Pendle 600 - Anyone know any details?

[DrMekon]

I suspect using the Pendle to train for LEL is akin to using climbing the Eiger to train for climbing Ben Nevis.

Love that.

Nothing like a scary ride to focus the mind. I've found myself skipping dessert and taking the hilly route to work since I put my entry in. I'm fearing any slacking between now and then will be punished severely.

[eeymsmo]

Must remember to source a smaller inner ring before then.

gearing is a personal thing,  but to give you an idea, I used a 1:1 bottom gear by fitting a MTB cassette and rear mech to my compact drivetrain. I'd got a 47/34 with a 11/34 cassette.
Just managed to ride up Hardknott on that with 500km in my legs

that's the current thining, current lowest is 36x27 which causes me to stop to admire the countryside occasionally but hasn't needed the 24" backup yet.....

And like the good DrM, I'm also looking on this as a focus to shift some pounds. I think I'll only want to carry 1 spare tyre round this one.

[Jonah]

I didn't get any time for sleep either, apart from a handfull of micro-knaps by the road side - JJ and I sailed in at a very respectable 39 1/2 hours - I remember busting my balls on the first 170K and then breathing out of my arse for the other 430K - I would rate this ride as 'very hard' but would have it down in the top 3, or even 2 for scenic drama.  I'm definately in and will hopefully be able to camp at the finnish this year.  This will allow time for more well deserved ale in the Swan with Two Necks.  It serves this 6.5% brew which spangled me.

[DrMekon]

I'm running 34/28 on my Madone, and it sailed up Park Rash and the Coal Road on the Delightful Dales without any dramas. I'm hoping that it'll suffice despite Andy's warning that Pendle is more that triple that effort. I have to say, his grin when he pointed out it's worse than 3 Delightful Dales does worry me.

[teethgrinder]

It's not the hardknott you need to worry about so much. Stage 2 in the North York Moors is the toughest IMO, with a quick succession of 1:3 and 1:4 hills and no flat bits inbetween.
I needed some food and rest when I got to Robin Hoods Bay control, but the next section was quite easy. Then it's back to business up to Hexham and another easy section over Hartside to Penrith.
I reckon if you can clear Penrith control you'll most likely finish. After Penrith it's still not easy, though my GPS route planning didn't go well, so I ended up doing some rough stuff and probably did a bit of extra climbing.

[mcshroom]

Just to point out that 'easy bit' is one of the C2C routes that people take days over

[teethgrinder]

Yes, it's all relative. An easy bit on Pendle would be the hard bit of most 600s.

[mattc]

In October I rode the Keswick-Ambleside bit (taking in Whinlatter/Wrynose/Hardknott passes) as part of a very tough 100km loop! And to think I was too wimpy to make it 200km that day ...

[CrazyEnglishTriathlete]

Have entered. 

Have seen that Campag do a 12-30 Centaur rear cassette so will probably order that as it will give me a 27" bottom end whilst still being able to do Mach 2 with wheels on fire on the tri-bars for the rare straight descent.

[simonp]

I'm running 34/28 on my Madone, and it sailed up Park Rash and the Coal Road on the Delightful Dales without any dramas. I'm hoping that it'll suffice despite Andy's warning that Pendle is more that triple that effort. I have to say, his grin when he pointed out it's worse than 3 Delightful Dales does worry me.

Madone? What do you do for luggage?

*ponders*

[DrMekon]

Deuter frame bag at the front for ephemera, tools in a 750ml bidon on the seat tube, 2.7l ortlieb saddlebag for clothes. Reasoning is

1. I hate top tube bags, as my knees hit them
2. Storing tool kit in the saddlebag makes the bike feel horrid out of the saddle, and we'll be out of the saddle a lot
3. Small saddlebag makes me think about what I'm carrying, which I never did when using my Nelson Longstrap.

I suspect my frame size 60cm is the sweetspot for the framebag, in that the straps just fit, and it's not in the way of the downtube bottle cage.

BTW, I checked, and I've got 34/30 to fall back on. Suspect I'll use it a lot.

[Revellinho]

Well, I've been umming and aahing about some sort of target for June and have finally pressed the button.  I just hope that I can distinguish between the sign for Stanhope and the sign for Staindrop this year when it's dark and raining 

[simonp]

My Madone has 30/27 available. I've never got up Hardknott on that bike. However, that predates switching to mainly riding fixed.

[simonp]

I would be worried about significant weight in a saddle bag on a seat mast, so clothes only in the saddle bag makes a lot of sense.

[CrazyEnglishTriathlete]

I've used a saddle pack on my Roberts race bike for long events (LEL, Mille Miglia, PBP) without any problems.  It does take some effort to cinch it up tight enough so it doesn't sway.  I do supplemented it with a bum bag.  It is a good encouragement to travel light.

[CrazyEnglishTriathlete]

12 - 30 casette has arrived (so have a 30-30 option for the 1 in 3 bits), Burnley Travelodge booked, weekend leave organised from Mrs CET, looking forward to this.

[Hillbilly]

Erm, that's "interesting" CET.  It's like being told that you've been informed by the opposing general that you are all to line up outside in the morning, and so have bought a bullet proof vest.  That is, if you are going for a 1:1 ratio then (based on what I've seen of your riding ability) I am going to get royally f**ked over on some of these climbs!

[Millepete]

Not sure if anyone is still looking to book accommodation for this event but, if so, it may be worth pointing out that although Burnley is the closest Travelodge to the start, there is a slight hill (Nick O'Pendle) between them so if you're planning to ride to & from the start you may be better staying at Blackburn instead

[CrazyEnglishTriathlete]

Not sure if anyone is still looking to book accommodation for this event but, if so, it may be worth pointing out that although Burnley is the closest Travelodge to the start, there is a slight hill (Nick O'Pendle) between them so if you're planning to ride to & from the start you may be better staying at Blackburn instead

That's why I've got the 1:1 ratio   

On a practical note, whether I might be able to get round with my standard ratios (30-25), the ultra-low gear should help me to climb just that little bit easier, so that the legs are not too dead for the easier bits. 

[teethgrinder]

On a practical note, whether I might be able to get round with my standard ratios (30-25), the ultra-low gear should help me to climb just that little bit easier, so that the legs are not too dead for the easier bits.

Two of us got around Pendle without all those fancy gears last year.
I think you'll manage.

[CrazyEnglishTriathlete]

Without counting chickens - perhaps I will have enough in the legs for a victory 'lap' over the Nick o' Pendle on the way back to Burnley Travelodge - after an obligatory refreshment in the Swan with Two Necks (I presume that means each neck needs a beer).  and 

[vorsprung]

I'm not entering this until I see how the K&SW 600 goes.  So far this year my form has been less than stellar

[marcusjb]

I'm not entering this until I see how the K&SW 600 goes.  So far this year my form has been less than stellar

I am really considering this now.

I will probably ponder it after Porkers and BCM.

I've been quite pleased with everything so far this year - though I haven't done too many hilly rides so far this year (Hard Boiled and Dorset Coast are about it).

I am really tempted.

[simonp]

It's not much more hilly than the Mille Cymru. And arriving at 600k on the time limit and out of energy is fine.

[Hillbilly]

Better to try and fail, than not try at all....

(of course, not as good as try and succeeding, but such is life).