England : Cumbria Fred Whitton 2013

[danielstucke]

The Fred was awesome. Epic. And a bit apocalyptic. Weather turned nasty, lots of mildly hypothermic people at second stop. Did it in 9hrs 13. Given the weather pretty pleased with that!

 

[nr.]

It was pretty bad up on Cold Fell, and a lot of riders (myself included) just weren't prepared for it. I mean, I knew it was going to be wet, and I thought that four layers up top, winter gloves, and oversocks would be enough. It wasn't. I was stopped at Calder Bridge and told that I'd have to wait to be rescued as I was showing signs of hypothermia. In the end, after lots of hot sweet tea and a 90 minute spell in a survival blanket, I was able to finish under my own steam. If anyone's hysterically bored, I wrote about it here: http://nronketti.wordpress.com/

Top marks to all the marshals, medics, and helpers who spent all day out in the miserable conditions, to the spectators who smiled, clapped, and encouraged us all, and to everyone involved with the running of the event. And best wishes to everyone that crocked themselves on the descents, Wrynose in particular was just plain scary in those conditions.

 

[Globalti]

Epic! An enjoyable read despite my empathy for the pain!

 

[Jazzer]

Big well done to all who attempted,weather up on that cold fell is nasty,that's we're I felt it in 2011. But great feeling to finish,hey Daniel you beat my 2011 time by 2minutes arghhh well done

 

[Nearly there]

Good effort by all it was an horrible day there are a few videos on youtube of the day.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

Managed to get into this with several club mates for 2014.

Hope the weather is fair.

Anyone else get in?

 

[Twizit]

Yep

Currently working out how to get lower gearing onto the bike and just how much more training I now need to cram in

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

I'll be using a compact but might put a friendlier cassette on as currently it is 12-25. I've been up 30% gradients on this set up before and the cadence was super slow and grinding. Think Campag will allow a 27 or a 29 on the back without changing derailleur. There isn't a climb i couldn't get up on the route but Hardknott after 90 miles may require a granny gear or two. Spin to win.

 

[Twizit]

Yep, currently got a compact and a 28 on the back. That "should" get me up anything but as you note, it's the 90 miles already in the legs when Hardknott arrives that is the unknown. A mate did it last year and had a 30 front / 32 rear combo. He was the only one still peddling up Hardknott in the photos I've seen