Any body riding the Mary Towneley loop challenge in Lancs?

gkf9
gkf9 Posts: 176
edited July 2008 in MTB general
Hi

Just wanted to know if anyone had or are going to be riding this challenge.

Thinking of giving it ago...but not done much more than 30 miles never mind 46miles!!

The event takes place on the 14th Sept so am going to have to get some serious miles
under my belt to even stand a chance of this.

Would really like to know what training anyone has done who has finished it etc.

Thanks

Comments

  • dave_hill
    dave_hill Posts: 3,877
    Ask Stumpy Jon, he's doing it this year, the loon ball!
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  • grumsta
    grumsta Posts: 994
    Oooh thats kind of tempting - would have to get in some serious training though!
  • stumpyjon
    stumpyjon Posts: 4,069
    Yep

    I'm going to have a bash. Did it last year in near perfect conditions. Only goal I set myself was to finish before the marshalls picked me up (i.e. in under 12 hours). Did it in 8.25 hrs so was pretty chuffed (and puffed :oops: , had the worlds worst hang over the following and I hadn't had anything alcoholic).

    Think the guy who got round first did it in 4 hours something :shock: .

    It's not just the distance, it's also about 6000 ft of climbing (up Snowden twice :twisted: ) and there's not much flat, it's either up or down.

    My training last year consisted of getting a new bike, riding bike alot, falling off and cracking my ribs, not doing a lot for 4 weeks and then doing the challenge, not the ideal training regime. This year I'm doing a bit more, try to get out 2 to 3 times a week doing a 10.5 mile loop with longer rides at the weekend (although I've not managed many of them so far :( ). Intending to build up the riding and peak a couple of weeks before (SingleTrack magazine did an article recently about pre-event training). Hope to be doing some 35 milers the couple of weeks before.

    I'm a bit lucky as I only live about 1.5 miles off the loop so it forms part of my local trails :D.
    It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

    I've bought a new bike....ouch - result
    Can I buy a new bike?...No - no result
  • any links to a website, I'm up for this too if I can?!
  • gkf9
    gkf9 Posts: 176
    stumpyjon wrote:
    Yep

    I'm going to have a bash. Did it last year in near perfect conditions. Only goal I set myself was to finish before the marshalls picked me up (i.e. in under 12 hours). Did it in 8.25 hrs so was pretty chuffed (and puffed :oops: , had the worlds worst hang over the following and I hadn't had anything alcoholic).

    Think the guy who got round first did it in 4 hours something :shock: .

    It's not just the distance, it's also about 6000 ft of climbing (up Snowden twice :twisted: ) and there's not much flat, it's either up or down.

    My training last year consisted of getting a new bike, riding bike alot, falling off and cracking my ribs, not doing a lot for 4 weeks and then doing the challenge, not the ideal training regime. This year I'm doing a bit more, try to get out 2 to 3 times a week doing a 10.5 mile loop with longer rides at the weekend (although I've not managed many of them so far :( ). Intending to build up the riding and peak a couple of weeks before (SingleTrack magazine did an article recently about pre-event training). Hope to be doing some 35 milers the couple of weeks before.

    I'm a bit lucky as I only live about 1.5 miles off the loop so it forms part of my local trails :D.

    I think the cut off is 10 hours this time!
    Yeah its not far from me..i used to live in Burnley but living in Chorley now...abit further now but worth the trek.
  • gkf9
    gkf9 Posts: 176
    any links to a website, I'm up for this too if I can?!

    Just google Mary Towneley loop challenge
  • stumpyjon
    stumpyjon Posts: 4,069
    It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

    I've bought a new bike....ouch - result
    Can I buy a new bike?...No - no result