The cycling thread

[Jon Crofts]

Should have put a bet on.
In hindsight that route was a series of nasty little climbs.
Like we get in England especially south Devon. 

It’s the Dartmoor Classic this weekend if you want nasty little climbs all day. Only other place I’ve come across anything like it was the Tour of Flanders sportive, relentless punchy climbs all day.

Dartmoor itself is fine. .
But try going clockwise say from Okehampton and skirt Dartmoor going on NCS 28.  Then on to Modbury and then around the South Hams.   
I’ve cycled all over the place. But that area is truly hideous.  Especially with c12 kgs of camping gear.  I’m never ever going back to ride that part of the world.  And I quite like hills.

I thought Flanders was flatter than flat.

I go out that way now and again via Dartmouth and Totnes to Bigbury and back via Blackpool Sands and Brixham. Yep it’s hilly.

Flanders is nothing like flat.

[Jon Crofts]

Mad crashes in the final few kilometres today.

[dcdavecollett]

Always hate to see this happen!

[Somniloquism]

Mad crashes in the final few kilometres today.

Wasn't the last km's on a race track? Oil on the track that was not noticed?

[UK Redsox]

That was my thought as I was watching.

Before the peloton got to the track, David Millar said that he'd ridden the last 2k and thought that it was an easy finish.

ITV didn't show this recognisance ride, as they normally do for expected sprint finishes

[Somniloquism]

Just seen the last straight sprint. VdP taking the illegal manoeuvre relegation to force the gap for his team mate is a bit dodgy. The crash just before the line was rider error. But the one on the turn I can't tell.

[simon ward 50]

Just seen the last straight sprint. VdP taking the illegal manoeuvre relegation to force the gap for his team mate is a bit dodgy. The crash just before the line was rider error. But the one on the turn I can't tell.

Grip must have been a factor? Tarmac on the race track would be different to the roads they had been on!

[TonyD]

What a ride from Jai today.
Yes I know he was in the break. 
This tour is going to be a cracker! !!

[TonyD]

Fuck Jai looks so fresh in his interview after the stage.
No hint of any effort on his face.

[TonyD]

Cadel doesn’t look well. 

[TonyD]

Cav so close today.
Thought he had it for a moment.
Shit luck jumping on his highest two gears. 

[TonyD]

Should have put a bet on.
In hindsight that route was a series of nasty little climbs.
Like we get in England especially south Devon. 

It’s the Dartmoor Classic this weekend if you want nasty little climbs all day. Only other place I’ve come across anything like it was the Tour of Flanders sportive, relentless punchy climbs all day.

Dartmoor itself is fine. .
But try going clockwise say from Okehampton and skirt Dartmoor going on NCS 28.  Then on to Modbury and then around the South Hams.   
I’ve cycled all over the place. But that area is truly hideous.  Especially with c12 kgs of camping gear.  I’m never ever going back to ride that part of the world.  And I quite like hills.

I thought Flanders was flatter than flat.

I go out that way now and again via Dartmouth and Totnes to Bigbury and back via Blackpool Sands and Brixham. Yep it’s hilly.

Flanders is nothing like flat.

Yep it’s hilly. But there are different types of hills.  Bit like the Eskimos have 90 word for snow.  Some climbs even if steep are okay. Some really long and steep climbs I can cope with. But the hills around that neck of the woods are nasty. Plus the road surfaces on the sustrans routes around there are narrow 10 to 20% climbs with a mound of 5 years shite in the middle of the road and the only space to ride on is the tyre tracks. And then now have potholes every 50 metres or so. 
I’ve cycled most of the south west and beyond in the UK on sustrans over the last 15 years. But the last 2/3 years some of the roads have basically become a nightmare.  Shame as you could always rely on the routes for a cracking few days or a week cycling tour with the old camping gear. 

[SteveN]

Cav so close today.
Thought he had it for a moment.
Shit luck jumping on his highest two gears. 

Unlucky yesterday really unlucky today. Out of the tour crashed and probably has a broken collarbone. Great shame not the way to end his time on the tour.

[Jon Crofts]

Gutted for Cavendish but no mean feat to equal Eddy.

[AlexAlexCropley]

Is there any chance he'll come back next year? Or is it really over