Lakeland Loop

AndyD2574
AndyD2574 Posts: 1,034
edited April 2011 in Sportives/audaxes/training rides
Well............week sunday its teh Lakeland Loop..............see how the legs are for teh Fred Whitton!!

DETERMINED to NOT walk on Hardknott and Wrynose.............been training hard and putting on my 13/29 on teh back!!

Cant wait.......................

Any of you lads and lasses doing it?

Hope the weather is as good as last year.......was a scorcher!
Specialized S Works Venge
Argon18 E114
Specialized Langster Single Speed
Scott Spark Expert 29'er
GT Avalanche
http://www.glasgowgreencycleclub.co.uk

Comments

  • badgerlurve
    badgerlurve Posts: 31
    I'm doing it, first time for me. Ive been training fairly hard and done hardknott and wrynose a few times, not walked any of them yet but I've been fairly fresh each time.

    Hopefully the weather is ok because it's crap at the moment.
  • Brian B
    Brian B Posts: 2,071
    I am doing it if the weather is okay for the event but wont go if its really bad though! Did it last year as an early wake up call and cramped all the way up hardknott but still made it up without walking. A month later and I got up Hardknott the best ever that i have ever done in the Fred or on my own.

    Its a great event and it does get you in the mode for the Fred. I am even more looking forward to it as I have now got a place in the Fred and raising the sponsorship money! :wink:
    Brian B.
  • sagalout
    sagalout Posts: 338
    I'm doing it again this year. I massively underestimated it last year, only doing about 150 miles a month training in feb and march, and bonked at about 55 miles - just before hardknott. Been doing much more this year so determined to get up without walking and throwing up this time ;)

    It was a good wake up call for the Etape Du Dales last year, and I've entered that again this year so hopiing or better times on both :)
  • badgerlurve
    badgerlurve Posts: 31
    Is Etape du dales hard? I'm doing it this year for the first time it sounds good.
  • AndyD2574
    AndyD2574 Posts: 1,034
    Whats the long range forecast looking like?
    Specialized S Works Venge
    Argon18 E114
    Specialized Langster Single Speed
    Scott Spark Expert 29'er
    GT Avalanche
    http://www.glasgowgreencycleclub.co.uk
  • badgerlurve
    badgerlurve Posts: 31
    Looks good at the moment 10-15 degrees with a light 7mph wind. If that happens il be very happy
  • fridgeboy
    fridgeboy Posts: 37
    Doing this for the first time this year and slightly apprehensive about Hardknott, although I've got a compact with 29 sprocket on the back.

    I did the Devilk's Staircase climb last year, managing to ride up although it took a major effort - anyone know how that compare's to Hardknott ?
  • rhnb
    rhnb Posts: 324
    I've not done the Devils Staircase, but looking at the profiles here...

    Devils Staircase
    http://www.sportivecentral.com/index.ph ... 130&page=3

    Hardknott
    http://www.sportivecentral.com/index.ph ... =80&page=1

    I'd say it looks a tad easier than Hardknott (and shorter too).
    I know profiles can be a bit misleading sometimes, so it'll be interesting to see how you compare the two after the event.

    There's a few pics here of the 2009 Fred Whitton which will give you some idea.

    https://picasaweb.google.com/rhnb55/Fre ... lenge2009#

    Have a good un!
    ~~~
    http://www.bikeit.eclipse.co.uk
    Cycle tour reports and the home of \'Cycling Before Lycra\'
  • badgerlurve
    badgerlurve Posts: 31
    Hardknott is stupidly hard, it starts off steep then eases off DON'T THINK THAT'S IT! It's the last bit that's the killer, on your way up if you look up the road and see a car coming down you think "that cant possibly be the road" well it is!

    All doable though just really hard!

    Looking forward to the loop, my first time too but riden all of it before
    Just not in one go!
  • friso
    friso Posts: 107
    Im doing it again this year

    Had to walk a bit last year on the last left right b it just before the top

    Did 5.30 last year and going for sub 5 this year

    Really all depends on the weather though

    Great event and stunning scenery, especially due to the fact that i live in Norfolk, not known for it's mountain passes

    Good luck to all and have a safe ride

    Aaron (Iceni Velo)
  • Brian B
    Brian B Posts: 2,071
    fridgeboy wrote:
    Doing this for the first time this year and slightly apprehensive about Hardknott, although I've got a compact with 29 sprocket on the back.

    I did the Devilk's Staircase climb last year, managing to ride up although it took a major effort - anyone know how that compare's to Hardknott ?

    Devils staircase is hard but unfortunatley not in the same league is Hardknott. Think two staircase's back to back seperated by a 10% stretch and up the gradient by 5-10% at the steep parts and thats the difference.
    Brian B.
  • glasgowbhoy
    glasgowbhoy Posts: 1,341
    Was thinking I'd just go with my 12-25 but think I'll put the 11-28 on the back for this now.
  • AndyD2574
    AndyD2574 Posts: 1,034
    Glasgowbhoy wrote:
    Was thinking I'd just go with my 12-25 but think I'll put the 11-28 on the back for this now.

