Do you have an iPhone or iPad? I used my iPhone connected to monitor. Works really well.

I have a weekend in the Lakes already booked 😉

Ultimately what will determine if 5 W/kg is attainable is your physiology/genetics. Training will enable you to reach your physiological limit but it can’t change that limit. Your limit may be 280W or 350W or 400W. If you’re reasonably well trained already, i.e. riding regularly, but perhaps not in a structured way, you can expect some fairly modest gains.

Another vote for hydro. I’ve done 2000 winter miles with some Shimano RS505 (their entry-level model) and I’ve not had to adjust anything in all of that time. They just work.

I think Prologue cafe have group rides during the week and weekend

http://prologuecycling.co.uk

Yes my gen 1 was replaced with gen 2 a few weeks ago.

Yes been riding them for the last few months. Being wide rims and using them with 24mm S-Works turbo tyres gives a pretty comfy ride (80-85 psi) despite their inherent stiffness. I use them in the UK but haven’t used them abroad in the high mountains. Supposedly one of the best braking surfaces in terms of heat dissipation but I prefer the peace of mind of Alu rims in the Alps etc.

Oh and they look great 😉

A few more details might help!

Hopefully there were no serious incidents today. I was fully expecting some crashes given the wet and windy conditions. Had a sketchy moment myself on the right-hander descending Kirkstone – a strong side gust pushed me across the road and I managed to stop just before the wall.

Saw a woman on the Newlands climb who must have fell off. She was right on the edge of the grass – would have a been a long and nasty fall if she’s gone over.

Well done to everyone who got round today. Conditions made an already very hard ride even harder. Toughest in the last 4 years IMO.

Got round in 7:30. Was aiming to 7 hours but it wasn’t to be.

Did anyone see the guy pulling a wheelie up the foot of Kirkstone? Boss !

I’m not expecting Michelin Star quality. It’s a fiver and quality is fine IMO….apart from the sausages, they are pretty filthy !

BBC is now saying rain from 1pm. I think their models are struggling to predict a pretty complicated system over the weekend. I don’t mind a bit of rain, just really don’t fancy 7+ hours in continuous showers.

BTW, anyone else staying at Langdale YHA? I contacted them regarding breakfast on the Sunday and they confirmed it will be available from 5:30. One less thing to worry about!

Riding my fourth (in a row) Fred. Forecast is too uncertain at the moment. It could be dry (and windy) or may chuck it down. Training has gone well, been riding most weekends through Winter. Was hoping for sub 7 hours but strong winds will put paid to that. Be happy with under 7:30. My best is 7:40.

Will take my winter bike with guards if it’s going to be very wet, otherwise summer bike with ass saver.

Staying in Langdale YH the night before.

Will see how I get on. Staying near the front seems to be the main tip I’ve heard. There are 43 riders taking part so wouldn’t want to be stuck near the back approaching the finish.

The Swedish Chef
Think you’ll be accused of sandbagging, unless you’ve dreadful racecraft.

Best of luck with it and report back.

No idea what “sandbagging” means. If you mean my W/kg is decent (for 4th Cat level), the race is pan flat, so my 270 W doesn’t sound quite so useful! Quite a few guys from our club racing though, so will try to hide in the pack and go for the sprint (which again isn’t my strong point).

Only been using TR for a couple of months but really enjoying it. Using in combination with a Kickr so the ‘Erg’ workouts are really effective (and sometimes brutal).

Need to re-test for 20 minutes. FTP had hit a ceiling around 270W but think it might have notched up another 10W or so following some recent VO2 max and Anaerobic stuff.

First race (4th Cat crit) this weekend, which should be fun if I can avoid all the whoppers! Think I’m more suited to hillier terrain, so will be looking to enter some road races too (4.3 W/kg).

Strava power estimates are notoriously inaccurate. An average of 20 mph is good going on a full suss MTB but 340 Watts for an hour would put you at the top end of amateur racers. If you’re just a regular reasonably fit rider I’d say a good hour effort would be more like 200-250W.

^^^ 25mm are noticeably more comfortable if run at appropriate pressures. Try dropping the pressure to around 90 psi and feel the improvement.

Anyone else planning to ‘wild camp’ near the route? Were thinking Buttertubs too.

Saw this over on Pistonheads:

7:40 for me. Agree with the above, some shocking riding skills. Some utter twerp on the A66 riding in the MIDDLE of the lane for about half a mile with a car behind him. Despite shouting “car back” several times he didn’t move. The car was very patient and sat well back. I could only shake my head and hold my hand to apologise as he drove past.

