Easter Sunday/Monday

[Mark Hanna]

On either Easter Sunday or Monday (4th and 5th April) I'm thinking about heading up to the lakes to recce the cycle course for "A Day in The Lakes".
It's 56 miles with a couple of big sustained climbs (followed by similar descents) over Kirkstone Pass and Shap Fell)
http://www.bikeradar.com/routes/?bpath= ... s-Tri-bike
I'm not quick so it'll be a nice comfortable pace with breaks and taking in the scenery.
If anyone wants to join me let me know.
Mark

[ben_tomlinson]

Hi Mark,
Sounds like fun!
I should be able to make either day - an early start might be a good idea to beat the bank holiday traffic.

Ben

[StephenT]

Hi Mark,
I've entered this now so fancy a recce but have already made plans for easter w/e. Maybe I'll do one later.
Stephen

[NeilH]

Hi Mark

Distinct possibilities, but will check with the boss

Will post closer to the day to confirm or not.

Neil H.

[alanburton]

Hi Mark,
I'm planning on entering, so a recce would be good - but like Neil, it will depend on my other half's approval.
So I'm definitely interested but will have to get back to you.

I wonder which day is likely to see less traffic?

Alan

[Mark Hanna]

I'm thinking there'll be less traffic on Easter Sunday, and an early start combined with a bit of creative route finding should keep us away from the Windermere jams on the way there and back. Hopefully Ullswater won't be as crowded.
It takes 1hr 45 from the Shell garage by TGI Fridays at Sale so maybe aim to leave there at 8am...?
Arrive at Ullswater around 10am, 4-5 hours pedalling round the lakes (stopping for refreshments) and aim to leave again around 3pm, back in Manchester around 5pm.
Just post updates on this thread if you're up for it.
Mark

[George]

It might be better to start the loop on the east or south side of the Lake District (perhaps near Kendal). Although this will mean that the order of hills will be different, you would still do the whole route and save about 2 hours of travelling time. You could then plan a rest stop half way round where transition will be.

Just a thought, particularly as the traffic in the Lake District over that weekend will be horrible

George

[IanJones]

I'm thinking there'll be less traffic on Easter Sunday

Arrive at Ullswater around 10am

Mark, if you're planning to go to Ullwater / Glenridding on Easter Sunday, I seriously suggest you need to set off a couple of hours earlier (like arrive in Glenridding at 8am!). I'm from Cumbria and it can get very messy for parking on Bank Holidays, and I have sneaky feeling that all of the roads around Glenridding are Clearways in the summer months, which starts from Good Friday onwards - so once the car parks are full you're stuffed.

Going early will also avoid the worst of the traffic, although M6/A66 then sideroad to Ullswater is usually pretty painless.

[ben_tomlinson]

I think Ian is right about traffic and start time.
A 9am ride start might be ok, but the later we go the busier the roads will be. Bear in mind the tourists we will be sharing the roads with will be looking everywhere but at the road!
Pooley Bridge is a short distance from transition and has a number of small car parks in the village and the bridge is a central meeting point. It is also at the quieter end of the lakes.
Getting to Pooley Bridge is also easy (5 miles from M6 J40) and completely avoids the tourist choked south lakes.

If the route order isn't too important to folks, George's idea to start near Kendal would mean we get the busiest part of the ride done first (Kendal - Glenridding) and does shorten the drive by about 1/2hr.

Having said all this, I'm relaxed about where and when.

Ben

PS Stuck in hotel near Stonehenge for the week, so no training with Man Tri this week

[Mark Hanna]

Ben/Ian/George, thanks for the tips.
I'm used to getting up at 5:30 for the swim sessions so no issue with an early start.
Meet at 7am then with the intention of leaving Kendal or near it on bikes at 8:30am...?
Head north up the A6 and follow the route anti clockwise.
My only concern, having not done the route before is when do we hit the first big hill? Hopefully there's a few miles to get warmed up before the big slog up Shap Fell.
Let me know if you're in.
Mark

Looks like I'm going to stay with rellies in the lakes the night before and try to get an early (7-30 to 8am) start. If anyone still wants to join me let me know.
Mark