Mountain Bike Forums

Good Luck to all the riders in Sunday’s Fred Whitton. You’re going to have a great day!

I came across this on one of the betting exhanges:

Sunday 11th May - Fred Whitton - Tough Amateur Cycling Race

One of the interesting markets available is the “Ilkley Dads” open to fathers who live in Ilkley. We preview the riders.

El Cid. Proven abilities on this course and distance, although early season form poor due to a mystsery virus. Over recent weeks has improved enormously and Otley TT results show he is riding well. Armed with his new Addict will be the one to beat. Odds 6/4.

Chills. Class act amongst the field although the course is one which may not suit his style overly well. Early-season training has gone well including warm-weather training but may not have put enough miles in yet to reach his best. Still a key contender. 3-1

Cacophony. Top-weighted by the handicapper so has a lot to do, but form in earlier career very strong. Good early part of the season with a stunning performance in Lakeland Loop beating El Cid by several lengths. Proven stayer and excellent descending skills, but no history over this course, and the amount of climbing may prove too much. 4-1

Stafano. Strongest racing pedigree although mostly fell-racing and mountain biking. The youngest and fittest of the riders, but doubts remain as to this type of race and whether his season-focus is on other events. 5-1.

Earthdreamer. Not to be confused with Grand National winner Earthmover. Earthdreamer’s major successes are in running but has experience on the bike as well. An out-and-out climber, Earthdreamer’s abilities are tempered by his erratic pacing and reckless descending style. If he gets round he may be in the mix, so perhaps worth an each-way. 7-1

Love it! Wish I could be in the mix, but sadly did not get an entry this year (again!). I’ll be thinking of you all while watching my youngest play in a football tournament in Blackpool. Enjoy yourselves. Look forward to seeing some posts here on Sunday evening.

Fantastic, nice one Gizzajob.

Good luck EB CC on the FW, for sub 7 hours get an Elite certificate! Bunch start at 8 am may be useful if leave at 7:45 and get on back of bunch as passes. 9 am bunch start is for the proven elites. HQ car park gets really busy even as early as 7 am!
May the Attack n Force be with you.

Gizzajob - superb odds, but here are the results:-

Stefan - 6hr19min - superb effort, would have been sub 6hr without the hinderence of his new 70’s porn star tache.

Chills - 7hr04mins - Great effort. Would have been under 7hrs if it had not been for motorhome incident, and good samaritan incident (stopping to lend his pump to a beggar with a puncture. Beggar promised to give Chills back the pump at the finish. Chills is now pumpless - says something about human nature)

El Cid - 7hr20mins - Found wanting when the going got tough, but 32 mins faster than last year for the fat old boy.

Cacophany - DNF - One of the pre race favourites hampered by a catalogue of disasters resulting in unfortunate half way retirement.

Earthdreamer - DNS - Listed as a runner in error, however todays conditions would have been perfect for Earthdreamer, so his owners must be kicking themselves now.

Superb ride by the finishers well done! Big ride big hills and big heat, everybody looked remarkably well at the finish, a couple of stiff walks but thats to be expected.
As for my disasters ill catalogue them here so they are written down and ill not repeat them again!

1 Schoolboy error of changing shoe plates and not checking led to a 20 min delay AFTER dibbing
2 3 miles in and first puncture - back wheel
3 Lonely ride up and over Kirkstone Pass led to Puncture No 2 at bottom of Descent
4 5 miles later Slow flat on new front tire led to a patch being put on
5 Shoe plate must have moved during No 4, so left foot was splayed out. Patch leaking in 4 meant a pumping session every 3 miles.
6 A lonely ride with no-one to ride and work with, and niggle on left knee due to No 5 led to more demoralising and eventual abandonment and a 20 mile ride back to start.

Things learnt.
Dont be complacent, double check everything.
It happens and therefore dont beat yourself up about it (especially on ride back after abandonment).
60 miles is better than none

Right thats been said now, lets get statred again!!

Once again, well done Ebers!

Well done guys. Good effort epecially Cacophony, I would have given up long before 40 miles in. What time are you starting etape du dales in Grassington lads?

What do you reckon? 7.45ish again?

Very sorry to hear about Cacophony’s litany of disaster, but what a hero for carrying on against such adversity for so long. Well done the rest. Some mighty impressive performances. I’m just ever so slightly in awe!

Would love to join the 7.45ish train from Grassington on Sunday. I have a mate (7.05 at the weekend) Dom Irvine who fancies joining you guys too. I can guarantee that he’ll do more than his share of the hard work. Okay to invite him along?

Finally recovered enough to compose my thoughts into a post, I have to admit I felt like the death yesterday, I do find these events seriously take it out of you. I’m now 4lbs lighter!

I have to agree with roentgen and Earthdreamer, Cocophony made a remarkable effort given such a string of bad luck and Stefan’s time was truly awesome. I’m sure El Cid would have got the better of me but for a bad patch after the 1st feed station, maybe the thought of him bearing down on me was enough to spur me on.

This was the 4th time of trying to get on the event and it was totally worth the wait, I think hand delivery may the way forward for next year.

I don’t think the weather could have been better, virtually no wind and glorious sunshine. I think the good weather brought out the crowds, it was good for moral to be clapped and cheered on the climbs and in true continental style there were loads of people ringing cow bells and passing out water when it was most needed.

It’s been a while since I’ve been in the lakes and I’d forgotten how stunning the scenery is, at the top of each ascent you were greeted with the most fantastic views making the climb all the more worth while.

Lots of riders to ride with, great scenery, fantastic route… what more could you want from a day out.

Good luck to all you EBers on the etape du dales on Sunday, I wouldn’t be surprised if you bring back a good tally of gold standard times. Watch out for roentgen he’ll be attacking on all the climbs!

Nice one Chills. You were much stronger than me, when we were riding together I was finding it tough to keep at your pace, so was relieved in a strange way to be left on Whinlatter.

Earthdreamer - bring him along, I, unfortunately will be too weak to work at the front, but will be glad of some big men to shelter behind.

If anybody needs a lift I will be taking the van.

Thanks El Cid. He’s certainly big enough for you to shelter behind, but I suspect you won’t be that weak come Sunday. Shall I suggest to aim to arrive at 7-7.15am for team talk and get away at 7.45ish?

Sounds good to me.

Does that work for you too Roentgen? Who else do we know that’s entered?

Team Talk, team talk..... blimey. We better set up that team ASAP

Time is of the essence. We might start getting better offers!! That Crosstrax kit looks really good and it seems to have quite an effect on those wearing it. I think the Earlybirds kit colour should reflect the rising sun of the morning and the setting sun of our years!