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Whose going? I'm racing proper as a pair, but not done this event before. Other than smashing my laps, any advice on racing as a pair? Both of us are experienced 12/24hr riders so we get the feeding / lights / handover stuff so I'm just wondering if there's anything more specific?
Smash it. Recover. Smash it. Repeat for 12 hours.
Physically tougher than solo I reckon, mentally easier though.
Consider double laps, 12:12 laps are short and you really won't have much time to recover.
Agree everything in advance, you won't actually see your partner once the race starts. A few years ago Gee of this parish and myself raced Bristol Bike Fest, our car keys went missing and we had to play the entire conversation out over 2 second snippets as we handed over each lap. Turns out a Torq rider we entrusted them to had taken them home to Leeds!
I can't make it this year, which is a shame, as it's a great event.
Yep we'd decided most likely an 45min - hour out each regardless of how many laps that is. We'll probably double that time around 6pm so we can each eat, rest and mount up lights for the evening sessions.
Shame you won't be there NJee I'm not sure you've met BHB before, he's my partner in this one.
Certainly have, that should be good then. Like I say, it's a great event. Did pairs there in 2009. Tougher than 24/12 as it's flat out the whole time.
I've solo'ed, paired and teamed it in the past and as Njee says, pairs and teams are harder because there's no excuse to not be redline on every lap - remembering that my redline might be substantially slower than yours but it's no less effort.
Solo'ing I had to eke out my effort and while I had more issues with bike position soreness and back and shoulder cramps, etc., on pure CV effort it was easier to manage and gauge, and i didn't feel quite as broken as when I did it pairs.
If you're quickish, a lap will be around 40 mins (assuming an 8 mile course in the dry) - teams were doing mid to high 30's at the sharp end last year - so 45-60 min turns is almost certainly right between singles and doubles. In which case i'd opt for doubles at least to start with and until you slow down a bit otherwise you have literally no downtime.
Enjoy it. Best event of the year, sadly* away for this one this year
(* not really, because I'd talked myself into solo again)
Aye, just been and looked, my lap times last year were: 40.29, 40.52, 41.22, 44.04 and 44.01, with the latter two in the dark, so you'll be right on that 40-45 minutes I suspect. I'd still be inclined to chuck in at least one double I reckon.
I'll be there, 4 of us going and racing as pairs.
Did it a few years ago and really enjoyed it, nice change from enduro.
Enjoy, I've soloed it every year since it began but sadly probably won't get to race this year 🙁
Love the event though, course is good fun and the atmosphere is great!
Not done pairs at this one but have elsewhere, as others have said it is pretty brutal - smash it hard, stop, try and stay warm, faff for a few minutes, eat something, time to get back to transition, all the time trying to stop the legs from seizing. You really won't get much (any) downtime unless you switch to double laps, however these might be slower. As ever, a pit bitch can really help, as can a calm demeanour when off-course. Good luck!
I'm doing it in a pair with Morgan Jones. The course is great but very easy to get caught up in the 'race' and smash it too early because it fast and fun - it doesn't slow down even in the wet.
I've teamed and paired before, although harder pairs are great fun!
Doing it as a team of 3 - first race event for me.
it doesn't slow down even in the wet.
Define 'wet' 😉
Doing the mixed pairs with my wife. Done it many times as a solo but this will be our first pairs race. Just doing it for fun and think we'll be near the back of the field. Expect I'll end up doing 4 laps to my wifes 1
Solo'd it last year and managed 5th...
Would have loved to do it again this year and tried for a podium place but having to go on a family holiday.....
Booo !
Great event even if it is darn sarf !
I'm in for the pairs for the 3rd time. Really looking forward to it.
Couple of top tips from me (sorry if blindingly obvious!)
