No comparison with K100, the Christalp is a great event and I thought Kielder sucked in a major way. Did the Christalp about 5 years ago and I want to do it again in a few years time. It’s no technical challenge in the main but the views on the long climbs and some of the speed on the descents are fantastic. There are some techy sections (though I think these would have been easy in the dry) which test your handling skills and make lots of the rodaies get off and run. I did it on a wet muddy year and some parts are incredibly sapping as a result but the cheese, wine and fruit at the last checkpoint then a screaming fast descent straight onto the stage in a massive tent of drinking bike fans and a crazy alpine band is something I’ll never forget. It’s a long day but something you’d never replicate with a current UK event.
The above comment about not carrying too much is great advice – I didn’t know what to expect and carried a 3 litre bladder Camelbak with loads of food/energy gubbins and 2 large bottles on the bike. A large bottle would probably suffice with all the stops unless you get one of the 35 degree heat years.
As for acclimatisation, I turned up the day before after 2 straight days of driving and didn’t suffer any ill effects, granted I was tired by the end but unless you wear red underpants on the outside of your blue tights, you will be no matter how many days early you arrive.
