Fellow Doggers it's that time again and the rain is moving in just in time.
Let me know your thoughts on the new course, training, bike choice, how ready you feel for the challenge ahead, tyre choice, motivation, goals.
Riding solo this year again on the Niner Air Nine so hoping that's a good choice. Training has been rubbish this year due to family and on off illness and being a bit lazy.
Now doing emergency catch up sessions on the rower and climbing every hill I can see when on the bike.
Going to train hard right up to the Thursday to try and get my head/body in a good place.
Not long now.
DC
N.b. do we need to be talking about mud tyres again!!!!!
Racing mixed pairs. And will either be riding singlespeed within tyres or geared bike with summer tyres.
emergency catch up sessions on the rower
Reckon its going to be a really wet one then? 🙂
Not done the Dog before, this is my thread check in.
I do note my buddies have advised me whatever happens not to take my singlespeed.
If it's wet, then the singlespeed may actually be the bike of choice as the clay and chalk do a fine job of clagging everything up and the singlespeed hopefully avoids some of the worst of this. Studs on the front of your shoes may also be useful, as some of the narrow climbs tend to be a bit tricky in the wet even on foot.
It will take quite a lot of rain to make it truly horrible, but the long term forecast from yr.no is showing rain in the latter half of next week. Hopefully things will change by then.
I'm local and having been riding last year's course alot recently. Its been super fast and great fun. No idea if they plan on making any changes to the course for this year, but i'm sure whatever they do it will be good.
The course is tight so if your bars are wider than 700mm take care.
Niner Air Nine is perfect bike choice. I'm on a 29er Stumpy and it loves to rail those singletrack trails. If its dry tyre choice would be Ikons, Crossmark or Ralphs.
The first half of the course is the real lung-buster in my opinion. The climbs are short and sharp, with the final climb up "badgers" to the road being the one that sorts men from boys. After that its all good with some lovely singletrack sections.
As said above if it rains alot it will be hell. Not sure riding SS will help much as the climbs are steep and rooty so you struggle for traction, but less probs with stuck gears etc.
If you are in a pair / team take a bike washer or something at least to clean up your drivetrain between laps.
The course is tight so if your bars are wider than 700mm take care.
Really? I usually run 750mm +. Bugger.
I'm tempted to come down from Surrey this weekend for a recce, is it easy to find/follow the likely course?
Really? I usually run 750mm +. Bugger.
Its a personal thing. I've always run bars fairly narrow and not had a problem. Recently went up to 720mm and hit everything, so cut them down to 690mm and now no probs.
Maybe its just me, like a say personal preference and all that.There's plenty of people riding Stanmer with wide bars so obviously not a major problem.
I can say for sure that in some sections the trees are very close.
There's loads of Strava segments of parts of the course but not sure one entire lap is on Strava so not sure how easy it would be to follow the course.
The course is pretty different this year.
There is a lap on strava somewhere I think - although not sure how easy it would be to follow
My first year entering the race so looking forward to it, entered as a team of three with a couple of mates who are considerably fitter than me. My other excuse is I recently sold the bike I was going to race on and haven't had chance to replace it. So if you see someone on a blinged up 150mm FS, black and gold Canyon then that will be me. I'll probably be going rather slow, unless it's downhill and nobody's in front of me.
It also has 720mm bars and I can confirm that I've hit plenty of trees in Stanmer in the past year. Tyres, hmmm, was considering running race kings front and rear but it'd have to be nice and dry for that. I really hope it doesn't rain as it can get plenty slippery round there.
Does the course use both sides of the valley or just western side? I've ridden round whilst they've been setting up the course before and only seen it being taped off there.
Hi,
will be at stammer tea rooms at 9.00 on Sunday (depart 9.15).
Aim is to do a couple of big dog laps and some other stuff not on the course.
If anyone fancies a guided loop of big dog just turn up. Its a bit twisty and doubles back on itself so can't guarantee it will be the exact loop but it won't be far off.
That said if the rain continues we will be walking certain sections i.e badgers.
Wide bars not ideal for stammer as it can be quite narrow in bits but plenty get by.
The widest anyone seems to use around here is 750mm but you have to slow down a bit more to get them through some of the gaps. I noticed quite a big clearance difference going from 670 to 711. It is tight!
It was extremely dusty at the weekend so unless the rain is biblical or it rains just before or during the race then it should be running pretty well. Hoping to get out for a Onederdog lap as I'm not doing the main event this year - slow up, fast down...
The course is on Strava but you haven't a hope of managing to follow it for a practice unless you know your way around, it's just too circuitous. I can string together a lap having ridden it loads but I still take the odd wrong turn!
Tyres, hmmm, was considering running race kings front...
Crashtastic! 😛 If it's dry it'll get dusty and loose, it's wet it'll get muddy and loose.
