Event Reviews Bikes Wheels Clothing Helmets Accessories Archive Nutrition Event Review by Caven O'Hara Distances: 64 miles Participants: 115 Start: Herstmonceau Observatory Science Centre, East Sussex Transport: Pevensey Station 4.3 miles Feedstops: 1, 2 Timed: Yes Signs: Black arrows on an orange background backed up with orange ribbons Road: This was billed as offering a Spring Classic locally. The weather was filthy with howling gales, the roads were filthy, narrow, unrelentingly up and down. The weather didn't showcase the Sussex countryside, this was just brutal riding. Take on the Velopace Spring Classic if you think you up to it. At the start of the week the long range forecast hadn't looked good. It didn't help that the clocks were going forward so we'd loose an hour of sleep. Getting up at what was 04:45 was hard enough, but listening to the rain hitting the window and the occasional gust of wind was worse. LATEST RIDER TIMES The Easter Epic 2015 The Quattro 2015 The Good Friday Sportive 2015 London Phoenix Easter Classic... Cycling Weekly Surrey Hills Cy... Battle of Bradfield 2015 Nidderdale Sportive 2015 Clif'cross 2015 The Cheshire Cat 2015 The Velopace Spring Classic 20... Breakfasted and sorted, Paul and I left at six thirty. Packing the car the previous night helped. A quick text to confirm our other riding partners were en route and it was out onto the A272 heading east. UPCOMING EVENTS Evans Cycles RIDE IT Off-Road... 7th Velo Vintage Occasion and... The Fool's Errand IV Guide Dogs Tour of Berkshire C... Rapha Hell of the North Market Deeping Sportive Skylark Sportive The Boxford Tornado 2015 It isn't a long journey over to the Herstmoceaux Observatory Science Centre, about 50 mins, certainly enough time for the weather to get windier, colder and wetter. As it transpired almost half the riders were deterred when they looked out of their windows or failed to finish. Arriving early we didn't have long to wait for the two remaining members of our group. We got checked in (which was a simple process) and then got changed. Following a safety briefing we found ourselves in the first group off. This was possibly a blessing. Having said that the first turn took us full into the wind, causing the bike to twitch, which was to become a feature of the day. Heading out onto the course proper the roads were narrow, almost tracks, and given the rain were awash with grit and other debris. Not the conditions many riders had wanted but certainly what had been forecast.
Turning south towards Bexhill and Battle we soon hit the south-eastern border of the route and began the long trek north. After some flattish miles it became apparent that the undulating nature of the early stretch would actually become a permanent feature. Apart from the odd main road, normally as a crossing point from one back road to another, this was run on back lanes and narrow tracks. With the conditions making life difficult - either the wind in your face or the debris causing punctures - you had to be on your mettle. Onwards we crept into the High Weald, an area of outstanding natural beauty masked by the grey skies. In the very organised and details pre-ride email it had stated the day's first feed stop would appear at the 34 mile mark. However with just over 27 on the clock we found ourselves gazing upon the Mark Cross Inn in the village of the same name. To continue reading, click below: Prev First 1 2 Next Last Official Review 1. Feed Stops (correct foodstuffs and energy drinks, the right many, well spaced) 10 out of 10 2. Timing (correct and easy to use) 9 out of 10 3. Signage (Clear, concise, maps, profiles, route card) 8 out of 10 4. Facilities (HQ, Parking, Toilets) 8 out of 10 5. Support (Sag Wagon, Outriders) 9 out of 10 6. Friendliness / Professionalism (Sign-in, marshals, support) 9 out of 10 7. Website - ease of use (Online and postal entry, clear concise) 10 out of 10 8. The Course (Area of outstanding beauty/scenic, quiet roads, cleverly designed?) 9 out of 10 9. Would you recommend it. (Would you ride again?) 8 out of 10 Overall Rating 88.9% Rate this Article: 0 votes Recommend Article to a Friend Report this Article You May Also Like...
