[Closed] Info/advice for Tour of Flanders sportive

23mm tyres are fine. But 25s would be better with a touch less pressure in them. I usually ride Vittoria Open Pavé (which are 24mm). Normal road bike is fine. A couple of the longer cobbled sections can be hard work - big ring and don't grip the bars too tight. Gearing: I've ridden it on both standard and compact chainsets. The biggest issue you'll encounter is the sea of people on climbs like the Paterberg and Koppenberg - practise (1) trackstands and (2) shouting "huphuphup" at people to get out of your way.

Last time I went, I did the full edition (265k). We stayed in Bruges (as that's where it starts).

When I did the 140k, I stayed in Brussels and just drove out to Ninove for the start (about 20 miles/30 mins drive). We stayed in the Hilton at the astonishingly cheap rate of £21 a night (incl 20 euros worth of breakfast..!).

I've only ever taken the car ferry from Hull, so don't know about Eurostar. A friend who rode the biggie with us last time took it and all seemed fine, though I didn't ask any detail. You may well have to bag the bike up.

Make sure you stay for the race the next day. It really is the most fantastic day you can imagine (once described to me as being like Wimbledon, FA Cup final and Ashes all rolled into one - it's a religion in Belgium). We usually go to the Muur, but as that's all change for next year I'd suggest one of the other bergs. Oh and get there early.

I've ridden a few UK and European sportives, and this ranks far and away number one for me. If I didn't have a small child and hadn't been off the bike for much of this year, I'd be there again. Enjoy..!

25s def don't fit my bike maybe 24s might though. Sounds pretty awesome event, we'd be staying for the race.

Much difference between full and 140 in terms of sense of achievement atmosphere and business? I was put off the full by laziness and not wanting to get up at dawn

If your carrying a bit of weight(like I do) then get the biggest tyres you can. I can get conti 28s in my Madone, but struggle with other makes. My faves are Michelin pros with a 25mm section. Ride high in the road if the crowds allow and attack the cobbles as fast as you can to fly over the tops! My preference is a compact so you can use the closer ratios on the cassette. Use your crosser if you are precious about your best bike.

Riding in big groups on the continent is so different. Some old boy (even older than me) giving you hell on some state of the art pinarello, or best of all getting on the back of some club train. If you do ask if you can sit in, but don't disrupt their flow by jumping through or about.

DO Stay as omitn says. Brill times.

People ride all sorts - I remember a group I was in doing around 22mph getting dropped by a bloke on an MTB... 23mm will be fine - just think about pressures and take spare tubes just in case.

You'll do the 140, finish it grinning from ear to ear, and promptly announce you're doing the full edition next time. Frankly, the 140 is more fun.

Full edition is hard work - 160+ miles - and you don't hit the bergs until after 160k. While it means the bergs won't be so busy with riders, you'll also be knackered with 100k of climbing ahead of you.

Also, frankly, there are more spectators on the 140k (as they don't wait out all day waiting) and so the atmosphere is better.

I love it though. So very jealous..!

Ok sounds like 140k with some new conti tyres

Just need to find accomodation and work out how to get there...

Hmmm, ponders......

Going to use this thread as a reference point in case anyone searches in future.

main [url= http://sport.be.msn.com/cyclingtour/rondevanvlaanderen/2012/eng/ ]site[/url] for tour sportive

Other useful links:

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=9216

http://sprintingforsigns.blogspot.com/2011/01/flanders-and-how-to-dress-your-bike.html

http://www.condorcycles.com/march-2011/

http://yeahyeahyeahyeah-yeah.blogspot.com/2009/04/ronde-van-vlaanderen-sportive.html

I would echo what has been said. 23mm will be fine. I would fit new tyes for maximum puncture resistance. Vittoria Pave are 24mm and seem to get a good write up for this sort of event.

When I did it was dry and traction was fine on the cobbles (I used 25mm conti gator skins) which tbh did not seem that wide. They fitted in my cervelo carbon soloist which has very close clearance. I wonder what traction on the cobbles would be like if it was wet, especially on narrow tyres. I think this is when tyre choice and pressure becomes very important.

