2011 Challenge Series

Jon G · Post by **Jon G** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 10:38 am

I found out at the club dinner that Bernard was taking over the challenge series from Mark. So was wondering whether any events have been decided to include this year.

Jon

Cyan Skymoos · Post by **Cyan Skymoos** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 11:04 am

Hi Jon

I've just been looking at a list of them, just click on challenge on the home page. I assume these are the ones you mean.

Darren

Dr Dave · Post by **Dr Dave** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 11:19 am

Ryedale Rumble points allocation needs amending back to previous values to reflect relative difficulty/challenge - it's been one of the hardest rides I've done in recent years...

Cyan Skymoos · Post by **Cyan Skymoos** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 11:46 am

Some great rides on there, and it's nice you don't have to pay through the nose every week, with lots of free clubruns and cheap as chips audax rides included.

Jon G · Post by **Jon G** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 11:48 am

Cyan Skymoos wrote:Hi Jon

I've just been looking at a list of them, just click on challenge on the home page. I assume these are the ones you mean.

Darren

Thanks for that Darren

Some of rides are mentioned there like the Reliability and Scotton which I'm sure will be included which also sadly i missed in relation to the reliability ride anyway.

But I was wanting to know which audaxes will be included and if any clubruns will be included like the one we did to Runswick bay ably led by Rob last year. I did hear him mention Spurn point as a possibility.

And yes the ryedale rumble is a bloody hard ride but still isn't anywhere near the long route on the dales grimpeur audax.

Jon

Cyan Skymoos · Post by **Cyan Skymoos** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:08 pm

Jon

When I click on challenge I get a list of about 20 events throughout 2011 including several clubruns and audax events, I don't know which other events you are after.

Jon G · Post by **Jon G** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:19 pm

Cyan Skymoos wrote:Jon

When I click on challenge I get a list of about 20 events throughout 2011 including several clubruns and audax events, I don't know which other events you are after.

Your absolutely right. Stupid Me. I thought clicking Challenge opened the sub menu up which listed Audax, Reliablityh, Scotton etc but clicking on Challenge seperately works. Thats the list. Sorry about that and thanks.

Jon

At the back as usual · Thu Mar 03, 2011 1:43 pm

Dr Dave wrote:Ryedale Rumble points allocation needs amending back to previous values to reflect relative difficulty/challenge - it's been one of the hardest rides I've done in recent years...

Fully agree Dave although I do like the inclusion of some new rides this year and also that the PG 220 gets some big points, that was the hardest I did last year due to the conditions

Dr Dave · Post by **Dr Dave** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 2:35 pm

Jon G wrote: And yes the ryedale rumble is a bloody hard ride but still isn't anywhere near the long route on the dales grimpeur audax.

Jon

The difficulty is - in part - a function of how hard you ride. Most audaxes I've ridden have been done at a steady 'get you round' pace. However because Sportives are timed events most riders tend to push the pace a bit which makes them tougher than the basic route might suggest.

Last year if my memory serves me I did the 180k Dales Grimpeur (i.e. missing out the Reeth loop from the longest option) which was a good hard ride but certainly no harder than the RR with Boltby, Blakey, Caper Hill and then Rosedale Chimney at 90+ miles in!

Fully agree Dave although I do like the inclusion of some new rides this year and also that the PG 220 gets some big points, that was the hardest I did last year due to the conditions

Agree inclusion of other comparable rides is a good thing. If challenge series is a challenge it needs to consist of mainly hard rides - otherwise anyone could get a 'Gold' simply by doing enough p**s-easy trundles!

Jon G · Post by **Jon G** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 3:25 pm

Never thought of that Dave Good point. You do have the option of a cafe stop in an audax. I was just refering to the amount of metres climbed I suppose.

I guess the L'Etape du Tour would be alot easier if you could stop half way round for a bite to eat. I agrre though the Rumble is more of a challenge because you dont have the option to stop.

Jon

Cyan Skymoos · Post by **Cyan Skymoos** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 5:57 pm

Why can't you have a cafe stop in a sportive? I know I would.

Jon G · Post by **Jon G** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 6:22 pm

Cyan Skymoos wrote:Why can't you have a cafe stop in a sportive? I know I would.

Ok stop showing off. Of course you could stop if like yourself you were capable of completing the course in a reasonable time anyway as because you are timed the stop would be included. In my case stopping in the Etape du tour would have meant missing the time limit been an average Joe cyclist. You could have stopped for a 3 course meal with wine and still made the time limit

Jon

Cyan Skymoos · Post by **Cyan Skymoos** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 8:09 pm

Well I don't know about the Etape time limit, but I didn't think a sportive was a race, and I'm sure the time limit is generous enough to allow for a cafe stop. Not showing off, just enjoy a toasted teacake on a long ride.

Jon G · Post by **Jon G** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 8:32 pm

Don't take me too seriously Darren I'm only joking something you can't get across in writing.

But your right sportives aren't meant to be races even though some stupid idiots treat them like they are. And yes time limits are pretty generous usually.

Jon

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 8:52 pm

There are a fair number of clifton riders entered in the Etape du Dales on 15th May - could this not have been included in the challenge series?