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Great day out! Very happy with my 22:12.61 - good for 11th in the Sport Vets.
It's very difficult to judge the balance of rider skill levels.
I guess people should enter the intro event until they at least roughly know where they should be.
Unlike last year, everyone I passed couldn't have been more helpful, some properly going off-course to oblige.
That steep chute from stage 3 was missing this time - lots of walkers/sliders/refusals on that last year.
Meh..quite a lot of people pushing up hills, but good on them for getting out..DrP - (mini self kudos for getting 2nd on the strava leaderboard for the climb out of stage 4 Only rode the whole ruddy lot didn't I..)
What happened to you in the last Strava segment ("the finish line drop I took"). You smoked me in everything except the first climb and that last bit.
Dunno..after 90 seconds my speed dropped to zero for a few minutes, then picked up again.
I can only conclude I went through a wormhole.
DrP
(actually - stage 5 finished about halfway down that segment, so we probably crossed the stage finish line, 'whooped and chest bumped', then had a wee, then carried on back to the tent. More likely than a space-time continueum shift)
(Double edit - on the first climb i stopped approximately 8 times to micro adjust my handlebars.....!)
I did abuse the chap I caught on stage 5 for not riding fast enough and not getting out of my way, much to the amusement of the crowd. In case anyone was wondering, he is a mate and was giving as good as he got.
^^mates don't abuse, they buzz tyres...
Finished just outside the top third in my age group (30-39) - improved my times compared to last year on 3 stages which was pleasing - no mechanicals or punctures
Agree that they could do to try and encourage riders to enter the event most appropriate to them - was held up on stage 2 by two very slow riders through the steep section who didn't seem that keen to let me by once there was space to do so - secondly despite giving one chap over a 30 second head start on stage 5 I still passed him. Other than that everyone I caught let me past pretty quickly - somehow (luck) managed not to get overtaken on any of the stages
Thought stage 5 was a great addition
Could have done without the early morning loo cleaning, combining that with the church bells it wasn't conducive to a good nights sleep
If there's a chap on here with long hair who rides a bling carbon Santa Cruz with purple bits, I apologise for being a bit rude on the switchbacks on stage two, thanks for moving over quickly and I'd have been less rude if you hadn't jumped in front of me in the queue. I guess I need to look less fat, old and asthmatic.
Personally I think the Sprint needed proper gaps as it's only 3 stages plus the fun grass down, so less chance to make up time.
Really enjoyed the sport despite having a rather large off on stage 4. My foot came off the pedal at full chatt and I high sided off the bike which then cartwheeled away.
If anyone went past and saw a rider lying face down on the deck that was me. Not badly hurt, just bruised, grazed with wrenched muscles. I took my time getting up as I don't bounce as well as I used to 😆
Yes Dr P That was me with the sometimes strange tunes on top of 3 .
I hope it added a little fun certainly kept me company for the day .
Right marshal moan coming up .
the start gate is the bit where you start . you know the bit with the electric bit on which talks to the thing on your wrist .
NOT 100 mtrs before the start gate .
I was near the start gate where I could if you needed give you bits of info of what is ahead .
buggered if I am walking 100 mtrs to chat .
I had good number of riders wipe out on the 90 degree entry to the start gate it was put there to stop you getting a run up if you go too fast through you may not trigger the electrickery thing .
so next year come a bit nearer to the start marshal he is there for your benefit and a bit of banter also helps his day
and to the 2 fools who thought it was a good idea to start from the top of the mound just because I was not on station
good thing I did not see your numbers as you would have been disqaulified
YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE .
rant over
see you all next year
Had a great day in the Sport, but unfortunately punctured my rear tyre (holed a sidewall - bad choice of tyre - then the presta valve actually broke in the pump!) on stage 1 put paid to any chance of getting a mid-place in the vets this year...
But was with 4 mates, so tried to make sure I reclaimed *some* bragging rights on the other stages 😀
And even made it back before the rain - bonus!
Loved it - third year running. Now to decide if I do it again next year...
Loved it - third year running. Now to decide if I do it again next year...
Not a consideration, my summer plans work around AR. Not missed it yet, id be proper pissed off reading about it on here! 
We had a great time shouting "SEND IT" at the big grassy drop on stage 6 on Saturday 😀 and then managed to get in the top third in the Vets on Sunday. First ever event. It was cracking.
Thanks to all the marshalls for the excellent work.
@Lowrey, some of those bell ringers in' t church were volunteers helping cover your safety in' the event. We managed to put up with the extra noise in't village form PA before 7:30am and some real crap live music so a little bit of bell ringing adds to the atmosphere. After all it's been a great event and pretty much has universal local support because it's well run and brings a bit of excitement to the dale. Don't be cummin ere tellin to what t do, next thall be sayin no sheep shaggin. Friday night is bell ringing night then in to the pub, has been that way for years.
