Please, Please, Please.
If youre not planning on finishing in under three and a half hours dont go fast on the road, you just become a bollard for the faster riders to get round.
It’s a long race and it’s not won or lost on the neutralized road section.

Bit of running, a few fell races, 2-4 60-90min road rides per week, bloody hilly 65 at the Bronte sportive last week, a few hill reps with a road bike on my shoulder…

…and a mostly-built cx bike in the garage.

Really really need to finish building and ride it.

Thanks for that. I’ve been trying to ride in the drops as much as possible to get used to the position so this makes sense. I’ve also bought some compact bars from the classifieds with the same aim.

The other thing I need to practice is dismounts and jumping back on. I’m left-handed and automatically get off on the wrong side. If I try to get off on the left I get my foot stuck in the pedal every time. Grr.

A bit of practice getting on and off helps, the main thing to remounting is to get some momentum going before you jump on, and when dismounting, step through with your right leg between the frame and your left leg.

for a long carry, its not a bad option to use both hands and have the bike across your shoulders. And by the time you cant pedal a 32t on the back, youll be walking not running.

a 32t with a 34 front is a good combo.
main thing is dont crash or puncture.
Get some tough tyres and pump them up hard(60psi)
You will lose more time through a pinch puncture than the extra traction a lower pressure will give.

Plenty of road riding for me, the cross bikes built up but with slick tyres and a small cassette at the moment, Ultra run next weekend which I hope to get through with no niggling injuries then some trips over to the Dales with the bike now the weathers brilliant.

Question for experienced PPPcx riders, footwear? are mtb spds which is my usual choice for CX suitable I’m particularly concerned about the rocky terrain on Ingleborough.
My other thought is fell shoes with old fashioned strapped pedals.

Any tips for a 1st timer regarding footwear.

Rich

MTB shoes, studs and SPD’s. It’s not that long over Ingleborough. Straps will just slow you getting in and out, falling, dying etc etc.

It’s up to you Rich, its just annoying to see a load of people flying down the road and then pull the rip chord on the first climb, its best to be realistic and not hold up the top thirty or so riders.

Well I’ve just made it a whole lot harder for myself by going over the bars and breaking my collar bone last night, at least it’s my left shoulder and I carry the bike on the right!

Anyone got any advice on reducing healing time for a bust clavicle?

Rich

To be fair, we’re due a wet one. Last year was wet on the ground but it wasn’t actually raining – I think this year is going to be rain all day…

I’ve done very little since finishing LEJOG a couple of weeks ago. Been out on the CX twice last weekend, both rides of about 90 minutes. Will do a short spin around the area on Saturday, maybe head up the PyG track and back again.

Bike all sorted, just need to tape the orange survival bag to the underside of the top tube now.

Like a kid at Christmas! I will be on a borrowed bike which is currently still in bits but otherwise kind of prepared.
Ish.
😀

Oh, and after asking on here I have my Schwalbe Land Cruisers fitted. Feel bombproof and roll well on the roads, and a 14st fat knack like me shouldn’t notice the weight to much.
Frischnecht racing is pretty cool. Now if only Tim Gould was racing, that really would be awesome!

I’m considering ditching the SPD’s and going for fell shoes with toe clips? But not really sure so it’s more indecision and doubt.
Sunny day in East Yorks today!

Hmmmm. /goes off to pack SPD wellies…

I just hope nobody pulls the plug going through Horton Scar Lane, there’ll be a hell of a whirlpool. Pack your overcoats folks!

My top tip is buy yourself a cheap waterproof top and cut the sleeves off at the elbow, then bin it at the end.

Why would you do that?

New pads fitted, brakes adjusted (again), orange bag taped to toptube, all ready.

Last night I thought I’d have a final short shakedown ride. Felt great up the climb, took the descent easy, got on the road and completely wiped out in comedy fashion. Over the bars into a wall.

Bike’s fine. I’m less so. Knackered elbow, ribs and knuckles. Chances of miraculous self-healing before Sunday? Slim. I’m gutted.

I assume with 700 riders unless you are near the front it is going to be deep mud. I imagine carrying will be quicker than riding even with mud tyres for the longer muddy sections?

Also does anyone know if your number has to be visible at all times? Might limit the gillet jacket choice if it does unless I can manufacture an arm band before Sunday.

Edit: You do have to have your number visible, anyone got any top tips for making an armband- don’t fancy pinning a number to a widproof or waterproof!