First on the agenda is a review of the Fred Whitton Challenge, which took place on Sunday 10th May 2015, by our roving sportive correspondent and thrill seeker, Jamie.
The Fred Whitton is well worth the trip to Grasmere where the organisation looks more like a professional one day classic than a sportive. Over two thousand people took part this year and we were clapped, encouraged, cowbelled and even pushed around the 112 mile route at some points.
Setting out after a large bowl of porridge and a decent night’s sleep in the YHA at Langdale the weather was a bit wet, the forecast having been dry, drizzle, rain, lovely sunshine and apocalyptic wind depending on the location I entered in to the BBC weather site. Well, it’s the lakes after all. At quarter to seven I was ushered through the starting gate on to the road to Ambleside, where the rolling grace period lasts about thirty minutes before the first of the list of giants appears.
Kirkstone, Newlands, Honister (or the gates of doom – a seriously grim place) Whinlatter, Cold fell, Hardknott, Wrynose. I walked up bits of two and I even walked down bits of a couple of them when my nerve went totally after I started sliding down the back of the mountain.
I mentioned the encouragement and at almost every mile there were supporters waving union jacks and giving you the will to keep your legs spinning. Half way up Whinlatter especially, where the road was lined for about two hundred metres with cheering families and my friend Brian who was spending the day driving around trying to find places to tinkle his cowbell at me, his ACL injury forcing him to spend the day driving instead of being windbreak.
I don’t consider a sportive a real test unless I have a dark moment – mine came on the way to the top of Cold Fell where a bonk and a small kink in my chain combined to usher an hour of existential crisis. Ultimately this was seen off with four SIS gels one after another and a wiggle of the chain which popped the link back in and stopped it jumping sprockets.
As my spirits rose I descended in to Calderbridge and the second feedstation at 86 miles in where I emptied the millionaire shortbread supply and contemplated the last two obstacles before my free pie back at the finish.
Hardknott
Hardknott is not over rated. It looms like a wall at 98 miles in to the circuit and I managed two hundred metres before my legs stopped working. It was hard enough walking up the thing – there is no respite from the valley floor, just up and up and around, and up again and I have huge respect for everyone that overtook me in the saddle. Down the other side via a very very steep road disguised as a potted track and then the Wrynose bucks up, the gate to Elterwater and Ambleside and dry clothes.
My legs again failed me at the bottom although I did manage around half of the climb and I topped the summit, belched out in a cloud of clutch smoke from the three cars that had broken down just before the top.
I got back to Grasmere after eight and a half hours, tired and sore but keen to do the ride again next year. It really is an amazing event – friendly, very well organised and uniquely challenging.
Anyone fancy coming?
Picture of the Hardknott:
Honnister Pass - Mount Doom:
None of me I'm afraid.
Jamie
Wednesday Evening Training Ride
Seven of us rode a course through Badminton Park on what was a warm, sunny evening. Everyone recorded an average of at least 17mph, which shows just how far we as a club have come over the last three years.
Thursday Racing at Castle Combe
Wednesday Evening Training Ride
Seven of us rode a course through Badminton Park on what was a warm, sunny evening. Everyone recorded an average of at least 17mph, which shows just how far we as a club have come over the last three years.
Thursday Racing at Castle Combe
Max and George lead the way
If you haven't been before to the Thursday evening series at Castle Combe, there's plenty of parking, entry is free and you can get up close to the action on the track. Three races; Cats 3/4, Ladies, Elite and cats 1/2 run simultaneously starting at 7.30pm. If it sounds confusing, don't worry, it isn't. They set off two minutes apart. The three groups all ride at very different speeds and if one overtakes another, you can't grab a wheel and switch groups.
Saturday's Club Ride
Tim's notorious Three Peaks Challenge had its first airing of the year. Well deserved refreshments were taken at The Canteen in Nailsworth.
Commiserations go to Mark who had to retire after some mechanical issues and was collected by his brother in law.
As most, if not all of you, will already be aware, Max won the cat 3/4 race. Both he and George led either at the front or just off the front for long periods and after the bell both were well placed. On the home straight Max powered through to come home first.
If you haven't been before to the Thursday evening series at Castle Combe, there's plenty of parking, entry is free and you can get up close to the action on the track. Three races; Cats 3/4, Ladies, Elite and cats 1/2 run simultaneously starting at 7.30pm. If it sounds confusing, don't worry, it isn't. They set off two minutes apart. The three groups all ride at very different speeds and if one overtakes another, you can't grab a wheel and switch groups.
Saturday's Club Ride
Tim's notorious Three Peaks Challenge had its first airing of the year. Well deserved refreshments were taken at The Canteen in Nailsworth.
Commiserations go to Mark who had to retire after some mechanical issues and was collected by his brother in law.
Fred Whitton was a club mate of mine, back in the day! Sadly he died young (in his fifties).
ReplyDeleteAs for riding it next year, an interesting idea!
Three Peaks was very apt, a really enjoyable ride. Thanks to Tim for his route! Slightly reminisent of club rides when I was a lot younger in the Lake District.
ReplyDelete