Coast to Coast
wildpig
Posts: 39
No... not that one!
This one:
https://ratracecoasttocoast.co.uk
I know it's not just cycling, but has anyone done it?
I'm signed up for this year. I have a road bike, and a mountain bike. It sounds from reading around and the site FAQs like I'll need something in the middle to get this completed in the one day. I guess that means I'm looking at a gravel bike... but I'm not sure.
For those who don't want to click, the cycling stage breakdown is below, moving immediately from one to the other:
Road Cycle – 48 miles;
Off Road Cycle – 21 miles;
Road Cycle – 13.5 miles;
The organisers suggest mountain bikers will struggle to get it done in time to meet the road cut offs, and road bikes are not recommended. I can hire something, but I'm tempted to invest in a do-it-all, as long as it can do this. Any recommendations please?
This one:
https://ratracecoasttocoast.co.uk
I know it's not just cycling, but has anyone done it?
I'm signed up for this year. I have a road bike, and a mountain bike. It sounds from reading around and the site FAQs like I'll need something in the middle to get this completed in the one day. I guess that means I'm looking at a gravel bike... but I'm not sure.
For those who don't want to click, the cycling stage breakdown is below, moving immediately from one to the other:
Road Cycle – 48 miles;
Off Road Cycle – 21 miles;
Road Cycle – 13.5 miles;
The organisers suggest mountain bikers will struggle to get it done in time to meet the road cut offs, and road bikes are not recommended. I can hire something, but I'm tempted to invest in a do-it-all, as long as it can do this. Any recommendations please?
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Comments
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Anything cross or gravel would work. I'd go double chainring so you have the range of gears. And whack on some wide schwalbe marathons. You won't have any problems with flats then.0
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wildpig wrote:No... not that one!
This one:
https://ratracecoasttocoast.co.uk
I know it's not just cycling, but has anyone done it?
I'm signed up for this year. I have a road bike, and a mountain bike. It sounds from reading around and the site FAQs like I'll need something in the middle to get this completed in the one day. I guess that means I'm looking at a gravel bike... but I'm not sure.
For those who don't want to click, the cycling stage breakdown is below, moving immediately from one to the other:
Road Cycle – 48 miles;
Off Road Cycle – 21 miles;
Road Cycle – 13.5 miles;
The organisers suggest mountain bikers will struggle to get it done in time to meet the road cut offs, and road bikes are not recommended. I can hire something, but I'm tempted to invest in a do-it-all, as long as it can do this. Any recommendations please?
Firstly - are you just biking or are you doing the running and kayaking as well. If the latter I presume the organisers will transport your bikes between sections.
For meaningful suggestions it would be useful to know what your budget is. You can get sub £1K gravel bikes but equally you can spend north of £3K if you have a mind to.
Assuming you would rather spend less than £1k then the candidates might be
Giant Toughroad
the SLR GX1 is on offer currently at Westbrooks for under £1K but there are cheaper models in the range
https://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/giant ... rcEALw_wcB
One of our forumites had the Toughroad and has posted in the "Your Road Bikes" sub-forum
viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=13088598&hilit=Giant+Toughroad
Genesis Croix de Fer
Rutland have the 10 model on offer at £600
https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/ro ... lsrc=aw.ds
Specialized Diverge
Freeborn have the Diverge on offer at £720
https://www.freeborn.co.uk/specialized- ... Q3EALw_wcB
Ribble CGR
The CGR alloy starts at £725 and will be more based on build choices.
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-cgr-al/0 -
A couple of guys from work did it, they used gravel bikes but said none of the off road sections were too bad.
They both said it was really tough, and just about made the cut off point.FCN: 60 -
I've done it twice. Are you doing the one day version ? It's a great event.0
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cougie wrote:Anything cross or gravel would work. I'd go double chainring so you have the range of gears. And whack on some wide schwalbe marathons. You won't have any problems with flats then.cougie wrote:I've done it twice. Are you doing the one day version ? It's a great event.
Voice of experience then hey! Thank you, I'll check out some gravel options.
One day version yes - sounds very tough, but do-able.0 -
straas wrote:A couple of guys from work did it, they used gravel bikes but said none of the off road sections were too bad.
They both said it was really tough, and just about made the cut off point.
just about made it!! I'll almost certainly be around the cut offs, but I did about 8 or 9 of their events last year and managed to come respectably mid-lower table in the final timings, so although this is longer/harder, I'm hopeful of doing it ok. 0 -
arlowood wrote:Firstly - are you just biking or are you doing the running and kayaking as well. If the latter I presume the organisers will transport your bikes between sections.
All of it, running and kayaking too. Logistically it seems to be leave your bike where you register on the Friday, then travel up to the start for the Saturday. I'll have my wife in the car too, so transporting should be ok. She'll pick my bike up at the end of the biking section.arlowood wrote:For meaningful suggestions it would be useful to know what your budget is. You can get sub £1K gravel bikes but equally you can spend north of £3K if you have a mind to.
Assuming you would rather spend less than £1k then the candidates might be
Giant Toughroad
the SLR GX1 is on offer currently at Westbrooks for under £1K but there are cheaper models in the range
https://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/giant ... rcEALw_wcB
One of our forumites had the Toughroad and has posted in the "Your Road Bikes" sub-forum
viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=13088598&hilit=Giant+Toughroad
Genesis Croix de Fer
Rutland have the 10 model on offer at £600
https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/ro ... lsrc=aw.ds
Specialized Diverge
Freeborn have the Diverge on offer at £720
https://www.freeborn.co.uk/specialized- ... Q3EALw_wcB
Ribble CGR
The CGR alloy starts at £725 and will be more based on build choices.
