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Ard Rock 2018
 

[Closed] Ard Rock 2018

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Just go along anyway and heckle, Potdog. Deck chair, few beers and a cowbell out on the last stage will be a fun day.


 
Posted : 30/07/2018 4:39 pm
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busting 3 ribs

It's not like sitting still makes them heal quicker is it? I mean you don't even really need them do you, it's not like it's your legs or something. Ride it anyway* and be safe in the knowledge it won't be some womble starting their genny or the bloke emptying the Portaloos that keeps you awake over night.

*this might not be medically sound advice, I'm not a doctor, though on the several occasions I've broken ribs i found they hurt, rather a lot, regardless of what i did be that riding my bike or sitting drinking tea and being miserable in front of the telly. The only things which made them worse were sneezing or laying down.


 
Posted : 30/07/2018 4:40 pm
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Got an 11am start time for the sport on Sunday this year. Is it likely to be a nightmare with traffic? I'm not arsed about competing but I'd  like to be able to have relatively clear runs at everything and I've heard plenty of moaning  in previous years!!

Last two times I've had much earlier start times and not experienced any problems. Always put myself down as just hoping to get round, so bit annoyed this year, would much prefer an early start.


 
Posted : 30/07/2018 4:45 pm
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Think i started similar time last year Richard, didn't have any issues. Fair few riders out but no one held me up.


 
Posted : 30/07/2018 4:51 pm
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(Last year) the demo bike loop was not the race stages. You're supposed to have a race number on your bike before you practice (I suppose to stop people who haven't paid to race just turning up and riding).

HTH


 
Posted : 30/07/2018 5:28 pm
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Will more than likely be along for the heckle, beats sitting at home. But after the 11 hours in A&E having CT scans and visit from the thoracic surgeon I think I'll be taking the advise and staying off the bike for a bit.


 
Posted : 30/07/2018 5:37 pm
 mt
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Bring your sou'wester, its just been bouncing down.


 
Posted : 30/07/2018 6:49 pm
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Forecast looks okay from now and through the weekend though. Glad it's a bit cooler to be honest some of those draggy climbs in 30 degrees would have been torture.


 
Posted : 30/07/2018 9:07 pm
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Currently sporting bruised ribs,   a worrying lump on the side of my knee and a little finger at a slightly more jaunty angle than normal. The ground really is like concrete at  the mo.

Hoping the knee sorts itself out, signs are good as the ribs now hurt more than the knee.

Also lost my wallet so hoping an expired driving licence will do for ID as my passport seems to have vanished, probably due to brexit.


 
Posted : 30/07/2018 9:21 pm
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Does anyone know long is the demo route is?


 
Posted : 30/07/2018 9:22 pm
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Last year's was 8.3km and 310m vert


 
Posted : 30/07/2018 9:45 pm
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Weather looks good (almost perfect) bit of rain should have made the trails prime 😘


 
Posted : 30/07/2018 10:09 pm
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My mum's in hospital n I may have to move in with her when she's out short term so I don't know if I'll be there....

Guttef


 
Posted : 30/07/2018 10:40 pm
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Weather looks good (almost perfect) bit of rain should have made the trails prime

It's that sort of talk will have it pissing down come the weekend 😉


 
Posted : 30/07/2018 10:54 pm
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First time there this year. Doing the Saturday one so hopefully will be able to practice a bit on the Friday.

Can't wait!


 
Posted : 30/07/2018 11:51 pm
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What are the transitions between the Enduro stages like? Doing to sport and my fitness ain't what I was hoping it was going to be by now. Not so worries about the downs as my technique is hang on and hope at the best of times... however getting to up to them is a different matter...


 
Posted : 31/07/2018 12:37 am
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Transitions are fine, one has largely involved a push up for most people anyway, otherwise they're just long draggy climbs, they're not really timed though so just take your time.


