Clifton CC

So who's doing the Dales Grimpeur then?

I've got permission from da'management to be out for the day, and am hopefully that I'll be decently fit by then so will be sending off an entry over the weekend.

Current plan is to start out with Broomwagon who is riding the long one, and bail onto the moyenne ride if I think I'm not up to it. Will just depend if I manage to get at least one decent length ride in between then and now. So far I've ridden 66 miles at a stretch this year. If I can get an 80 mile ride in, I'll feel happier.

I've signed up to do the 140km event, think that'll be enough for me in all those hills!

My plan is much the same as Arthur's, albeit that I'm also down for the Richmond 100 the week before... Fully expecting to make the most of the cafe stops on the grimpeur!!

Jason.

Excellent! Be nice to have some company. Any others for the longer one, Helen, Ian H?

Hi Steve

I would like to do the longer one but will need to make sure that there is someone happy to lead the clubrun on the mid-distance route.

I need to ask someone for a lift over....

Helen

I am going to enter the middle distance and happy to "lead" a group round Helen. So you go for the longer one!

If anyone wants to take me up on this my plan will be to regroup at top of every climb and not be too stressed if we only just make the cutoff time. The aim is to enjoy it!

If things are looking tight we can split the group towards the end. The final run in after Jordans is always good fun.

Having ridden both the "short" and "middle" versions i would say:

1. Don't underestimate this ride! Weather can be bad but if you go equipped it is a great day out.

2. Low gears are good: I have ridden on 30 * 25 and 34 * 27 and only made it up Park Rash once! But so long as you are not trying to race round it is possible to do on "club run" fitness - you don't have to be a super hero.

3. The short version is not much easier than the middle distance. imo the only "advantage" is a slightly later start.

4. The "new" first climb is a pig straight out of the door. Don't start off too fast.

5. Good luck to the people entering the long version

Am sure it would really help Sean if as many of us as possible could pre-enter this event. There is nothing to say entries on the line are not allowed but lets try and avoid.

Arthur wrote:So who's doing the Dales Grimpeur then?

I've got permission from da'management to be out for the day, and am hopefully that I'll be decently fit by then so will be sending off an entry over the weekend.

Current plan is to start out with Broomwagon who is riding the long one, and bail onto the moyenne ride if I think I'm not up to it. Will just depend if I manage to get at least one decent length ride in between then and now. So far I've ridden 66 miles at a stretch this year. If I can get an 80 mile ride in, I'll feel happier.

Arthur, what is the date for the Grimpeur ??

May 30th.

http://www.cliftoncc.org/static.php?content=challenge

Arthur wrote:May 30th.

http://www.cliftoncc.org/static.php?content=challenge

Cheers Arthur will have to consider it as I'm doing the Wicklow 200 the following weekend, might be a bit too much doing it before that

I've entered the 140km Audax but if most of the Clifton riders are doing the 180km event I'll see if I can change rides on the day. Do you think I'll be able to do this?

Hi there,

Cath, Rob & I are planning on riding the 180km Grimpeur too.


Aim to keep with Mark's group as suggested above.

Looking forward to it
Claire

Hi Dan - I should think you will be fine to switch distances. I would suggest dropping Sean the organiser an email. If you can't find his address on website PM me and i will forward on. It all sounds a bit cryptic but don't want to post personal contact info! MA.

MarkA wrote:Hi Dan - I should think you will be fine to switch distances. I would suggest dropping Sean the organiser an email. If you can't find his address on website PM me and i will forward on. It all sounds a bit cryptic but don't want to post personal contact info! MA.

Thanks Mark. I've emailed Sean so hopefully all changed!

After my less than successful Richmond Sportive last week, I've decided to swap down to the 180km route (have told the organiser), so I'm keen to ride round with Mark A and his gang.

Are people looking at an 8am prompt start?

I'll have a spare space in the car if anyone fancies a lift - problem is that I'm off-line from 5:15 tonight (Thur), so sorry that it's a last minute offer. I'll check again at 5:15 tonight, and if there are any takers I'll pm my mobile number and we can make arrangements.

Jason.

My change to the 180km ride was successful, had confirmation back from Sean. Looking forward to the ride and the weather looks great too, if not a little too warm! I'm planning on joining the Mark A group and taking it steady, probably very steady!

Aiming to park up at the Scout Hut for about 7:15am (ish) so I'm not rushing for the 8am start. Tea and toast on offer before the start if you get there earlier enough!

See you all Saturday.