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Thinking I would like to enter this next year (rush for entries permitting) so ...
when do the entries normally go online and can anyone suggest some routes in the same locality that would give me a flavour of the type of riding (based in s.wales)and would it end it tears if I did it on my cx bike.
Ta.
did the 100km this year on a cx bike no problems. nice rolling countryside, not technical, edge of fields kinda terrain with bits of road and farm tracks just a little muddy this year
You're keen, there's still lots of 2013's fun still to be had!
Entry opened this year on 5th January. The route is perfect for CX. The 'Hell' of HONC occurs after heavy rain. If it's dry it's just a nice ride in the countryside. Practise on any piece of gently rolling bridleway and you'll get the right idea.
What they said.
It's one of my favourite events. It's great on a cross bike.
If you Google 'HONC Route' you'll find various copies of previous years' tracks. Or just get an OS map and head south out of Winchcombe on the bridleways. There's a couple of clubs in the area who have regular rides too who I'm sure would be happy to show you around (us included !)
[url= http://www.cc-cc.co.uk/content/routes.php ]Pick the year you want[/url]
Route is variable, but there are only so many tracks to pick from. Don't expect an MTB ride and you won't be disappointed, if you expect lots of technical singletrack your looking in the wrong place.
CCCC one of the organising clubs does hold weekly rides, but the routes probably won't tie in with much of the honc route, bit too far for the average saturday morning. Plus different ride leaders have different ideas about where to go*
I don't know about Winchcombe CC, the other organising club, and any rides they organise.
If you want to risk coming up and seeing what the Cotswolds can offer feel free.
As for when the entries open i haven't heard anything mentioned on the club pages yet, probably first week next year????? I very much doubt Grahamh et al have actually started to decide a route. Beyond tea and cakes at Guiting Power.
* another discussion, not appropriate to discuss here but those who know me know my opinion.
Great event - been the last 2 years - thoroughly recommend it
sturmey - Member
........ and farm tracks just a little muddy this year
It was this muddy 🙂
I very much doubt Grahamh et al have actually started to decide a route. Beyond tea and cakes at Guiting Power.
Already planned 😀 , with may be a few tweaks after the meeting next week.
Thanks for the relies guys - will keeps my eyes peeled for entries and will try to get up for a practice spin around.
Let's hope the 600 odd lighwieghts who were so desperate for an entry, then didn't turn up won't be applying next year!!!
Great event but not an MTB event and FFS some journo called it a CX sportive !
Who remembers the old written routes that was great 🙂
Let's hope the 600 odd lighwieghts who were so desperate for an entry, then didn't turn up won't be applying next year!!!
SERIOUSLY! 😕
I'm actually quite annoyed at that!
Anyway... Great event. Did my first this year (thanks to an STW regular not being able to make it, picked his entry up in the classifieds on here) and on a CX bike. If you've got a CX bike, it's definitely an advantage especially if its muddy.
Great event but not an MTB event and FFS some journo called it a CX sportive !
Without being rude, but in a way, it kind've is. That's no bad thing IMO though, cos that makes it quite unique, the mix of terrain and the thought process into the bike and tyre combination to use on the day really adds to the event IMO.
So, bought my OS map and checked some of the routes above - is alot of the route on private land / footpaths etc?
Nipper99, from memory very very little is on footpaths, i can only think of one track and in 20 years of riding it i have never had a problem. It is a footpath but it is gravel/tarmac surfaced. Locally called waterhatch it is on the Sudeley estate.
Not sure it has been used but one other track above Sudeley Castle has been rerouted, starts in same place, ends in same place, just been diverted to avoid some of the houses.
CX sportive, is actually a fair description. It started out as an event for touring bikes...
did my first in 88 on a Saracen Tuff Trax