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Great Dun Fell Ride - Saturday 26th April
Hi all - on the old forum there was a thread about doing a ride to Great Dun Fell, I think Mark Titch was sorting some of the details on this and the consensus was to do it Sunday 27th April - Ste Francis did it last year with Gareth and James - they jumped the train to Penrith, rode one of the longest toughest climbs in England and then cycle the 100 odd miles home.
I am up for this too, will be a perfect last big ride before the Fred Whitton for me however we have a BIG problem.
On a Sunday trains dont start to run up that way till 11:10am - meaning a start around mid-day which may be a bit late for us all. I spoke to Ste F and when he and others did it they went up on a Saturday, and having a look there are trains early doors. So we could change the day to Saturday 26th keeping with the plan of train up and then cycle home or another option could be to drive up to Lancaster (ish) then cycle to Great Dun Fell, climb, and head back to the cars making it a good century. Or perhaps someone can think of an alternative plan.
Last year I planned a route
Having a mess about on Strava
Having a mess about on Strava using their popularity mapping tool and came up with these two routes. Essentially get up to Kendal, if it's Sunday 27th April that will mean a drive but Kendal should be ok for parking etc. especially if we lift share. Both go through Appleby so we can stop at a cafe before or after Great Dunn Fell (or both if we need it!)
Two routes:
An 85 mile effort with some testy little climbs including a route up to Shap
http://www.strava.com/routes/194155
A century ride as originally planned looping into the Lakes, past Ullswater and over Kirkstone Pass
http://www.strava.com/routes/194099
Just some ideas - let's get this sorted.
OK after a big discussion on
OK after a big discussion on Facebook we have decided that we will drive up to Kendal and ride out from there to Great Dun Fell - plan at present is to do 100 miles with approx 12,000 ft of climbing. Date for your diaries is SATURDAY 26th APRIL.
At the minute, up for the challenge we have:
Ste F - Dan M - Stefan - Ste D - James E - Andy Disley - Sean Nightingale - Me. I think Mark Titch and Wilko may also take on the longest climb in England and happy for many more to join us.
Let's confirm on here, sort of lift shares etc.
You will have to take me off
I suppose I'm up for this one
I'm bad and that's good. I will never be good and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be, than me. (Wreck-It Ralph, 2012)
Great Dun Fell
Saturday 26th is good .Count me in
If it hurts me, it must hurt the other ones twice as much. ~ Jens Voigt
Sounds fun
so its sunday yes
so its sunday
yes
it never gets easier , you just go faster
Sunday or Saturday??? Can we
I'm bad and that's good. I will never be good and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be, than me. (Wreck-It Ralph, 2012)
Great Dun Fell Ride
WTF Can we confirm whether this is happening on Saturday or Sunday please.
Neil says that after a "Facebook debate" it was moved to Saturday but now 5 Star is saying its back to Sunday. Anybody....????
If it hurts me, it must hurt the other ones twice as much. ~ Jens Voigt
Saturday 26th!!!!
I'm bad and that's good. I will never be good and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be, than me. (Wreck-It Ralph, 2012)
Great Dun Fell Ride
Thanks Dave, no need to use the tipex on Mrs Enigma D's diary again
If it hurts me, it must hurt the other ones twice as much. ~ Jens Voigt
I can make the Friday!!!? Ha,
Gareth.
Gareth, are you sure you've
Gareth, are you sure you've not been the bier shop tonight
If it hurts me, it must hurt the other ones twice as much. ~ Jens Voigt
Finalise the details
I will drive and I have spaces for 2 more riders and bikes, let me know if you want a lift.
The ride will take about 8 hours so I think we should be setting off from Kendal about 8.30am. That would mean getting there for 8.00am to give ourselves half a hour to faff around, you aways need faffing time.
Driving there will take about 1.5 hours so we should leave Ormsirk at 6.30am, which mean we should meet up at 6.15am. The car park next to the bus station is a good place to meet. If we are leaving any cars we could park them in the lay by just before the M58 junction with the Rainford by-pass.
Just to confirm , this is Saturday 26th April, that's not Sunday, or Friday, or May and it is 2014.
Everyone agreed?
Steve apologies. I'm sorted
I'm bad and that's good. I will never be good and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be, than me. (Wreck-It Ralph, 2012)
Yes it is Saturday 26th.
