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?
0
Posts
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/
They both said it was really tough, and just about made the cut off point.
Voice of experience then hey! Thank you, I'll check out some gravel options.
One day version yes - sounds very tough, but do-able.
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.
£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.
That second run is a censored 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!
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.
Aye - it was a steep descent!!! Was made quite amusing by watching a guy in road shoes do most of it on his censored !!!
It's a great course though. Really enjoyed the challenge.
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!
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?
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?
Thought so, thank you. Better safe than sorry though so worth asking!
Nearly set, a good 5 months early.