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

[pistonbroke]

Because the late start (10am) and the clocks altering the week before the event the nights will drop dark earlier at 19:54.

I think you'll find it's the opposite, when the clocks go forward in the Spring, the evenings get lighter so, dependant on the weather, it should get dark at about 8pm rather than 7pm the previous Saturday. Clearly the dawn gets correspondingly later, sunrise(sic) on the Sunday will be about 6.45am. Either way round it will be a long night for us 200 milers

[johnnystorm]

No one has mentioned the most important thing. Will there be a T-shirt?!

[Bearbonesnorm]

No one has mentioned the most important thing. Will there be a T-shirt?!

I had considered seeing whether there'd be any interest ... it might be worth doing.

[j.c.gillies]

No one has mentioned the most important thing. Will there be a T-shirt?!

I had considered seeing whether there'd be any interest ... it might be worth doing.

Or some of those nice patches

[sillybigfella]

Because the late start (10am) and the clocks altering the week before the event the nights will drop dark earlier at 19:54.

Are any 100 milers planning on bivi'ing out or going for all the miles and hills in one day?

I'll be carrying a bag and a tarp just in case (and a whole ton of food).

[composite]

The patches definitely get my vote, I'd have one of those but I wouldn't buy a t-shirt.

EDIT: I wasn't planning on carrying any camp gear for the 200. I think this really will be death or glory for me. :?

[slowupslowdown-under]

a momento would be nice!

[Bearbonesnorm]

The patches definitely get my vote, I'd have one of those but I wouldn't buy a t-shirt.

a momento would be nice!

Okay, no promises but leave it with me ... I imagine anything will need to be done on a pre-order basis and posted out after the event. The 2 starting points will make dishing anything out a little tricky.

[slowupslowdown-under]

are you doing the 200, Stu?

[Bearbonesnorm]

are you doing the 200, Stu?

I'm doing the 100 and using the excuse that I need to be at the start to make sure everything goes off okay ... Ian will obviously be at the start of the 200.

[adjustablewench]

by slowupslowdown on Fri Jan 03, 2014 9:43 pma momento would be nice!slowupslowdown Posts: 124Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:15 pm

Psychological scars and deep rooted physical pains not enough of a momento for you? - some people are never happy

[slowupslowdown-under]

well someone has to!

really excited - well arranged you two!

[Chew]

Because the late start (10am) and the clocks altering the week before the event the nights will drop dark earlier at 19:54.

Are any 100 milers planning on bivi'ing out or going for all the miles and hills in one day?

It should be very achievable for everyone to finish in one go with some training before the event.

BB200
Ian - 14 hours
Stu - 23.5 hours

Wildcat 100
Ian said he did it in under 9 hours, so based on the above you'd think ~15 hours for the majority of people, which takes you to about 1am.

At the moment i'm not planning on taking anything so I have no option but to finish in one :?

It'll be interesting for the 200er's. The step up from 200k to 200miles is going to be a big one.

ITT so remember, Death or Glory :D

[Nick]

In some ways it would have been nice if the start/finish of the 100 route had been before, rather than after the start/finish for the 200, that way the 100 lot could* have been back to cheer on the 200er's as they went past.

*in theory at least, I still think that some of us could get overtaken on the run in to Llanwrtyd Wells

[Ian]

by slowupslowdown on Fri Jan 03, 2014 9:43 pma momento would be nice!slowupslowdown Posts: 124Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:15 pm

Psychological scars and deep rooted physical pains not enough of a momento for you? - some people are never happy

That worked for me on the Highland Trail. So much so, I decided to do it all over again for 2014 :?

[captainbedwell]

So we're reckoning on just under 9 hours dark?

I'm doing the 100 and was planning on taking around 15 hours so I think I'll be ambitious and take extra batteries over bivvy stuff. I've never actually ridden 100 miles off road though so this could all go horribly wrong!

[JohnClimber]

At least there will be about 15,698 feet* of downhill fire roads to catch our breath before the next big climb

* to my calculations
** = to 3.5 Ben Nevis's from sea level

[Ian]

Here's the profile of the Wildcat 100. The start point is at the little red segment just below centre of image. Direction of travel is clockwise.


Total elevation gain varies depending where you look:
Strava - 3,880m
GPS - 4,096m
Route Buddy (GPS track file overlay OS 1:50k) - 4,385m

[Charliethebikemonger]

It's going to be tough to finish the 100 before last orders.

Question for those who know the route, the area. Standard cross gearing, is that a bad idea? I am thinking of putting a xt mountainbike double chain set on the Salsa Warbird. Or swapping the mech and cassette to a MTB set up (currently on a 12:28).

This has all been typed whilst sat in bed with a dog and coffee, and not out in damp Lycra preparing for the event.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Question for those who know the route, the area. Standard cross gearing, is that a bad idea? I am thinking of putting a xt mountainbike double chain set on the Salsa Warbird. Or swapping the mech and cassette to a MTB set up (currently on a 12:28).

Just awaiting a 29/40 after removing a 34/48 ... My heart kept telling me not to bother but my head kept saying otherwise

[Mike]

Wildcat 100 on my cross check with a compact up front and 12/28 up the back. Guess ill be standing out the saddle a fair bit :D
Is anyone planning to arrive on Friday night and camp up at the car park? Will be sleeping in the car there Friday night so lets hope this isnt another dogging sight!

[Blackhound]

Ordered a 30t cassette to replace the 27 on my cross bike. Still doubt that will be enough for my legs. Going to be the cheap mtb methinks at a 2kg weight penalty.

Going to use the cx at Spar n' back and see how I get on.

[Ian]

When I started the ride yesterday, I was on 36 x 32:12. For a good while, it was all fine but towards the end I found myself in bottom gear all too easily. Not sure my legs were as ready for 4k of climbing as I though they were :?

Edit:

Just awaiting a 29/40 after removing a 34/48 ... My heart kept telling me not to bother but my head kept saying otherwise

That's your chimp brain talking there

[Ben98]

I'll be on 50:34 and 12:32, so hope for the best

[Ian]

Trail update - pay attention this is important.

Anyone thinking of doing a recce of the route should exercise extreme caution on the western half of the track over from Soar-y-Mynydd to Tyn Cornel. The track is badly water damaged and largely unrideable between SN 762533 to SN 756533. The resulting gulley is 5-6 feet deep in places and the lines either side are loose and unstable, and even on foot you find yourself having to skip from one side to the other to find the best way down.


image by ianbarrington, on Flickr

There is a notice at the bottom prohibiting 4x4's and that the track is to be surveyed with a view to repairing it. I'll continue to monitor the condition of the track and advise when it has been repaired.