Words and photos NeilPryde Epic Rider Craig Brophy
In late April together with my friend Graham we signed up for a truly Epic Ride which is to take place in mid-September. The Amsterdam 300 is a two-day bike ride from the centre of London to the Dam Square in Amsterdam, covering 300 miles.
Realising we have a mammoth challenge ahead we decided it was time to get some training in and get the legs and body ready for what was to come. The first ride we were going to take on was the Three Counties Cycle Ride.
Originally the Three Counties Cycle Ride travelled through the three counties of Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey. But in 2011 the route was changed and would only go through Berkshire and Oxfordshire instead.
So, from our base in Winnersh, we made our way onto the ride circuit just outside of Twyford. From there we headed north toward Sonning and Sonning Common. Here we came across the UK’s very Duckingham Palace, home to all the ducks in Sonning.
Now Sonning Common was only 20km into our ride, but it also marked the start of the long ascend that we were to face ahead of us.
For the next 15km we rode from an elevation of 51m to 222m. A challenge that the Diablo just loves to take on. What makes this challenge of ascending all the better was knowing that after the climb the next 15km into Henley-on-Thames is the most exhilarating descend. Another challenge the Diablo gladly accepts –assertive and solid the entire way down.
Once out of Henley-on-Thames, the remaining 40km’s of road are all rolling hills. If your legs still have it in them, this is the time to go all out and attack those remaining miles.
Now if you want to challenge yourself, go and do the route in reverse, taking in the 15km ascent from Henley-on-Thames. All in all, it’s a great ride covering 90 kilometres, climbing over 672m.
The route map can be found here: http://app.strava.com/rides/679719
| Craig's bike: Diablo Ultegra | |
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