The Beacon Message Board

I spotted this on Facebook today and thought I'd post it in case anyone is interested: http://club.v-sprint.com/tour-of-the-bl ... -sportive/. It's a 100 km sportive with cobbled sections, Paris-Roubaix style.

Could be interesting. I used to go up the 'Waltonberg' regularly when I lived at Romsley....on my mtb. If its a wet day, could be very interesting!. Then at the top its just dirt??
Pity they didn't include our beloved Winwood Heath Rd too. Its virtually unpaved!

Looks really good. I think I'll be entering this.

The sort of event I wish I was capable of riding!

£25 seems very expensive for riding around the Clent Hills

Philip Whiteman wrote:£25 seems very expensive for riding around the Clent Hills

Indeed. I would be keen to do this but the price puts me off.

Entered this event now with Mr Shenton, who after his trip to Flanders last year and with his forthcoming participation in the Paris Roubaix sportive, will be a genuine veteran of the pave by the time this comes around.

Philip Whiteman wrote:£25 seems very expensive for riding around the Clent Hills

The route is available as a .gpx download...

http://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bzg4BNX- ... YzeFU/edit

This event was a triumph. A lot of effort had gone into finding the off-road sectors and marshalling them. Even to the point of organising late in the day diversions due to unforeseen activity expected on a couple of the bridleways.
The feed stations were adequate and the velodrome finish was a nice touch. Hugh Porter was on hand to get us on our way at the start and he went to great efforts to avoid kicking over my glass of champagne after I'd finished. Everyone I spoke to enjoyed it immensely. I completed in 3hrs 53. Happy with that. It was a beautiful sunny day as well. Some of the bridleways may have been more problematic had it not been.

I second Toby's comments and will go as far to say that some of the bigger organised Sportives could learn a thing or two from the V-Sprint team.

Marshalling at the sectors was excellent, well stocked feed stations and just enough entrants to make the day enjoyable and safe to ride.

I just hope they don't get too greedy and increase participant numbers too much.

A glass of champagne at the velodrome was a nice ending to a great day in the saddle. I won't be too shy to avoid those gravel tracks and bridalways in my future riding exploits.

Well done. Sounds like fun and a little different to most sportives.
What bikes/tyres were you guys on?
'Waltonberg' IS problematic in the rain!

Well done, cobblers!

I was on my Pinarello FP Quattro running 28mm Conti 4 Seasons at 80psi, I'm really impressed with them Barry and shall run these over winter and if I ride on trails again.

Thanks George, I'll definitely be doing it again next year.

So whose backside can be viewed in Cycling Plus above the ride report for this sportive? See page 249, issue 289/July 14.

Grogz wrote:So whose backside can be viewed in Cycling Plus above the ride report for this sportive? See page 249, issue 289/July 14.

I'm really sad and just downloaded it. I don't know why but first though was Kevin Frobisher. If this is right I don't know whether I should be pleased I got it or worried I recognise someone from behind!!

Noticed this is back this year. But being local would rather go on a ride to include waltonberg.

Is it worth attempting this weekend on the roadie or will the wet ground suit hybrid with thicker tyres and heavier wheels better ?

It is possible on a roadie with skinny tyres, but not easy by any means. If it's wet and greasy/muddy it will be next to impossible. The more traction the better really.

I'll be doing in my road bike again this year with 25mm Conti GP 4 season tyres.

If it's a wet day it will be interesting up the Waltonberg.

Luckily it's dry today but went up there last week and with the rain this week it's going to be muddy coming down the other side.