 
Posted : 31/07/2018 8:26 am
 murf
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Another hi-jack, will the Marathon course have water stations or anything like that? Trying to gauge how much stuff to take round with me and I'm guessing it's not like Glentress 7's where you get free cake at the top of the climb 🙂


 
Posted : 31/07/2018 8:30 am
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Just take your time...

my concern was getting it done before the cut off time 😂 I'm pinning my hopes on the fact the lads I'm doing it with are doing the Marathon the day before so I'm hoping they are going to be suitably knackered and not up to there usual pace!


 
Posted : 31/07/2018 8:31 am
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(Last year) the demo bike loop was not the race stages. You’re supposed to have a race number on your bike before you practice (I suppose to stop people who haven’t paid to race just turning up and riding).

And prevents people in the Sport practicing on the Friday, which for some reason is not allowed.


 
Posted : 31/07/2018 1:21 pm
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Another hi-jack, will the Marathon course have water stations or anything like that? Trying to gauge how much stuff to take round with me and I’m guessing it’s not like Glentress 7’s where you get free cake at the top of the climb

I asked them on FB regarding the marathon water stations and they replied:

..."there will be water and a feed station on the course but please take any extra food and water incase you get hungry. Thanks."

I was just going to go with a couple of bottles (1.75L), a pack of jelly babies and a couple of bars. Maybe a softbottle in the back pocket if it gets very hot again.


 
Posted : 31/07/2018 2:38 pm
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there was one at stage 3 that had run out of haribo by 12 last year. that was it


 
Posted : 31/07/2018 4:47 pm
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Is there a pub part way around the route for a fizzy drink hit? Definitely plan on taking food for the day (pork pies, flap jack, jelly babies).


 
Posted : 31/07/2018 4:51 pm
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Red Lion at Langthwaite is 9 miles and a short diversion means you can drop by at 13miles.


 
Posted : 31/07/2018 5:00 pm
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And prevents people in the Sport practicing on the Friday, which for some reason is not allowed

I guess because the sport isn't a race, so you don't really need to practice.


 
Posted : 31/07/2018 5:19 pm
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that said its the same course and you still get a timing chip :0)


 
Posted : 31/07/2018 6:46 pm
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Did Sunday last year. Last group to go traffic was pretty bad. Really enjoyed it. Mate managed to get me a Saturday ticket. Down as mid pack riders. We are in a group with some blokes called Danny Hart and Sam Dale setting off early. Not nervous at all. Got a feeling might hear rider shouted from behind a few times.


 
Posted : 31/07/2018 7:14 pm
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I'm off at 8 too with Danny Hart 😲


 
Posted : 31/07/2018 7:23 pm
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I’ll look out for you😂stay off the brakes Simon


 
Posted : 31/07/2018 7:35 pm
 murf
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Thanks all, I was planning taking a 2l camelbak plus a bottle on my bike. Some pasta, energy bars etc.

Never done a ride over 37 miles before so a bit out of my comfort zone. 4 of us are travelling down from just outside Inverness, hopefully we all survive...


 
Posted : 31/07/2018 8:15 pm
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Looking forward to the 7.45 start on Sunday for the sport ..been warned by the wife no silliness .. looks like im in trouble , hope to be back at the village for 12;30 with a pizza in hand and a smile on my face


 
Posted : 31/07/2018 8:49 pm
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@Murf - you can ride 37 miles and you live in the Highlands so you shouldn't be too bothered about a ride around England. It's those with Danny Hart steaming up their chuff (Or over their heads. Sideways) that ought to be worried.

I snapped a derailleur cable last night - glad it didn't happen on Sunday cos I don't usually carry a spare.


 
Posted : 01/08/2018 9:46 am
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can intro riders do the practice on Friday?


 
Posted : 01/08/2018 10:13 am
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I think it'sjust enduro and sprint riders that can practice.


 
Posted : 01/08/2018 10:23 am
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It’s those with Danny Hart steaming up their chuff (Or over their heads. Sideways) that ought to be worried.

They'll not see him, peaty or any of the rest of that end of the field after the first climb me thinks, so i doubt they need be worried.

