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?

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.

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

None of the above stops the Puffer being oversubscribed year after year mind.

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.

Possibly, but I would probably bail if the forecast was poo!

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

None of the above stops the Puffer being oversubscribed year after year mind.

The Puffer has a burger van every 10k though

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?

Sorry I can't this year.






I'm training for the 'puffer!

Far too long for that time of year to be enjoyable. I'm strictly roadie miles over that week if I'm out

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

I'm in

Dave Barter wrote:

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

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

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.

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!

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