I thought I'd start a thread for this, as there are a few on here interested in doing the event this coming winter.

I've just had my entry accepted for the 300 version - a suitable step up from the 150 I did in 2015.

Anyone else tossed their hat into the ring yet, or planning to?

If a minor miracle happens and I can skip school for a couple of days I'd like to take the Moonie. Will you be taking a Tumshie?

johnnystorm wrote:Will you be taking a Tumshie?

I'll have to have a word with my sponsor....

Speaking of sponsors, I saw a sample of some VX fabric in arctic camo last week

Ian wrote:

johnnystorm wrote:Will you be taking a Tumshie?

I'll have to have a word with my sponsor....

Speaking of sponsors, I saw a sample of some VX fabric in arctic camo last week

Lay your bike down to have a wee and you might not find it again....

I'm surprised you haven't sought out any tigerstripe fabric!

Ian wrote:
Anyone else tossed their hat into the ring yet, or planning to?

Rather likely not this time, but sooner or later.

Ride the 150 with Laura. Try to sneak onto the 300 roster. Ride from Kittilä up to Halti with Laura. Traverse Iceland E-W... too many ideas... the most stupid one usually wins.

I think I'm in (150 only).

I managed to get provisional permission but just need to double check before I enter.

Crazy cheap flights from Geneva to Stockholm then plan to hire a car and drive up and over (stopping to ride with a few folks en route).

In for the 300

Doing the longer distance means I can sleep

Official broke now after paying race fee and flights

Didn't you sleep last time, Simon?

Ian wrote:Didn't you sleep last time, Simon?

Yes, but everyone else will sleep on the 300 at some point and that's an equal playing field in my eyes

I'll book you a room

voodoo_simon wrote:Official broke now after paying race fee and flights

How much were flights, and where from?

Ian wrote:

voodoo_simon wrote:Official broke now after paying race fee and flights

How much were flights, and where from?

£285 return (obviosuly, not sure why I bothered to put that!!) without the bike yet. Flights booked with Finnair through Opodo as it was cheaper than Finnair themselves

Flying from Manchester on the Thursday morning 10am and arriving in Rovaniemi at 10pm (i did the short stop-over last time and was too much hassle runnning from plane to plane).

Return flight is the Tursday after at 5.45 am Bit of an incentive to finish on time!

I'd so love to do this but I simply couldn't justify the price.

Am now thinking I'll fly straight through as the car hire prices waaaaay more than offset the cheapness of the flights to Sweden.

Also cheaper not through the Finnair website.

Pretty exciting stuff (let's see if the final written spousal permission comes through.....).

JohnClimber wrote:I'd so love to do this but I simply couldn't justify the price.

No offence meant John but you post this on a lot of race/event threads!

The chance to ride/race a fatbike in proper winter conditions makes it worthwhile, along with the social aspect, other rides when there etc. Sell one of the fleet and get yourself signed up, you'll thank me!

johnnystorm wrote:

JohnClimber wrote:I'd so love to do this but I simply couldn't justify the price.

No offence meant John but you post this on a lot of race/event threads!

The chance to ride/race a fatbike in proper winter conditions makes it worthwhile, along with the social aspect, other rides when there etc. Sell one of the fleet and get yourself signed up, you'll thank me!

I'll just leave this here: https://vimeo.com/121655430

On a slightly different tack was over on the website and saw the approved equipment list.
Was especially interested that they had a sleeping bag/bivvy bag list.
I know its extreme conditions but interesting none the less.

To be fair they're only interested that your gear is going to keep you alive.

They say to get in touch if you've got kit that isn't listed but will do the job.

That's my brother in the race, so I'll be on the start line with him!! He's running the 66KM

The race organisers are good in terms of kit, providing the have OK's before the race, you can use your 'own' kit. Think on the kit list for the 150 was a foam matt, but Ian asked in advanced about his air matt and they said no problem. It's strange though, there is more kit on the lists for the 150 than the 300! Guess they trust you after doing the 150.

Gairy is right though, much cheaper to book through a travel company online than through Finnair themselves

Just book those flights John and get out there, the riding is so much diffferent to the beaches of the Wirral and Merseyside! Yes, it may cost ~£1000 for race fee, flights and hotel (beg, steal or borrow a sleeping bag) but it really is a trip of a lifetime. Well worth taking part and seeing Finland

johnnystorm wrote:

JohnClimber wrote:I'd so love to do this but I simply couldn't justify the price.

No offence meant John but you post this on a lot of race/event threads!

The chance to ride/race a fatbike in proper winter conditions makes it worthwhile, along with the social aspect, other rides when there etc. Sell one of the fleet and get yourself signed up, you'll thank me!

Posted today, seems apt: http://semi-rad.com/2016/08/fear-disgui ... cticality/

I've mentioned it and I think I might have got away with it

atk wrote:

johnnystorm wrote:

JohnClimber wrote:I'd so love to do this but I simply couldn't justify the price.

No offence meant John but you post this on a lot of race/event threads!

The chance to ride/race a fatbike in proper winter conditions makes it worthwhile, along with the social aspect, other rides when there etc. Sell one of the fleet and get yourself signed up, you'll thank me!

Posted today, seems apt: http://semi-rad.com/2016/08/fear-disgui ... cticality/

+1

Oh dear,


I'm in!

whitestone wrote:Oh dear,


I'm in!

Sounds good, see you out there

Simon, is your "Tursday" a misspelt Tuesday or an Irish Thursday?

Doing the 150 so not sure how many nights to book in the hotel - I'd like to have a bivy out regardless of how quick I do the race.