[Closed] HTN 4

I had pink shorts on, shouldn't forget me too easy...

I took a lot of effort not to 'slip' & whip them all out, regret it now

some nobber on a cx bike yelled at me and junkyard around by the pond too ("i thought it was a race, not a ****ing sunday afternoon joyride").
i'd have forgotten it but it's sad to see that more than just us got some grief off "fast lads" today, kind of puts a bit of a downer on what was an amazing morning for me (set myself a target of hopefully doing 2 laps, ended up doing 3, yay!)

if you're reading this, fast lad, sorry i can't keep up with race pace; i'll try to go back 9 years and not have heart failure and then maybe you won't have to be a dick to me today, eh?

banks - Member

I had pink shorts on, shouldn't forget me too easy...

After I'd taken the cow onesie, you were next.

Was it just one idiot on a CX bike? Just out of the water crossing I heard some arse shouting to a fellow competitor "Get out of the fu#king way!"

I thought it was only nice people that entered HTN....

Yeah, that's where I saw a wannabe hard-man acting like a prize turd too. He'd shouldered his CXer to cross, and some poor lass who was halfway down into the stream got walloped round the head by this git's back wheel after she didn't immediately leap out of his way when he bellowed "MOVE!" at her. ****.

I may have got this wrong, but I was under the impression that HTN is a mixed-ability, mixed-sex race that's meant to be a bit of fun, and not the World CX champs. If you want to get all elbows-out get fast enough to enter a proper men's Elite level thing. If you're not fast enough to do that, STFU and learn some manners.

[Edit: this looks a bit negative, sorry. It was one tiny little blip in an otherwise excellent morning with loads of really nice friendly people. I had a really good time, honest!]

Shame about the obnoxious minority- surely if you don't want to be 'held up' by other riders being too slow, don't enter a race that welcomes everyone!
Makes me giggle when people shout 'rider', as though the people they're overtaking aren't riders themselves!

mintimperial- my thoughts exactly, but you worded it better!

Haha when we were leaving the event and heading back up to the rugby club i shouted "on your right" to a couple of people pushing their bikes. I was just so thrilled to finally overtake someone... 😳

rider 31 on CX bike, if you are on here, I draw your attention to the following rule:

"Any part of the cycle course may be covered on foot but on these occasions the competitors must carry or push their own bike, walking to one side of the path"

So thanks for the push off into the rocks on the water feature, I now have a nice dent in my frame.

for a bit of balance though, the CXer who followed me through the water splash bit on my last lap was very encouraging and his "well done mate" made me actually want to ride faster.

it was probably 99% of the riders who were ace today, maybe 3 or 4 mouthy bellends. sod em, i'm over it!

I totally understand that HTN has a reputation for a friendly event/race and most people are easy going, but come on guys please get real, when you have the likes of Nick Craig there and other top riders who are there to win/do there best for what ever reason is it any wonder that people get frustrated when less able riders happen to get in the way, i.e around the water crossing for example, some people knew as they were approaching that certain section they were unable to ride it, so why not dismount somewhere safe for everyone and then the guys that can ride it can get on so that everyone gets out of the event what they want, we all get frustrated at times and people put a lot of effort in and sometimes get caught up in the heat of the moment, i.e strong words etc, but all in all most bikers i come across are fairly decent people...

Big respect to Jase and Andrew for putting this on every year. Lives/jobs/families/riding to attend to and all that.

Just before the mayor did her speach, the heal of her shoe sunk into the mud and with her next step it was just tights on mud. 😀

Why didn't anyone say anything to people being gobby? I last rode in 2011 and finished in the top quarter of the field (I believe that there are more fast guys nowadays?) The few riders that lapped me....ie the top 3 finishers were all really polite and extended the same courtesy to those that I passed. I've tended to find that real wannabes that finish around where I did, but had real dillusions of granduer were generally the worst manners wise. People should definitely tell these people in no uncertain terms what morons they are. It's racing round the outskirts of Manchester ffs....it's not really that important!! I realise that this comes across as a little internet tough guy, but I'm just speaking from experience. HtN was always an incredibly friendly and fun event, with none of the type of behaviour described above.

EDIT: Bones, maybe because everyone paid the same entry fee. You mention Nick Craig.....I wonder if he was shouting abuse at people holding him up? Now I wasn't there, but at a guess he was probably encouraging everyone that he passed (like he did when he passed me at warp speed in some race or other a few years back) whilst being 10 times the rider all the gobby gits can ever dream of.

It was a great day and look forward HTN 5...Please let it be on??!!

Well Nick Craig managed to win without being obnoxious 🙂

Yeah, that's where I saw a wannabe hard-man acting like a prize turd too. He'd shouldered his CXer to cross, and some poor lass who was halfway down into the stream got walloped round the head by this git's back wheel after she didn't immediately leap out of his way when he bellowed "MOVE!" at her. ****.

I was there at this bit of the race. I recall the chap as I had a chat with him in the top car park before hand. I'll try and pick him out of the pics later

Great day out in cracking weather. As for the elites every one who over took me, and there were many, were total gents. Which does suggest there was at most one or two Nobbers.

