sean_iow wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2024 1:47 pm
I've already got 2 orange badges... if I had 3 it would start to look a bit greedy so I'd better not ride any more BB300s
For clarification, the process is easy to understand... the execution requires a bit more effort.
As I think I said earlier on in the thread, the 2018 BB300 is the hardest ride I've ever done. The combination of the terrain (my garmin said 30,000 feet of climbing including the 2 mile ride to the start) the rain (storm Callum - soaked to the skin after about a half hour and never really dried out) and the temperatures (if I wasn't riding I was shivering uncontrollably) just completely drained me plus the temperature/effort to ride meant I felt nauseous as well so not eating nearly enough/at all for long stretches.
It took me at least 2 month before I felt recovered and back to normal energy levels - so like I said... easy
I did recall that year being quite the challenge - I didn't even make it to the start, thanks to flooded roads....
Oh yes 2018 - I discovered a somewhat vital bridge had been washed away on the Fri night. It was still raining biblical amounts on Sat morning and upon returning to the Towers, we discovered that the house was flooded ... a character building weekend all round but Dave did at least get his 5 yard badge and Andy his life saving one
Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2024 5:48 pm
Oh yes 2018 - I discovered a somewhat vital bridge had been washed away on the Fri night. It was still raining biblical amounts on Sat morning and upon returning to the Towers, we discovered that the house was flooded ... a character building weekend all round but Dave did at least get his 5 yard badge and Andy his life saving one
Javi probably deserved one for climbing a tree too. Shame he didn't actually finish as it was a top effort.
Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2024 5:48 pm
Oh yes 2018 - I discovered a somewhat vital bridge had been washed away on the Fri night. It was still raining biblical amounts on Sat morning and upon returning to the Towers, we discovered that the house was flooded ... a character building weekend all round but Dave did at least get his 5 yard badge and Andy his life saving one
Javi probably deserved one for climbing a tree too. Shame he didn't actually finish as it was a top effort.
sean_iow wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2024 10:59 am
Nail and head spring to mind Reg I'd say if you set out on the 300 with the thought you might bail to the 200 that you're already part way to failure. The key to success is not physical fitness but mental strength. Set off with the sole intention of finishing, no back-up plans for short-cuts, no planned bail spots and no plan B in case it's too tough. Start > follow line on gps until to are back at the start, easy as that
Pretty much this - Fitness, not faffing at any stops, looking after yourself and the bike, etc all help but unless there's a base of a general mindset of "just keep going/ finish this" then they are just castles built on sand. There's obviously some interaction between the physical and mental sides but a semi-fit rider with a strong mental attitude is more likely to succeed than a really fit one with a weak mental side.
I believe I have the dubious status of wooden spoon at last year's BB200 (my first attempt).... "just keep going/ finish this" was what got me successfully drifting late into the deserted car park at Llanbrynmair. No badge but wow what a sense of achievement! Having that experience in the bag has made everything else since seem straightforward, it's like a tool has been added to my kit that I can now take anywhere.
I'd dearly like to have another go this year but sadly, not enough time on the bike in '24 so will have to settle for reading the forum enviously. I have marked up '25 if Stu will have me back
I had completely forgotten 2018 was the storm year too. I had such a nightmare with punctures after the start that it felt like two completely different events.
Stabbed wrist yesterday and probably went close enough to the nerve to cause a little trauma (painfulwrist joint and umb thumb). Thankfully didn't bleed too much as we were quick in getting a pressure dressing on.
Have emailed Stu with a potential pullout. Maybe the BB200 isn't planned to happen for me!! Been so careful in avoided training injuries this year too. WTH.
Yes. I do think you are right Reg. Just been looking back at my previous 4 (one was a DNS but I'll count it anyway as I did Gypsy Lane and jumped through brambles for the training) and the 2 that I did complete had a moving time of about 20H (actual time much much more).
Shirley Rambo would never have pulled out. Best get back to the loft and continue with that insulation piece I cut for this.
faustus wrote: ↑Wed Sep 11, 2024 10:57 am
Just make sure you're wearing full chainmail so no more body/knife interfaces!
So true. Just checked the sharpness of that knife and it's a bit blunt. Makes sense why it slipped as I tried to exert too much pressure. Been using this and it's been fantastic.
