Logistically, Pooley Bridge makes sense, but perhaps try and work out where that'll leave you overnight and decide if you want to be tackling that in the dark. As mentioned up there somewhere ↑ it all needs riding whatever, but some stretches are definitely easier in the daylight from a navigation ...

. If the local water gets low, are the food stops very few and far between? With water levels being low, I'd not trust any 'local water' without a full filter set up—they're a bit manky. You should be ok if you top up everywhere you can water-wise though, and depending on time of day you're never m...

Not sure it's been mentioned on here, but Rich Siepp is having a go ATM: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJWdEz_NA-N/?igsh=bWx6YjRwaGl5aWI0 Started at Pooley Bridge, which as Bob points out above is the start of one of the longer "dry" sections as far as services goes, so perhaps not a bad pl...

Years ago I enjoyed watching the 'Beard Brothers' on U tube. There was no 'meaning of life' crud that you get today, just good old banter. Came across their cousins 'Too Far Gone'. I have only watched their last two vids as they head off down to Morocco. Similar non serious stuff. Gets my recommend...

I've been thinking the takeaway in Keswick is a good target to aim for before it shuts at 1am. Big old pizza to power you through the night 😎 Makes judging the start point tricky though. Maybe park in Hawkshead and ride the flat-ish 3km down to Near Sawrey to start. Well if that's not an incentive ...

. If the local water gets low, are the food stops very few and far between? With water levels being low, I'd not trust any 'local water' without a full filter set up—they're a bit manky. You should be ok if you top up everywhere you can water-wise though, and depending on time of day you're never m...

Sounds like anytime in the next few weeks could be a good window to have a go. If the local water gets low, are the food stops very few and far between? I usually carry 3-4 bottles on big rides so can go a fair distance between topping up but wouldn't want to get caught out if there's a long stretch...

This is great info, thanks everyone. How bad are the rocks? I've got Ikon 2.35 XC tyres and just wondering if something a bit chunkier might be better/more durable as rolling speed probably isn't so much of an issue.

I'm still chuckling at this understatement … …you get a bit of a warm up (including the 25% climb out of Coniston) Walna Scar Road is a hideous start to any ride! I guess it all needs riding wherever you start and so in some ways is irrelevant, but I'd choose to give my legs a bit of a spin before ...

Depends, to an extent, on how long you think you'll take. If not sleeping en route, Coniston is a good call. I ended up riding Ullswater to Staveley in the wee hours, which was challenging, even being familiar with it. If two days, then Staveley, with overnight in Buttermere or Borrowdale. If plann...

Great replies thanks, and the point about avoiding Black Sail and Scarth Gap in the dark is a good one. I'll be on a full-suss with dropper and I'm fairly confident on techy stuff but still wouldn't want to do anything tricky in the dark.

Looking to do this soon, and just wondered if there's a best place to start it? I know I'm in for a tough time so was thinking of getting the worst bits out of the way early so I'm onto the less-worst bits when I'm on my last legs. Or is it going to be just as hard wherever I start :lol: I'll be lea...

Is it still in Kielder forest? The one slightly negative thing I found was that the landscape is very similar for a lot of it, with the lines of forestry-planted trees all looking the same. Towards the end it was getting a bit monotonous ( I took about 9 and half hours to get round - that's a long t...

Did the 200 a few years ago on an XC hardtail running Thunderburts and it was perfect. My old wrists and neck can't cope with a day off road on a gravel bike. Really enjoyed it apart from a section that turned into a massive headwind for about 3 hours which was absolute hell. Like towing a caravan w...

I watch quite a lot of stuff on youtube including most of the ones mentioned here. The thing I don't get though, is why do some content creators think people want to watch 30 minutes of the camera pointed at their face while they describe where they're riding through. Just film the scenery and talk...

Yeah, I'm doing the HT550 ITT this year and found the same. Theres almost no chat or exposition about the route. It's a mixed bag anecdotal vignettes. To be fair, it's hard to showcase 550 miles of some of the most stunning scenery in the world and stay on task! If you are sufficiently bored, I did...

I watch quite a lot of stuff on youtube including most of the ones mentioned here. The thing I don't get though, is why do some content creators think people want to watch 30 minutes of the camera pointed at their face while they describe where they're riding through. Just film the scenery and talk...

I watch quite a lot of stuff on youtube including most of the ones mentioned here. The thing I don't get though, is why do some content creators think people want to watch 30 minutes of the camera pointed at their face while they describe where they're riding through. Just film the scenery and talk...

I watch quite a lot of stuff on youtube including most of the ones mentioned here. The thing I don't get though, is why do some content creators think people want to watch 30 minutes of the camera pointed at their face while they describe where they're riding through. Just film the scenery and talk ...

ebay is a now rats' nest of stolen stuff, counterfeits and scammers. And if you're a genuine seller, the idiots making knock-down offers make it a waste of time too. Only FB marketplace is worse.!

wear gloves if you hold the canister while inflating, or you can get a freeze-burn as it empties

Life cycles... https://www.instagram.com/p/C6eg8LMMBZr ... tiZ2p3bWE0 One of Europe's biggest events was cancelled yesterday due to heavy rain in north east Cataluña, 700 odd disappointed riders. I think the pic above about sums it up. I found it amusing when so many lost their sh1t over that muddy...

First event is a marathon race in Spain next month, then I'll be trying to get some rides in such as the Lakeland 200 and Badger divide. Tried to get in the HT550 but didn't make the cut so I'm hopefully going to get some more routes under my belt that will meet the criteria for a 2026 entry. I'm 55...

Ah the list still says 2024 even though it's the new list. That's what confused me The bit about the new section is on Alans' instagram page today.

Has the startlist been posted somewhere? It's still showing the 2024 list on the website. Saw a post by Alan today saying there's a change to the route, it'll be interesting to see what's new.