[Closed] Mountain Mayhem 24hr roll call

I'll be there. First ever race.
I'll be on a knackered Mojo special blend or a 23 year old Kona with bodged on disc brakes.
If both of them fail then I'll be sat in the DO55 BUS drinking beer.

Dressed in random shorts and a baggy white striped cotton t shirt to keep the sun off !

I have absolutely no clue what I'm doing

(regarding racing)

Whilst we're on the subject, can someone clarify something for me...
[b]
At what point can solos divert off to their campsite to get food/drink?[/b]

(the stuff in the rules explains how you do a handover to team mates, or how you can accept food from support crews etc, but mentions nothing about how solos with nno support get food. It also explicitly says that if you divert from within the course markers then you're DQd)

Solo camping is trackside, so you just stop by your tent.

Or... There is a solo marquee at the start/finish which is where the food stalls are.

I will hopefully be along at some point with the camera and jelly babies.

thegeneralist - Member
Whilst we're on the subject, can someone clarify something for me...

At what point can solos divert off to their campsite to get food/drink?

Just set up trackside, there was no solo tent / marquee last year as it can't be manned / secured and stuff gets nicked.

I shall be one of ten (well, probably more like tenth of ten 🙂 ) so will spend most of the weekend bumming around enjoying the sunshine, talking crap and having a beer or two.

Entered as a team of 4, but 75% of them have gone into hiding..... So no idea if I'll be there or not yet....

yep team of 4 singlespeeders, to be honest we sort of look like [s]****s[/s] single speeders and if nothing else just look for a multi-tubed prototype stooge thing and other assorted bling bikes

Steve you will be glad its wall to wall blue sky and a good drying wind after a light shower this morning down here.
Staying at the in laws a few miles away.

Forecast is warm/hot & dry!!

MrOvershoot - Member
Steve you will be glad its wall to wall blue sky and a good drying wind after a light shower this morning down here.
Staying at the in laws a few miles away.

Forecast is warm/hot & dry!!

This is good news

tazzymtb - Member
yep team of 4 singlespeeders, to be honest we sort of look like **** single speeders and if nothing else just look for a multi-tubed prototype stooge thing and other assorted bling bikes

Made in shed bikes, facial hair, tatts & brewed in shed beer?

just look for a multi-tubed prototype stooge thing

Certainly will, want to see that in the flesh.

Made in shed bikes, facial hair, tatts & brewed in shed beer

hahahahahaha yep to all of the above including a man with the best beard in Yorkshire (officially) and tiny ginger monkey who can spin his ikkle legs so quick they make a whirring sound!

Team of 4 Singlespeed Veterans (50 plus). First time since the bog fest of 2012 😡

**waves** I'll be there riding this:

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Until I get sick of old bikes then I''l be on this slightly less old bike:

[img] [/img]

Riding "social" solo essentially balancing having a good time and riding a bike 🙂

@Taz - will look out for your bendy frame nonsense as am intrigued and will help fill the void until my MK3 turns up .....

On one fatty, if you hear someone coughing like death it'll be me. Ongoing chest infection but figure riding in hot weather will be good for it.

6'6" chap riding solo, most likely on a huge XXL Stumpjumper full sus, or a Singular Swift if I've built up a bit of confidence on the course. I'll be way off the back, planning on trying to go super slow and see how I fair, as I normally hammer myself and die after 3 laps.

I'm in. Solo rider and I'll be on a Whyte 905RS or an ancient Yellow Genesis iOID. Wearing ALDI bike kit!!

I'll be slow.

Just back from a night flight from the US, so practiced in sleep deprivation...

I'll be there, mixed team of 5 vets, my first one for 9/10 years after doing 9 straight. More of a social and revisit to times gone by.

On either be on my dune fatty or SS Karate Monkey and generally chatting all and sundry on my way round.

I'm in. Solo Vets again. Riding an Orange Orbea Occam 29, riding for team jmc although after hardly any riding for a month after over-extending my knee and a bad back I'm not hopeful of beating my 18th place last year. I'm hoping the missus gives me the MTFU speech as i try to bail after 3 hours!!. Come say hi. Big motorhome trackside with Yorkshire flag flying.

a man with the best beard in Yorkshire (officially)

Does that mean you've got Wayne with you? Tell him I say hello.

Staff here. Just finished putting the course in. Some new bits to look forward to...conditions are currently roasting and bone dry. Set good for the weekend! I'll have a radio and be rolling about on this.
[IMG] [/IMG]

Could you hide some beers at the far side of the course to help motivate me in the usual 3am slump?

There in a team of ten. The team is made up of parents from my daughters school. A total mix of riding ability in the group, although we have found a good runner for the run. We are there for a bit of fun, no chance of getting near the podium. We will be the ones with hundreds of kids in our camping area.

