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[Closed] Are you Tough enough - Army cycling Union

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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.


 
Posted : 29/06/2010 10:11 am
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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?


 
Posted : 29/06/2010 11:00 am
 Taff
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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.


 
Posted : 29/06/2010 9:36 pm
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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.


 
Posted : 29/06/2010 9:43 pm
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whats the course like just out of interest? is it tough and/or just a good ride?


 
Posted : 30/06/2010 10:47 pm
 Taff
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I've not ridden it but others have said its fast and fun in previous years.


 
Posted : 01/07/2010 11:34 am
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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!


 
Posted : 01/07/2010 11:42 am
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Did you make it round the hairpin on the No Quitting climb in the big ring? Its hard enough on a singlespeed!


 
Posted : 01/07/2010 11:52 am
 DT78
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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


 
Posted : 01/07/2010 11:54 am
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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?


 
Posted : 01/07/2010 11:56 am
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would new nobby nics at front and racing ralph at the rear be grippy enough?


 
Posted : 01/07/2010 11:57 am
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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.


 
Posted : 01/07/2010 12:00 pm
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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? 😉


 
Posted : 01/07/2010 12:03 pm
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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!


 
Posted : 01/07/2010 12:07 pm
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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!


 
Posted : 01/07/2010 12:08 pm
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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.


 
Posted : 01/07/2010 12:09 pm
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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


 
Posted : 01/07/2010 12:16 pm
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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!


 
Posted : 01/07/2010 12:20 pm
 DezB
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So the big-ring is actually a middle ring (ie. 32) when you've got double/bash? Or you did it on a 44?


 
Posted : 01/07/2010 12:26 pm
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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.


 
Posted : 01/07/2010 12:27 pm
 DezB
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Fairynuff. 🙂


 
Posted : 01/07/2010 12:32 pm
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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! 😉


 
Posted : 01/07/2010 12:37 pm
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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 🙂


 
Posted : 01/07/2010 1:12 pm
 Taff
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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.


 
Posted : 01/07/2010 2:29 pm
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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.


 
Posted : 01/07/2010 2:38 pm
 Taff
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Off to a wedding reception shortly so good luck to all tomorrow. If you see me - red maxlight xc120 - then say hello!!


 
Posted : 03/07/2010 2:09 pm
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Ditto, Top Fuel, black/yellow kit, white helmet, green glasses!


 
Posted : 03/07/2010 2:45 pm
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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


 
Posted : 03/07/2010 3:26 pm
 Taff
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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


 
Posted : 04/07/2010 4:56 pm
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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!


 
Posted : 04/07/2010 6:55 pm
 Taff
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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


 
Posted : 04/07/2010 7:12 pm
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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!?


 
Posted : 04/07/2010 7:16 pm
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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?


 
Posted : 04/07/2010 7:17 pm
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Few lose bits that may have been causing issues perhaps.

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


 
Posted : 04/07/2010 7:19 pm
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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!


 
Posted : 04/07/2010 7:20 pm
 br
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Nick - you were slacking, I saw you miss at least one pedal stroke on your way past the pits - and only 4 laps!

Us old men did 6 laps - in 6.5 hours...

Top course, and top event - thanks guys.


 
Posted : 04/07/2010 7:27 pm
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Sorry Nick,I got past you on the 3rd lap I was on a sworks HT.I see you made 4 laps as well,I was recovering from having to pump my tyre up twice after flating on the first lap(Bloody Flyweights)It was a cracking course but i can feel it now though.


 
Posted : 04/07/2010 7:37 pm
 Taff
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I didn't see any of you guys but think I may have seen DezB on the 456 at the top of the bomb hole


 
Posted : 04/07/2010 7:45 pm
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Taff, i think i was stood next to you when the 4 hr race started, i was on a Kiknesis XC Pro3 with an Army top on, should have checked this thread earlier.

Did 6 hour pairs, thoroughly enjoyed the route, had a massive blow out on my last lap but still managed a slightly above average time 🙂

Just wondering what i'm going to do next now.


 
Posted : 04/07/2010 7:49 pm
 Taff
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You were indeed! I did eye up a few other maxlights

Does anyone have the email of the bloke taking photos? Had a flyer but can't find it now


 
Posted : 04/07/2010 7:52 pm
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Sorry Nick,I got past you on the 3rd lap I was on a sworks HT.I see you made 4 laps as well

That explains why you were flying when you came past me, no way was I gonna get on your wheel! I saw your bike before, Maxxlite 310s wasn't it!? I rode the course on Tuesday and a Furious Fred on the back was rather slidey! You must've been having fun in the loam!


 
Posted : 04/07/2010 8:20 pm
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I am slightly biased but I thought it was a great event. We finished 2nd in the 6hrs Mixed pairs race, after a very close fought competition from the start. I don't think 1st to 4th was ever separated by more than 10 mins. The last lap was pretty tough and cramp was starting to set in big style, very pleased to get around in 42 mins for that one.

Taff, it was Peterpoddy of this forum taking pics. The flyer just said to email him on poddypix@gmail.com with your race number.


 
Posted : 04/07/2010 9:21 pm
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Very enjoyable event. Think I had that "Stirling Moss" look at the end - face covered in dust apart from the white eyes which were kept clean by the glasses. Only managed 7 laps but found the last three laps were much more fun than the others !!!! Not sure why that was as I was rather tired by then.


 
Posted : 04/07/2010 10:00 pm
 DezB
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Hey Taff, it was Peter Poddy taking pics. I'm sure he'll post something up here tomorrow.
I was on my 575, not a 456, Wrong number 🙂


 
Posted : 04/07/2010 10:12 pm
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Glad you all enjoyed it and thanks for making it a great event by turning up 🙂

Now relaxing at last with a beer, I even had a tough day!!!! Lol

Cheers.


 
Posted : 04/07/2010 10:12 pm
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