England : Lancashire ColinJ's 103 km or 107 mile 'Back from the Dead' forum ride Sat 29/03/14

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

phil_hg_uk

I am not a member, I am a free man !!!!!!
Oh good, lots of beautiful scenery to look at as a distraction.

What just before you black out :giggle:
 

Smurfy

Naturist Smurf
Super!

Despite the lumpy looking profile, it isn't a particularly hilly route. If you check the scales you will see that the first big lump is basically a long drag. The next big lump is the Trough of Bowland which does get quite steep towards the top, but apart from that, most of the climbs are short or gentle. There is a sting in the tail after Ribchester though, at about 93 km on that profile. That includes a short steep section which caught many of us out when we did it last time. And of course, the Col de Whalley, a little hill to the car park at Spring Wood. Anybody still feeling frisky at the end of the main loop can sprint up that!

I've just plotted the route* on my own favourite mapping site, and I'm getting a peak gradient of 8.6% at around 16.8 miles in, which I'm guessing is The Trough. Apart from that it appears there are no hills over 4%. In theory it should be doable on fixed and SS, but if the elevation data is not accurate there could be other stuff that is not showing.

* The file I used was 'Spring Wood Whalley - Trough of Bowland- Glasson Dock - Longridge - Spring Wood, Whalley.gpx'
 
OP
OP
ColinJ

ColinJ

Puzzle game procrastinator!
I've just plotted the route* on my own favourite mapping site, and I'm getting a peak gradient of 8.6% at around 16.8 miles in, which I'm guessing is The Trough. Apart from that it appears there are no hills over 4%. In theory it should be doable on fixed and SS, but if the elevation data is not accurate there could be other stuff that is not showing.

* The file I used was 'Spring Wood Whalley - Trough of Bowland- Glasson Dock - Longridge - Spring Wood, Whalley.gpx'
*Ahem* ... :whistle:
I know it is hard to work out but you can see the Trough climb (the big one) and the steep little one towards the end and they look steep on the profile. Everything else is easier than those. Most of the climbing is the long draggy kind that would be ok for experienced fixed riders such as you and dr_p - I reckon 5 - 7% maximum. :bicycle:

I think the Trough is slightly harder from the Dunsop Bridge side, as we will tackle it. The last 1.25 km from that side averages about 9%, with 500 m at 13% including a short stretch at about 18%
:thumbsup:
 
You are Henri Desgrange AICMFP!
Over 45?
 

Kbrook

Guru
I've just come accross this browsing on a Sunday morning, I don't live that far from either start point could I join in the fun. I am not particularly fast any idea what sort of speeds you will be going dont want to be the back marker!
 

Pjays666

Über Member
Location
Burnley lancs
I've just come accross this browsing on a Sunday morning, I don't live that far from either start point could I join in the fun. I am not particularly fast any idea what sort of speeds you will be going dont want to be the back marker!
Hi kbrook according to Colin there will be more than one group with the slowest group probably averaging about 10 mph I will be in that group. Where r u by the way or is that your username (kelbrook)
 
Last edited:

Kbrook

Guru
You have seen through my cunning username, yes that's where I am, so handy for both starts. Are you doing the long one?
 

Pjays666

Über Member
Location
Burnley lancs
No going to do the short one. I am in Burnley but get over that way now and again. Went to springwood yesterday via padiham and back via gisburn and blacko
 

Kbrook

Guru
That's a good climb out of Gisburn to Blacko, if you ever wanted to extend it a bit if you haven't done it there is a left turn off the A682, signposted as a cycle route, that leads into barnoldswick. Nice little lane thats had a bit of remedial work one on it so its a bit smoother now.
 
OP
OP
ColinJ

ColinJ

Puzzle game procrastinator!
I've just come accross this browsing on a Sunday morning, I don't live that far from either start point could I join in the fun. I am not particularly fast any idea what sort of speeds you will be going dont want to be the back marker!
Yeah - 'come on down'!

The slowest group will go at the speed of their slowest rider! No shame in being the back marker - somebody has to be it. I have often been in that role on my own forum rides!

As long as the average speed including stops is at least 8 mph, the main loop should be completed in daylight. The group riding the 107 miles will probably ride a bit quicker than that, say, 11 mph? (But again, at a speed that their slowest rider is happy with.)

I have no idea how fit I will be by the time of the ride. I am getting out a bit more often now, but am still way short of the fitness I need, and only 5 weeks left to find it ... Must try harder!
 
Top Bottom