OFFICIAL COURSE  For a full description of the course and pictures to use as guidance then just click the yellow box below.     Overall Impressions The Ironman UK bike course now has the reputation as one of the toughest courses on the IM circuit. A combination of hills, open moorland, wind, villages with lots of twists and turns makes it difficult to get into a rhythm and provides a challenge for everyone. A very hard start, mentally and physically with the climb of Sheep House Lane within the first 2km means no chance to "settle in" so be warned   The Wind Effect I had ridden the course through training in the Winter, the Spring and the Summer months and the wind was generally a factor all the way round and it was hard going at times especially in the winter months when it was hurricane force. When we rode it in April a combination of the wind, rain, cold and the climbs gave us an average speed of 14.7mph and the loop took us 2hrs 25mins We were not riding at race speed and didnt have a race set up, but if the wind is like that on race day, then anyone beating 7hrs for the bike will have done well. On race day 2009, the wind was probably a 6 on a scale of 1-10 and that meant that times were slower than expected.   Garmin Profile I have measured the loop at 60.38km and the profile that the loop provides is now shown below. A tough start followed by plenty downhill/flat to get aero and recover, before the long slog back to the start. GRAPE LANE / SYD BROOK LANE in Croston represents the lowest part of the course, its worthwhile remembering that you have 20 plus km of gradual climbing to come. SAVE YOUR LEGS !!!!     The Climb of "Sheep House Lane" Here are some pictures from Sheep House Lane taken on 08 03 2009 This is the biggest climb on the course and is 2.06 miles long and has 602ft of climbing. It is made up of a tough first part of the climb before reaching a plateau and then ending with a tougher climb including a hairpin bend to negotiate, so whilst the overall gradient may not look difficult, the flat middle bit levels it all out and makes it seem easier. This is a tough climb to do once in a ride, but to have to do it three times will be a real leg breaker !!!!   The start of Sheep House Lane     The final part as you reach the summit of the hardest bit     This is the summit of the hardest bit with the hairpin bend.