on July 29, 1945 for a distance of 200 km. and organization, to this day, the cycling club "Het Wiel Vliegende."
In 1947 the Gent-Wevelgem joined the timing of the "spring classics" and constituted, for the period 1957–1959 the "Trofee van Vlaanderen (Flanders Trophy) next to the Omloop Het Volk.
The competition started in 2004, despite the name, not in Ghent but in nearby Deinze. Gent–Wevelgem is the first race toward the coast, which ends must be followed. Near Veurne the winds broke open the game normally. Because of the often strong winds on the flat Flemish roads the race often develop fans. The main obstacle is the Kemmelberg, a difficult climb with cobblestones which must be climbed twice, but equally notorious for its dangerous descent, where many a cyclist dropped. Often is the two-part Monteberg Kemmelberg the breakpoint of the match. Furthermore, the relatively flat trail, which is often in Wevelgem race ends in a sprint of a small group or a larger group.
From the 2008 edition of the trail is substantially modified and the riders not to the coast, but drive a detour along the Steenstraat (Bovekerke-Works) and then approach Furnes from the polders in place from the direction of the coast. Then comes the Hill Zone, with the Vidaigneberg, the Rodeberg (Belgium), Monteberg (to the summit and then left), a detour and Kemmelberg approached from the village of Kemmel. The descent is made along a detour to rebuilt the dangerous descent and avoid potential crashes. Then this hill area repeated in the same order and then drive toward Wevelgem. The new trail has been adopted by most riders. Some believed that the launching of the Kemmelberg nervous, but this is according to race director Hans De Clercq normal and part of the course.
In 2010 another major change was made. The date of the race was changed from the Wednesday between the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix to the Sunday before the Tour of Flanders. Also, many more slopes inserted before the Kemmel climb, Scherpenberg, Mont des Cats, Berthe, Black Mountain, Baneberg, and then Rodeberg Monteberg and Kemmelberg. This series of hills the riders climb twice before hitting the finish in Wevelgem cycling.
It is currently held on the Sunday before the Tour of Flanders, and although not officially part of the Flemish Cycling Week, can be seen as a final unofficial series of classics in Flanders.
http://www.gent-wevelgem.be/
Here’s the last 40km or so of the 2012 race to help “get into character”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBcj253BErw 0 -
And, A little flavour of last years...
first my cheeky 5km ride where I'd been effectively snowed off...Another "cynical short ride to avoid the dread DNS" I'm afraid...
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/288266053 - 5.31km (don't laugh...)
I'd actually fallen twice before I managed to mount the bike... Had to carry the MTB out of the estate - roads were a foot deep of frozen rutted ice! Main roads were marginally better, but every time there was a break in the hedgerows, the road as filling again with spindrift... I'd originally set out to ride up the nearest excessive gradient to me, however, it's in the middle of a housing estate, and similar to where I live, the roads were just impassable without a Landrover or similar...
Decided "stuff this for a lark" and came home and did 3 hours on the trainer (I'd based my weeks riding around a big-ish ride today, so needed to get some miles in and some kCals burned.
Mainly to get ready for these...
Hoegaarden shot too follow later this evening, after the kitchen is closed for service... don't fancy making sunday dinner drunk (like I did last week!)
(this was the second one... hence the blurring
)
(5.31km logged, no excessive gradients - at least it wasn't a DNS!)
and Karan's "inventive" approach to some of the photo challenges...Hello - ridden 74.4km
38km http://app.strava.com/activities/45603275 (start time 09:20. Moving time 1:40:40, ie to 11:00:40)
Stop to check the GPS tracking on the phone & want to take some photos as evidence - Strava went frozen when the phone camera came up - desperately try to get it back working - it kept kindly asked me if I want to Force Close or Report - No thanks I just want you to back online - request refused. OK finally got the strava page again, it says there is an unsaved ride, do I want to save it or discard - no thanks I want you to continue to log - again request refused.
So here is the second part
36.4km http://app.strava.com/activities/45610940 (start time 11:08. Moving time 01:41:00, ie to 12:49:00)
The road that kind of look like cobblestone I could find...
The manageable gradient under the circumstances
Rolling down
Just trying if anyone is paying attention
Waffle - Chinese style
I find this photo prize is really fun!!
