Zippy wrote: ↑Wed Apr 17, 2019 10:37 am
Nice write up. I'll be starting in Hawkshead, so hope the Staveley loop doesn't do me in mentally!
TBH, your gear stash...I think it's small fry really.... I'd only say it was dodgy ground if you were trying to claim the record - you've been entirely open about it too.
Edit:
Actually - i think the gear drop is fine. Everyone has the opportunity to start anywhere on the route and do the same, and it's no pre-arranged. If someone were to just drop their water bottle down before a small loop, up and over somewhere you return to, then no-one would bat an eyelid.
If the route had a set start place for an ITT, that would be different, but the Lakeland 200 doesn't, so I think it's fair game.
I've emailed Alan Goldsmith so I'll see what he says. No big deal really.
You're right, the Staveley loop might be quite mentally difficult at that stage. I would have found it easier if I'd known the chip shop would be open before 12!
Be aware of the little extra climb coming "down" the valley out of Kentmere - it's the only bit of the route I didn't have straight in my head, thinking that once at the bottom of Garburn, it was easy rolling to Staveley: always a kicker.
Also, don't miss the BW into Staveley in your eagerness to get there - I did and had to go repeat it. Only an extra mile but frustrating.
Be aware of the little extra climb coming "down" the valley out of Kentmere - it's the only bit of the route I didn't have straight in my head, thinking that once at the bottom of Garburn, it was easy rolling to Staveley: always a kicker.
When I did it on the Jennride, I rode through the night with Stu Taylor, reaching the bottom of Garburn at around 23 hrs - he was convinced it was just over Garburn and a downhill roll to the finish. There were some strange new words around when GPS showed the right turn to the climb. Then we missed the last little bit of singletrack before Staveley and had to go back
That's a "no" from Alan for the official finish. I think that's fair on me, and other riders who've done it strictly by the rules. I got to ride it, which is the main thing, and there's a lesson learnt if I want an official completion on something else.
