East Mids International Cicle Classic - Oakham-Melton

Gents,

Just a quick one to mention im in the East Mids Cicle Classic this Sunday (27th), starting 11am from Oakham market place. I'm normally flying the retrobike flag but am taking part as a member of the East Mids team (white, red and blue colours), rider number 51. For those not in the know, its a 100 mile road race consisting of several off-road-ish sections, mimicking the Classics; Tour of Flanders/Paris-Roubaix, etc. 2 laps of rutland water, followed by hitting the lanes around Owston and Somerby (inc the nasty "Somerberg"), followed by a finish in Melton Mowbray high street. Its a great race to watch if anyone is in the area as the race passes many points a number of times. 180 riders entered - the biggest field in Britain with the exception of le Tour. I was 38th last year. Just recovered from illness, so fingers crossed for good legs on the day. check out http://www.cicleclassic.co.uk/ for further info.

geoff[/url]

Good luck Geoff, sure you'll improve on last years placing...

Don't suppose you'll be riding retro on this one!! Although I've heard the Overburys is available and can have slicks fitted

what bike do you use , road , with bigger tyres or cyclo cross ?

thanks!, hope so, really not got many miles in so not sure what to expect!

as to the bike, the last 3 times ive ridden on my klein quantum pro xv, which is a standard road bike, alu, with carbon rear end. I think i used bontrager race lite wheels with maxxis hors categorie zenith 23mm tyres.

This year ill be on my scott cr1 (full carbon) with reynolds wheels (slightly dodgy as everyone i know whose had a pair have broken spokes and the freewheel), 10spd dura ace, same maxxis tyres. Should be in the region of 16.5 lbs. Im light (10 stone) and the wheels are flexy so hoping all should be ok. All totally standard, although may try put some 25mm tubes in - a bit thicker, prob at 100-110psi. Rode the somerberg section on monday and managed to puncture tho! There is neutral wheel support too. Ill take spare wheels and hopefully get someone to look after them! Mates in the SIS team are riding 25mm tubs and Matt in the EMA is riding tubeless mavics. I think punctures are a bit of a lottery. I rode it when it was muddy and was off the back and barely made it through the mud in amongst motorbikes which had fallen over and roadies who cant ride! Some of them were stopping to unclog frames. No way it can be as bad as the morning laps of the SSMM last year!! My plan is to go for full road set up to help on 80% of the course as i reckon i am good enough on the off-road to compensate.

geoff

I have seen racers use Lightweight wheels in cyclocross , so everything is possible .

Good luck with the race .

yeah me too!

maybe next year i'll try it on my old skool claude butler, just need to build it up.

I love taking my road bike off-road, use 25mm conti ultra gator skin tyres.

Well, that was a right laugh...

Little form due to little riding then wanting to ride but being too ill - i knew it would be a hard day! Still, the East Mids Cicle Classic is great event. 180 riders, team cars, proper signing on podium in Oakham town centre, police motorbikes, motorbike support, tv crews, crowds of spectators, bbqs, closed roads and a finish right in the centre of Melton Mowbray (they close the centre of town all day). As its such an event its great to be a part of it, albeit crazy to ride due to the massive field (half of which have the bike handling skills of a tasmanian devil). Even better, this year it was also sponsored by Mars...and it helps if you know the people who are handing them out....
Anyway, the race starts with 2 laps of rutland water - something like 30miles in total. This year was unusually slow. If u try getting 180 riders around an easy loop strangely you still end up with carnage - i was braking uphill, nearly falling off due to going so slowly around a corner, yet also setting off speed cameras on the flat at 40mph in a 30, all after negotiating an almighty pile up after 8km. My mate (Oakham resident) Ryan was taken out in this with a double flat, twisted bars, etc. They gave him a 50cm to replacement. I think he was too embarrassed to get back on as he looked like a clown (he rides a 58cm!). At least he wasnt in the ambulance.
Following the choppiness of the 'water, we hit the lanes. By now about 140 trying to get to the front. More craziness. Think i locked up only twice and rode through 2 fields. Stayed upright tho. Anyway, managed to get dropped about 3 times, not good after only about midway through; a long day ahead. I hit the front of my group through "somerberg" - which is the nastiest of all the off-road sections. Only for the chain to fall off and the freewheel to keep spinning. Grr. Still, got going again, now off the back of that group. Another group caught me...and dropped me going through somerberg the other way round. By this point i'd decided i wasnt going to pack and just see if i could make the finish. Didnt get a drink for the last 40miles. Got sunburnt. Still, the last part is fairly fast roads and kind of downhill. Thinking i must now be dead last, i was caught by an Isle of Man car. With 5 riders in its slipstream! At this point i was mullered, 5 miles to go and getting dropped again - the car was still doing 20-30mph! They took pity and i held on to the side for a bit and finally made it into Melton. The roads were now open and we were riding in the middle with cars either side. A bit touch and go but made it to the finish. 92nd. Only 5 more finished.
Other bits - downed a full sized bottle in one at the finish. Saw Paul Oldham (mtber) who was brought down by Rob Hayles (allegedly) - apparently you could actually see Pauls hip bone. Ryan had eaten 3 mars bars. Hit cafe ner(d)o for a frappe and cake - sweet. Noticed everyone had mismatched wheels from puncturing (i still havent punctured in 4 events).
102.8 miles. Averaged 24mph. Probably about 30mins down on the winner.
Check out http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/roa/EventReports2008/20080427_Rutland_Classic.asp
Superweak
Next event is the Lincoln GP on 11th May, back into Retrobike kit

That sounds bloody hideous Geoff, well done for finishing..

Better luck at the next event..

ha ha ha it was, but satisfrying (literally; it was hot) to finish.