Cumbrian xmas cracker

[PMB]

Hi all, has anyone done this/planning to do it this year?

I am registered for it and have heard conflicting reports re levels of difficulty, hills etc. Any info glady appreciated

Paul

 

[Tim Bennet.]

It's hilly, but doesn't go over any of the passes.

Red Bank out of Grasmere is probably the steepest, although the real difficulty there is getting past a Polish lorry that has become stuck trying to follow its satnav.

 

[PMB]

Thanks Tim

Looking forward to it, although Im not a fan of xmas pud so mine is up for grabs if nayone wants it!!

 

[aJohnson]

I may be doing it.

 

[PMB]

event now full 400+ riders, should be fun

 

[got-to-get-fit]

im on board and ill have your christmas pud........never done the ride before though so cant comment on hilliness

 

[Carboncyclestore]

Im riding it.
Ive never ridden this event but I have ridden all the roads on the northern part of the route on training rides.
As already mentioned its constantly undulating but avoids any of the major passes.
At just over 60 miles it will be an enjoyable day in the saddle as long as the weather behaves itself.
Chaos up there at the moment,I am up staying in Elterwater on wednesday so I will get an idea of the situation with the flooding in that area.

 

[PMB]

Got the info pack thru now and am really looking forward to this one, its freezing up here at the mo tho, thermals will be in order!!

 

[PMB]

weather forecast for Sunday up here is clear dry and cold


Perfect, anyone on here oding it? Should be fun

Paul

 

[Ceedee]

Hi PMB, I did the 2008 Chrismas Cracker which was reschedule for 2009 due to bad weather. If the route is the same as last time the only major climb is at the start, but on fresh legs not too bad. Cracking scenery and Some very pleasant roads to ride apart from the last mile or so back to Grasmere. The Chrismas pud was great at the end with a nice cup of tea, Have a great time.

 

[PMB]

Hi PMB, I did the 2008 Chrismas Cracker which was reschedule for 2009 due to bad weather. If the route is the same as last time the only major climb is at the start, but on fresh legs not too bad. Cracking scenery and Some very pleasant roads to ride apart from the last mile or so back to Grasmere. The Chrismas pud was great at the end with a nice cup of tea, Have a grat time.

Thanks mate, think it is the same route as Feb this yr due to Ice etc

 

[addictfreak]

I had fully intended to do this ride, was going to make a weekend of it with the missus. Unfortunately things have'nt worked out as planned.

Saved the route to my PC for another day though.

Have fun, hope it not too cold

 

[addictfreak]

Anybody do this ride today? How was it?

 

[got-to-get-fit]

yes, i did it,

the start was delayed an hour to let the ice thaw and the route was modified slightly. but it did not effect the ride.
Planning and organisation was superb,
signage was good,
food was excellent,
christmas pud was awesome.

This was my first ever sportive and ive gotta say, based on this experience i will be doing a lot more of them.
The scenery was simply gorgeous.
I must admit though i did not get my planning quite right. I set of like a startled hare and at 30 miles i was thinking "i feel fantastic...im going to set a blistering time"
However the hills got their own back and in the end i every turn of the pedal was a small victory.
That taught me a lesson. I was so wrapped up in the exhilerating feeling of "scalping riders" that i forgot that there was still a long way to go.

All that said ....it was the toughest physical challeng i have had to date and i survived and really enjoyed the whole experience.
My time for 65 miles was 4hrs20min

 

[PMB]

I did it and enjoyed it loads, was also my first event like this, and although The "main" climb was taken out due to ice, there were still some killer hills "grizedale summit anyone?"

Not sure of the time, but was it really 65 miles?