UKC

So I've found myself entered in the Rat Race Coast to Coast event, which includes quite a bit of cycling, both on roads and off (although I'm told not too bad, more like gravel/mud trails). I don't currently own a bike and haven't for a number of years. So my question is has anyone on here done this event, or one similar, and what sort of bike should I be looking at? I think I've narrowed it down to either Hybrid, Cyclocross/adventure road bike.....
......oh and anyone got a bike they want to sell in the Midlands area?!

In reply to CarbonCopy:

When is it? What's you're general fitness like?

I'd go decent cyclo-cross personally.

In reply to CarbonCopy:

Which route is it?

In reply to CarbonCopy:

What will be most useful to you after the event? I'd probably go with one of the faux cx/gravel bikes that are flying out of bike shop doors these days. They suggest a road bike will potentially do with heavier tyres and a light touch, so I wouldn't imagine the route is at all technical.

In reply to Indy:
I'm generally pretty fit, run quite a bit and have an active job, just out of practice on a bike!

In reply to The New NickB:


It's Inverness to fort William, that's as much I know at this point!

In reply to CarbonCopy:

Personally, I'd opt for a cross bike every time.

Purchased a Ridley X-Bow last year, money well spent.

In reply to CarbonCopy:

Something like a Specialized Tricross will do the job.

In reply to CarbonCopy:

If you are going for a Ridley, they are very cheap now:
See http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/ridley-x-bow-10-disc-2016-cyclocross-bike....
£850 is a very good price for such a spec and it will make an excellent commuter touring bike after.
Or the 2015 version £675:
http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/ridley-x-bow-10-disc-2015-bike-25817.html?...
Have a good ride.

In reply to SimonMH:

That 2015 version is a great bike for the money!

In reply to CarbonCopy:

Is this the same route as "The Great Glen Way/Cally canal"? If so, not sure if it helps but a mate done it a couple of years back and hired a bike. Pretty sure he hired a Hybrid.
HTH Good luck!

In reply to CarbonCopy:

Thanks for the replies all. Picked up a 2015 Boardman Team CX in the end so happy days!

In reply to CarbonCopy:

Been riding the Boardman Comp fs road bike for the last 12 months and no complaints. The servicing from my local Halfords had been excellent too.

In reply to CarbonCopy:

I've done this race twice and firstly it's a great race, you'll love it. Depends if you want to compete or complete. I used my specialised tricross which worked fine and was pretty quick but if you want to compete at the front you'll want a road bike as nearly all the biking is on roads or good gravel roads, only two short mountain biking sections which you could almost run the bike down if needed. If I did it again I'd definitely use my road bike as probably 20% faster on the long road sections. I repeat, really fun race, the one day probably edges the two day as a memorable event.