My first sportive: the Big G 2012
Sunday 15th July 2012
Preparing for the Big G Cyclosportive Grimpeurs des Wolds
Preparing isn't quite the right word, actually. Ideally I should have been doing regular shorter, faster rides than I have, and be tapering off by now. Instead I have done a long ride every week or so, ending with one of around 190 miles at 13mph last Saturday. Anyway, today I felt I needed to ride at least half the distance of next Saturday's 100km cyclosportive, a bit quick. I wanted to get in three decent climbs (Brantingham Dale, Trundlegate and South Cave's Beverley Road) and was looking for an overall average of over 16mph. I just about managed it. On the day I may be able to tuck away amongst stronger riders for a while, but some of the hills are steeper and longer.
I could have done to have got back under two hours
Monday 16th July 2012
Winged Wheels (well, sort of)
I've borrowed some light wheels. These fellahs weigh in at 1380 grams. That's only about 10% heavier than the own brand front wheel alone on my road bike. I reckon I need an edge on those hills.
My legs have ached all day. And I have chafing issues 
Tuesday 17th July 2012
Bit of a rest day. Indexing out
The new wheels are on, but the indexing is out. I think I need a spacer. I also think I'm getting a cold. My voice is croaky and I have a cough. Brilliant. Not much of a ride – just around the block because of the rain. Legs are still aching. Call in at a knowledgeable neighbour's to ask if the wheels have too much play. Apparently not. Arrange to meet Francis and Scott on Saturday at 7.30am in Molescroft. Getting a bit excited.
Wednesday 18th July 2012
Feeling lousy (and road closure)
Drove a bit of the route today on a family outing. It all seems quite a bit hillier than I imagined. Interestingly, the B1246 had a road closed sign on it between Warter and the left turn before Pocklington. A bloke in a white pickup truck told me it would be closed for four weeks. Emailed Big G organiser [edit: perhaps I misread - apparently the road should be open on Saturday. Maybe it read four DAYS?]. Went to Chiropractor. Feel like I've been run over. Aching and shivery and no appetite. It's not looking good 
Saturday 21st July 2012
No cycling today
Not bad for a Plan B
I'm not sure what the difference is in fitness value between a long ride once each week and shorter faster rides each day, both amounting to the same weekly total. I suppose the question is: fit for what? A long ride or a short fast one? I have my theories on this subject... but I reckon if you've cycled 190 miles a couple of weeks before the event you'll be in good shape. A lot of it can be a mind thing. Hills are. Even if you are analytical by nature I would try not to think about it very much, so your brain is clear on the day.
Good luck anyway Chris.
July 15th, 2012 at 11:33 pm
Well, last year I did perhaps four 100-mile rides before attempting a 100 in 8.5 hour standard ride. I finished within the time limit, but I got dropped very early on because I couldn't keep up the tempo on the first drag to the highest point on the southern Wolds. I had trained for endurance rather than speed I reckon. Or maybe I just wasn't up to it.
July 16th, 2012 at 8:51 pm
Good luck on Saturday, it's my first Cyclosportive too and by coincidence I have also blogged about my training. I'm only doing the 60km route, but it's essentially the same as your own until we reach Huggate, then you head off in to 'carrot cruncher' territory! I have been told all about Nunburnholme Hill and I can't say I am looking forward to it, even having practiced on Trundlegate and Burgate in Newbald, I even tried Spout Hill, but I regret that now!
July 17th, 2012 at 9:57 pm
Paul, that's spooky. I've just been reading your blog. I cycled through Brantingham on Sunday and didn't even glance towards Spout Hill (I went past the duck pond). I've cycled down Spout Hill on a mountain bike after approaching it from that track, but I'm sure I would have remembered riding up it (I ran up it with the Territorial Army in the 80s, but that's another story...). I toppled over on Trundlegate a few years ago (wearing toe clips and on a 54" bottom gear) so don't feel bad about stopping on Spout Hill – I weighed about 10 stone in those days
That table you included in one of your posts (incidentally, compiled by Roger England of Hull & East Riding CTC who rode each climb on his Moulton with an altimeter) puts Spout Hill and Nunburnholme at equal seventh. However, I reckon Nunburnholme is easier if longer. I've done it just the once, and I'll be saving some energy for it on Saturday.
Good luck yourself, and keep on cycling (and blogging) after the Big G
July 17th, 2012 at 10:24 pm
Chris, many thanks for having a read of my blog and also thank you for letting me know who compiled the list of climbs, I will credit Roger as the rightful author on my blog, as it's fascinating reading, I keep a copy on my desk at work (sad I know). I'm in two minds what to do about 'The Push Hog Diaries' after the Big G, I might have to find a new challenge to keep me regularly riding and writing.
July 17th, 2012 at 11:42 pm
Somehow this all sounds very intense ...
July 18th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
Chris, hopefully the "aching and shivery and no appetite" has passed. Good luck tomorrow – no doubt you will ace the ride.
July 20th, 2012 at 1:31 pm
Hope you shake off the cold and have a great ride.
