Think there would be interest in a winter itt?

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Ray Young
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Think there would be interest in a winter itt?

Post by Ray Young »

Right then, between Christmas and New Year lots of people are on enforced leave with bugger all to do. Do you think there would be interest in a 170 mile itt with 19,270 feet of climbing starting/finishing at Hexham in Northumberland heading North through the forest to the Cheviots and returning using The Sandstone Way. Not too difficult terrain with the distance hopefully enforcing a sleep stop (I just know someone will do it in a oner). The difficulty would mostly be provided by the short days and the weather.
Any thoughts?
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Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Think there would be interest in a winter itt?

Post by Bearbonesnorm »

I've thought about this before Ray but have always presumed that many / most folk are tied up with travelling / family / Christmas stuff that week. However, I could be completely wrong ... Christmas at the Towers is very much like any other day* and that week, just like any other.

*that's right, everyday's Christmas here.
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ScotRoutes
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Re: Think there would be interest in a winter itt?

Post by ScotRoutes »

a 170 mile itt with 19,270 feet of climbing
Not me.

It's winter. Days are short. Nights are long. Weather at altitude is often crap. An alternative ride that allowed time to sit and chat in the pub sounds like a much better idea :lol:

None of the above stops the Puffer being oversubscribed year after year mind.
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Karl
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Re: Think there would be interest in a winter itt?

Post by Karl »

I'd be tempted. If the route was potentially doable in 24 hrs that would be good so maybe something around 130 miles would be better.
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ZeroDarkBivi
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Re: Think there would be interest in a winter itt?

Post by ZeroDarkBivi »

Possibly, but I would probably bail if the forecast was poo!
AlasdairMc
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Re: Think there would be interest in a winter itt?

Post by AlasdairMc »

ScotRoutes wrote:
a 170 mile itt with 19,270 feet of climbing
Not me.

It's winter. Days are short. Nights are long. Weather at altitude is often crap. An alternative ride that allowed time to sit and chat in the pub sounds like a much better idea :lol:

None of the above stops the Puffer being oversubscribed year after year mind.
The Puffer has a burger van every 10k though :-)
Blair512
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Re: Think there would be interest in a winter itt?

Post by Blair512 »

Jeezo Ray, that sounds awfy cold, wet and miserable! You trying to make up for missing the winter bivvy by coming up with something even more dastardly?
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ianfitz
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Re: Think there would be interest in a winter itt?

Post by ianfitz »

Sorry I can't this year.






I'm training for the 'puffer!
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jamiep
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Re: Think there would be interest in a winter itt?

Post by jamiep »

Far too long for that time of year to be enjoyable. I'm strictly roadie miles over that week if I'm out
Trail-rat
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Re: Think there would be interest in a winter itt?

Post by Trail-rat »

puffer might not be the best example but there is demand - look at rovanemi 150 look at the iditiarod invitational.

you build it they will come i reckon.
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Richard G
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Re: Think there would be interest in a winter itt?

Post by Richard G »

Always away at this time of year, so definitely wouldn't be for me.

Unless you fancy arranging it in one of the cold countries that I normally visit. :lol:
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whitestone
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Re: Think there would be interest in a winter itt?

Post by whitestone »

There's a huge difference between the deep dry cold of Lapland and the damp cold of Northern England in winter. The latter is far worse!
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Richard G
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Re: Think there would be interest in a winter itt?

Post by Richard G »

Very much so. I did minus 40 in Norway and it was clearly cold, but minus 40 in the UK would almost certainly kill me.
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Mike
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Re: Think there would be interest in a winter itt?

Post by Mike »

I'd rather be indoors eating my way through the remains from Xmas day :-bd

Or maybe a social ride with a few folk to a pub for some post Xmas happiness knowing it's over ;)
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Ray Young
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Re: Think there would be interest in a winter itt?

Post by Ray Young »

Doesn't look like much call for it then. I'll put the route up on the routes section later when I'm back home as it looks like it could be worth riding at a different time of year.
Thanks for all the responses.
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Dave Barter
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Re: Think there would be interest in a winter itt?

Post by Dave Barter »

Mike wrote:I'd rather be indoors eating my way through the remains from Xmas day :-bd

Or maybe a social ride with a few folk to a pub for some post Xmas happiness knowing it's over ;)

I'm in
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adjustablewench
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Re: Think there would be interest in a winter itt?

Post by adjustablewench »

Dave Barter wrote:
Mike wrote:I'd rather be indoors eating my way through the remains from Xmas day :-bd

Or maybe a social ride with a few folk to a pub for some post Xmas happiness knowing it's over ;)

I'm in
Or a social ride to a bothy for a cheese and Xmas left overs feast . . .otherwise known as Twixmas
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Richpips
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Re: Think there would be interest in a winter itt?

Post by Richpips »

I'd be up for a social bothy ride over the festive period.

The problem with an arranged date ITT is going to be what the weather holds in store.

Strathpuffer though is different. :grin: :grin: :grin:
Mark E
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Re: Think there would be interest in a winter itt?

Post by Mark E »

I'd always thought that a winter solstice event would be quite interesting. A good way to start the Xmas period without interfering with people's family commitments etc. As Rich points out though, the weather could be poor show!
restlessshawn
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Re: Think there would be interest in a winter itt?

Post by restlessshawn »

I'd be interested in a go at the route if it's CX bikeable? (but not as an ITT and not at that time of year)

I'm working on a nice 100 mile gravel route just now (92% gravel, 8% B roads) for no really good reason other than nerding over maps :geek:
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