Fred Whitton 2013

[nammynake]

Is anyone else doing this? I did it last year for the first time and registered a pretty embarrassing time of 10 and a bit hours. In my defence I did have to wait at the top of every climb for my mate who is built for track sprinting not climbing!

I'm doing it solo this year but the long range forecast is looking quite windy so I'll have to try and join some groups if they don't mind.

Hoping to register a time of 8 hours something.

[nammynake]

Did anyone else do this? First few hours were windy but dry. It then rained heavily non-stop. Managed 7:51 total which I am pretty pleased with. Moving average 14.9mph.

Recommendations for waterproof gloves please?!!!!!

[McFsC]

Don't wear gloves. Ever.

Your hands are waterprrof.

[nammynake]

McFsC said:

Don't wear gloves. Ever.

Your hands are waterprrof.

Won't they get very cold from the wind?

[McFsC]

Nah, I done a Road Race today, for 2 hours. Rain was lashing, very windy, hands were too warm with no gloves. I suppose it depends how hard you're going. In the winter doing a long training ride I might wear them but if you're putting in an effort for most/all of the ride, I wouldn't bother.

[JamesGS]

Well done - Fred Whitton is a real challenge. I think Gore gloves and Sealskins both get decent reviews. To do that route in that time I think you probably were trying quite hard so feel justified in buying a pair of gloves ......!!!!

[okgo]

McFsC said:

Nah, I done a Road Race today, for 2 hours. Rain was lashing, very windy, hands were too warm with no gloves. I suppose it depends how hard you're going. In the winter doing a long training ride I might wear them but if you're putting in an effort for most/all of the ride, I wouldn't bother.

Pretty poor advice. Wait till you fall off and have deep cuts on your palms which will be full of grit...

[Rocksteadyeddie]

I have a pair of Gore gloves. Don't think much of them TBH. Sealskins generally get good reviews. Your hands will get wet but will also stay warm as they are made of neoprene.My son has a pair and loves them (given he's 10 I wouldn't necessarily take that as absolute gospel )

ETA Good effort to al that completed the Fred Witton. I know the roads well and it's tough cycling in that part of the World.

[nammynake]

JamesGS said:

Well done - Fred Whitton is a real challenge. I think Gore gloves and Sealskins both get decent reviews. To do that route in that time I think you probably were trying quite hard so feel justified in buying a pair of gloves ......!!!!

Thanks. It was a tough day and I was riding alone for long stretches. Hitting hardknott after 100 miles was tough. I've done Hardknott twice before but this time was the hardest because I'd been riding quite hard up to that point. No relief at the top either, the descent is....interesting.

Well done to anyone else who finished. I see on the results page that a few poor souls took over 12 hours to complete.