    Last year had my 11/25 on and blew out my ar5e!!
    Changed to my 13/29 for the FWC.........and STILL blew out my ar5e!!

    See what happens on sunday!
    Specialized S Works Venge
    Argon18 E114
    Specialized Langster Single Speed
    Scott Spark Expert 29'er
    GT Avalanche
    http://www.glasgowgreencycleclub.co.uk
  • badgerlurve
    badgerlurve Posts: 31
    How did we all get on then? 4:31 for me didn't walk up hardknott either. Had to help some guy out who fell on some gravel on the decent of wrynose (hope he's ok) good day though.
  • Brian B
    Brian B Posts: 2,071
    Great day out but I think it was a tad too hot! I suffered cramps all the way up Hardknott just like last year but apart from that I managed it okay.

    I did 5:05 last year but came in at approx 4:45 this time so I am chuffed as I suffered a bit today.

    Top class event and it seems to be lucky with the weather.

    Last year I got up Hardknott in the Fred the best ever with no cramps or worries but the month before I really suffered so hope I do the samenext month.

    Saw a few old faces on the route and at the end. Hope all enjoyed as much as I did.
    Brian B.
  • glasgowbhoy
    glasgowbhoy Posts: 1,341
    Fantastic day for my first trip to the lake district. Was feeling good and going well throughout however hadn't adjusted my rear derailer when I switched to 11-28 on sat and couldn't get into the 28 gear with a lot of crunching of gears. This came to an almighty clank, and a snapped chain 3/4 of the way up hardnott at the steepest section and fell right over! A massive thanks to the guy on the giant defy in the blue and black top that stopped and gave me a chain link to get me going again- legend . Lost about 10 mins but got straight back on and still finished around 4.20.
  • AndyD2574
    AndyD2574 Posts: 1,034
    edited April 2011
    Awesome day!

    After having to walk last year up Hardknott and Wrynose I set my challenge of NOT walking.

    Totally chuffed as rode all of Hardknott, Wrynose and Blea Tarn!! :D

    Total time of 5.15. (actuial riding time 4.30)

    Roll on FW!!
    Specialized S Works Venge
    Argon18 E114
    Specialized Langster Single Speed
    Scott Spark Expert 29'er
    GT Avalanche
    http://www.glasgowgreencycleclub.co.uk
  • Brian B
    Brian B Posts: 2,071
    Glasgowbhoy wrote:
    Fantastic day for my first trip to the lake district. Was feeling good and going well throughout however hadn't adjusted my rear derailer when I switched to 11-28 on sat and couldn't get into the 28 gear with a lot of crunching of gears. This came to an almighty clank, and a snapped chain 3/4 of the way up hardnott at the steepest section and fell right over! A massive thanks to the guy on the giant defy in the blue and black top that stopped and gave me a chain link to get me going again- legend . Lost about 10 mins but got straight back on and still finished around 4.20.

    Great time Glasgowbhoy - I saw you on hardknott with the chain but did not know it was you. 4:20 with a snapped chain is pretty good going!
    Brian B.
  • sportsunday
    sportsunday Posts: 73
    WELL DONE EVERYBODY!!!!! All the pics are now up at http://www.sportsunday.co.uk
    If any clubs would like a low-res pic or two for website/reports just let us know.
  • glasgowbhoy
    glasgowbhoy Posts: 1,341
    Brian B wrote:
    Glasgowbhoy wrote:
    Fantastic day for my first trip to the lake district. Was feeling good and going well throughout however hadn't adjusted my rear derailer when I switched to 11-28 on sat and couldn't get into the 28 gear with a lot of crunching of gears. This came to an almighty clank, and a snapped chain 3/4 of the way up hardnott at the steepest section and fell right over! A massive thanks to the guy on the giant defy in the blue and black top that stopped and gave me a chain link to get me going again- legend . Lost about 10 mins but got straight back on and still finished around 4.20.

    Great time Glasgowbhoy - I saw you on hardknott with the chain but did not know it was you. 4:20 with a snapped chain is pretty good going!

    Cheers Brian, enjoyed the ride although the descents are almost as sketchy as the 2 major climbs are hard. My mate made a good point that Hardnott and Wrynose although impressive are not really reflective of regular road riding climbs and agree that they are just plain ridiculous :) How much carnage would there have been had it been wet?. I think I will consign Hardnott and Wrynose to the history books of cycling challenges following the Fred Whitton. Give me 20KM of Alpine switchbacks anyday :lol:
  • pinarellodude
    pinarellodude Posts: 102
    edited April 2011
    ...
  • pinarellodude
    pinarellodude Posts: 102
    Cheers Brian, enjoyed the ride although the descents are almost as sketchy as the 2 major climbs are hard. My mate made a good point that Hardnott and Wrynose although impressive are not really reflective of regular road riding climbs and agree that they are just plain ridiculous :) How much carnage would there have been had it been wet?. I think I will consign Hardnott and Wrynose to the history books of cycling challenges following the Fred Whitton. Give me 20KM of Alpine switchbacks anyday :lol:

