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I'm doing the sportive the day before the Tour of Flanders. I'm booking through Sporting Tours
http://www.sportingtours.co.uk/
Thought it may interest other members to have a go at one of the classics.
Friday 1st April:
Our bike carrying coach will make collections at Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, London and service stations on the motorway networks used. We take a 16.30hrs sailing from Dover to Calais, and arrive in Ghent 20.30hrs, where we spend 3 nights B&B at the central Hotel Ibis Kathedraal.
Saturday 2nd April:
There will be the option of taking part in either the 140km or 70km Tour of Flanders cyclo event that follows the latter part of the race route including all the famous climbs.
For those not bringing bikes the day will be at leisure in the city of Ghent.
Sunday 3rd April:
We shall take you to the beautiful city of Brugge for the signing on & start of the Tour of Flanders. Using our expert knowledge of the region we shall see the race at numerous locations, including the famous cobbled climb of the Murr de Grammont.
We will be operating two option of taking part in either the 140km or 70km Tour of Flanders cyclo event that follows the latter part of the race route including all the famous climbs.
Monday 4th April:
Return home, taking the 13.30hrs sailing to Dover, arriving London 16.00hrs, Birmingham 19.00hrs, Manchester 21.00hrs, Leeds 22.00hrs.
Yes go and have a go, Its one of the best, I guarantee you will have a great time, the climbs are brill, or your money back plus 300% if not fully satisfied. Put on some small gears for if its wet you have to sit in the saddle and don't be in a big group for the cobbled climbs as people fall off and get in your way and make sure your bottle cages are strong and don't carry large 750 or 1000 ml. bottles, they bounce out, as one section of cobbles is about 3k. The pavements are now barried off so you can't get off the cobbles. Being run in April its not warm, so wear 3/4 bibs with a thick pad and also a good pair of shorts over them with a thick chamois as well and your backside will think you are on smooth tarmac all day. OH and a new pair of thick Gel mitts. Les Charnley ( Sporting Tours Sales Rep.)
Thanks Les,
Sounds like good advise which I will gladly take!!
I'll give it a miss this time round but sounds like it'll be a good one!
I'll put those orders in now then Les for extra-padded shorts, 3/4 knicks and mitts. Perhaps worth getting extra thick handlebar tape too??
Hi Claire, thanks very much for your thoughts and concerns, regarding my rear end and your lightning sales acumen for more Weaver Valley clothing sales for braves soles going off to ride the cobbles but being an old pro. and you only being 22 years old ( if that) would not know that I, like the pro's of old put a thick Rump Steak in my shorts to give this extra padding. The good news is that I am a vegetarian, so when I get back there will be a nice pummeled / tenderized rump steak for sale for about half the shop price, any takers, just get in touch.
