Etape Pennines

[Highlander Neil]

Hi all,

Just completed the Etape Caledonia and was thinking about entering the Etape Pennines, I think its safe to say I am now addicted to closed road Sportives after having done just the one, EC on Sunday!

I can't say I know what a Category 3 climb is to be honest, as I don't think I have ever been up one. How much harder is EP going to be than EC, with 4 cat 4's and 3 cat 3's. I better get training if I'm looking to do this? I did 4:58 on the EC, but was conservative as it was my first time, could have reduced that by maybe 20 mins without busting a gut.

Cheers.

 

[zizou]

I dont really know that area of England but looking at the route profile it looks a bit hillier and without the long flat sections that the EC...However i hope that doesn't put you off - it maybe a bit more difficult in terms of climbing but it is not prohibitively so and i am also considering doing it.

 

[oldfatfool]

I too am thinking about it I wouldn't let the climbs put you off, the pre paid £61 and the weather in october ....................

 

[Highlander Neil]

I don't think the weather could really be that much worse than was experienced on EC going around Loch Rannoch, the end of the route was nice, feeling returned to my fingers and put some speed down to make up for the first 40 miles.

Plus I have been training in the Scottish hills since Feb at the weekends, and most of the time its pretty brutal.

The money is fine, I think its well worth £61, but might need to go and find some cat 3's in Aberdeenshire and try and beast up them to see what they're like!

 

[DCLane]

I've entered and there's a thread here with others on: http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/etape-pennines-october-2012.87439/