The Lakeland Monster Miles last October was the first. I did teh full route. It was a fantastic outing. Something very different. If I wasn't already committed to something that weekend, I'd be doing the Grizzly.
Its probably not going to be a tough as the monster miles were (rather less hilly!) but it'll still be cracking. A truly beautiful part of the country. And I'm lucky enough to live here! :-)
It'll be harder than a road ride of a similar length, but probably not as technical as a full-on cross event. Most of the off-road sections will be bridleways & fire tracks.
Looking at your posts and I do fancy entering, as I haven't entered anything similar before,
but decisions, decisions about bike choice!!! I have a 29er mountain bike or messenger style hybrid.
Thanks for advice, don't think purse strings will stretch to a CX bike, or will they... bike to work scheme??
...mmmm now you have me thinking!!!!
Need to put some miles in now.
I'll be on my C2W PlanetX XLS CX :-) It was either that or the Kona Caldera MTB. But as half of the race is on road, I thought the 700c wheels will be my friend!!
Just been handed a copy of last week's Cycling weekly where there's a write up of the event route. Looks good, and my training is doing OK as well! Just hoping for good weather now.
I walk a lot in the lakes and know how quickly it can change!
Well, I did it, and got back in one piece!! My bike needs a better engine though, and that's my next target.
The course was a fantastic mix of tarmac, grass, mud, water and rocks! Some of the climbs off road were nothing more than rocky stream beds, and were full on MTB territory (for me at least).
I traded off-road grip for puncture proofing, and on road tyre pressures. Whilst I had to carry the bike where I lost traction, I past many an MTB on the road sections, and the bike handled some very tough (and rocky) down hill sections.
Very good event, well run, and lots of fun. Well sign posted, and I am not looking at one of the others in this series (maybe the Yorkshire one in June).
Posts
Its probably not going to be a tough as the monster miles were (rather less hilly!) but it'll still be cracking. A truly beautiful part of the country. And I'm lucky enough to live here! :-)
It'll be harder than a road ride of a similar length, but probably not as technical as a full-on cross event. Most of the off-road sections will be bridleways & fire tracks.
Go for it!
Training - giant xtc 1
Mtb - Yt Capra pro
Past - Scott spark , caadx ultegra , canyon ultimate cf slx ,trek madone , ridley x-fire , giant Defy, giant trance
Doesn't it just. Starts from Cartmel too - lovely little village.
I'll be looking at doing that next year, I think.
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed herein are worth exactly what you paid for them.
but decisions, decisions about bike choice!!! I have a 29er mountain bike or messenger style hybrid.
Which bike would you recommend using?
.....unless you want an excuse for a new CX!
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed herein are worth exactly what you paid for them.
...mmmm now you have me thinking!!!!
Need to put some miles in now.
Then look for an 11-36, 9 speed cassette for it. Job done.
Wiggle have got a very nice Ridley going cheap, too, if you want to spend a little bit extra. Go on, treat yourself. You know your worth it.
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed herein are worth exactly what you paid for them.
I walk a lot in the lakes and know how quickly it can change!
The course was a fantastic mix of tarmac, grass, mud, water and rocks! Some of the climbs off road were nothing more than rocky stream beds, and were full on MTB territory (for me at least).
I traded off-road grip for puncture proofing, and on road tyre pressures. Whilst I had to carry the bike where I lost traction, I past many an MTB on the road sections, and the bike handled some very tough (and rocky) down hill sections.
Very good event, well run, and lots of fun. Well sign posted, and I am not looking at one of the others in this series (maybe the Yorkshire one in June).