Great event, some quality riding to be had up there!
Had a fall on first stage near the bottom (and lost my flapjack 😡 ), had a puncture and chain came off on the last stage, other than that it was a really good day!
Brilliant event again and thanks to all the organisers and marshals. I did my best "Aaron Gwin" on stage 4 after flatting the rear down the first gully. Quite good fun trying to control the rear all the way down but bloody knackering! Sorry to the 3 or 4 riders that I may have held up, I was trying to keep out of the way but still get down the course in a reasonable time. Based on times relative to my mate, I figure the flat cost me around 2 minutes extra. All part of the fun!
darrenspink - Member
Absolutely shattered, not doing that on a hardtail again.
SO much fun on a HT!
Were the stages the same as last year?
I think I heard someone say they changed one, wouldn't know which one though!
I "think" someone said stage 3 had a change to it. And stage 4 was all new for this year.
Stage 1 had a shorter, steeper ending to it but otherwise the same. Stage 2 was exactly the same. Stage 3 set off down a different gully but was more or less the same once you picked up the ridge before the 'big steep bit'. Stage 4 was all new. Stage 5, apart from the start being 5 metres before the stone wall rather than on it, was the same.
Well I had a grand weekend out, even with the occasionally hilarious weather conditions. I did the challenge thing on the Saturday, it was great fun, but I reckon I'll be back for the Enduro proper next year if I get chance. I loved the timed stages, they were just the right level of challenging and fun for me. We had a wander round stages 1 and 5 on the Sunday and there was a very wide range of abilities on display, but most people seemed to be having a great time.
(Tell you what though, they might want to get more bogs in next time, they were pretty grim by Sunday morning.)
Yes, 8 portaloos wasn't enough. I went to use the toilet on Sunday afternoon just before we left and they were "full"!
the marshalls on stage 3 were taking a pummeling from the wind, the flag ripped right off the pole at the top of 3 as I was waiting to start
Marshalls were great, course was great. Had a great time, but a pinch flat right at the top of 5, which I decided to repair rather than ride out/run means my time was appalling.
Glad I did fix it though as 5 was an absolute blast and I wasn't wasting that final transition!
I didn't enjoy the new stage in practice, but it was fine in the race. That boggy climb out was no fun though!
Top weekend.
It was a great event! First time riding in that part of the world and loved it.
Does anyone know if the results of the All mountian challenge are out anywhere? I cannot find it on the Sportident website!
Found it! as you were.
This has just reminded me how slippy the bottom of stage 1 was.
Another great weekend at the Ard Rock enduro for me and my lad. Found it harder going than last year though, and my body is feeling it today! I think it was the new section 4 that finally drained my legs or the climb out of it.....how long was section 4, it seemed to go on for ages? Some great riding, great views and good banter. Thanks to the marshalls and anyone else who made it happen. Top do!!!! 😀
Four was ace and I really liked the changes that got you there and out - even the bog fest in the ferns by the river.
I thought S1 was changed at the top and a little less 'banzai!' than last year although still a big 'boom!' of a first stage.
I was gutted by 5 - I just didn't have any pedal left to do it justice and it had dried out to properly quick.
I did last years' on a Chameleon and this years' on a Zesty. Both good, both different. Hardtails rock but bouncy is good also.
Did anyone see the guy on the tandem with young child in stoker position???
I can't believe some people (according to Marshals) were whining it was too hard. Neither hell nor high water could keep me away from 2015.
The tandem guy was Guy Kesteven, it's a nicolai I think , the kid must have a bit of bottle!
I found it difficult compared to last year but then I haven't been riding for the 3 months up to race day, I still didn't do to bad considering, I'll definitely be back next year and I'll definitely be putting the training in for then!
The kid can't see anything. Which with Guy choosing where you go probably helps.
Have you seen any photo's of the event yet? I'm guessing they will be on rootsandrain sometime soon?
Kesteven's tandem is awesome! Jim Buchanan and I did a couple of laps of the car park field on it. #fullenduro Guy also decided to show me how well it skids... A 180 degree skid on a tandem when you're the stoker is damn scary.
Hehe - if that was Sunday afternoon then I saw that
Looked ace fun
[quote=vincienup]Did anyone see the guy on the tandem with young child in stoker position???
They were just in front of me on the steep section of Stage 1 on Saturday.. got the bike proper sideways (to the point I thought it was going to dig in and they were going over) before letting of the brakes and riding it out - awesome! B-)
The kid can't see anything.
I dunno, she was peering right round dad for a good look when I was following them down the ace wiggly bit after stage 2. Top work from the both of them. 🙂
she was peering right round dad for a good look
That's caught her a smack in the head on a tree before!
If anyone's interested I've done a write up of my weekend there.
http://cycopathcycles.co.uk/team-race-reports/
As all the others have said great weekend, great atmosphere and thanks to all the marshals!
Had a cracking weekend too. Think doing a full course reccy in the torrential rain on Saturday was not my best ever decision. Glad I stuck it out for the Sunday even though I really didn't feel like it by the time I made it back on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday was all pain, but Sunday was definitely a fun day!
Gaz2405 - many thanks to your co-pilot Lorna as her words of advice got me up that steep bit too!
Guy and Daughter looked to be having a great time and when they when through the wall top of 5 if she had not had spd`s I reckon she would have gone three feet in the air when the back kicked up over the stones.
It looked so much fun that they may lose a marshal for next year and gain an entrant.
Photos here guys n girls
[url=
Been through about 2000 photos of the Sunday and managed to find just 1 of myself. I can't be photogenic enough! Seem to see loads of some people.
More photos here - [url=
There where five of me, clearly pure eye candy.
Three of me, obviously not colourful enough.
Four. Need to get more colourful for next year. And quicker 🙂
Just sussed it, I must have been too quick and they couldn't catch me. Otherwise how could the soenduro orange shorts have failed to catch the lens?!
Only found two of me too. One where I am almost entirely obscured by heather and the other where I am paddling with one foot. Both are a bit shit
I need to work on my enduro face for next year.
Facebook seems to struggle with showing that many pics on my old laptop at least.
Found one more of me in the Sunday Part 2 album. A much better shot but I'm gurning somewhat
I think next time they need to put the top riders out first.
A lot of riders were in the way through no fault of their own even giving two minute gaps.
Our rider overtook some 20 riders on section 4 and ran over a rider on 1 having passed 8 riders.
would be good to clear the elite off first
Just found finishers photos here - [url=
photos on facebook[/url]
Some photo's are up on roots and rain now too 🙂
https://www.rootsandrain.com/race2519/2014-aug-3-ard-rock-enduro-ard-rock-enduro-swaledale/photos/
I just look knackered in every photo!
I have an impostor on Roots and Rain, or is it me that's his impostor? Or maybe I just need to get them to spell my name correctly 😆
Nice
I just look knackered in every photo!
Thats because it was knackering!
Just looking at mine, think I need a better backpack...and shoes, and bike of course.
Little write up on pinkbike 🙂
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/ard-rock-enduro-an-epic-adventure-2014.html
