The Challenge
During our research, and having spoken to seasoned Internationals on the fell-running circuit, we have discovered, to the best of our knowledge, that only three men have previously attempted this serious challenge.
We understand that during the mid-70s, former racing cyclist Alan Evans, and sometime later the fell runner/cyclist John North (Clayton-le-Moors), have both succeeded in around two and a half days. John Rea, of Barrow, Cumbria, has also completed this challenge from Ben Nevis to Snowdon in July 1998. He took 2days 22hours. If you have any other information please allow us to be corrected. If you know either of them, please put them in touch - we would love to talk to them!
Some people take on the UK's '3 Peaks' - Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike & Snowdon - over the course of a lifetime, some attempt to do them in 24 hours. The 3 Peaks Cycle Challenge will take in a total 440 miles of road-cycling and 27 miles of mountain hiking, with more than 9,000ft of ascending & descending. ALL IN THE SPACE OF 3 DAYS. Opposite is the full itinerary (all times are approximate)
Day 1: Fort William - Happendon (A74 service area)
05:00 Walk from Glen Nevis to Ben Nevis summit (4,406ft) and return down to Glen Nevis - 8 miles and 4,000ft of climbing
09:00 Cycle by road from Glen Nevis to Happendon - 140 miles
18:00 Overnight stop #1
DAY 2: Happendon - Lancaster
06:00 Cycle by road from Happendon to Seathwaite (Lake District) - 112 miles
13:30 Walk from Seathwaite to Scafell Pike summit (3,210ft) and down to Great Langdale -14 miles / 2,650ft of climbing
17:30 Cycle by road from Great Langdale to Lancaster 39 miles
20:00 Overnight stop #2
DAY 3: Lancaster - Pen Y Pass
06:00 Cycle by road from Lancaster to Pen-y-Pass 146 miles 16:00 Walk from Pen-y-Pass to Snowdon summit (3,560ft) returning to Pen-y-pass to finish - 5 miles / 2,500ft of climbing
19:00 FINISH