2009 SWRC Early Spring Cyclosportive

For the second weekend in a row I participated in a sportive in the Northern Downs.  This week it was the SWRC (South West Road Club) Early Spring Cyclosportive.
The sun was out and more importantly it was dry.  The conditions had me in two minds as to what to wear.  Last weekend I was cold whenever I was stationary.  Not wanting a repeat I decided to err on the side of warmth, so headed out with base layer, softshell, gillet, winter gloves and skullcap.  This week I was too hot.  Within the first 20km, I needed to take off the skullcap and have the front of my gillet and softshell open to allow air in.  I say this as though it was hot ... it wasn't, it was only 9C max but it was warm in the sun.
Unlike last week, I was alone, so I was able to ride at my own pace.  No waiting for others, no excessive stops at drinks stations etc.  I had wanted to complete the course under 4hr, so was delighted to finish in 3hr45min (Garmin Connect) ... particularly as I hadn't factored in the gradients of the hills in the second half of the course especially Combe Hill.
The Cyclosport video provides a fantastic insight to the route and the conditions.


Bike route 129698 - powered by Bikemap 

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