So you have entered IMUK for the first time and want to come and do a Recce of the actual bike circuit or you are thinking about entering IMUK and wondering if you have what it takes before investing in the race. (trust me, you have!)
Either way, you may find yourself with two problems.
- You live miles away so need somewhere to stay
- You dont know the circuit
Now by all means, you could book yourself into a cheap, crappy, soulless hotel room then hit the loop the following morning and try to figure it out all by yourself and there would be nothing wrong with that,
But there is another way….
How does bed, breakfast and evening meal together with your own private suite in a spacious farmhouse cottage nestled in beautiful countryside right on the bike loop sound?
Wait, there’s more…
What about a guided tour of the bike circuit by someone who has ridden it well over 100 times and knows the route like the back of his hand thrown in to boot?
Let Iron Rookie be your guide as he escorts you through the iconic 47 mile IMUK loop, taking in the sights of Babylon Lane, Sheephouse Lane and the infamous Hunters Hill climb, retelling countless tales from the legendary Ironmen along the way.
Learn exactly where all the cut off points are, where you need to be by when, where you can put your foot down, where you need to dig in and more importantly…. where you can take a breather!
Places are available 7 days a week and the itinary would be as follows:
Arrive at Farmhouse from 5pm
Receive a complimentary guest pass for local health club nearby
Evening meal at local Pub (included)
Return to base then relax and unwind in peaceful surroundings in preparation for the day ahead, free wi-fi & signed copy of ‘secrets of the ironmen’ to send to send you to sleep…
9am Breakfast served
10am Depart for Babylon Lane
10:30 Tour of 47 mile IMUK loop begins
Lunch at one of the famous cafes at the end of the loop (included)
Arrive back at farmhouse circa 3pm
Depart 4pm
Price £125 per person to include all of the above (including guided tour) or £199 based on two sharing a twin room.
The spacious farmhouse cottage is located near leyland, lancashire about 15 mins from the M6 junction 24.
Babylon Lane (start of the main IMUK loop) is just 20 mins drive away.
The seaside towns of Southport and Blackpool are within easy reach and excellent shopping is available in nearby preston, bolton or manchester.
The pace of the rides will be as you wish.
Iron Rookies PB for the loop is a very respectable 2:38 which is inside the top 30% of all time rides on Strava and only around 30 mins behind some of the best in the business. If you want to go faster than this I can put you in touch with people who can HOWEVER……..
This service is aimed at first timers who have entered the event and want to come and familiarise themselves with the actual bike circuit in preparation for race day or potential first timers who are thinking about entering but are wavering on the ‘should I/shouldn’t I’ question and is designed to help them take the plunge and enter the race.
Dependant on your goals, a sensible race pace for a first timer just looking to ‘get round’ would be anything in the 3-3:30 range but we can tailor a pace to suit.
Please note that Iron Rookie is not a trained coach, nor does he hold any professional coaching qualifications whatsoever, his only qualifications are the medals that he proudly wears around his neck, of which there are 10, one for each race in the series, the jewel in the crown being the one he received on 16 July 2017 at Ironman UK which became one of the most magical experiences of his life.
The fact that he has fallen in love with the IMUK bike loop which he has ridden well over 100 times in training may also be relevant to some.
Readers should further note that this package has been born from a genuine desire to help people achieve their dreams whilst at the same time giving something back to local businesses within the area.
For further information on this exciting offer, please DM Iron Rookie via Facebook or twitter.
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