Good point RD, must stay positive. Especially since I know the more I miss these events, the less likely I'll enter (or even get an invite) for future.
faustus wrote: ↑Wed Sep 11, 2024 10:57 am
Just make sure you're wearing full chainmail so no more body/knife interfaces!
So true. Just checked the sharpness of that knife and it's a bit blunt. Makes sense why it slipped as I tried to exert too much pressure. Been using this and it's been fantastic.
Good point RD, must stay positive. Especially since I know the more I miss these events, the less likely I'll enter (or even get an invite) for future.
Simple flowchart will make your decision:
Will the BB200 kill me? -> No -> Do It
I
Yes
I
Maybe stay
at home
That's exactly the flowchart I try to use Steve. But I tend to overthink the training (the 120 miles preoccupies the mind) and start worrying it might. But, I have waterproofs; decent bivy stuff; a wrist joint that's managing to lay on plasterboard and Kingspan (type) with just some CoCodamol; the ability to go a fair few hours without food; Swisstop pads; a Polar HRM and the knowledge that I just need to keep the HR down well below the upper limits at all times.
Hmmm, I guess it's just the kind that's messing me (yes, it is but yesterday soon after the incident was another matter). Grip strength is getting there and the tingling going down. Happy days and all that stuff.
Thankfully Stu hasn't responded to my 'hi Stu, my brains messing with my body' email.
whitestone wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2024 3:23 pm
2018 were wet. REALLY wet. There was no way you were getting round that one with any part of your clothing not being soaked. Surprisingly about 12hrs in, the weather cleared out. Of course by then it was dark so you needed to keep moving just to stay warm. That was the year of Mr Barter nearly departing this mortal coil when crossing a beck in Hyddgen
Feels like you're doing the event a disservce by not mentioning the wind Bob
In 2018 my chain snapped twice and I had to soft pedal the road back to the start after about 5 hours, a lucky escape!
Not before a couple of bollock-deep river crossings (including Dave's swim location) and side wind so strong a land rover track wasn't wide enough to stay on.
I can laff about it now, in fact it's something my therapist heartily encourages.
darbeze wrote: ↑Thu Sep 12, 2024 3:44 pm
I knocked 2018 on the head about 20 miles in....
Decided surviving was more important that a badge...
Actually by the time you got to Ponterwyd you'd have done the worst of it. Was still very wet on the ground to get to Nant Rhys but not dangerously so, things improved a lot after that.
Better weight than wisdom, a traveller cannot carry
And... I'm oot. Haven't recovered sufficiently from the crash last month. Did a 140KM ride last weekend and could bearly walk at the end of it, and that was East Angular miles, not Welsh hilly miles. My right hip and thigh are sore to the touch after Friday's wander around Duxford IWM, so I've just have to accept that I'm not physically (or mentally for that matter) capable at the moment.
Boab wrote: ↑Sun Sep 15, 2024 3:53 pm
And... I'm oot. Haven't recovered sufficiently from the crash last month. Did a 140KM ride last weekend and could bearly walk at the end of it, and that was East Angular miles, not Welsh hilly miles. My right hip and thigh are sore to the touch after Friday's wander around Duxford IWM, so I've just have to accept that I'm not physically (or mentally for that matter) capable at the moment.
It's been a poor show year.
Very sorry to hear this Bob. Sometimes you've just gotta make the wise decisions early. I'm still 80% to 100% in. Just ridden the bike after last weeks (or, earlier this week) radial nerve injury. Seems to be behaving and the hand isn't constantly twitching as it had been doing the day's before.
Gonna keep training with an 'in' head and see.how I get on..
Gonna keep training with an 'in' head and see.how I get on..
I think you are overthinking it, turn up with the kit you are supposed to carry, ride, be sensible, anything less than 36 hours is a victory, anything else is a day or so on the bike
Maybe you're right. But after today's ride (60 miles, Peaks, road) being the first since my wrist/nerve injury. The ride went OK but got home and it seems I'd maybe stretched it. A few times almost fell whilst using that hand for easy errands.
Hence me using the 'in' head. Lol... Bearbones200. No pressure.
I'd say if you set out on the 300 with the thought you might bail to the 200 that you're already part way to failure. The key to success is not physical fitness but mental strength. Set off with the sole intention of finishing, no back-up plans for short-cuts, no planned bail spots and no plan B in case it's too tough. Start > follow line on gps until to are back at the start, easy as that 
