8 weeks go go
The bike is nominally prepared, though as yet un-tested, due to inclement weather. To convert the gravel bike to a fast-tourer I have;
- Swapped the tyres to 44mm road slicks, with 125ml of sealant. Target presure is 38psi (+2psi when loaded)
- Swapped gearing from 42-11/46 to 50-11/46
- Reduced handlebar width from 40cm with flare to 36cm with minimum flare
- Pedals swapped from SPD to SPD-SL
Weighs in at 8.5kg (inc cages and pedals), which is pretty decent for something running those tyres and rims.
Luggage has been bought and fitted (but untested as yet). Got a total carry capacity of 35.5 litres, which should be more than enough. Not done a full packing list as yet, but have been making sure that I have some specific equipment sorted;
- Small battery bank (for phone, Garmin, bike gears etc)
- A lightweight waterproof jacket (which weirdly I didn't already have). Purchased from Decathlon after travelling to Leeds to check sizes
- Some foldaway reading glasses, as I'll probably have paperwork at the hotel
Pretty sure I already have everything else on the potential packing list (a lot of the packing will depend on weather forecast, so will be done closer to the time).
I've got all tickets etc bought or reserved. I have my return ferry trip booked (which is expensive as P&O insist on cyclist booking a cabin). I have my sportive entry booked for the Saturday 4th April. Hotel is reserved, and I pay on arrival.
In terms of route planning, I've started working on this, and also working on Plan B and Plan C options (most notably for the return, in case of injury, extreme fatigue or dangerous weather). Cycle routes are being checked all the way via Google Maps to make sure it's all properly cycleable on road slicks.
Day 1
Harrogate to Hull - Approximately 110km. Ferry check-in opens from 5pm, final check-in 7pm.
- Plan A - ride (approx 25km/h = 5 hours)
- Plan B - train (approx 2 hours with 1 change. No bike reservation required)
- Plan C - beg a lift from Gill
Day 2
Rotterdam Ferry Port to Waregem - Approximately 210km. Disembarkation approximately 9am.
- Plan A - ride (approx 25km/h = 9 hours) via Antwerp - Checked Route
- Plan B - ride a shorter route (approx 165km @ 25km/h = 6½ hours) via Vlissigen-Breskens ferry. Hourly sailings, €5.50 cost. Cycle route is very exposed, probably not suitable for windy conditions - Checked Route TBC
- Plan C - train from Rotterdam to Waregem - takes approximately 2 hours, costs €20-30 (with separate bicycle ticket) and a change in Antwerp. Note that Rotterdam station is a good 35-40km from the port - Checked Route TBC
Day 3
Waregem - Oudenaarde return (approximately 40-50km) for registration
- Plan A - ride (approx 25km/h = 2 hours)
- Plan B - no plan B, if I cannot ride 50km slowly, I'm not doing the sportive 😂
Day 4
Waregem to Oudenaarde return (approx 40-50km) + Ronde Van Vlaanderen sportive (approx 160km)
- Plan A - ride (full gas)
- Plan B - see Plan B above
Day 5
Waregem - Oudenaarde return (approimxately 40-50km) and spectating
- Plan A - ride (approx 25km/h = 2 hours), hopefully spectate on Koppenberg or Oude Kwaarmont
- Plan B - Bus from Waregem to Oudenaarde (approx 40 minutes)
- Plan C - watch via streaming 😒
Day 6
Waregem to Rotterdam Ferry Port - approximately 210km. Ferry embarks from 5pm, final check-in 7:30pm
- Plan A - ride (approx 25km/h = 9 hours) via Antwerp - Checked Route TBC
- Plan B - ride a shorter route (approx 165km @ 25km/h = 6½ hours) via Vlissigen-Breskens ferry. Hourly sailings, €5.50 cost. Cycle route is very exposed, probably not suitable for windy conditions - Checked Route TBC
- Plan C - train from Waregem to Rotterdam - takes approximately 2 hours, costs €20-30 (with separate bicycle ticket) and a change in Antwerp. Note that Rotterdam station is a good 35-40km from the port - Checked Route TBC
Day 7
Hull to Harrogate - Approximately 110km. Ferry arrives about 7am
- Plan A - ride (approx 25km/h = 5 hours)
- Plan B - train (approx 2 hours with 1 change. No bike reservation required)
- Plan C - beg a lift from Gill
Plan A seems eminently doable. While the distances are fairly large, everything (expect the sportive itself) is incredibly flat (Hull to Harrogate is ~500m of elevation. Rotterdam to Waregem is about 3-400m of elevation, with the majority of riding on dedicated hard-surface paths alongside canals and trainlines). Long days have generous timelines. Plan B/C options are fairly flexible in terms of time, and having done investigation into european trains and bikes, there is rarely an issue, with trains typically having dedicated bike carriages (unlike Uk trains with 3-4 spots max).
Outline plan will be stops every ~50km on the longer days (roughly co-inciding with York or Selby in the UK, and Antwerp, Ghent and Steenbergen on the continent). The trickiest navigation will be riding through Zeeland in the Netherlands, and heading through the larger cities (Antwerp and Ghent).
Main risk currently is, if I am injured and/or terminal bike failure, I need a method of getting from Rotterdam Central train station to the port. There is no public transport, so it will either be a taxi (expensive, awkward with a bike), or I need to have a way of getting a bike 40km. I'll form a list of bike shops in central Rotterdam for emergency repairs, and also make sure I have an enhanced toolkit over normal. If I can get air in the tyres, and fudge a single-speed solution with a chain-breaker, I can probably ride there.
Still to Do
- Test run bike and luggage setup (full load over ~80-100km)
- Finalise Plan A routes
- Finalise Plan B/C routes
- Final packing list
- Get list of bike shops in Waregem, Oudenaarde and Rotterdam
- ID bike-friendly stopping points approx 50km apart on long days