Pendle 600 - Anyone know any details?

[Hillbilly]

FOUR (or as the German's pronounce it, fear).

Currently keeping an eye on the weather forecast.  The eye is slightly moist 

Must get out my chant beads to ward off the malign weather demons fronts.

[CrazyEnglishTriathlete]

I was slightly upset to plot my route from my hotel, in Burnley, to the start.

12km - lovely little warm up before the main event.

290m of ascent though! 

I will be the one at the start looking pretty knackered already!

Try going through Simonstone rather than Sabden.

That's the way I will be going.  4.30am breakfast at Travelodge 4.50am depart 5.30 am breakfast at start.  Trying to set new PB for no of breakfasts this weekend - only managed 5 on the Brimstone.   

[Hillbilly]

3.

Currently in a quandry about the weather forecast.  I am about as ready physically for this ride as I will ever be, realistically, but the outlook of light rain mixed with heavy downpours in one of the most exposed areas of the country is currently gnawing away at my resolve.  I am also a bit concerned about the reduced stopping distance this implies on the descents, many of which require concentration in mild conditions (based on past experience).

This stuff is meant to be fun, and at the moment it is looking like the wrong kind of fun.  Bloody wet British weather.  Just screw you Jet Stream 

[marcusjb]

Still a few days to go.

I've never considered popping spare brake blocks into the saddle bag on a UK ride before.  I might on this one.  Some of the descending looks challenging. Especially if it does get wet.

[mcshroom]

I'd be concerned about decending the east side of Hardknott in the wet. It's not unknown for Fred Whitton rides to slide down there sideways when it's really wet. Then again I'm scared of that decent in the dry.

The weather forecast is not looking brilliant is it. I'm considering doing a solo 350/400km ride through to Newcastle and back onFriday night and I would have preferred better. The wind looks like it could be quite favourable for a large portion of your ride though, especially swinging round to the NW on the Sunday.

[Deano]

Still a few days to go.

I've never considered popping spare brake blocks into the saddle bag on a UK ride before.  I might on this one.  Some of the descending looks challenging. Especially if it does get wet.

This is one of my front brake pads after a 300 km perm from Darlo to the Lakes and back, so in pretty much the same terrain:



I replaced the rear brake pads during the ride, too. Mind you, that was in March, and it rained for the first 120 km. Hopefully you lot will have better conditions!

[marcusjb]

I have popped a new pair in the saddlebag.  I only weigh 60kg so, generally, get good life out of brake pads.  But this ride looks especially hard on them.

[Hillbilly]

60kg?  Cheat!  You can carry some of my stuff to make up the difference 

[bikey-mikey]

You could get a bike with discs of course.......

[Greenbank]

You could get a bike with discs of course.......

Do disc pads never run out?

[Hillbilly]

You could get a bike with discs of course.......

Ah, but then one has the risk of the back wheel locking and skidding out sideways just as a Land Rover approaches uphill.  DAMHIKT.  (That particular incident was almost a wet fart moment)

[Euan Uzami]

You could get a bike with discs of course.......

Do disc pads never run out?

not from one ride! my last pair lasted 18,000km. Sintered probably last even longer.

[Phil W]

You could get a bike with discs of course.......

Do disc pads never run out?

not from one ride! my last pair lasted 18,000km. Sintered probably last even longer.

You can wear out disc pads in a day off road in the wet. Did this in the Peak, grit and water make an effective grinding paste.

[CrazyEnglishTriathlete]

had a look at the weather forecast - on the metoffice they have a weather station on Melmerby fell at 708m so just a little above Hartside.  Forecast was for 9C feels like 3C and rain on Saturday so will be packing winter gear.  There is no shame in walking down a descent.  May well pack spare brake pads.

[Hillbilly]

Fuck it.  I'm doing this.  I'll simply look back with regret at being a pussy when I read the ride reports of those bold enough to give it a crack.

GeronimohmydeargodwhathaveIletmyselfinfor.

[tubbycyclist]

GeronimohmydeargodwhathaveIletmyselfinfor.

I have entered this but stayed out of the thread until this struck a chord. 
My provisional plans are - not sleeping; eat on the bike and keep moving; wear shoes that are comfortable for walking; take lots of layers; hope not to ride down the A6 from Penrith having run out of time. Gulp.

[Revellinho]

My take on the weather forecast atm is that it is not nice, but not so bad as to DNS.  I've been down the Wrynose and Hardknott in the wet before and it is not as bad as people might think.  You might choose to get off and walk on the worst bits, especially if there are cars about, but what's 10 mins difference make over a ride that might take 40 hours?  Shame though, after all this good stuff we've been having.  Rode over the Whinlatter and back today - just beautiful.

[Yossarian]

I'm entered too, and also a little concerned about the weather. However, not starting is not an option, I'd much rather start then DNF than not bother, though I would expect to have suffered significantly before DNF'ing, ie, I want to see blood.

Also, I really want the Pendle on my palmares.

Seriously though, the issues with wet weather for me are all at night, when temperatures drop and a lack of anywhere to abandon too, such as a train station, or warm place, disappear. So I will make my choices towards the evening. It is supposed to be fun after all.

See you all on the start line!

Joel

[simonp]

I’ve descended Hardknott in the wet before. I’d be more concerned about attempting to ride up in the wet and losing it due to wheel spin.

[teethgrinder]

Spare brake pads are probably worth carrying just in case. I upgraded my brakes for this ride (well for the 3 1000k rides really, but also for this one) and also bought some extra grippy tyres.
I descended Hardknott and Wrynose on fixed in the wet on my Manaic attempt. It's OK as long as you keep your speed down as soon as you start descending and keep everything under control.

I can tell who hasn't ridden this ride on this thread. It's the North York Moors section you should be concerned about.
If you feel knackered at Robin Hoods Bay and with not much time in hand. Don't worry, the next section is probably the easiest of the ride, then it's back to business.

[Euan Uzami]

You could get a bike with discs of course.......

Do disc pads never run out?

not from one ride! my last pair lasted 18,000km. Sintered probably last even longer.

You can wear out disc pads in a day off road in the wet. Did this in the Peak, grit and water make an effective grinding paste.

Oh I know I have as well but that's not on the road is it...

[Euan Uzami]

I’ve descended Hardknott in the wet before. I’d be more concerned about attempting to ride up in the wet and losing it due to wheel spin.

when I did the coast to coast with some other blokes a few years back one of them did just that, he just toppled and wasn't hurt but couldn't set off again. Another guy packed purely because his nerves were shot from the descent (he was young though).

[Deano]

I can tell who hasn't ridden this ride on this thread. It's the North York Moors section you should be concerned about.
If you feel knackered at Robin Hoods Bay and with not much time in hand. Don't worry, the next section is probably the easiest of the ride, then it's back to business.

Aye, people I've spoken to who rode it last year said the same thing.

I wouldn't say it was that easy until you get to Kildale and Stokesley, mind.

[DrMekon]

Right, I'll be picking up some new brake blocks on Friday. Packing winter gloves as cold wet hands are no fun. Expecting no sleep and suffering.

It will be great, and what isn't will make for great stories.

[teethgrinder]

I wouldn't say it was that easy until you get to Kildale and Stokesley, mind.

They are only 1:6s to Kildale, unlike the succession of 1:3s and 4s you'll be climbing and descending to Robin Hood's Bay.