Author Topic: Menu of epic rides.  (Read 106936 times)

Menu of epic rides.
« on: 07 January, 2015, 08:51:02 pm »
I'm about 18 months out from the big five "0" and have been mooching about on-line for a suitable two wheeled challenge to take on as alternative to an affair or a fast car for the mid life crisis.
The trans continental holds huge interest with the caveat that there is no sure way of attaining a place, and while happy to spend long hours on the bike and sleep in a hedge, the reports of extremely busy roads and bad dogs leave me somewhat leery.

Likewise, PBP whilst having the masochistic itinerary reads as a pretty featureless start to finish bash through less than stellar countryside.

Are there other rides/challenges out there that I am missing?

Of course the option to ride solo on a self organised trip is one way to go, but if there was something organised that has slipped through my google search I'd be very appreciate to hear about it.

*NB Strictly road bike, not MTB.
often lost.

Bairdy

  • Former Pints Champion
"And I been up to my neck in pleasure
              Up to my neck in pain"

Aunt Maud

  • Le Flâneur.
Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #2 on: 08 January, 2015, 06:04:10 am »

Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #3 on: 08 January, 2015, 07:04:05 am »
There's any number of other 1200+ rides which you can get from the ACP calendars. Usually a couple in India every year andRussia as well.

There's the Sverigetempot which I think is yearly.

Next year, subject to interest in the Transcontinental there may be another one of a similar format being proposed.

CrazyEnglishTriathlete

  • Miles eaten don't satisfy hunger
  • Chartered accountant in 5 different decades
    • CET Ride Reports and Blogs
Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #4 on: 08 January, 2015, 09:28:40 am »
I thought about an epic ride for my 50th and decided simply to go col-bagging in the Alps.  Absolutely brilliant.  Even the Col du Madelene in the wet  :facepalm:  As for the Col du Saulude as 4th col on the pointiest ever topo, looking across to Alp d'Huez on the other side of the valley. Then Ventoux before breakfast on the actual birthday.  Ho hum.  Makes this morning's train journey from London to York more bearable.   8)
Eddington Numbers 130 (imperial), 182 (metric) 571 (furlongs)  114 (nautical miles)

IanDG

  • The p*** artist formerly known as 'Windy'
    • the_dandg_rouleur
Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #5 on: 08 January, 2015, 09:35:40 am »
I rode L'Eroica for my 50th. Not epic distance wise, but a great trip down memory lane riding the same frame and some of the kit that I used when racing from 1978 to 1984 (when I turned 20).

https://flic.kr/p/aAE4Pb

zigzag

  • unfuckwithable
Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #6 on: 08 January, 2015, 10:38:15 am »
cent cols challenge is on my list to do, looks like an amazing tour: http://centcolschallenge.com/

Hummers

  • It is all about the taste.
Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #7 on: 08 January, 2015, 01:00:45 pm »
In this country there are a few too (if not 'epic')

The Highlands and Western Isles 1300k is a perm as is Hummers Lumpy End 2 End (2000km) and the Cambrian 10A.

H

Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #8 on: 09 January, 2015, 05:52:05 pm »

Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #9 on: 09 January, 2015, 06:01:02 pm »
Andy Corless's Maniac Grimpeur 1000 is pretty epic. Which Arrivee was it written up in? It should be available online.
http://www.aukweb.net/perms/detail/AC03/

IanDG

  • The p*** artist formerly known as 'Windy'
    • the_dandg_rouleur
Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #10 on: 09 January, 2015, 07:31:41 pm »
I fancy this one too, but it wont be this year.

548km for my 55th in 2016  would be good though  ::-)

Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #11 on: 09 January, 2015, 07:36:08 pm »
Andy Corless's Maniac Grimpeur 1000 is pretty epic. Which Arrivee was it written up in? It should be available online.
http://www.aukweb.net/perms/detail/AC03/

Arrivee 92 Spring 2006 includes a Maniac 1000 report by Phil Nelson and Richard Parotte. They seemed to be on the time limit for most of the ride and finally finished with 40 mins in hand - so finely judged!

Phil wants another go in late June this year and I hope to be tagging along.