Chief - what is the main change - are the major features the same or is a more extensive rework of the course.
cheers DC
local (Brighton MTB) so know the trails quite well.
I will be running a pair of rubena kratos 2.25 tyres front and rear.
Good rolling and enough all round grip.
Inherited them with the air nine. Hadn't heard of them before.
Very impressed so far - though haven't tried them in the wet yet.
If they struggle in the wet may put a mud x up front if stammer plays up.
nb wont be running race kings in any conditions - just cant get on with them.
Some of the trails are the same, some bits are ridden in the opposite direction. There is a new climb or 2. The lap is a bit shorter.
Tyres, hmmm, was considering running race kings front...
Crashtastic! If it's dry it'll get dusty and loose, it's wet it'll get muddy and loose.
It'd have to be very dry for me to take the hans dampf off the front! Race King on the rear isn't too bad though. I did have a Ralph but cut it to shreds on that bit of metal that sticks out the ground on what I think is called "the long one".
first visit to Stammer. Should be doing pairs with a mate but if finger hasn't started to fuse wife will be taking my place! We'll see was really looking forward to it.
Does the course use both sides of the valley or just western side? I've ridden round whilst they've been setting up the course before and only seen it being taped off there.no just the one side above the playing field on the left as you enter stammer
really thought it would be ripping this year - its pissing down here in brighton.
it has been dry but wet on dry in stammer is not a great combo!
I can't get there for Sunday as I am marshaling for something else. If anyone was planning riding it another day or eve would like to try to join you if poss? Thx.
@darkcyan I'll try and get down on Sunday, not bothered about doing the exact course, a flavour will do.
OK so I'm going to have to rethink my beloved 785mm bars/60mm stem combo on my Yelli Screamy. Ho hum. /goes off to check the spares bin
yeah 785 mm is a bit too wide!
see you at the tearooms at top of park at 9.00 if you make it.
MY NUMBER IS 07813947674 if you want to fine tune.
cheers nick
it has been dry but wet on dry in stammer is not a great combo!
Agree with that. Nice and hard but with a slippery as ice top layer.
The section through Coldean Woods (other side of the A27) is apparently being run in the opposite direction this year, which means a steeper entry and a longer/gentler climb out. Also, the very top section (where the Brighton Big Log resides) will be missed out.
The section through Coldean Woods (other side of the A27) is apparently being run in the opposite direction this year, which means a steeper entry and a longer/gentler climb out.
Still a steep climb in places and will hurt more as its much longer.
I'm doing the 6 hour Solo 😆
the drop in to coldean could b interesting in the wet. root and off camber I think with a root nest half way down.
The section through Coldean Woods (other side of the A27) is apparently being run in the opposite direction this year, which means a steeper entry and a longer/gentler climb out. Also, the very top section (where the Brighton Big Log resides) will be missed out.
Coldean backwards should be interesting - long climb though! The 'Big Dog Big Log' is further down, the one that gets bunny-hopped or chicken run round to the right, right in the middle of the Great Wood. Do you mean the section over the road from the top of the Badgers' climb aka Sting In The Tail (which is run backwards) which has the big fallen tree which can be ridden over when the tethered logs either side haven't been pulled apart?
anyone been training specially. what have you done.
let me know
The section through Coldean Woods (other side of the A27) is apparently being run in the opposite direction this year, which means a steeper entry and a longer/gentler climb out. Also, the very top section (where the Brighton Big Log resides) will be missed out.
Interesting. So i hope we still get to do the fun final descent into the start finish area, as doing the Coldean Woods bit the other way kind of has you at the wrong part of the course for that. I'm sure they have it covered.
anyone been training specially. what have you done.
Yeah, riding last year's course alot! Now i'll have to ride Coldean section backwards just in case.
Basically you want to be training on short sharp climbs, high intensity 30 - 60 second intervals. On the course there are not lots of places to get a breather (if you want to post a quickish time) so get used to riding hard for 40 - 45 mins. Get your trail radar locked-on, good bike handling in singletrack is also important.
Do you mean the section over the road from the top of the Badgers' climb aka Sting In The Tail (which is run backwards)
I reckon that's the one. Having marshalled there a few years back there were loads of complaints when people were flying down "return of the jedi" across the road towards "A&E". By missing out sting in the tail you'll probably go left before the road and onto Cathedral trail, or they'll take us up the road then left towards A&E.
Interesting. Looking forward to a change of course.
anyone been training specially. what have you done.
2 rides on my singlespeed and halved my crisp intake since the weekend.
that's only half being ironic.
In France this year so going to miss out. Glad they are not using the big dog log trail as its quite dull. Someone needs to engineer some corners on it. Backwards climb put of coldean will be fun. I seem to be fine on 760 bars. The start of the descent is a bit tight but nothing so narrow you won't fit. That said I'm used to it.
