Buchaille Beag Sportive

The Start

The alarm clock went off at 4:15. A bit early even for me. Up and onward including the bowl of cold porridge prepared the night before. It wasn't pleasant but in the end I think it did the trick. Then out and put the bike on the top of the car. All set and off I go.
This was the start to the day of my first sportive. I had entered the Buchaille Mhor/Beag Sportive after my friend Vic was persuaded to do the same by two of his commuting pals. Neither of us had got the training miles we would have liked but unfortunately events don't wait for you to be ready. I picked up Vic and his other friend Mike and then we really were off. The drive across to Glencoe was uneventful and very pleasant as we drove through the southern Highlands.
By the time we got to the Glencoe mountain ski centre there were already a number of cyclists getting rready for the event. We signed in and got our numbers. Here's mine;

Sportive number

This was an auspicious number as we had decided to do the short version of the sportive which is 86 miles. Of course it doesn't work if you calculate everything in km, where I'd have needed number 140!

The Event

After a little bit of faffing about (changing, bike prep and pocket stuffing) we were ready to go. Mike had been met by a mate of his (Stewart) and they were looking for a faster time than we were so although we left together we knew we wouldn't be with them for long. The organisers were letting riders off in small groups to minimise the impact on the main road through Glencoe. That being said we soon caught up the group in front and we were still with Mike and his mate when Vic's commuting pals (Ally and Steve) also caught us up. At this point I was thinking we might be able to hook up for a while at least and get a tow for the first few miles. Sadly it wasn't to be as Vic's chain popped off when we went over the top of our first hill. And this set the day's format.

Back on the road again we had a lovely descent into Glencoe. A little bit of wind meant that the speeds never got stupid but we soon caught up and overtook the stragglers of the larger group we had been in. Mike, Stewart, Ally and Steve were nowhere to be seen. My main worry about this event had been about riding with other cyclists. I needn't have worried, we didn't see many riders for the rest of the day. Those we did were either going very much more slowly or just hammered past us. Luckily for out egos there weren't so many of the latter.

Having dropped into Glencoe the ride for the next 50 odd miles rolled along without any big hills, just the occasional short sharp incline and some longer drags. The highlight of this section was the applause and encouragement we got from a family beside the road. That was great; it made me feel like a real cyclist.

Vic was suffering with a sore back so we were containing the pace and taking it easy during this middle part of the ride. This gave rise to my day's main entertainment. At around 20 miles I saw a rider in the distance with a bright yellow top on. We dragged him in ever so slowly catching him just before the first feed stop. However, he was faster in and out of the station and it took us a long time for us to spot him again. And even  longer to get past. Where? Just before the 2nd feed stop where the same pattern played out.

We took a longer stop at this feed stop because I knew that from here it was mostly uphill and I wanted Vic to get a decent respite for his back. Back on the road we turned off the main road onto a small Highland B road. Granted the surface wasn't as good but it was virtually traffic free which made a nice change. This road works its way up Glen Orchy and steadily gains height in small steps, none too steep but a few steeper than I would have liked. We passed a rider who we'd met at the feed station who had instructed us to give him some encouragement. We did our duty.

For most of this beautiful glen we rode behind two girls, catching them up ever slow slowly. They had plenty of puff left to chat all the way whereas we just rode on in comparative silence. The occasional "are you ok?" or "isn't the scenery nice?". Eventually the girls went single file and we slipped by. I found it interesting to see how long it took to get past people and also then how fast they seem to drop behind. I think it is a perception thing as later in the glen we could still hear the girls despite feeling that they should be miles behind.

Rejoining the main road at Bridge of Orchy brought us to the last section of the day. A drag from the hotel, a fast descent from there and I was at Loch Tulla right beside the bottom of only true climb of the day. You may have noticed that I said I. Vic had given me clear instructions that I was to ride at my pace for this bit. While I had been keeping my eye out for him, I wasn't aware that his chain had popped off the chainring again as we came off the long drag. Otherwise I think he would have been right there with me.

The climb itself wasn't exactly hard but it wasn't easy either. Definitely a case of popping the bike in the granny gear and finding a rhythm. I managed that and worked my way up the hill. The worst thing about this part of the ride was the traffic; especially the motorbikes. I've written about this before but they really do need to give cyclists more respect. I know that I now have very little sympathy for motorcyclists who complain about their treatment by car drivers.

One more small descent to the last ramp gave me a chance to stop and look back to check on Vic. I could see him not far behind and he had some company. That gave me enough confidence to ride on. The last drag gave me the opportunity to overtake my man in the yellow jacket one more time. We'd passed him near the end of the Glen Orchy but he'd re-passed me as I looked back. It was here that I finally gave my inner chimp  a little bit of free reign. There was couple out in front of me but I wasn't able to catch them on the climb. That left me working hard on the downhill to the turn off for the mountain centre. The wind was back here and not helping. A little way before the turn off I managed to overtake them.

However, we still had some work to do and I hadn't realised how much. The last 0.7 mile into the car park is still part of the course and it is uphill. It's also one of these little single track roads that looks like it was laid on the ground without any smoothing of the terrain. And closer to car park it gets very steep. This was definitely the hardest part of the day. The couple passed me on the lower slopes but I found my rhythm again  and managed to get by once more. Getting to the finish I unclipped and stood astride my bike, done in for a few seconds.

By the time I'd found the car and popped the bike beside it Vic was pulling his way up to the finish himself. A great ride considering the pain he was riding through.

