Phil and Friends

Tom Butcher

Haven't done this for a couple of years and haven't seen much publicity for it - is it still a decent turnout with all the competition from sportives these days ?

snaffledog

I did the 150km last year , pea-soup for the first-half and rain for the second.
Think about 350 did it last year according to CTC magazine. Phil himself wasn't there because he was covering the Tour Of Ireland on TV.

I think what you said about competition from other sportives holds true, the route is self-led with your own route sheet. The sportive scene has moved on , and sportive riders are expecting full signage so that you can concentrate on riding and not worry that you should have taken a left at that junction about 5km ago.

Having said that, if you catch a good day, then the route has some superb scenery and some classic climbs Holme Moss, Winnats Pass and Monsal Head. Lots of other decent climbs such as Thorpe's Brow, Chunal Head , Chinley head and Rushup Edge.

galatzo

And its only £15 I think !

andy_wrx

http://www.ctc.org.uk/desktopdefault.aspx?tabid=3691

Intending to enter on the day, assuming weather not awful.

velocitizen

andy_wrx wrote:

Intending to enter on the day, assuming weather not awful.

Me too, been round it before in the rain, great route on a nice day.

Tom Butcher

Anyone know the start time - I can't see it on the CTC site.

andy_wrx

Click on the routesheets on the CTC site

http://www.ctc.org.uk/resources/events/ ... 50K_09.pdf
and
http://www.ctc.org.uk/resources/events/ ... 06k_09.pdf

150K - Start 8.00 am to 10.00 am
105K - Start 9.00 am to 10.00 am

The Lomas Hall, Church Street, Stannington, Sheffield, S6 6BQ.

piggywinkle

Does anyone know where I can get a gps map of the route to put in my Garmin. Despite my age, I'm "new school" and will struggle to follow cryptic written instructions without falling off!

Cheers
Tony

piggywinkle

Does anyone know where I can get a gps map of the route to put in my Garmin. Despite my age, I'm "new school" and will struggle to follow cryptic written instructions without falling off!

Cheers
Tony

andy_wrx

A quick Google for 'Phil Friends GPX' brought up
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Ph ... -Sheffield
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Phil-Friends-100k

Under Share is option to download as .GPX

velocitizen

I left it until 6AM before deciding to ride.
Great day out, kind weather.
Rode the 150km route and enjoyed Holme Moss, both up and down.
Took a quick breather before Winnatts Pass, as a police car escorted a car reversing down, the air heavy with burning clutch plate.
The rest of the route was a bit lumpier than I recalled.
Got round in about 7 hours, which I was happy with.
Anyone else from here out there?

piggywinkle

Yes I was there. Punctured descending Holme Moss approaching 50mph. Winnats Pass had a headwind but was OK. The field was thin though and I rode the last 40 miles solo, often wondering if I was on the correct route (which I was).

Finished with a photo with Phil and my certificate after 6hrs 42mins.