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Etape Training – Bristol

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  • October 31, 2010 at 9:16 pm #12832
    gordonmarkus

    Hi,

    Just wandered if anyone else from Bristol had entered the Etape next year? I’ve signed up for the Alpine (Modane to Alpe D’Huez) stage, and if there’s anyone else who lives near me that’s doing it and might fancy getting some training in then let me know!

    -Schleck Wannabe

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  • January 1, 2011 at 10:40 pm #638685
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    Old Cranky

    The Alpe is a brute and I was
    The Alpe is a brute and I was grateful for my 28 sprocket on the Marmotte. I’d recommend fitting an 11-28 and at least you’ll have it in reserve.

    January 1, 2011 at 3:15 pm #638683
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    ironbloke

    Happy New Year one and all.
    Happy New Year one and all. Thanks for the comments – my interest is more about getting a feel for what might be required on the day, by simulating it in training; difficult I know. I just went for a bash up Burrington Combe with my new Allez set up (39/53 at the front and 13-26 at the back). Didn’t have to use the last 2 gears and tried to keep at 60+ rpm. On the flat the difference between the two chainrings will get some getting used to (my old bike had 52/42 with 11-24 at the back which was very smooth). Here’s to good training in 2012. đŸ˜€

    December 28, 2010 at 8:18 pm #638681
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    dave atkinson

    ironbloke wrote:Anyone know

    ironbloke wrote:
    Anyone know of an application for hill climbing in France? A fellow cyclist suggested that there was an app which allows you to enter the hill in question, input your gear ratio / gear inches and it will tell you ther RPM required to climb it in a set time. Can’t find anything on the web and don’t know how to do the calculations. :/

    the calculation would, i think, go something like:

    gear inches x 0.08 = metres of development, ie how far your bike travels per rotation of the pedals;

    climb distance in metres / development = number of pedal rotations;

    pedal rotations / time in minutes = RPM

    so, if you want to climb the Soulor (13km) in an hour, and you have a 34/25 bottom gear (36″), the calculation is:

    (13,000 / (36 x 0.08)) / 60 = 75rpm

    I’m not sure how useful it is though, unless you’re just going to stick your bike in a particular gear and keep checking your cadence the whole time. It might work okay on a real steady one like the Soulor, it’ll be no use on the Marie Blanque or anything else with big changes of gradient…

    December 28, 2010 at 1:55 pm #638679
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    macnmud

    As someone who has ridden
    As someone who has ridden many of the big climbs in the Alps and Pyrennees I wouldn’t worry about RPM. It’s simply a case of riding at whatever speed you can manage and arriving at the top whenever that may be.

    Nothing in the UK compares to these brutes and never underestimate just how low a gear you need. I would recommend 39 x 28.

    December 28, 2010 at 12:28 pm #638677
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    Simon_MacMichael

    Not as technical as what
    Not as technical as what you’re looking for, ironbloke, but I’ve found the iCols app useful (well, from the safety of the armchair while watching eg TDF). Dozens if not hundreds of climbs across the Continent with gradients, route maps etc.

    Had a quick Google to see of I could find something closer to what you need but drawing a blank so far I’m afraid.

    December 28, 2010 at 10:53 am #638675
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    ironbloke

    Anyone know of an application
    Anyone know of an application for hill climbing in France? A fellow cyclist suggested that there was an app which allows you to enter the hill in question, input your gear ratio / gear inches and it will tell you ther RPM required to climb it in a set time. Can’t find anything on the web and don’t know how to do the calculations. :/

    December 7, 2010 at 6:31 pm #638673
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    Garrigou

    VC Walcot in Bath are a
    VC Walcot in Bath are a pretty friendly bunch.

    December 5, 2010 at 11:11 am #638671
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    dave atkinson

    ironbloke wrote:The other

    ironbloke wrote:
    The other option might be to have a triple at the front? Any comments? I guess I would need to change the front shifter.

    a road triple will give you more or less the same range as a compact with a wide cassette, so horses for courses really. triple gives you closer ratios but it’s a bit heavier.

    December 4, 2010 at 7:31 pm #638669
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    Fringe

    ironbloke wrote:
    I had a ride

    ironbloke wrote:

    I had a ride with BADTri, who were great, but what cycle clubs are there in the Chew valley area? I’m at Bishop Sutton south of Bristol and 20 mins from Bath.

    hmm, your in a bit of a nomans land there, obviously you got Bristol (Severn RC, Bristol South etc) and then in Clevedon there’s Clevedon and District RC, Bath..dunno.

    could always start your own club (Chew Bishop RC?! đŸ˜€ )

    December 4, 2010 at 7:14 pm #638667
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    ironbloke

    The other option might be to
    The other option might be to have a triple at the front? Any comments? I guess I would need to change the front shifter.

    I had a ride with BADTri, who were great, but what cycle clubs are there in the Chew valley area? I’m at Bishop Sutton south of Bristol and 20 mins from Bath.

    November 30, 2010 at 8:39 pm #638665
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    dave atkinson

    SRAM Apex gives you a 34/32
    SRAM Apex gives you a 34/32 which is 28″ or thereabouts; i’m currently testing it and it’s great to have a gear that low on a road bike. remember that if you do go above 28 at the back you’ll either need the apex rear mech or an MTB one for Shimano, as road ones aren’t designed for rear cogs the size of saucers đŸ™‚

    November 30, 2010 at 5:17 pm #638663
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    ironbloke

    I’m looking at gearing for
    I’m looking at gearing for Act 1 (Modane to Alpe D’Huez) because my trusty (rusty) old steed has 42 at the front and 26 at the back which is about 40 gear inches. I think I need something more like a compact (39’ish) at the front and 34 at the back which I think would give me 27 gear inches and half a chance of only walking the realy steep bits!

    November 29, 2010 at 9:54 pm #638661
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    ironbloke

    I have signed up and could do
    I have signed up and could do with some training partners.

    November 20, 2010 at 2:40 pm #638659
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    etapechamp

    have a good ride guys
    have a good ride guys

    November 5, 2010 at 5:23 pm #638657
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    TwiggyHo

    THANK YOU!
    THANK YOU!

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