Right then… me, Terrahawk and Mark the Marshal have put the course in.

All we need now is for tonight's predicted big freeze to harden it off and it will be mint/ace/awesome etc.

In the afternoon Miketually arrived so we took him to Wigan for a pie and 5.4kg of Uncle Joe's Mint Balls.

We bumped in to a few lads having a bit of a cheeky peek this afternoon. They seemed to like it but they tought it was tough 🙂

The hill in that second to last photo really is as steep as it looks. Pretty much 45 degrees.

Thanks for the pie and pasty. My mouth will heal soon, I'm sure.

A burnt pasty and a bottle of Tango in a disabled parking space on Wigan High Street.

Welcome to the jet set world of HtN.

Er – that 45 degree slope – is it up or down??

That'll be one of your ups. As are the steps and the slope in the bottom picture.

Sorry… and we have already spent your entry fee. On pies.

IS that pinemarten wearing a tie?

Cheers.
I am so going to die.

The 45 degree slope will be the MTB/CX version of this.

I predict a legend in the making. Those who compete tomorrow will pass through the gates of cycling Valhalla… covered in s##t.

Where's this being held, it looks distinctly like Haigh Hall?!

It's a merecat as the track is in Mere Clough. It used to be call Asylum Clough but the chainsaw artist couldn't do axe wielding psychopaths.

Compete?? I'm just hoping to survive!

It's in Philips Park, Whitefield, Manchester.

Ah ok, very similar terrain, I used to work at Haigh and wondered if they're relaxed their paranoia about biking!

at least the weather looks good

😕

brilliant. I actually can't wait for this now. Maybe change the small blocks to something a bit more substantial tonight though

Pook old chap, the weather looks perfect! -3C overnight to freeze it solid and sun in the morning.

Looks good. The temperature should help the mud stay grippy though 🙂

🙁 wish I could've scheduled my life a bit better to put myself through this… maybe next year. good luck all, have a frickin blast! 🙂

I'm quite relieved gutted that I can't make it to ride.. 😳

If I can get my foot into a trainer in the morning, then I'll venture down..

On pic 6, could you put something around that tree on the outside?

Edit- actually it looks like if you missed the turn/slid out you would miss it and straight line over those wooden steps 😆

Enjoy guys 🙂

That's a 0 mph right angle turn with plenty of warning and a marshal. Don't worry your pretty little head.

I'm only trying to give Pook pre-race nerves!

Oh, well in that case, he may die.

Good enough?

+1

Yes. Pook, I will never see you again 🙁

there probably will be some frost tonight, it's a bit parky here… that opening hill will be fun!

It reminds me back at the Somme in Winter. I lost some friends then 😕

😆 8)

you're not having any of my bike parts. Except maybe my chain ring bolts.

😀

All done, packed and ready. leaving Newcastle at 6.30. Fair to say I'm more excited than I was before Kielder 100

bastids……….i will be at work.
gave my entry away………..bloke reckon's he will win tho….. 😉

have fun people.

Pic 2 shows that there are still a few axe weilding psychopaths about. ..Oh no, it's just Terra 😀

Assuming I can find my way to the start, I'm really looking forward to it. That might be just because I only saw the hill from a distance.

Cracking event once more chaps. I do think the top of the field climb should be renamed 'Pook's rest stop' though

bloody ace – thanks everyone!

Me and the other Hope guys thought this was a cracker! Bring on the summer event, where it'll probably be even muddier!
Cheers.

that was quality! the changes to the course were definitely an improvement, a bit of everything for everyone. lots of fun, cheers guys