TBY EDIT - Distance Logged 1pt Waffle, 1 pt extreme gradient, 1/2pt each for the "nearly cobbles" and "not quite Hoegaarden" (it's never going to be easy for me to pick something for spot prizes that EVERYONE has access to, but frankly, anyone who TRYS that hard is getting into the spirit of things and deserves reward IMO...)0 -
for 2014's Gent Wevelgem, the Spot Prizes are as follows...
1 Point - Excessive Gradient (10% or steeper)
2 Points - Excessive Gradient on Cobbles (10% or steeper)
1 Point - Pre/During/Post Ride Snack - Waffles
1 Point - Recovery Drink - Belgian Beer
2 points - Duvel Beer
(there's a few Belgian classics, and I'm going to try and come up with a different Tipple / Snack each time.)
Thread will open for entries around 12:00 Noon GMT on 29th March for the convenience of any nocturnal antipodeans...
(has anyone noticed, the races are all a week later this year ??)0 -
Thread now open for submissions - sorry, forgot to open it up before going for a bit of a ride...0
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First in but the it does help that I am at the bottle of the world. Perfect Autumn day ride. Ambient temps between 21 and 25 degrees with about a 2-5 km wind.
Couldn't find any cobbles on the ride nor was there any ridiculous inclines.
http://app.strava.com/activities/125112007 - 90.1km
Also no waffles to be seen however the next best things to waffles is....
And then with dinner...
I hope that you all have a great Sunday ride.
TBY Edit - XS Gradient - 0pt, XS on Cobbles - 0pt, Waffles - 0pt,Beer - 1pt, Duvel - 0pt - Total Bonuses - 1pt0 -
Just the ride from me today http://www.strava.com/activities/125181716 - 52.1km
TBY Edit - XS Gradient - 0pt, XS on Cobbles - 0pt, Waffles - 0pt,Beer - 0pt, Duvel - 0pt - Total Bonuses - 0pt0 -
Okay, here goes...
Suitably Belgian breakfast (okay, maybe the Greek Yoghurt and Fruit Compote may have been a bit off-message, but this IS supposed to be a bit of a fitness website after all...)
and something in the 'fridge for later...
Ride wasn't quite what I'd hoped to get in, but considering that I was benched for 3 days last week when my knee erupted, I'll take this one...
http://app.strava.com/activities/125245407 - 107.4km
and I got a KoM on something special - my Cobbled Climb Sector.
http://app.strava.com/activities/125245407/segments/2812300601
And the Analysis of the slope...
http://veloviewer.com/segments/6900904/athlete/165533
(think that covers the 10% or steeper requirement - ramps up to 21% at one point. There'll be a video coming soon to hopefully prove it was on cobbles...
ETA = hope this works - Video on YouTube -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuiFSqyCd2E
Video on KinoMap - http://www.kinomap.com/watch/5hcxm8
ETA2 - Christ, Duvel is strong, isn't it...
ETA3 - oh, forgot, Dinner had something of a Belgian flavor too...
TBY Edit - XS Gradient - 1pt, XS on Cobbles - 1pt, Waffles - 1pt,Beer - 1pt, Duvel - 1pt - Total Bonuses - 5pt0 -
A DNS for me... The weather was terrible, we had heavy hailstone which is extremely rare here in Hong Kong. A number of reports that the glass ceilings of several shopping malls were broken by those and led to severe flooding inside the mall. :huh:
Next race!0 -
30/03/2014 - 64.2km - http://www.strava.com/activities/125254623
No extreme gradients or cobbles
Yummy waffles (with whipped cream and toffee sauce) and a bottle of Duvel :drinker:
The stats :flowerforyou:
So much for 'the warmest day' [blah blah blah] 'hotter than Corfu' [blah blah blah]...
Video: http://www.kinomap.com/watch/6scbc4
TBY Edit - XS Gradient - 0pt, XS on Cobbles - 0pt, Waffles - 1pt,Beer - 1pt, Duvel - 1pt - Total Bonuses - 3pt0 -
My Gent Wevelgem
http://app.strava.com/activities/125379878 85.8 km
A solo effort today as we had a family dinner for Mothers day so I didn't get out until 4.30.
Anyways
I had spotted a hill several months ago with a gradient sign of 20% at the bottom while on a club run taking in the scenic roads out by Benone & Downhill, I remembered last years effort when I could find a hill with one to post so I thought I would hold it back to see if the same challenge came up this year..
