• BB200 2024

Posted: **Mon Jul 08, 2024 10:08 am**

Definitely the right thing to do. If you've never ridden at night then entering an event with 13 hours of darkness isn't the best tine to start

Add in that the weather is likely to be poor at least some (if not all) of the time, it is October after all, and that the course will contain some very tough and steep terrain, and it's not a 'starter' event.

The BB300 I did in 2018 was much harder than the HT550 I did the same year for all the reasons listed above.

Posted: **Mon Jul 08, 2024 10:26 am**

entering an event with 13 hours of darkness

If you ride fast it's less than that

I get the full 13 though

Posted: **Mon Jul 08, 2024 12:05 pm**

I was quite surprised by a few of the bikes and the narrow tyres choices last year. I fully appreciate that not everyone is able to have a stable of bikes, so you may just have to bring what you have. We've had multiple threads on here about what people think "adventure" cycling is, and how that appears to be marketed as a gravel bike on gravel double track. I think a few people would've got a bit of a shock on the first short bit of moor towards the dams, let alone of that first big moor crossing afterwards.

Posted: **Mon Jul 08, 2024 12:14 pm**

2.35 and 2.25 weren't that narrow, have now put 2.6 on the front, I didn't see anyone riding the moor crossing (probably because they were well ahead of me they were that good). Was probably mid packish and saw people behind until I hit the better part of the descent to SF.

Many who did well were on narrow tyres, I know this because I was following their tracks on the big climb after SF

Posted: **Mon Jul 08, 2024 6:39 pm**

There were many places where having a 7kg gravel bike would have been idea .....

....i.e. when carrying it

Posted: **Mon Jul 08, 2024 8:31 pm**

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Mon Jul 08, 2024 9:57 am Shortly after last year, we made the decision to (a) only have one rather than two events and (b) give priority to entrants with a history of competing (but not always completing). The reasons are that, last year we got a considerable number of inquiries from people who by their own admission had very little bikepacking experience but perhaps saw the BB200 as some kind of bucket-list event. From our point of view perhaps even selfishly but I make no apologies, having people with limited experience (some had never ridden at night) out there was a worry and a liability ... neither of which is good for us or bikepacking at large.

I know there will be some who've never ridden a BB200 but are more than capable of doing so, it's those folk who will sadly lose out. However, there may be a number of spots available as time moves on. If so, I will let folk know here.

It's fully understandable. But please dont forget about the safety of those that do get a place

Posted: **Mon Jul 08, 2024 8:34 pm**

For those curious about the 2024 event, here's a little recap.
Will to record and take photos went out of the window after Strata Florida once I realised I was pressed with time to get to the Spar at Rhyader before 10pm.

Thanks to Alex, Matthew and Tom for lending me some of their footage.

https://youtu.be/AyRsoCUMIyo?si=jDXM8FoWo0ptNN8B

Posted: **Mon Jul 08, 2024 8:58 pm**

Valerio wrote: ↑Mon Jul 08, 2024 8:34 pm For those curious about the 2024 event, here's a little recap.
Will to record and take photos went out of the window after Strata Florida once I realised I was pressed with time to get to the Spar at Rhyader before 10pm.

Thanks to Alex, Matthew and Tom for lending me some of their footage.

https://youtu.be/AyRsoCUMIyo?si=jDXM8FoWo0ptNN8B

Lived that vid, thanks Valerio. Main Q is, are you in for this year and will you be taking the drop bar bike again

Posted: **Mon Jul 08, 2024 9:20 pm**

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Mon Jul 08, 2024 8:58 pm
Valerio wrote: ↑Mon Jul 08, 2024 8:34 pm For those curious about the 2024 event, here's a little recap.
Will to record and take photos went out of the window after Strata Florida once I realised I was pressed with time to get to the Spar at Rhyader before 10pm.

Thanks to Alex, Matthew and Tom for lending me some of their footage.

https://youtu.be/AyRsoCUMIyo?si=jDXM8FoWo0ptNN8B

Lived that vid, thanks Valerio. Main Q is, are you in for this year and will you be taking the drop bar bike again

I haven't entered yet, im really tempted though.
I'll re-watch my video and try to talk me out of it

Bike was the least of my problems, i actually found the riding relatively "easy"....it's everything else I struggled with

Posted: **Mon Jul 08, 2024 9:22 pm**

You have some serious mtb skills Valerio. Especially doing that section at 65kph with such narrow tyres

Keep riding safe mate and maybe I'll see you this one.