See you next year..
Nicely put Sir! Living close to a church I just don't hear it though. Previously the quarter hours have woken me a few times. This time slept right through.
Yes. The guy who does cover versions of songs in the style of Nickelback was invited again. Or just showed up and no one thought to stop him.
I never heard the bells in the van, must be pretty quiet.
Don't be cummin ere tellin to what t do, next thall be sayin no sheep shaggin.
I did wonder what the locals thought of it when I looked down from stage 2 to see the tent city matching the village size. Good to hear it's well received. 8)
Your riding may be spectacular but crikey was I cold in the evening. I was wearing everything I took and still cold. Back down south and in the hammock with shorts and a shandy at 9:30.
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Good weekend, thanks for looking after us on the hills and not eating us or whatever it is you lot do to outsiders... 😉
1st ardrock for me, did the Saturday sprint. Absolutely brilliant weekend. 630 mile round trip, chain off twice, punctured once, 40th in masters.
The marshals, stalls and Friday street made a real festival feel which I've not experienced before at a mtb event. I shall return for the 6 stages next year.
if there wasn't room for him to ride round me, there wasn't room for me to get out of the way either.
this is the approach I've always taken too, the rare occasions when I do pass someone I tell them which side I'm passing, not just tell them I'm there and expect them to do something, which I think is the general etiquette from xc racing too.
Friday night is bell ringing night then in to the pub, has been that way for years.
MT, sorry mate, no offence intended. But I just thought it was a bit odd that the bells were ringing every 15mins and on the hour all night every night.
I'll take ear plugs next time. Thanks for supporting the event. I made a point of trying to say thanks to all the Marshals every time I passed. Having marshaled at a few events myself, its always nice to get a thanks.
Sunday sport for me, barely ridden this year so was on the edge of my comfort zone. Plus was with Phil H when he had his 'nap' on stage four for a bit so just had fun after that as lost a chunk of time. Was quite a few people walking or stopping at the top of bits but was never going to worry the podium so didn't bother me that much.
@lowey no offense taken at all, tried to comment with a laugh. We just don't notice the church bells at night, never occurred to me that you were talking about the clock bells. Think of it as all part of country life. Bharrr, now were me favorite girl (ewe).
Well, overall I had a great day. Was in for the full enduro same as last year. 6 weeks ago I slipped a disc in my back, so with a lot of careful back 'managment' I decided to go and enjoy if as a nice day out on the bike and not be bothered about the time. Huge lack of fitness with no riding in the last 8 weeks really and holding back in places due to my back, I got around in 23:06. Had two comedy moments that lost me around 30 seconds or so. Stage 3, my goggles fell off knocking my glasses to the end of my nose. Had to stop and sort that out. Then on stage 6 my GoPro launched itself off the helmet mount down the hill. Luckily a guy fixing a puncture caught it!
Enjoyed all stages, with 3 being my least favourite. The transition from 4 was a huge improvement. I hope they keep that for next year. SRAM were also very helpful 😉
'till next year!
25:05 for me, lost my chain 7 times on the first 3 stages 👿 Made a ghetto chain guide out of zip ties and accepted that I could only go down stages in 4th gear. Once i'd got my head round that I wasn't racing I enjoyed the last 3 stages, stage 5 was great, if it wasn't for the pedally bit at the start I think i'd have got a decent time!
Definitely going to be booking on the saturday next year (and making sure my bike is working!)
Does anyone Know why they shut the steepish shoots on stage one Sunday earlier riders got to ride proper route.They sent later riders round the blue very little chance to overtake added well over a minute to the stage.Had a great weekend hopefully back next year in main enduro. Quicker refresh needed
Believe there where a few crashes on them?
One guy took a tumble of the chute from top to bottom. He was being worked on by the MRT when we went past.
Whoever he was sending healing vibes. Apparently his helmet was smashed up.
Thought it must have been but there were crashes everywhere on Sunday.
What time did the Sunday stage 1 diversion happen? In was in place by the time we got there from a 0940 start.
Not sure sounds like it must have been fairly early on.Hope whoever it was is Ok
Obviously the time loss due the diversion is what I'm blaming for my lack of podium position. Cough
Saw one guy being put in mountain rescue much later on, hopefully precautionary rather than anything too serious.
Ah - that explains why my stage 1 result was my best then (7:55 start).
although find that hard to believeadded well over a minute to the stage
If each stage had a diversion put in after i'd gone through might have got close.Do you think it can get many more riders racing on the sunday. Would have thought its about at its limit. People I spoke to said it was far busier than last year.
Dont think it was just the diversion that added time it was just very difficult to pass same with a lot of places i suppose.
Interesting to read a lot of people were dropping chains..
