[Closed] Are you Tough enough - Army cycling Union

Yep, done it both years, great event, enter.

I have a score to settle, I destroyed my chainrings in the first one and had to walk half a lap back to the start, then last year I tried to ride a 6 hour XC race, crashed, and blew up spectacularly.

This year I will finish dammit!

I'm hoping that the Dalby NPS will filter out a lot of the quick boys too, leaving me a chance of a decent position!

No. Im not tough enough 🙁

Rossi, You should bring ya camera!!!

Possibly. Where actually is it?

I was in the Territorial Army for 12 months in my mid 20s and that was tough enough.

It's very near the Porridge Pot Hill Gorrick Venue, Deepcut way.

Good course, last year it was insanely loamy, it's looking like that may be the case again frankly!

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Sounds like it could be a laugh. I'll defo give it some thought

sounds good, really looking forward to it been on a downer since getting back from Mayhem, This time last week I was in a field having the best weekend of the year with all my bike buddies!!! Seems a bit rubbish now sat in my office bored....

Ha, ha, I am up there 2moz doing course prep I will get the watering cans out!!!!!

The Course has changed some what this year and at the moment it is bang on 8 Miles.

It will be fun, join the Army for the day LoL!!!!!!! Move It.

It's a far better course than Mayhem! Generally been a decent compromise between fireroad/singletrack too. My only criticism was the race starts, in 2008 the 2 hour race started 15 minutes behind the 4 hour one, although I think there's longer gaps now to avoid traffic.

They've got the Gorrick team involved, so it's run really well.

The course is much better than Mayhem. But kinda soft as njee says. I did the 4 hour last year on Speedkings and binned it on every lap as there wasnt enough 'bite', and I am seriously rubbish. Its a singletrackfest and hard work, very much like a Gorrick .
Being a div I have entered the 6 hour male Vet this year. Will be on the FS and not the Zaskar, with nobbly tyres .

think the guy in the pic needs some cornering lessons !!

I reckon he's pedalling still, hence the slightly dodgy 'inside foot down'.

Definitely need some pretty grippy tyres though, I really can't remember what I used last year, which is annoying, as I want to use sommat grippier this year!

Been riding the Cse all week on Small block eights and Ignitors, the Ignitors have faired best, but not washed totally out on the eights, they will be good for the speed etc.

Couple of rooty ups, 1 new to the cse.

I did a lap of last years course after work today. It is all dry and dusty. The bracken is overgrown in a couple of places, but I am sure that will soon be cleared away. All in all a great course.

Pants, Lou and me are riding over there tomorrow afternoon, so will keep a look out for you - seeing a you have been in hiding for the past few weeks...

Don't forget that pre-entries close on Tuesday.

radoggair - Member

think the guy in the pic needs some cornering lessons !!

this may be my first event i ever enter looks fun 😀

With his weight that far back and to still be pedalling and his front wheel startin to turn the other way whilst his bike is at that angle............. well he's gonna crash aint he

Can i also point out........................... How big are the race boards?? Thats gonna kill your aerodynamics 😉

It's because events in the South get more than 3 riders in each cat, so Timelaps need to be able to read them 😉

its a great course, last years was better still. i was sooo late to the finish line last year it was funny, also very nice to chill out at the end in the sun on the grass seeing people collecting prizes.
cant make this years as im a bit injured still and slow

Nobby Nic (F) / Larsen (R) combo, or is more 'grip' needed on the rear?

I seem to recall I went Ralph/Fred last year, and found it a bit slippery towards the end, a Larsen will be fine though.

I'll stick with Ron/Fred this year I think.

Well that was a toughy in the sun, the course is pretty much clear of the bracken now, only a couple of sections such as Watership Down, Ridgeline, Severn Sisters and Ant Hill Mob to do 🙂

Those who know it have a go, it has been changed from last year though!

Looking forward to riding the course.

Shame I won't be able to do the event as I am riding in Morzine.

It is a good event and well recommended. It is very tough as a course though!

Don't suppose you know if the trolls are riding it this week Pants?

Well i'll be there next week riding 6 hour pairs, looking forward to it.

James

Oh surprise surprise, no category for women 40+, why do we get lumped in with women 18+ ?

Planning to ride the South Downs that day, then saw the flyer for the event and thought about doing it instead, but it annoys me slightly that there isn't a category for the senior women.

