2015 MFP CLassics Challenge - Ride Logging Thread
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17.03.2013 Milano-Sanremo
Milan – San Remo (Italian: Milano–Sanremo), "the Spring classic" ("la classica di Primavera"), is an annual cycle race between - you guessed it - Milan and Sanremo. It is the longest professional one-day race at 298 km. The first was in 1907, when Lucien Petit-Breton won. Today it is one of the 'Monuments' of European cycling, and results contribute towards the UCI World Ranking; until 2007 it was part of the UCI ProTour. From 1999 to 2005, a women's race, the Primavera Rosa was organised alongside the men's but at a shorter distance.
Milan – San Remo is often called the sprinters' classic while its sister Italian race the Giro di Lombardia held in autumn is the climbers' classic.
In the early years the main difficulty was the Passo del Turchino, but when cycling became more professional the climb was too far from the finish to be decisive. In 1960 the Poggio, a few kilometres before the finish, was introduced. In 1982 the Cipressa, near Imperia was added. The other hills are the 'capi', the Capo Mele, Capo Berta and Capo Cervo. From 2008 on the organisers added 'Le Manie' as well, between the Turchino and the 'capi'. The 'Turchino' and the 'Manie' are longer climbs, while 'capi', Cipressa and Poggio are rather short. The climbs are neither steep nor long for professional cyclists. As such, many sprinters are capable of keeping with the main peloton on these climbs, and therefore the race most often ends in a mass sprint.
The most successful rider was Eddy Merckx; he won seven times (record of victories in one single classic race). In recent times, the most successful rider has been Erik Zabel who won four times and lost 2004 to Óscar Freire only because he lifted his arms to celebrate too early. It was the opening race of the UCI Road World Cup series until the series was replaced by the UCI ProTour in 2005.
Being the longest professional one-day race, Milan – San Remo is an unusual test of endurance early in the season. It is won often not by the fastest sprinter, but one best prepared early. The Cipressa and Poggio have foiled many sprinters who could not stay with the front group.
Despite its flat course and long finishing straight, sprinters teams have been foiled from time-to-time by a determined attack on the last hills. Good examples include Laurent Jalabert and Maurizio Fondriest escaping in 1995 and staying away to the finish. In 2003, Paolo Bettini attacked with several riders who all stayed away and in 2006 Filippo Pozzato and Alessandro Ballan attacked on the last hill and stayed away. The fastest Milan – San Remo over the usual course was in 1990. Gianni Bugno set 6h 25 m 06 seconds to win by 4 seconds over Rolf Gölz. This was an average of 45.8kmh (28.45 mph). In 2006, the peloton came close with a 6h 29 m 41s, won by Filippo Pozzato. At the other extreme of the race Is the 1910 edition, which was won in a time of 12h 24 m, in a snowstorm.
http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/MilanoSanremo/en/?lang=en&t=01
My favourite memory of this race was the absolutely MENTAL descent of the poggio by Sean Kelly to chase down Moreno Argentin -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL3jQmkj3uI
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Okay folks - its reminder time again... don't forget, the next installment of this challenge commences 22nd March 2015 - that's this Sunday coming, your local time.
As posted in the discussion thread, there's spot prizes available again...
Again 3 possibilities this week
- First one is related to the nickname "La Primavera" - so 1 bonus point for a mid-ride photo showing "signs of spring" (daffodils/snowdrops/catkins/newborn lambs etc. - NOT your MTB's suspension
)
- Second, just to piss all over the healthy aspect of this fitness site - 1 point for either a "bottle of Peroni post-ride recovery drink shot" OR a "cafe break shot with coffee/cakes/biscotti as appropriate" taken mid-ride.
Images should by preference have EXIF data present to verify timestamps, and the mid-ride photos should be geotagged to check they match up with the ride in time and location. For those of us using Strava, I'd suggest using a smartphone and Instagram, as you can actually link the two accounts, and the geotagging will actually show the location of the photo-call on your Strava route-trace...
- Third - and this is the big 5 pointer (so damned difficult to get) - is time related. The Milan Sanremo is the longest distance race in the series, and it's a long time in the saddle even for the pro's. So - here we go - anyone who spends more "moving time" (i.e. not counting cafe breaks, photo-calls or stopping mid ride for 7 hours for a sleep!) in their single ride gets a 5 point bonus. Obviously, I can only declare the points scored on this AFTER the pro's have crossed the line and registered their time...
Since the forum "upgrade" I daren't actually close the thread, in case it won't let me re-open it, or it throws the thread away... so, please don't post in here until you've got a ride to add... Also, as I can't back edit things for you, don't submit until you've got all the pictures collated and ready to add in one go... It's a fecking nuisance, I know, and I can see it being a bloody NIGHTMARE on the 3 week tours so i'm beginning to worry as to how to actually organise those...0 -
22 March - https://www.strava.com/activities/272001235 105.3km 3:52 moving time
Beautiful autumn day could be substituted for spring - promise
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07/03/2015 [Strade Bianche] - 46.9km - 263m - https://www.strava.com/activities/264208151
08/03/2015 [Roma Maxima] - 80.5km - 469m - https://www.strava.com/activities/264832041
22/03/2015 [Milan - Sanremo] - 106.9km - 997m - https://www.strava.com/activities/272279121
These are the piccies I wanted for the Maxima Roma bonus:
Milan - Sanremo bonuses:
Spring Flowers
Recovery Drink [Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]
Another photo of interest; Richard Whiteley's resting place:
Classics Challenge Totals: 234.3km & 1729m of climbing0 -
07/03/2015 - Strade Bianche - 45.8km - 256m --https://app.strava.com/activities/264167747
08/03/2015 - Roma Maxima - 113.1km - 1931m -https://app.strava.com/activities/264954945
22/03/2015 - Milan - Sanremo - 50.3km - 362m - https://app.strava.com/activities/272397434
No pics or bonuses....
