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

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

Richard G wrote: ↑Tue Sep 03, 2024 2:07 pm

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.

Richard G wrote: ↑Tue Sep 03, 2024 2:07 pm Javi probably deserved one for climbing a tree too. Shame he didn't actually finish as it was a top effort.

whitestone wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2024 1:50 pm

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.

No badge but wow what a sense of achievement!

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Wed Sep 11, 2024 9:42 am Stabbed wrist yesterday

Have emailed Stu with a potential pullout

RIP wrote: ↑Wed Sep 11, 2024 10:05 am

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Wed Sep 11, 2024 9:42 am Stabbed wrist yesterday

Have emailed Stu with a potential pullout

Month to go yet Shaf, body'll fix itself in time

faustus wrote: ↑Wed Sep 11, 2024 10:57 am Just make sure you're wearing full chainmail so no more body/knife interfaces!

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Wed Sep 11, 2024 11:10 am

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.

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

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...

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.

Gonna keep training with an 'in' head and see.how I get on..