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I am wondering given the popularity of the BG, what other alternatives there are, perhaps involving 2 disciplines like the Frog Graham.
I am aware of the Lakes Classic Rock route which combines running and climbing but are there others out there possibly including cycling or linked scrambling routes that are "officialish" challenges.
3 Peaks of Britain by bicycle instead of the usual 'corporate car door slamming'.
or
The Full Cuillin Round (Black & Red)
The Scottish 4000s with a bike ride between the Cairngorms and Nevis range.
Good one gejQuote:
Originally Posted by gej
That one slipped my mind - I was involved with marshalling when it was run as a duathlon race in 2001 & 2003 - it could be expanded to a Scottish coast to coast, with the 2x '4,000's running sections' to break up the bike ride.
Also, my good friend and club mate YDT had a linear running route in Wales that encompassed Yr Wyddfa, Cadair Idris and Plynlimmon. There would be nothing to stop you from connecting those three by bicycle.
National 3 peaks by Boat.
Someone from Dark Peak (Gavin Williams I think?) did the national 3 peaks in 24h by running, bike and public transport. Definitely need to stick to the schedule and hope there are no replacement bus services on that one!
A Greater Traverse: not so 'outlandish' as Red and Black but a big outing.
Like the BG, it follows a grand history: first written up on toilet paper by a PoW, confiscated and re-written: a chapter in Mountaineering in Scotland https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=9348.
To make it a 'Round', start and finish at 'The Little House in the Priarie': Camsunary bothy.
[QUOTE=wheezing donkey;634823]3 Peaks of Britain by bicycle instead of the usual 'corporate car door slamming'.
/QUOTE]
My brother was involved in 3 unsuccessful attempts at this in the '80S (?) when there was a particularly active group of people working at Impact Training in the Lakes. If my memory serves me correctly each one ended up with bike crashes and someone in A&E, and only on the third attempt did two of the three people continue but they missed the record by about a half hour after suffering very cold wet weather around Glencoe and on the Ben. At that time I think the record was about 40 hours. I don't know what it is now but I remember him telling me that it probably couldn't be broken because upgrades to motorway meant that the roads you could use we less direct. Maybe someone can update the story?!
The triathlon of Windermere, Fred Whitton and BG? I think that's been done a few times?
[QUOTE=gaw;634837]recent activity on 3peaks bike/run: new record timeQuote:
Originally Posted by wheezing donkey
http://www.outside.co.uk/latest/news...w-World-Record
I recall that Tom Gibbs holds the record for the 4 peaks (carry on to include pen y fan) of Wales by bike and foot, sub 11 hours I think - going some!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by wheezing donkey
Marsden Edale double, Tan Cat (Tan Hill above Swaledale to Cat & Fiddle) and other bogtrots spring to mind. There was an upsurge in interest in these a few years with runners posting on here. Obviously outings often coincide with winter to sharpen them up a bit
[QUOTE=blencathrafrommykitchen;634889]I don't know where earlier attempts were recorded but this website suggests there is a faster solo record of just over 35 hours (drafted), and just under 42 hours (not drafted).Quote:
Originally Posted by gaw
https://www.threepeakschallenge.net/...llenge-records
I also recall there were different approaches - Alan Evans completed the National 3 Peaks taking his bike with him to each top. This had the advantage of allowing him to approach Scafell Pike from Langdale and descend to Borrowdale, whereas I think other attempts then cycled to Borrowdale and ran up and down from there.
There was always the 'Epic Tri' completed by Any Emmet and Bruce Duncan a few years ago. Bob Graham Round, non-stop tandem John O'Groats to Land's End finishing with the Devizes to Westminster Kayak Race. I'm not sure many people have repeated this.
The original bothy at Camunsary is now a private dwelling but the owner paid for a new bothy nearby.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eddie D
Even in the Lakes there are a few different challenges: the Lakes and Tarns one springs to mind (sorry pun not intentional). There was also a thread on here about linking up the Wainwrights at the cardinal points, so northernmost, etc.
A few years ago I came across a chap who was cycling between the cardinal points of the British mainland which is a different take on the Land's End to John o' Groats ride (neither of which are a cardinal point BTW), these are: S - Lizard Point, E - Ness Point, W- Ardnamurchan Point, N - Dunnet Head)
I suppose there's a minimum time for such challenges, 12hrs or so would seem reasonable, any less and it's just a bit of a day out in the fells.
It might be answered in one of the links but didn't Eric Beard link the national 3 peaks by bike?
Bowland Fellrunners site has a load of rounds in and around Yorkshire! Under the 'Dig the Peat' section, which is under the Long Distance 'tag' on the home page. Some pretty tough ones too!!
Just looked and I think it's been expanded since I last looked!!!
There's also the Gofar site I think?
The Lakes Marilyn's always appealed to me. I remember reading Chris Upsons report on his run a few years ago. It's a nice classification for linking up some of the Lakes more prominent peaks. (some surprisingly so)