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Any advice for the Erlestoke 12.
Im new to MTBing, and was seeking some advice on the Erlestoke 12, 6 hour race. I know the area quite well, out laws live just round the corner have ridden Pear Tree etc before. Howeeve, Im a little unsure how competitive the race is and being singletrack was concerned at possibly holding up the flyers.
I completed the Sarsen 45km Trail a couple of weeks back in 1.44, and then undertook a 5 hour route to the Surrey Hills off road last weekend, which was the Singletrack North Downs Average route from home.
So can anyone advise.
Cheers
Don't worry about holding people up, go at the pace you can, when someone's behind, call them to go left or right when there's an opertunity and they'll do like wise when they think they can. There's a few open sections that'll let people put the hammer down and overtake, so stay relaxed. Remember it's your race as well!
See you there, I'll be in Team Discharge kit.
Erlestoke is a great event, unfortunately can't make it this year. It's pretty competitive but like all races, the "flyers" will get by if they want to, either silently and very rapidly or those that are polite (most people) will let you know they're there. If you want to, find a safe place to pull over to the side and let them pass, if not they'll find a way. Doing solo events mostly, I tend to politely ignore the shouty screamy people demanding to be let past, but they're a minority. Erlestoke is pretty tight in places but there are plenty of open sections.
Ta transapp,
I havent chosen my kit yet, but i will let you know so you can call out as you pass.
Im in the 6 hour, apologies now if I block the single track with my big ar... sticking out.
Looking forward to it and thanks for the advice huw and transapp.
Its a great event with a nice vibe, I've ridden it for the past 3 years and never had any problem's over taking or being over taken ! Enjoy it ..... and the weather looks good , see you there !
doing 12hr solo
have they changed the event this year? the 6 hr race started at the same time as the 12 last year didn't it.
not looking forward to some 6 hr whippets shouting at me after 6 hours of racing, it was nice and relaxed in the evening last year,
Erlestoke is one of my favourite events. Great vibe about the place and a very entertaining course. My advice would be to ride it like you're out on a regular ride, that way you'll be a lot more relaxed and you're ride will flow a lot better. Riding like you're racing will tense you up and you'll have a nightmare, does for me anyway.
We've got plenty of MB Swindon riders taking part, we'll have a gazebo and the BBQ fired up Sat night, feel free to come over and join us.
amt27 - there are two 6 hour races, one starting at noon and one at 6pm. I think that was the case last year too.
So far there are less than 10 people pre-entered for the 6pm race, so it won't be a horde of whippets, and if anyone is shoutily aggressive then just ignore them. The decent racers know how to overtake without a fuss.
As others say, the event has a nice chilled-out vibe.
This is the first year we've done the 6pm start and we did anticipate more entries. We took quite a few comments when we changed from the overnighter 6pm to 6am format to the midday/midnight saying that people liked the late start riding into the night, race and have a weekend etc. Unless we get lots of entries on the day for the 6pm start, it will be up for discussion I guess.
Has to be one of the most friendly events I've ever been to and plenty of over taking spots so don't worry bout your speed.
Have fun all I'm stuck at work
On a slightly differant note. I do miss the 6 till 6 format
Made it a little unusual
Yep; 6 - 6 was good! Riding through the early morning mist, knowing you only had one more lap before stopping for a bacon roll and a can of cider!
Unfortunately, there weren't enough others like you, orangeboy, to make it pay.....
My first Erlstoke too. Really looking forward to it. I'm in the 6-12 shift (though not in the listings as I swapped times) I'll be jealous of you mid day 6ers finishing and enjoying an ice cold beer while the rest of us start work in your dust!
[b]redders: [/b]Don't worry fella, as said above, most other riders are usually pretty considerate about overtaking and will let you know "[i]on your left![/i]" etc. when they want to pass on that side of you. [b]You[/b] will need to do this too, as you WILL be overtaking people! - Just be polite and clear and it will go fine. Generally people are surprisingly nice at races. You do get the odd nobber but they are very rarely the fast guys.
Top tip, redders - enjoy it! Ride at your pace, be considerate to others, whether you're overtaking or being overtaken. There's a whole load of us out there who know we're not going to win so have fun! Feel free to join the SPAM crowd. See you there.
Looks like were going to fry. A bit of a change from last weekends cold wild boar chase. Plenty of sun cream required I think.
Wow, we're did you lot suddenly come from!
Thanks for the advice guys, really looking forward to tomorrow, and feeling a lot more confident with the advice.
Cars loaded, and will be leaving London first thing in the morning, and looking forward to the ride and beer o'clock at 6pm.
GIve us a shout tomorrow, I'm wearing Black top with a rainbow zig zag band.
Well, what a day.
A fall in the first lap (18mins is), busted helmet, gash on my back, threw up (a few times, concussion etc etc .
But loved it.
Thanks SPAM, I will be back.
Transapp nice to meet you.