- pad of paper and large clock in the tent. Write notes to each other and make note of lap times so you know roughly when to be back at the handover
- consider double laps (agree them in advance)
- wear recognisable kit, maybe something reflective so you can tell your partner. First year my buddy wore a generic red gore top, I was forever confusing him with several other riders
- adjust your line choice from the fun one when it is dry and fast to the safe one when moist and dark - I had a massive off in the 2013 race and we called it a night at around 10pm
- decide who is best at starts and let them go first (I often get carried away in mass starts, so best for my slightly slower but more sensible buddy to take the first lap)
- and porkpies lots of porkpies 🙂
I'm going to pop down for the 6hr solo.
Few people from the club are doing pairs but I fancy something more chilled.
Any idea how much ascending there is per lap? Trying to gauge whether to take the SS or not..
No big climbs, quite a few short sharp ones that all add up. All are SS able, you may choose to hop off on some and save your legs for the fun singletrack (YMMV)
Checked my stats from last year on Strava, about 170m per lap
I'm in. 12 hour solo single speed. Race really starts at 6pm. See if O can improve last years result but I'm on gears now!
Maybe I'll take the SS then to spice things up..
Forgot to ask- how longs a lap?
Good effort Sarpullido 😀 !
about 8 miles
Maybe I'll take the SS then to spice things up..
It's a race, unless you're winning by miles why 'spice it up'?
's a race, unless you're winning by miles why 'spice it up'?
We clearly want very different things from an event. I want to have fun with like minded people and push myself a bit. I don't actually care where I come.
Fair enough! You're right, I want to do as well as possible, so I'd not handicap myself with equipment choices!
Fun remains very high on the agenda though.
Then there are the folks who still win while riding a singlespeed....
Tbh there are only one or two places on the course where a singlespeed is a significant detriment.
Depends on significant I guess, but there are none where it's an advantage 😉
Tbh there are only one or two places on the course where a singlespeed is a significant detriment.
If you're me, that's the first half and the second half 😉
Not riding but hope to be taking some photos and chillin out to the DJ under the bridge.
[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3850/15026801151_7b541f5af7_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3850/15026801151_7b541f5af7_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/oTShst ]DSC00121[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/31852911@N07/ ]Marcus[/url], on Flickr
Singlespeeded it last year, wasn't an issue. This year I'm fat for 6 hr solo.
Depends on significant I guess, but there are none where it's an advantage
If you are used to it, the whole course - nature's own pacing strategy. N.b. Steve Day won solo 12 last year on a rigid singlespeed.
Perfectly aware of people doing well on SS (used to ride occasionally with Aidan Harding), but are they quicker than with gears? Serious question.
Did it last year and loved it . But it was bone dry . The start was a dustbowl like the Roubaix stages , and I was near the back (obvs) . Think I was putting in 46 min laps in a team of 3. Same time for night laps as our team strategy was simple. Each lap must be faster than the one before, aiming to pick up places toward the end of the race .
Might do a 6hr solo but was kinda relying on a few people I know for encouragement but they arent going this year.
but are they quicker than with gears? Serious question.
Don't know, never seen Aidan ride a geared bike. I think for a certain mindset of rider for long endurance stuff (say >4hours) it's not a hindrance and maybe even a benefit. Particularly if you factor in something going wrong with gears in adverse conditions.
Weather's not looking too special this week is it? Think I'll take off the thunder burt, although I've only got a Ralph to replace it with.
The weather for the end of the week is changing daily. Was due to be dry from Friday but now Sunday is looking wet 🙁
Time for an airshot inflator and some more Stans I think!
Bonty Mudx already on my spare wheelset.
Looking for somewhere to buy some black marigold gloves now.
Arse. I was planning on Sunday with a 2 man pop up and just getting on with it. Looks like I'll need the big tent with a porch to get changed in then.
I hate wet racing!
Early days yet - forecast is changing by the hour for the next 3 days let alone 6 days.
Oh ok. I'm overseas and the what glass half empty forecast shows heavy showers each day on the UK.
Doing it as a team of three. First time doing something like this for two of us, and one did Dusk till dawn at Thetford as a pair for a few years.
Forecast seems to be looking better by the hour - according to the BBC light rain showers tomorrow and then dry into the weekend. I might not need those dry suit wrist thingies I just bought to seal my boots after all.
