Torq solo this weekend - advice please

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Torq solo this weekend - advice please

9 posts & 6 voices | Started 9 months ago by bikebore | Latest reply from bikebore

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bikebore - Member

Hi folks,

I'm doing the Torq In Your Sleep on Sunday, going solo for the first time. Not done a solo before and seems a good event to pop my cherry at.

Anyone got any idea what the craic is there? I've seen the solo tents at D2D where the soloists take in a box of kit, is it the same at TIYS? Or do you just leave your kit in your car/ tent and pop back to it when you need to restock/ feed?

If there is a soloists area, is it safe to leave lights unattended during the day? I have a set of exposures I'm wary of leaving around, they'll go walkies. And what's the best kit to have trackside for the pit stops, spare bottles/ gels/ tubes?

TIA

Posted 9 months ago #
njee20 - Member

Fairly sure I've noticed a solo area previously, imagine it'd be the same again. Pants is the organiser, he'll probably pop up with an answer!

You'll be fine leaving lights around, everyone will be in the same boat! Have a pile/box of bits, rather than just leaving them discarded, when someone may think they're lost or whatever. Obvious bits for trackside: track pump, tyres, tubes, lube, water, energy drink powder (if you use it), gels, bars, normal food (Jelly Babies, Haribo, flap jack etc), clothing (arm warmers, knee warmers, thicker jersey etc)

Don't try anything new, if you've never used energy drink or gels, don't start now!

Don't stop. If you tell yourself 'I'll just have a 20 minute rest' it can become an hour, then why bother out again at all!?

It's a good course, holds up well unless there's proper biblical rain. Enjoy it.

Posted 9 months ago #
CiderRiderRich - Member

There has been a long stretch of solo camping / parking in previous years and I am not aware of anyone pinching stuff. Myself and a few others from New Force (New Forest Mountanin Bike Club) will be doing it solo, as well as a team of four. If you look for the large trailer tents and a blue flag with a beer on it - you will have found us. I am lucky enough to have a pit crew, so you are more than welcome to pop your box in our area.

As njee20 says dont try anything new and try not to stop and put down your bike, as you will find yourself saying 'just another 5 minutes' and an hour disappears.

The other thing is get a chamois cream or similar - it will off-set the pain and agony down below - oh and talking of pain, some ibuprofen or paracetemol will be handy.

It is a good course and a great atmosphere.

Posted 9 months ago #
bikebore - Member

Top advice, cheers. I'll see you there

Posted 9 months ago #
njee20 - Member

2 pairs of shorts worked for me on a 12 solo, very comfy.

Posted 9 months ago #
rickon - Member

Not that I'm helping out a competitor :p but...

Try the Dave Buchanan patented 'Christmas Pudding Method'.

Hang up your bib shorts, or chamios, and cover them well with chamois cream 2 days in advance, then re-apply a few times - it'll soak in and keep you bottom nice and fresh.

The only advice I'll give is to not go bonkers on the first few laps, and to try to stay calm and relaxed - the way I see it, is as a friend put it to me - you get to ride your bike on uninterrupted singletrack for 12 hours, and no one is going to stop you, when else do you get to do that? Enjoy it dude, and I'll see you there

Posted 9 months ago #
london_lady - Member

There is a separate solo camping area - we'll be there but still wondering if I made the right decision ;-/

race instructions

Posted 9 months ago #
cows_in_cars - Member

I like the "christmas pudding" approach to chamois cream!

Depending on how fit you are and whether you are just getting through it or racing it, I wouldn't, as said above, go off too fast on the first few laps but neither would I set off too slowly. You will get stuck in traffic and find your first lap is rather slow if you go slow from the start. It's a balancing act between going out too fast and getting stuck in traffic. I tend to go fairly fast from the gun then kick it back a little not getting too fussed if I am behind someone slower than me in the single track but as soon as it's easy to get past do so.

Also on pacing, personally I would avoid plodding, you will at some point end up plodding but if you can push yourself a little bit harder it's much more enjoyable. I find plodding the most miserable pace, you will be surprised how fast you can go for a long time.

You will hit the wall at some point, accept that now! But if you keep positive (and keep eating and drinking)you will come out the other side. I have had races where I have hit the wall and resigned myself to "this is me for the day" then a lap or so later have recovered completely to find myself putting in my best laps of the day.

Food and drink, as said above don't try anything new and have lots of options, it's funny sometime what you will crave. Have some salty/savory food, it's likely that your body will get sick or sugary/sweet food. I also like having soup and chocolate milk (not together!) liquid food helps. And as said above don't forget the pain killers.

Posted 9 months ago #
bikebore - Member

I'm planning to fuel up and watch the food as per the great STW article last month (no Maccy D for breakfast this time), and those kindly folks at Torq also sent me their fuel plan, which is extremely useful. Top tip on the soup Cows.

Attempted the BHF SDW in a day earlier in the year, didn't fuel properly and fell at the 65 mile stage. It's gonna be nice not to have to haul the days fuel and waterproofs around

Hopefully it'll stay dry and we'll have a good race. Woooo hooooooooooooooo!

Posted 9 months ago #

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