Richie Cross Posted October 23, 2015 Report Share Posted October 23, 2015 Hi folks, As a few of us are doing/hoping to do De Ronde next year, can you add some helpful hints and tips to this page please? Registration opens on Nov 1st ...did you manage to register as a group? Couldn't see anything online but it's the same folk that do LBL. Cheers George 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny Christie Posted October 23, 2015 Report Share Posted October 23, 2015 Important point, dont queue at the start, just steam right down to the front. We made that mistake before! Do wear mitts, (as someone who never wears them, but suffered the blisters after the Flanders) make sure you're Garmin is reinforced with insulating tape, do bend your bottle cages so they grip extra tight and ensure tyres are inflated to 100 psi max. These are just some pointers, nothing can prepare you for the Bergs. I like to think I could enjoy a pint after most bike rides but after completing the Tour Of Flanders I had something to eat, a pint then went to my bed. #everyone else went out on the lash.... Enjoy! Richie Cross, George, gregbalden and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie Cross Posted October 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2015 Cheers Kenny. Tyres..can I check you mean no more than 100PSI? That's lower than I ride here without cobbles to go over? George 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions charlie p Posted October 24, 2015 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Ritchie I did La Ronde on 23 m tyres. Felt like I was operating a pneumatic drill when I went over cobbles. For Poubaix I used 25 m pave tyres. Massive difference & I actually enjoyed the cobbles. The Bergs are great fun.just make sure you have a good head of steam when u start the climbs. Agree with Kenny. Get up to front and find a bunch to sit in as the first 40 odd miles are flat & fast. Finally take no directional advice from Tom Hill Richie Cross 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions charlie p Posted October 24, 2015 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Forgot to say for roubaix tyre pressure was110 psi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2024 Subscriptions Darryl Gunson Posted October 24, 2015 2024 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Important point, dont queue at the start, just steam right down to the front. We made that mistake before! Do wear mitts, (as someone who never wears them, but suffered the blisters after the Flanders) make sure you're Garmin is reinforced with insulating tape, do bend your bottle cages so they grip extra tight and ensure tyres are inflated to 100 psi max. These are just some pointers, nothing can prepare you for the Bergs. I like to think I could enjoy a pint after most bike rides but after completing the Tour Of Flanders I had something to eat, a pint then went to my bed. #everyone else went out on the lash.... Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2024 Subscriptions Darryl Gunson Posted October 24, 2015 2024 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Tough day out. Agree with Kenny. I rode 25s and I'm glad I did. Metal bottle holders are a must. I also had a gell strip on the bars and 32 spoker hand builts, although these aren't strictly necessary. Oh and I also used SPDs just in case I had to walk up any of the bergs ( I didn't). They are steep and if it's wet and rammed, you might have to, especially if someone in front of you goes down. ginty001 and gregbalden 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexb Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 This sounds like another fun day out... Anyone know if a Scott Foil can take 28mm tyres? I ride on 25 all the time but thought 28s might be a better bet for the cobbles. (Or should I take the cross bike!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie Cross Posted October 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Cheers. I'd read elsewhere about folk recommending Vittoria Pave tyres in 25mm so good to hear it from folk I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions P McDonald Posted October 24, 2015 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Re tyres - I did it on 23's as my frame cannot take 25's. It is obviously doable but uncomfortable. I would recommend 25's Kenny as I had to get up and sit in a cold bath at 5am the next morning due to waking up with a lot of pain in my gentleman region. Poor Darryl and Richard may remember this early morning pantomine ! Richie Cross and Darryl Gunson 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2024 Subscriptions Darryl Gunson Posted October 24, 2015 2024 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 What happens on tour stays on tour, Paul! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions George Posted October 24, 2015 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 What was that Spanish sportive called again?.... ginty001 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexb Posted October 24, 2015 Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Think it was "Sunny meander in mountains" or something like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Committee Alan McLean Posted October 24, 2015 Committee Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 FWIW I hated the flat fast cobbles with 25mm tyres and I doubt anything short of a hovercraft would have helped. The climbs are short but up to 20%. I just managed on a 54/25 on Paterberg and Koppenberg but would have preferred a bailout gear. long day, 260km or whatever, so do not be tempted to join early groups steaming past at 45kph. Suggest you regroup at feed stops to ensure all/most finish together as jwcc. I don't know the current route but one of my most enjoyable rides was going full gas from top of Bosberg to the finish with whole jwcc contingent having already done about 250k. Much more fun as a group in blue and yellow. (And Paul MacDonald never went down the LHS of a busy street to gain a tactical advantage in the last 2k) Have a meet up plan at the finish so you do not leave in drips and drabs. Stay until last rider finishes in the gloom. if it raining wear a cap (as well as shorts, shoes, jersey etc) George 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions Tom Hill Posted October 24, 2015 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Where was the Ronde? George 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions P McDonald Posted October 24, 2015 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Alan, you are my hero in every possible way, but did you really go up the Paterberg and Koppenberg in a 54-25 or was it a typo, if you did then you will assume God like status, Richie Cross and robster82 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions George Posted October 24, 2015 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Just checked Cervelo R3 takes up to 28mm tyres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie Cross Posted October 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Where was the Ronde? Don't know if you're taking the wee or know NOTHING about cycling!! But....De Ronde, not the French version La Ronde that Charlie mentions is the short version of Ronde Van Vlaanderen or Tour of Flanders in English Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions charlie p Posted October 24, 2015 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Oops! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions George Posted October 24, 2015 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 24, 2015 Richie, methinks Tom is making a joke at his own expense. He got lost & did a few extra k. At least I think that's what he's doing-not even Tom knows what he's thinking! Richie Cross 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions gregbalden Posted October 25, 2015 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Pretty much echo what the chaps have said..... Although, I dont believe in spending hunners on "Mods", well maybe i'm just tight...anyway!...double bar tape will do the trick, and tescos own metal bottle cages with a squeeze, still use a variant to this day and they done PR, easy done. I used Vittoria Rubino Pro tyres, half the price of the paves, and I never punctured on the ronde or PR. I rode on a 53/ 25 or 26, it was ***k*** hard! I cant remember if I rode 23's or 25's probably 25's. WHAT REALLY MATTERS, is how you tackle the cobbles: Fast as comfortably possible; Keeping some in the tank; As you really dont know how long the section is; Dont go slow.... Like I done and "feel" every up and down and the little bit of dirt between the cobbles, its bloody sore! OH and most sections have a lovely gutter, maybe as wide as your foot, USE IT! you'll be glad you did after 120 miles As with the Ronde...then the Nove colli.....and Liege, you will naturally find a few guys to stick with, stick with them. The fast boys will want to push on, and DO, the slower guys will want to relax into the day...DO. Dont wait too long to regroup. And yes! STOP AT EVERY FEED STOP, even for 5 minutes, Im about 99.7% sure you will need to! Good luck chaps! It'll be a stormer! Darryl Gunson and PaulL 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie Cross Posted October 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Ah yes Geo. I remember the Leg End that is Flanders Tom! How could I forget!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Michael Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Fantastic advice Greg, almost makes me want to sign up 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie Cross Posted October 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Great stuff Greg. Think I'll go proper Flandrian and not wear any gloves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions George Posted October 25, 2015 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Fantastic advice Greg, almost makes me want to sign up You urny invited. My liver couldn't take another battering Richie Cross 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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