Keswick Sportive

[eldudino]

Is anyone doing the Keswick Sportive on the 22nd May? I'm signed up, I'm not expecting a great time but it should be an enjoyable (in a masochistic way) ride. It'll certainly give me some really good hill climbing practice!

 

[Scoosh]

Which one are you doing ?

Are ye daft strong enough to do the 105km ?

The Snow Roads 300k Audax and the Ken Laidlaw on 22 August should be well within your reach after Keswick.

[Scook94 just might be doing the KL ]

 

[eldudino]

Which one are you doing ?

Are ye daft strong enough to do the 105km ?

The Snow Roads 300k Audax and the Ken Laidlaw on 22 August should be well within your reach after Keswick.

[Scook94 just might be doing the KL ]

Neither daft enough or strong enough (unless I decide on the day!) to do the 105km. Going for the 90km route with its paltry 2700m of climbing! I'm starting to worry a bit to be honest but it's too late now, I can't quite figure out how hard it's going to be getting 1300m of climbing into 27 miles!

The Ken Laidlaw looks good, a longer route though but a bit less climbing. I might be interested depending on what's happening around that time - hols are still to be booked. Does it tend to sell out quickly?

 

[Scoosh]

You should be all right as long as you don't race ! I'm a plodder at the best of times but 'slow and steady' will get you there !

Not sure about the KL selling out - it was featured in Cycling Weekly last year, so might be more popular this year.

<thinks - better get entry in >
I think Scook94, Bhoyjim and Seamab are doing it too. HLaB did it last year also.

 

[eldudino]

You should be all right as long as you don't race ! I'm a plodder at the best of times but 'slow and steady' will get you there !

That's my plan, I've got a 12-27 on the back and a compact up front so I've got options! I'm really enjoying riding Sram; it'd be hard to find a reason to change back to Shimano.

<thinks - better get entry in >
I think Scook94, Bhoyjim and Seamab are doing it too. HLaB did it last year also.

Is the plan to do it as a team and stick together? (read: bung Seamab and HLaB out front and get them to tow the rest of the group along!)

I'm going to have to make a decision to do this or the Etape Hibernia. Not sure yet, the Hibernia loses at the moment on cost and because it's pretty flat.

 

[MrRidley]

I think it would be a good idea to maybe do it as a team, as you say the whippets (and i include Scook in that, as i saw him on Sunday and he's almost anorexic now) could give the plodders (me+Scoosh) a tow for say the first 90 miles or so it would be the first time i have tackled such a distance so i'll have to get some serious training between now and the event.

 

[eldudino]

i include Scook in that, as i saw him on Sunday and he's almost anorexic now

It's called Raphanorexia, a rare and complex disease that revolves around weight-loss and an expensive taste for cycling gear!

 

[MrRidley]

It's called Raphanorexia, a rare and complex disease that revolves around weight-loss and an expensive taste for cycling gear!

Aye i noticed that with his new shoes, they were almost blinding

 

[eldudino]

Aye i noticed that with his new shoes, they were almost blinding

Hey, don't mention the shoes - I've got the same pair!!!

 

[Scoosh]

Hey, don't mention the shoes - I've got the same pair!!!

I did talk to him about his shoes - they didn't seem to have quite the right colour co-ordination . "Only" DHB too

Mind you, if I were in as good shape, I wouldn't be worrying about doing the Etape, KL, Snow Roads etc ...

<seeks Rapha website>


<faints at prices>

 

[Scoosh]

It would be the first time i have tackled such a distance so i'll have to get some serious training the new bike between now and the event.

 

[MrRidley]

Aye, if i ever get it, it's been that long since i ordered it, i forgot what it looks like BTW i have just spoken to the organiser of the Ken Laidlaw, and he tells me entries are now approx 230, with a max of 350, anyone who's thinking of entering should do so soon.

 

[eldudino]

I was down in Keswick this weekend and every time I mentioned what I was going to do, people laughed and looked surprised. Not sure if this is a testament to my cycling prowess or just that they think I'm totally barmy! Is anyone else signed up?

 

[Crossers]

Why don't you do the Chris Walker cycle challenge as a warm up for August. 85 miles up most of the passes in the lakes. Starting and Finishing in Keswick.

 

[eldudino]

Did the Keswick Sportive today, 6 passes: Whinlatter, Newlands and Honister, climbed twice each, once from each direction. It was TOUGH! I thought Scotland had some hills but the ones in the Lakes are unreal, really enjoyed it though!