Exmoor Beast v Dartmoor Classic

FoldingJoe

Guys,

Doing the Exmoor Beast this year, and after having done the Dartmoor Classic earlier in the year I was wondering if there is any real difference between the two.

Seems like less climbing on the Beast compared to the Classic (100km route), is this the case?

Also, was given the possible weather conditions I was considering doing it on my steel framed Kona Honky Tonk instead of the Ribble. Wise choice? The Kona is heavier, but not massively so.

Any advice\comments greatly appreciated.

If it's half as good as the DC it should still be a great ride.

Thanks,
Lee

mustol

I felt that there were some touger hills on the Beast - but it's generally the weather that makes it so tough - be prepared for anything! The Beast is pretty well organised, but not in the same class as the Classic which is the best I've done and deserves it's excellent reputation. The Beast is a real challenge - the glass of Exmoor Beast at the end is well earned!

FoldingJoe

Thanks mustoi.

When you say tougher hills, are we talking gradients or just pure out drags? The latter I don't mind!!

Also, did you do both on the same bike? I run 25's on my steel framed Kona with mudgaurds and 23's on the Ribble, so was just thinking the Kona would probably be the better choice.

grumpygrandad

Also did both last year. Dartmoor Classic is (in my opinion) the post professionally and smoothly organised of the bigger sportives. I've thoroughly enjoyed completing the 100 miles for the last few years. Completed the Beast (100 km) for the first time last year. Loved it. The family stayed at Butlins for the weekend so I was waved off at the beginning and cheered in at the end. Also delighted with my time, glass tankard and beer at the finish!
Came off on a wet cattle grid - as did many others and shat myself going through the cobbled ford at full speed. Finished very cold, wet and happy. Would love to go again this year but unfortunately have other family commitments!

mustol

FoldingJoe wrote:

Thanks mustoi.

When you say tougher hills, are we talking gradients or just pure out drags? The latter I don't mind!!

Also, did you do both on the same bike? I run 25's on my steel framed Kona with mudgaurds and 23's on the Ribble, so was just thinking the Kona would probably be the better choice.

Hard to say how the hills are different - may have just felt harder because I wasn't as fit and as well prepared as I was for the Classic. However, there are a couple of real long climbs, the first comes early in the ride heading up from Luccombe - no really steep parts, but a long drag and the cobbled ford to contend with. Also, there's another long climb from Lynmouth, but again nothing too steep. If you were OK in the Classic, you should be fine in the Beast.

In the unlikely event that the weather forecast is guaranteed sunshine - I would take the Ribble, however - any chance of rain and I would take the Kona - I would rather be a bit slower, but drier and more comfortable!

I'm not doing the Beast this year, settled for the much easier option of the Lands End 100 in Mid October - will be back for the Beast next year.

Enjoy!

ugo.santalucia

The exmoor area has some seriously brutal climbs, but I understand the Beast doesn't go up Dunkery Beacon and Porlock...

FoldingJoe

I'd be giving it a swerve if it went up Porlock!!

I didn't make it up a climb the other day in between Jacobstow and Week St Mary near where I live, although I did make it out of Boscastle, which was easier than I thought it would be.

IGH

Totally different geology. Exmoor is sedimentary, sandstone, gritstone and the like, whereas Dartmoor is granite. Which means that Exmoor tends to shorter but sharper climbs.

The second leg of the 600km I run goes through Week St Mary, on its way from Bude to Looe.

JamesB

Haven`t ridden DC but did ride Beast a few years back; weather was horrid, cold and wet and VERY glad that I was using my winter bike; those riidng without m/guards came back looking as if they`d been on a cyclo X course, covered in mud, muck
have entered too this year so unless we get summer at end October (or at least a week dry weather) will use winter bike again, and with 25 mm tyres.
Slower than my race bike, but at my fitness levels reckon time `penalty` using winter bike is no more than 2min / hr riding extra ---so unless you`re really trying for a good PB time little to be gained

ugo.santalucia

FoldingJoe wrote:

I'd be giving it a swerve if it went up Porlock!!

I didn't make it up a climb the other day in between Jacobstow and Week St Mary near where I live, although I did make it out of Boscastle, which was easier than I thought it would be.

Boscastle and Porlock have very little in common. At the bottom of porlock there is a constant stench of burned brake pads, to give you an idea... Coming down is terrifying.

Deegs

Having ridden both 100km I'd say the classic is harder, more beautiful and has a finer gloss on the organization, but that the beast is still fun. They say the beast is hard by virtue of the weather but to be honest it isn't usually that awful. There was one highly memorable year with 50mph winds where they closed the 100mile route.
Set against that is the classic with much more climbing. The first 2/3 of the outward journey pummels you thoroughly and then comes the Road To Princetown. Took my wife this year who is very new to cycling, her first ever sportive. Ended up on that grim road drafting her the remaining miles against the 30+ mph wind. And the bleak look of it, it seems entirely appropriate that there should be a prison at your destination.

The beast is changing quite a lot this year, they are starting from Tiverton.