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So ... what other events are there, in the North (of England), of a similar level of technicality / difficulty? I've heard Ard Rock / Ard Moors are harder ... so am not interested in doing those. But would be up for something at the same level as Boltby.
To be honest, I thought Boltby was more difficult that I thought it was going to be but can't recall anything at Ard Rock for example being significantly more difficult. Its a LOT more rocky and its a bigger day out (the transitions can be brutal) but I wouldn't say its miles different in terms of difficulty...
My view compared to Ard Rock is AR is merely longer and with more climbing/descent. Technically no different - all obstacles rollable or B-line. Arguably the terrain is easier as there is only a short section of woods in the whole event and generally the line choice is a bit more forgiving - you've more likely to knacker a tyre on a rock than drop off the single track or bounce into a tree. Boltby stage 1 bears some resemblance to a couple of the AR stages.
AR (Epic Fri, Enduro Sat, Sport Sun) - 7 stages, 25 miles, 4800 ft
BB - 5 stages, 19 miles, 2800 ft
The Sunday and new Friday races at AR attract a more leisurely crowd - the standard in the single race Boltby has is definitely (inevitably) a higher standard which could be intimidating, so as long as you pick the right day / event at AR the only limiting factor is your stamina and fitness.
Plus there are the shorter 3/4 stage races at AR that are a subset of the main event - https://ardrock.co.uk/ard-rock-22-tickets/
(I am not a racer)
To DaveyBoyWonder's 'transitions can be brutal' point, here's the profile. S1-4 transitions are tough but it does get easier. Mostly pedalable on tarmac / doubletrack though so you have a choice of whether you want to walk or ride.
Ard Rock is like Boltby Stage 1, 5 times, but longer.
It might just be me, but I found (as I posted on here a few months back) Ard Moors much, much more difficult,. which i think is down to the percieved level of exposure and/or stage length. And the transitions are horrific - like hike a bike on your back horrific.
Boltby is just right for me - I absolutely love it.
I'd reccomend the NRB Events/Birdsall Blast 'Enduros' too - Theres beeen three so far. They are easy - trail bike territory, with a shortish lap and no monster transitions - but super fun, good value, and reward a bit of fitness too on some of the pedally bits.
You get 2 goes at each stage which is decent aswell.
Yorkshire Pudding 2 dayer is in July, I'll be there.
Also - the one I really fancied was the planned 'Ard-Dales', that had the potential to be brilliant too but I dont think it ever ran when CV19 kicked off.
Forgot about the NRB events - think I was signed up to do one last year but forgot it was on! May do the one coming up if theres still space..