Spud Riley !!

[Graham O]

Think that the Autumn Epic is rated as a 9/10 for difficulty. The Dragon was a 7/10.

Here is the list of those to avoid / go for dependent upon your point of view.

Event Overall Rating
Tour Of Ireland Cycling Challenge 10
Gran Fondo Campagnolo 10
Nove Colli - Marco Pantani 10
La Marmotte 10
L Arvan Villards 9
La Ventoux Beaumes de Venise 9
Tour Of Flanders (De Ronde van Vlaanderen) 9
Autumn Epic 9
Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge 9
The Fred Whitton Challenge 9
Dartmoor Classic Cyclosportive 9
L Etape Du Dales 9
The White Rose Classic 9

[carl f]

Well,i havn't done or will be doing any of those this year,but can't go wrong with local kent rides.Wonder how the 'english etape' will rate on mon?

[Brian Nolan]

Graham,

I did the ' Spud Riley ' last year.. It is a great event over some quiet back roads.. It is hillier / harder than the Polka Dot Challenge which is also run by Manchester Velo..
Although you do not go up Winnats Pass ( hardest climb in the Polka Dot ), you do have about 16 named climbs.. Fortunately most of them are a mile or two long. As Andrew stated up above, at the start of every climb there is a sign giving ; name of climb, the number and how far to the top which is a neat touch.. Last year the weather turned bad halfway thru it up on the Cat & Fiddle pass so you should be prepared for changing conditions..
I am doing it again this year as it is a great ride, well organised by a good club and all the proceeds go to a leukemia charity. I would thoroughly recommend it . go on - sign up for it !
I am also down to do the Autumn Epic ..
Re Adrians comments above about getting back afterwards - i would strongly advise anyone doing these sportive rides that are far away not to drive back on the evening afterwards - you will be really tired and falling asleep at the wheel is a real possibility .... it's not worth it - stay over and head back the following morning - it means a day off work but its the best way I reckon,
cheers ,

brian

[Graham O]

Brian,

I have sent my cheque, so If I get in, I'll see you there.

Still thinking about the Autumn Epic...Its quite late in the year, so there is strong chance of crappy conditions. I do however like the idea of a hard ride to finish the year....

What others are you siged up for Brian..

Ta,

Graham..

[Brian Nolan]

hi Graham,

The only ones i am down to do are the ' Spud ' and the Autumn Epic . Never done the Epic one so it should be good but your right, it could get messy with the weather.
I entered 6 this year ; Dartmoor Classic ( which as Huw will confirm absolutely chucked it down for 90% of the ride. Etape du Dales which I done with Conor.. Just done the Polka Dot for 2nd time the other week..
I was supposed to be doing the Dragon with all the rest of you but I was flying away on the Monday nite afterwards and thought ; I could not spare the extra expense ( accommodation & petrol etc ) , and if anything happened - ie crash or car trouble then i could miss my flight ...
all the best ,

brian ( in Thailand
)