July 20th, 2012 at 6:50 pm
... after a good day's cycling, hopefully. The weather is picking up too.
July 20th, 2012 at 11:49 pm
Thanks for the encouragement, gang. Sadly, it isn't going to happen. I knew I wouldn't be 100% on the day, but I think if I risk going for it today I could spoil the beginning of the summer holidays. Back to bed. To be continued, next year...
July 21st, 2012 at 6:04 am
Never mind Chris. I hope you're feeling better after Wiggo's victory (and Cav's).
July 22nd, 2012 at 11:14 pm
Hope your feeling better soon Chris.
I hope we are all feeling a bit of inspiration over Wiggins and Cavs achievements. I know I am...
(and I dont usually even follow the Tour, have this year tho')
We are in the new Golden Age of cycling what could be better!
July 23rd, 2012 at 12:20 pm
I was sorry to read that you were not able to take part in the Big G, I'm sure you will be back next year. It will come as no consolation to you that the event was excellent and the organisers couldn't have wished for better weather. Get well soon.
July 23rd, 2012 at 1:39 pm
Cheers, folks. Not quite shaken off this bug, or whatever. I might have to find another sportive somewhere later in the year.
Just a bit
first British Tour de France winner in its 99-year history; two highest placed British finishers on the podium; third of the stage victories to the British; fourth consecutive victory to a British sprinter on the Champs Elysées; Mrs Bailey gets her bike out for the first time in two years since our trip to the land of Wiggo's birthplace (I had to pump up both tyres). History in the making 
July 23rd, 2012 at 2:37 pm
Just stumbled upon this blog. I rode the Big G 100k route on saturday. Fantastic day out.
For Chris, bad luck with the cold, but check out the York 100. (google it). Or the Thursk Rideit event (check evans cycles web site). Both are other sportives around here.
Cheers
July 24th, 2012 at 7:38 am
Bad luck Chris, things like colds always seem to come along at just the wrong time.
Thats another thing that makes Team Sky's success so amazing, their best laid plans all worked out perfectly! Mine, like yours, are more inclined to go awry!
July 24th, 2012 at 6:47 pm
Cheers, Glenn. £50 seems quite steep though – I thought the Big G was expensive at half that price
Got out for a cheeky 60 miles or so today, Hilary (with those jazzy wheels). Still a bit bunged up, but I was so glad to get out, and manage an average over 14mph. That'll do me.
July 26th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
Chris (or anyone!) – How do you add the neat Garmin Connect ride summaries to your posts? Kern has told me, but I can't get his method to work....help please!
July 26th, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Hi, Tim. See if you can make sense of this (I couldn't get the snippet of code to display correctly so I made a screenshot). Note the single quotation mark – or apostrophe – immediately after the digits highlighted in blue.
July 26th, 2012 at 9:57 pm
On the Garmin Connect page for the ride, select Share (from the horizontal menu over the map) then Embed from the drop down menu. This should open a small window titled: "Embed this Activity on Your Website" with selectable HTML in a box. Paste this HTML into your Post (blank line above and below). It looks like Chris's screenshot above.
July 27th, 2012 at 7:50 am
Chris, just to let you know that there is a Big G reunion ride on 21st October, here's an extract from the e-mail I recieved yesterday:
Details are as follows:
Date and time: Sunday 21st October 2012 departing between 8am and 9am
Venue: Longcroft Upper School, Burton Road, Beverley HU17 7EJ
Format: Non-competitive, informal cycle ride over the Big 'G' Sportive routes – either the 30km Mini 'G', the 60km Big 'G', or the 100km Big 'G'. (Due to the time of year the 160km route is not recommended!) The routes will be marked and maps will be available or visit www.htrc.co.uk/sportive for route details, however, please note, feed stations will not be provided.
Entry Fee: No official entry fee but donations for Help for Heroes, see below
I took part in the Big 'G' proper in July and, like many others, I had a thoroughly enjoyable day! Following discussions with other club members and friends the idea for an informal follow-up ride was voiced and a date was set.
I had decided to raise funds for the Help for Heroes charity and have received over £1000 in sponsorship to date from friends and work colleagues. To further boost this figure, I would like to request a donation of £5 from each rider payable in cash on the day.
I hope you can join us for what should be another worthwhile and memorable day of cycling in the beauty of the Yorkshire Wolds! To give us an idea of numbers on the day, please email me if you intend to ride.
Many thanks
Les Barratt
Important Information:
This is an informal, untimed ride and all cyclists must ride responsibly and obey the Highway Code
Riders will leave Longcroft School in manageable groups
No mechanical back-up will be provided
No feed stations will be provided – remember to bring your own food for the ride or make use of the cafes along the route
Car parking, if required, will be available at East Riding College, Gallows Lane, Beverley (no parking will be available at Longcroft School)
Tea, coffee, cold drinks, cakes and biscuits will be available in the Refectory at Longcroft School at the end of the ride
Longcroft School will close at 3.30pm, please ensure that you can complete the distance chosen by this time
October 10th, 2012 at 10:16 pm