    They could easliey use Birker Fell climb, this also drops you over into Ulpha valley just 3 miles south off Hardknott. Which would still be the toughest climb off the ride add just 6/7 miles onto the route and make it far safer and trust me still a bloody tough climb that 75% would be able to ride?
  • fridgeboy
    fridgeboy Posts: 37
    Sorry folks - it looks as though I'm the one who let the side down and had to walk the top section of Hardknott. Managed the bottom stretch OK, then got lulled into a false sense of security by the seemingly flat middle section, only to be beaten when I ran off the side of the rode just after a left hand hairpin during the frankly, horrific final section. After Hardknott, Wrynose and Blea Tarn were reasonably straightforward and I managed them on the bike and in good time.

    Hardknott definitely jumps to the top of my most difficult climbs list - the Devil's Staircase in Wales is tough, but not as steep or long as Hardknott.

    My real worry now, is working out what I could possibly do differently to give myself a chance of getting all the way up Hardknott next year. I had a compact chainset and 13-29 cassette and had thought, until yesterday, that I could get up anything with that combination. Obviously not. And I've done 5 other sportives previously this year - albeit just around the "tough" hills of Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire - and a reasonable amount of mileage - ave 150 miles per week. I'm beginning to think the area to work on may be the power/weight ratio. I'm around 5 ft 10ins and 81 kgs. So if I cancel Xmas this year and get down to 75 kg maybe that is the answer. The only people who cycled past me when I was walking the top section all looked suitably wiry/scrawny/under-nourished.
  • sagalout
    sagalout Posts: 338
    Had a great day compared to last years nightmare when I swore I'd never do it again! Weather was excellent and had a few good chats to other riders. Also managed Hardknott after failing pretty much at the cattle grid last year! Only just though - started getting cramps in my quads right at the summit, but that made my ride to be honest and was my main aim.

    Unfortunately punctured on the descent - think the rims overheated. Bad time to find out that my CO2 pump was broken / blocked and the mini pump wouldn't inflate beyond 50psi at best. Lost loads of time trying to get some decent pressure. Wynrose and Blea tarn felt relatively easy after Hardknott :)

    Total time 5:15, riding time 4:32 - an hour faster than last year and wasn't throwing up on the drive home, so a big improvement lol.

    Only slighyt criticism would be a lack of sarnies and drink powder at the food stops and toilets at the start / finish, otherwise a really well organised and signed ride which I'll no doubt sign up for again next year :)
  • pinarellodude
    pinarellodude Posts: 102
    fridgeboy wrote:
    The only people who cycled past me when I was walking the top section all looked suitably wiry/scrawny/under-nourished.

    And people with Triples! :D
  • glasgowbhoy
    glasgowbhoy Posts: 1,341
    Official times up on the website

    44th.

    I'll have that derailer adjusted properly before the FW and hopefully save myself 10mins and fingers covered in chain oil :oops:
  • getprg
    getprg Posts: 245
    Can anyone tell me who, in addition to Sportsunday, was taking photos of the event. I have only one "longish distance" pic on Sportsunday (at Blea Tarn) and I look way too happy with myself :shock:
  • Teach
    Teach Posts: 386
    What a great day. I loved it, the other cyclists were friendly and the event was well organised.
    The descents were scary. I had two punctures on the descents and whilst changing a tyre , at one point a man went down Wrynose on a mountain bike. He was flying, it was scary to watch, if someone had swerved they wouldn't have stood a chance.
    Who was on that bike?
    Most motorists were well behaved! Did anyone else smell the red porsche's clutch going up Hardknott. I don't think he was happy he couldn't fly up and his car certainly didn't smell at all happy.
    See you all next year. I want to get Hardknotts
  • Big Hairy Wallapers
    Big Hairy Wallapers Posts: 182
    Hi
    I'm considering having a go at riding the route of the Lakeland Loop and would appreciate the thoughts of riders that have attempted the sportive.
    Is it easy to navigate?
    Is it achievable to a normal rider?
    I've read many comments and am a bit apprehensive about Hardknott and Wynrose etc, is it really that bad.
    I can ride a bit and am generally fairly confident on the bike but don't want to be half way round n in a 'paddleless creek scenario'
    Many thanks and well done to all finishers!!
  • sagalout
    sagalout Posts: 338
    It's very easy to navigate to be honest.

    It's a hard ride, but if you just take it at your own pace and plan at least one good stop you'll be fine (assuming you're used to riding at least 50 hilly miles on a regular basis)

    Hardnott really is stupidly hard, but it's not that long if you need to walk it. Wynrose is like a lite version - shorter and slightly less steep, although still very hard.

    Pick a nice sunny and calm day and you should have a great day out on the bike :)

Categories