I had a few mechanicals last year (dropped chain despite thick-thin and clutch, and puncture..), so made a few changes to the bik:
-pauls chain keeper
-higher rear pressure in the tyre, and it was a brand new tyre too (Hans damph, tubeless)
This year I had NO issues - the chain keeper saved my ass many times, I just know it! Plus, being on a hardtail does ping you about a bit!
Also, the luftkappe Pike mod was brilliant - the forks were just sooo good!!
DrP
I don't think numbers is an issue, more of an issue is folk riding tracks that are above their ability levels tbh.
No way folks should be walking down stuff, none of it is particularly techy.
That steep chute on stage 1 may not have been 'that' techy but if you got it wrong there wasn't a nice place to land. It was a long way down and plenty pointy. It was the only obstacle that gave me a proper wobble.
although find that hard to believe
Easily 40 - 50 seconds difference. There's an uphill traverse!
Last year me and my mates all rode together and did the red chute. There was a few seconds difference between all our times.
This year they set off at 7:55 and did stage 1 in around 5 minutes. I set off in the last group (11:25) when it was taped off and managed a 5:52.
Just got back from an extended stay in reeth. Stayed in a cottage with the family for a few days holiday and rode the sport on the Sunday.
Was pleased to make it down the steepest chute on stage 3 that caught me out last year, but then took a nasty tumble further down, hit a large flat faced rock straight on. Now got a swollen hand and a black thigh!! Lost my chain on the fast double track section and had to tighten up my headset at the feed stop. Ended up with a time of 30 mins.
Brilliant day though, totally unlike any other day out on the bike for me.
I was in last group also. I was basing the extra time on mates who went on Sat.
First Ard Rock, did the sport and had a brilliant time.
Unfortunately a few mechanicals - I took a few band out the rear shock the night before, got to the start of the first stage and was running a bit low in the travel, stuck my shock pump on, and it choose that moment to fail spectacularly and dump all the air or of my shock. If you're the kind soul that lent my mate a pump to help, thank you! But for some reason it was still leaking air, so got in as much as I could and ended up running about 45% sag for the whole thing...
Stage 1+2 were so busy, got stuck in a traffic jam with no way past without pulling a serious dick move, so just enjoyed it.
4 then added me to the list of people dropping chains. Lost the outer plate of my upper guide a while ago, and never had an issue, even on blacks at BPW. But my first pedal stroke on stage 4 after the Marshall yelled 'it's all down hill from here!' and the chain dumped. Gwinned it as far as I could, but had to jump off and get the bugger back on, which was soooooooo frustrating as I was on a charge up until that point stages 5 and 6 were great, loads of courtesy from people letting others passed.
Bloody brilliant weekend, top half of results which was all I wanted. Huge props to the organisers. I'm up here for the rest of the week, but if the trails are like the one the guy from the bike shop sent me on yesterday, I'm not sure I'll be doing much more pedalling!
Now, time to try and find the outer guide plate from a TRS+ guide, and a shock pump...
Reading this thread doesn't exactly make me eager to give it a go (crowded race runs, noisy ****s)... but I might come along next year and run a stall selling chain devices.
I don't think numbers is an issue, more of an issue is folk riding tracks that are above their ability levels tbh.No way folks should be walking down stuff, none of it is particularly techy.
+1, completely agree! I entered the sport catagory as it was coined as being more relaxed, being our first ard rock we didn't want to be the ones holding people up. Became fairly aparant fairly quickly that we had got it wrong and should of gone on the Saturday. Not saying that my group are lightning fast, but it was frustrating as hell with people stopping on the trails. We kind of got it and too it for what it is, no point in getting upset or pressuring people. Just we got the catagory wrong! Next year if we get through the entry lottery I'm going Saturday race!
As for the stage 1 diversion, I can believe it added a minute. It was a fair old lump added on plus it was impossible to over take and there was a climb in the mix. We were in the 10:50 start so pretty late and there was still some poor chap on the side of the hill awaiting rescue
Reading this thread doesn't exactly make me eager to give it a go (crowded race runs, noisy ****)... but I might come along next year and run a stall selling chain devices.
Na Stacy, it's brilliant, but I'd avoid the sport and do the main enduro. Marshalls are pretty relaxed and allow a decent 20-30 secs between you and folks in front, only one person held me up, a lass on the traverse along the middle of stage one, but I could see she was really trying, and new that there was a wide corner at the end of that bit to pass.
It's defo not too busy.
Hardest part of the weekend was getting people to dance to the band me and my Mrs dancing at the start 🙂 Great weekend marshalled on Stage 1 at the gully on Friday Rode the event Saturday trashed my rim on stage 3 in the mud bath the punted on tubes on 4 and 6 Marshall ed on stage 6 on the jump that was closed on Sunday:-( Great event big up to Shima no for a new shifter and Sam for the brand new reverb