CrazyEnglishTriathlete

  • Miles eaten don't satisfy hunger
  • Chartered accountant in 5 different decades
    • CET Ride Reports and Blogs
Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #12 on: 09 January, 2015, 07:47:24 pm »
If you fancy something a teeny weeny bit easier than the Maniac Grimpeur you can try the Cambrian 8A - its only 500 miles.  I'm doing it on 24 - 26 July (signed off by Mrs CET)
Eddington Numbers 130 (imperial), 182 (metric) 571 (furlongs)  114 (nautical miles)

Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #13 on: 10 January, 2015, 10:39:27 pm »


The Giro Ciclistico Delle Repubbliche Marinare 2200 k Italian brevet is about as good as it gets in my opinion.
I did the inaugural edition in 2014 and can't say enough good things about it. It's a self supported purist
- randonneuring at its finest- endeavor. Fulvio Gambaro, the organizer, is a great guy and a Maestro of Rando. It's not for the faint of heart though. Start training now if you want to finish.



Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #14 on: 12 January, 2015, 03:19:52 pm »
thanks so much for the feedback.
The CGCDRM very much encompasses what I was looking for.
Longer than the 1000km, but possibly more doable in that the daily distance is less taxing?

Job #1 will be translating the web site into English!

2016 is the date I'll aim for so plenty of time for that and to put some miles in.
Living on an Island 26 miles long (Bermuda) turns you into a human goldfish on long rides. ( about 100km once round the Island)
often lost.

hillbilly

Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #15 on: 13 January, 2015, 08:13:46 am »
Depending on your budget and hunger, sportives are increasingly turning their eye to long distance challenges.  There are a handful that go over the Alps, for example, and even one that goes around the world.  I've not looked into it, but I'd imagine there are others (trans-Am?) that are long but not bare bones audax rides.  After all, you need to start looking after yourself at 50 :p

A more humble challenge, but with some history in Audax UK, is Trafalgar-Trafalgar.  I've been intrigued by that ride since I joined AUK a decade ago.  Likewise Brindisi-Calais.  Both are (or at least were) permanent events.

Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #16 on: 13 January, 2015, 02:01:25 pm »
How about this? 4400km, for those of us who don't mind a bit of off-road.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Divide_Mountain_Bike_Route

Chicane

  • short for Bob
Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #17 on: 13 January, 2015, 07:46:58 pm »
Quote
How about this? 4400km, for those of us who don't mind a bit of off-road.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Divide_Mountain_Bike_Route

That looks so cool!  :thumbsup:

Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #18 on: 14 January, 2015, 02:45:32 pm »
How about this? 4400km, for those of us who don't mind a bit of off-road.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Divide_Mountain_Bike_Route

eaten by a bear as opposed to a ferral dog on the trans Cont.
Fabulous scenery no doubt but lacking in expresso bar stops no doubt.
often lost.

Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #19 on: 16 January, 2015, 02:10:51 pm »
Classic Tours  have added a high mileage challenge for later this year.

http://www.classictours.co.uk/challenges/classic-centurion-ride
often lost.

Chicane

  • short for Bob
Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #20 on: 29 January, 2015, 09:29:06 am »
I like this one, and definitely a journey I would consider making!  :thumbsup:

Quote
http://thatemilychappell.com/2015/01/welcomed-to-anchorage/

Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #21 on: 31 January, 2015, 09:48:08 am »
This - https://sites.google.com/site/ciclofachiro2/home/giro-delle-repubbliche-marinare

My Italian is pretty poor and Google Trans;ate is not much better but I am intrigued that the €60 entry fee includes the usual things like a route shet and some kind of finisher's medal but also covers 'gadgets'.  I guess this is a GPS but I have a flight of fancy that includes the sorts of aides that Dick Dastardly dabbled with in Wacky Races and Catch the Pidgeon...

hillbilly

Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #22 on: 31 January, 2015, 11:52:01 am »
Why is this ickle thread pinned to the top of the board?  It is less of a menu, more a taster card.  ???

Pete Mas

  • Don't Worry 'bout a thing...
Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #23 on: 01 February, 2015, 10:54:38 am »
The even longer Italian ride has been highlighted earlier, but not this one yet? Being run in 2016.
The first 400km may be your fastest ever!

http://www.1001migliaitalia.it/index.php?lang=en

This one has stunning scenery and some supported controls, and a time limit of 5 days 15 hours for 1600km.
Very fond memories of completing in 2010. :)
''It is better to travel hopefully than to arrive."

R.L.Stevenson

Pete Mas

  • Don't Worry 'bout a thing...
Re: Menu of epic rides.
« Reply #24 on: 01 February, 2015, 10:57:24 am »
Why is this ickle thread pinned to the top of the board?  It is less of a menu, more a taster card.  ???

I suppose its here to provide permanent inspiration to enter longer rides?
''It is better to travel hopefully than to arrive."

R.L.Stevenson