Event popularity is an odd one - I'm a tad baffled.
Mayhem Solo (Mens) has sold out in no time at all. There's no Sleepless - yet SIP's Exposure 24/12 with a great reputation and a new venue has only 80 or 90 entries to date.
http://www.sip-events.co.uk/solo-home.html
Am I missing something? I know it's a Solo only event but that's a great opportunity for 'teams' to enter and ride as one unit, no? There's a few of us booked in on 11th May - sunny and dusty!
Looks good to me...
It is a great event and with everyone in the same boat, soloing together, the race has a unique atmosphere. It probably isn't as 'famous' as mayhem so doesn't sell out as quick but I was put off this year by its change in venue and I know others have raised concerns too. It used to be held at Newcastleton but is now in the south on a course that isn't all weather friendly. If things don't dry out soon its going to be a mud bath which for a soloist would be like hell.
I've entered Exposure. Really hope it drys out, Wasing isn't great at the best of times but will be a nightmare in the wet!
I think it is a more 'serious' race than Mayhem/SITS (yes, I know the guys at the pointy end of them take it pretty seriously, but most don't) and this puts a lot of people off.
.
Taking a rigid SS as my back-up bike in case it gets really really horrible.
For a solo only event 80-90 entries is excellent. That's pretty much every regular soloist in the uk.
Yes I guess you're right. But then you've also got to account for me and my mate floundering around towards the back of the field acting as chicanes!
(Done lots of solo events - always finish in the bottom half of the pack 😕 )
I'm doing the 12 hour at exposure and will be near the back. I only live 15 minutes away which made my mind up to do it. It really needs to dry out soon or it will be grim. I'm also doing mayhem and 24/12. I've not done a solo only event before so it will be a bit different without the team riders flying past.
That's what attracted me tbh Pete plus taking the 12hr option.
I've booked sunshine!
Hope you have. Can we hold you to that!
2 weeks to go now. Hope this weather stays as the local trails are nice and dry. A bit of rain last night has softened things a bit, but still fine. I see this is the last year of this event. Is this due to lack of numbers?
I think it is a more 'serious' race than Mayhem/SITS
I'm intrigued to why you think this I really am?
It's an extra 260 miles for me to travel but I'll see you all there.
I liked 24/12 at Newcastleton in the rain. It was ace. It was flipping hard but 95% or more rideable (by time). I didn't like Mayehm in the rai nas it was a big lot of pushing (maybe 30% by time). I didn't do SITS last year as a solist in the rain as I just couldn't face the incessant quagmire.
Is it the case that many of the 'have a go' types like me have pretty much had it with solo 24s on courses that don't look like they can deal with the wet weather? I like bikes but 24hrs on one is a long time and leaves me wanting a nice rest for a bit off the bike.