Fred Whitton 2014
Discussion
Anyone else doing this? The entry closes on Saturday (11th Jan) and I'm in two minds. From all I have read, it sounds really tough and the Lake District weather seems to have made last year very hard.
I've got a couple of issues, apart from the level of difficulty (!). It would mean staying overnight for me before and after the event, and I would need to change my cassette. This is due replacing anyway, but I am struggling to find a 9 speed Campag cassette with more than 28 teeth, and as I have a standard chainset, I think I need more than 28. Then of course there is the 4 months severe training I need to put in!
If anyone has done it before, can you share your ecperiences, and let me know what gears you ran?
I've got a couple of issues, apart from the level of difficulty (!). It would mean staying overnight for me before and after the event, and I would need to change my cassette. This is due replacing anyway, but I am struggling to find a 9 speed Campag cassette with more than 28 teeth, and as I have a standard chainset, I think I need more than 28. Then of course there is the 4 months severe training I need to put in!
If anyone has done it before, can you share your ecperiences, and let me know what gears you ran?
I've not done the Whitton but some on here have, I did ride Hardknott last year though, compact chainset and a 11-32 Cassette. I used first gear! Only time ever. Probably could have pushed a 30 though if that's all I had but I'd have said unless you are very strong you want a compact 50/34 chainset for that ride and a wide range cassette, bear in mind some rear mech's won't take more than 28 teeth.
Gonna enter , either got a steel bike with 34/30 or a lighter alu bike with 39/26 as a bottom, will hopefully have a new carbon bike by then, but ideally will have a double on there.
Legs say 39/26 will be low enough, but mind says no! I think I'd be ok up Hardknott in isolation , but not after 80 or so miles . Will see what I got closer the time.
Legs say 39/26 will be low enough, but mind says no! I think I'd be ok up Hardknott in isolation , but not after 80 or so miles . Will see what I got closer the time.
TwistingMyMelon said:
Gonna enter , either got a steel bike with 34/30 or a lighter alu bike with 39/26 as a bottom, will hopefully have a new carbon bike by then, but ideally will have a double on there.
Legs say 39/26 will be low enough, but mind says no! I think I'd be ok up Hardknott in isolation , but not after 80 or so miles . Will see what I got closer the time.
39/26... good luck with that. It's a steep twisty 33% in places. I was happy I had 34/32 Legs say 39/26 will be low enough, but mind says no! I think I'd be ok up Hardknott in isolation , but not after 80 or so miles . Will see what I got closer the time.
Silver940 said:
TwistingMyMelon said:
Gonna enter , either got a steel bike with 34/30 or a lighter alu bike with 39/26 as a bottom, will hopefully have a new carbon bike by then, but ideally will have a double on there.
Legs say 39/26 will be low enough, but mind says no! I think I'd be ok up Hardknott in isolation , but not after 80 or so miles . Will see what I got closer the time.
39/26... good luck with that. It's a steep twisty 33% in places. I was happy I had 34/32 Legs say 39/26 will be low enough, but mind says no! I think I'd be ok up Hardknott in isolation , but not after 80 or so miles . Will see what I got closer the time.
Beginning of May usually. Just at the point where the weather can be kind, but also potentially a massive headache.
I've done it the last 3 years. First time was dry but windy, second time was heavy rain and cold, and last year was cool with a few showers but light winds. The weather can turn what is a very tough ride into a significant challenge. Two years ago dozens of riders abandoned at the second feed stop with the onset of hypothermia - this was from crossing the aptly named 'Cold Fell' in the pissing rain.
As long as you adequately prepare, 80+ miles every weekend for the prior couple of months then it's an enjoyable ride in wonderful surroundings. If you don't prepare then you'll spend 9 or 10 hours in complete misery!
Good luck to those that enter, I'll keep my eyes peeled for fellow PH riders although I'll be sporting my club's kit this time round. Aiming for sub-7 hours this time.
I've done it the last 3 years. First time was dry but windy, second time was heavy rain and cold, and last year was cool with a few showers but light winds. The weather can turn what is a very tough ride into a significant challenge. Two years ago dozens of riders abandoned at the second feed stop with the onset of hypothermia - this was from crossing the aptly named 'Cold Fell' in the pissing rain.
As long as you adequately prepare, 80+ miles every weekend for the prior couple of months then it's an enjoyable ride in wonderful surroundings. If you don't prepare then you'll spend 9 or 10 hours in complete misery!
Good luck to those that enter, I'll keep my eyes peeled for fellow PH riders although I'll be sporting my club's kit this time round. Aiming for sub-7 hours this time.
nammynake said:
Beginning of May usually. Just at the point where the weather can be kind, but also potentially a massive headache.
I've done it the last 3 years. First time was dry but windy, second time was heavy rain and cold, and last year was cool with a few showers but light winds. The weather can turn what is a very tough ride into a significant challenge. Two years ago dozens of riders abandoned at the second feed stop with the onset of hypothermia - this was from crossing the aptly named 'Cold Fell' in the pissing rain.
As long as you adequately prepare, 80+ miles every weekend for the prior couple of months then it's an enjoyable ride in wonderful surroundings. If you don't prepare then you'll spend 9 or 10 hours in complete misery!
Good luck to those that enter, I'll keep my eyes peeled for fellow PH riders although I'll be sporting my club's kit this time round. Aiming for sub-7 hours this time.
Is that 1 no 80+ mile per weekend, or 2 No 40+ rides? I cannot afford that sort of time on the weekends, so it will be a 10hr sufferfest! I've done it the last 3 years. First time was dry but windy, second time was heavy rain and cold, and last year was cool with a few showers but light winds. The weather can turn what is a very tough ride into a significant challenge. Two years ago dozens of riders abandoned at the second feed stop with the onset of hypothermia - this was from crossing the aptly named 'Cold Fell' in the pissing rain.
As long as you adequately prepare, 80+ miles every weekend for the prior couple of months then it's an enjoyable ride in wonderful surroundings. If you don't prepare then you'll spend 9 or 10 hours in complete misery!
Good luck to those that enter, I'll keep my eyes peeled for fellow PH riders although I'll be sporting my club's kit this time round. Aiming for sub-7 hours this time.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff