Author Topic: Dutch brevets in 2019  (Read 31071 times)

Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #200 on: 06 October, 2019, 05:57:30 pm »
By Groningen standards probably not much, two friends from my local club took part and they also found cp2 to cp3 challenging, we don't get much wind down here  :thumbsup:

It was 83km between those checkpoints, which is quite long for a 200. I can imagine that many riders ran out of energy on this stretch. At least, I was starving when we arrived in Venray and ordered a huge plate of fries with satay sauce.

Anyway, this was my last ride for the current season. We should continue in the 2020 thread :P

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #201 on: 06 October, 2019, 11:56:05 pm »

Had a slight issue with crashing somewhere around the 75km mark, meaning I did the remaining distance largely just trying to get round without doing any permanent damage, and within the time limit. Still ended up escorting 2 newbies round, one of which at the end said he wouldn't have finished without me, which was nice to hear. I think I may have enjoyed things more had I not been awake since midday Friday. Being awake for over 36 hours, and doing a 200 is suboptimal.

The first 80km or so of the route was beautiful, unfortunately it set the bar so high the last half was quite disappointing. Not to mention the headwind slot sucked. I think adding a control part way between the 2 would have been a good idea. Tho many may have an aversion to 3 commercial controls and 2 photo controls.

That said, I've now cycled to America...



And of course I managed to add to my Gemeente tally. I thought I would get 12, but turns out I got that wrong. I got 15. Bringing me to 335 total, and 300 for 2019.

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #202 on: 07 October, 2019, 08:27:48 am »
I will be doing this one. According to Buienradar, the weather will be ok, no rain and not a lot wind.

Come say hi, I'll be the fat one with the weird bike with even weirder handlebars, and a strange accent...


See you all in Einhoven.

J

We met before, I'm the guy without helmet on the old green Gazelle.

Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #203 on: 10 October, 2019, 10:46:05 am »
Anyone going to the 200 in Maassland? It is a nice route.

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #204 on: 10 October, 2019, 05:29:22 pm »
Anyone going to the 200 in Maassland? It is a nice route.

It's currently in my diary, assuming my bruises have all healed.

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #205 on: 10 October, 2019, 06:33:44 pm »
Anyone going to the 200 in Maassland? It is a nice route.

I have convinced myself that I need to go (in contrast to what I claimed earlier in this thread). Even found a decently priced hotel in Vlaardingen on Friday night. Let's hope that the worst of the autumn rain is over by then.

Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #206 on: 10 October, 2019, 06:56:28 pm »
@QG: homologation numbers for Merselo 200, Groningen 200 and Eindhoven 200 are now available. Our ACP-representative is back from his holiday.

Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #207 on: 17 October, 2019, 07:55:25 pm »
I've also convinced myself to go on Saturday, but being made of 'sugar' might mean I decide at the last minute to stay at home as I see that the weather prospects are poor.
That said I don't fancy watching the shenanigans at Westminster either so I'd better go anyway!
Regards,

Alan

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #208 on: 17 October, 2019, 09:04:07 pm »
I've also convinced myself to go on Saturday, but being made of 'sugar' might mean I decide at the last minute to stay at home as I see that the weather prospects are poor.
That said I don't fancy watching the shenanigans at Westminster either so I'd better go anyway!

Yeah, I'm kinda dreading turning the phone on at the end of the ride... Wind is showing all sorts of variations on southerly, in various strengths.

As long as it doesn't turn into a Northerly I'll be happy.

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #209 on: 18 October, 2019, 01:45:36 pm »
The forecast is not looking good, but still practically dry compared to last weekend's deluge.


quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #210 on: 18 October, 2019, 01:49:38 pm »
Are we looking at the same forecasts?

I'm seeing 1.8mm of rain in one hour late in the evening, winds of force 3 from the south or southwest.

Sure the first 100km are going to be a bit hard, but the tail wind home is welcome...

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #211 on: 18 October, 2019, 02:36:54 pm »
Are we looking at the same forecasts?

I'm seeing 1.8mm of rain in one hour late in the evening, winds of force 3 from the south or southwest.

Sure the first 100km are going to be a bit hard, but the tail wind home is welcome...

J

I'm looking here: https://www.weerplaza.nl/nederland/rotterdam/16707/: Not much rain, but certainly not dry.

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #212 on: 18 October, 2019, 02:51:22 pm »
Are we looking at the same forecasts?

I'm seeing 1.8mm of rain in one hour late in the evening, winds of force 3 from the south or southwest.

