[Closed] ‘Ard Rock Enduro 2015

I'll be doing the full one 🙂

I reckon they'll miss off stages 3 and 4 for the sport version.

ETA: Actually, it says you still ride the full route, I thought you would miss out some of the long transitions. I think the first 2 stages were the most technical?

I think the first 2 stages were the most technical?

Yes, or maybe that was just the initial shock? 🙂

Looking at my GPX I'd think 1 and 4 would get the mileage about right and 4. They both have simple bypass routes also. Stage 3 is too big a loop to miss at 4 miles.
They also have the 2 most difficult climbs straight after removed which could put people off doing the full thing.

I hit a rut on stage 4 and not having a dropper post at the time my nuts hit the saddle and I also added a nice new pedal mark to one of my shins. I had to take a goooood few mins out to recover.

Definitely fancy this after missing the last couple of years due to various issues... Reckon I'll man up for the full fat version, give me an excuse to get some more pedalling in.

Reckon it'll sell out quickly?

This is the one event I'm excited about for next year, loved it 2 years ago, couldn't make it last year. Really good riding, not overly techy at all, and a really chilled vibe.

I've missed it the last 2 years due to clashes with my jollies. Getting this booked in quick so I can plan jollies around it! My Enduro calendar is filling up for next year. #Endurosicktothepowerofradcubed

Bo****ks

On a big family holiday in the Cotswold area Mon to Mon.

Do I make my excuses and leave on Sat and drive up to Swaledale, it's a fair old drive is that.

On the official site it says the route is all Natural and non is Man made, what I need to know is what level of technical ability is required to take part in the full enduro & the same for the part one which again onsite it says is for everyone.
I am planning on taking the missus with me if she is capable of talking part, stamina isn't an issue but technically it may be.
what would be good if those who have done it can par it with bike centres i.e gisburn / glentress / mabie / coed-y-brenin to give me an idea if I might be capable of the full one and the other half the smaller route.
Thanks

Loose with steep chutes and sticky out rocks. Doesn't really compare to a trail centre.
On the up side if you do the shorter version then less than 5% of the route is like that. Probably far less than that.
Some quite interesting moor tracks too. Fast and loose with plenty of opportunities to puncture.
Have a look at the official videos.

Just checked and I'm working, again 👿

Footstomper, I would say if you can do the blacks at Gisburn you should be ok, even though the smaller version cuts out the two 'most' technical the others could still cause instant death in some parts 😆

Hardest thing for me last year was the steep muddy banks and trying to stop yourself from crashing into a bunch of rocks or another rider.

Trekster - Member
Just checked and I'm working, again

Get some holidays in big fella, I'll pick ye up on the way past, it's been too long!. 😉

I'll be travelling up from Southampton for it. Looks like a great way of spending a weekend.

Missed this twice. V excited I can do it!

Thinking of heading up from Southampton too for this, worth the 5 hour trip each way?

think i may enter this myself........do they have a fat old blokes category?

@jakebeach. Definately worth the trip

@ton....yes, cause I went this year..I've seriously gotta work on my fitness for the climbs though..1000m of climbing

I see this year the Sunday has a cut off time of 5hrs 15mins. What happens if you're out there for longer due to mechanicals? Disqualification?

Stages closed and a DNF next to your name.

It's not that much in terms of climbing, about the same as GT red.

Is there much for non-bikers to do in the area?

My GPS says more like 1200m climbing this year.
Glentress red according to Strava is about 370m.

Ard Rock full course far more brutal than Glentress as the climbs aren't nicely graded.

[quote=tomlevell]My GPS says more like 1200m climbing this year.

Yup, same here.

Great event, great atmosphere and fun, challenging, but doable stages.

This may be pish, but I was taking the elevation gain at GT from here -
http://north-bristol-mountain-bike-club.co.uk/index.php?option=com_gpstools&view=gpstools&task=viewtrack&id=152:glentress-red-route&Itemid=615

it's pish, that isn't the red route, that's someone's ride incorporating red route and other stuff. I'd say at least double to three times the climb at the ard rock compared to red at gt, its a big day out.

I have done it, didn't seem that bad tbh.

Yep, last year was 1200m of climbing over a total distance of almost 40km.
If you do a practice loop on Saturday and then race the Enduro on Sunday it makes for a tough weekend.
Loads of fun though! Great atmosphere, scenery and riding 🙂
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Looks roughly equivalent to the Beast at Coed y Brenin in terms of distance and climbing then (bit more climbing).

If it's of any use to anyone my Garmin measured King & Queen of the Hill as more or less 1,100m climbing over 30km.

Hey guys, I may be able to answer some of your questions... If the route is the same, the sport will most likely miss stages one and four, meaning we can make the main race a little bit 'Arder, or keep it just as hard. Hopefully the Sport will be a fun event that riders of all abilities can some and have a crack at. The last thing we want to do is alienate the majority or riders by making it all too much or elitist - I know it's go 'Ard in the title 🙂

Welcome to STW Joe.
Do you have any weather control machines in place for next year? 😀

Do you get to practice the stages? What sort of length are the stages?

I like the idea of the Sport event Joe, as it gives us lesser mortals a chance to have a go and have some real fun - and I'm guessing that it will also have the side benefit that you'll be able to take more entries over the two days and enable more people to attend 'Ard Rock 2015

Can I just say thanks for using a photo of me on the website Joe. Made my day when it was pointed out to me

Happy to accept a freebie entry in exchange 🙂

Results from last year are [url= http://www.sportident.co.uk/results/2014/ArdRockEnduro/enduro.html ]here[/url] to give you an idea of stage times.
We set off (hungover 🙂 )for a practice of all the stages on the Saturday with the intention of taking a short cut between them. It turned out there wasn't a way to cut the loop short and we ended up doing the full 40km......

Canny wait!.

@tmb467, just spotted your photo 🙂

The oldest class is 40+!, there will be too many youngsters for my liking. Still , might give it a go.

Accommodation booked, how eager am I? 😀

Obviously chosen for the quality of the light and the carefully chosen Enduro colours and not for the bike riding skills

Nobeerinthefridge hope you get a place then.

Sounds good. What's the camping like?

Camping is good, plenty of space and facilities at the dales bike centre.

Camping was good but could've done with more portaloos - they were pretty full by the end of Sunday this year!