James

Still struggling with ribs after Sunday. I'll help time keeping. Where is the start for this?

Still struggling with ribs after Sunday. I'll help time keeping. Where is the start for this?

Just a quick update on the Mallorca 312.
On Saturday the 29th of April the Mallorca 312 sportive took place. There were three distances, 312 km, 225 km and 167 kms.  Both Ross Robertson and I planned to do the 225 and got to the start line at 0635, 8 miles from Puerta Pollensa(our base) to Alcudia.
Once the sun had come up it was a good day, but there was a cold wind which stayed with us for the week we were in Mallorca.
Miguel Indurain and Steven Roche were amongst the front line starters.
And so 15 mins after the hooter sounding we crossed the start line and headed off back to Puerta Pollensa, before starting our day of climbing.
In summary:- 4 feed stations all well maintained with volunteers, water, fruit, sandwiches,- 225 kms, 3630m of climbing, average speed 23 km/h, 9:38 moving time and 6500 starters.
This is a well organised sportive, with entrants from all over the world. We paid about 80 euros to enter and received a musette with 312 jersey and other goodies. There was good medical cover which seemed to be in constant use and photographers everywhere to capture the moment .
Ross and I finished without any mishaps and pedalled back to our hotel for a beer or two having been proud to have worn the Wheelers jersey for the event.
Would I recommend it- absolutely. Although how you incorporate it into a week in Mallorca is a difficult one as you have to be clear on what you can do before it and what you then can do after.
Not a fan of "our sportive is harder than yours" eg Fred Whitton chat, however it was tough and I would recommend anyone to try it next year.
Not sure how to post pictures, but if someone can advise I am more than happy to post a couple for your enjoyment.
 
If anyone wants more info, next years event is on the 28th of April and happy to speak more about our experience.

Great day out with the bunch with a nice pace early on keeping together and re-grouping after the climbs.   Brutal climbs at the end made harder with people all over the place and not getting a straight line.
 
Suffering today with my ribs and back..... plenty pain killers and still feeling it !!
 
Attached the only photo at the 1st feed stop: Ginty, me, Alex, Darrel, Robbie
 
Till next time..
 
 

Well, you all say never again, but you never know. I said that the first time I rode it and I've now ridden it three times. It may say something about me right enough, but cycling is like that, full of mental exploits where the memory of the pain diminishes with time. It's a bit like one imagines giving birth is like; if women stuck to their initial reactions no family would have more than one child!
 
And besides, Charlie has his ride postponed until next year and we couldn't let him ride it by his self, could we?

Well, what can I say that hasn't already been said.... brilliant for the first 90miles, absolutely brutal for the next 10 and then a very fast last 10 relatively flat and with a tailwind..
 
We couldn't have hoped for better conditions, a few of the earlier climbs were pretty serious, but very doable, and in no way prepared us for Hardknott and Wrynose... I just can't imagine what they were thinking when they decided to put a tarmac road over these slopes all those years ago, never seen anything like it, I would definitely be very wary even taking the car over..
 
I too had to walk a couple of bits on Hardknott, but managed to find a false flat to get back on both times, and managed up Wrynose, but only just.. the worst thing were the descents of these 2 climbs, totally freaky, 30% gradients with a switchback every 15 or 20 metres, not much fun at all...
 
The organisation is the best I've ever seen, everything went off to a tee, and the spectators and helpers along the way were brilliant..
..
All in all a great experience to share with a great bunch of JWWC mates, that will live long in the memory....
 
Would I do it again..... too early to decide, my body is saying no, my mind is saying ask me in a few weeks...

Great day out with the bunch with a nice pace early on keeping together and re-grouping after the climbs.   Brutal climbs at the end made harder with people all over the place and not getting a straight line.
 
Suffering today with my ribs and back..... plenty pain killers and still feeling it !!
 
Attached the only photo at the 1st feed stop: Ginty, me, Alex, Darrel, Robbie
 
Till next time..
 
 

Great day out with the bunch with a nice pace early on keeping together and re-grouping after the climbs.   Brutal climbs at the end made harder with people all over the place and not getting a straight line.
 
Suffering today with my ribs and back..... plenty pain killers and still feeling it !!
 
