Unfortunately I’m not going to be able to make it, so have a 6hr solo spot if anyone is keen to take that up at the last minute. Email in profile

Carbon wheels will be staying at home then….

There’s a steep slightly off camber rooty descent about half way round that will be chaos on the first lap I’d imagine

Was it part of the course 2 years ago? I missed last year due to being on holiday so struggling to picture where you mean. Steep/off camber can apply to many parts of that side of Stanmer.

Painey – it runs down from the end of Cathedral (if you know trail names at Stanmer) down to the bottom fire road;

https://www.strava.com/segments/1475684?filter=overall

Think I’m with you. Was roughly in that area the other night so can appreciate the concern! Increasingly glad of my tyre choice for tomorrow.

Which is?

Current conditions are “Slipperier than an eel kebab” apparently…

(from twitter)

If it’s that rooty I’m taking my Spearfish! Added bonus – already has correct tyres fitted!

It’s not all that rooty.

There’s more in places.

Bit on polish on them, they’ll be fine.

Was sad this week to be missing it, slightly less disappointed currently, seeing as I’ve managed some pretty big stacks these last couple of years in the dry, and I’m going on holiday next week!!

It’s warm and windy in Brighton right now which is perfect conditions for drying out the Stanmer trails, another 24hrs and all but the worst hit sections should be rolling well. The same thing happened last year and my mid afternoon on the Saturday the combination of hundreds of tyres and the dry weather prior to the event had sorted things nicely.

There’s new singletrack and everything;

Note: the far side is a lot steeper than this one so either hit it fast and jump (no idea if this is possible but it sounds plausible) or get your weight back before you hit the top.

Really hoping it does dry out a bit more as this is my first race event and I’m happy with most things apart from wet roots! Doh!

Andy, don’t worry about it, just take it at your own pace. Everyone is pretty friendly.

The course really does improve as more people go around, so things will only get better through the day as it’s supposed to be dry

Can someone do a link to who is entered this year ? I can’t find it, sorry

Note how the yellow lines point directly at that tree!

I have a pair of wheels with Xking front/Raceking rear and a pair with MK front/Xking rear which should cover most options.

This year’s entries…

http://www.xcracer.com/raceentry/currententries.php?race_id=492

I’m racing on an Ardent up front and an X-king rear. Big knobbly mud tyres are generally rubbish on slippery roots anyway and the chalk drains pretty well in summer

Note: the far side is a lot steeper than this one so either hit it fast and jump (no idea if this is possible but it sounds plausible)

It is! 🙂 I really like this new bit, brings you flat out into the final steep descent.

Thanks PACEMAN, couldn’t see it for looking. Have a good one. We WERE 26″ Ain’t Dead but now we’ve all gone 650b so I guess it is !!

@Wwaswas/chiefgroove, is that the bit thats at the top of the old derelict downhill section?

is it rainin at the moment? hopefully me high roller on front will do the job?

Raining !

not sure have ever done a bone dry bigdog

IIRC the first one ever was dry?

I have just fitted Dirt Wizard front and Trax fatty rear in place of Knards….

Carbon wheels will be staying at home then….

Or get some Dugast Rhinos on them, which are what’s on my fancy racier bike, but there is talk of singlespeeding it….

scrumfled – Member

@Wwaswas/chiefgroove, is that the bit thats at the top of the old derelict downhill section?

Yep, that’s where it is.

Looking forward to this, should be fun now it’s “moistened up” a bit….

Still raining !

Pretty certain last year was dry? Dont remember getting wet. Chose to do torq this year as cant spare time to do both. It should be cracking. Good luck to those racing

was bit muddy dryed out though.

Is that jump rollable for first time round? Would like to get an idea of it before committing speed to a jump

Would anyone who’s going mind getting me a mug? I’m getting a nice collection and can’t go this year. Iirc it’s a fiver and then free top ups, so you can have all the tea you want and I’ll pay for the cup and then postage obviously (unless you’re local to Guildford and I can pick it up)

Email in profile.

It’s not raining!!
Coffee on, park opening up for 6am start.
Someone better bring Jaffa cakes (Luke!!)
Yes to cup. Drop me an email if you’re not sorted.
Cheers
Tim
(Bleary eyed already)

cheers tim, sent you a mail

Well that was an awesome day! Managed 7 laps in solo vets before expiring at 5:30. Course was fantastic although it felt 90% uphill… No issues with dampness apart from a by slippy the first 2 laps. Great event, well done the organisers…

big thanks to all big dog crew fookin awesome, best yet for me and my team mate. yep bit slippy to start then just got better!!

Great day and thanks to the organisers and marshals for putting in so much effort.

Hope there was enough jaffa cakes Tim!

Did a practice lap and nearly got in the car and came home – mojo not there and frankly terrified. Modified goals to taking part, getting some racing miles in and not breaking self.

Started close to the front and buried self to avoid first lap mayhem. As tank emptied mojo increased and just managed to keep going for 9laps ending up utterly empty and amazingly 2nd in grand vets :D. Bath and large whiskey awaits.

Marshalls were incredible.

Great day of racing today! Did 7 laps with 50 minutes left to go but decided not to risk it doing one more lap! The Maxxis Beaver was not a great choice in the end but probably saved my arse on that rooty section!

Big thanks to organisers and marshals – it is a truly unique event because of you. Also thanks to the courteous team riders who respected the efforts of the solo riders.

Thoroughly enjoyed spectating, some great performances. Stand out bits (asides the sunshine) , the whole crowd cheering one rider down the hill with 1min to go on clock, and making it in the nick of time.. And the poor fella crossing the line 8secs after closing time.

Spoke to him after and he said he gave it all he had on last lap to try and squeeze it in.

Jolly good event with some serious bike porn on show too. I’ll be entering next year