http://www.spamwinterchallenge.co.uk/ after the travesty of my attempt at the 12 hour team event (i was crap/unfit),i have decided to enter the 50k event (have done it once before in jan 2003).just wondering if anyone else is going to do it?p.s am actually going to train for this one 😳 😉

hopefully, although last year i totally died and came something crazy like 208th out of 213. going to see if i can improve on that one!

I will give it a go although the summer’s 6 hour race hurt a bit!

I managed to come last in the 25KM the other year. In my defense, I was cycling with my GF who had never ridden off road before and like a gentleman, let her cross the line before me. We even stopped for tea and cake half way round!
Looks like I’m in the country this year, so think I might do the 50.

Tempting, just checked out the web page. Seems wrong calling it an Enduro somehow. Can imagine a bunch of Frenchies turning up on their AM bikes for this and wondering where we’ve hidden the mountain.

Its quite an easy event lots of it on roads across the Plain .Didn`t realize it was early this year though

18th December? Bugger. Have done it for the last 4 years in the January. Will be in Dublin that weekend for the Bath game 😀 so will miss it 🙁

Mmm, would have done it but it clashes with the brass monkeys enduro. Not good planning.

Hope to see lot’s of you there. It was a tough decision to bring the event forward from our traditional early Jan’ date. The date was changed due to the way the weekends have fallen this year for Christmas & NY which is the period when the MoD open up access over the Imber Range’s.

Is it suitable for a Cx bike?

Yep – a few on cross bikes last year. If I remember correctly they hunted in a pack, but still didn’t catch that speedy On-One rider who led everyone home on 26″ wheels!

What’s the course like? I’ll ride SS, just working on what gear to fit….

I’m planning on going, just down the road for me, looks good for a winter ride

yes might do this one, but ts early this year soo could clash..

Myself and a mate have booked up to do the 50km. Should be amusing.

Anyone know the reason why it’s before Chrimbo this year and not just after New Year?

[EDIT: Doh, web site says: as we are unable to get access to the MOD land, on which the event is held, over the Christmas period.]

I wonder why the MOD are not opening the ranges over the New Year then like what they normally do?

What’s the course like? I’ll ride SS, just working on what gear to fit….

32:18 to avoid walking if I don’t wimp out and take the full suss, there are usually a fair few sludgy mud bits that sap my will to live else.

More googling reveals the ranges are open but only until Friday 2nd Jan this (i.e. ‘next’ year).

I might be 🙂

I rode it this year on the singlespeed. *Very* spinny in places. I reckon a geared CX bike is probably ideal for this route. Having said that I’ll probably be there again with the ss in December.

just out of interest is there a link to show when the plain is open? whenever i go up to salisbury plain (red horn hill from devizes) it is nearly always shut,to go to stonehenge.didn’t fancy having to ring them to find out.

not sure if 32:18 was serious, there are a few hills but are all doable in middle ring easy enough. the hills wouldnt be an issue on 32:18 as pedalhead says but the road section would be really frustrating.
might cx it myself this year

I rode it about 6 years ago. I’d only been riding seriously 6 months and went for the 50km. The point where I was on the flat mud changing to lower and lower gears as I got more knackered and then realising I was in granny ring and didn’t have many lower gears left is a lasting memory.

That said we were talking about having another go this year. Rumour has it that it isn’t quite the mud fest it used to be…?

We’ve made use of some of the firmer tank tracks/Imber Range and the road out through Imber for the past few years and minimised the muddy slogs – not the most technical challenge, but a good off road ride.
As I said up above, Andy, dates didn’t fall well and didn’t work for our traditional early Jan date. We did discuss trying to run it between Xmas / NY; but difficult to gauge how many club members would be able to commit time to set-up etc.
Be heading down your way, Foxy, for a proper start of year mudfest at the Newnham event!

Ahh Martin you doing the Newnham 3x20KM then?

I fancy it. I’ll see how my well christmas( 😯 ) shopping goes!

32 X 18 would kill me, far too spinny……….actually that’s what I have on the Pugsley…

Can anyone reccomend some CX tyres for this? Raised in the area, but never pick good tyres for this event….

Just entered

Yup, decided to go for the middle 35k and see how it goes. Will prob CX it, though will see how the mood takes me.

I’m planning to do the 50k, SS 34/17 which was fine for the HONC .

Aww man, I’ve got a session planned the night before so I’m not sure my Sunday hangover will let me do anything other than lie down and try not to vomit!

Shame as I’ve been looking for something like this to focus my efforts now it’s getting all chilly out. I’ll play it by ear and see how I feel on the morning.

Yup, doin this one.

Looks Ace.