That was a lot more fun than I thought it would be and am planning a solo effort next year.
As for overtaking I passed loads of people and everyone was really good about it, in fact I did feel a bit bad for some as they would completely pull over and stop which I thought was a bit unnecessary as I wasn't in that much of a hurry 
Thanks to everyone who rode and made it a really pleasant atmosphere
Bike Forum
Looks like Dusk til Dawn is going to be a bit moist again.
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Posted 7 months ago #
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Monday morn, Norfolk,sunny,breezy,and 21dg so far......
Posted 7 months ago # -
BB
The rain notwithstanding (I like the alternate name 'Wetford') we enjoyed this year and thanks to everyone who put this on. I certainly preferred this (easier) less techy course to what we did in 09.
Two thoughts do spring to mind for next time.
1) Any scope for showers?
2) The Forest Centre could do with improving their road signage. We followed a couple of other cars trying to find the way out before discovering you come right round on yourself before leaving via a different exit.Posted 7 months ago # -
Where are Joolze Dymonds photos done a search but to no avail, her pics give you a good insight on an event thought she went to this one every year!!!
Anyone
Posted 7 months ago # -
I think she was there, although I didn't see her.
There was a post on the Thetfordmtbracing forum from her, saying she'd be there.
I imagine she had the ridiculously bright flash set-up in the woods, unless that was Dave Franciosy....?
She can sometimes take a few days to get pics up.....
Posted 7 months ago # -
That is strange!
Joozle photos are always great as Postierich said!
Maybe Rob Clayton then?
Whoever it was with the bright flash in the woods, I was looking forward to seeing those photos!
Posted 7 months ago # -
I assume they'd got a financial arrangement with whoever was takign and selling pics this year and didn't want Joolze doing the same without handing the organisers some money?
Posted 7 months ago # -
I wondered why her site has images from the CX rather than D2D.
Its a shame. Her photos always seem a cut above those who just seem to take a snap of every rider.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Oh bugger their loss just looked @ the other chaps photos and mmmmmmmmmmm.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Think the official photographer was Sussex Sports Photography as he was the one with the auto kit about half way round.
No photos up yet
Posted 7 months ago # -
shame joolze's photos are way better than the hack they had this year shame it all boils down to back handers bar stewards
Posted 7 months ago # -
Wow I think i am finally awake enough to type, first off get well soon Gee hope you heal fast, and I cant believe they treated Joolze like that, sucks big time.
I managed one lap this year before it aggravated my already damaged shoulder and lower back, that I could have suffered through i think but the rain all over my glasses was too much as I could hardly see the course, I gave anyone passing plenty of room and cheered them on as they went past.
On the upside I shaved 15mins off my lap time from the last time i did one and that was in the dry.I can honestly say I doubt I will race there next year or again in favor of other events pity as it is a fun course.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Just got back to sunny South Wales from D2D, great little event - every lap felt completely different to the last as the course bedded into a drifty muddy mess.
It was the most competitive event I've been to, started in the top 15 off the line, and wasn't overtaken until my last lap at about 6am - but we still finished 7th in the mixed teams!
I must say though, I felt overbiked at the start line - 120mm Spark, with a 11-34t cassette - when looking to my left and right there were 80mm hardtails with road cassettes as far as the eye could see!
The course held up very well until that final lap, the twisty corners were superb in the wet, the long fireroad sections were great tempo sessions, and the short power climb out of the second bomb-hole was tip-top, glad to have managed it every time.
The rain and mud really makes it an endurance ride, it's all about how much pain and suffering you can endure
My only minor (sour grapes) gripe, would be the bundling of mixed teams of 3 and 4 into the same category - we were quick, but were always at a disadvantage - which we knew when entering, and am fine with
It'd be nice next year to have a separate category - the male and female teams have separate trios and quads; and with the mixed teams being so competitive I think it makes sense (7th out of 17 mixed, but would have been 8th out of 51 male trios).Great weekend, well organised, friendly people about, and by far the quickest riders I've seen at an endurance race - we'll be back next year, and I'll be knocking out the tempos on the road bike in the weeks leading up as training.
Ricks
Posted 7 months ago # -
Much as I like Joolzes pics, I think it is a bit harsh to condemn the organisers for having a financial arrangement with a photographer. I don't suppose they're going to get rich putting on events like this, so why shouldn't they take a slice?
Posted 7 months ago # -
Firstly Gee - get well soon and heal up well.
when looking to my left and right there were 80mm hardtails with road cassettes as far as the eye could see!