Hardknott – **** me, it doesn’t get any easier does it. Even on 34-28. Managed the bottom half fine but the second bit bloody hurt!

Was hoping for a quicker time but stuck with my mate who hadn’t done as much training. I only left him on Hardknott after when he insisted I press on. Finished 8 minutes ahead of him.

Don’t compromise on clothing. It’s a long day in the saddle and it’s better to overdress than risk it. A LOT of riders were caught out last year, me included, and I’ll be taking a proper waterproof jacket this time.

Look for a group to latch onto on the A66 to Keswick and through to Honister, but don’t be cheeky, take your turn on the front unless you’re spent!

Hardknott is ridiculously tough when you’re reasonably fresh but after 100 miles it is so much harder. It’s almost comically hard – I’ve managed to ride up both times but barely faster than walking on the 33% bits. Remember to smile (grimmace) for the photographer 🙂

Good luck everyone, I’ll be on the tatty Allez with full mudguards.

So you need a pro level bike (Dura Ace or Red) and presumably shaven legs with extreme veins.

Or should I rock up on a Triban with peaked helmet and luminous yellow commuter jacket….?

Dusting off my old GCSE maths notes I calculate that the area of a 29 inch wheel is 660 sq.inches. That is suspiciously close to the sign of Lucifer. They are the work of the devil and should be avoided at all costs.

Fulcrum Racing 5.

Bont Vapour. That’s the model, not an instruction.

Canyon VCLS:

https://www.canyon.com/_en/technology/vcls_post.html

Wahoo Kicker. Superb. Costly though.

I changed from Sora to 105 and Mavic CXP22 to Fulcrum Racing 5. The wheels were definitely the more effective upgrade. Yes 105 feels a lot nicer than Sora (my main bugbear was those stupid thumb shifters) but the wheels just feel so much better. Noticeably stiffer (which at first made the ride harsher) and just feel like they roll better and accelerate more easily. Don’t expect any improvement in speed, it’s all about the feel.

What percentage of your ride do you spend changing gear? 1%? Conversely your wheels are in use 100% of the time (unless you’re doing wheelies or bunny hops…).

Shockboard looks like a nice and simple option but they don’t look like they’d offer much protection. I’d prefer some proper full guards but appreciate I might need a DIY solution.

Are you looking to get round as fast as possible, eg sub 7 hours? If not then I’d say stop worrying about your weight. You’re already light enough, and do remember that there are significant flat sections in this ride where being light isn’t going to offer any advantage.

Focus on your training – progressively longer weekend rides aiming for between 70 and 100 ft of ascent per mile. Aim to build up to 80 or 90 miles before May. Combine with 3 turbo sessions (intervals and threshold) and you’ll be well prepared to get round in relative comfort. Emphasis on ‘relative’, as Hardknott at 100 miles is like being hit by a train.

Good luck!

I live in Gildersome. Will keep an eye out.

Scum.

I am selling a Tacx turbo tyre in the classifieds. Used twice.

I’ve done it the last two years. I don’t think there are any secrets to preparing, just make sure you’re doing a long weekend ride every weekend from now until May and a couple of higher intensity mid-week rides or turbo sessions. Make sure that your weekend rides are hilly – aim for 70+ feet of ascent per mile, or closer to 100 ideally.

My training last year was a weekly long ride (50 miles in Jan, up to around 80 in April) and 2-3 turbo sessions (2*20m). Got me round in 7:50 despite wasting 20 minutes at the second feed stop trying to get warm after riding the Cold Fell section with my rain jacket in my back pocket. Lesson learned!

Aiming for under 7 hours this year if I get in.

Continental GP 4 seasons in 25mm get very good reviews.

I use 23mm GP4000s.

That Canyon will be very very difficult to beat spec wise for less than £2k, even 2013 sale bikes from the big players won’t touch it. If you’re happy with the potential hassle that comes with direct sales then that bike is a no brainer.

Considering the same bike myself. Long wait time though…

2012: 10h:26m
2013: 7h:51m
2014: ????

Yes still does all the tough climbs. Those who have done it before will usually be looking to better their time and so are interested in the minor route changes.

I’ve done it the past two years – first time my target was simply to finish but the second time I wanted to knock a fair amount off my time. I’d like to go even faster next year.

I’d be interested in knowing how much quicker the new route is. I had a target time of sub-7 hours for the old route and will need to shorten this accordingly.

I’ll be entering again. If I get a place I hope we have better weather than last year!