The Alba Rosa Ultra
Discussion
Bit of a plug but our club is organising an Ultra event around the North of England (starting in Leeds), starting on 30th April this year. There are 10 checkpoints which can be visited in any order. Total distance will be circa 700-800km depending on your route choice. It’s designed to be an introduction for those interested in Ultra racing and bike packing. For insurance purposes it is NOT a race.
Further details below. Let me know if you have any questions.
http://www.albarosacc.com/post/the-alba-ultra-ente...
Further details below. Let me know if you have any questions.
http://www.albarosacc.com/post/the-alba-ultra-ente...
Well the day is nearly here. We pushed the event back to this Friday (28th) given the change in lockdown rules earlier in the year. Quite fortunate I think, given the rather damp weather we’ve had recently.
We have around 20 riders taking part - most existing club members looking to step up to bigger distances and also a few who’ve joined the club just to take part, including a TCR finisher.
I’m feeling somewhat apprehensive as I’ve not done anywhere near as much training as I’d have liked but hoping that I can get round in under 48 hours to avoid riding through the 2nd night. We shall see!
We have around 20 riders taking part - most existing club members looking to step up to bigger distances and also a few who’ve joined the club just to take part, including a TCR finisher.
I’m feeling somewhat apprehensive as I’ve not done anywhere near as much training as I’d have liked but hoping that I can get round in under 48 hours to avoid riding through the 2nd night. We shall see!
Best of luck nammynake, looks like you'll fortunately get some drier weather over the weekend. A couple of lads I ride with are into this sort of stuff, they're doing the Rapha ride where you stay in 5* luxury hotels between rides (well Youth Hostels anyway which is 5* compared to camping).
Respect for anyone who can spend that long on a bike, especially day after day.
We were going to attempt to set a record from Morcambe to Brid but interest has fizzled out, so to go one better than last year, we're doing a 250 mile day up to the Lakes and home next month at some point.
Respect for anyone who can spend that long on a bike, especially day after day.
We were going to attempt to set a record from Morcambe to Brid but interest has fizzled out, so to go one better than last year, we're doing a 250 mile day up to the Lakes and home next month at some point.
Thanks guys. Riders will be tracked for those interested in dot watching. We set off at 9PM this Friday.
https://track.trail.live/event/alba-ultra-21
https://track.trail.live/event/alba-ultra-21
I’ll write a proper report in a few days, but thought I’d summarise whilst it’s fresh in my mind.
I set off at 9PM on Friday, riding through the night in anti-clockwise direction to checkpoints in Masham, Hutton-le-hole and arriving in Staithes just before sunrise. Then onto Barnard Castle for a nice bacon buttie, followed by a very long climb up to Hartside Pass (2000ft) where I had a lovely burger at 10:30AM. Then crossed over into the Lakes skirting around the Northern fringes before dropping down into Buttermere. A final stretch to Whitehaven where I’d pre booked a Premier Inn. A decent meal, shower and sorted my kit for the next day. Passed out into a deep slumber about 8PM. Stats below:
Day 2 started with a 3AM alarm. Woke up feeling reasonably fresh after a decent sleep. On the road by 3:45, stopping briefly at a 24hr petrol station to grab a sandwich. Short leg to St Bees checkpoint and to eat said sandwich. Long stretch to Sedbergh crossing both Hardknott and Wrynose from West to East. Had to walk the final switchback on Hardknott (30+ %) but rode the rest. Had a decent sit down at Sedbergh Spar and refuelled. Temperature was already high and I welcomed the shade. A quick (and thankfully flat) leg to Glasson Dock, making use of my TT bars to get aero. Temperature into the 20s when I arrived so enjoyed an icecream. Penultimate leg to Downham over lump terrain, sat on the grass in the shade and ate whilst cooling down. Horrendous climb out of Downham with “cafe legs” and sweltering temperatures. Energy started to twins me but kept hydrated and ate regularly. Poor route planning give me a direct route home but some more punishing climbs, particularly leaving Keighley. Arrived at the finish (McDonalds in Horsforth, Leeds) at 5:30PM after 44 hours. Stats below:
Feeling pretty sore today but not too bad. Bike fit and new saddle seemed to work well and aero TT bars were a god send for offering an alternative testing position (plus ‘free’ speed).
We may run this again next year, so keep an eye out! Few pics;
I set off at 9PM on Friday, riding through the night in anti-clockwise direction to checkpoints in Masham, Hutton-le-hole and arriving in Staithes just before sunrise. Then onto Barnard Castle for a nice bacon buttie, followed by a very long climb up to Hartside Pass (2000ft) where I had a lovely burger at 10:30AM. Then crossed over into the Lakes skirting around the Northern fringes before dropping down into Buttermere. A final stretch to Whitehaven where I’d pre booked a Premier Inn. A decent meal, shower and sorted my kit for the next day. Passed out into a deep slumber about 8PM. Stats below:
Day 2 started with a 3AM alarm. Woke up feeling reasonably fresh after a decent sleep. On the road by 3:45, stopping briefly at a 24hr petrol station to grab a sandwich. Short leg to St Bees checkpoint and to eat said sandwich. Long stretch to Sedbergh crossing both Hardknott and Wrynose from West to East. Had to walk the final switchback on Hardknott (30+ %) but rode the rest. Had a decent sit down at Sedbergh Spar and refuelled. Temperature was already high and I welcomed the shade. A quick (and thankfully flat) leg to Glasson Dock, making use of my TT bars to get aero. Temperature into the 20s when I arrived so enjoyed an icecream. Penultimate leg to Downham over lump terrain, sat on the grass in the shade and ate whilst cooling down. Horrendous climb out of Downham with “cafe legs” and sweltering temperatures. Energy started to twins me but kept hydrated and ate regularly. Poor route planning give me a direct route home but some more punishing climbs, particularly leaving Keighley. Arrived at the finish (McDonalds in Horsforth, Leeds) at 5:30PM after 44 hours. Stats below:
Feeling pretty sore today but not too bad. Bike fit and new saddle seemed to work well and aero TT bars were a god send for offering an alternative testing position (plus ‘free’ speed).
We may run this again next year, so keep an eye out! Few pics;
Edited by nammynake on Monday 31st May 13:53
king mental man! 
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