Cumberland Challenge - northern loop

[andy from embsay]

Hi all - myself and a few chums have entered this, and as it's a fair way off our stomping ground I wondered if anyone has any beta on the northern loop. The southern bit is basically Hartside and a loop near Alston, but apart from whizzing through on c2c rides I've done very little north of Brampton. The profile makes it look undulating but nothing major, and with a fairly steady downhill (generally) finish. Anyone want to shatter my illusions?

Cheers

 

[nickwill]

The northern loop catches a lot of people out. It's constant up and down riding on heavy roads. I have done this event for the last few years, and I've learned to hold something back for the second half.

 

[andy_wrx]

Like wot he said : very up and down, could be pretty sapping unless you took it steady.

Very do-able and nice satisfying riding, but not easy.

It's also absolutely midlle-of-nowhere and seriously exposed - if the weather's bad, it would be bad news.
A chunk of it follows the Border Reivers route.

But the last 15 miles or so is a fast TT blast back to the finish (assuming the traffic light on the hump-back brifge is in your favour !)

Good event - highly recommended.