Giro Della Donna 2018

[P!N20]

Who's doing it? How's the training going? Whatpressureyourunning?

I'll be the retrogrouch on the steel Pinarello. Come and say hi and give me a push.

[ironhanglider]

I'm doing it.

I'll be on the steel Daccordi that doesn't take more than a 21mm tyre. (Unless the weather is bad and I decide on my commuter with mudguards).

I haven't done any training, but I ride often enough. I must get out on Sunday for something a bit longer.

I'll be running tubulars, undecided on pressure, possibly 80/90 for my 95kg. I may go a bit higher, if I'm too nervous about pinch flats. My biggest decision is whether to go for the more aero and lighter carbon wheels, or the traditional skinny box section Al rims.

Cheers,

Cameron

[cyclotaur]

When is it?

[P!N20]

When is it?

25th November.

https://cyclingtips.com/125km-giro-della-donna/

[P!N20]

A mate of mine has copped an injury and may have to pull out*, so if you're thinking about registering, I might be able to save you a few bucks.**

* Decision not final, but not looking good.

** I don't know how much he will be asking, but seeing as it's not sold out (yet) I don't think he'll be looking for the full entry fee.

Edit: looks like he's going to front up.

[P!N20]

I'll be on the steel Daccordi that doesn't take more than a 21mm tyre. (Unless the weather is bad and I decide on my commuter with mudguards).

I spotted your Daccordi before the start, but didn't see you on the ride.

Another good day suffering on the hills around Warburton. Lessons learnt; 39/23 is not ideal for that final pinch of Donna with 100k's in the legs.

[cyclotaur]

.....
Another good day suffering on the hills around Warburton. Lessons learnt; 39/23 is not ideal for that final pinch of Donna with 100k's in the legs.

How did you go over the top of the ridge beyond Camberville ? ~2 kms at 9-10%...?

[P!N20]

How did you go over the top of the ridge beyond Camberville ? ~2 kms at 9-10%...?

Yeah that’s a fine howdy do after Reefton! I was still feeling reasonably fresh at that point, and I knew it was coming, so it wasn’t too bad. Having said that I was well and truly out of the saddle for most of it!

[cyclotaur]

How did you go over the top of the ridge beyond Camberville ? ~2 kms at 9-10%...?

Yeah that’s a fine howdy do after Reefton! I was still feeling reasonably fresh at that point, and I knew it was coming, so it wasn’t too bad. Having said that I was well and truly out of the saddle for most of it!

Good effort, well done.

[ironhanglider]

I'll be on the steel Daccordi that doesn't take more than a 21mm tyre. (Unless the weather is bad and I decide on my commuter with mudguards).

I spotted your Daccordi before the start, but didn't see you on the ride.

Another good day suffering on the hills around Warburton. Lessons learnt; 39/23 is not ideal for that final pinch of Donna with 100k's in the legs.

I looked, and found a few old steel bikes around, a Kenevans, a Gellie, an orange Colnago Master, among others, but no Pinarello.

Mechanically I was happy with my choice of the low profile aluminium rims, the 11-28 cassette, and my tyres, I decided to run 90/100psi in the end which is still lowish for 21 and 22mm tyres at my weight.

I decided that I would think more seriously about my pacing this year, so I deliberately started towards the back so that I was not surrounded by those that want to race the course. Compared to last year I was 2min slower for the first 20km, a little quicker (30s or so) for the Reefton spur climb, but pleasingly I was about 10min quicker for the last 20km (I didn't finish well last year). I found the gravel section to be really good this year, and I passed a lot of people whilst doing my best Tom Boonen impersonation, but I couldn't remember his song to go with it.

Most pleasing for me was that I was passing people in the last few km of tarmac when many were in their lowest gear and doing whatever speed matched the 60-70rpm which was all they could manage. On a dare I even managed to do the last bit of the climb in the big ring, but it wasn't fast and it was mechanically poor since I was also on the 28T cog. I was hoping that there would be a photographer taking live shots of the finishers to prove it, but alas no.

Cheers,

Cameron

[P!N20]

I looked, and found a few old steel bikes around, a Kenevans, a Gellie, an orange Colnago Master, among others, but no Pinarello.

The Kenevans was my mate Dave's - he did really well considering he nearly pulled out due to injury. I saw the orange 'Nago and Gellie, too. Here is the Pinarello:



^ Photo by Neil Hollingshead. (There's a Flickr album here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/128250564 ... 6028936758)

On a dare I even managed to do the last bit of the climb in the big ring, but it wasn't fast and it was mechanically poor since I was also on the 28T cog.

Dear god. It's like Stephen Roche in the '87 TdF all over again