If there were a UK 'gravel race' ...

[slarge]

Yes, but then you would miss out on the cake stops being laid on and the post ride massage. And the prize money. Oh wait, have I got the wrong event?

[slowupslowdown-under]

00:01 - enter race
00:02 - book spa hotel in chester for the sunday of the event
00:03 - probably get smashed!

[Chew]

There are 5, maybe 6, Trackleader SPoT 1's in Cardiff that could be available for hire for tracking purposes

Could be interested in this Kevin dependant upon cost

What time are people looking at for the 100? Worth carrying bivi bag just in case?

Looking at Ians time for the 100 you'd be expecting everyone to finish in under 24 hours. Remember the event is an ITT, so its death or glory*
A tour/bimble of the route may be better suited to another weekend?

I mean even if I didn't get one of the 80 places I would still turn up and ride on the day

On a serious note, I strongly hope this doesn't happen. These type of events will only work due to the goodwill of the person organising it and that of the people who decide to start.
Ian could have just emailed a select number of people and made this very underground, but instead kindly opened it up to everyone who might be interested regardless of their name/background. I hope people respect the guidelines that are set out**


*I may regret saying this
**Hopefully not a rant, just not wanting anyone to get into any trouble

[composite]

Well it was said in jest. I guess though that 80 was pretty much plucked form the air in terms of the general show of hands and not derived from any risk assessment?
I also predict that within about 10mins the field will be so strung out no one would know anyway. :)

To be fair though Ian has put the ground work in so fair enough.

There are 5, maybe 6, Trackleader SPoT 1's in Cardiff that could be available for hire for tracking purposes

I too might be interested to dip my toe in by hiring one first if the cost is reasonable.

[Ian]

Chew has it about right - thanks.

The 80 limit was agreed between Stu an I based on a risk assessment - how many cars are there likely to be parked in and around Llanwrtyd. What capacity do the local campsites have. How many riders can you plonk in the middle of town unannounced without it attracting interest. How quickly will that number get strung out on the route. Over what duration can you expect people to be back at the finish etc.

ITT's are a bit underground because if the masses descend, it'll look like a race/event, for which additional provisions would be required (or expected by the authorities). This isn't meant to sound elitist, just a practical restriction to allow a small group start to run, a course record to be set and for that to be challenged at any other time thereafter. Precedents have been set for this approach, e.g. Highland Trail, Cairngorm Loop, EWE.

We'll see in about 5 hours whether or not 80 proves to be ample for the level of interest, or if there is much more appetite for this type of suffering than we expected.

Death or Glory :D

[composite]

Well fair enough I stand corrected.

Out of interest was that number based mostly on the show of hands or the absolute number that could be accommodated by the area? So for instance did you consider the total that the campsites could take if empty or did you factor in that they might have other bookings as well? Just wondering about the process.

BTW Highland trail race is probably a bad example; definitely only 50 riders... 62 on the start list.

[Ian]

At the time about 20 people showed their hand on here, and there were 60 people down for HTR560, so that gave an indication that about 80 people would be interested in doing it. Level of entry for the BB200 also gave us a good feel for numbers. Some of the HTR entrants - especially those overseas - wouldn't want to do it, and some people outside HTR and this forum - via Twitter - would want to do it. That left the 80 figure feeling about right. It fits in terms of scale to the start town, campsites and so on, the 80 figure felt OK.

Red Kite Events are also running a road sportive ( ) on the Sunday, so we needed to allow for that to a certain extent, though most would be day-visitors I expect. It's all very subjective though, and seeing as this is a first-of-its-kind kind of event in Wales it's difficult to tell.

[Bearbonesnorm]

I'm sure there'll be enough places for everyone wanting to ride as long as people shout up within the next week ... no need to panic.

If for some reason (and I really can't think of a good one) there was a massive uptake, I have an idea that could possibly enable more riders to take part without causing any upset to anyone or anything. I've not mentioned it to Ian yet so won't say anything now ... hopefully it won't be required though.

[sillybigfella]

Done it. Was I first?

[JohnClimber]

No I was..... it's the only race I'd win.

10 entries so far according to twitter

[AdMan]

Ive done also

[Ian]

Done it. Was I first?

9th

No I was..... it's the only race I'd win.

10 entries so far according to twitter

You were second John. Close

--

26 entries in as at 00:06

[burty]

me to

[sillybigfella]

Cheers Ian, now back to the black rum....

[AdMan]

Who was first??

[johnnystorm]

I've thrown my hat into the ring for the 200. Start 2014 with regret!

[Ian]

50 entries in 30 minutes

[sillybigfella]

50 entries in 30 minutes

You've created a monster!!!

[Matt]

I'm in for the 100

Happy New Year all

[99percentchimp]

Ian wrote

50 entries in 30 minutes

Looks like you've missed your calling Ian :D

[Mart]

I'm in for the 100 :)

[Bigface0_0]

Well I sent the email at 2:30 so fingers crossed I'm not to late!! Sounds like it would be well after the 50 mark by then!!!

[Mike]

email sent as i want in on the wildcat100 if possible please Ian. If theres no spaces left for these r we able to get the gpx at some point to ride it at a different time? tar mike

[Ian]

Ok, we're now over 80 entries...

[Brothersmith]

Took Stu's advice and waited till this morning to enter 100, looking at responce so far looks like I should have done it at midnight :?

When do we find out if In Ian, no reply email yet?