Sure the first 100km are going to be a bit hard, but the tail wind home is welcome...

J

I'm looking here: https://www.weerplaza.nl/nederland/rotterdam/16707/: Not much rain, but certainly not dry.

I'm looking here: https://www.buienradar.nl/weer/rotterdam/nl/2747891/5daagse

The numbers from weerplaza look more like lumpy mist rather than rain.

Perhaps I just have a higher threshold for "crap weather". But it's all looking pretty benign. I may even have feeling in my toes for some of the ride!

J

--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #213 on: 18 October, 2019, 03:03:09 pm »


I'm looking here: https://www.buienradar.nl/weer/rotterdam/nl/2747891/5daagse

The numbers from weerplaza look more like lumpy mist rather than rain.

Perhaps I just have a higher threshold for "crap weather". But it's all looking pretty benign. I may even have feeling in my toes for some of the ride!


I don't trust Buienradar when it comes to predicting rain (ironically).

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #214 on: 18 October, 2019, 03:06:48 pm »
I don't trust Buienradar when it comes to predicting rain (ironically).

The Norwegians don't agree either:

https://www.yr.no/place/Netherlands/South_Holland/Rotterdam/hour_by_hour_detailed.html

Pack waterproofs, pack sunblock, see what happens...

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #215 on: 18 October, 2019, 03:35:40 pm »

I think the Norwegian one looks similar to what the KNMI and KMI.be (Belgian) are saying. Most of it will be before 12.00 and it might
brighten up later on, I also dont trust Buienradar that much. The forecast has got a little better the last 24hrs so there is no excuse for me
not to turn up.
Regards,

Alan

Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #216 on: 18 October, 2019, 03:37:46 pm »

The Norwegians don't agree either:

https://www.yr.no/place/Netherlands/South_Holland/Rotterdam/hour_by_hour_detailed.html

Pack waterproofs, pack sunblock, see what happens...

Reminds me of Bill Bryson's quote on weather forecast in Britain:"Warm and dry, with cooler and rainy spells"

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #217 on: 18 October, 2019, 08:09:16 pm »

Gusts of upto 40kph... That does not look pretty.



I wonder if I can find a group to hang on to...

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #218 on: 19 October, 2019, 08:01:00 am »
I'm entered for today (being a bit of a fan of both Bridges and Tunnels) but yesterday was less than fun and involved hiding in cafes and bailing on to a train. My (recently broken) fingers are aching so we're off tilting at windmills instead. On a waterbus. Have fun, audaxers.

Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #219 on: 19 October, 2019, 07:00:26 pm »
Very strange: apart from cycling to the start, it was a dry ride. It didn't go very smoothly as I had a bit of a cold. Mostly solo for the first 100k, then I picked up a guy who was struggling and who hung in my back wheel for the remainder of the ride. Nonetheless, the company was nice and he bought me a beer at the arrivee.

Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #220 on: 19 October, 2019, 07:04:07 pm »
I'm entered for today (being a bit of a fan of both Bridges and Tunnels)

The tunnels were spectacular, surprisingly deep and steep. The bridges were not that special, but from the Brienenoord bridge there was a good view of the Rotterdam skyline.

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #221 on: 19 October, 2019, 10:16:29 pm »


Every

Fucking

Traffic light

In Rotterdam

Was Red.

Aaaaaargh.

I completed. In time. I'll give a more polite report later.

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #222 on: 20 October, 2019, 09:47:41 am »
I fell when I crossed a cattle grid after 20km, I wasn't the only one this happened to.
After CP3 my right leg started to stiffen up so I ended up getting in after dark.
The last 30km loop around Rotterdam was interesting and surprisingly  little to no rain, what are those weather forecasters doing?
Regards,

Alan

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #223 on: 20 October, 2019, 10:50:57 am »
I fell when I crossed a cattle grid after 20km, I wasn't the only one this happened to.
After CP3 my right leg started to stiffen up so I ended up getting in after dark.
The last 30km loop around Rotterdam was interesting and surprisingly  little to no rain, what are those weather forecasters doing?

I saw someone come down on that cattle grid too. Cross them at 90 degrees and make sure there is no lean to your bike!!

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Re: Dutch brevets in 2019
« Reply #224 on: 20 October, 2019, 01:21:37 pm »
The reason was a little more simple than my own lack of technique....
 I was too busy with my Garmin and didn't even see it until I was going down  :facepalm:
Regards,

Alan