Never done a ride over 37 miles before so a bit out of my comfort zone.

Assuming you're doing the marathon then, but at 60k ish* it's barely over 37mi anyway and the last 1/3rd of a mile will be either down hill or flat you'll be fine.


 
Posted : 01/08/2018 11:20 am
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its basically flat around there so 37 miles shouldnt be an issue

🙂


 
Posted : 01/08/2018 11:35 am
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How are conditions up there?  I was planning on leaving my standard all year/any terrain (except deep winter slop) 2.4 Trail Kings on the bike.


 
Posted : 01/08/2018 1:33 pm
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I'm a fair few miles away but I'd be surprised if it's any different up there than here so...

We've had lots of rain over the last week but everything was so parched it's dried back out pdq. There's a bit of standing water in the shade/usual year round muddy spots but even those are drying out fast. I'll put a beer on it being firm but ever so slightly damp, near perfect riding. That said though the top of frem edge along side the wall will probably still be a bog for a few thousand years after the heat death of the universe.


 
Posted : 01/08/2018 1:48 pm
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Well the marathon was very disappointing. All* perfectly legal public rights of way, 10k short and mostly shooting track.

*except maybe a few hundred yards on the demo loop when it joined up


 
Posted : 05/08/2018 3:29 pm
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£1/km, I certainly will not be doing the marathon again.

The area is stunning especially in these conditions. Next time I visit it'll just cost me the fuel.


 
Posted : 05/08/2018 4:21 pm
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Enjoyed it mostly, but probably won’t go again it was an expensive was to cycle 49k

Great weather helped so enjoyed camping.

Did the Marathon and got the feeling it’s very much the 2nd class afterthought but may have been a bit grumpy as I wasn’t feeling well and had a dodgy tummy and a thick cold.

At 30k in my body just gave up and all I could do was grit my teeth and push on instead of enjoying it and then for the last bit with jumps I just was too tired to trust myself so rolled them.


 
Posted : 05/08/2018 5:15 pm
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The area is stunning especially in these conditions. Next time I visit it’ll just cost me the fuel.

I can't understand anyone going this weekend to ride a BW route, let alone paying that much for it. They should chuck in a bit of stuff that isn't normally 'legit', it's not as if they haven't negotiated access to plenty of it for the other events.

That said though the top of frem edge along side the wall will probably still be a bog for a few thousand years after the heat death of the universe.

Dry as a bone a few weeks back...


 
Posted : 05/08/2018 5:37 pm
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I did the marathon and it was all public bridleway that I've ridden or walked before with very little singletrack. Cant fathom out how the price is justified.  I made a school boy error and left a spacer out of my rear cassette so had a loose cassette the whole way round. With that and the route, I came away disppointed.

Also, how can they advertise a 60km route with 1750m ascent when it was actually 49km with 1390m ascent (by my GPS)


 
Posted : 05/08/2018 5:58 pm
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It’s annoying as it not something that’s easy to get right now with GPS and interactive maps.

and 11k wrong is just sloppy

totally messed up my water as I had 2 bottles and was drinking a bottle per 15km planning to refil both at the 30k halfway water station.

i was a bit thrown when water station appears at 22k

i then stressed I had to make 2 bottles last 48k

very much the 2nd class afterthought


 
Posted : 05/08/2018 6:26 pm
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Also, how can they advertise a 60km route with 1750m ascent when it was actually 49km with 1390m ascent (by my GPS)

Your GPS tallies with mine and several others i spoke to afterwards, a couple of whom were very unhappy. It was billed as 3000m combined climb/descent so 1500m climbing really but yeah 15% short on the distance in a distance event is ridiculous. Add that to it being all PRoW miles and miles of essentially gravel road and it was far and away the worst marathon course I've ever done. I'm not convinced they hadn't forgotten all about it until a week before then just drew a circle on a map and said that'll do.

It felt like it should have come with a free bottle of snake oil.


 
Posted : 05/08/2018 6:28 pm
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