Questions about bike hire abroad and everything light bike related. No off-topic chat please
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ultyguy
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by ultyguy on Mon Apr 16, 2018 5:31 am
coriordan wrote:Amstel Gold Race Sportive. Bloody amazing day on the bike. Spoiled with empty roads, no wind, glorious sunshine and every type of beer under the sun.
Looks great! Is it better organized now? Had some friends do it a few years ago and said it was a bit all over the place?
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coriordan
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by coriordan on Mon Apr 16, 2018 8:18 am
It was amazing. Easy sign on and start, course was well signposted, a few locals on the showcase climbs, brilliant finishing pen and an amazing atmosphere in Valkenberg afterwards. Wierd think is that the only debit card they accept is Maestro, so no Visa or MasterCard which I've never seen before.
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jorryt
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by jorryt on Mon Apr 16, 2018 12:18 pm
coriordan wrote:What time did you set off? Saw a small handful of cars and obviously some other riders. Garmin says I set off at 7.20 (not sure if that is UK time or local time) but generally speaking we were WAY ahead of the bulk of the entrants. We did 145km. It was perfect.
Yeah we started about 8.30 and it was really busy. I think your time is the local one.
It was really well organized. The directions we're clear and the foodpoints we're crowded but there was still plenty left. Combined with the weather it made for a great day on the bike.
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Rondje
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by Rondje on Mon Apr 16, 2018 3:18 pm
Sounds like you were lucky with the early start. I always start with a group of friends and we start a bit late (around 9 this time), we usually see people passing our B&B at the first climb while we are still eating breakfast. The result is very busy roads and even overcrowded at some places, but that's part of a successful event. The great weather was a warm welcome after 2 bad years, especially after the horrible weather of last year.
Here a few photos from my ride. Was supposed to ride the 150 (best distance with all the fun climbs) but decided to do the 100 due to previous illness and a little back injury.
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coriordan
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by coriordan on Mon Apr 16, 2018 4:20 pm
I think it did make a huge difference getting going early just to enjoy the open roads and clear descents. I did have a bit of Friday night fever which meant I was a bit hungover at the start from 1 too many Kwaremonts but otherwise it was great. I decided to pay for the pro photos and I am quite pleased with them
Here's me gurning hard coming up the Keutenberg.
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ms6073
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by ms6073 on Mon Apr 16, 2018 7:58 pm
coriordan wrote: ↑Mon Apr 16, 2018 4:20 pm
I decided to pay for the pro photos and I am quite pleased with them
It seems like you might have been overcharged, all kidding aside, looks like it was a great ride with awesome weather.
- Michael
"People should stop expecting normal from me... seriously, we all know it's never going to happen"
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Rondje
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by Rondje on Mon Apr 16, 2018 9:32 pm
coriordan wrote: ↑Mon Apr 16, 2018 4:20 pm
I think it did make a huge difference getting going early just to enjoy the open roads and clear descents. I did have a bit of Friday night fever which meant I was a bit hungover at the start from 1 too many Kwaremonts but otherwise it was great. I decided to pay for the pro photos and I am quite pleased with them
Here's me gurning hard coming up the Keutenberg.
Nice pictures, rarely see empty Keutenberg pictures! It also seemed you were in a lot of hurt on multiple climbs, was it that bad of a day due to the Kwaremonts?
Also, was it your first time in the region or at the AGR?
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coriordan
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by coriordan on Mon Apr 16, 2018 10:01 pm
Definitely not a bad day. It's as easy or as hard as you make it and I certainly didn't go out there for a nice flat jolly! Sure there were parts which hurt but I absolutely loved it.
Ive been to Holland so many times but AGR was my first European sportive and it was an amazing experience. My friend rides in Europe a lot and recommends going for the events which have fewer Brits as it generally leads to a more relaxed atmosphere and less general competitiveness so you have more time to enjoy the whole day out, rather than smashing it round staring at the back wheel of a stranger in a grupetto.
Gearing could have been easier (36x28) I agree but I think there may have been some theatrics for the cameraman - plus you can't see how fast I'm going
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kingtom
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kingtom
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by kingtom on Wed Apr 18, 2018 9:46 am
The Ibergeregg i'll take this evening on my way back home, i guess. Looks lovely as ever.
I also liked the way to the office this morning. On the second pic, somewhere you should see ultyguy.
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Kjetil
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by Kjetil on Wed Apr 18, 2018 12:11 pm
Clean roads envy. Such lovely shots, folks. I have to give you an old shot from 2013, when Focus launched the Izalco Max in La Toussuire and Jered Gruber's face became greener and greener in the luggage compartment of an estate car.
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ms6073
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by ms6073 on Wed Apr 18, 2018 1:19 pm
Is that building leaning to the right or it it just an optical illusion?
- Michael
"People should stop expecting normal from me... seriously, we all know it's never going to happen"
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ultyguy
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by ultyguy on Wed Apr 18, 2018 9:06 pm
kingtom wrote: The Ibergeregg i'll take this evening on my way back home, i guess. Looks lovely as ever.
I also liked the way to the office this morning. On the second pic, somewhere you should see ultyguy.
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Touché! You took a nice one back tonight, chapeau. So where’s the 2nd pic? I still need to do more small road searching. I’m only getting out around 7-7:30 so need to have big roads after 9pm for light etc.
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