Tour Of Flanders Sportive

WMP

lizzylad84 wrote: »

I googled we ride Flanders. There's also a link through their Facebook page. I done roubaix last year and I'm very very tempted to go back

Thanks yes this is official website which I strangely I didnt see when I googled tour of Flanders. There are many other websites you can book through but they probably charge a commission.

http://www.sport.be/werideflanders/

dastardly00

Anybody know where the sportive starts in Antwerp?

dastardly00

The courses are up on the website now

http://www.werideflanders.com/en/parcours/

Only 2 months to go!

lizzylad84

How's everyones preparations getting on?

dastardly00

lizzylad84 wrote: »

How's everyones preparations getting on?

I've been using Trainer Road since October for the majority of my training. Doing a quick bit of maths... I am averaging one session per week, along with two strength & conditioning sessions per week, one swim every second week, and one hilly outdoor spin every 2-3 weeks). I'm happy enough with my progress so far as I had to take a few weeks off in December because of a back injury, and I've had a bit of a head cold for the last couple of weeks.

From this weekend on my main goal is to get outside on the bike more, and increase the distance week-by-week. I'm done with the pool until after the sportive and I'll start tapering down my strength & conditioning work soon.

All travel arrangements, eg. flights, hotel etc. are all booked. The only thing I have left to do on that front is to book the rental of a bike box. The lbs here in Galway only have a bike bag, so I'll have to rent from somewhere in Dublin and collect it when I'm on the way to the airport.

How is it going for you lizzylad84?

lizzylad84

FYI I'm using a chain reaction bike bag this year, there easier to lug around the airport. Last year a clubmste used a cardboard box fir his on our trip to roubaix.

All sorted, just have to check out train times from airport to accommodation in ghent

mistermatthew

lizzylad84 wrote: »

How's everyones preparations getting on?

Everything sorted except car rental. Got 90km done on the road Sunday so was happy with that. I'm renting bike over there so hopefully all is sorted.

Looking forward to it now. Hopefully weather is kind next few weekends and I can get out on road consistent with potentially sat Sunday long spin at least one weekend to get the legs ready

lizzylad84

What distance are you signed up for

dastardly00

lizzylad84 wrote: »

What distance are you signed up for

229 km

*gulp*

lizzylad84

170k for me, staying in Ghent, cycling down to oudenaarde that morning

dastardly00

lizzylad84 wrote: »

170k for me, staying in Ghent, cycling down to oudenaarde that morning

Yeah I don't think you are missing anything by not doing the extra 60 km.

mistermatthew

lizzylad84 wrote: »

170k for me, staying in Ghent, cycling down to oudenaarde that morning

Same here. Think it's 30k from Ghent. Right spin

lizzylad84

Mistermathew 30 odd k spin along the canal.

mistermatthew

lizzylad84 wrote: »

Mistermathew 30 odd k spin along the canal.

AHH cool. Might see you on it so. Is there a start time officially or is it just turn up whenever suits

lizzylad84

iirc start time is from 7am? Was at roubaix anyway?

dastardly00

lizzylad84 wrote: »

iirc start time is from 7am? Was at roubaix anyway?

Start time for 174 km is from 7-8am.

Paris-Roubaix was 8-10am I think?

lizzylad84

Any plans /suggestions as to where's best to watch the race on Sunday?

dastardly00

5 days to go! How are we all set?

I did a 125 km (~1,400 m elevation gain) solo spin yesterday which will be my last ride before the event. I'll be riding a Canyon Endurace with disc brakes and 28 mm tyres, and I have fitted SPD MTB pedals for ease of unclipping if required. I've watched a few YouTube videos of people with GoPro footage from the sportive, and it is really is narrow on the climbs.

nak

dastardly00 wrote: »

5 days to go! How are we all set?

I did a 125 km (~1,400 m elevation gain) solo spin yesterday which will be my last ride before the event. I'll be riding a Canyon Endurace with disc brakes and 28 mm tyres, and I have fitted SPD MTB pedals for ease of unclipping if required. I've watched a few YouTube videos of people with GoPro footage from the sportive, and it is really is narrow on the climbs.

Just shout at people to get out the way. Managed to get up the climbs easy enough, even in the wet.

Kwaremont is a great place to watch on Sunday.

lizzylad84

Nerves starting to kick in. Looking forward to Saturday. It's all about crossing the finish line

GlennaMaddy

Staying in Ghent and driving down to Oudenarde with bike in the boot, can't face the extra 22km there and back. Going to watch race in the Oudenarde suburb of Leupegem, where I think I'll see the race three times including the finish, albeit not on one of the classic bergs. Did 160km on Saturday and felt good so looking forward to this now

dastardly00

There's decent weather forecast as well, cold early on but dry.

lizzylad84

God if its anything like roubaix was last year we're in for a treat. I cane hone with sunburn

Jesus, only 1100 women doing it???? Maybe they have more sense.

2 over 80 doing it, 80 over 70. Hope I have their legs at that age!!!!!!

lizzylad84

Great, woke up this morning with a heavy chest and a dose of the flu

lizzylad84

Being prone to chest infections (which scuppered my roubaix trip in2016) I'm contemplating dropping down a distance for Saturday

dastardly00

^^^^
Aw crap that's a disaster!
When are you flying out?

lizzylad84

Flying out Thursday at 6.30 am

marvin80

lizzylad84 wrote: »

Being prone to chest infections (which scuppered my roubaix trip in2016) I'm contemplating dropping down a distance for Saturday

Hope you're feeling better by Saturday - tough luck with Roubaix in 2016 and hope it doesn't happen you again.