Yes it is Saturday 26th.
Timings sound good to me - 8:30am as a start from Kendal sounds ideal - we havent fully decided on the route - everyone up for the 100 mile epic or prefer the 80 miler given all the climbing, or perhaps another suggestion?
Spare place in my car
Dave you had asked me for a lift for the TdF ride from Skipton in July. What drugs are you taking at the moment?
In terms of what ride we do, I would prefer the 80 mile route given the amount of climbing ad it still only being April.
Lol! I'm on nights at the mo,
I'm bad and that's good. I will never be good and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be, than me. (Wreck-It Ralph, 2012)
2 Spaces in my car
How confusing has this thread been? Changing days, different routes and Dave replying to completely different topics!
Dave is in my car for the TdF ride on 20th July, which is nothing to do with riding Great Dun Fell. That means I have spaces for 2 riders and 2 bikes for the trip to Kendal, let me know if you want a lift.
OK the Captains big ride is
OK the Captains big ride is done so time to firm up the details. Can we confirm who is riding and ensure we have lifts sorted. Think I have found an all day car park in Kendal we can use.
Only other thing we need to agree is the route - I posted two possbles 100 mile and 80 mile - Ste thinks with all the climbing that 80 miles is enough and I am inclined agree - it is still early in season so unless the majority disagree I think 80 will be a good day out.
80 miler sounds good!
I'm bad and that's good. I will never be good and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be, than me. (Wreck-It Ralph, 2012)
I will be driving up, giving
confirmation
Easy re route - weather will be a big factor. I've got space for one more in the car in addition to me and DNA Dave if anybody is short of a lift
Great Dunn Fell Ride
I'm still up for this and I know Ian Gallagher is also (he's away at the moment so that's why I'm confirming for him). We'll be setting off from Formby. Is the plan to meet in Ormskirk and travel together or are we going to meet at the said car park?? As for the route, I'm happy to go with the majority.
If it hurts me, it must hurt the other ones twice as much. ~ Jens Voigt
Don't know if this is too
Don't know if this is too late, but I wouldn't mind joining you all if someone could give me a lift?
Sam, I have space for you and
Sam, I have space for you and your bike. I still have space for another bike and rider if anyone else is stuck for a lift.
Steve that sounds great
Steve that sounds great thanks, If you are out tomorrow we can arrange pick up's and such
Thanks
Sam
What's the plan???
I'm bad and that's good. I will never be good and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be, than me. (Wreck-It Ralph, 2012)
80 miles it is!
Right after a quick chat before having my bones rattled by Dan's ride today then the broad agreement is that Saturdays ride will be for 80 miles I will edit the route and post on here tomorrow so you can download it. I will have it on my GPS but as my knee isnt 100% there is a chance I wont make it so if someone else can as a back up that would be great. Plan is to ride to Appleby, stop grab a coffee then do Great Dun Fell, descend and Stefan knows of a good cafe nearby, then over to Shap and back to the cars.
As for getting up there up to you if you want to go as a convoy, i will be going back on myself so I will meet you there - someone on Facebook knows a car park we can use for the day so I will post that as a meeting place.
Timingswise then I agree with Steve D - aim to park up for 8am, out on the bikes by 8:30am.
Meet up in the car park
Meet up in the car park opposite the shop at 6.15, set off at 6.30, don't be late.
Sam, my number is 07753 496966, we can sort out to meet at the car park or maybe I can pick you up.
Does anyone know the final list of riders?
It's a plan.
I'm bad and that's good. I will never be good and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be, than me. (Wreck-It Ralph, 2012)
ROUTE!
OK the route is below - can everyone have a look and make sure they are up for it - 80 miles, the only bit I am not 100% on is the run back to Kendal from Shap down the A6 anyone who knows the area can they confirm this should be OK, never sure with busy roads. I have got another 85 miler over Kirkstone but thinking hitting Windermere on a Saturday near Easter is a bad idea.
http://www.strava.com/routes/194155
Can people with a gps download the route, I am 90% sure I will be there but with my knee not being right there is a chance I will be a no show
Sean has posted the car park location on Facebook - for those not on it the postcode is LA9 7BX - as above aim for 8am so we can be off for 8:30am.