I did the 165 mile route. First 80 miles were a bit boring tbh and not very challenging. Second half with all of the bergs and most of the cobbles was way better.

The advice I was given before I went was "do the short one and have a beer". Needless to say if I went again and could get past the macho big miles thing I would do excactly that, and have an extra beer.

I might try find someone with a conti GP4000 25 tyre and see if fits the rear stays on my lemond...

Needless to say if I went again and could get past the macho big miles thing I would do excactly that, and have an extra beer.

Next time (there's always a next time after the first time...), it'll be the short one and several beers.

Just like when we finished the long one last time..!

Yep, Pavés are the best tyres - as in, what the pros ride (Well, they ride tubs, but they're otherwise the same). Not all the bergs are cobbled, and not all are as bonkers steep as the Koppenberg and Paterberg. The Molenberg is a rutted mess in whatever weather..!

conti GP4000 25 tyre

And if it does, get the GP 4 Seasons. That's the other tyre the pros ride. (I now have these on my winter bike - fantastic.)

🙂

yeah i think conti is a better option, they seem to come up narrow so might order a 25 and if doesn't fit rear just use that on the front and 23 out back. Just realised I'm talking as if ive signed up 😯

This is tempting me to sign I have to say. If I keep weight neutral over the next 2 weeks I'll do it. An STW peleton anyone?

Ok need some more help with where to stay, as in better to be in Brussels and drive to the race start on Sat and then again for somewhere to watch the pros on Sunday?

We were looking to go out just for the race but all of the accommodation seems to be really really expensive! So any suggestions would be great. Did Paris-Roubaix last year and it was awesome.

23c's are fine. i have ridden it on gp4000's with no problems, used pavés last year but that was for a magazine bike test so not my choice.
my advice:
don't cane it early on just take it easy and watch your line, most euro riders are fine in big groups, it's the brits that try to cut you up.
if you do this you will find you pass a lot of people as numbers thin out in the latter stages of the ride as they fade but you are still rolling along.

save your effort for the cobbles, push a big gear, the faster you go the more the bike floats over the top. go flat out even if it's wet 🙂 if you are o.k. on a mtb then the bike moving around a bit shouldn't worry you.

when you get to a climb have a look at how many bikes are in front of you if there's a big group of MAMILS either hang back to have space to ride into or get in front as they will stop and fall over in front of you forcing you to stop on a climb.

enjoy. it's an awesome event even in the wet.

I used 23s without any problems (interestingly I spent the preceding week going to every bike shop in Brussels to find 25c tyres - there weren't any...).

My technical tip would be that if you're sad like me and use a little saddlebag - be warned that the zip rattles open on every cobbled section. Don't put anything in it!

Oh and although I'm not usually a heart rate monitor kind of guy, it was really useful on this occasion for helping me to ensure I didn't overdo it early on.

Second the comments about watching your line above - saw a lot of crashes last year at road junctions

and strictly no mudguards.

Why stay in Brussels?
Gent is better option surely, and far nicer 🙂
(unless you are doing the 260 when Brugge is probably sensible)

I'm doing it in 2012. Going for the full 240km's too. Never done it before - and it'll be very hard work I'm sure! 😯

Going over on Eurotunnel and staying in central Bruges so as to be right near the start. Wife and kids coming, so will drive to Ninove at the end and collect me.

Am doing it on my Cyclocross bike as it can take 28's (Conti GP4000 4 Seasons) plus if the weather's cr@p I won't mind that taking a beating rather than my carbon Colnago with Campy Record.

To the OP: on Eurotunnel with bikes just book for a high vehicle if they're on the roof, otherwise ok if on a towball mounted rack.

To the OP - I'm not sure if you meant Eurostar (the train) or Eurotunnel (Ferry alternative)?

