Three Peaks Fell Race

[Witton Park]

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/bicycles-fa...ection-22.html

I just thought "I wonder how the Tour de France rate the climbs" and quickly found this link.

Interesting that it seems there is also an element of context, where a climb comes in the stage and how tough the stage has been.

I think the A/B/C & S/M/L system is a little rigid but a good guide. I also think it would be fair for experienced judges to look at a races rating under the rigid system and adjust, taking context in to account.

If you strip a few miles of the Pen-y-ghent - Ribblehead section out of the race it would be a AL.
By having the extra miles in it doesn't make the race any easier.

So although technically AL is not correct, I think the rating is appropriate.

[Fellhound]

I suppose that's a fair assessment.

[crowhill]

The FRA is specific about how it measures fell races, so strictly speaking the 3 Peaks is a BL... however, as the A/B/C element of the categorisation denotes vertical climb per total horizontal distance it's always got the potential to be misleading. If you do the Ben Nevis race you're clearly doing an 'A' race. If the race started and finished, say, 12 miles south of Fort William it would be a 'C' race according to FRA stipulations (because of the road and the length divided by climb ratio), but it certainly wouldn't be any easier.
Maybe it would be better for A/B/C to denote steepness of climb in the hill part itself? Whernside is an 'A' climb in anyone's book, just ask my calves...

[crowhill]

The FRA is specific about how it measures fell races, so strictly speaking the 3 Peaks is a BL... however, as the A/B/C element of the categorisation denotes vertical climb per total horizontal distance it's always got the potential to be misleading. If you do the Ben Nevis race you're clearly doing an 'A' race. If the race started and finished, say, 12 miles south of Fort William it would be a 'C' race according to FRA stipulations (because of the road and the length divided by climb ratio), but it certainly wouldn't be any easier.
Maybe it would be better for A/B/C to denote steepness of climb in the hill part itself? Whernside is an 'A' climb in anyone's book, just ask my calves...

...having said all that, it does only seem to be the 3 peaks that sparks this perennial debate so maybe we should stick with the existing system

[FellShoeShuffler]

..it does only seem to be the 3 peaks that sparks this perennial debate so maybe we should stick with the existing system

It isn't the 3 Peaks that sparks this debate - it is plonkers wi nowt better to do.

[Stolly]

If you strip a few miles of the Pen-y-ghent - Ribblehead section out of the race it would be a AL.
By having the extra miles in it doesn't make the race any easier.

So although technically AL is not correct, I think the rating is appropriate.

Maybe more appropriately strip the last 5 rubble strewn miles down from Ingleborough out; its definitely AL with knobs on at the top of Ingleborough.

Those last 5 miles of cramp ridden agony do make the race miles easier though

It isn't the 3 Peaks that sparks this debate - it is plonkers wi nowt better to do

Yeah Trundler

[Antisocial]

It isn't the 3 Peaks that sparks this debate - it is plonkers wi nowt better to do.

Don't blame trundler - twas me and I am sussed!
Still gives me pleasure.

[Marvin]

If you do the Ben Nevis race you're clearly doing an 'A' race. If the race started and finished, say, 12 miles south of Fort William it would be a 'C' race according to FRA stipulations (because of the road and the length divided by climb ratio), but it certainly wouldn't be any easier.

I was going to keep out of this debate, but just can't resist it. The Ben Race can't be a cat A because there's more than 20% road in it. Sorry.

[Fellhound]

Excellent Marvin, you may just have extended this debate by another week at least!

I'll wait til the Ben issue is played out then I'll throw in the Blisco Dash.....

[Antisocial]

I was going to keep out of this debate, but just can't resist it. The Ben Race can't be a cat A because there's more than 20% road in it. Sorry.

And it's Scotland - not Yorkshire or the Lakes?