mountainbaker wrote:

johnnystorm wrote:I dunno what was worse. That or the people I met while riding.........

Sheesh. Is that the kind of eejit that enters?

I ended up over the bars when I hit that!

Same here! A feat I repeated on the rubble strewn track to the hostel!

After entering and failing to even make it to the start line the last two years I am once again entered and this time I am more determined than ever to at least start a failed attempt at riding this bloody event!!!!!

Zippy wrote:I ended up over the bars when I hit that!

I went over the bars as well in the same spot.

Need one of these to get over the bogs.

now that I'd like to try out..!

No sure how well it would corner though.

I'd like to see you try and wheelie it.

I'm entered. Not done anything quite like this before. Training will be required. Gulp.

Away riding in Scotland that weekend

Charliecres wrote:I'm entered. Not done anything quite like this before. Training will be required. Gulp.

Same here!

s8tannorm wrote:
That's it people, entries are now closed. If you entered, then stand by your computer on the morning of Oct 8th when this years route will wing its way into your in box.

Crums, that was quick. I was still umming and arrring about it

JohnClimber wrote:Away riding in Scotland that weekend

I'm struggling to find much sympathy for you....

Will we get an entry list to see which nutters (including myself) that we should avoid in normal social gatherings? I've already started to plan out my kit.....crazy or what

Will we get an entry list

There will be at some point.

KBRPro wrote:Will we get an entry list to see which nutters (including myself) that we should avoid in normal social gatherings? I've already started to plan out my kit.....crazy or what

The basic kit plan for me is: Take fewer items!

Does anyone know how much climbing was in the old route?

Trying to make sure I'm covered in the big prep rides i'll be doing between now and October

Think it was about 16 000ft.

composite wrote:Think it was about 16 000ft.

I recorded 4849m

johnnystorm wrote:

composite wrote:Think it was about 16 000ft.

I recorded 4849m

yikes, REALLY need to get my arse into gear and do a bit of training

Never done anything like this before and I'm already starting to try to plan average speeds, Sat/Sun splits, food, kit and which bike, etc...

Chew wrote:Does anyone know how much climbing was in the old route?

Trying to make sure I'm covered in the big prep rides i'll be doing between now and October

The climbing round your way is considerably more than the riding round my way, you'll be alrite

My Garmin also said about 16k feet = approx 4875 metres. http://www.strava.com/activities/88768976

johnnystorm wrote:I recorded 4849m

That is a lot more than I thought. 24 meters/km which is significant

In terms of planning I’d not bother and just be comfortable with making it up as you go.

Average speed you’ll be wanting to be above 10kph including stops (gates, water refills) to get you around in time. If you stop to sleep that’s going to be a good 6 hours, added onto the 24 hours of pedalling is going to take you to the 30 hour mark.
If you do stop you’ll need to do the majority of your riding on the first day. 100-150k. If you stop earlier you wont get back, and after you might as well push through to the finish.
Kit. If its not on the mandatory list leave it at home. Light and fast. If its going to be uncomfortable to stop you’re more likely to keep riding.
Food. Work out what works for you. Some people its sweet stuff, others savoury.
Bike. Something that’s comfortable. Leave the fat bike at home unless you’re a nutter

As regards to build up, I’d look to make sure you have a couple of long days on the bike 10 hours, + a couple of big mileage days 100km, + sizeable back to back days

Chew wrote:

johnnystorm wrote:I recorded 4849m

That is a lot more than I thought. 24 meters/km which is significant

Pretty standard for Wales in my experience
I usually work on the basis of 400m of climbing for every 10 miles, (or 780ft per 10km if you prefer imperial )

Message sent stu