Thanks for taking us along Duncan, I think that if you have a steady paced plan, you will do it. You have the experience and with good rests/ fuelling, you will get there. Hopefully it won't be too hot for you as well👍👍
Great watch and thank you - I'm doing the Fred Whitton this year and I'm getting more and more terrified by the day.. I did the Lakeland Loop last weekend thinking it was a good idea but that only made me more nervous. I know I'm not going to be as fast / fit, strong as the majority of other riders but I'm doing it as a challenge and to raise money for St James in Leeds. I've gone and changed the front sprockets to a 40/30t and the rear 11t/40t with a hope that this would help. I cramped about 10 mile before Hardknott then cramped just as I started the climb and had to push ! anyway, fear not Hardknott come Sunday 12th May you'll be seeing me again
Thanks Ian. I was due to do the Lakeland loop, but was ill so didn’t ride. I think a key element of The Fred is your mental attitude to the day. See it as a grand day out or as you are doing for charity. With the aim to just get round and finish. Walk up Hardknott and Wrynose. (Bet I am) I’ll be out over Honister, Newlands and Whinlatter again tomorrow. Not long now. Good luck for the day.
Wise move to call it a day after one lap - but what a lap! Three classics with amazing clarity and long distance views. I haven't cycled in the Lakes for years so this was a real treat for me. Brake fade.... crikey! From what I've seen of your videos this year, you've been struggling with viral hangovers and general tiredness, so you're coming to the point where you've got to use your experience and 'self-knowledge' with regard to The Fred.
I kept away from more ascents of Newlands and Honister, but I did do Whinlatter Braithwaite to Lorton twice. I really do love that loop. Recon it is my favourite especially when it is quiet like it was. For The Fred, I think I will be there at the start and see how the day goes. I can always bail. I will be putting the 34-11 cassette on too, and may even use the TCRSL rather than the Defy SL disc as it is the lightest bike I have, plus if I shift a couple of kilos in the next two weeks I may well just get round which is the aim......fingers crossed. Thanks Gordon.
I'm in the same boat as you at the minute a bit heavy & no long regular rides . out with my old training mate tomorrow so things will ramp up 🥴 you've got to be in top shape for the fred though 🚴
I am not too bothered about not having the 100 mile. ride in my legs although it would certainly be a big help. It is more the weight and not managing to be consistent this year. We shall see. Enjoy the ride with your mate.
Sounds like you have a solid base of good fitness. Maybe just spend the next few weeks really focusing on your health and staying well and injury free.
Thank you. It’s not always easy to stay away from viruses and bugs in my line of work. However, I will be doing all I can over the next few weeks. Looking back, I know what happened to make me become poorly. So I will try to avoid that. I had a big jump in TSS the week I did my last sportive, and then being around people with bugs. Thanks again.
Sounds like illness has set you back and another couple weeks of recovery you’ll be fine. Speaking as somebody with a chronic injury who couldn’t contemplate FW I’d say do it whilst you still can Duncan. If the fitness isn’t there then just treat it as a big day out, stop and have a craic at the feed stations and enjoy the day.
Hi Jeremy. Yes, I have been finding it hard to get consistency this year. I think there are several things in play, viruses being one. I am pretty sure I will be there on that start line in 2 weeks. And as you say I just would have the aim of a long day out to get round. I will be walking up Hardknott and wherever else I need to. Just finish. I have a plan..... Thanks,
Oh wow. I have just been watching 312 videos, looks mental. Which distance did you finish? 8000 riders! Crazy. At least with The Fred there are only 2500!
@@ddniUK You should be fine for The Fred then. However, the roads are more like a gravel ride in places. A bit steeper too. Guess you know that though 🤣
Realistically. What amount of weight would you look to be dropping in 2.5-3 weeks? AND…. Will it risk losing power? (Serious question, as in thinking of dropping an extra few pounds)
I would realistically only look to drop 2 kilograms in 2 weeks at the most. And that wouldn’t effect my power. Obviously that rate of weight loss over more time wouldn’t work.