Missed it last year, which was the first one I have missed for about ten years. Looks like it should be a great weekend.

@pyro I'll give him a big snog and a bottom fondle from you

I will be there looking forward to Tang and gang's course this year,they have been excellent in the past, think it will be my 10th in one form or another and will be riding solo on either a Spesh Enduro 160mm travel lunker or Spesh 29er hardtail depending on my bum condition!! easy to spot as I am 18 stone and Only wear Hawaiian shirts, may start with my favourite pink one so wear shades

I appear to be attempting my first 24hr race. Oh, and since everyone in the team who talked me into it has dropped out, I'm doing it solo. What can possibly go wrong?

On the plus side, I have managed to bag the S Works Epic. I probably doubled its weight this morning by adding a tried and tested bottom friendly saddle.

I'm cheating and doing a team of ten, with Rubber Buccaneer and some others, I'll be riding my Son's Superfly 6 as my Sync has cracked and it's outside warranty 🙁

Two teams of four. First time for all of us, Clueless as to what it'll be like but it seemed like a good idea in the curry house last Christma.

I'm there again, as part of a mixed 5 from Hudds Star Wheelers. We've got 4 teams this year, but it's more social than racing snakes. I'll be arriving tomorrow dinner time and looking for a huge pitch for everyone!

Team of four easily averaging out at vet status, probably about 30 mayhems between us plus a few sleepless. So glad to have committed to this especially if it's going to be a swansong. I'm not expecting to do another... As usual we're there for the sake of being there, not a hope of winning anything, but hope for a good craic. Getting excited now!

Yep - I shall be there, riding in a team of 4.

#167 having a rough time with the cramps. Waiting for it to cool down before I attempt to ride again 🙁

14 laps. Called it quits at 5 am after lap 13 when it became obvious I wasn't gaining on 3rd place rider, despite legs still turning ok. Leg ok really but ow the pain in my behind and hands - blisters. Went out for the final lurker lap. Oh the heat. Remind me never to book a nice mtb holiday somewhere hot and sunny. Now in the ST van on the way home. Every time I close my eyes I see bits of trail, every sideways movement I think I've caught a rut. Chapeau to all you lot working a lot harder at it than me.

I was there in a team of 5, awesome event, lots of fun and my first 24.
I have no idea how you 24hr boys go it as it was hard enough doing a lap every 4/5 hours....

What an amazing weekend at the last Mountain Mayhem 24hr race at Gatcombe Park. My first Mayhem was back in 2001 at Sandwell Park Farm and I've done 17 since. I've been doing this race for nearly half my life. It took 14 years to finally get a win, which we finally did in 2015 and 2016. 3rd Solo in 2006 was a really highlight. So much has happened both in terms of cycling and the rest of my life since those early days back in 2001 - and without Mayhem, maybe the last 16 years would never have happened.

Everyone at Mayhem has so much to thank Pat and co for; it's been amazing.

This year we've come second to a very youthful team - they rode a great race. The course was amazing - the lap has developed really well over the years. The new singletrack sections this year were brilliant. My final lap was a touch emotional; it's been a hell of a time, so many memories... cadets setting fire to the course, dead fish blocking dirtworkers, London philharmonic playing as I pushed a 50lb bike buried under Easnor clay up to the momunment, losing by 90 seconds in 2014... so many memories.

Thanks Pat (and Ag and Vin!)

A cracking swan song for what is/ was Mayhem 24hr.

I dragged myself round solo 16 laps but the heat on Saturday destroyed me, so not wanting to do some permanent damage I called it quits at 6am this morning.

Massive kudos to those in solo who managed the whole 24 and to everyone who turned out, great chat all round the course even in the wee hours.

I'll look forward to whatever it becomes.

Great post Gee.

Soooo pleased as punch to have finally got myself to the start, and finish, line of Mountain Mayhem as a soloist. I always said I would never race again but felt a bit obliged, what with it being the last one n all. MM has held a place in many MTBkers hearts for years, whether as a team rider, spectator or soloist....hats off to Pat and all the crew for keeping the magic alive for so long.

Was only supposed to be doing it for fun but got a bit carried away and ended up taking second place with 20 laps. Can't quite believe I managed to podium after so little endurance work this year. Was strong for the first 18 hours and then rapidly started to struggle for legs, then head, then the will to live ha. I don't think I have ever had to walk so many climbs in all my life, and I had a super easy granny gear. Goodness knows how the singlespeeders do it. Just amazing. I've never been so grateful for a frayed gear cable at 10:30 am Sunday. That put the final nail in the coffin for any thoughts of 'just one more lap', but, hand on heart, I doubt I would have made it round another in one piece anyway. Definitely gave it everything I had by that point.

Was a top notch. well organised, and exceptionally friendly event. It's a shame to see it go.