Event Reviews Bikes Wheels Clothing Helmets Accessories Archive Nutrition Event Review by Caven O'Hara What was more impressive than the very large pub was the tent in the rear garden, where very smiley volunteers were handing out mulligatawny soup and frites with mayo if you wanted. Unusual, but very familiar for anyone who has watched one of the Belgian classics by the roadside. On this cold, wet and windy day it was manna from heaven and wolfed down. After only a short time the cold started to seep in. Reluctantly our small group of four headed off once more. We were still to reach the northern tip of the route but it wasn't far off. By now we were into Ashdown Forest. A popular area, and one that on better days offers great views across the expanse of the forested area. With another sportive coming down Black Hill we began the long climb to the top. It is not particularly steep but does go on for a couple of miles which made a pleasant change to the short, sharp versions we had ridden over previously. I chatted to a rider on the way up who had been yet another rider to succumb to a puncture, the same fate that would befall me as I crested the top. LATEST RIDER TIMES The Easter Epic 2015 The Quattro 2015 The Good Friday Sportive 2015 London Phoenix Easter Classic... Cycling Weekly Surrey Hills Cy... Battle of Bradfield 2015 Nidderdale Sportive 2015 Clif'cross 2015 The Cheshire Cat 2015 The Velopace Spring Classic 20... UPCOMING EVENTS Evans Cycles RIDE IT Off-Road... 7th Velo Vintage Occasion and... The Fool's Errand IV Guide Dogs Tour of Berkshire C... Rapha Hell of the North Market Deeping Sportive Skylark Sportive The Boxford Tornado 2015 Fortunately the second and final feedstop was here. Optimistically an ice cream van was stationed in the car park but given the gale that was threatening to lift off I can't imagine he had much business. Puncture sorted, a quick snack and it was time to get going. If we thought it was cold and miserable earlier, on this exposed ridge it was feeling artic. We also had the warning ringing in our ears from the friendly marshals to take it easy on the long descent coming up. A rider had already come off, presumably in the strong winds, we saw him thankfully climbing un-aided into the back of an ambulance. Safely down we did have to negotiate a sharp left which could have done with slightly earlier warning signs, one of the very few niggles on the day. From here it was more narrow, gritty roads before heading through Heathfield and home.
The exposure to the elements was catching up with us and all the drags were signified by an out of the saddle effort. When the village sign for Herstmonceux eventually hove into view it was met with all round relief. There was still time for another buffeting from the wind before taking the final right turn back into the grounds of the castle and science centre. Once across the line we quickly loaded the bikes and changed into dry, warm clothes before grabbing the goodie bag and bottle of beer courtesy of 360 degree brewing company. A change from the norm but then the day had been one of those types of rides. Velopace run a number of events during the year. Don't be put fooled by the relatively short distance, the Spring Classic packs a serious punch for the unwary rider. Prev First 1 2 Next Last Official Review 1. Feed Stops (correct foodstuffs and energy drinks, the right many, well spaced) 10 out of 10 2. Timing (correct and easy to use) 9 out of 10 3. Signage (Clear, concise, maps, profiles, route card) 8 out of 10 4. Facilities (HQ, Parking, Toilets) 8 out of 10 5. Support (Sag Wagon, Outriders) 9 out of 10 6. Friendliness / Professionalism (Sign-in, marshals, support) 9 out of 10 7. Website - ease of use (Online and postal entry, clear concise) 10 out of 10 8. The Course (Area of outstanding beauty/scenic, quiet roads, cleverly designed?) 9 out of 10 9. Would you recommend it. (Would you ride again?) 8 out of 10 Overall Rating 88.9% Rate this Article: 0 votes Recommend Article to a Friend Report this Article You May Also Like... Pros and Sportive Riders Take on the Tumble Strava KOM Challenge at 250 Extra Places Now on Sale for the Tour of the Peak Sportive 2015 February & March Training Blog: La Marmotte with Sports Tours International & Push My First Training Camp - Andalucia with Wheels in Wheels Official Jersey Unveiled for the Mallorca 312-Giant- Taiwan 2015
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