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-cgr-al/
£1k is a decent starting point I think, thank you. I'll check out those 3 options today. I'm unsure if my quality and cycling ability warrant me spending more on a bike for the sake of it. I like it, and I'm getting more into it, I'm just not very good. Putting in a load of turbo sessions at the moment... but I wonder if I'll get anything more out of spending more.
I can, if I decide to, use Cycle to Work and top up the voucher with another £1k, or I could just spend the ££. So in theory I have a couple of K to spend.0 -
Get some long rides in come the spring and get used to feeding yourself on the go. 12 hours is a long time to be out and active.
That second run is a bugger too. Seems a lot longer than it is and a lot of the terrain is rocky.0 -
cougie wrote:Get some long rides in come the spring and get used to feeding yourself on the go. 12 hours is a long time to be out and active.
That second run is a bugger too. Seems a lot longer than it is and a lot of the terrain is rocky.
Thanks - will plan them in. I'm looking at doing their Ultra Tour of Arran in April, so fingers crossed the long runs/treks will be ok!0 -
HI.
Did it last year (2018) came 16th in the challenger class. I rode it on a specialized Tricross (2010 model) wiht CX tyres (Schwalbe smart sams) was perfect for the job. Dry on day 1, wet on day 2. Day one mostly road riding, day 2 lots of canal paths, some forest trails. nothng worth riding a MTB on, didn't have to push at all. Was good fun!
Did it wiht my mate a journalist (got a free place!) see his review here:
https://www.coachmag.co.uk/adventure-tr ... nture-race
Any questions - please ask.
It's all on my strava if you want to see the routes:
Leg 1 (run) - https://strava.app.link/w5MpNhmmQT
Leg 2 (bike) - https://strava.app.link/FKK3L8nmQT
Leg 3 (bike) - https://strava.app.link/EOHjFQpmQT
Leg 4 (run) - https://strava.app.link/JfIlVCrmQT
Didn't track the final canoe.0 -
That profile of the last run brings back memories. Very slippery coming down the hillside to the loch. Just when you think you've almost finished...0
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cougie wrote:That profile of the last run brings back memories. Very slippery coming down the hillside to the loch. Just when you think you've almost finished...
Aye - it was a steep descent!!! Was made quite amusing by watching a guy in road shoes do most of it on his arse!!!0 -
I was struggling enough in trail shoes !
It's a great course though. Really enjoyed the challenge.0 -
scotlandtim wrote:HI.
Did it last year (2018) came 16th in the challenger class. I rode it on a specialized Tricross (2010 model) wiht CX tyres (Schwalbe smart sams) was perfect for the job. Dry on day 1, wet on day 2. Day one mostly road riding, day 2 lots of canal paths, some forest trails. nothng worth riding a MTB on, didn't have to push at all. Was good fun!
Did it wiht my mate a journalist (got a free place!) see his review here:
https://www.coachmag.co.uk/adventure-tr ... nture-race
Any questions - please ask.
It's all on my strava if you want to see the routes:
Leg 1 (run) - https://strava.app.link/w5MpNhmmQT
Leg 2 (bike) - https://strava.app.link/FKK3L8nmQT
Leg 3 (bike) - https://strava.app.link/EOHjFQpmQT
Leg 4 (run) - https://strava.app.link/JfIlVCrmQT
Didn't track the final canoe.
Thank you - that's great. Day 1 run has good splits for the elevation! Day 2 looks tough on the legs.
Nice review from your mate too!0 -
The first run isn't as bad as the profile seems to suggest. I don't remember it being hilly. It was a bit tricky though. Lots of tree roots to watch out for which isn't fair as the scenery was stunning by the river.
It's also very narrow so overtaking is harder - but it's just the start. It's not like you'll win the event on that first leg.0 -
cougie wrote:The first run isn't as bad as the profile seems to suggest. I don't remember it being hilly. It was a bit tricky though. Lots of tree roots to watch out for which isn't fair as the scenery was stunning by the river.
It's also very narrow so overtaking is harder - but it's just the start. It's not like you'll win the event on that first leg.
I was thinking flat pedals and trail shoes for the whole thing, sound like that plan will work ok? Or recommend clipping in?0 -
I went clipless. You can leave the bike shoes on the bike at Cawdor and then leave them with the bike at Fort William so you dont have to carry them that far with you. I think it was worth it. Its a lot of cycling.0
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i used cx cleats - Crank Brother Candy's with MTB shoes. Didn't go full road. Could have ......
Carried my trail shoes in a large saddle bag - Nick posts to it in his review. Was able to leave the bike shoes and helmet wiht bike at final transition, and on bike ready for collection (in above mentioned bag) at first transition. Would highly recommend cleats ....0 -
scotlandtim wrote:i used cx cleats - Crank Brother Candy's with MTB shoes. Didn't go full road. Could have ......
Carried my trail shoes in a large saddle bag - Nick posts to it in his review. Was able to leave the bike shoes and helmet wiht bike at final transition, and on bike ready for collection (in above mentioned bag) at first transition. Would highly recommend cleats ....
Superb, thank you.
Final one... wheels, 650b or 700c? Sounds to me like 700 will be fine and there's not enough off-road to be too much of a bother?0 -
Deffo 700c.0