Stonking event as always, was having a great time until I hoofed a tree stump in the wee hours and broke a couple of toes and cracked my shoe sole. The single speeders mosh or walk option for the hills was a lot less funny for next lap and a half 🙂 great folks and tip top atmosphere, can't wait to see the next incarnation whatever it may be.

The end of an era indeed.

Since doing my first solo in 2011 I've always wanted to get into the top 10 and finally managed it this year, on the last one.
Finished 8th yesterday with 24 laps, chuffed to bits.

Sad it won't be on next year but hopefully there's something even better to replace it

Well an end of an era!

Had a pretty rough race as I had to stop at 6 hours as I'd lost control of legs through cramp and dehydration. Managed to get back on bike at midnight but had to keep pace even slower to avoid cramping. Horrible! Only 11 laps this year :'-(

That said, the course was great this year! Great atmosphere and something to remember (perhaps in my case for the wrong reasons!).

Thanks to Pat and all the team for putting on such impressive events. BZ!!

Sure is an end of an era. That was our 18th. We were young when we started and now we're not. Our kids that we brought with us became teammates and then started bringing their own kids.

Awesome way to end.

Great race, the heat on Saturday was unreal. Lack not fitness and ongoing chest infection meant not going for anything amazing in our team but really enjoyed it. The night laps were bliss after the heat of the day.

We were young when we started and now we're not. Our kids that we brought with us became teammates and then started bringing their own kids.

Love that post.

Got mixed emotions about MM. Wanted to do it for years, but never got round to it until now.
After a semi sleepless week I was gubbed even before the event started, and the heat on Saturday absolutely killed me. Got the most horrendous cramps at various points and ended up chewing Nunn hydration capsules to try to fix it (and drinking loads).
The first laps after dark were actually the best as it wasn't so warm, but I was fully on the way out. I only managed 10 laps in total before I bailed at 4am.
Quite disapointed to have done so badly, but pleased that I gave it a go.

Anyone know where the results are posted?

Great event from Pat, Jill, Vin et al - loved the course this year, fast, fun and challenging all at the same time.
My 12th consecutive MM, this year in a team of four, managing to get a total of 22laps before fatigue set in.

We must have 30-35 Mayhems between us and knocking-on 200yrs as a team of Vets! Let's see what Pat has in mind for 2018 ;0)

We heard that one member of the team that beat us had been to Mayhem 18 or so years ago in a crib.

Did they give any hint on what they are doing next?

I was at MM from the start, missed a few years along the way, but then the prices started to rocket, and when it went to Gatcombe that was the final nail in the coffin for me, too far to travel for a mediocre course.

I hope they manage to do something else.

My 15th Mayhem in a row, in a team of 5 this year that even with the inclusion of my daughter had an average age of 46ish. This year's course was certainly the best at Gatcombe, maybe even the best of my 15 events. Organisation as excellent as ever, atmosphere still great even with the reduced numbers, and the huge increase in the number of soloists helps me feel less slow out on the course. One of the strengths of Mayhem has always been that it is an event for everyone, from world class athletes to people who ride because it helps them justify another beer (and maybe a pie). For me it's been a great 15 years, and thanks to everyone who made it what it was, organisers, competitors, hecklers and sponsors. Here's to whatever comes next...

too far to travel for a mediocre course.

All the people i rode with and or spoke to said it was a great course. I loved it.

The first year at Gatcombe was mediocre. It's got better every year and this year it really was a great course. The weather helped.

FunkyDunc - Member

Did they give any hint on what they are doing next?

I was at MM from the start, missed a few years along the way, but then the prices started to rocket, and when it went to Gatcombe that was the final nail in the coffin for me, [b]too far to travel for a mediocre course.[/b]

I hope they manage to do something else.

I'm not sure what more you could expect from the course of a mass-participation event set in a country park? Lots of places to pass/be passed safely, not much flat, challenging climbs, challenging descents, a lap length of around 7 miles (making it the right length to get plenty of laps in, whatever the size of your team) and all in a beautiful setting. Tell us, what [i]would[/i] get the Dunc seal of approval?

too far to travel for a mediocre course.

If that was a mediocre course then the good ones must be amazing.

Tell us, what would get the Dunc seal of approval?

The original Sandwell Park had more interesting bits, as did Eastnor. Sleepless used to have some good sections when it was it's original venue near Stoke.

If you read my post I said the original Gatcombe course. 1 section of singletrack by the lake and then lots of grassy fields or fireroad tracks. They said it was improved for year 2 but the improvements were minimal. Plus commercial control that stopped independent cycle shops turning up. Oh and then there were not enough showers, and what there were closed and left early.

Things may have improved since, but that was enough for me and many others to think it had had its time

To be fair to Dunc, I agree with a lot of what he says re the 1st Gatcombe course and event. The lap was pretty dull.