Doing it as a team of three. First time doing something like this for two of us, and one did Dusk till dawn at Thetford as a pair for a few years.
Team of 3 is good fun! Not nearly as knackering as pairs, but more time on your bike than a 4, which always feels like a cop out for a 12 hour race.
Taking my children on Saturday for the kids races (weather permitting) 😀
BBC now has Sunday as merely cloudy. No doubt it'll change a few times between now and then.
Missed the Tunnel Hill Trolls ride of the course tonight. 🙁
Can't see that really making much difference, you know broadly what it'll be.
Agreed - just wanted to get out instead of cooking!
Course was riding well last night with some nice new bits in the 8 mile loop.
good luck those racing.
Someone had to ask it... what tyres?
Thunder Burts if it's dry, Rocket Rons if wet. Combo if in the middle.
Please tell me it's not freshly cut single track with leaves and stems all over the floor - just std Gorrick trails?
*wonders if I need to bring a spare bike to negate*
Bit of fresh loam is never a bad thing, I'm sure there will be plenty of well ridden sections too.
What I'm more worried about is "It has remarkably little climbing this year" (from the FB page). Surely no climbing means no descending?
Don't worry there is the normal amount of climbing. From last nights lap I made it 152m per lap, last year was 174m.
For anyone who has ridden previous races at Minley you recognise lots of sections, although some of it is back to front. The new bits seems okay, maybe a bit spongey in places. Like any course if it is wet on the day it will cut up a bit, but I doubt it will be anywhere near how bad it was at last winter's Brass Monkey round, and that wasn't too bad considering the weather.
What are eating facilities like? As I'm not arriving until Sunday I'm not expecting to eat anything I haven't brought for the race until 12:00 and at breakfast Monday,
As long as their bacon and coffee available which I'd assume there is....?
Catering is normally by Quavers. They will do food at night and breakfast in the morning.
how can you find out the route - they claim they are not allowed to publish it before the event?
Wait until Sunday?
Well obviously some people don't have to wait until Sunday.......
You can pre-ride the route on Saturday 8)
I live "on-site" so I pre-ride it 3 or 4 times a week but if some sections are reversed I'd rather not meet people coming the other way 🙂
Went round the old course just now. Must have had a monumental amount of rain but still rides well apart from puddles. Could see the new stuff-looked good but precisely because I wasn't sure of the direction I stayed off.
Surrey
Yellow early warning of rain
From:
0015 on Sun 30 August
To:
2350 on Sun 30 August
Updated 1 hour ago
Heavy showers and possibly some more prolonged rain is expected to affect southeastern parts of England at times during Sunday. Rain could be heavy, with the risk of some torrential downpours whilst lightning may well be an additional hazard at times.
Very localised impacts from standing water or flooding from fast responding water courses may affect travel and some outdoor events and activities.
I'm not racing this, but did the wet Brass Monkeys race as Jason above. I thought the course held up well considering and I'd be happy racing here in bad weather again. No need for mud tyres.
4 hour Brass Monkey at Minley last winter?
[shudders]
OK, OK... The course held up reasonably given the conditions, but they did close some sections off in the last hour (to the organisers credit), that was only after 2-3 hours of racing... And there were some pretty boggy sections that weren't closed. The last lap was trending toward sole destroying, for me. I passed on a fifth lap...
Got the Beavers on...
anyone know what time sign on closes????
I am entered for the 6hr solo which I think is 3pm to 9pm . I hope Im right as am doing runtimes on my lights just now in prep .
Dont want ot arrive at 11am and hang around for hours till 3 if I dont have to .
Yes, I'd like to know this too please. Web page says sign on by 10:45am, rider briefing at 2pm. Doesn't mention a later sign-in for the 3pm starters.
And the early arrivers test-ride course summary is...?
Was on site earlier today and the signs up say there's a later sign-on for 6hr riders until 1.45pm.
