Can anybody offer a heads up – should we expect gloop? (Forecast for tomorrow looks a bit grotty)

Make sure you have a few spare mech hangers…. 😀

I live 10-12 miles away and it's sunny dry and warm 😉

Flat and boring ?

spesh – Member

Flat and boring ?

your girlfriend?

ouch !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RR

RR…genius.

Flip – if it does lash it down all day tomorrow, not knowing the local geology, what will it be like? Will it just suck it up and be ok? or not?!

Neilb67 – steel I'm afraid – big set of pliers needed, thats all.

Its in the trent valley isnt it, Id imagine it would get pretty muddy down there.

According to this the land beneath is

geology

KEUPER MARL

Not sure what that means

It usually takes on the consistency of wattle and daub, particularly since the undergrowth/grass gets cut before the event.

The comment about spare mech hangers / mechs is spot on, a couple of years ago the stalls sold out of them, that many were breaking in the clag. The rest of my team were borrowing my singlespeed, drastic measures!

Mech hanhers and spare mechs.

Simple solution – SS 😀

Will be running SS if conditions take a turn, if not will hopefully not ruin my xtr mech!

Mech hangers ? Don't you guys run Rohloff hubs then ?
Next thing, you'll be telling me you're still on 26" wheels.

Lashing down here 5 mins from Catton Park, rained a lot of last night having a lap tonight will take pics and report back!

Has anyone riding had any info other than the Endura offers? I don't think I've even seen anything with the start time on, is it 2pm?

There was a thread about who's had/not had the confirmation email yesterday: http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/sits-details-who-has-had-their-email

I didn't get anything..but I'm on the list of riders on the pro-velo site, so that'll do 🙂

Yep, it starts at 2pm

I live in Burton – about 3miles away.

Not seen round Catton Pk, but local trails are riding well – even Robins Wood (Which is always v wet) is drying in places. – Until they cut all the trees down 👿

Unless we have some flash floods I imagine it will be all ok, just slightly tacky

It does take a fair bit of rain. Just hope they've done something with the grassy bits. They'd be better if they just poured diesel all over it a month before the event.

Have a look on Google Maps aerial photo for Catton Hall. Looks familiar… 😀

I hope it doesn't rain for you guys and girls as it is truly rubbish in the wet ;-/

Another good thing for this event is a frame with good clearance from the tyre 🙂

Good luck.. won't be racing there this year myself!

Sweet! Anyone know what year that is?

2009 just post-race, so about 3 or 4pm. That's the only year the course went that way up the hill, rather than down the sheep track.

GB

Looks like last year to me, I reckon I can see the van I borrowed and the big red feckoff gazebo next to the course. Think it might be before the race though as the course doesn't look too worn in. I'm not doing it this year but will be along to heckle on Saturday.

The ground is very hard, took some welly to get the tent pegs in tonight. Rain hasnkt touched it yet. See you all tomorrow. Solo area is all
Around the marquee. Lots more space than usual.

Good tidings 🙂

Ground hard as **** lots of woody singletrack that needs lots of tyres over it will be hard on a SS!

If its going to be hard SS can't wait to ride it fixed, is it much different from last year?

Forecast is some rain between now and KO on Saturday. Might just work out perfectly 🙂

when can i ride it today – is 5pm the earliest?

Ralph rode it last night its all marked out!

Will be fine on the SS so no problems on a fixed 😯

*waves from under an umbrella, near the start/finish line*

Just been round. As above needs some moisture in places. Should be good.

In case it is muddy:
Last year at SITS there was a tent selling Maxxis Medusas at a good price (not sure if it was Maxxis themselves). I think they sold out before the event started though!

Is it the same lap as last year? Any new bits?

Vehicles being pulled into the campsite earlier today:

i'm riding on racing ralphs and refusing to change them because we are in the height of summer now. 😯

Good question though as tyre choice is tricky round catton. I'm soloing and am tinkering with putting my Mud X on the front as its the only tyre I've got that doesnt slip off those pesky tree roots. I'll sling my high roller on the back…anybody recommend a good sticky tyre for the front thats a bit more intermediate than my Mud X.

Nobby Nic if its not dry enough for the Ralphs.
Medusa 1.8's or good ol' Conti 1.5's if it gets really bad!

How exciting! Hope to be there next year. Did Wiggle 6 earlier in the year and really enjoyed it and loved what they'd done with the terrain they have there. Hope you all have a great time – I'll be thinking of you 😉

Yeah I've got Conti's as a backup that I hope(and dont think) will be needed – they do not grip the roots at all so wouldnt put them on the front anyway. Must admit cant wait till 1400 hrs tomorrow ..looking forward to 0300 the next day with less anticipation !

I only go onto the Conti's as a last resort. Not the grippiest tyre in the world, but at least they still let your wheels go round! Most likely end up with Medusa's on.

Just gone round in bone hard conditions, spesh storm control on the front and a "the captain" on the rear – was ace!