New ride in the Forest of Bowland

[PMB]

My cycling club (Garstang CC) is situated on the edge of the forest of Bowland and they have decided to open this event up to the public but it's not for the faint hearted. There is a write up of the 2011 club edition in the link along with a route map

Let me know what you think

Paul


http://bowlandbadass.com/

 

[ColinJ]

I think if you want to open the event up to the public then rickfromclaughton should make sure that access to the route map on MapMyRide isn't limited to just his 'friends'!

 

[PMB]

Hi Colin

I think you are right.

I will let him know!!

 

[Ajay]

Ouch! That is one helluva sadistic route
I'd like to think I might be in shape to tackle it come next July

 

[ColinJ]

Ouch! That is one helluva sadistic route
I'd like to think I might be in shape to tackle it come next July

I'd like to think I would be too, but there's thinking and then there's actually being!

PS Rick still needs to share that route map with the rest of us!

 

[YahudaMoon]

Maybe you could reconsider the name for the event ? Looks very familiar to a few audax events.

Looks like a very good event though the name would put me off

 

[Garz]

I think if you want to open the event up to the public then rickfromclaughton should make sure that access to the route map on MapMyRide isn't limited to just his 'friends'!

Yep Rick needs to update the privileges.

 

[PMB]

Route should be viewable now!

Paul

 

[ColinJ]

Yes, there is now a usable copy of the route on BikeRouteToaster.

I rode the Season of Mists audax with Alun yesterday which took in several of the climbs featured in the Bowland Bad Ass. SoM was 100 km with 2,500 m of climbing and we found that one tough little ride, whereas the BBA will be 265 km with 5,500 of climbing.

In terms of difficulty, the Bad Ass is probably equal to all but the very hardest of Grand Tour mountain stages. Since few of us are anywhere near pro fitness level, I would humbly suggest that it is probably a tad too bad ass!

It would be horribly brutal in poor weather conditions, or in the kind of hot conditions we had last week. I'd want it to be about 18°C and with no more than a gentle breeze blowing.

For those riders who do have a very good level of fitness, who have good lights just-in-case, and enjoy a serious challenge, it would certainly be a ride to remember!

So, having taken these things into account and given my current level of (un)fitness - No Way José, in the words of the Dragons - I'm out!

PS I've just noticed that BikeRouteToaster makes the route a still serious, but more manageable 4,200-ish metres of climbing.

 

[Garz]

Kind of agree with Colin, this time of year with unfavourable conditions not at full fitness is a recipe for hell. Some people have to be careful not to go down the lines of (is it?) Le Terrier just throwing in all the local climbs to make it hard for the sake of it. I kind of enjoy the odd sadistic hill but equally enjoy a nice scenic sweep through a valley instead of criss crossing around to bump up the ft climbed.

If however any CC member is brave (or stupid) enough to tackle it then please let us know!

 

[PMB]

Has anyone read the 2011 ride report? Well worth a read if not

 

[ColinJ]

Has anyone read the 2011 ride report? Well worth a read if not

I had a quick look at the report and intend to go back and read it properly when I have time. The ride sounds hardcore!

I went through the route last night to see if it covered all the tough climbs that I would put in such a route and it did. I've ridden most of them, but there are 3 that I haven't done yet and I intend to tackle them on a FoB forum ride next summer, by which time I will (hopefully!) be fit enough to relish them - Whalley Banks, Cow Ark and Birdy Brow.

I have a suggestion for people wanting to come and ride in the Forest of Bowland but who are not fit enough to tackle the full Bad Ass route in one bite ... They could easily use the route as the basis for 2 tough century rides to tackle over a weekend. That would still be a big undertaking, but more doable for most people. Slaidburn Youth Hostel would be a good place to base themselves for the weekend.

Anyway - good luck with the 2012 Bad Ass. It will appeal to a select few, but if the riders are fit enough and get nice weather that day, I'm sure they will have a great ride!