FWIW - Eurostar not good with bikes, they need to be in a bag / as luggage so not even a standard bike bag. For Eurotunnel, no problems with either roof, tow ball or rear screen/boot mounted rack - just advise at the time of booking.

Correct - do not stay in Brussels OP! I just happened to be living there at the time.

Second Marge on Gent. Will also be cheaper than trying to find accommodation nearby.

First time 2012. Have booked B&B and Eurotunnel. Think it's the 140k for me

Need to sort accomodation and registration this week, what's the general consensus for where to stay for middle distance race? Ghent? Ninove?

bump

So how is everybody's training going for the RVV?

I'm entered for the full 240km's route and unfortunately my kids very kindly shared their horrible chest infections with me 2 weeks ago and I have been out of action since, putting a big hole in my training running up to the RVV.

Who's going this year, and how's your training coming on?

I've done the full distance 3 times. I'd advise that you find the biggest group you can near the start and sit in. Getting caught ina really small group, sometimes with big head winds is very dispiriting at the start of a 160mile ride.

I'm trying to get over this year but I may only do the 140mile and enjoy a beer.

I'm doing the 134k, should be a laugh

I am jealous of you all.

Best day out on a bike by MILES.

B--t--ds.

So who's in the STW Peloton for Flanders/Vlaanderen?

I've done the full one ten times now, always used new pro race 3's 23mm, not had one puncture in all that time.
Training has gone badly this year, three colds since Jan, all pretty nasty ones, plus a season of cross has meant no decent blocks of training. Not sure if I'll be up to it this year which is sad as I do it to remember my son, but if I can manage a couple of 100 milers before next week I'll give it a go.

We'll be there. Eeeek. On my Jake the Snake CX bike - impossible to miss in 25,000 people, I'm sure. 🙂

Still a bit vague about the start and whether it's better to start early or a bit later for fewer crowds and bottlenecks.

I'll be there on a Singular Kite riding with the Singlespeed Belgique lot along with KingofSweden from these parts although he may be quite a way in front of me 🙂

Doing the middle distance option on my Cervelo R3

Any advice on best start time and parking? Will be driving from Antwerp. I have been trying to imagine 25,000 people converging on Oudenaard. And failing...

I'm doing the full 240+kms route.

Was planning on using my CX bike, but after completing a 5hrs training ride a couple of weeks ago then switching to my carbon Colnago and doing another 5hrs ride a few days later I realised just how harsh my CX bike was and how much it beat me up compared to my road bike. So much for my theory that 28mm tyres would cushion the ride.. they obviously don't overcome the harshness of a super-stiff frame that's designed to be ridden for 1hr very fast.

I've also had a nasty 3 week cold and am now suffering neck pain - but still hoping to do the 'Big One' at Flanders.

I hear different things about the start in Bruges... some say don't bother queueing - just go. Others say you must register/check in. Any advice anyone?

You must pick up and attach your number or you won't be allowed in the feed zones. You'll need the route card for them to stamp too. I've seen people try without and they are given short shrift! As always I've pre-entered but thinking in future I might sign-on on the day. Couple of times recently picking up my pre-entry pack has taken an hour of queuing while the on the day lot are away in a few minutes.

Good call on using the road bike. I made a BIG mistake using my cx on the Paris Roubaix cyclo, big tyres too, but I got hammered. Last time I used my road bike on 25mm Pro races and what a difference!

I think when you mention people not queueing they may also be refering to not waiting to get onto the stage (where the pros sign on the next day) to get their first stamp on their route card. That can take a while.

plop_pants,

What's your advice re time to start in Bruges? Get there super early to beat the queue, or just show up and queue anyway?

I have pre-entered so assume I will need to sign on and queue rather than enter on the day.

4 of us going over to do the middle distance first time can't bloody wait !!!!

I'll be there. Hoping for snow.

Digger, I usually start off close to 7:30. It's usually getting light by then. There will be loads of people around so you will get into a big group quite quickly when you set off. Be careful on the cyclepath stretches, the locals ride them fast.
To pick up your pre_entry pack, head to the big clock tower, behind the TofF stage, in the market square. Go through the entrance directly under the tower. There will be an area,usually on the far left of the inner square, where you hand over your confirmation email with your start number on it and get your pack in return.

