PAST news - 2025
Fred Whitton, 11th May 2025
Dave, Jimmy, Corey and Michele made the whistle stop trip to the Lake District to undertake the undeniably toughest UK event on the calendar. The bare stats give an idea of the challenge, 112 miles/180km, 3500 m/11000 ft of climbing, but they still can’t really convey the tough nature of the ride. Eye watering gradients of 25% and 30% give another hint but unlike a lot of other climbs the Lake district manages to sustain those gradients where other climbs just have them in corners.
An early start was required, riders head off from 6am and have to have started by 8am. There are two other cut off points which you must have passed through by the set time otherwise you will be diverted back to the start.
There is a nice 10km flat warm up before a day full of climbing starts. As you never go over about 450m of elevation the rolling nature of the course is where a good deal of elevation in accumulated giving you very few sections where you can just roll along.
With a mass start the roads are very congested for a great deal of the course and the vast majority is not closed to traffic. Certainly up to the first feed point the main problem on climbs is not necessarily the tough gradient but the riders, or walkers, around you and the traffic coming, or trying to come, down the pass. You may be able to climb but if the road in front of you gets blocked you have no choice to unclip before toppling over! And on a 25% gradient you’re not remounting! Thankfully by the time you reach the toughest climb of the day, Hardknott pass, the roads a lot clearer and the road is thankfully closed to traffic. It’s a daunting sight, about 2.5km long and roughly 3 equal sections, 25% for 800m, 10% easy for 800m and 25% to the finish! Even when you get over the top there is very testing descent with bad quality narrow roads with a lot of riders very heavy on the brakes. Even then it’s not all over, the remaining (named) climbs have further sections of 25% but thankfully much, much shorter sections.
The finishing 10km is rolling but a welcoming rolling. Coming into the finish a welcome beer awaits, 0% of course, courtesy of the event organisers plus a cheese pie and peas/beans.
For us the weather was about spot on, dry all day and up to about 22C but this really must be a tough/grim day if there is rain about. A great day out, tough certainly and I’m pretty sure no one will be signing up again but glad we all completed the route.
CLUB TRACK SESSION, Saturday 29th March, 4-6pm
Our Club Session at the iconic track of Champions. The session gave members the opportunity to ride track amongst friends with coaching provided by Terry Blake.
The opportunity also arose for the members to ride with multiple national track champion Matthew Robertson. Unfortunately he wasn’t allowed to bring the Hope bike!
Club Supper, Saturday 22nd March, 7pm
7pm The Albany Function Room
A well attended evening event with a very well prepared meal of Sausages, Mash, Peas and Gravy!