How is everyones BB200 prep going?

[slowupslowdown-under]

Miles ramping up and feeling good at the moment but still apprehensive about dropping 24hours!!!!

One question - what is the name of that hill which is supposed to be a b***h and which, if you can get over before nightfall you are more likely to get in before the 24hour bell rings?

Any idea of how many people are entering?

[Bearbonesnorm]

One question - what is the name of that hill which is supposed to be a b***h and which, if you can get over before nightfall you are more likely to get in before the 24hour bell rings?

The 'lumpy' bit (I think) you mean is Carnau. In all honesty getting over the other side before dark would be a superhuman endevour*, getting sub 24hr is more about being willing to go across it in the dark.

Any idea of how many people are entering?

Think we're close to 60 now.

*I'm not saying it couldn't be done but everything would have to be on your side and you'd likely be the fittest/fastest person I've ever met.

[slowupslowdown-under]

cheers stu

how far into the loop is it?

[gairym]

You guys are going to be so jealous of my recent training and fitness regime.

I was originally planning on continuing to do loads of training/riding in order to build on the momentum left over from a summer of training hard and my TransAlp trip but instead I opted to rupture a disc in my lower back and spend the last 3 weeks on my ass doing absolutely f**k all!!!

I was worried before about how I'd perform but now I'm terrified.

My initial plan was to do something in the region of 28 hours this year and then see how feasible it would be to put in the effort for a sub 24 hour time next year but now my goals have been humbled somewhat and my new goal is to finish it alive and anything above/beyond that is a bonus!

Arse!

[Bearbonesnorm]

how far into the loop is it?

The initial climb kicks in at about 145km.

my new goal is to finish it alive and anything above/beyond that is a bonus!

That's what it's about.

[chris n]

Prep? I've been trying to work out if the Wynnstay Arms in Llanbrynmair sells decent beer for some pre- and post-ride carbo-loading. 8-)

[Ian]

The initial climb kicks in at about 145km.

I think we hit Carnau at around 10.30pm, and it had been dark for quite a while. To go under 24 hours I reckon you have to do this bit at night, otherwise the remaining distance is too much from dawn onwards.

Note however that the problem isn't the gradient...

[Bearbonesnorm]

Note however that the problem isn't the gradient...

This is your track coming off the top of Carnau a km or so before it becomes really difficut to follow

[Ian]

It's a real laugh at night, though we had the benefit of clear skies which I know others didn't once the cloud came down. Still got it wrong on the last section and lost about 15 mins in the process.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Now I think about it, I think it's fair to say the track on the ascent of Carnau is actually more vague than the descent.

Once you're clear of Carnau your next hurdle is this stretch which contains 6 fords in 7km

[slowupslowdown-under]

cheers chaps! now I am crapping myself!

[Ian]

Now I think about it, I think it's fair to say the track on the ascent of Carnau is actually more vague than the descent

I didn't find the descent tricky, mainly because I couldn't find the descent
The climb was fairly easy: http://app.strava.com/segments/1148249
I'm not responsible for the segment name though

[adjustablewench]

Mmmm prep - lets see, get enough spare batteries/night vision goggles/eat loads of carrots and accept that we just keep going regardless or pain, weather and tiredness - i think i can manage that much.

But the big question - is why am i looking forward to it so much??? :D

[slowupslowdown-under]

because you're strange!

[adjustablewench]

we'll see who's the strangest at the end!!

[gairym]

Ok, here's a quick kit question for those of you 'in the know':

Based on the time of year, terrain and other 'likely' factors of the BB200 which of the two possible sleeping-kit options below would you suggest that I go with???

Option 1:

1000g - tent (Six Moons Designs 'Skyscape Scout'
150g - poles
900g - sleeping mat (Mammut 'Comfort Plus')
1200g - sleeping bag (Mountain Hardwear 'Spectre SL 20)

3250g - total

Option 2:

300g - tarp (little 1.5m x 3.3m silnylon thing)
150g - poles
200g - bivi (Borah gear beauty I've yet to try out!)
150g - groundsheet
850g - sleeping bag (Vango 'Venom 300')
300g - mat (Karrimor 'X-lite' cheap thing)

1950g - total

My current thinking for the BB200 is that I'll try and only sleep for about 4 hours and then get back in the saddle and so do I pack minimally based on the fact that I don't plan on using the gear for very long or go heavier and comfier based on the idea of getting a good 4 hours sleep instead of a bad 4 hours of non-sleep?

The reason for the 4 hours idea is that I sleep badly whenever I sleep rough and usually spend at least 3-4 hours not sleeping when I first go to bed before eventually getting a good 3-4 hours sleep before waking up. My plan for the BB200 is to simply keep going instead of laying awake for those first 3-4 hours and only stopping when I'm well and truly exhausted and hoping that my fatigued state will enable me to sleep straight away.

It's a long shot but given the nature of the BB200 I don't want to waste my time not sleeping.

So.....what do we think?

Weight versus comfort (given the above info)???

[slowupslowdown-under]

I'm with your thought processes fella.

I think we are going for light as poss and the 3-4 hours sleep option.

Just sorting out batteries now for the lights now.

going to be as much a battle with the sleep monsters as it is with the legs me thinks - a proper test!

[Bearbonesnorm]

Fast and light ... remember the minimum kit requirement calls for - sleeping bag - bivvy bag or tarp or tent - lights - phone. Apart from that, you don't have to carry anything if you don't want to. If you're aiming to 'do as well as possible' then I think the 'I'll sleep because I can't ride anymore' mindset will kick in and pay off

EDIT: I should just say that the above really depends upon what you're aiming for. If your goal is a 'finish' then adding a degree of comfort may increase your chances of sleeping, which may increase your chances of finishing :)

[gairym]

I should just say that the above really depends upon what you're aiming for. If your goal is a 'finish' then adding a degree of comfort may increase your chances of sleeping, which may increase your chances of finishing

We'll see how I'm feeling by then. I'm going for my first real ride this afternoon to see how the back holds up and so hopefully I'll continue to improve and get in enough riding to be able to aim for a sniff more than just finishing but we'll see.

I'm also thinking that I'll bring everything and make a last minute decision based on the conditions (basically - screw using a tarp if it's hammering it down!).

[Nick]

I've been steadily getting more and more riding in, not necessarily huge distances but regular rides of 30+ miles, aiming for at least four a week.

Got the CyB enduro coming up which will be a good run out.

On the subject of kit, it's not just weight, but also speed of getting set up. It'll be cold and if (if!) I need to stop I just want to be able to jump in my bag while still warm from riding, rather than piss about putting up a tent.

Not sure I'm looking forwards to it at all, but I want to finish it and get it done.

[Ian]

Fast and light ... remember the minimum kit requirement calls for - sleeping bag - bivvy bag or tarp or tent - lights - phone.

I took a lot* more than I needed to last year, not knowing whether or not it was possible to do it on one hit. But if I take only the minimum required kit, I get this:

Sleeping bag - 360g
Bivvy bag - 110g
Lights - 110g
Phone - 80g
Total - 660g

plus waterproofs, tools, food, water etc...

*edit - my definition of "a lot" might differ from yours

[Taylor]

90g for lights?

[Ian]

Typo, now corrected. Confused the Joystick with the Diablo

[Bearbonesnorm]

Bivvy bag - 110g

Do you have a new stealthy bivvy bag we know nothing about?

[Ian]

Nearly