Would you rather ride with all the women though and have a race, or be the only one in a category? It's always a difficult one, but I'd always rather have people to race against personally!

Would I be the only one?

What if there was a 40+ category, maybe it would tempt/encourage other vet women to enter?

If there were a 40+ cat we would go off at the same time anyway, so we would be having a race, but with the prospect of winning a place/prize (adjusted according to the numbers in the category/amount of sponsorship available for that cat)

[b]Karinofnine[/b]... sorry for no 40+ Ladies cat, but I have learnt from past experience, Not enough entries, the Army Cyling Union is a non profit organisation, I dont want to waste money on trophies and prizes etc..

With regards to the Trolls Njee we are pre-riding the course on Tuesday meeting @ Deeptcut Spar @ 1900hrs riding for 1915hrs..

Was hoping there would be a pre ride, will have to try and make the trip down 😀

James

oh, maybe I shouldn't 'waste money' on the entry fee then?
I appreciate the dilemma, I had the same thing when I used to organise races myself.
Why don't you advertise a 40+ category for women and if not enough turn up then combine the two cats on the start line? That way you may encourage more entrants. Just a thought. I hope you have a good event.

Cool, I'll try and come along to that then!

I think I'll be popping along to that one. Got the racing bug back after the Wiggle event today

Course Details, ignore the time as it was with a group.

[url] http://connect.garmin.com/activity/38524541 [/url]

Still on for tomorrow night pants?

Yepp still on! Just got home from clearing the Cse! Only Watership Down and The Hangover to do now, what a beast it's been lol....

Cool, looking forward to it.

Nice bit of rain today to dampen the dust too, happy times!

I shall see some of you later!

pants - Member
Karinofnine... sorry for no 40+ Ladies cat, but I have learnt from past experience, Not enough entries, the Army Cyling Union is a non profit organisation, I dont want to waste money on trophies and prizes etc..

Why the need for a trophy? Just publish the result in the traditional categories as well as the specified ones - easy enough with computers.

It's not so much fun if you turn up to a race and you don't know if you have anyone your age to race against, but it's still better to race than not race 🙂

I'd rather race 20 randoms than 3 people my age though, perhaps Karinofnine is different. When I was a junior and you got the same 5-6 riders at every race it was incredibly dull being able to tell exactly where you'd finish before you'd even started!

Me to I'd rather race young'uns. In cross as an over 50 I could race with novices and probably win. But racing pros, elites etc etc is far more rewarding even if I am off the back and dribbling.

oldgit - Member
Me to I'd rather race young'uns. In cross as an over 50 I could race with novices and probably win. But racing pros, elites etc etc is far more rewarding even if I am off the back and dribbling.

I understand Karinofnine's frustration. I'm usually lumped in with the 45 year olds. At 45 I was as fit as I was in my 20s and hadn't seen any decline. But since then..... 🙁

I might turn up if I'm not up north.

Meant to go the last two years but other stuff happened.

Yes, of course, you race everybody. But at the end it's good to know how you stack up against your age group.

I agree with that, but just seeing a V40 or V50 etc on the results sheet is enough for me. Lets face it if I keep racing into my seventies I could be only one of three. You see that now in some big events, you know youre going to podium just for finishing.

I've done this for the last two years – not for the racing but just because the course is fantastic. I can't make it this time round but want to do some riding there when I get the chance – is the area open to the public all the time or can it only be ridden on the day of the army event?

I've just entered, lived in the area for a couple of years and meant to do it but had other engagements. Peoples opinions of the course were enough to get me there.

anono - its open all the time, although you might find an army exercise going on if you're unlucky, in which case you might have to avoid some short sections.

whats the course like just out of interest? is it tough and/or just a good ride?

I've not ridden it but others have said its fast and fun in previous years.

Rode it on Tuesday, it's good fun. A couple of little grunty hills, I big-ringed the entire lap though. Lots of fast flowing singletrack, it's very loamy, I'm gonna stick a grippier tyre on the back.

One little roll-in, which will have a chicken run, nothing else that'll catch people out.

It's gonna be good fun!

Did you make it round the hairpin on the No Quitting climb in the big ring? Its hard enough on a singlespeed!

Reckon I'll be doing this as well, I hope it's better conditions than the monsoon conditions that hit the last Gorrick enduro 🙂 Can't afford many more of those type of races

Did you make it round the hairpin on the No Quitting climb in the big ring?