A hill I had no expierence of I hadn't realised just how long it went on for almost 5 mile!
Being a solo run I got to take a few shots of the area although the light wasn't great so late in the evening
The cliffs at Downhill (which I had to climb up behind!)
Mussenden Temple - history lesson if intersted
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mussenden_Temple
Ghost Bike
I had never seen this one before it had just been placed to mark a 40th Birthday Memory of a Young guy mowed down aged 18
Mid Ride snack, not so nice cold ...
Leffe for me Duvel is stinking!
TBY Edit - XS Gradient - 1pt, XS on Cobbles - 0pt, Waffles - 1pt,Beer - 1pt, Duvel - 0pt - Total Bonuses - 3pt
No cobbles on route today
Keep 'er lit!0 -
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/470690547 0 55.03km
Finally was able to get a ride in. This is one of those, what the hell was I thinking ride. Went out with the tri club who really have one speed and it is a whole lot faster than me!
My favorite type of waffle--Waffle cone with cookie dough ice cream.
TBY Edit - XS Gradient - 0pt, XS on Cobbles - 0pt, Waffles - 1pt,Beer - 0pt, Duvel - 0pt - Total Bonuses - 1pt0 -
It was going to be epic...only it wasn't.
Gent Wevelgem
Ride link: http://app.strava.com/activities/125312703 10.6km
Unlike Sean Kelly, I don't have the opportunity for family to come third (http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/#11) so family obligations took me South to the watery Mecca of Lake Roosevelt, AZ. But knowing I needed to ride on Sunday I brought the bike with me. Inspired I know. It dawned as a grey muted morning but the winds were light and the drunken fools of last night slept away in stuporous slumber so I loaded up the bike and hit the road. Our camp was at the bottom of an unused boat ramp, it looked steep from the bottom and felt steep on the way:
Closest to cobbles I could find and just as rough!
Out onto the main road I went, rolling along reveling in how good I actually felt. It was nice, while one might discount how good the 4,000ft drop in elevation feels, it really made me feel strong. Then disaster started in dribs and drabs. The front tire started to feel low. Then it started to "thwacka-thwacka" as a large branch with thorns embedded itself in the tire. Pulled it out and waited for the sealant to seal and went on my way.
. Nice view.
And then the tire went flat. Rolled into an overlook to assess the damage. Punctured tube. No problem, I have patches and a pump. Then I began finding more thorns. I figure the sealant took care of the first four or so, the 5th, 6th and 7th encouraged me to call for pickup (no spare tube...what was I thinking? So back to camp for coffee:
Coffee
And then to home for beer (late, but I had to drive home)
BEER
TBY Edit - XS Gradient - 1pt, XS on "Cobbles" ;-) - 1pt, Waffles - 0pt,Beer - 1pt, Duvel - 0pt - Total Bonuses - 3pt0 -
Gent Welgevm
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/470793677
130.01 KM
Bonus points include:
10% grade at mile 38
(http://app.strava.com/activities/125503126/segments/2819312560 - maxed at 16.6% per veloviewer...http://veloviewer.com/segments/721700)
My Belgian Beer Blue Moon
My recover waffle
TBY Edit - XS Gradient - 1pt, XS on Cobbles - 0pt, Waffles - 1pt,Beer - 1pt, Duvel - 0pt - Total Bonuses - 3pt0 -
Gent Welgevm
http://www.strava.com/activities/125231347
81.3km
Bonus Points
13.5% at 19.53km and 17% at 20.28 - This is at start of what is known known locally as Angelzarke Climb and was one of cycling mags "top ten killer hills"
Beer was Leffe - Forgot to take a before photo so here's the empty glass
TBY Edit - XS Gradient - 1pt, XS on Cobbles - 0pt, Waffles - 0pt,Beer - 1pt, Duvel - 0pt - Total Bonuses - 2pt0 -
Sorry for the lateness of the entry. Here is my modest effort for the Gent - Wevelgem challenge.
http://www.strava.com/activities/125576339 - 63.9km
Nothing particularly steep today, although Strava does show a spike of 11.4% at 55:33. I think after last week I just wanted to ride around the worlds biggest billiards table. I believe there are no cobbled roads within 20 miles of me, so I had to let that one slide, and although the thought of a nice waffle with whipped cream and some kind of sweet fruity sauce at the end of the ride would have been a good motivator, I forgot to go out and find one. I did manage to get hold of one of these though.