Guilty as charged! I was a member of the HMF Pedal Power team who ended up second in mixed teams.
Thankfully the bike kept working through the wee hours, except for snapping the saddle rails halfway round my third lap
standing for 5 miles while slogging through the mud sucked!
Overall it was hard, but a great treat on my birthday to be standing on the podium - you may have seen a rider with 'Birthday Boy' badges pinned to the back of a (mud covered) green and blue kit.With regard to passing, I always tried to give a shout of 'Rider up' as I approached, followed by a 'On your left/right please'. And of course a thanks never goes amiss
Posted 7 months ago # -
I don't suppose they're going to get rich
They aren't doing it for charity. Do the maths entry fee x entries paid = gross take, That isn't all going to be swallowed up in costs. It isn't the only event they do all year.
I'm not begrudging Paul and Frank earning a living but they aren't doing too badly out of it.
Posted 7 months ago # -
It's not a living though.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Doesn't really matter what they are making out of it, at the end of the day the value is what the majority are willing to pay and how much enjoyment they get from it, thereafter it's a case of post event feedback, publicity and word of mouth that will result in any event thriving or disappearing from the calendar.
On the basis of what I have seen and comparing Thetford events to most big running events, VFM is very high. The only running event that comes anywhere close to Pauls standards was (haven't done it for a few years) Plymouth Half Marathon, so as a now Mtb'er I feel pretty spoilt.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Strange but true.........
The MP3 player was set to 'shuffle' for the drive up. As we turned into the lane up to High Lodge it selected Ladyhawke's 'Dusk til Dawn'.Posted 7 months ago # -
this pic sums it up for me
294452_10150851698415652_906225651_21053184_2058957993_n by mrmichaelwright, on Flickrgreat event, did my double lap at 3am and no one turned up to replace me so i correctly surmised that we had abandoned. shame as i thought it was great fun, it was truly horrific though, but in a good way. I was absolutely bowled over by the amount of grip my tioga black turtles gave, i had no problems at all with sliding although some of the damper and grass free climbs were a real drag.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Think the official photographer was Sussex Sports Photography as he was the one with the auto kit about half way round.
I was the person with the auto rig, though the rig was being a bit too auto (the rain "breaks" the beam and causes a mis-fire). There aren't as many auto pictures as in previous years, I made a major school boy error in setting up the flash pocket wizards.
I wasn't the "official" photographer, I was merely one of several photographers out on the course.
Amazingly all of my camera gear still works!
My photos are here:
D2D 2011 PhotosPosted 7 months ago # -
If I'd known I looked that miserable I would have given up earlier!
Posted 7 months ago # -
If you thought the conditions were bad at 3am, you should have ridden from 6am onwards!
The quick draining sand/soil became very claggy, and very slippery. I loved the course until this point, the drifty berms were amazing, and the short power climb was always something to look forward to.
I went through 4 sets of pads, a chainring, cassette and chain. And I dont think my Spark will ever be the same again.
Needless to say.... I'll be back again next year for more punishment, there's a reason why it's an endurance race, whether you have to push your bike around the course or ride it balls-out, it's all about how much you can endure
Posted 7 months ago # -
I must be a lightweight then, I packed up at about 3:30.
Though, to be fair, I did then drive to London and photograph the London royal parks half marathon.
Posted 7 months ago # -
I did think at about 4am that I really wouldn't have wanted to be a photographer, the weather was awful.
Fair play to everyone, it was hard going - and I had a warm gazebo to pop back into as I was in a trio
Posted 7 months ago # -
If you thought the conditions were bad at 3am, you should have ridden from 6am onwards!
I particularly liked the two new lakes near the end of the course that I'd definitely have noticed if they'd been there earlier, seeing as they were ankle deep.
Posted 7 months ago # -
My 4am loop was my lowest point. Hard going in The Warren in particuliar and the wingeing climb about 9 miles. Early a climb but given the rest of the course...
Brilliant event tho. Back next year and, forgive me, but a little man keep hoping it rains a bit...
Posted 7 months ago # -
You would not believe how well some of the sections have recovered, it all adds to the feeling it was all a dream!
If anyone lost anything (other than 'will to live's' etc) please post on the TMtb forum -
http://www.thetfordmtbracing.com/forum/posting.php?mode=reply&f=8&t=452
Posted 7 months ago # -
My girlfriend's pictures of the event are here: http://s1086.photobucket.com/d2d11
If anyone would like a full size version of any of the pictures, then shout.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Some great pics but noone of me sadly.
Really like 103 needs some cropping to get the composition but man its got potential
Posted 7 months ago #
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