Maybe as a way to debrief and in no particular order... Mine is as follows:

Training - I've been trying to keep up with the BAM this year and there might well be a chance that I get the Sept edition under my belt tonight. Along with that I got some trail shoes and started running but have put that on hold for a little while whilst I train in other ways and also ensure I've not got on compartment syndrome going on in my left leg. Think squished muscle.

I've also put down my name to try and raise for 10 orphans - sponsor for a year from wartorn much needed location of Syria - by attempting to complete the BB200 and I'm in the meanwhile using the road bike to get some training in. This is by targeting Cardiac Hill - 16 percent average and it ends at a Golf Ball radar station - to try and climb it or its equivalent to a total elevation of Everest eventually. Maybe this is what's caused the compartment syndrome if it is... Probably isn't.

Gear - I shall be taking my trusty Pinnacle semi fat. Bottom bracket was squeaking last I used it but I guess it's the eccentric that needs greasing up or maybe slighly loose. Front wheel coming shortly from Tim on here and I hope it can take summat decently wide. Rear needs building with the Hope I have sat and a carbon rim. Must get that sorted this week sometime. Dropper post so backpack and keep the saddle light. Water inside the triangle but not sure if it's via a bladder or bottles. Most likely a bottle inside the framebag and more importantly cooking equipment.

Will grab myself a couple of high energy dehydrated meals from the Derby (basecampfood?) place so as not to have the issue of 2019 of being short on hot food. Maybe just pasta from a Spar and cook that or some tomato soup...

Sleeping is slightly complex but waterproofs I'll take both top and bottom with walking boots in the hope they stay unsaturated as long as poss. Possibly the Trekkertent but in tarp mode only and a quilt with the S2S mat. Lastly I suppose I'll just keep moving, limit photo opportunities to 30 miles apart and keep enjoying the views and smiling. Extreme uphills will be walked earlier...

So, how will you be eating yours

Just about the opposite plan: no sleep, no tent, no hot food, no stopping...death or glory.

Dyffers wrote: ↑Wed Sep 29, 2021 9:25 pm Just about the opposite plan: no sleep, no tent, no hot food, no stopping...death or glory.

Me too. Tally-Ho… Back in time for breakfast and medals (or badges at least)
I shall achieve all this glory by plodding slowly on a 14kg steel Krampus and no doubt walking a lot

I was planning ongoing until I drop. But having never done that before, it'll most likely be go till late, kip, then continue.

Just as in the past few years, my plan to not enter and not go is working out very well. In fact, this year's plan, on the BB200 weekend, to take my dog for a walk in the morning, have lunch with a mate, then go for a gentle pootle in the local woods in the afternoon, is the best yet.

And on that note, I wish everyone taking part the best of luck and great experiences. I'm looking forward to the ride reports.

Seems apt for the BB200.

Simple...

PLF!

The plan is, there is n plan.
Turn up (this is my biggest challenge) ride bike, eat food, drink water, see what happens.
Scratching isn't an option as I've no idea about Welsh geography so going off route to try and short cut back to base is likely to end up as being worse than continuing on the route.
I may sleep, I may not.

whitestone wrote: ↑Thu Sep 30, 2021 4:53 pm Simple...

PLF!

Plf=

Scratching isn't an option as I've no idea about Welsh geography so going off route to try and short cut back to base is likely to end up as being worse than continuing on the route.

I often think this is key to many things. When you have or can see no viable alternative other than to carry on, then that's generally what you do. I also think (obviously applies to many things), people set themselves the 'wrong' goal and when it starts to look as though they won't achieve it, the bottom falls from beneath their world and it can soon become game over. In the case of the BB200, the real objective is to finish; not always with a black or a blue but a finish ... average speed required for black is 8.3kph but for a valid finish it's 'only' 5.5kph. Doesn't sound like much but a massive difference in real terms.

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Fri Oct 01, 2021 7:57 am for a valid finish it's 'only' 5.5kph

Not much over 3mph. So one could push the bike the whole way and still have a valid finish .

RIP wrote: ↑Fri Oct 01, 2021 12:10 pm

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Fri Oct 01, 2021 7:57 am for a valid finish it's 'only' 5.5kph

Not much over 3mph. So one could push the bike the whole way and still have a valid finish .

Do the rules state you have to take a bike?! 125 mile 36 hour trail run anyone?

Firstly, attempt to get preferred bike in working order. Then failing that, ditto second preference bike. Assuming that happens, I then have to travel 80 miles north of the start to get all the kit I stupidly left in my brother's van after Moors One Hundred.

So I'll be happy just to start.

I wish I had one. I wish I had hours in the legs.

The last few months have been a complete wash-out for me, riding-wise. So perversely, I think I might end up riding straight through, because I can probably get round if I keep going, but if I stop I'll probably never be able to move again

And try not to think about the 5 hour drive home.

Plan revised after route published:

Dyffers wrote: ↑Wed Sep 29, 2021 9:25 pm death

Tomorrow I'm going to start the planning for my first BB alpine attempt.

Dyffers wrote: ↑Fri Oct 01, 2021 12:15 pm Do the rules state you have to take a bike?! 125 mile 36 hour trail run anyone?

There was a chap turned up at Charlie's gravel dash without a bike once, ran the route and finished mid pack I think.

Phil's got it spot on, turn up, ride bike, eat, drink and just keep going untill the finish.

I usually take an overview map just in case of a major mechanical and I need to work out how to get back to the start but I never look at bailing options. The easier it is to scratch the more likely it is you'll convince yourself to quit. Surely anyone who enters can ride 60 miles and that's half way, and no-one quits after halfway?

I was pondering* start timing yesterday. Do you start as early as possible, to maximise light on day one. Or as late as possible, and having a couple of hours of daylight on Sunday, for a mythical sub 24 hour finish. :shrug:









* Totally overthinking it, as per usual...

I tend to think timing alterations for weather perhaps make more difference than light. If the forecast was for heavy rain first thing but getting better, I'd set off later rather than earlier.

Ride a bit, detour for refills, ride a bit more, sleep, ride a bit, another detour then some more riding. Green badge.

Huff, puff, curse, stumble, weep, backtrack, giggle, beseech, exalt.

Massive amount of overconfidence, then a decent chunk of self doubt about a third of the way in. Then a little overconfidence, then despair until maybe an hour or two to go.

Yes, that sounds about right.

sean_iow wrote: ↑Sun Oct 10, 2021 10:39 am Surely anyone who enters can ride 60 miles and that's half way, and no-one quits after halfway?

I did last year, but that was my own stupid fault for making plans the next day (see overconfidence). Ironically my route back left me not much short of the total elevation / distance anyway.

Anyone got a cheat sheet on how to pronounce various placenames...? I fear I'm going to make a complete tit of myself when asking for directions etc...
As a starter, how do you pronounce Llanbrymair...?

Boab wrote: ↑Wed Oct 13, 2021 5:15 pm Anyone got a cheat sheet on how to pronounce various placenames...? I fear I'm going to make a complete tit of myself when asking for directions etc...
As a starter, how do you pronounce Llanbrymair...?

I wouldn't worry about it, odds you'll see anyone other than Bearboners are slim.