Attached the only photo at the 1st feed stop: Ginty, me, Alex, Darrel, Robbie
 
Till next time..
 
 

Great day out with the bunch with a nice pace early on keeping together and re-grouping after the climbs.   Brutal climbs at the end made harder with people all over the place and not getting a straight line.
 
Suffering today with my ribs and back..... plenty pain killers and still feeling it !!
 
Attached the only photo at the 1st feed stop: Ginty, me, Alex, Darrel, Robbie
 
Till next time..
 
 

Great day out with the bunch with a nice pace early on keeping together and re-grouping after the climbs.   Brutal climbs at the end made harder with people all over the place and not getting a straight line.
 
Suffering today with my ribs and back..... plenty pain killers and still feeling it !!
 
Attached the only photo at the 1st feed stop: Ginty, me, Alex, Darrel, Robbie
 
Till next time..
 
 

Great day out with the bunch with a nice pace early on keeping together and re-grouping after the climbs.   Brutal climbs at the end made harder with people all over the place and not getting a straight line.
 
Suffering today with my ribs and back..... plenty pain killers and still feeling it !!
 
Attached the only photo at the 1st feed stop: Ginty, me, Alex, Darrel, Robbie
 
Till next time..
 
 

Great day out with the bunch with a nice pace early on keeping together and re-grouping after the climbs.   Brutal climbs at the end made harder with people all over the place and not getting a straight line.
 
Suffering today with my ribs and back..... plenty pain killers and still feeling it !!
 
Attached the only photo at the 1st feed stop: Ginty, me, Alex, Darrel, Robbie
 
Till next time..
 
 

Think the concencus for most is a great day to be on the bike in beautiful countryside on a very challenging course-BUT NEVER AGAIN.
 
We also won a watch with our hostel & choice of pub on Saturday evening.
 
I felt great up until 90 miles, hills until then were rideable, descents very sketchy-some poor chap was air lifted away.
 
Then we got to Hardknott & Wrynose. Jeezo! Nothing I have ridden comes close. Absolutely brutal and never ending. Most people around me were walking in sections and I joined them as a) it was so hard my front wheel was lifting c) with all the walkers it was difficult to get a line.
 
We were mega lucky with the weather. In all honesty, had it been raining I would have packed as the descents don't bear thinking about in the wet.
 
Paul had a minor off but is ok.
 
Have to say the organisation was 2nd to none and the volunteers were awesome-roaring you on & ringing cowbells on the climbs & rushing up to fill your bottle and give you some great food at the feeds. Even got a free alcohol free pint & pie and beans at the finish.
 
Box ticked. Something different next time.

We couldn't have asked for a better day for the Fred. As we rolled out at 7.30 it was quite nippy, but it would warm up throughout the day. I'll leave it for others to add their thoughts but a couple of things that stand out for me are that we managed to ride the event together as a club, which made a very hard day seem slightly less so. Everyone was on good form and survived what is acknowledged to be the toughest UK sportive.
The climbs before 90 miles soften you up for the main event of Hardknott and Wrynose. Bloody hard, barely rideable steep steep roads.
Had to walk a bit on Hardknott but was ok apart from that.
 
Thanks to all who took part and were part of an epic day out.
 
cheers

I'll bring the sun cream 😎

Given the Casino closes at 6am, that gives us an hour and a half to get freshened up and get some breakfast, sounds like a plan ..

Completed 314km Audax Sat.
Gruelling course from Musselburgh to England and back.
Not helped by the headwind heading South which lessened considerably on the way back North!!!
Started at 06:00 and finished at 21:30 with only one puncture thanks to a cattle grid.
The 400 may be a stretch too far this year.

Nightclub closes at 2.30am gives us 4 hours sleep and 1000s of carbs... sorted

A cool day with a big easterly wind meant fast times out and a torturous slog back. Clocked a disappointing 25:05, but power output is up again, so that's a positive.

From memory the start of Honister is tough with a steep ramp just as you come out of the treeline. I put a foot down there as I knew it must still be a long way to the top (this is riding 39x25 mind!). Just over the ramp if eases off so dig in and keep going. 
 
