OK then here we go, some thoughts about the event. On the whole the even left me feeling pretty positive, great people, attractions and bikes. The ride its self was well marshalled and signposted. Feed stations were OK, Biggin was a little too congested and took too long for riders to get food, fuel up and get on, bodies were standing around for a long while, cooling down sos to speak. Food was OK, the hot and cold food queue should have been segregated to make it quicker. Food was OK, although some complained it was no where good as last year. Chatsworth House could have been a little more fulfilling!
The ride itself was easy in places, hard in others and very, very challenging in places. The road climbs were fine, I walked a couple to take some images and generally get my breath back... I tried to get up all of them and quickly adopted a slower, more considered 'attack' as the race went on. Plenty of people around to help if any trouble, I saw a lot of punctures by the road side, fortunately the Flyer on new Schwalbe Actives was bullet proof. I helped one guy who had all the kit, but no pump!! A could hear a lot of bikes with poorly maintained running gear, creaking and groaning as they went along, simple basic maintenance would have helped a lot i.e. get the oil out!!
Descents were tricky, rough gravel, ballast and ruts meant you had to keep your distance and pick the best line. Brakes and forks were tested to the limited on some. Notable descents were just before Biggin and also the long drop down to the second feed station, which was very steep and had a loose gravel, grit and dark mud texture on top. It was dark and hairy to say the least, one guy came through shouting "On your right, can't stop!" Hands were aching at the bottom for all, the food here was good with hot coffee and tea... Next year If I go again, I'd take my 1975 Corsa or Criterium, the brakes, even on these are better than the Flyer and they feel more robust. I should add the four tunnels were fine, dark (as they are) but OK, the second one had a choir at the end of it, people along the route were warm and appreciative!
The High Peak trail was stunning, loose gravel but level, you could get up a fair lick along these and able to pass with care, slower riders - "On your right" was heard a lot. I enjoyed the long winding descent from this part, the scenery is out of this world - real Derbyshire Dales!
By the time I reached Chatsworth I was tired but knew we were on the home leg! The two final climbs were rough on the legs, I would walk a bit of the last one, stopped to talk to a guy doing the route on an Osgeared bike - his words about the 4 speed gear - "Awful!!". The final bit of trail near the show ground was very steep and very loose on its surface, we all walked this one. Then by now you could hear the sounds of the show distinctly, it was a magnet drawing you closer and closer, know the finish line was minutes away. Once back into Bakewell we came in the back way by the fairground and paraded along the final hard surface drive to the show ground ring, the crowds were fantastic, wanting to touch you hand as you went by, I felt immensely proud that both rider and machine had made it. Back to the show ground ring to meet Zahra and a well deserved drink!!
My overall impression - ride great, superbly administered and organised - food stops could be a little better organised, i.e. Biggin. Camping good, facilities good, although walking distance to van was unacceptable. Show good, some of the jumble was very expensive - Eroica prices?? Food, only tried some chips (we took loads of our own) - expensive, although varied. Beer tents - great, great ales on by Thornbridge Brewery, I can recommend the Jaipur! Overall the emphasis is on the family and in my view a little commercialised in places. Dealing and planning with the British summer i.e. rain!! - could be better...
My overall rating for the event is 7/10!
I'll post some images of the event later, managed to get some on my route around with a small compact camera.
PS it was nice to meet Kingbling on the campsite, post ride!
The ride itself was easy in places, hard in others and very, very challenging in places. The road climbs were fine, I walked a couple to take some images and generally get my breath back... I tried to get up all of them and quickly adopted a slower, more considered 'attack' as the race went on. Plenty of people around to help if any trouble, I saw a lot of punctures by the road side, fortunately the Flyer on new Schwalbe Actives was bullet proof. I helped one guy who had all the kit, but no pump!! A could hear a lot of bikes with poorly maintained running gear, creaking and groaning as they went along, simple basic maintenance would have helped a lot i.e. get the oil out!!
Descents were tricky, rough gravel, ballast and ruts meant you had to keep your distance and pick the best line. Brakes and forks were tested to the limited on some. Notable descents were just before Biggin and also the long drop down to the second feed station, which was very steep and had a loose gravel, grit and dark mud texture on top. It was dark and hairy to say the least, one guy came through shouting "On your right, can't stop!" Hands were aching at the bottom for all, the food here was good with hot coffee and tea... Next year If I go again, I'd take my 1975 Corsa or Criterium, the brakes, even on these are better than the Flyer and they feel more robust. I should add the four tunnels were fine, dark (as they are) but OK, the second one had a choir at the end of it, people along the route were warm and appreciative!
The High Peak trail was stunning, loose gravel but level, you could get up a fair lick along these and able to pass with care, slower riders - "On your right" was heard a lot. I enjoyed the long winding descent from this part, the scenery is out of this world - real Derbyshire Dales!
By the time I reached Chatsworth I was tired but knew we were on the home leg! The two final climbs were rough on the legs, I would walk a bit of the last one, stopped to talk to a guy doing the route on an Osgeared bike - his words about the 4 speed gear - "Awful!!". The final bit of trail near the show ground was very steep and very loose on its surface, we all walked this one. Then by now you could hear the sounds of the show distinctly, it was a magnet drawing you closer and closer, know the finish line was minutes away. Once back into Bakewell we came in the back way by the fairground and paraded along the final hard surface drive to the show ground ring, the crowds were fantastic, wanting to touch you hand as you went by, I felt immensely proud that both rider and machine had made it. Back to the show ground ring to meet Zahra and a well deserved drink!!
My overall impression - ride great, superbly administered and organised - food stops could be a little better organised, i.e. Biggin. Camping good, facilities good, although walking distance to van was unacceptable. Show good, some of the jumble was very expensive - Eroica prices?? Food, only tried some chips (we took loads of our own) - expensive, although varied. Beer tents - great, great ales on by Thornbridge Brewery, I can recommend the Jaipur! Overall the emphasis is on the family and in my view a little commercialised in places. Dealing and planning with the British summer i.e. rain!! - could be better...
My overall rating for the event is 7/10!
I'll post some images of the event later, managed to get some on my route around with a small compact camera.
PS it was nice to meet Kingbling on the campsite, post ride!
