Fred Whitton 2020

[flight147z]

Anyone else in?

I'm terrified

[nammynake]

Still waiting for my email. They posted earlier saying there was an issue with the ballot. It’ll be my fifth time so I can’t really complain if I don’t get a place, although it would be nice to finally crack sub-7 hours...then I can retire.

[flight147z]

I've not done it before. Entered the ballot for the first time last year and didn't get in. Mixed feelings on getting in this time!!

I'm doing l'Etape in July so at least it will be good practice for that I guess...!

[Akz]

Did it last year while pretty ill. Not my wisest decision but got round in a little over 7 hours. I figured I'll pull out halfway if I feel super bad. The freezing start didn't help but weather by 10AM or so was really nice.

I'm not really one for doing sportives/events twice but glad to have done it once. Overall, not a huge fan of sportives but glad to have ticked off the odd "iconic" one like the Fred and RideLondon.

I'd rather go up to the lakes and do more rides over a few days next time.

[nammynake]

I didn’t get a place this year. Kind of relieved...

[louiebaby]

Nuts, I've missed it again.

[ShortShift811]

Yep, I'm in for the first time. Biggest ride I've done to date was The Struggle in the Yorkshire Dales a couple of years ago (110 miles / 11K feet).

Training commences in earnest tomorrow. Good luck to anyone else riding!

[flight147z]

ShortShift811 said:

Yep, I'm in for the first time. Biggest ride I've done to date was The Struggle in the Yorkshire Dales a couple of years ago (110 miles / 11K feet).

Training commences in earnest tomorrow. Good luck to anyone else riding!

I've never done a ride with 10,000ft of climbing before. Most was just under and that didn't have any really tough climbs just lots of small ones

I have done some pretty challenging hills though, just not all together in a 100 mile ride!

I'm doing l'etape 4 weeks later so either way it should be good training for that! Glad it's in June as the weather should be nice!

[georgefreeman918]

I didn’t get in unfortunately, despite two mates getting in!

I’m on the reserve list but if anyone has a space and can’t attend, please let me know.

[Steve vRS]

In again. This will be my fourth time. Aiming to beat my best time of just over 7hrs. And yes, I’ll be fitting a compact chain set

[flight147z]

I've watched a few videos on YouTube - Hardknott is the big concern

I have done Great Dun Fell, Abdon Burf, The Lecht, Winnats Pass, Riber and The Burway (those are the "closest" things I've done to it) but none after over 90 miles of hard cycling beforehand!

[flight147z]

This is a pretty good watch

[Akz]

flight147z said:

I've watched a few videos on YouTube - Hardknott is the big concern

I have done Great Dun Fell, Abdon Burf, The Lecht, Winnats Pass, Riber and The Burway (those are the "closest" things I've done to it) but none after over 90 miles of hard cycling beforehand!

I've done Winnats and The Burway out of that list. Honestly, I'd say Winnats is comparable to Hardknott - especially the day I did it with a huge headwind being funnelled down the valley towards me. It's nowhere near as steep Hardknott but still relentless. The Burway isn't really comparable - can spin up that, no real need to grind anywhere.

I'd just try and get to Hardknott before the hordes. I was probably within the first few hundred riders last year and besides one guy almost wobbling into me as he zig zagged I had no issues. That can't be said for later on in the day, the photos show people all over the shop and some laying on the road.

I was quite surprised by the behaviour going up Kirkstone near the start. I started around 7am near the start but there was still 500+ riders ahead. Too many for the width of the roads. It's not a closed road yet people were using the other side with no regard for oncoming traffic.

[Steve vRS]

I agree. The riding standards are variable and that is being very charitable. I try and get away before 6:30. I helped out one year at the Buttermere feed stop and the slug of riders coming through mid morning was unbelievable!

[flight147z]

Reviving my own thread! I'm finally going to be doing this on Sunday, after getting into the ride in 2020 which was subsequently cancelled due to COVID and being unable to complete the ride in September 2021. Anyone else on here riding it on Sunday?

[yellowjack]

Not riding it myself (probably never will if I'm honest with myself), but wishing you the very best day out when you ride it!

[Fourmotion]

I am. I haven't had enough prep time, but I plan on taking it as easy as possible at the start, then just hang on!

I attempted it once when I was much fitter, but I was ill leading up to the ride, and ended up pulling out part way round. Which meant still having to ride back to the car.

Which, incidentially, is now the 'official' shorter route.

I plan on starting at 6am if I can get to registration on Saturday in time.

[Steve vRS]

I’m doing it. Fourth time!

[TheDrownedApe]

eek.

I'm doing a 55 mile 1000m loop everyday mon-fri to prepare for my 9 day JoGLE but just nooooo. let me see how my stupid idea goes first - perhaps 2023.

[flight147z]

Fourmotion said:

I am. I haven't had enough prep time, but I plan on taking it as easy as possible at the start, then just hang on!

I attempted it once when I was much fitter, but I was ill leading up to the ride, and ended up pulling out part way round. Which meant still having to ride back to the car.

Which, incidentially, is now the 'official' shorter route.

I plan on starting at 6am if I can get to registration on Saturday in time.

If I manage to get up Hardknott at the end without walking I'll consider that a win. I've done all of the big climbs on the route before but not all in the same ride! Planning on going as easy as I can until I'm on the back straight and hopefully that will get me home OK. Training certainty hasn't been what it should have been...!