However, having missed last year, they seemed to remedy that well this year. Really liked the course. Might have been a bit of 'mare in the wet mind, but was nearly all rideable for the less experience with some bits that were a bit more challenging to ride fast.

I did miss the old arena and variety of retailers this year, I couldn't even buy a bottle cage! Also missed the all night catering tent, but think that is a general trend.

Great weekend all told. Interested to see what happens next.

Also missed the all night catering tent

To be honest, given the quality of the coffee and crepes at the Crepe stand, it was probably for the best that it was closed during the night.

It really was awful.

too far to travel for a mediocre course.

I really enjoyed the course and seeing as I'm still on the way home that counts for something on the course to distance travelled metric.

Not that I go for the course. It's a weekend of hanging about in a field with your mates with a spot of light racing thrown in to give you a reason to justify all the "I might fancy that at 2am" food you bought. I also think that since the live to Gatcome it's become a bit more relaxed which I've liked.

I think this was always going to be my last as after 13 years the travel was getting to be a bit of a damper but I will miss it. I've had some terrible moments on night laps when the weather or I have been ropey but way more good memories.

In summary, thanks Pat and co.

Few pictures from the week end
[img] [/img]
[url= http://www.ipernity.com/doc/dylbic/album/988558 ]link[/url]

Very good grahamh, thanks. Couple of shots of two of our little gang.

That course was brilliant - such an excellent combination of singletrack and fire roads. The singletrack was brilliant - really flowed well, passable-on and never too much in one go so you got stuck.

The other endurance is set up, not sleeping much during and breaking down the site in searing heat.
We had fun chopping in a few new lines. Relationships with estates take time, year 1 we could hardly touch much. I got to sly a lap in with you all which was great fun. Imagine that course with no trees!
Lots of great moments but the weirdest was me and Pat having to drive to a 24hr pharmacy on Barton st in Gloucester at 1.30am on Sunday morning to get a emergency insulin pen for a marshal. Accosted by ladies of the night, a Lithuanian disco and a few fights. All part of the fun of a mayhem night.

[IMG] [/IMG]
The lonesome damp patch post race, I'm sure that shoe print has a story, as does every tyre mark. That's Mayhem for me, a narrative that's been with us as riders for so long. A huge part of our lovely community and open to all riding together.

All together now
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Crew, like a family
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Weirdly I look out at the final climb most days and will always remember the riders of Mayhem!
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Weirdly I look out at the final climb most days

I've often looked at that house and wondered if they mind all the noise and weird lights in the night. I guess not 🙂

Thanks for the insights tang, for me it was a great course, with the possible exception of the drag back up to the campsite.
I asked a few years ago why the Eastnor course was getting long vs previous years. Turns out there's a limit of riders per mile beyond which insurance can't be had - so side benefit of reducing numbers is a shorter course. Which you probably worked out is my preference.
Very glad I made it to the swansong event, a wonderful job by all the organising team - hope there is more to come with Mayhem 2.0 but in the meantime thank you for some wonderful memories.

Got home this afternoon after a brilliant weekend. My 4th solo event and managed 18 laps. First time I've ever gone straight thru the 24 hours with only 20 or 30 min stops to refuel etc. The heat didn't really affect me too much as I managed to pace it really well. Thanks to team jmc for their support and to everyone I spoke to out on the course, it really makes a difference when I was struggling. Great banter and only one or ' elite rider' moments DBAD. Apologies to anyone that got stuck behind the two man team jmc rolling road block!. Finally thanks to Pat, Jill, Vin, Alec etc for a fantastic event and what was in my opinion a brilliant course for this type of event.

I really enjoyed this my 19th Mayhem (my team's 20th) and thought the course was great with flowing singletrack and dry weather. There's such a great connection with other riders, team mates, family, youngsters, fast and slow riders, and it's inspiring to see everyone keep going at whatever pace they can. Many congratulations and thanks to Pat and his crew for all their hard work over 20 years for putting on a wonderful event with a great legacy.

We all thought the course was FANTASTIC and a lot of time and effort was put into it all, thoroughly good effort Tang and gang.
as for next year, Tang can we count on you to take up the challenge and deliver another great event?

Some great pics here

http://m.ipernity.com/#/doc/dylbic/album/988558

https://daisydogphotos.smugmug.com/Cycling-

http://www.robcrayton.co.uk/profile.htm

My 8th Mayhem and 3rd riding solo. The first year at Gatcombe wasn't the best, but it got better every year after. As I was soloing I didn't really notice how good or bad the catering was. The post race bacon and egg butty tasted really good, but after 24 hours of energy bars and gels any proper food would have!!! 😉
Wrote my thoughts down of how my race went, if your a bit bored: http://wp.me/p6nxZH-3r