Forecast is all over the place. Ive got an entire bag of kit to cover torrential to dry and warm....
how similar is the course to previous years?
From Gorrick:
For the 6 hour riders Registration is open from
9 to 10.45 and then from 1 to 1.45 with a compulsory rider briefing at 2pm
before you all start at 3pm.
Course is good, should hold up well if the weather is bad... Which it currently is. Less climbing than previous years but also feels like more single track.
And the early arrivers test-ride course summary is...?
Very nice course - different enough to be interesting. Seemed a bit more singletrack but also some fire road to dring/gel etc. I left before the rain.
Ouch.
well, I think Gorrick just got away with it. The amount of rain over the preevious week always meant it was going to twitchy , and it was . But the biblical 'months rain in a day' didnt appear.
Rode my first 6hr solo vet (46yo) On the basis that last year as a team the laps were quick and relatively painless. Not this year.
Had to constantly be on alert for wet roots , trees and the fast boys duking it out for a podium place.
Went off too fast and suffered toward the end abit , crashed at exactly the same place on 2 seperate laps but enjoyed the singletrack alot.
A few rude ' get off line and let me through ' guys , but the majority of passes were mutualy agreed and polite, given the amount of singletrack worked well,mostly.
Course was grippy and a few new sections cut up quite badly exposing even more roots although there appeared to be maintenance going on throughout the race .
I am never going to win or even podium , but am happy enough with my 6 laps and 22 /47 in cat . Came in a 8.58pm , but knew another lap would have been over the hour so binned it off . Stiff and sore this morning , lazy duvet day and making up for no lunch or dinner.
Weather gods were smiling, for sure. Couple of light showers, and the cloud cover meant it stayed warm into the night, so I wore a short sleeve jersey for all my laps.
Course was good fun, bit sketchy with 'hidden' roots and some washed-out corners at night, but overall a really fun, well run event.
Led Grand Vets for a lap - very unwise. Died 3hrs in, recovered, started to die again then got a stick in my mech at 8hrs while running second and that was that.
Personally I thought the course was a bit too hard for a 12hr.
I thought it was a very good course, you had to concentrate all the time as there were very few long straights. Yes it did cut up and became very rooty in the evening but given the weather that's not surprising. If it had been dry/dusty it would have been very interesting.
With one exception everyone was fine with overtaking etc.
Personally I thought the course was a bit too hard for a 12hr.
Tell me about it, there was little respite with peddling all the way, and i'm glad the rain held off and it stayed smooth and more flowing - just the ever shinier roots to worry about but other than that I thought the course and arrangements were excellent.
But Pairs though - Njee was right - with us doing double laps using a "conservative start / consistent laps" strategy we've basically done 5+ short form XC races in 12 hours, I feel battered 😕
However, myself and my buddy picked up 3rd in Male Vets pairs, despite a slashed tyre resulting in a 3 mile run to the handover, and some lap juggling as my partner lost 3 chainring bolts during his lap - we were on for second before those. Really glad to be on the podium which has reflected on an increasingly better year for me, and also a shout out to 2 of our club colleagues who picked up 3rd Male Pairs.
Was running 6th in pairs when rear mech went as well. That and a puncture meant an early finsih for a beer.
There were roots that 'appeared' as the race went on making previously safe lines and bit of a gamble so you had to be really careful. My lights weren't really up to it either so I some ways an early finish was probably wise,
Another great event
Passing wise, people were very courtesy, even to the point of pushing me a little too hard as people were so keen to move over meant you had to accelerate to get past when you could really do with a rest! Only had one person slow me up badly and only one guy barge me out of the way starting the discussion with "I don't want to be a tosser but....." Kind of shows you know it isn't a safe place to pass. Especially at night.
Wasn't the pedaling more the jarring. Must be my old bones even with full suss I'm a wreck. Also can't find my Garmin 😥
Oh and how did the driver of the Audi R8 fit their mountain bike in?
Also can't find my Garmin
Talk to Gorrick/Torq - one was handed in but they couldn't locate the owner.