Polkadot Challenge--"Spud" Riley Memorial

Cipodog
Cipodog Posts: 29
edited July 2012 in Sportives/audaxes/training rides
Plenty of entries left for this years 11th Annual Gran Fondo on Sunday June 17-- this was one of the first Sportive/Gran Fondo rides in the UK. Originally organised by Manchester Velo CRC its now been handed over to Wills Wheels Club who are giving it more impetus. The event starts in Cheshire but travels straight into the Peak District National Park taking in 16 official climbs(and some unofficial ones) covering 100mls with a 54ml shorter route---2 well stocked feeding stations--electronic timing--on line or paper entry---good HQ with changing facilities--free safe car parking for 350cars & all the other usual facilities that you would expect at an event of this standing---£25 entry fee with surplus monies going to Christies Cancer Hospital(£82,000+ donated already)---www.polkadotchallenge.co.uk for full details
Don't miss out on this classic ride---Dave Riley

Comments

  • Cleat Eastwood
    Cleat Eastwood Posts: 7,508
    wow that sounds awesome - what the steepest climb by the way - i notice on the website there is a 30% descent, but what about going up?
    The dissenter is every human being at those moments of his life when he resigns
    momentarily from the herd and thinks for himself.
  • copper585
    copper585 Posts: 141
    Cleat i did the polka dot couple of years ago it was the toughest 100 miles i have ever done! It is very well organised and sign posted and good food stops. As they limit numbers like other smaller sportives,it doesnt get crazy like some. The 16 climbs are all marked on the course for their length and steepNess think there are 2 climbs which are 5 miles long however everything in between is what would be classed as hard climbs round my way! I think the steepest climb up was 25% cant recall anything steeper.Well recommended tho.
  • fred22
    fred22 Posts: 509
    COPPER585 wrote:
    Cleat i did the polka dot couple of years ago it was the toughest 100 miles i have ever done! It is very well organised and sign posted and good food stops. As they limit numbers like other smaller sportives,it doesnt get crazy like some. The 16 climbs are all marked on the course for their length and steepNess think there are 2 climbs which are 5 miles long however everything in between is what would be classed as hard climbs round my way! I think the steepest climb up was 25% cant recall anything steeper.Well recommended tho.
    I've signed up for the Spud Riley this year, not sure if your post encourages me or not :-D
  • thetrotter
    thetrotter Posts: 258
    Great event covering some of the very best scenery in the White Peak. Think I've ridden it every year. Steepest is indeed 25 percent but it's only about 100 yards. Bear in mind though that the 16 climbs are those marked: there are very few flat sections on this ride and there is a real sting in the tail in the form of Deadman's Hill.
  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    Damn you chaps! Fathers Day n all, and I find myself sorely tempted by this ride:

    http://www.polkadotchallenge.co.uk/index.asp

    Oh shucks, here we go...I can't help thinking my annual pilgrimage to the BHS Somerset Levels ride a couple of weeks before (50 miles length, elevation about 2'4") isn't going to be the right prep.
  • fred22
    fred22 Posts: 509
    I'm wondering now if they will let me do the shorter 54 mile route on the day rather than the long route I signed up for, can't see that being a problem but I've spent so much time off the bike the past couple of months due to injury and operations that there is no way I will be able to do a stiff 100 mile peak district ride.
  • Cipodog
    Cipodog Posts: 29
    No problem changing routes on the day or indeed when you reach the "split" on the ride--I was the original organiser of the "Spud" & the Polkadot(16 events) before passing over to Will Wright for this year & Will is keeping it as it previous but "polishing" a bit & still keeping it as an event where the main people are the riders---all entry fees to the charity---not a way to make money for the organisers.---This year me & my helpers over the last 10yrs are riding it without having to worry about problems on the day!!!
  • Edward H
    Edward H Posts: 38
    Yet another northern Sportive of note. Looking forward to seeing how it compares with the other greats. Not sure why I haven't done this one before. Weather is looking better for tomorrow. Hope everyone has a great day and gets back safely. :D
  • marple_dave
    marple_dave Posts: 23
    Nice event, really well signed and marshalled. I'm only fit enough for the short route which I found hard after the feed at 31 miles but enjoyed it despite the "iffy" weather and headwinds on the return from Earl Sterndale onto High Edge Moor. Goal for next year - get fit enough for to long route! :wink:
  • I am the god of hell fire
    I am the god of hell fire Posts: 326
    I heard somebody was badly injured on this ride

    Are they OK?

    Best wishes
  • rdt
    rdt Posts: 869
    I am the god of hell fire wrote:
    I heard somebody was badly injured on this ride

    Are they OK?

    Best wishes

    I'm assuming you're referring to the incident on the edge of Longnor, which looked v serious. No feedback to offer, sorry, but I share your sentiment.
  • mcp73
    mcp73 Posts: 94
    http://www.staffordshire.police.uk/news ... sion_near/

    Hopefully both injured parties recover well.
  • Edward H
    Edward H Posts: 38
    Never saw the accident as I was an early starter. Nice route, very well organised, weather ok. I don't have the same glow after The Fred or Le Terrier though. Still, I would certainly recommend it. :D
  • I am the god of hell fire
    I am the god of hell fire Posts: 326
    Any news about the casualties?

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