Zena
Joined: 22 Feb 2007
Posts: 62
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 Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:26 pm Post subject: Kent Invicta Grimpeur 100 |
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Sue and I thought we would give this 100k ride a go, We had a feeling it might be a bit hilly - but hey! we had done Wimbleball - what could be worse than that?
Our first hint that this ride might be a bit more challenging than usual were the other riders. At most of the Audax rides we go to you have three groups - the very keen, lithe limbed, feel lost when not on their bikes cycle club type - the touring, stay at a comfortable 12 mile an hour, occasional bushy beard, cheerful, friendly CTC group, and the few like Sue and I somewhere in the middle. Well when we arrived there were a lot of the lithe limbed group there, then more arrived, then a lot more - where was the bushy beard lot? There was a distinct lack of ladies as well.
Anyway a few older chaps eventually turned up and it soon became apparent that they were locals who had completed this ride for many years and informed us we would struggle up Yorkshill! (At this point I was still arrogant enought to think to myself - nah - i've done Wimbleball!)
Well suffice to say I would do Wimbleball any day of the week over this course - it was hell! Anyone up for a challenge - I still have the route map!
Sue and I joined the queue and pulled out after 50k (I am citing illness but) I just couldn't face walking - yes walking - up those hills (although in the reverse direction) again!
I plan to do it again - because it is now unfinished business - but will make sure I can do 6 laps of the Crown (Laindon) circut before I even try again. (one of the hills Yorkshill was similar to Old Church Hill in as much as it became steeper every time you turned a corner, but was about 4 times longer. One chap we spoke to managed to make it to the top after his seventh year of trying!)
A great course for Mr Chairman before IM Lanzarote next year! |
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