2020 UK Middle distance races

You middle class Southerners, you’re all the same, with your South West cottage holidays :wink:
I bet you’re staying in Rock, and have bought a box of wine for “irony” :rofl:

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He’s staying with his mate Rick :wink:

Padstow then, where he’s gazing longingly across the water, dreaming of the cottage he could own in Rock, for the kids to use when they finish their exams?

Does Rick actually live in Padstow … surely he commutes across the Estuary?

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Father in law has a little ‘holiday chalet’ just outside of Camelford.

It’s a dump really, pretty basic but it’s cheap as and a good base to get to nicer areas

Yeah I’ve entered Helvellyn lats weekend when entries opened back up. Went and recced earlier Tuesday in the sun as had been planning a Lake District ride anyway.
It’s a beautiful ride. I expected constant hills but there’s only really the struggle and a couple of smaller ones, with lots of flat smooth riding in between, so wouldn’t be surprised if lots of you go for your TTs.
Took me 21 minutes to climb the struggle at 4.3W/kg NP in my lowest gear, average cadence 67. Suspect most of you will get away with less power to get up.
Descent was good quality, although I was very steady down behind a car the whole way.
Haven’t swam since March so need to remind myself there but pool reopens next week. 12C is a bit chilly though! :cold_face: Overall fat easier and better quality than IMUK.

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You’d have been faster without mudguards and 2l of drink!!! :wink:

Just took a look at your Struggle, you’ve a 50/34 compact, IIRC?
Looking at Holme Moss vs The Struggle and they’re nearly identical…does 1% make that much of a difference?


EDIT: Just read the description of The Struggle on 100 Climbs site; looks like it’s those 20-25% sections that zap you, Holme Moss is just nice and steady all of the way, before ramping up to 10-13% for the final 2km or so.

Good to hear you think it’s easier than IMUK, which I just found to be relentless, more than difficult (not sure how I’d feel after three loops, though!) Roads weren’t great on IMUK, so also good to hear these are better.

Is it a closed roads event?
Or are you likely to smell the clutches of cars when ascending The Struggle?

And permission has been granted:

“You can do that damn race, but, if you die, I will kill you”

Erm, not sure how that works, but hey - I CAN RACE :clown_face: :100: :man_cartwheeling: :rainbow: :trophy:

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Doubt that’s enough to make up for the race wheels etc! :wink:
Yeah the 4.5km of the Struggle includes a couple false flats, and a downhill section so it’s overall slower than a steady gradual climb.
IMUK was a 2 lap my year so can’t comment on the route you did, but assume must still be smoother roads, especially some of the descents in IMUK :scream:
Not looked but assume no closed roads in such a cheap event.

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Swim is usually around 15-16c I think, but there’s an odd place where you feel it drop a few degrees for about 100m.

I reckon you’ll be nearer to 2 hours on the bike depending on conditions, going down Kirkstone you can lose a bit being cautious but it’s only about a mile so you aren’t talking much more than 30 seconds or so compared to the headcases.

1:40 is a good run though. Really depends on your descending.

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I’d agree with @jeffb you’ll be quicker than 2:15. Took me 2:20 the other day having added on 4km missing the turn for the A66, and that was going steady enough to save self for a second time up the struggle and 30km back.

Not a clue on the run, will just enjoy it (or trudge through the rain) . Will enjoy finishing 9 miles, had July off and building back up after flare of MTSS.

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After speaking and riding with several locals, the three loop course seems to be about 20-25 mins faster than the 2019 beast which looks like a one and done course… thank god!

That said I’m not aware of anyone who’s ridden all three loops in one sitting … and only a few have done two.

The roads seem slightly better as grane road, pickup bank and Jackson heights really were shocking in places.

The 2017 course was a delight this year…!

Rumours already that 2021 is changing again … lol

FFS :face_with_symbols_over_mouth: :angry: :rage: :triumph:

They should just close a carriageway of the East Lancs and have us ride up and down the A580 all day, closer to The Flash, innit :wink:

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That would suit me !
My descending is improving in the dry …, wet not so good !

The bit across the top of sheephouse down to the res and into Bolton is key for me… if I can stay off the brakes I’ll do ok next year…!

Rumours are of small changes … but with Bolton … you never know!

I reckon you can do that with no brakes (in the dry) on race day, as there will be no idiots not watching for bikes descending and there’ll be zero parked cars to worry about (pulling out on you, without checking their mirrors)
That’s a really bad part recce’ing it, but I reckon it’d be much better closed.

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2:06 quickest, between 2:10 and 2:15 realistically.
I’m 80kg now (might be 83kg at the end of the weekend, I seem to retain A LOT of water…) and hauling that up lots of hills takes it’s toll.
My descending is also atrocious. I can do >80kmh if it’s a proper straight rode at 3-4%, but as soon as there are a few bends, or it’s any steeper, or I don’t know the road, I’m crawling down at 40kmh.

I’m not great in the cold, either, so if the swim is cold, I’m screwed - just takes me too long to get warm again on the pushbike.

The run I’m more confident about.
I’ve not done (m)any hills for ages, but going up is just nice and steady, descending is a skill I hope I still have some of - I’m not a fell runner, but used to race XC a lot and always used to make up dozens of places at any downhill section. I’m not scared to unleash a huge stride and cadence to just power down.

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Yep my mate hit the cattle grid last year at double my speed…!
And only cos 54x12 was maxed out …!?

Yep hard to practice that part at speed, but early doors it’s not too bad.

Several locals have signed up, from potentially very fast to a few that will do well to not get cut on the bike, seen more and more on disc roadies flying round it…

I might feel another bike coming on?

Sounds painful, hopefully you’ve recovered from it.

Is this Helwelynn everyone is talking about?

Im considering a UK middle if (or rather when) IM Barca is postcancelled.