Posted: **Mon Jul 08, 2024 9:59 pm**

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Mon Jul 08, 2024 9:57 am I make no apologies, having people with limited experience (some had never ridden at night) out there was a worry and a liability ...

I know there will be some who've never ridden a BB200 but are more than capable of doing so, it's those folk who will sadly lose out.

Ah. Fully understandable reasoning, if personally disappointing.

I’ve had this blocked off in my calendar since last year (based on the dates last year’s events happened) in the hope I’d be doing it this year – on the plus side I now have two weekends to think of something else suitably daft to do.

I hope it goes well this year and I look forward to reading about it.

Posted: **Mon Jul 08, 2024 10:03 pm**

Of course people could 'ITT' the previous years routes, available from a web page near here!
You could start with the '23 route, then the '14 route, and all the others will be fairly straightforward

Posted: **Mon Jul 08, 2024 10:10 pm**

I’ve ridden a version of one of the previous routes, so am not a complete stranger to the interesting route choices. Though this was at a gentle pace.

A plan to do another of the previous routes, instead of the actual event, is already forming…

Posted: **Tue Jul 09, 2024 9:43 am**

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Mon Jul 08, 2024 9:22 pm You have some serious mtb skills Valerio. Especially doing that section at 65kph with such narrow tyres

Keep riding safe mate and maybe I'll see you this one.

That's very kind of you but i have no such skills hahah
2.25" tyres are pretty comfy/wide by my standards! Especially on wide rims.

I should have never picked up that much speed on that descent, i got excited and carried away, and when by the time I saw a considerable drop(hard to tell on the video) it was too late. It could have gone terribly wrong but I was lucky.

Thanks you too and hopefully see you in person eventually!

Posted: **Tue Jul 09, 2024 10:26 am**

Boab wrote: ↑Mon Jul 08, 2024 12:05 pm I was quite surprised by a few of the bikes and the narrow tyres choices last year.

I should maybe clarify here... Think more Road / CX bike and 32mm tyres, than hardtail MTB on 2.25/2.35 tyres; which is what I was on.

Posted: **Tue Jul 09, 2024 11:29 am**

fatbikephil wrote: ↑Mon Jul 08, 2024 10:03 pm Of course people could 'ITT' the previous years routes, available from a web page near here!
You could start with the '23 route, then the '14 route, and all the others will be fairly straightforward

That's a good shout

Posted: **Tue Jul 09, 2024 11:35 am**

There could be a two part event where you do the 14 route one weekend and the 23 route the next..........

Posted: **Tue Jul 09, 2024 2:11 pm**

Anyone looking to stay at the Wynnstay - Spoke with Pauline today and she is no longer doing meals. Apparently there's a restaurant nearby called Simmons that should be open by then.

Posted: **Tue Jul 09, 2024 6:09 pm**

Does that include breakfast? The giant fry up was marvellous last year!

Posted: **Tue Jul 09, 2024 7:04 pm**

PaulE wrote: ↑Tue Jul 09, 2024 6:09 pm Does that include breakfast? The giant fry up was marvellous last year!

She said of any kind but I didn't think to ask about breakfast.

Posted: **Sat Jul 27, 2024 1:57 pm**

sean_iow wrote: ↑Mon Jul 08, 2024 10:08 am The BB300 I did in 2018 was much harder than the HT550 I did the same year for all the reasons listed above.

Still the hardest thing I've ever done... though I suspect trying to keep my damn tyre inflated for the last 8 hours of it had a big part to play in that.

Posted: **Mon Aug 19, 2024 11:30 am**

I promised myself to never ride this event again, but I got brainwashed into signing up.

Ill now spend the next 2months praying for a sensible route and good weather

Who else is in?!

Posted: **Mon Aug 19, 2024 11:51 am**

Valerio wrote: ↑Mon Aug 19, 2024 11:30 am I promised myself to never ride this event again, but I got brainwashed into signing up.

Ill now spend the next 2months praying for a sensible route and good weather
Who else is in?!

I have bad news for you... 2 months is actually 1.5 months.

Posted: **Mon Aug 19, 2024 2:19 pm**

I better start going to Church!

Posted: **Mon Aug 19, 2024 9:49 pm**

Me, I think; but depends on Mum and Dad as I will be calling in on the way down and may have to stay there depending on Dad's health and Mum's sanity!

Is there a 300 this year?

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