@@DuncMcNutt okay. So 4-5lbs in two weeks is safe to preserve strength and power yes? And still provide the benefit on the hills. I’m in! Purely via calorie counting/deficit? And if so what deficit would you recommend as a daily goal? (I have the same issue here in terms of target weight! But have done some good mileage YTD (circa 3000 by Fred)
@@garethdunsmore9913 I just use the Myfitnesspal app. You fill in the details for yourself on there and it will give you the calorie deficit to aim for. Then scan and weigh everything. And be strict. Link it to your Garmin or strava or whatever you use and it will add on extra calories for exercise. I am on 3230km so far YTD, I am guessing you are on miles.
This is the second time I have watched this video and you don't convince me at all that you really think you should do the FW if you are not well enough it could ruin your whole summer of riding just for one day on the bike. If you are not sure then the answer must be to give it a miss , a very difficult decision , save it for another year.
At the moment, I am planning to be on the start line. I can set off. Ride over Kirkstone and over Matterdale end to Keswick. That will all be fine. If I am still feeling good I will go up Honister. And Newlands. At Braithwaite if I am not having a good day, I can ride back to Grasmere along the official bail out route.
Yeah, there is something going on in the background, who know what. We shall see. Cheers. Hopefully get out again next Friday for a similar loop but park in Maryport and do Whinlatter, Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter, Newlands, Whinlatter and back to Maryport. Well that is the plan.
Thanks for taking us along Duncan, I think that if you have a steady paced plan, you will do it. You have the experience and with good rests/ fuelling, you will get there. Hopefully it won't be too hot for you as well👍👍
Thanks Darren. That is exactly my plan, a long steady day out walking where needed. Just enjoying the day. Cheers mate.
It is always a pleasure to watch your videos. You know how to inspire us with beautiful locations, With this you got my full support!
thank you very much.😃
Great watch and thank you - I'm doing the Fred Whitton this year and I'm getting more and more terrified by the day.. I did the Lakeland Loop last weekend thinking it was a good idea but that only made me more nervous. I know I'm not going to be as fast / fit, strong as the majority of other riders but I'm doing it as a challenge and to raise money for St James in Leeds. I've gone and changed the front sprockets to a 40/30t and the rear 11t/40t with a hope that this would help. I cramped about 10 mile before Hardknott then cramped just as I started the climb and had to push ! anyway, fear not Hardknott come Sunday 12th May you'll be seeing me again
Thanks Ian. I was due to do the Lakeland loop, but was ill so didn’t ride.
I think a key element of The Fred is your mental attitude to the day. See it as a grand day out or as you are doing for charity. With the aim to just get round and finish. Walk up Hardknott and Wrynose. (Bet I am)
I’ll be out over Honister, Newlands and Whinlatter again tomorrow.
Not long now. Good luck for the day.
Wise move to call it a day after one lap - but what a lap! Three classics with amazing clarity and long distance views. I haven't cycled in the Lakes for years so this was a real treat for me. Brake fade.... crikey!
From what I've seen of your videos this year, you've been struggling with viral hangovers and general tiredness, so you're coming to the point where you've got to use your experience and 'self-knowledge' with regard to The Fred.
I kept away from more ascents of Newlands and Honister, but I did do Whinlatter Braithwaite to Lorton twice.
I really do love that loop. Recon it is my favourite especially when it is quiet like it was.
For The Fred, I think I will be there at the start and see how the day goes. I can always bail. I will be putting the 34-11 cassette on too, and may even use the TCRSL rather than the Defy SL disc as it is the lightest bike I have, plus if I shift a couple of kilos in the next two weeks I may well just get round which is the aim......fingers crossed.
Thanks Gordon.
Hi Duncan we all go through periods like this. Just do the Fred, acknowledge that you will be slower and just enjoy it.
Thank you. Exactly, that is my plan and hope. Nice and steady, as much as you can on those gradients. Cheers.
Dunc, rest up...I wish you a speedy and full recovery 🚴👍
Thank you. 😀 just having a short recovery spin on Zwift.
Hi Duncan, Best of luck if you do decide to do the 'Fred', like you I've found it a hard road back from illness and injury.