I almost wish you hadnt introduced me to that beer, TBY. Its just too nice! It is really delicious. A hint of citrus, but not as much as Leffe or the weiss beers from Germany. Very nice indeed with the sun out. Just too damn strong!
TBY Edit - XS Gradient - 1pt, XS on Cobbles - 0pt, Waffles - 0pt,Beer - 1pt, Duvel - 1pt - Total Bonuses - 3pt
http://veloviewer.com/segments/1512663 - for proof of gradient - maxed out at 16.9% !
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Gent Wevelghem
Hope you all enjoyed your rides this weekend. Here mine:
http://www.strava.com/activities/125149612 24.4km
This is my climb for the ride. It is more commonly known today as the Col De Jenkin, as it will be the last climb of stage 2 of the tour de france this year. Not my best attempt, as I have not climbed it in a while, but I felt surprisingly fresh at the top. The road sign showing the gradient (14%) is at the top of the hill which I took looking back from the bike.
This next photo is the bottom of what is more commonly known as the bridle path in my area. It is technically a path and not a road, but it was great fun to ride up, and needed soem discipline to keep my *kitten* planted on the seat to stop the rear wheel from spinning, but I hope it counts towards the bonus.
This picture is the same path but looking back down. It has only been ridden by 6 people and I'm ranked number 6, but I'm hoping to rectify that by the end of the week by not stopping for photos. :laugh:
This last picture was spotted on twitter a couple of weeks and made me think of this challenge, so I thought I would share it with you all.
I did plan on getting a belgian beer at my local whilst taking my wife out for a Mother's day treat with the kids, but I got a very abrupt, uninterested 'no', when I asked if they had any Belgian beer. Really pee'd me off with the crap service, but I had lost heart then, so no further photos.
TBY Edit - XS Gradient - 1pt, XS on Cobbles - 1pt, Waffles - 0pt,Beer - 0pt, Duvel - 0pt - Total Bonuses - 2pt
http://veloviewer.com/segments/2532740 - that cobbled "bridleway" came out at 13.6% max gradient!!
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Ack! Such a busy day yesterday, I almost forgot to post yesterday's ride!
Here's the Strava entry: http://www.strava.com/activities/125348709
The original plan was to ride from my house to the ballpark for Opening Day - then I realized that I would be downtown not only for the Opening Day party, then the game itself, and then another show afterwards, and that my bike would be exposed to the elements (i.e. thieves) for way too long of a time for me to be comfortable with it. Soooo instead I did a short ride to do some minor hill work. Don't let the "89 m elevation" fool you... because it was an out-and-back, the inclines and declines negated each other out by the end of the ride. There are some really nice rolling hills on that path! However, none which were 10% or more - there's only one in the vicinity and by the time I finished riding out to Mission Trails and came back out of Mission Trails, my legs were totally not into doing any more climbing. Lesson learned: EAT BEFORE early morning rides! I wasn't hungry when I left but I think if I had a snack at the far end of the ride before coming back, I might have had the energy to do that 10% hill.
Anyway, here are pictures for your perusal:
Cobblestones! I made a slight detour in order to ride over these.
Post-ride recovery snack - stroopwafels! And coffee - no Belgian beer in the house
It was a really nice day overall, hope those of you celebrating your moms had a great day too!
TBY Edit - XS Gradient - 0pt, XS on Cobbles - 1pt, Waffles - 1pt,Beer - 0pt, Duvel - 0pt - Total Bonuses - 2pt
Strictly, the cobbles were supposed to be a bonus on the extreme gradient, but - seeing as you made the effort of taking a detour, it's only fair to give some reward - plus - if I allow Spatializeds rutted concrete slipway, then I'd be a bit of a tightass to disallow those.
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Okay - that's it for submissions on the Gent Wevelgem - if you haven't posted a ride now, you've missed it.