A6 from Shap
Traffic can be fast but it is generally quiet and mostly wide enough that we won't be in the way. I wouldn't dismiss the Kirkstone route though - coming east to west we can pick up Moorhowe Road before we hit Windermere then follow Sustrans Route 6 along a good cycle way and back lanes into Kendal. We'd pass through Staveley that way and could stop at Wilf's Cafe for a post ride snack
Or Hawkshead Brewery!!!!
Or Hawkshead Brewery!!!!
Stavely is a great shout!
Sorry chaps but i'm going to
Sorry chaps but i'm going to have to bail on this one...as much as i want to come along (and need the hill training) i just cant give up a full day atm...hope that's ok Sean (maybe Mark T could jump in with you)...enjoy the climbs and the scenary!!! Take some pics at the top!!
Dan
Looking forward to this. Hope
The man with the hammer!
Well. My phone allowed me to post one comment before reverting back to 'blocking' me for some reason! Who knows. Anyhow, really looking forward to this ride (and July 20th... if I can post on that subject too, I will). I'm sure I'll meet the man with the hammer as I've not done any proper climbs this year......or ever for that matter. Forecast isn't that great at the minute. Are we going come hail, rain, or shine?
The man with the hammer
I believe that Great Dun Fell is his springtime residence.
Loking forward to meeting him in a strange way.
I'm not.....
Forcast looks to have changed
Looks better for sure.
Disappointed :o(
Going to have to give this a miss tomorrow.
Tweaked my hamstring playing rounders with the kids last Saturday so am having to go steady.
I'm off to Spain cycling next Saurday so need to make sure that it is OK for that. Gutted as I was really looking forward to it.
Enjoy the ride and if you meet the man with the hammer, say hello from me.
If it hurts me, it must hurt the other ones twice as much. ~ Jens Voigt
Shame about the hammie
I thought the revolutionary new position was going to get a proper test tomorrow as well! Shame, it should be a good day, but Spain beckons.
The weather keeps changing every time I look at it too!
Ouch!!!
I'm bad and that's good. I will never be good and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be, than me. (Wreck-It Ralph, 2012)
Great days riding
A brilliant HMCC day out. Eleven set off from Kendal in wet, grey conditions. As we were in the Lakes, the route went upwards pretty quickly leaving Kendal and was almost never flat again.
There was a brilliant section on the top of the moor towards Appleby, the road looked like it climbed slightly but the bunch was hitting 34/35 mph, without a huge effort! The road must have been downhill or somebody spiked all of our drinks.
In Appleby th decision was taken to do Great Dun Fell before the cafe stop and Stefan knew a good place after the climb. By now the weather had cleared up too. The climb was epic, the man with the hammer paid me three visits on the climb with three bouts of cramp. The reward was an awesome descent which made the climb worthwhile. A few damp patches on th road and a lot of bends and crests meant some caution was needed, but it was amazing.
With the combination of the speeds on the descent and the wind quite a few guys got a wobble on! I was followng Craig down and saw his bike trying to throw him off, so as he slowed down I flew past him, after all I didn't want him to spoil my line by lying in the road!
Followed Stef to his cafe stop and he has set a new HMCC standard. We had to clean oursleves up as best we could before we went in to quite a upmarket bistro. No full english or beans on toast here! Forest mushroom and garlic soup with artisan bread was the most popular choice.
The final fun was the climb of Shap Fell and the descent into Kendal. Stefan was on the front on the climb and one by one riders fell away. He stayed on the front for the climb and the descent, a total of 17 miles, an awesome perfomance. Andy and I sat on his wheel the whole way, for big chunks of the descent just sitting in the sweet spot behind him, hardly pedalling, it felt fantastic.
A great day out, should become an annual club ride.
Well done to Neil for sorting the route and organising the day.
if people have pics and want
if people have pics and want to email me them i'll set up a gallery! Well done all!!
photography at danmonaghan . co .uk
AWESOME
Sounds like an epic ride. gutted i missed out coming on this. i particularly would have liked those mounds you people call hills. haha well done every one who endured it! :D
A is for.......
To plagiarise a fellow member's niche style of writing. A is for.......Awseome ride........Attractive bistro licensee.....and Acid.....as in the lactic kind which flowed like tar through my aching legs up The Great Dunn.There's a good video knocking about of the Garstang CC rider breezing past me akin to Maradonna leaving Peter Reid in his wake all those years ago. Can't wait for the next escapade. Bring it on ;-)
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