{"id":6449,"date":"2016-07-05T22:56:02","date_gmt":"2016-07-05T21:56:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.markwilson.co.uk\/blog\/?p=6449"},"modified":"2016-07-09T15:35:52","modified_gmt":"2016-07-09T14:35:52","slug":"reflecting-riding-ridestaffs-68-mile-sportive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.markwilson.co.uk\/blog\/2016\/07\/reflecting-riding-ridestaffs-68-mile-sportive.htm","title":{"rendered":"Reflecting on riding the #RideStaffs 68-mile sportive"},"content":{"rendered":"

Back in 2013, when I bought my first road bike since the “racer” of my teens, the first sportive I took part in was the Tour [of Britain] Ride in Staffordshire – setting out from Stoke-on-Trent<\/a>. Now I work for a Stafford-based IT services company <\/a>and when I heard we were sponsoring the Staffordshire Cycling Festival<\/a> (@RideStaffs<\/a>)\u00a0it\u00a0gave me a chance\u00a0to a return visit, although a little further south this time!<\/p>\n

(Ironically, the Tour Ride<\/a> has moved to my home county of Northamptonshire this year… but I can’t make it.)<\/p>\n

So, last Sunday, blessed with some summer sunshine (at last!) I rocked up at Shugborough Hall wearing my risual orange jersey, the only one of the team joining the 68 mile sportive (though quite a few of the guys took part in the 22 miler<\/a>).<\/p>\n

With rolling hills from the off, at Milford we took a sharp left and then Bang! we hit the climb up onto Cannock Chase. The first 30 minutes were slow, grinding my way up onto the Chase until we turned left on Brindley Heath and headed down towards Rugeley. I’d just got going at full speed (hitting just over 60kph) when I realised I needed to take a left turn half way down a hill and grabbed the brakes hard – no discs on my road bike! I managed to\u00a0scrub off speed and make the turn, then hooked onto the back of a small peloton with 2 other riders down towards Rugeley. After taking turns for a while, we hit the A51 and missed the route sign – but it seemed wrong to be heading west so quickly and, as we were heading back towards Shugborough, I turned around and retraced my steps, picking up the correct route again a mile back down the road and passing my hotel from the previous night!<\/p>\n

The next section took in mostly flat roads near Lichfield and Alrewas, nipping over the border into Derbyshire before turning over the River Trent and up to the first stop at Barton-under-Needwood. After taking on water and flapjack I started chatting with the owners of two beautifully restored 1970s\u00a0Colnagos with glorious etching and chromework, one of whom even had a traditional wool jersey, cap (no helmets in the ’70s I guess) and leather saddle bag!<\/p>\n

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Saw some fantastic recently-restored 1970s Colnagos on the #RideStaffs<\/a> #Ride68<\/a> today pic.twitter.com\/wyhqAZiCUu<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mark Wilson (@markwilsonit) July 3, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Despite my slow start, I’d averaged over 27kph but realised why as we set off again towards Uttoxeter – turning into\u00a0the wind that had previously been helping me along (though Hanbury Bank offered a welcome break) . To make matters worse my bike seemed to be grinding from the bottom bracket… time to see Kev at Olney Bikes<\/a> again for repairs…<\/p>\n

After another stop in Uttoxeter (where one rider was conducting the town band – he later told me they split over “musical differences”!) we set off again over some undulating terrain towards the last major climb at Sandon (and what a killer that was).<\/p>\n

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One #Ride68<\/a> rider found time to stop and conduct the band in Uttoxeter! #RideStaffs<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Tn6Ji3hr1D<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mark Wilson (@markwilsonit) July 3, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I skipped the final stop (it was only for water and was carrying plenty of fluids) and pushed on with a large group riding into Stafford – past the Technology Park where our offices are – but was dropped again as we turned left up past the University. From there it was a steady ride on into Shugborough… ending slightly-extended 68 mile ride!<\/p>\n

As I crossed the line, I was handed my goody bag musette style, including a variety of\u00a0items but most importantly a beer token!\u00a0 My official time was a respectable 5 hours 8 minutes, but Strava told me I’d only been moving for 4 hours and 39, climbing 1235 metres in the process.<\/p>\n

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Gotta love a sportive that ends with a beer #RideStaffs<\/a> #Ride68<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/J0vlIQlc00<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mark Wilson (@markwilsonit) July 3, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n