Provisional Results:
Full announcement to follow in the Discussion Thread.0 -
06.04.2014 Ronde van Vlaanderen / Tour des Flandres
The Tour of Flanders or to give it it’s correct name Ronde van Vlaanderen, is a Flanders Classics road cycling race held in Belgium every spring, a week before the Paris–Roubaix road race. It is part of the UCI World Tour and one of the so-called monuments of the European professional calendar. It is the most important cycling race in Flanders. Its nickname is Vlaanderens mooiste (Dutch for "Flanders' finest").
The Tour of Flanders was conceived in 1913 by Karel Van Wijnendaele, co-founder of the sportspaper Sportwereld. In that era it was customary for publishers of newspapers and magazines to organise cycling races as a way of promoting circulation.
Historically, the race was usually held on the same day as the Milan–San Remo competition in Italy. Prominent Italian and French racers preferred the latter which explains why there was only a single non-Belgian winner before the war. After the war the race grew in importance when it became a part of the Challenge Desgrange-Colombo, a precursor of today's UCI ProTour, of which it is now a major round. The record holders are the Belgians, Achiel Buysse, Eric Leman, Johan Museeuw, and Tom Boonen, and the Italian, Fiorenzo Magni, each with three victories.
The course has changed considerably. For the first 30 years it was a loop starting and ending in Ghent, although the finish moved every few years.
In 1913 the race at first went inland to St-Niklaas before turning a clockwise circle through Aalst, Kortrijk, out to the coast at Ostend and then back to Ghent with a detour to Roeselare. The course stayed the same in 1914 but without the leg to the coast.
In 1919 the direction turned to counter-clockwise, turning south at Brugge. The route extended to the coast in 1920 and stayed that way until 1938, heading out through Eeklo and Brugge to reach the North Sea between Ostend and Blankenberge. Van Wijnendaele included the coast through his sentimental vision of Flanders. The ride there was often into a strong wind that inhibited attacks but spelled the end for those left behind the shelter of the main field. Turning left at the sea meant the wind blew from the side, producing the diagonal line of riders, each sheltering the other, characteristic of the Ronde and other Belgian races.
It changed with the outbreak of war because access to the coast was restricted.
The wartime route was a circle within the heart of Flanders but the return of peace brought the race back to its pre-War route in 1946. It stayed much the same until 1952, when the ride to the coast was abandoned and the route turned off in Brugge. The stretch to and along the coast came back in 1961 only to disappear again in 1964. From 1973 the race was no longer a loop. It started in Ghent and finished in Meerbeke, still not taking in the sea. Then Ghent was abandoned in 1977 and the start was moved to the neighbouring city of Sint-Niklaas. The race now curved only around inland Flanders, going no further west than Eeklo or Roeselare. Only the move of the start to Bruges brought the race back along the North Sea, although avoiding almost all the long windy ride to get there. The move from Sint-Niklaas to Bruges brought criticism unrelated to the route change. Until then it had been a tradition that spectators could mix and meet with riders before the start.
Fer Schroeder said: "On the Grote Markt at St-Niklaas, at the foot of the magnificent town hall, the start of the Ronde was always a privileged moment. The riders came there to sign their papers for the race before happily going to meet their fans, giving autographs, posing for a souvenir photograph with a young admirer. So far as that is concerned, times and customs have changed since 1998 and the five-year agreement with the city of Bruges. Now there are railings to hold back the public from mixing with the riders. The start of the Ronde van Vlaanderen has manifestly lost, in its new configuration, everything that made it charming."
The strategic part of the race comes after it has turned back inland, running just north of the French border. The course goes into the only short, sharp hills in the otherwise flat Flanders countryside. The route twists and turns to ride as many as possible. Some of the hills are cobbled and one – the Koppenberg – has been dropped some years because of its danger and difficulty. It is hard for riders to take all the climb while still riding. A fall by one rider can bring down many others and, in turn, halt those behind. The stopped and fallen often have to continue to the top on foot. In 1984 only two riders – Phil Anderson and Jan Raas – got up without walking.
The Koppenberg returned in 2003 after its surface was improved. It was then dropped again in 2007, replaced by the Kluisberg and the Côte de Trieu, which had roadworks in previous years, and the first ascent of the Eikenmolen. The Koppenberg came back in 2008 after the city of Oudenaarde renovated it.