45 mins isn't a hard riding lap. As that's what I do normally and I'm no racing snake and only in it for the downs.
Two pennies worth from an average rider who knows them there woods...
Two or three 'dogs ago' I remember the conditions were a mud bath, after a weigh in before and after, i brought nay on 10lb of mud n gloop outta those f'in woods... Rode a geared 29 hardtail, 100mm fork and a fat ralph on the front, If the weather is bad you need tyre clearance or your gonna be pushing/carrying your bike round, remember gonna be an awful lot of people going round and round for 6 hours, when it starts to churn up in stanmer the trail goes to s. Line choice is... hit the tree or gloop it out !!!
If it's wet I'd stay on my 29er, fit the Bonty Mud X and a carbon rigid fork plenty of clearance, keep it geared always grateful for a gear or two and let some air outta my tyres, wet diagonal root sections a plenty, high pressure tyre quick on the up, but scetchy as f over wet roots, let some air out better grip.
If it's dry then it's gotta be a 26" wheel - YETI ASR5 140mm is my rig of choice good trail manners, nice n nimble good acceleration, forever trying to get those big 29" wheels upto speed in Stanmer, I know some will disagree... but word has it there's more singletrack this year and stanmer is notorious for being tight and twisty, so any speed i have to scrub i wanna get back asap.
720mm bar works on both rigs for me, if (sorry) when i catch a lever, it's my own fault. Some sections will be tight and you will have to slow up and lose a little time, where a narrower bar could have edged it.
Suprised no-one has mentioned the clips vs flats debate...
I'd be interested in meeting up with a local when I get back from Hols for a lap of the new track if anyone's up for it. That's if its not bleedin obvious and a foot deep in churned up slop.
Mwuhahhahaaa..... its getting clatty 😀
if its any consolation the SDW is worse over towards lewes....
what pedals;-)
Goin DMR Vaults, may loose some time on the ups but packin Monster so gettin me some GNAR... on the down.
Seriously though... I ride both clips and flats in Stanmer. Though I only find myself in clips when I've been out and about and finish with a favourite run down and out through the park and to be honest it's usually a little more gingerly.
If I'm heading in there to play, I ride flats no question, the ability to dab in a milisecond vs an un-clip inspires a little more confidence in my riding. Especially as Stanmer has this unnerving ability to just keep chucking random features at you when your least expecting it.
Flats in Stanmer are like a get outta jail 'quick' card.
yeah, most people ride flats in stanmer for general trail riding. for big dog though its clipless all the way.
Clipless is definitely the way to go - some hard technical climbs this year and the descents are fast but not too tricky (from what I understand about this years course). As has been said, if it rains, mud will stick to tyres like, well.. mud and clearance will be an issue. Two years ago I had to give up mid-lap when I couldn't clear the mud :(. Useful to have set of Mud-X just in case...
Stanmer was very slippy last night! Oh and Coledeane in reverse is just evil, 😀
Training:
Started with the Lions and moved seamlessly into the Ashes before an impromptu meeting with General Malaise means training has been limited to a couple of rides. On the flip side my boozing has improved beyond my wildest dreams. Still 1 1/2 weeks is plenty of time to get fit, right?
Bike:
The choice is the 150mm f/s which needs new bearings and bushes or the SS. As it is fully working I will be on the SS. And I am already regretting it.
Tyres: ignitors haven't let me down yet, but only 20 miles old. Have mud x just in case.
All I want is to not come last...but if at all possible ahead of dark cyan would keep me happy 😉
timp , if you beat me on a ss im retired;-)
You are old enough to retire...
Just done a skills course there this morning in the rain, it's really slippery and a few puddles too. Hopefully it'll get a chance to dry out.....
good old stanmer, 4 weeks of sunshine, 3 days of rain and its a swamp!
Better wet right through though than wet on dry - thats evil.
sounds like the suns on its way though!
Tim - we will all be judged on the day!
You will be fxxxxxed after six hours on the ss.
cant wait!
Training has consisted of 2 weeks power eating in France.
I'll be on the 29er running a Ralph on the back and Rocket Ron up front. Why? Because that's what's on it.
Might bring the Soul in case its a total shitfest.
Was nearly sick going up summer down last night. This training thing is massively overrated. The beer tent is open all day right?
SS is ok around the Big Dog course, the section over the bridge is quite hard in traffic but its rideable, I'm sure Al from Singular will be racing and chance's are he'll podium. The entry looks big this year, seems to have turned into a classic, hopefully the trails can cope with the traffic
[url= http://chris-noble-mtb.blogspot.com/ ]http://chris-noble-mtb.blogspot.com/[/url]
I've entered singlespeed pairs. I enjoyed the mudfest a few years ago! I'll chuck on the Spesh storms if it's wet and enjoy the slides...