Afters

I'd finished in 5:37 which was well within my 6 hour goal. With 5:15 of actual cycling in that it is proabably one of my fastest long rides ever. A great result. We met the others who'd been finished for about 45 minutes by the time we got there. That was a really impressive effort. I don't think we could have got close to that even without the chain difficulties.

Coffee, chat, then some more faffing about before the journey back to our part of the country. Thanks go to Vic and Mike for keeping me awake on the way home and also keeping me fed with wine gums and savoury flapjacks. Big thanks also go to Mike for popping the bikes onto the bike racks before we left Glencoe. I'm not sure I could have managed that.

I should also say that the organisation of the ride with signage, marshals and feed stations was superb. All the people involved made us feel welcome which was great. The feed stops were superb with lots of choice of fluids and food. Very welcome in any case. The other cyclists were all friendly, even those blazing past.

A great day out and I'm sure I'll do it again. Maybe the long one next time. And as a training ride for the planned 200 it was perfect. Although slightly worrying.

The ride

Is Spring here?

New Tech

Given the lack of road miles during March April has positively boomed with opportunities. It really started on the last day of March with the chance to go out and do a few more miles than I've been getting in recently. It was also a chance to try out my new purchase. With the plan to ride 200 miles in one day this year I decided to buy a proper saddle bag. After much deliberation I picked the Carradice Super C Audax Saddlebag along with the SQR Quick Release clamp  from the same company. Installation was relatively smooth, the only bug bear being the requirement to remove the seat post every time you want to put the clamp on and off. This may seem a minor point but my small saddle bag doesn't fit onto the bike with the clamp fitted. However, the small bag is almost at the end of its life (holes everywhere) so maybe I can find one that will fit with the clamp.
The quick release part is ingenious meaning that the bag just clips on and off. It does, of course, add a little weight to the bike which is noticeable at first but I got used to it. I'll just need to get fitter! For my test ride I popped my small bag in along with my waterproof and my small camera. For a day trip it will be just fine. Jersey pockets will still be used for food etc with the bag being used for the extras. Here's a couple of pictures of it attached to the bike.

From the back. See how it sits away from the saddle.

And from the side. Mudguards and bag - audax anyone?

When riding I felt no interference from the bag at all or any feeling of it swinging around. All very pleasing. Given I have a beard does this make me a typical audax'er?

Rides

The throes of winter are still not over and we have been plagued with easterly winds despite the weather being generally better. Living on the east coast that means that most of my rides recently have finished with me battling against the elements to varying degrees. The ride with the bag mentioned above had me in full tuck for a lot of the ride home from Newburgh trying to keep the speed up against the breeze. Hard work for me and my less than supple back.



The next ride was a bit of a departure for me. Straight from work with my colleague Vic, with whom I am doing a Sportive this month. 86 miles in and around Glencoe. With the weather not conducive to training, I have done little while Vic has only been doing his normal commute. By normal I have to say that 100 miles a week is pretty impressive, especially given the recent conditions. To give him some extra miles and hills we went out work. Good fun, especially the fast start. Of course, into the wind on the way home was not so nice.



Making the most of the weather I got in a mid week ride, again with a difference. I had the afternoon off, so left work, came home and went out. I got back to St. Andrews in time to pick Vic up again and repeat some of our earlier route before I came home once again and, of course, into the wind once again. My first 100km ride of the year and one that had an almost apline feel to it as the banks of snow were piled up high on the higher roads.



Sadly winter reared its ugly head for the next training ride. A flat spin around the Howe of Fife again with Vic; just trying to get some longer rides into his legs but this time wit nothing strenuous. The cold, the wind and the rain made it plenty tough enough, thanks. It beat being stuck at home and it is always good to have those kind of experiences tucked away for later. Into the wind on the way home again has to be hardening me up for something!



One way and another it was another 5 days before I got back on the bike. And this time it felt almost spring-like. I was still dressed for winter, the one concession being a short-sleeved shirt sandwiched between my windproof and base layers. It made a change from the long sleeved ones I have been wearing. A beautiful day with mostly dry roads apart from the the Hazelton walls to Newburgh stretch which was soaking wet. It's funny how road conditions can change so suddenly.
The one notable part of the ride was a new hill. I've come down this stretch of road plenty of times and always wondered what it would be like to go up. Now I know. It will definitely be attempted again. Now I know what it is like I'm sure it will be fine to do again. But it wasn't easy. No sir! For those of you interested it is the hill on the way from Freuchie to Kennoway via the back road, just after the A911. Try it if you want but you have been warned; it's not easy.
The customary wind had risen while I was out to make the ride home from Kennoway "interesting" (or slow as I like to call it).



I think Spring may be on its way. All I need now is for the wind to blow from the west to make my ride(s) home easier....

Observation

I've been trying quite hard recently to make sure my heart rate stays within reasonable bounds as much as possible. This should have the benefit of keeping me fresh for the latter stages of the ride as well as keeping my legs in good shape. Obviously, when your a bit more of a Clydesdale than a waif, hills are never going to be easy places to achieve this but I've been trying to set a good slow tempo (speed) before I need it in the hope that my heart rate will rise more slowly. The results are interesting. I am slower, especially on the hills, but I feel better for it. And it does appear to give me more for when I really need it. Like the hill described above.
And surely it's better to be able to cycle along and enjoy the view, the environment and the exercise than feeling like your insides are about to explode. Not that this will stop me pushing it on the turbo, or at spin class. But I suspect that's the place for it.