Thanks Floydie. Think I will be there at the start on the 12th May and just see what happens. (Got the orange TCR back together now).
I'm in the same boat as you at the minute a bit heavy & no long regular rides . out with my old training mate tomorrow so things will ramp up 🥴 you've got to be in top shape for the fred though 🚴
I am not too bothered about not having the 100 mile. ride in my legs although it would certainly be a big help. It is more the weight and not managing to be consistent this year.
We shall see. Enjoy the ride with your mate.
Sounds like you have a solid base of good fitness. Maybe just spend the next few weeks really focusing on your health and staying well and injury free.
Thank you. It’s not always easy to stay away from viruses and bugs in my line of work. However, I will be doing all I can over the next few weeks.
Looking back, I know what happened to make me become poorly. So I will try to avoid that. I had a big jump in TSS the week I did my last sportive, and then being around people with bugs.
Thanks again.
Sounds like illness has set you back and another couple weeks of recovery you’ll be fine. Speaking as somebody with a chronic injury who couldn’t contemplate FW I’d say do it whilst you still can Duncan. If the fitness isn’t there then just treat it as a big day out, stop and have a craic at the feed stations and enjoy the day.
Hi Jeremy. Yes, I have been finding it hard to get consistency this year. I think there are several things in play, viruses being one.
I am pretty sure I will be there on that start line in 2 weeks. And as you say I just would have the aim of a long day out to get round. I will be walking up Hardknott and wherever else I need to. Just finish. I have a plan.....
Thanks,
Depends if you want to break records? For how you did The Ram compared to me you would breeze it. Will watch the whole video now :-)
There certainly won't be any danger of breaking my record. Thanks PW.
This is on my list! Just done Majorca312. Definitely wondering if I’m fit enough?
Oh wow. I have just been watching 312 videos, looks mental. Which distance did you finish? 8000 riders! Crazy. At least with The Fred there are only 2500!
@@DuncMcNutt I did the 312 this year, the 225 in 2023.
@@ddniUK You should be fine for The Fred then. However, the roads are more like a gravel ride in places. A bit steeper too. Guess you know that though 🤣
Realistically. What amount of weight would you look to be dropping in 2.5-3 weeks? AND…. Will it risk losing power?
(Serious question, as in thinking of dropping an extra few pounds)
I would realistically only look to drop 2 kilograms in 2 weeks at the most. And that wouldn’t effect my power. Obviously that rate of weight loss over more time wouldn’t work.
@@DuncMcNutt okay. So 4-5lbs in two weeks is safe to preserve strength and power yes? And still provide the benefit on the hills. I’m in! Purely via calorie counting/deficit? And if so what deficit would you recommend as a daily goal? (I have the same issue here in terms of target weight! But have done some good mileage YTD (circa 3000 by Fred)
@@garethdunsmore9913 I just use the Myfitnesspal app. You fill in the details for yourself on there and it will give you the calorie deficit to aim for. Then scan and weigh everything. And be strict. Link it to your Garmin or strava or whatever you use and it will add on extra calories for exercise.
I am on 3230km so far YTD, I am guessing you are on miles.
@@DuncMcNutt miles yes 👍
This is the second time I have watched this video and you don't convince me at all that you really think you should do the FW if you are not well enough it could ruin your whole summer of riding just for one day on the bike. If you are not sure then the answer must be to give it a miss , a very difficult decision , save it for another year.
At the moment, I am planning to be on the start line. I can set off. Ride over Kirkstone and over Matterdale end to Keswick. That will all be fine. If I am still feeling good I will go up Honister. And Newlands. At Braithwaite if I am not having a good day, I can ride back to Grasmere along the official bail out route.
What an absolute whingefest
I agree. I did moan a lot. Too much.
Yeah, you dont seem your goodself, so maybe a rest is due. Think you still have lingering illness/virus? But great effort anyway
Yeah, there is something going on in the background, who know what. We shall see.
Cheers. Hopefully get out again next Friday for a similar loop but park in Maryport and do Whinlatter, Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter, Newlands, Whinlatter and back to Maryport. Well that is the plan.