Any ideas on who the winner might be. Any past winners shipping up.
weather is now very hot and news is that its drying out quickly.
Ben and I (and I think Tim) are entered again and I hear Isaac (2nd under 23 at Nat Champs) might be coming too. Not sure which cat Al's doing. Last year it was Ben, Tim, me 1/2/3 but I had some issues with a broken saddle and chainsuck, hopefully now remedied...
if it's dry - my black Yelli Screamy 1x10. If it's wet, and my mate has space in his van for 2 bikes, my Salsa Selma SS.
tyres Nobby Nics both ends both bikes, fit and forget.
darkcyan - MemberAnyone been training specially. what have you done.
let me know.
Had a little swim in the sea today, and the climb up the hill back into town was tough in my flip flops... my training's being going great out here in Croatia. At least the carb-loading is going to plan 😀
6hrs solo round Stanmer was gonna hurt either way, at least I'll be rested. Looking forward to seeing you guys then.
Sounds nice paceman. long steady taper! 😉
As per previous note anyone who wants to look at the course few of us setting out from stanmer cafe, 9.00 sunday morning
big dod daily weather check:-(
dog!!!!! 😉
Has it been raining again?
Biblical thunderstorm...
what was that critter on ground hog day. was it a goffer?
gopher
'Punxatawny Phil' IIRC
thats what we need 😉
what was that critter on [b]ground hog[/b] day. was it a goffer?
on reflection, probably a ground hog!
no idea if that's the same as a gopher, and I refuse to look it up
Been with the kids all day, roasting by the Pells pool in lewes.
Very boring but the flip side is the trails will be drying up.
Did a scoot around the internet but not that much chatter about Big Dog. I guess there are other things going on in the world.
Like new wheel standards - wonder if there will be any 650b's at the race.
Also will there be a mystery guest like in some of the previous years.
Have put some ridiculously narrow 711mm bars on the bike (it feels like it's tottering around on high heels), looked up Stanmer Park Tea Rooms on maps, and am intending to join you Sunday AM. That's the plan anyhoo.
We're going to be hemmed in by the Surrey Classic here on Sunday so it'll be an early start before the roads close. I'm not at my best early Sunday mornings ...
mattig, see you there at nine. its right at the top of the park. drive in through the main entrance. follow the road all the way up past stanmer house. turn right at the junction and then first left. the t rooms are 100 yards on the left.
Chaps, I guess you'll be out riding for a couple of hours tomorrow?
I'm [url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/south-downs-way-conditions-2 ]meeting up with Gribble[/url] early on and was wondering whether to try and swing by on my way back from Ebo.
Not sure who the last post was aimed at but i will be in the park till 12.00.
happy to meet up with anyone who comes late.
number is 07813947674.
will check phone during the ride.
lots of other stanmer trails to ride as well as big dog loop.
Nick if I can haul my a*** out of bed at 6 on a Sunday, and I don't get caught in the road closures (bloody roadies!) I'll be there at 9 ish.
Look for an old dented Saab 900 and a MAMIB (Middle Aged Man in Baggies) on a 29er HT, stealth build. The bike that is not the rider.
Will txt either way. Thx for the directions.
ok will do.
trails will be good as lots of sun today.
cheers nick
darkcyan et al.....you are doing a great public service...please keep us updated on trail conditions - preferably for all of next week as well 😀
.you are doing a great public service...please keep us updated on trail conditions - preferably for all of next week as well
nah you get what you get, chill out & take what comes. was a time I used to get all in a tizzy over snow reports before going skiing, but it was a total waste of time really, it didn't make any difference!
nah you get what you get, chill out & take what comes. was a time I used to get all in a tizzy over snow reports before going skiing, but it was a total waste of time really, it didn't make any difference!
i get your point, but I'll be travelling 5 hours each way, am pretty skint at the moment, and wouldn't hugely fancy pushing my racing ralph shod bike around a slidey muckfest for 6 hours getting my rage on 👿
that said the forecast for the next week in the southeast is looking more promising so hopefully all will be rosy.....
for sure, I went on the recce ride today (thx Nick), it's near optimal I'd say, a tiny bit drier but not too much would be perfect
the descent from the top back to the meadow is fun, one of those trails that feels longer on the way down than the climb to get to it
Trails running well. badgers a little greasy but should be good assuming no more rain.
Coldean in reverse is quite brutal - another long climb to deal with.
A little bit of mud hear and there but generally good.
one of those trails that feels longer on the way down than the climb to get to it
and conditions generally good...
8)
bring it on then!
if the race was today ralphs would be sketchy in a few places but generally ok.
personally i prefer something with a little more grip on the front - but that's me being cautious.
bit of rear spin on the damp grunty climbs as you go over roots. if its really dry no problem. fingers crossed.