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doing this for the first time this Sunday. Forecast looking pretty foul, with 25mph winds and rain. We are group of 4 going off at 0658 - looking forward to it, but may opt for cx bike with road 28's and raceblades for a bit of a dryer ar$e......
Remember that if you are in any sort of group you'll also get wet from the back if the bike in front of you.
Oh - and good luck. I enjoyed it both times even though the first was marred by the infamous "tacks" incident.
rear mudflaps..
also the mk2 crud road racers have a long tail on them
druidh - aye, good point. I may just MTFU and take road bike and get proper wet !
with a bit of luck weather system will be delayed till afternoon....
I'm just taking my road bike with no guards.
Part of my strategy to get a good sprint time against the guys im riding with - hopefully find someone fast who has guards on and wheel suck like a mofo while creating enough spray that no-one will want to get on my wheel 😀
What waterproofs?
Neoprene trisuit.
The first year the rain the day before was biblical. The roads were flooded. The section after Fortingall was under a foot of water, even the next day there was still a lot of standing water.
The route is exposed to the wind out by Loch Rannoch.
Pack an extra tube, I remember loads of folks with upturned bikes fixing punctures. Try to eat on the hoof and dont stop at rest stops, you lose a shed load of time and get cold quickly, especially after the Schiehallion climb.
was anyone fixing punctures with their bike the right way up?
Pack an extra tube, I remember loads of folks with upturned bikes fixing punctures.
Pack LOTS of extra tubes and/or patches. The police and councils have been good at sweeping the roads before the event now in an effort to prevent a repeat of the "tack attack" of a few years ago but there's still a significant vocal minority of anti-Etape locals who can usually be relied upon to try something stupid.
was anyone fixing punctures with their bike the right way up?
The right way uppers were waiting like wannabe pros for the Mavic neutral service motorcycle repairmen.
Thank God for that.
I keep watching the weather forecasts, and praying that we don't see the pish rain. Had forgotten about the tacks, just another thing to fret about!
oh, the wife keeps laughing at me with my "what will I wear on Sunday" whineing pish..... I'm aparently worse than a woman!
2 tubes and some sticky patches is all will go in my pockets along with usual stuff and some munchies. Any more punctures than that and I'll go in the sweeper truck !
Forecast improving a little in that the rain may stay away till around middle of the day.....but a lot can change by Sunday 😛
Highjack alert, sorry
Iainc, what brand of sticky patches are you using, was looking at them tonight, and a lot of comments on not being good for roadie inners.
Have you had to use them, and did they work?
ta
gordon - I use the Park ones - they have held up ok the few times I have used them
Iainc, I wondered about them, I think I'll pop to Dales tomorrow and pick up a pack.
ta
G
Iain - Thought you were donning speedos and goosefat?
I'm on my way up there this weekend. Currently in the Lake District looking up at clear blue skies. Oh the irony 🙂
I'll think I'll make the most of it and get a "warm up" ride in the sun at Whinlatter!
As for the op, I've got my "pocket rocket" waterproof and, depending on how bad it gets, endura waterproof 3/4 shorts - I'll stand out from the true roadie crowd but it'll be worth it I reckon 🙂
Sun beating down in Perth at the moment just of up to register in a little while the forecast is shit but they aren't very good at getting it right so fingers crossed
Endura 3/4's for me as well, don't really bother changing my gear between mtb and road. Looking forward it it.