Big Italain Bike Ride - 04 May 2014

[peterbryson]

All those participating should have notification of sign on and start times for this event. Can those going leave a post here so we can gather as a club on the day and set out for the ride together. People may have different start times so we would need to organise meeting on the road if possible after the start. My start time is Sunday 4th May 2014 Z- 7:40 to 8:00 Registration detail below


Groups will be set off at 5 minute intervals within these starting windows and should you wish to cycle with a particular group or a number of club-mates, we would suggest that you arrange to meet in adequate time ahead of your start window so that you are all able to approach the starting line together, meeting with your group Campione.



Registration is from 4pm to 7pm on Saturday 3rd May at the Odyssey Pavilion (BT3 9QQ) with strictly limited further registration available on Sunday 4th May from 6am for those residing outside of a 50 mile radius of Belfast

[Zako]

Me and Davy Hawthorne are the Campione's for the Medio Fondo (85 miles), and our start time is between 8 and 8:30am so hopefully we will get away in the fist group.

[Graham B]

I'm signed up for the full distance Start time 7.20-7.40am.

Good idea regarding meeting up post start Peter. Would be great to ride this one as a club group at a steady pace, I know I'm going to need all the support I can get to complete the distance!

[Zako]

Meant to say our start ti me is 8-8:20am, not 8:30

[badger]

My start time is 7.00 - 7.20 for the Gran Fondo. What time are we going to meet?

[garybailie]

My start time is 7.00 -7.20, I have pulled a calf muscle after unceremoniously hitting the deck yesterday, so will be on light duties this week

[ivan]

My start time is 7.00 - 7.20. Depending on Mr Bryson to get me round this one.

[johnyward]

Guys I just posted on FB if you let me know in advance I can take the photos on the day
as I have the Marathon on Mon cant take part in the Rideout?

Meeting points, Ideas for good back drops etc.......

[garyg]

Glad you started this thread Pete, I was going to but I was working at a guy's bike this evening.

Like GB, Badger and Ivan my start time is 0700-07.20.

Personally I think that we need to reach a consensus in respect of a start window for those doing the Gran Fondo (those doing the medio or corto should get together and decide their own).

I am happy to go in either the 0700-0720 window or the 0720-0740 window depending on the majority view.

There is a crowd of Kaner's riders who will be away first and they will be aiming for at least a 20mph average, and I am sure there will be others.

I would have thought a 18 ave. would suit us (easier in a big group).

We could start at the back of the first window (07.15) or the start of the next (0720) or wait until 0740?

Opinions people?

[Graham B]

Agree, 18 mph average sounds like plenty fast enough for 140 miles.

I suspect they won't really segregate the different start windows, it will just be a big queue of riders and they will let groups of 50-100 riders go off the front of the queue every 5 mins.

I would suggest we just aim to be assembled as a group at 7am ready to join the queue, hopefully setting off around 7.15am. Only a suggestion though

Johny, thanks for the offer of taking photos. If you were keen to meet up with the group at some point on the ride to take photos, the best places would probably be the food stops, which according to the route maps on the website are Ballymena, Ballintoy, Glenarm & Carrickfergus.

[peterbryson]

Apologies for not getting back but it has taken me some time to get over Mr Bradford posting on the message board! Ivan you know I am always on hand to slow you down just as long as you don't use me like in Majorca for that big jump up the hills!

Looks like the plan is to be ready to go meeting at 7.00 we can take it from there - not sure about car parking arrangements but if we are texting phoning each other on the morning we can pick a good point to meet up - maybe pre arrange at the sign on Saturday?

Also to say I for one will not be looking to go anywhere near a 20 mph average for this distance - steady and progressive is the mantra for this one - need to keep an eye to the weather

[Graham B]

If anyone wants a lift down on the Sunday morning (from the Dromore area), let me know as I have space for another bike on the car. Regarding parking, it's probably going to be carnage in the Odyssey car park, I might try to park along the Sydenham road somewhere.

[garybailie]

If its like any dromara run I've been on....... well Peter, I'll say no more lol, don't think I'm going, so anyone who wants my place get yer speak in now !

[Graham B]

What's up Gary? Just read your earlier post - did you come off the bike?

[paulb]

If anyone is doing the Medio Fondo (85 miles) there are a few of us heading off at 8.40 to 9am. All welcome, but I didn't see any posts mentioning the Medio... Let me know if anyone wants to join us so I can look out for you.

[peterbryson]

Great day out, Dromara riding strong as a club all day, the road north out of Ballymena is awesome, smooth surface for what seemed like 15 plus miles and some great work by all riding up and over to make time recovering from a puncture, the coast road was headwind but the views more than made up, if we have a good day on Saturday it will be a great advert for this part of the world, great to hear people saying they wanted ride with us at the tea stops, back for 4 ish for a beer with 145 on the clock, others can post about averages but it was north of 19. Hard to pick anyone out but Bruyneil was a late show and the £50 banana is all I can say, Crafty and Nathan strong all day on the front, Ivan for his careers advice for living on the North Coast, Bart is a freak but in a good way, Stephen and Graham for keeping order, Malcomb for the family fan club and a strong ride, Mathew for generally looking and riding like a neo-pro..... All good