http://www.vatternrundan.se/default.aspx?lang=1

it's a 300k route around a swedish lake.
The furthest I have gone before is the DD.
I did that fixed and just survived but do you think I am pushing my luck now?

whats the course like.what time do you expect to do it in.whats your avg speed right now and do you have a good base milage to increase on?

AA wants me to do it too.
That's a buggery long way. And when you factor in the added distance of translating each mile from Swedish, it's like a zillion km in English.
And it leaves at 1:30 in the bloody morning.

Does that reveal my two-mindedness?
Better get some riding in then, eh?

plus he is going to drive us there and then we camp.
You know his swedish friends that are doing it are semi-pro.
But I'll do it if you do. We can just stop and rest a lot.

thats a link to the course. It's not too hilly. I expect to do it in 15hrs, well so I've been told. Right now I can quite happily cycle 50ish miles on a saturday/sunday and not really have any issues. I hardly ever go further than that except for special occasions. Once or twice a year, to dunnich or to my dads outside Oxfordshire kind of thing.

Woohoo!

I think a posse of londoners did this fixed a few years ago. Got some funny looks from other riders, especially cos one of them was a girl.

A girl?

Im doing this fixed, but probably a few weeks before the actual race (the starting times are individual, it costs too much and I dont want to buy two brakes. you can also watch the weather forecast and postpone it)

I live 50km away from the starting point, so make it 400km for me. <15-20h. no hurry.

ewwwww cuddies

Didn't see the bit about two brakes.
Did see the bit about buying a helmet.
And paying.

Two brakes is annoying. Especially as I'd have to get those pricey clip-on ones.
Or fakes, I suppose.

Cuddies?
Cooties, non?

oui

Ah. Eet all becomes clear.
Merci, my leetle pigeon.

ah brakes...didn't see that bit.

in the uk a fixed wheel is regarded as a brake. So you would only need a front one. Do the regulations say that it must be a lever operated brake?

I can't actually find anything about brakes it just says your bike has to have 2 wheels, no airo bars and have the bar ends plugged.

After re-reading it again I am super keen. Come on Addie lets do it.

Ive been looking up this brake thing.. Ive seen in forums etc. that you must have "two independent brakes" (not 100% confirmed)
There's nothing in the swedish law about fixed wheel beeing a brake or not. Until someone recives a bill and decides not to pay and blah blah you know the drill, until then we dont know wether its considered a brake or not. But they say that the bike has to be equipped according to swedish regulations, wich means you need a brake (foot operated or lever operated -interpret your self) and a bell (I dont think they'll refuse you to start if you dont have a bell..) and when it's dark you also need front and rear light (white/yellow and red, NOT flashing), white reflector front, red reflector rear and yellow/orange or white reflectors to the sides. This is quoted and translated from the swedish road administration.

New poster here - long time lurker and nothing to sell (yet).

I've entered this and am thinking about doing it fixed, need to get some training in though. Did it geared last year in about 14:30 hrs, which seemed about average, so would guess maybe an hour longer on fixed. Its a great event - 17,000 odd cyclists take over a small town for the weekend, brilliant atmosphere, plenty of food stops and a surprising number of Brits. Middle of the night start, motorcycle escort out of town and sunrise at 2:30 am adds to it all, although it does catch up with you at about 200k - I was in serious need of sleep at about 9am, caffeine, energy gels and nicotine just about got me going again. Didn't see any other fixed, but the hills aren't bad, although that little pimple at 270k is seriously hard work after 12 hours riding. Get's cold in the middle of the night and I guess would be pretty grim in the rain - but once you are wet...

I wouldn't worry about the back brake, all they really check for is lights - nobody seemed to bother with reflectors. 70 people start every 2 minutes for about 12 hours, so you only get a very quick lookover. Its just about sold out though, so I'd get an entry in quickly if you are going to go for it.

Thanks balmain.
I may be knocking on your door a bit closer to the time to get some advice.

Feel free - 4 of us went last year so i know the logistics side of it well. But the feasibility of doing it fixed - I'm probably in the same boat as you. Must get some long rides in soon.

As soon as it gets warmer and dry outside I'll do the ride.. starting in the dark early in the morning and try to get home before midnight. This will occur in late april/early may. Ill post a note along with some pictures.

What gear ratio do you reckon is best to use?

I've paid up for a place now so i guess its on.
Better start training......

68" gear is a good allround long distance gear, 300km usually takes between 15 and 17 hours for me depending on how hilly it is.

Two brakes are good on long rides, I always use two as leg braking kills your knees :)
Good luck.

good stats... hows the scars?

remember seeing your holdsworth...nice ride!

Ray

All healed up now, chin just has a reddish patch on it still but that will go soon enough