London to Nelson - A Poll

[martint235]

Sorry to start another thread about this but I'm getting quite a bit of stick from non-cycling friends and family. The basics are I intend to ride from London to Nelson in Lancashire on the 6th June to take part in the Manchester - Morecambe FNRttC the following weekend. It's around 250 miles and I was basically planning on leaving home around 4am with an ETA of around 8pm in Nelson.

As you can see from the poll, certain ideas/criticisms of this plan have been put forward and so I'd welcome advice from the members of this parish, particularly, although not limited to, people who've ridden distances with me. If the general agreement is with me, I can tell my mother not to worry and that I've taken advice. If not, she'll probably be happy.

 

[mcshroom]

Well if the weather's fine then it should be manageable, though you might find it more enjoyable over a couple days.

Do keep in mind that it gets hillier towards the end of the ride, though you may be able to plot a reasonably flat route through the Trent valley and onto the Cheshire plains.

How much luggage are you planning on taking? If you are going to need a pannier of stuff that would make it a lot harder.

 

[martint235]

Just taking a Carradice with essentials (tubes etc) plus a couple of t shirts, some trainers and some shorts as I'll be up there for 4 days.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

if your fit enough do it!!! if not halfway hotel. god luck.

 

[lukesdad]

I used to do 247 miles each way to MiLs in hants 4 times a year. I d allow 18 hrs for the trip but normaly was around 16. Only real difference was I used to leave at midnight. This allowed for an evening in the pub, slept most of sat ( thus avoiding MiL ) before returning on the Sunday. Allways a very enjoyable weekend

 

[jayonabike]

How about get a train a third of the way there and give yourself a manageable (for you!) 160 odd mile ride?

 

[potsy]

I don't see a 3 day option

 

[Flying Dodo]

I went for the 250 mile ride option, as I know you're capable of doing that distance.

However, as mentioned by Jay, a good compromise would be getting a train for the first part of the journey. That has the advantage of getting you outside of the south-east and possible areas you've ridden through before, plus there'll be less traffic further north.

 

[StuAff]

Voted for the 'go for it' option. For me, that would be too much (at least in 16 hours...I just can't go that quick for that long, I've done 162 miles in 14 hours including stops), but for you, certainly doable. I'd be inclined to agree with LD- allow more time than you think you'll need, because you might just need it. If it really is 250 miles (thought your planned route was a bit shorter?) that means 15 mph overall (not rolling) average for 16 hours, a big, big ask. I know you're a lot stronger and quicker than me, but you will be flagging sooner or later. There might be mechanicals, roadworks, all sorts of other minor niggly delays. And don't forget that you can save yourself a lot of energy, and time overall, by easing up a little- it takes the same amount of energy to pedal for 20 miles at 20 mph as 32 miles at 16 mph.

 

[Mice]

With the legs you have and with Lelly I think you'll be there in about an hour and a half...!!! I'd have added another option "what do Dellzeqq + Flying Dodo/'Teef/Ianrauk and Arallsopp (being your Wiltshire peleton - although I might have left someone out due to rubbish memory) - not forgetting our very own PBPers (Frank975/Zigzag/Swarm_Catcher and LouiseL) say? I take it this is Wednesday 6th cycling, Thursday 7th socialising with Family then Friday 8th Manchester to Morecombe FNRttC?

Blimey, I'm knackered just reminding myself of the PBP 2011 let alone thinking about your ride to a ride!

M Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[ColinJ]

If you are fit enough to do it and enjoy it, go for it!

 

[User10571]

That's an impressive distance to do in one hit - for anyone, I think.
Splitting it with a hotel stop would make it doddle - for someone of your calibre, Martin - might lack the challenge though, that option.
Tricky one, which is why I've, so far, abstained from voting.
Sorry, that's not really helping is it?
You should've come to Whitstable. We worked that ride .

 

[martint235]

I don't see a 3 day option

Potsy, there'll never be a 3 day option. Keep the ideas coming though and thanks for all the contributions so far. I'm now seriously considering Lukesdads option of a midnight start, it will mean riding at night on roads that are fairly well lit and that I roughly know but with the advantage of a larger buffer if things do go pear shaped. I don't want to be on the Lancashire Moor with a puncture at 9pm really.

 

[martint235]

That's an impressive distance to do in one hit - for anyone, I think.
Splitting it with a hotel stop would make it doddle - for someone of your calibre, Martin - might lack the challenge, that option.
Tricky one, which is why I've, so far, abstained from voting.
Sorry, that's not really helping is it?
You should've come to Whitstable. We worked that ride .

User10571, I've been beating myself up for not making Whitstable. I should have just got up and done it. I'm really sorry I didn't, more, I must admit, for my prep for LEL than for letting you down (I am truly sorry about this as well though).

I think London to Nelson comes down to this: I'm still seeing it as A - B which as everyone who knows me will accept is head down, A road. If I stop mid-way it kind of makes it a holiday. Is that a bad thing? It will keep many people happy, not least my mum. But then there's the challenge. I hope you can now see why I asked for advice.

 

[potsy]

Potsy, there'll never be a 3 day option.

In that case a definite 2 day strategy, if only for the fact it means 1 day less in Burnley