Totals: 209.2km & 2549m climbed
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22/03/2015 - Milan - San Remo - 212.1km - 2,307m - https://www.strava.com/activities/272591963
Total ride time 8:23:15
Totals after 3 classics 413.5km 5,930m
Cafe break - Cappucino and a jelly filled donut (no biscotti here in the south :-))
Signs of Spring - Bradford Pear trees in bloom
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22/03/2015 - Milan - San Remo - 161.6km - 1638m - https://www.strava.com/activities/272199055/
Total ride time 6:49:47
Taken with the iphone:
Taken with the proper cam:
Think I just managed to scrape the time in saddle bonus!
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07/03/2015 77.8km 758m climbing https://www.strava.com/activities/264200444
No photos to report
08/03/2015 104.1km 383m climbing https://www.strava.com/activities/264953802
No photos to report
22/3/15 67.5km 592m https://www.strava.com/activities/272215050
I did put the photo on instagram but for some reason I cannot get my instagram photos on Strava!!0 -
3/22: DNS
Yep, I'm a total loser.0 -
Ok, closing off distance and points summary
Rider Distance Spring Beer / Time in
Name ridden signs coffee saddle
Kupe 105.3 1(for trying) 0 0
cloggsy71 106.9 1 1 0
KitTheRoadie 50.3 0 0 0
Veloman21 212.1 1 1 5
spatialized dns
Jakes1971 161.6 1 0 5
BigG59 67.5 1 0 0
I'll update the spreadsheet in a few minutes...
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latest update now in
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1is7rqtpb9GLIN5wOxLA2CVufrERxC03DyIUUoGTjwAI/edit?usp=sharing
some amazing riding out there guys... only wish I'd been out there knocking the km's in with you all...
Congratulations to @Veloman21 - Nice one Allan - getting the km's in the bank ready for Paris Roubaix I guess.
Also a cracking ride from Jason - one of a number of centuries in the weekend... mentalist!
And special mention to Clive and Brett for 3rd and 4th place respectively, with another pair of metric centuries... it's just as well I wasn't riding, i'd have been well down the leaderboard on that showing!
Well done to everyone who got out there, and don't forget - we're at it again for Gent Wevelghem on Sunday...
Which reminds me.... I've a potted history to dig up from somewhere!
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29.03.2015 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
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And the Obligatory "Spot Prize" post...
1 Point - Excessive Gradient (10% or steeper)
2 Points - Excessive Gradient on Cobbles (10% or steeper)
1 Point - Ride Snack - Waffles
1 Point - Recovery Drink - Leffe (Brun, Blonde, Ruby or Nectar-i'm not picky!)
(there's a few Belgian classics, and We'll be having a different Tipple / Snack each time.)
Thread will open for entries around 12:00 Noon GMT on 28th March for the convenience of any nocturnal antipodeans...0 -
07/03/2015 [Strade Bianche] - 46.9km - 263m - https://www.strava.com/activities/264208151
08/03/2015 [Roma Maxima] - 80.5km - 469m - https://www.strava.com/activities/264832041
22/03/2015 [Milan - Sanremo] - 106.9km - 997m - https://www.strava.com/activities/272279121
29/03/2015 [Gent – Wevelgem] - 4.6km - 11m - https://www.strava.com/activities/275903401
No bonuses - Lucky to get out really; appalling weather.
Classics Challenge Totals: 238.9km & 1740m of climbing
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29/03/2015 - Gent - Wevelgem - 74.7km - 1,813m https://www.strava.com/activities/276061748
No waffle or Leffe pics (couldn't find Leffe in my podunk town) Certainly had plenty of excessive grades though no cobbles unless up to 24% on gnarly gravel counts for anything?
Classics Challenge Totals: 488.2km & 7,743m climbing0 -
29/3/15 90.3km https://www.strava.com/activities/275846087 a flat ride, but, very wet
No photos, or steep gradients.
I'm claiming 10 bonus points for riding in weather worse than they had in Belgium We were supposed to be doing a climbing route but wind and rain that bad we picked a flattish route. 0 -
29/3/15: 31.7km 617m https://www.strava.com/activities/276049811
Hit multiple sections >10%, steepest one I found was over 23%. And the base of it looked like this:
Truth be told I hiked the super steep parts, could only stay on the bike until the log on the left.
No Leffe to be found in town so I had a waffle with chocolate & PB spread while drinking a Vit C packet. I did enjoy the IPA a little later that day.
And unlike our friends in in Flanders, my weather was beautiful, topping out at 70F, even got my first tan lines of the year.
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Just for completeness:
29/03/2015 [Gent – Wevelgem] - DNS0 -
Okay folks - I'm feeling generous today, so Gravel/Rocky climbs count for the cobbles, and as only one person bothered to go for a drink, they're having a point for that as well
Entries Added as followsRider Distance Grad Cobbles Snack Drink Cloggsy71 4.6 n n n n veloman21 74.7 y y n n BigG59 90.3 n n n n Spatialized 31.7 y y y y Jakes1971 dns TheBigYin dns
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spreadsheet updated folks...
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1is7rqtpb9GLIN5wOxLA2CVufrERxC03DyIUUoGTjwAI/edit?usp=sharing0