The short, sharp hills are a defining feature of the Ronde. The race has offered prizes to the first on many of them for more than half a century. There were 500 francs offered in 1940 for the first rider up the Kwaremont, Edelare and Kruisberg. A combined prize for performances on all the hills came in 1950, when Maurits Blomme won bedroom furniture as the best climber. The prize at the top of the Kruisberg in 1953 was a washing machine. The first up the Wall of Geraardsbergen won 18,000 francs. In 1950 Fiorenzo Magni won 30,000 francs in primes during a long breakaway, enough to buy a house.
This years parcours takes in the following hills – hellingen in Dutch
Oude-Kwaremont @ km108.6, Kortekeeer @km118.6, Eikenberg @ km126.4,
Wolvenburg @ km129.4, Molenberg @ km142.2, Leberg @ km162.6,
Valkenberg @ km170.6, Kaperij @ km 181.2, Kanarieberg @ km 188.6
Oude-Kwaremeont (pass 2) @ km204.5, Paterberg @ km209.7, Koppenberg @ km214.5,
Steenbeekdries @ km219.9,Taaienberg @ km223.3, Kruisberg/Hotond @ km232.6,
Oude-Kwaremeont (pass 3) @ km242.4, Paterberg (pass 2) @ km245.4
There are also 6 sectors of pave –
Ruiterrstraat @ km129.5, Kerkgate @ km132.8, Holloweg @ km135.4, Paddestraat @ km147.1,
Haaghoek @ km159.7, Mariaborestraat @ km218.6 There’s a route sheet available from the RVV’s Website (http://www.rondevanvlaanderen.be/en)
http://rvv.pro.p.assets.flandersclassics.be/files/2271/original/rvv2014-elite-men-map-profile.pdf?1387197435
My personal Favourite memory of the Ronde would have to be 2010, with Fabian Cancellara just riding away from Tom Boonen on the cobbles…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn-oHTCgR84
And, once again, there’s a sportif version for anyone inspired/mad enough to want to ride the parcours… this version is particularly impressive, as it’s actually run the day before the race, so theoretically, you should get as near as possible the same experience as the pro’s…
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And a flavour of last years rides: - first mine...Placeholder for later - ride completed - details to follow, but right now i'm on catering duties...
Ride Details - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/291205658
Distance: 113.20 km - Elevation Gain: 643 m (for over 80km of the route, the only 3 climbs are 2 railway bridges and a swing bridge over the River!) All solo - my winter "ride buddy" is now in serious training again, and there's no way I can keep with him on his serious schedule...
Snacks had to wait until I got home - nowhere open on easter sunday on this ride, but there's a waffles with belgian chocolate sauce shot "in the can" awaiting processing...
Edit: more waffle:
And - once again, the "recovery drink" will have to wait until the kitchen closes for the day - I really don't like cooking "under the influence of Duvel"
Edit2: Mmmmm Beer!
TBY EDIT: km logged, 1 bonus point for 643m climbing,1pt snack, 1pt recovery drink, 1pt solo
and CDGoldensSO here it is
MFP Ronde van Vlaanderen / Tour des Flandres (billy no mates)
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/291472759
Views from the road
Filbert trees
Lunch Break (mile 38)
its not waffles and chocolate...but it was good (kobe beef hotdog with Kobe chili and a stout)
AND post ride beverage at home...this should be close
***i still really dislike this board for posting images...grrr
TBY EDIT: km logged, 1pt recovery drink, 1pt solo - snack looked wonderful, but will have to be a reward in itself...0 -
Thread will open, as per usual around noon tomorrow (5th April 2014 BST)
Bonus Points as Follows:
In Ride Bonus - 1 point for 500m of ascent, 2 points for 1000m, 3 Points for 1500m or above.
Snack Bonus - 1 point for Waffles OR Belgian Chocolate (eat both if you want, but there's only 1 point for it...)
Post Ride Recovery Drink - 1 point for any GENUINE Belgian beer... so, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Duvel or any fancy trappist stuff you can find... I reserve the right to withold points if someone posts "wifebeater", or award extra if someone gets a really exotic one (think 2 for "dubbels" and 3 for "trippels")!
Nothing for Pavé this week - I'm saving that one for Next Week.
And once again I'm rolling out the "Billy No Mates" bonus - 1 point extra for anyone who's riding solo... extra kudos to the poor benighted souls out in the freezing conditions for 4-5 hours with only their Garmin and that irritating creak from the rear mudguard for company 0
This discussion has been closed.