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Number one bit of advice for newbie doing the Fred Whitton

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  • January 25, 2013 at 5:50 pm #17779
    adambird

    So I’m leading a small band of newbies on the Fred Whitton in May. I’m sorting them out with a training plan and am fairly confident that, if they do it, they’ll be fit enough.

    Has anyone got any gems of survival advice you would give them?

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  • January 25, 2013 at 10:25 pm #713537
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    Mr_eL_Bee

    Good point!
    IF any of your
    Good point!
    IF any of your group think that they might need to walk the steeper inclines (Honister and Hardknott) Get them to use SPD’s rather than road cleats.
    Though ideally they should aim to ride them (using just enough effort to keep rolling and keep balance) as it’s actually a LOT easier than walking!!

    January 25, 2013 at 10:04 pm #713535
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    Bedfordshire Clanger

    Re: the cassette, yes, 27 at
    Re: the cassette, yes, 27 at least if not 28, 29 or even 32 if you want to get over Hardknott Pass. Hardknott is more like an obstacle course than a climb and is a serious test of the will as well the legs and sense of balance. You will need plenty left in the tank to get over Hardknott and Wrynose after 100 miles so there is really no need to cane it before you get there. You don’t want to be walking up Hardknott in road cleats as you will totally wreck them. If you are close to the Peaks, I would head up to Edale and Castleton and do Mam Nick, Bargate and Siggate past the quarry and Winnats Pass. Winnats is horribly tough just like Hardknott and would be great practice. Long Hill between Whaley Bridge and Buxton would be good practice for Newlands or Kirkstone.

    As far as advice for the day is concerned – get a good night’s sleep beforehand, eat well the night before and in the morning and keep on eating during the day. Take food that you like along rather than a pocket full of gels and energy bars. If you go mad on that stuff you will just end up feeling or being sick. Make sure that your bike is in perfect working order. There are large sections of the ride that have no mobile signal so if something goes wrong you could be a long way from help. It’s a long day out so be prepared for all eventualities.

    It’s a genuinely beautiful ride and for the well prepared it is a fantastically rewarding day out but don’t underestimate it. I loved it and could go on forever about it.

    January 25, 2013 at 9:33 pm #713533
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    Mr_eL_Bee

    27 or 28 especially if they
    27 or 28 especially if they are newbies.
    Those on a triple will likely have 30×26 as their smallest ratio, and that is small enough for most on the later steep gradients

    A compact with 34×28 is only very slightly larger and fine for those who are a little bit stronger.

    I’d caution against the gearing being TOO small I’ve seen a triple with 30×32 and the person using it was moving so slowly they couldn’t stay upright – mostly people can’t control the torque and fail to keep the front wheel on the ground

    January 25, 2013 at 6:05 pm #713531
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    adambird

    Thanks, wise words indeed
    Thanks, wise words indeed đŸ™‚

    We’re close to the Derbyshire so Hindersnitch Lane up to Crich and Riber Lane will feature heavily in training. Hopefully I can them to appreciate if not love hills.

    Re gearing, a couple of them have triples but for those with compacts would you go for a 27 on the cassette?

    January 25, 2013 at 6:01 pm #713529
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    Mr_eL_Bee

    Get your gearing right and
    Get your gearing right and don’t head off up Hawkshead Hill And Kirkstone like a loon.

    Oh – AND learn LOVE climbing and look forward to it. Many people set themselves up to fail by being scared of the climbs

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