UK Triple Crown

[Valerio]

Dales Divide
North Wales 400
Highland Trail 550

ITT or do the event within the same calendar year.

Some might say it's just marketing from Dotwatcher, others will be planning their 2026 around the events.
Either way, it's something that will be interesting to watch and will no doubt give us and podcasters something else to talk about.

I like that the "rules" allow the 3 events to be ITT'd, although I'd definitely prefer to do them as part of the organised group starts.

[Hyppy]

Rob W and Cat M did 'em all in 2023. Anyone else with the full set? ie, are theirs the FKTs to beat? ~270 hours & ~290 hours respectively if my vague addition is correct.

[Bearbonesnorm]

I wonder whether Goldilocks or the Big Bear should really have made a top 3?

[voodoo_simon]

I wonder whether Goldilocks or the Big Bear should really have made a top 3?

Yeah but you forgot to put a large number at the end of the ride name or trans/divide at the start/end so you’ve only got yourself to blame

Question is, who decided those were the triple crown?

[Hyppy]

I’ve no idea what their criteria was but I wonder if there’s some ‘Super Randonneur’-like thinking in having a stepped 400, 600, and 800?

While I’ll likely be curious as to what goes down, I can’t really get enthused about it if I’m honest. It all seems a bit contrived and perhaps trying to be something which our scene isn’t?

[Alpinum]

Question is, who decided those were the triple crown?

The route designers. Or so it seems.

Last chance to build the bikepacking governing body, or someone else will!
And then we'll all be doomed!
There'll bikepacking police and laywers, making sure you have your saddlebag and no panniers. And always use the GPS tracker. And don't drink too much coffee or have a hematocrit level >50. But the dangling mug remains debated for many years to come.
And so forth.

[Hyppy]

Question is, who decided those were the triple crown?

The route designers. Or so it seems.

Nah, I reckon it'd be Dotwatcher that's driven it.

Despite what I said earlier, I do think I prefer this somewhat ad-hoc grouping than any quasi governing body taking over, or a corporate setup like running has ended up with the Polletti's/Ironman stranglehold.

[fatbikephil]

The Dales divide is quite close to the HT - I recall someone in 2021 sacking the HT at Fort Augustus as their feet were still wrecked after the Dales divide...

I dunno really, it's a step in the direction of the space hopper FKT I think. Doubtless there will be a queue of folk trying to do it.

[whitestone]

The Dales divide is quite close to the HT - I recall someone in 2021 sacking the HT at Fort Augustus as their feet were still wrecked after the Dales divide...

Does depend on when Easter is I suppose - it's quite late (18th-21st April) this year so just five weeks between the Dales Divide and the HT. A check shows Easter Sunday was 4th April in 2021 so an extra couple of weeks. Alan G has done both in the same year so not outwith the realms of possibility if you know how to look after yourself.

As Hyppy notes the routes are 400, 600 & 800 (well 880) km in length.

[Valerio]

I assume the difference in distances is just coincidence.

These are 3 events, one in England, Scotland and Wales, all with similar rules, all with a "free" entry, and I guess that's how Dotwatcher will have selected them and approached their organisers.

[AlanG]

Dotwatcher had nothing to do with setting this up, they are just putting the news out there.
I mooted the idea last month as I thought it would be good to have a new challenge that doesn't involve vast expense and long haul flights, like the US Triple Crown or the "Full Nelson" that has now become a thing to do. The idea seemed to be well received so the organizers of the other two events decided to go with it, get something started for this year and see what happens. No one is saying that these are the best routes in each country!
It is meant to be easily accessible and affordable for UK based riders with limited time. All three events are loops which make logistics more simple and are not for profit, with a small entry fee or charity donation.
Feedback welcome.

[Hyppy]

Dotwatcher had nothing to do with setting this up, they are just putting the news out there.

Thanks for the explanation, Alan.

… it would be good to have a new challenge that doesn't involve vast expense and long haul flights …

Good call!

