Kielder 101 fully rigid – am I mad?

Two weeks to go might be a bit late to be asking this, but is there likely to be anything on the Kielder 101 course that will kill me if I keep the carbon rigid forks on my Whippet? I’m prepared for lots of rough surfaces and sore wrists, but will there be any proper big drops I need to look out for?

I haven’t ridden at Kielder or Newcastleton since the previous K100s (did have suspension those times) and I remember the man-made trails as being mostly not too bad, but that could just be my memory playing tricks…

I have no idea about the trail at the moment MrG, but I’m watching with interest as I’m planning on riding fully rigid (but with 29+)

Could be sensible if wet.

I don’t know he race route and I’m not doing the race but I have ridden there a fair bit. With tyres with a half decent amount of volume you’ll be ok. I’ve ridden the border raid route over to Newcastleton on my cx bike. It was uncomfortable at times but nothing impossible to ride. With more volume it would probably be fine and much more comfortable than with 35mm tyres at 60psi.

did K100 with suspension – which then failed and locked out.

I came back with visibly bruised palms. 😯

Spaces left for this?

Yes about 30 apparently.

IIRC there was a few done the 100 mile version on rigid so you should be fine.

I did the 100 miler on rigid (29er ss) absolutely fine (if that’s what you are used to). However I recently attempted Manx 100 and wished for suspension (a lot more rocky).

Cheers all, that’s mostly reassuring. I’ve done plenty of long (6hr+) rides on this setup before but never on particularly technical terrain. As jonba suggests, a bit of tyre volume is definitely part of the plan – will probably go with an Ardent on the front.

I’ve just entered today so this is a timely thread. I’m planning on using my cx bike. I’m prepared for some painful bits but I’m looking forward to it. Time for a ‘What cx tyre for…’ thread?

Youngrob – you know that there was some concern about the use of regular CX bikes and there was a ruling made on the Rider Brief Page?

3: We therefore allow regular MTB’s, Fatbikes, Singlespeed and Monster Cross Bikes (fitted with front/rear discs and with a minimum tyre width of 40c)

There was some explanation about this somewhere. I can’t see it now, but make sure that your tyres meet this spec or you might need to re-think the bike you are taking!

Thanks myopic, I did read that and I’m going to get 40c tyres and run them.

If used to riding rigid, you’ll be fine. No big drops and nothing ‘gnarlier’ than the bottom section of Dead Water trail (so fairly tame red trail). I may use my rigid SS to put course signage out, so if I’m bleeding from the ears at registration, you’ll know to swap bikes….
Rider Final Details are up on the website for those entered who haven’t seen it.
Riding rigid should bring luck in the draw for the fatbike!

I’ve just entered. Am I mad? Older female with hard tailed 29er with tyres that might as well be slick if it is muddy

Dunno if you are mad but I entered last night. Better get a long ride in this weekend 😛

If it rains, bring plenty of spare sets of brake pads….

If it rains, I’m staying in the pub!!

I stopped halfway down some of the descents to let my hands uncramp, and to stop being useless claws. But, otherwise, rigid was fine.

If it rains, bring plenty of spare sets of brake pads….

The brake pad issue in 2011 was that grey silty hardcore used on some of the forest roads, sticking because it was so wet that year. The pads wore out without you pulling the brakes on as I remember (4 sets of Hope sintered for me). This route uses less of those ‘grey’ forest roads, so I’d not worry too much about your bike eating itself – especially with the clear, dry and lightly breezy conditions……….

I’m hoping to be on my new, bespoke rigid monstercross bike. Nothing mad about that.

Boxelder – will we know you? I want to ask about secret DH tracks……you sound like you might know 😉

I’m no DHer I’m afraid, and not especially local to Kielder.

I’m no DHer either. Just chanced on a semi-derelict track whilst out on a walk last week. Curious.

That could possibly be the NDH track built a few years back but since been put on hold. I think NDH are working with the forestry to come up with a more permanent solution. It will probably be blocked in places as it was close to SSSI areas and had temporary boardwalk to get over boggy moor sections. Best stay away until things are sorted.

That’ll be it. We weren’t riding (although there were tracks) and it heads down into the recently felled bit. Lot of work gone into it though.
Will avoid, thanks.

Yes that’s it. Just found a video 😯

The start passes the base of that IIRC
Handful of places left….

My bike is ready 🙂

View this post on Instagram

New Monstercross. 650b or 700c like this. Great work from @pactbikes

A post shared by @ paul4stones on Aug 27, 2015 at 12:22pm PDT

Nice. What tyres you going with?

Some 650b 2.1 Smart Sam’s I think. Need to try it out this weekend. And chop my steerer down!

Anybody heading to this from Newcastle? I got my entry months ago and looking forward to it but my car has just failed its MOT spectacularly. Great timing. I might be able to get another vehicle sorted out but if anyone can offer me and bike a lift, I’d be really grateful, and will repay you in beer, carbohydrates, Haribo, some other appropriate currency, or good old pounds sterling.

7 places left…..

There’d be 6 if this wasn’t on a Saturday 🙁