Fred Whitton Reverse(Lakeland Six)JUNE 2008

Anonymous
Anonymous Posts: 79,667
Gonna have a go at this very local event...its run with the Keswick Bikes Crew and attracts around a 100 cyclists....its basically the Fred Whitton Backwards...now this is something I've been always wanting to do to compare severity...I reckon this will be everybit as tough....starting in Keswick

This is the Deal:-

The Lakeland Six: June
Why not make a full weekend of it by also joining the ride on Sunday. The ride departs the Lakeland Pedlar Café from 8am. Unlike the Fred Whitton, this ride is not a timed competitive event and the riders that have completed both rides say the Big 6 is a nicer, comparatively easier ride - though not to be underestimated. Completion times vary between 7 and 12 hours depending on your fitness and number of tea stops! Ambleside makes for a good morning coffee stop (Zeferellis), whilst the Train Station cafe at Dalegarth, Eskdale which is ideal for lunch and allows the option to get to the cafe at Whinlatter Visitor Centre before 5pm for afternoon tea. (Ride description: Keswick - Troutbeck - Glenridding - Kirkstone Pass - Ambleside - Wrynose Pass - Hardknott Pass - Gosforth - Cold Fell - Loweswater - Lorton - Whinlatter Pass - Braithwaite - Newlands Hause - Buttermere - Honister Pass - Keswick - 97 miles riding, 10,000 feet climbing) Those not sure about completing the whole ride can miss out Whinlatter and Newlands Passes, instead finishing with Honister Pass, making it the Lakeland 4, still a superb and demanding ride that you will remember for years to come. Triple chainsets or low gearing is advisory! The finish is again the Lakeland Pedlar café for a final, deserved, round of tea and cakes.
Route Summary: Distance 97 miles in total and includes climbs amassing 10,000 feet by the time you return to Keswick! The event does not have vehicular support so you must be self sufficient (not suitable for children).

Me and my brother are defo doing this...any other lads fancy a pop?....I've did the FWC route 3 times now and I honestly cant wait to string it all together in Reverse...I've did all the climbs apart from Cold Fell and Fangs in Reverse over time and I reckon it'll be a humdinger:-

IMO I rate the climbs personally

Kirkstone - Much tougher the Lakeland Six way.(from patterdale)..the FWC goes over by far the easiest way

Wrynose - Much Much Much tougher the Lakeland Six way (from langdale)

Hardknott - Still a very tough climb from Cockley Beck but nowhere near as tough as the outrageous FWC direction

Fangs/ColdFell - I reckon these will be fairly equal

Whinlatter - Think it'll be tougher the FWC way

Newlands - Steeper the FWC way but the opposite approach drags on for miles before the last very steep strwtch to the summit.

Honister - Big debate this...I reckon they are fairly equal(personally ive suffered more from Seatoller) but most rate it more difficult from Buttermere.

So as can be seen it will be a close call....Cant wait...anyone else fancy it?


Keswick Mountain Festival 16th - 20th May 2007