Rob W and Cat M did 'em all in 2023. Anyone else with the full set? ie, are theirs the FKTs to beat? ~270 hours & ~290 hours respectively if my vague addition is correct.

Do you know if I'm correct in my casual research on whose times to beat? ^

[AlanG]

Rob and Cat did do all three events in 2023.

[woodsmith]

I'm probably being pedantic but shouldn't it really be called the GB Triple Crown. If it was the UK Triple Crown then you'd need a route in N.I. too making it a Quad Crown?

[Valerio]

Dotwatcher had nothing to do with setting this up, they are just putting the news out there.
I mooted the idea last month as I thought it would be good to have a new challenge that doesn't involve vast expense and long haul flights, like the US Triple Crown or the "Full Nelson" that has now become a thing to do. The idea seemed to be well received so the organizers of the other two events decided to go with it, get something started for this year and see what happens. No one is saying that these are the best routes in each country!
It is meant to be easily accessible and affordable for UK based riders with limited time. All three events are loops which make logistics more simple and are not for profit, with a small entry fee or charity donation.
Feedback welcome.

100% a good idea, it has definitely made me reconsider my plans for 2026 although doing all 3 in a year might exceed my limited holiday allowance.

Good to know it came from you/the organisers rather than Dotwatcher.

Sounds like we need a 4th race in N.I. though

[Hyppy]

…  might exceed my limited holiday allowance.

You just gotta ride faster, Vale!

[Alpinum]

…  might exceed my limited holiday allowance.

You just gotta ride faster, Vale!

I thought the same when I read this:

I recall someone in 2021 sacking the HT at Fort Augustus as their feet were still wrecked after the Dales divide...

Must've taken the rider a very long time to ride the Dales Divide, when her/his feet where still wrecked by end of May...

Okay, I'll shut up...
As you were.

[boxelder]

I'm probably being pedantic but shouldn't it really be called the GB Triple Crown

In that case it would just be the British Triple Crown, as none of them are on the smaller islands.
The MAGA crowd have spoiled the name 'Great' Britain anyhow.

[fatbikephil]

Must've taken the rider a very long time to ride the Dales Divide, when her/his feet where still wrecked by end of May...

Okay, I'll shut up...
As you were.

Thinking about it, it was the person who got fastest woman at the DD....

[Valerio]

…  might exceed my limited holiday allowance.

You just gotta ride faster, Vale!

Assuming fast finishing times....say 10days to ride the 3 events. That means early starts and late finishes, and probably being wrecked after finishing: 2×3 days. Thats 16 days away.
Let's assume one uses weekends, it means taking 10days off work. That's nearly half of my (and my wife's) yearly annual leave, and that's considering super fast finishing times and zero allowance for hiccups along the rides.

I can't see that happening soon for me....maybe i need to get myself fired haha

[Leerowe76]

What about a BB Triple Crown ? WRT, BB200 & BB300 just a thought

[whitestone]

What about a BB Triple Crown ? WRT, BB200 & BB300 just a thought

One of the 200 and 300 would have to be an ITT since they are held on the same day.

[Dave Barter]

Dotwatcher had nothing to do with setting this up, they are just putting the news out there.
I mooted the idea last month as I thought it would be good to have a new challenge that doesn't involve vast expense and long haul flights, like the US Triple Crown or the "Full Nelson" that has now become a thing to do. The idea seemed to be well received so the organizers of the other two events decided to go with it, get something started for this year and see what happens. No one is saying that these are the best routes in each country!
It is meant to be easily accessible and affordable for UK based riders with limited time. All three events are loops which make logistics more simple and are not for profit, with a small entry fee or charity donation.
Feedback welcome.

Only issue is the HT550 is very hard to get into, so I would hope ITTs count.

[Leerowe76]

What about a BB Triple Crown ? WRT, BB200 & BB300 just a thought

One of the 200 and 300 would have to be an ITT since they are held on the same day.

Maybe Stu could accommodate another weekend, or maybe we shouldn't give Stu any ideas as his are already crackers enough