Bicyclists - climbing, and am I nuts?

billwagnon · 07-17-2006, 01:37 AM

I am in the UK on business and am contemplating a day trip on a road bike (if I can find a bike...).

Here is the routeslip map and elevation. I am wondering if this is "doable" and need opinions.

Last week I made 2 road rides of 43 miles in 3 to 3 1/2 hours, Tuesday and Thursday. The route doesn't have a lot of climbing. I have a couple long rides in before that, and yesterday I ran 6 miles with smallish hills and feel okay.

This route will be about 53 miles and the climbing is what I am concerned about. I plan to ride to York, have a look around for a couple hours, then return north. I have advice from the York cycling club so I think the route is okay. I would start about 5 a.m. and return about 3 pm. The days are long here (4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.!)

I have done 100+ mile rides in the past but not yet this year. Am I nuts to take this on?

MFAFF · 07-17-2006, 02:09 AM

Nahhh....

No worries...

Except for the North York Moors...likely to be very different to most landscapes you have cycled across...not very familiar with that part, but theyare generally very very exposed...giving you a major exposure to unfavourable winds.. with almost nothing to relieve you of its.. great one way,, it will be a pain the other way...

However if its a clear sunny day it will be glorious...

Also the A roads are possible 'race tracks'...look out for bikers and mad men in Scoobys etc...

I'd see what the trains were like for the return.. most will let you take a bike on them.....

stomachmonkey · 07-17-2006, 03:16 AM

Stick to the paths....stay off the moors.

Scott

billwagnon · 07-17-2006, 04:01 AM

what does that mean? I was planning on taking the secondary roads - I have been warned the motorcyclists are a danger.

singpilot · 07-17-2006, 04:23 AM

That's sorta funny. The motorcyclists have been warned about the 4 abreast bikes.

artplumber · 07-17-2006, 07:45 AM

Seems like a lot in a place where you don't have a lot of backup if you should get stuck with multiple flats, bonk etc.

Load up on energy and fluids if you're going to do it.

MFAFF · 07-17-2006, 11:08 AM

On the secondaries you should be OK....and there should be other cyclists around...

The stay off the moors is possibly a reference to Conan Doyle.. the HOund of the Baskervilles..fear not the locals like sheep.....

dd74 · 07-17-2006, 11:16 AM

Go for it! When again will you have this chance?

artplumber · 07-17-2006, 12:33 PM

I also just saw the "got to find a bike" quote. The whole thing is getting more challenging.

legion · 12:45 PM

If you wear a climbing harness over bike shorts, then I can see your nuts.

dd74 · 07-17-2006, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by artplumber
I also just saw the "got to find a bike" quote. The whole thing is getting more challenging.

He's not the only one. My LeMond is giving me fits. The frame just ain't working for me. It's sized right, but has to do with the long top tube that's incorporated into the frame's design. No wonder my hands go numb after about an hour on the bike.

Flatbutt1 · 07-17-2006, 02:28 PM

Some of those inclines look pretty intense. And if you are going alone you are taking a pretty big risk. At least set up a "rescue". You know if you're not back by X time come and get me kinda thing.

If you haven't done alot of climbing, especially after battling the winds, you may be in for a shock.

Taking the train back is a GREAT idea.

my .02

ckissick · 07-17-2006, 03:34 PM

The hills aren't the problem, as such. Judging by the scales, it looks like they are about 6-7% grades for 2 miles or less. I once rode up a 3-mile long 16% grade out of Insbruck Austria. I was in good shape, but that was a tough climb, what with 4-months worth of luggage. But the hardest was the 1/2 mile long, 25% grade in Wales. And didn't have good hill climbing gears, either.

If you're not in shape, the distance will get you. Be aware of the locations of train stations.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

damn, all this climbing talk...I'm gonna break my bike out of the garage. I still need a road frame to hang my parts on, but in the meantime I'm gonna slap slicks on my YBBeat and find a rigid fork for her. Time to pedal!

billwagnon · 07-17-2006, 11:44 PM

I went out and drove parts of the route last night.

It is very hilly! and narrow. and there are racing motorcycles.

There were three hills signed as over 10% grade - 10, 11, and 14. I have decided it's not going to work this year. I wouldn't have a problem with the distance, but the hills and the general safety of the route just don't look good.

I haven't trained for climbing at all, and support would be a problem. If I lived here it would be a challenge to work towards but to try it on the weekend looks like a world of hurt!