Ultracycling

I’m taking a stab at something extraordinarily stupid on the 27th/28th. What could possibly go wrong?!

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That's brave. What's the likely elevation for that?

Lots. Komoot reckons 5,790m.

Good luck!

Which way round are you going? I did the Camelford to Penzance section at start of Dec for the final part of my RRtY, and it was fairly quick, despite the headwind.

Planning to go down on the South coast and back on the North coast following the Atlantic Highway to Bideford.

It’s that stretch from Lands End up to Newquay I’m most nervous about. Some of the smallest roads on the route (avoiding the A30) and it’ll easily be dark by that point.

Based on interest the SRMR generated, thought some might be interested in this:

Expedition to map trekking and MTB routes in Pamir Mountains, Afghanistan.
https://twitter.com/janchip/status/1200568962473312258?s=20

I have nothing to do with this, just am aware of the company running it.

many wind. many hills.

Looks fun, good luck!

Devonshire lad so familiar with both of those! Plenty of bail out options if the distance gets to me but I do think it’ll be my head that goes before my legs if I’m honest.

Entries are open for the Rhino Run, Ryan Flin's event that goes from South Africa to Namibia.
https://www.rhinorun.cc/
Sounds great, I'd love to do it but I'm not sure I'm comfortable with doing a long haul flight just to do a bike ride nowadays.

How did you get on?

Did the 200km to Lands End but I was behind schedule (and frankly my head was gone) and I convinced myself it’d be better the get the train home. Disappointed in myself for not cracking on and getting it done if I’m honest!

That's a shame, repeated short sharp climbs are soul destroying. Did the weather hold?

It was brutally hilly, especially on a loaded bike. It felt like I was either flying down a descent or crawling up a climb all the way from Looe to Falmouth to be honest!

Weather held just fine thankfully and didn’t really get any wind until the final 10km to Lands End.

How was your route?

That sounds about right, those roads out of Looe are tough. The problem is you don't often get to carry that momentum into the climb, especially in Looe, Fowey etc. Still a great ride though! Penzance is a good bailout point. My ride went well, started later that intended but got back at 01:30, so very pleased. Only one closed road due to flooding, no diversion though.

@MessengerFantasy fancy riding out together at some point? I'm doing a LEJOGLE in 7 days next year and also in the middle of a RRtY so will be doing a lot of high mile rides in the next 6 months. I'm in Tywardreath.

Keen as a bean if you’re down the South Devon way on your training. Happy to show you a few routes around/over Dartmoor if you fancy some hills!

and for any gearheads that may be interested, here’s the setup from my Cornwall ride.

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I'll drop you a pm next time I'm heading that was and if you're free some company is always a bonus.

Enjoyed this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqgWRjG9M2s

This covers ultra endurance events of all kinds, but is an interesting read and features Emily Chappell;

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/jan/03/female-ultra-athletes-leading-field-women-less-ego

Great read

That's a good idea if you like hills.

Has anyone here done race around the Netherlands? Are campsites normally open late?

Not sure what I will do about sleeping. Is there much hotel or campsites on route. The more I go off piste the more likely I am to make a mistake and not have an official finish.

I need to work this out before I enter.