Author Topic: Maniac! (Read 9784 times)

marcus · « **on:** 01 July, 2008, 04:34:02 pm »

Tomorrow I set off for Hexham with the aim of riding Andy Corless' Maniac Grimpeur on Thursday-Saturday. 1000 km around the Lake District & Yorkshire Dales with 17,000+ m of climbing. I'm planning to do it as 3 loops with (short) sleep stops after each loop.

I've done a lot of hilly rides this year in preparation for this but even so it's going to be a really tough challenge. It may prove to be too tough for me, but I won't know unless I try. The weather forecast isn't great but at least it looks as if there won't be too much wind. I can put up with a bit of rain.

Anyway, succeed or fail I'll let you know how I've got on when I get back home!

Ian H · « **Reply #1 on:** 01 July, 2008, 04:36:05 pm »

Have you made a will? Can I have your bike?

Lizzie · « **Reply #2 on:** 01 July, 2008, 04:44:23 pm »

Flippin' eck!

Good luck marcus

iakobski · « **Reply #3 on:** 01 July, 2008, 04:45:36 pm »

Fantastic!

Have fun.

nic · « **Reply #4 on:** 01 July, 2008, 04:47:29 pm »

Good luck with that Marcus.

17000m of climbing in Lake district / Yorkshire Dales

eck · « **Reply #5 on:** 01 July, 2008, 05:10:28 pm »

Given the lack of fuss you made when doing the Snow Roads permanent up here, in March FFS,

, I've every faith in you.
Best wishes for a successful ride.

nuttycyclist · « **Reply #6 on:** 01 July, 2008, 05:11:26 pm »

Are you riding it fixed?

frere yacker · « **Reply #7 on:** 01 July, 2008, 05:30:41 pm »

*Bows to the Grimp-Meister*

You can do it Marcus!

teethgrinder · « **Reply #8 on:** 01 July, 2008, 05:44:08 pm »

Good luck!
I was thinking of having a go at this one too, but never got as far as the planning stage. It's not a ride I'd take lightly. It has been done, so is not impossible. But definitely a challenge.
I'd be interested in your plans for the ride, so that I might be able to steal them and use them for an attempt myself.

PatC · « **Reply #9 on:** 01 July, 2008, 05:51:20 pm »

So The Midlander was just your warm up ride? Bloody hell.

frere yacker · « **Reply #10 on:** 01 July, 2008, 05:55:07 pm »

Quote from: teethgrinder on 01 July, 2008, 05:44:08 pm

It has been done, so is not impossible. But definitely a challenge.

According the the AAA points, the hills have shrunk since the last attempt. Probably not even worth getting out of bed for now

Andydauddwr · « **Reply #11 on:** 01 July, 2008, 07:02:06 pm »

Best of luck with this, sounds mental!

AC

Deano · « **Reply #12 on:** 01 July, 2008, 07:13:54 pm »

Yep, good luck mate.

Out of curiosity, does anyone know the route?

marcus · « **Reply #13 on:** 01 July, 2008, 07:44:44 pm »

Thanks for the messages of support. It will help me keep going when I hit a low point, which I'm bound to at some stage.

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

marcus · « **Reply #14 on:** 01 July, 2008, 07:53:17 pm »

Quote from: Deano on 01 July, 2008, 07:13:54 pm

Yep, good luck mate.

Out of curiosity, does anyone know the route?

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.

DanialW · « **Reply #15 on:** 01 July, 2008, 07:59:22 pm »

Marcus, fixed or gears, you are a fucking nutter.

The very best of British, mister. I really, really hope you storm it.

Sergeant Pluck · « **Reply #16 on:** 01 July, 2008, 08:08:10 pm »

Quote from: marcus on 01 July, 2008, 04:34:02 pm

17,000+ m of climbing

Gulp

All the best for the ride, will be waiting to hear how it goes.

alan · « **Reply #17 on:** 01 July, 2008, 08:12:19 pm »

!7,000 metres of climbing is almost beyond comprehension

IIRC Everest is only 8000 metres high.This fact puts a certain perspective on the challenge

Noodley · « **Reply #18 on:** 01 July, 2008, 08:13:14 pm »

All the best marcus

scampi · « **Reply #19 on:** 01 July, 2008, 09:08:14 pm »

Good luck!! Looking forward to the ride report and the photos

D0m1n1c Burford · « **Reply #20 on:** 01 July, 2008, 09:14:40 pm »

All the best with this Marcus. You kept that one quiet on the Midlander

D0m1n1c Burford · « **Reply #21 on:** 01 July, 2008, 09:17:42 pm »

I take it you're not riding the Reservoir AUKs on Saturday this year then

bobajobrob · « **Reply #22 on:** 01 July, 2008, 09:29:53 pm »

Sounds brutal! Insane, almost. Like doing 10 Cotswold Corkers back to back. Enjoy

dkahn400 · « **Reply #23 on:** 01 July, 2008, 10:10:00 pm »

I've thought about this ride for some time but I am nowhere near fit enough this year. When Ian H warns you it's a bit on the extreme side that shows you silly it is. Good luck with it.

Von Broad · « **Reply #24 on:** 01 July, 2008, 10:35:49 pm »

Quote from: marcus on 01 July, 2008, 04:34:02 pm

I've done a lot of hilly rides this year in preparation for this but even so it's going to be a really tough challenge. It may prove to be too tough for me, but I won't know unless I try. The weather forecast isn't great but at least it looks as if there won't be too much wind. I can put up with a bit of rain.

Well. Good luck. If you make it, you can live for the rest of your days with the knowledge that you'll always be part of a select few. Somehow I just don't see loads of people jumping on the bandwagon for this one

You mention nothing of anybody else riding with you. Riding solo? Man, if you are then you really do like it tough!

All the best.

Author Topic: Maniac! (Read 9784 times)

marcus

iakobski

frere yacker

frere yacker

marcus

marcus

DanialW

alan

D0m1n1c Burford

D0m1n1c Burford

bobajobrob