Any pointers from people what the course might be like? or able to post me details of it (if it's available)
Interested to know amount of climbing per lap and people's perception of how technically challenging it will be (ie will it be slightly less than the short course Gorricks as it's longer)
Thanks in advance
similar to the gorricks i believe (never done it- always same day as the IOW randonee)
lots of dropous the last couple of years - someone famous and fast described it as the hardest enduro ever!
Usually a mix of familiar Gorricky style singletrack with longer fireroad sections to up the mileage and allow recovery / eating and drinking. Not sure about total climbing, if you know the area the climbs tend to be short and sharp rather than long and gradual, and while there isn't a big elevation change from high to low points in the area, if you go up and down them often enough it soon adds up. 7 ascents of the gravelly climb to the top of the labyrinth was a high point for many last year.......
The comment about 'hardest enduro ever' was specifically about one 3 or 4 years ago. The course designers (to remain nameless but I know who they were) taped half each and then so the story goes, met back at the S/F both with the same comment "I think I've gone a bit over distance" Add the two together and the '10 mile' lap was closer to 13 by all accounts. Couple that to an unusually hot and dry day, and the big lads doing 20 odd miles extra over the course of their event.......
Do you need to bring loads of food and drink or is that provided by the event organisers at feed stations?
I've ridden 5/6 times at Swinley so I know the type of terrain, I also did the 4hr Gorrick enduro in January which had something like 1000m of climbing per lap (I think). Not sure I could cope with much more than that!
Tempted to go for the big 7 and see what happens. It will have been the furtherest I've ever done in a day by quite a bit (I think low 40;s is the most I've done offroad)
There are no feed stations, you need to bring everything you need. There's no arena return or anything either, so only leave bottles at the start if you have enough to get you round 10 miles. I dropped my bottle on the very first descent last year and had to go a complete lap without any water, that was a bit grim, as typically the weather's good!
There's usually one very long fireroad bit alongside a chainlink fence that gets from the Surrey Hill to the Crowthorne side, otherwise it's all the typical Swinley stuff, so not very technical. It's a good event, I'm planning to go and do 3 or 4 laps.
There's never been a Gorrick course (or Brass Monkeys) with 1000m of climbing/lap, that truly would be insane! I forget how much there has been in the past, but it's not hugely challenging IMO, if anything I'd say less climbing that the last Brass Monkeys.
The one in 2006 (IIRC) when it was a 13 mile lap was horrific, I think they've learned their lesson from that though!
I entered again for the 4 lapper, and the lap has varied between 10 and 13 miles over the last few years.
We find it an enjoyable laid back affair, just dump a bag of goodies/water etc in the pit area and ride.
Lots of singletrack, and as said only short sharp climbs. HT and fast rolling tyres for me.
There is usually a burger/salad/drinks van, a water butt and a couple of retailers.
Ah apologies - it was Brass Monkeys with 1000 [i]foot[/i] of climbing
"The heady heights of Parkhurst Hill and Ceasers Camp welcomed 100's of keen riders to the New Year Hangover - round 3 and the final of the Merida Brass Monkeys Enduro Series. The 7 mile lap had nearly 1000ft of total ascent encouraging 'granny ring racing' but it was all worth it for the great descents to follow"
Interesting to see people are looking to do 3 or 4 - is 7 only for top guys? Is there a time limit on completion?
Thanks for info on food/drink important to know that
No, I just get bored, and as an XC racer I can't be bothered/don't train to do long races!
If you have only done short sub 40 mile rides before I think you would have much more fun doing the 3 lap race. Its not easy racing for 7-8 hours!
7 laps is a big effort. Looking at past times the quick boys lap at around 40-45 minutes per lap so they're out there for 5-5.5 hours. How were your Brass Monkeys lap times in comparison, then work out how long you'll be riding for as opposed to how far. I did 4 laps in 5 hours dead last year, albeit including some very sociable refuelling breaks after laps 2 and 3!!
On the plus side, the cost for 7 laps is similar to the shorter events so nothing to stop you entering and then if you can't do it all, missing out on the finisher's medal is not worth worrying about. Unless you collect them from every event you do.
I finished the big 7 last year 32nd out of 82 in 6hrs33mins! It was painful all I can remember is some very short sharp hills! It was hotter than expected too so staying hydrated became a problem.
It was only my 2nd endurance event having done Enduro6 a few weeks prior, it would have be more pleasant had I only done 4 or 5 laps the last 2 where painful, guess it depends what you want out of it.
With all the date clashes this year I'm off to Wiggle Enduro6 instead that weekend.