TG Ride 29/30/12

[Andrew G]

I'd be interested to see how you go to give an idea of a fast pace for the course, albeit you'll be slower than a mid-season ride with full fitness in good weather. I've only ridden the full course once and it was going fairly easy in miserable weather, stopping to check directions and having to do a couple of checks and re-routes when my original plan didn't work out. I plan on riding the course again to see it properly as it was through a haze of drizzle last time .

Hope you like the course, there's a couple of bits that are a bit so so but needed to link, but the bit from Barns Green to Faygate is one of my favourites in that area. Broomhall Rd to Coldharbour followed by Arbinger Rd to Leith Hill are lovely but after Leith Hill and Friday Street when you start to descend Hollow Lane take it easy or you'll overshoot Donkey Lane which is on the left just as the hill starts to drop away.

[Keith]

[quote="George"]Bring 2 bottles with you lots of energy gels and bars, we'll see how we go probably stop for a coffee at Sumner Ponds. This is a good endurance paced ride eat well tonight I'll bring a couple of route card/maps

[Keith]

4 of us on today's excellent ride. George, DK, RobW & me.

Rob, hope you weren't in the dog house by the time you got home.
Dave & I peeled off at Newdigate on the return leg. A long ride yesterday meant the 73 miles today was more than sufficient.
George was last seen heading off alone to complete the ACC Sportive route.

Andrew, the route is plenty challenging enough (and I didn't even complete it). A tough early section, followed by some great rolling roads before a tough last section before home. It's going to need some clear signs along the way, plus a few marshalls at the bottom of Colgate as you cross the Horsham Road would be very sensible.

Off to replace my rear brake blocks now - slow descents on some filthy roads.

[Andrew G]

Glad you liked it Keith . That rolling section's lovely isn't it, I like a sportive to have some nice roads rather than just hills. Peeling off at Newdigate you missed a great climb up to Coldharbour, hidden away and very pretty. May not look so nice in this weather, but when it's nice that climb and the section after to Leith is beautiful.

Not surprised you need new blocks riding that early section to Peaslake in this weather, it can eat them on a sunny day. I originally had it going round the back of Peaslake up a great little road which would have been more like a farm track today, but the turn for it was just before a bend so I changed it. On the plus side it meant having the road Walking Bottom on the route card .

I think Alan's plan is plenty of signs, one just before and one at each turn, and yes it will need them.

[Rob W]

Cheers keith George and Dave, great ride I'd like to ride more were we were todayas there are some great hills over there .Keith maybe you could lead a TG out that way some time.
I think I got away with today's ride as my clothes and bikes weren't on the door step when I got back.

[George]

Heres my Gps ridefile of the route;
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/26454796

Around 85 miles and 3500ft of climbing.

I really enjoyed the ascent to Coldharbour which is a great one also the climb from Peaslake up to Pitch is a great one.
Great endurance ride for this time of the year to start building up some base miles, 5 & 1/2 hours of ride time to get round today but in the summer this will easily be sub 5 for experienced club racers.
We spotted Southwater sports club just before you turn left at Southwater as a potential refreshment stop, would be an idea for someone to look into this. But even from here its still nearly 50 miles back to Coulsdon so would it be worth considering 2 stops?
Southwater Sports Club - more info »
Church La, Horsham RH13 9BT
01403 730345 ‎