Newlands was another toughie so I agree , don't get cold at the stop.
 
On Hardknott - good luck .
 
Shame to miss this.

Hi Folks
 
The Fred is nearly upon us, and, judging by some of the chat in the bunch, it is starting to worry some. No need to worry, it is just a long day out and should be fun. However, it is not to be underestimated either. The following tips from nammynake on Bikeradar chime well with my own experience:
 
1. Pay close attention to the weather forecast and dress appropriately. If it's raining, the wind-chill going over Cold Fell can be pretty bad (as in the 2013 event). I'd much rather carry a slightly bulky rain jacket than risk taking something light without sufficient protection.

2. Try to pace the early climbs. You'll be feeling really fresh are raring to go, but your legs will thank you later if you reserve some energy for Hardknott.

3. Get into a group on the long flat section towards and through Keswick (but take your turn on the front if you're feeling fresh). The A66 section is pretty open to the wind so save your energy for Honister.

4. Be careful on the descents. Even if you're competent descender, you'll be riding in close proximity to inexperienced riders, so give everyone enough space and expect the unexpected. There are some nasty corners which catch out riders every year.

5. Be cheery with the marshalls. They are all volunteers and stand in the same spot for hours on end. A cheery wave or simple "thanks" is really appreciated.

6. If you want a decent time, don't fanny about at the feed stops. Fill your bottle, scoff a banana or whatever and get cracking. It's easy to spend 20 minutes pottering about, which can add a big chunk onto your time if you repeat this at the second feed stop. You won't benefit from 'resting' for that amount of time, and if anything your muscles will cool down which could hamper you until you've warmed up again. Note that the first feed stop is IMMEDIATELY before Newlands Pass. This is a pretty tough climb and you wouldn't want to tackle it with cold muscles. Also note that the queue for toilets can be long at the feed stops, so maybe find a suitable hedge before/after.

7. Hardknott - this has reached almost mythical status for those new to the Fred Whitton. Yes it's a very very tough climb, but try not to be intimidated by it. It doesn't help that you can see it looking in the distance as you approach along the valley floor, but keep your legs spinning easily so they're not loaded with lactic acid before you start. It's really two climbs, interlinked with a very gradual incline where you can get your breath back. So tackle it in two sections. Focus on getting up the first bit by sitting in your lowest gear and alternate in/out of the saddle if you're able. Note that on the steepest corners your front wheel may lift off the ground so try to get a good balanced position if seated. Keep spinning that easy gear on the gentle bit and try to bring your heart rate down before you reach the final section. This is the steepest section and where the photographer cruelly awaits. Get your 'relaxed' face on and out of the saddle to attack this short stretch. Once you're over this it's still a few hundred meters to the summit so again pace yourself. If you have to dismount and walk (many do) then please keep to the edge of the road and be aware of riders coming back (probably not much faster!). If you're completely done in, then wait a minute or two at the top before descending to get your breath back.

8. Wrynose is the last serious climbs, and while it's not as savage as Hardknott it's still very tough. The decent of Wrynose is pretty sketchy and VERY fast towards the bottom, so again please take care and be aware of vehicles ascending.

9. If you're still feeling fresh after Wrynose then now's your time to dig in and TT to the finish.

10. Finally, enjoy it. It's a unique event and the support from volunteer marshalls and members of the public is fantastic. They come out in spades even when it's raining! If it's not p*ssing down then soak up the scenery - if you've not been the Lakes before it's a stunning place.

"The wind is my hill" - Freddie Maertens

Cedric, Jan, Eric, Darryl, Ian mcT, James and myself headed for Fintry over crow. Found it very tough after yesterday but had some good wheels to follow. Ian, Cedric and myself headed back over crow and home after some hot chocolate and scones. Rest went of for some extra miles, good day again. Thanks Ian and Cedric for waiting and draging me home 😠110km in the bag

See you at the bridge 9.30

Finally managed to find some time to decipher the results spreadsheet. I haven't adjusted these for the vet standard.
 
Alan T  39:30
James S.  40:18
Mike F. 42:00
 
For me, that's 22 seconds faster than last year, which doesn't really recognise the 25% uplift in power output. I'll still take it though.