Thanks plop_pants... do you mean the market square in central Burges or is there one near the start?

I'd assumed that the event started in the centre of Bruges but according to the web site the start is approx 4.5kms away: Jan Breydelstadion, Olympialaan 74, 8200 Bruges

See here http://sport.be.msn.com/cyclingtour/rondevanvlaanderen/2012/eng/praktischeinfo/

Oh heck! Didn't see that. It's always started in the main square before.
Scrap what I said then. Thanks for letting me know!!!

I'll be there. Hoping for muddy snow.

There's a bunch of us going over from LVIS - self, Big Dummy, pjt90210, Nouveau and Lady Luck. We're riding the full distance but not aiming for anything other than to beat the cutoff! Keep an eye out for the imperial purple and olympic gold train, somewhere towards the back. 😉

you might not be aiming for anything else Mr A 😉

Aim for this, roller boy.

[img] [/img]

Mr Agreeable - I'm also riding the full distance and not aiming for anything other than beating the cutoff too.

Maybe the STW Peloton could have some form of identification, just to say 'Hi'.. like a ribbon or something? Mind you, the chance of spotting people among the estimated 15,000 - 20,000 participants is slim I s'pose!

Well, I'm very tempted to rock the Carradice, just because one of my fellow riders has said he won't participate if I do.

But it's probably easier to keep an eye out for the purple and gold kit we'll be wearing:

http://www.lvis.org.uk/

There's usually 'only' 5000 or so do the long one. I think about 70 brits did it last year. I'll be in my bright red and yellow club kit, GS Invicta.

Do not queue! There is no control at the start. I spent a frigid 45/60 mins in the very cold morning air at Brugges along with many other hopefuls last year

When we got to the front, some old boy looks at me like Im waiting for a bus! Arggh!

Just get on the road.

Good luck!

But surely you have to collect your race number before you start?

Nah, you get that long before.

All UK riders [u]must[/u] pick up their numbers at the start and put their numbers on their bike.
The organisers used to post it to you but that stopped in the last couple of years.

I think Merak is just refering to queueing to get his route card stamped/clipped once you are ready to go. I'm not sure how necessary it is to get this done, I've just always done it.

Mr Agreeable - Member
Well, I'm very tempted to rock the Carradice, just because one of my fellow riders has said he won't participate if I do.

If you "rock" the carradice I will be forced to make that literal and fill it with rocks for you at every opportunity.

gutted won't be there :'(

Received email confirmation from the Organisers today, with the following info...

With this number you can pick up your identification tag and participation package at the pre-registration desk :
- On Friday 30th of March between 1 pm and 7 pm at the Qubus, Lindestraat in Oudenaarde
- On Saturday 31th of March from 7 am at the Jan Breydel Stadium, Olympialaan in Bruges (244 km) or at the Qubus, Lindestraat in Oudenaarde (138-87 km).

Bring this email with you!

Got mine too Digger. Only thing now is to wait for the forecast!
Looking forward to it.

Rode 102 miles today and boy was I knackered!

Took me 9hrs too, including food stops.

I'm now worried I won't make the cutoff time for the 244kms distance...

grab as many wafers as you can at the feed stops, best feed station food ever!

Cheers Warton.

HOw many food stops are there on the long route do you know? There's no info on the Web site...

Digger, there will be soooo many riders that you can get into a big group and sit in at 20 mph easy, especially on the flat run all the way to the hills. There are 4 feed stops. 2 on the way to Oudenaarde, one in Oudenaarde and one in amongst the hills.
Have a look a the route map link on the website:
[url= http://sport.be.msn.com/cyclingtour/rondevanvlaanderen/2012/downloads/parcourscyclo.pdf ]Route Map[/url]

Just a word of warning when riding in a big bunch, keep your head up when riding through the towns as it can be a bit twitchy with some hard braking at times. I've also seen the odd rider crash into the back of parked cars.

