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Looking for my first Sportive (Scotland)

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  • February 24, 2012 at 9:17 am #15185
    mad_scot_rider

    Okay – first off I apologise if this has been discussed ad-nauseam – I *did* do a quick search on the forum and couldn't see any matches, but just post a link if you know of one. Background ———- – Serious commuter for 3 yrs now on a fairly hefty hybrid – 25 mile round trip per day with a 900 ft climb on the way home – Buying first *real* road bike on CycleScheme in April Objective ——— – A "manageable" first Sportive – Reasonable distance (<100 miles-ish) from Glasgow – Any preparation tips Thx in advance

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  • February 26, 2012 at 3:19 pm #667293
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    thefatcyclist

    Kinross Sportive, but it is
    Kinross Sportive, but it is 28th April, and is probably up to capacity, keep it in mind for 2013, opens September usually, I would have entered on the easy course if my bike hadn’t been stolen.

    February 25, 2012 at 10:19 pm #667291
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    Eyebrox

    http://www.obree.com/sportive
    http://www.obree.com/sportive2012.php
    50 miles or 70 miles. Great day out with all abilities.

    40 minutes by train Glasgow to Ayr then 20 minutes on cyclepath from station to start point.

    February 25, 2012 at 9:47 pm #667289
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    Strathlubnaig

    No, it is another road from
    No, it is another road from Glen Lochay, reached from Killin, public road, single track of course, bit rough near the bottom, heads over to Glen Lyon and from there you can head back to Loch Tay side via the Lochan Na Larig road to make a pleasant 55km circuit, with 2 decent climbs.
    see http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/65001578/

    Sorry for going off topic !

    update…i was over that road again today, I think it may be a hydro road so not really fully public, still accessible for bikes though.

    February 24, 2012 at 9:33 pm #667287
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    Gkam84

    Strathlubnaig wrote:Had a

    Strathlubnaig wrote:
    Had a look at the roads list, they missed out the wee gem that runs from Kenknock in Glen Lochay over to Glen Lyon at Loch Lyon, tough climb to 505m over 3.5km with the start of the switchbacks at 220m. Great run into Glen Lyon.

    The Lochan na Lairige?? number 5 on the list 😉

    February 24, 2012 at 9:27 pm #667285
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    Strathlubnaig

    Had a look at the roads list,
    Had a look at the roads list, they missed out the wee gem that runs from Kenknock in Glen Lochay over to Glen Lyon at Loch Lyon, tough climb to 505m over 3.5km with the start of the switchbacks at 220m. Great run into Glen Lyon.

    February 24, 2012 at 8:31 pm #667283
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    giff77

    Damn, they look just plain
    Damn, they look just plain mean. And there’s me thinking Rest and be Thankful, Dukes Pass, Take me up and doon were all challenges. Then I’m usually hitting those from sea level!!! More power to you gkam and good luck ith the training

    February 24, 2012 at 7:37 pm #667281
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    Gkam84

    Just looked up the route, It
    Just looked up the route, It seems to take in ALOT of the highest roads in Scotland, out of 28 listed on Wikipedia there are 6 of them on the Alford route

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_highest_roads_in_Scotland

    The Lecht, Tom Dubh, The Strone, Cabrach, Spittal of Glenmuick, Suie Hill

    Just having a look at the list, you would think i’d have gotten used to climbing, with 9 of those roads all in and around my normal cycling routes :O

    February 24, 2012 at 7:29 pm #667279
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    Gkam84

    I’m fine, just stepping up my
    I’m fine, just stepping up my training to get out one some sportives this year.

    Yeah Alford is up here not far from Aberdeen, but I would say some of the climbs, Especially the Lecht is on a par with Applecross

    The Lecht peaks out around 2100 feet above sea level and Alford is 460 feet above sea level

    Here is an Example of the Lecht, it starts at Corgarff 1235 feet above sea level, then you climb to 2100 feet and back down to Tomintoul which is 1164 feet above sea level, all over around 9.5 miles and it goes //-/_//__/_/// :&

    February 24, 2012 at 6:38 pm #667277
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    giff77

    Oops, forgot Alford was way
    :)) Oops, forgot Alford was way up north!! Can’t be as bad as Applecross though. That’s a bugger! I think the Dumfries one follows the Tour of Britain stage from last year. Don’t quote me, need to have a proper look. How you keeping anyway Gkam?

    February 24, 2012 at 5:08 pm #667275
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    Gkam84

    Thats a good pick there Giff,
    Thats a good pick there Giff, without sounding bad, you don’t wanna be doing the Alford event unless you LOVE climbing, it takes in some of my normal routes around here and they are killers on their own, but to put them back to back is like suicide on a bike :”(

    February 24, 2012 at 4:44 pm #667273
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    giff77

    @ mad_scot – below are some
    @ mad_scot – below are some of the sportives from May. There are others that will be run by clubs, just need to keep your ear to the ground and check the scottish cycling website
    19 May 12 Chain Reaction Cycles Sportive Series 2012 (Selkirk)
    26 May 12 Cyclefest Sportive More info Alford Cycle Sportive
    17 Jun 12 Action Medical Research Trossachs Ton Stirling Cycle Sportive
    11 Aug 12 Galloway Recycle Sportive Dumfries & Galloway Cycle Sportive
    12 Aug 12 Action Medical Research Glasgow 100

    Don’t let having a hybrid put you off the bike show event mind 😀

    February 24, 2012 at 4:39 pm #667271
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    dave atkinson

    not been on the receiving end
    not been on the receiving end of that particular drubbing, but i did get beaten up a hill on exmoor by a 76-year-old on a raleigh randonneur when i was riding a BMC Pro Machine 🙂

    February 24, 2012 at 4:21 pm #667269
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    mad_scot_rider

    dave_atkinson wrote:Turning

    dave_atkinson wrote:
    Turning up on a cervelo and getting owned on a climb by a hybrid – *that’s* poor form 😀

    Oh dear – voice of experience there Dave?

    February 24, 2012 at 4:19 pm #667267
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    dave atkinson

    mad_scot_rider wrote:I

    mad_scot_rider wrote:
    I suspect turning up to one of these events on a hybrid would be considered poor form (except maybe the Loch Lomond 30)

    Turning up on a cervelo and getting owned on a climb by a hybrid – *that’s* poor form 😀

    do it on whatever you want

    February 24, 2012 at 4:01 pm #667265
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    mad_scot_rider

    EK Spinner wrote:There is a

    EK Spinner wrote:
    There is a nice day out with a couple of Climbs, normally in August called the Round Strathaven 50. Funnilly enough it starts and finishes in Strathaven (Just South of East Kilbride)

    http://www.roundstraven50.org.uk/

    I have lived in EK my whole life – why don’t I know about this???

    That one’s a definite maybe as it covers a lot of my recreational cycle route (from EK up by airfield, parallel to A71 a bit then back thru the windfarm)

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