My 5 minutes of fame

[timdownieuk]

On the Adventure show on my ElliptiGO.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06sq2cw

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
Its the Drafting bit I don't get
Dartmoor Classic is over 3000Mtrs.
Would be a nice ride though, you enjoy it

What is a Sportif

[horizon]

Well done Tim!

I wouldn't buy the bike (wouldn't mind the ride .... ) but it's good to see forum members on the TV!

PS What did you say the advantages of this bike were...?

[timdownieuk]

Well done Tim!

I wouldn't buy the bike (wouldn't mind the ride .... ) but it's good to see forum members on the TV!

PS What did you say the advantages of this bike were...?

Um, I'm sure there must be some...

It's a machine really intended as a cross trainer for runners. It works a greater range of muscles than a normal bike but is still fun to ride (as opposed to static training machines). Weight, noise and aerodynamics count against it compared to a bike but as an exercise machine, apart from the noise, these count as pluses.

As a runner I find it hard to get the same endorphine "hit" from cycling as I do from ElliptiGOing. It's just more "satisfying". And of course, you never get a sore bum.

Tim

[timdownieuk]

Hi,
Its the Drafting bit I don't get
Dartmoor Classic is over 3000Mtrs.
Would be a nice ride though, you enjoy it

What is a Sportif

One of the advantages of the GO is that you're rarely in a position to cheat by drafting anybody for long. As you point out, I'm sure that there are other hillier events. You surely don't expect program makers to check their facts first do you?

Regarding enjoyment, well it would have been a heck of a lot nicer without the low cloud, rain and strong head winds. "Endured" rather than enjoyed would be nearer the mark on that day, but just because of the challenging conditions. It was snowing at the finish line by the time I got there!

I'm gonna assume the last question is rhetorical or that you will have looked it up by now.

Tim

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
Yep I didn't realise you were riding something different
Blimey.........you deserve a medal
And the questions were not posed at you, but I suppose I am asking where "Sportif's" came from / came about, I will probably look it up now.
Cant even spell it "Cyclosportive" Well I looked it up, not because I don't know the difference between it and Audax -

"Cyclosportive is short for the French term randonnée cyclosportive (the spelling cyclosportif is sometimes also used but cyclosportive is correct as randonnée is a feminine noun in French)."

Just wondered where it came from.
Only thing that puts me off is the cost, but not so keen on some mass events like marathons where I used to run several abreast down country lanes.

[hercule]

Thanks for the link, both for stimulating some thought about the ElliptoGo and the Three Pistes Sportive.

I was aware of the ElliptoGo, I'm a keen runner and this year my cycling has taken a bit of a back seat as I've been pursing ultramarathon ambitions and a painful neck has also curbed my cycling. The neck doesn't bother me at all running, which is fortunate! I also have felt I lack in the cycling fitness sphere and whilst I can run 25 miles without much fuss the thought of cycling 100 leaves me rather daunted! Perhaps the ElliptiGo would allow me to capitalise on my running fitness? It's very hilly round here and much of my running is off road, and until I'd seen the documentary I didn't think I'd manage to get one up some of the hills round here, maybe I should revise that opinion.

In fact the Three Pistes is reasonably local to me, particularly the Lecht onwards, and I know how brutal those climbs are. I don't think I could even contemplate riding that distance on an upright (never mind the climbs) but I could tackle it on my Trice... long climbs at 3mph might leave me getting swept up by the broom waggon, however fast I manage the descents (55mph down the north side of the Lecht before I bottled out and applied the brakes...)

I shouldn't have looked any further, as I've discovered the Scottish dealer is in Stonehaven...

[timdownieuk]

Thanks for the link, both for stimulating some thought about the ElliptoGo and the Three Pistes Sportive.

I was aware of the ElliptoGo, I'm a keen runner and this year my cycling has taken a bit of a back seat as I've been pursing ultramarathon ambitions and a painful neck has also curbed my cycling. The neck doesn't bother me at all running, which is fortunate! I also have felt I lack in the cycling fitness sphere and whilst I can run 25 miles without much fuss the thought of cycling 100 leaves me rather daunted! Perhaps the ElliptiGo would allow me to capitalise on my running fitness? It's very hilly round here and much of my running is off road, and until I'd seen the documentary I didn't think I'd manage to get one up some of the hills round here, maybe I should revise that opinion.

In fact the Three Pistes is reasonably local to me, particularly the Lecht onwards, and I know how brutal those climbs are. I don't think I could even contemplate riding that distance on an upright (never mind the climbs) but I could tackle it on my Trice... long climbs at 3mph might leave me getting swept up by the broom waggon, however fast I manage the descents (55mph down the north side of the Lecht before I bottled out and applied the brakes...)

I shouldn't have looked any further, as I've discovered the Scottish dealer is in Stonehaven...

That'll be my friend George. He sold me his old machine. Before diving in, have a look at the new ElliptiGO Arc which is cheaper, lighter and a lot quieter. Different mechanics and perhaps more intense but still supposed to be usable for long rides and hills.

[[XAP]Bob]

On the Adventure show on my ElliptiGO.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06sq2cw

What time(s) in the show?

[timdownieuk]

On the Adventure show on my ElliptiGO.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06sq2cw

What time(s) in the show?

Dunno exactly. In the first 10 minutes of so.

[[XAP]Bob]

Gearing didn't look to great on the first climb - having said that, you made it! Chapaeu

[timdownieuk]

Gearing didn't look to great on the first climb - having said that, you made it! Chapaeu

The gearing was definitely a bit too tall. Managed to ride up Glenshee and Bridge of Brown but had to push up parts of the Lecht and push up parts to the finish at Cairngorm.

I swapped the 53 chain ring for a 48 for the Etape Royal and managed all the hills including the Lecht, but this time we were doing it from the "easy" side.

Tim

[MikeF]

Well done and thanks for posting.
I enjoyed watching it but beyond my capabilities!

[syklist]

On the Adventure show on my ElliptiGO.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06sq2cw

Ah, UK only