Alan Michael Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 You urny invited. My liver couldn't take another battering Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Michael Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Pretty sure I'll be ok.. as it's you that has started this thread, meet up spot and organised the run im probably 90% sure you wont turn up. 😉 robster82 and PaulL 2 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 a) didn't start the thread. b)the meet up spot, on this occasion, is where the tour of Flanders organising committee decided it would be. Even with my contacts at the UCI I have little say on this matter. c) meet up spot-see B If only you could swap some of those leg muscles for brain cells. Jog on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Committee Alan McLean Posted October 25, 2015 Committee Report Share Posted October 25, 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, Thanks Paul, but it was definitely 34/25 although I pretty much trackstanded (trackstood?) up the steeper climbs. You may remember we had to visit the bike shop in Geraldsbergen to buy me a new cassette the day before. The mechanic who sold it was an ex-racer. I asked for a 12-28 or similar but when he saw I already had a compact chainset he gave me a look of withering contempt and explained that true cyclists climbed in 39/21 max. but that he would sell me a 12-25 out of pity. I think there is even a photo of the guy somewhere on the forum thread. I would recommend going bigger at the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions martin Posted October 25, 2015 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 My advice is keep hydrated. Jupiter is good for volume, Leffe when you're warmed up, and La Chouffe for when you get serious about things. As Greg says use metal cages and squeeze them to keep your bottles in tight. Other than that just tighten up the bolts on your road bike and go. Flanders cobbles are mostly uphill, so you're not going that fast to worry (unlike Roubaix). For the one downhill section and the 2 or 3 flat sections keep the power on so you don't lose your chain. Gets them over quicker too. Now the important stuff. You will want frites, sausages and beer at the end, but they don't take cash at the bar. Buy tokens from the wee kiosk and use these to get your grub. George, PaulL and gregbalden 3 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 Martin, that's the pertinent info I was waiting on. martin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions martin Posted October 25, 2015 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Thanks Paul, but it was definitely 34/25 although I pretty much trackstanded (trackstood?) up the steeper climbs. You may remember we had to visit the bike shop in Geraldsbergen to buy me a new cassette the day before. The mechanic who sold it was an ex-racer. I asked for a 12-28 or similar but when he saw I already had a compact chainset he gave me a look of withering contempt and explained that true cyclists climbed in 39/21 max. but that he would sell me a 12-25 out of pity. I think there is even a photo of the guy somewhere on the forum thread. I would recommend going bigger at the back. First time I went over my pal Gav (known to a number of veterans among us) rode it all on old school years. 52/42 with a 21 on the back. He got there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions P McDonald Posted October 25, 2015 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Red bull is also very good for hydration. However the 100db disco music at the Red Bull stop became very entrancing and one can be tempted to hit the disco dance routine (allegedly) Ramsay 1 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 Is the event on closed roads? I imagine the bergs are? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Iain67 Posted October 25, 2015 Members Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 george what have you signed me up for and why did i let you talk me into this? never done cobbles before, anyone know any in the area where i can at least practice falling off? George 1 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 Just ride up that wee hill across from Dooleys. 500 times. Richie Cross 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Iain67 Posted October 26, 2015 Members Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 ha ha good shout George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2024 Subscriptions Darryl Gunson Posted October 26, 2015 2024 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 The cobbles are fine except perhaps when it's wet, or you are Knackered, or both...no need to bother finding cobbles beforehand, it'll only put you off. Seem to recall that part of the prep involved the full coast, followed by as many steep climbs as possible. Finished with the hill climb! gregbalden and Iain67 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Iain67 Posted October 26, 2015 Members Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 thats me gybed then daryl expect to be wet and tired Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie Cross Posted October 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 What about wheels? Did everyone just ride their regular good wheels? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Committee Alan McLean Posted October 29, 2015 Committee Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 Is the event on closed roads? I imagine the bergs are? big main roads were not closed. If we strayed onto the road then police motorcyclists shooed us back onto the cycle tracks. Classic sections were closed and fine. Imagine nipping down the A737 to Howood then sprinting up the hill climb on cobbles, returning to Johnstone and repeating about 10 times. The cycle tracks were a mixed blessing, We were obliged to use them if present. There was often a foot wide trench of debris between the cycle track and road with loads of street furniture to avoid especially in the villages. This would be fine solo but lethal in a bunch of 8000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions George Posted October 30, 2015 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 The Ronde veterans aren't really selling this well. At all. Richie Cross 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions gregbalden Posted October 30, 2015 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 Richie, I rode mavic aksiums, turns out they are pretty bomb proof wheels! Because they then tackled, the nove and various other Scottish roads. I thoroughly disagree Geo, sounds epic to me!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie Cross Posted October 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 It appears it's ok to ride best bikes but my favoured Campag wheels...while suitable for my weight..have a spoke count of 16 front and 21 rear. An option is to buy lesser Campag wheels...about a massive 200g heavier!!!....that have a regular spoke count. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions P McDonald Posted October 30, 2015 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 Guys It is epic. You will have a fantastic time. Yes it can be uncomfortable on the cobbles, yes it is long, yes it is sore if you hit a conrete bollard at 23mph, yes the downhill cobles are even more sore, yes you might walk like John Wayne for 3 days afterwards. But you will love it . gregbalden 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2024 Subscriptions Darryl Gunson Posted October 31, 2015 2024 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 Ritchie I mentioned wheels in my post. If you have normal wheels (hand built with 32 spokes) then I would advise you take them. Other wheels are fine except if you have a problem. 32 spokers are away to fix/true, whereas low-spoke factory wheels aren't. Having said that most people got round without a wheel problem... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions P McDonald Posted October 31, 2015 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 Richie, all Darryl says rings true. However the service stops have excellent mechanics who managed to get my ksyrium front wheel straight enough to continue despite being a long way out of true after a bollard incident. So if you don't want to buy new wheels just for this you will be fine. I rode it with ksyriums and 23 tyres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Committee Alan McLean Posted November 12, 2015 Committee Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 Thanks Paul, but it was definitely 34/25 although I pretty much trackstanded (trackstood?) up the steeper climbs. You may remember we had to visit the bike shop in Geraldsbergen to buy me a new cassette the day before. The mechanic who sold it was an ex-racer. I asked for a 12-28 or similar but when he saw I already had a compact chainset he gave me a look of withering contempt and explained that true cyclists climbed in 39/21 max. but that he would sell me a 12-25 out of pity. I think there is even a photo of the guy somewhere on the forum thread. I would recommend going bigger at the back. Here is a pic of me wilting under the pitiless stare of Belgian Bike Shop guy after he fitted my teeny cassette. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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