Would love to go do this again this year .. did the full distance last year and it was a great day out ...

.. hmm might go look at ferry prices 🙂

Oh, and before I forget, CHEESE SANDWICH! Take a hearty cheese sarnie with you. You will get fed up with all the energy drink, waffles, cakes, energy bar etc. At some point you'll crave something different. A cheese sarnie in my back pocket has been a god send when things start to get tough and everything hurts and your stomach is doing somersaults.

Katie and I will be there. Middle distance. Signing on the line. Sounds like a blast. 🙂

So, any last minute advice?

Drink - take your own bottles or are you given them? One? Two?

Food - rely on the food stations or start with a load of your own bars and gels?

I'm just in the middle of packing...!

Drinks: I'm taking 2 full bottles to start (plus will take 20-30 euros with me in case I need to pop into a shop and buy any more)

Food: I'm led to believe the food stations are good, but I have a full complement of museli bars, dried pitted dates, salted nuts, trail mix, Soreen malt loaf and energy gels.

Now I've just got to figure out how much I can take and split it all up into bite-size/manageable portions..

Don't forget your Passport! 😀

very jealous

I'm taking 1 bottle and drinking 1 on the start line both with Torq
2 gels, shot blocks and cash. I'm riding with locals so should be ok, fingers crossed!!

May see you out there!! Enjoy.

take some money and stop for chips and mayonnaise half way

was very pleasant last year

Anyone else in the queue for the DFDS ferry sailing at noon? There are lots of cars with cross bikes on them.

nope. I'm waiting for the 10am sailing to dock 🙂

What a superb event - can't believe just how brilliant that was - or how painful!

So, how does everyone feel? Did you make it?

I finished it - the full 244kms - in 10hrs 15

[IMG] [/IMG]

oof. good stuff mate. 10hrs in the saddle is fair going on any terrain. not sure if i fancy 10hrs on cobbles!

In fairness, there are only a few cobbled sections and they're mostly quite short. I found the jarring of the first cobbled section quite a shock after after spinning along on smooth tarmac for the the first couple of hours and although I fancied myself as a good rider for the cobbles I was rubbish - I was literally blown away at just how fast some of the Belgians can ride over the Pave.

The real killer is that nearly all the serious climbs are cobbled and some of them are demoralisingly steep.

I rode the whole parcours with the exception of having to stop on the Koppenburg because the rider directly in front of me went down, taking out another 2 riders. Lots of shouting, arguing and gesticulating then ensued and a fight nearly broke out.. it was all quite entertaining really although I was disappointed to have had to stop.

The Koppenburg was like a War Zone - bodies and bikes everywhere, bidons, toolbags and stuff strewn all over the place, people pushing, some looked like they were close to tears!

carnage ya say?

[img] [/img]

well done all the same.a good event to have ticked off.

What's the pace on these sort of things like (for the average rider)? I'm going to do the Liege-Bastogne-Liege sportive this month and a little concerned that its going to be me riding in at midnight, alone 😉

That was completely ace! We started pretty late (just before 10am) so I guess that it was quieter on the Koppenberg by the time we got there.

Made all the cobbled climbs (nice being cheered up by locals and even some bloke walking breathed 'keep pedaling' as I passed him). I was one of the slower climbers and exchanged smiles with quite a few blokes who were similarly not speedy but determined.

Only did the 136km - but pleased as it's only my third 100km+ ride ever (the first two were earlier this month) & 6 hours 50 sounds pretty respectable...

But did anyone else find the last 12 km on the flat in the face of a howling headwind the most difficult part of the whole thing?? Like you think you've cracked it as you roll over the lip of the Paterberg and can smell the beer and frites in the offing, but no, wait, there's a wall of resistance that gradually slows you down until you think it was all a mirage and you're stuck riding the wrong way on the travelator of doom. Until, after an eternity and a half you notice that all the people around you sprinting to the line and you realise you might make it after all...