Maniac!

[Justin(e)]

I'll be thinking of you when I am sound asleep in a warm bed.  (Actually, I won't)

Respect - for attempting this.

Double respect if you make it.

[iddu]

And no, Nutty, I'm not doing it on fixed!

G'wan, it's fun, for very perverse values of fun. Either so up you're walking, or so down yer hips need water cooling

Good luck!

[tonyh]

Good luck Marcus!
You've certainly trained well.
We'll be eager for news!

[Deano]

I'm doing it in 3 loops, with controls as follows:

Day 1: Hexham - Penrith - Seatoller - Seascale - Ambleside - Haydon Bridge (short diversion back to Hexham to sleep)

Day 2: Haydon Bridge - Leyburn - Kettlewell - Brough - Bellingham - Hexham

Day 3: Hexham - Barnard Castle - Hawes - Ingleton - Slaidburn - Burnley - Slaidburn - Dent - Reeth - Hexham

I know most of the roads in the Dales and Northumberland from previous rides but have never cycled in the Lake District so that will be unknown territory. I'm 'looking forward' to Hardknott & Wrynose in a perverse kind of way.

 

The poverty of that description disguises a world of hurts.  Sounds great

[Charlotte]

You're either a gibbering loon or a very scary man, Marcus.

Either way, fair winds to you, Sir - you've my admiration for even trying...

[dkahn400]

You're either a gibbering loon or a very scary man, Marcus.

Why can't he be both?

[nuttycyclist]

A gibbering man is a scary loon.

[Ian H]

When Ian H warns you it's a bit on the extreme side that shows you silly it is. Good luck with it.

I've no idea what it's like except that I've seen a picture of Richard P looking a little battle-weary after riding it. Marcus is fit enough to breeze round, so there's no chance of me getting his bike.

[Charlotte]

You're either a gibbering loon or a very scary man, Marcus.

Why can't he be both?

Good point 

[frere yacker]

Ooo, he must be on his way there now.

This is the kind of heroic stuff I love about AUK *pom poms*

[D0m1n1c Burford]

Ooo, he must be on his way there now.

This is the kind of heroic stuff I love about AUK *pom poms*

As he doesn't have a car, I wonder if he's cycling there 

[Ray 6701]

Good luck & I hope the weather stays reasonable for you

[Hummers]

Good luck Marcus.

May your winds be fair and your barse light in the saddle.

H

[mukkinese]

is he nearly there yet?

[DanialW]

Did you do it Marcus? Tell us! The suspense is killing me!

[D0m1n1c Burford]

He's probably got his legs in an ice bath, and eating like a horse 

[marcus]

Hurrah! I did it!

I got back home at lunchtime and I've spent most of this afternoon sleeping & eating, and plan to spend most of the next few days doing little else.

I still can't decide whether the 'maniac' refers to the state of mind you have to be in to even contemplate the ride or the state you're in at the end. Maybe both.

Ride report will follow once I feel vaguely human again.

[eck]

Hurrah indeed.
Chapeau, sir. 

[MSeries]

Well done marcus

[nic]

Well done marcus. Chapeau bas!

[teethgrinder]

Jolly well done (I can't get the thumbsup thingy to work so you'll have to have an IOU)

Will you send your RR to Arrivee?
Even a brief write up would be good.


I bailed out of my 1000 this weekend.

I'm starting to run out of excuses not to have a go at the Maniac now, except lack of time.

[Noodley]

Well done.   

[Chris N]

Cor.  Well done indeed.

[Julian]

Crikey. 

That is a mad ride indeed - many congratulations, Marcus. 

[DanialW]

Wow! Well done!