Yep, literally the whole course. Assume that's the climb with the two switchbacks, after the loose descent by the fenceline?

would new nobby nics at front and racing ralph at the rear be grippy enough?

Definitely, I had a Rocket Ron and a Furious Fred, they weren't too bad, the Fred was just a bit slidey! I'll be running Rons both ends.

Assume that's the climb with the two switchbacks, after the loose descent by the fenceline?

Yep, that's it. You sorted that dodgy front wheel bearing yet? 😉

Yes, no more horrific rumbling! Also addressed the massive dent in the rear rim, and the rear bearings. Suffice to say the wheels feel a fair bit nicer now!

Yes that's the one. I find it hard to get round that switchback in a big gear. Don't think I'll be attempting it in the big ring during the race!

You said it's hard on a singlespeed, but big ring/top of the block is easier than that! I've got a 42t big ring and an 11-36 cassette too, so it's slightly easier.

Oh ok, I'm less impressed with your feat now 🙂 I don't tend to use the top end of the block/big ring combo - until its several hours into an enduro and brain-fade sets in!

What distance are you doing? I'm going for 6 hours again - your last chance to beat me before I slowly fade into Vets next year :p

That's why you need a double, big/big chainline is still perfectly good!

Only doing 2 hours, get bored after that! I'm hoping the quick folk will be at Dalby and I'll do alright!

So the big-ring is actually a middle ring (ie. 32) when you've got double/bash? Or you did it on a 44?

I did it on a 42. 28/42 double, with the rings in the same position as the granny/middle would be on a triple.

Fairynuff. 🙂

Yes, no more horrific rumbling! Also addressed the massive dent in the rear rim, and the rear bearings. Suffice to say the wheels feel a fair bit nicer now!

Oh good. You were really letting the side down with that shonky old bike the other week! 😉

It's got matching brakes and shifters too now!

Just needs new jockey wheels now... I'll try not to be such an embarrassment next time 🙂

Loamy.. oh great! How does the course condition compare with last year? Wasn't it tipping it down? Just been looking at the times from last year and want to know if I should be aiming for a lap every 35-50mins or what.

On Tuesday it wasn't as dusty as last year (certainly no rain, it was insanely dry!), and the 2 worst bits have been taken out. However last year the course got much worse throughout the event, I reckon it'll hold up better this year. A bit of rain tomorrow wouldn't go a miss though.

Not sure on overall lap length, I'd have said slightly shorter, so yeah 35-50 mins seems reasonable for most.

Off to a wedding reception shortly so good luck to all tomorrow. If you see me - red maxlight xc120 - then say hello!!

Ditto, Top Fuel, black/yellow kit, white helmet, green glasses!

I will be on the naked carbon Proflex oz with black bombers , and Dezb will be on his gunmetal old shaped 575.
Looking forward to the course , if not the pain
rob

How did you guys get on? An awesome course but I felt so unfit today and some people were far too quick for their own good

Pretty much as standard, 3 laps in about 2.5 hours is about par for my age and fatness level 😉

Great course, tonne of s/track and not too much to moan about on the climbs. Nice people too in the main as they came past me at light speed, only one arse and he crashed shortly after on a loamy corner so that's karma for you.

Only one issue. Why can't I do a tight RH switchback? Every time on 'No Quitting' as I rounded the first corner I wheelied out and dabbed (OK, one time tried to dab with the downhill foot and rolled into the bracken - thanks to whoever pulled me out). The LH one, and the other steeper but more gradual one were OK, just that first one!

At least you can ride the rest Jon. I had trouble riding anything that wasn't in the downward direction! Really annoyed about my punctures. Reckon I would have done slightly better although the other guys were superfit

I got 8th, 4 laps in 2:40, good fun, was surprised by the calibre of rider actually, some quick folk turned up!

Imagine the course was seriously dusty after 6 hours, bad enough after 2!

Saw PP taking photos, where can we expect to see them Pete!?

I was amazed by the number of punctures. There's nothing prickly out there so assume it's snakebites, but what pressures are people running then?

Few lose bits that may have been causing issues perhaps.

I was tubeless, but running just over 30psi both ends.

If it's any consolation I can't ride LH switchbacks for sh1t! I had to dab twice on the LH switchback on No Quitting!