It must be sad to not enjoy an event as good as that

Just to throw in another point of view - you may not be racing, but some people are. If you're not racing that's not a problem, but please be aware of those behind you and don't block them

Be excellent to each other

Ps when are the results out I want to know how badly I did!

I guess its now a witch hunt for this bloke..WTF..why do i bother with this site

Its a Event/race FFS, things happen, its not like anyone has been murdered!!

And well done Nick Craig for not just being a great cyclist but a nice guy too!!!

Believe me, even those of us who only managed 4 laps were still racing. I was going as hard as I could and wanted to better my position in previous years. I moved over to let the fast guys past but I'm b*ggered if I'm actually going to come to a stop and stand there like an idiot letting everyone past and putting my own time back by 10 minutes.

Just to throw in another point of view - you may not be racing, but some people are. If you're not racing that's not a problem, but please be aware of those behind you and don't block them

Are the results normally the same day?

+1 for Rorschachs comment.

Becoming more relaxed about the shouting comes with more racing but the knobber you all describe will probably be shouting 'STRAVA!' Tomorrow as he nails a segment.

A knob, is a knob, is a knob, don't let it put you off.

Got to agree with that, what should people do when they are racing sit behind lapped riders until they get caught by someone they have spent an hour trying to distance, shove past or try and give some warning? If I recall its refered to as a "race" on the website, as MTB endurance competetive on BC and people have as much right to race as they do to plod round chatting. Or stand in a group of about 8 at the bottom of the run/scramble up before starting I
There's no excuse for abusing people but when you are racing sometimes you don't think what you say I always try and thank people who move but sometimes I forget because I'm trying as hard as I can to do the best I can when I pin a number on.

So if you didn't like getting a shout when I was closing fast or saying on your left or right then I'm genuinely sorry but I paid the same as you and wanted to race as per the description of the event.

I've been racing for 3 or 4 years and I find that 'on your right/left' to be much more useful to overtaker and overtakee than 'Rider'!

Are the results normally the same day?

a day or 2 for the results.

I'm not quite sure how many laps I did. Finished, walked to the car after about ~10 mins then saw the leaders going through. So whats that...4?

I've been racing for 25 and the more warning you can give the better, I've never been offended by someone giving me notice of lapping me no matter what they say as long as its not abusive.

It's one thing to shout "rider", it's quite another to yell "MOVE" and then batter a competitor with your bike as you barge past, which is what I saw happen.

I wasn't having a pop at people calling for an overtake....I used to always do that...and call a side! I'm having an internet rage at the knob abusing people! 8)

Wouldn't that count as abusive? Still a witch hunt is hardly any better is it, I'm sure he would have apologised if he could have after, he probably feels a bit of a tit for it

"I've been racing for 3 or 4 years and I find that 'on your right/left' to be much more useful to overtaker and overtakee than 'Rider'!"

If I had a pound for everytime I've been hit by someone swerving the wrong way I'd be a rich man.When the brain is starved of oxygen right/left are some what interchangable.At events with 'mixed' ability it's always safer to let the lead rider decide when and where it's safe to overtake.
(Usually not down wet slabbed rocks into a stream btw!)

i have absolutely no issue with people letting me know they're coming up behind faster than me and would like to be past, but as others have said (and this "getting caught up in the moment is NO EXCUSE) there is no need at all to be abusive.

all but 1 of the people who passed me in such circumstances today were fine, let me know they were behind so i moved out of the way as soon as i could, and all was well.

but they guy that gave johnnie and i some stick did not let us know he was behind until he was right on our wheels, and was just rude instead of shouting the usual "rider" or "on your right" or whatever.

i appreciate that plenty of people were racing for a place today. that's fine. still no need to be rude and/or abusive to other entrants in the event. simple as that.

i'm forgetting about this now.

Flippin' eck! I never said I was offended or bothered about people shouting 'rider'. I said it makes me giggle, as it is less useful than 'on your right', which then informs me which side to shift over to, in order to let them past.

When I very rarely get the opportunity to pass people I get so giddy I forget which is left and right sorry to those people I confused today 😀

a witch hunt is hardly any better is it

Quite. I couldn't identify the guy anyway, and the other rider seemed ok afterwards, pretty sure she beat me - she was definitely racing! I only offered it up as a comment because I saw others saying they saw similar things going on, and because I've never seen anyone be that rude to a lapped rider before now.

Whatever, I'm off to bed.

Lets concentrate on what a great event it was. Bollocks to the haterz, feel the love. HtN 4 Eva. Or something...

Great morning!

First race and loved it, the course, Marshalls, encouragement, everything. Course was cracking a bit of everything. I also back there's a couple cheeky @#£%% though tbh, but nevermind them.

Had a right laff, Don't have to mention mud was on another level.

Good job to the organisers!! Will be back for more in 2014!

After I'd taken the cow onesie, you were next.

Took your time 😀

I'll be back too. If I do one event next year it will be htn

I wish I had joined, I'd never even heard of it until a few weeks ago.

Someone mentioned on another thread that balloons were released at the start by a couple of riders (for Bruders338); don't suppose anyone had a pic of these?

In karting , F1 etc its part and parcel of racing. Deal with it. Your not eexpected to throw yourself off the track but move over when safe to or pick your overtake spot cleanly

Plus its hardly the Olympics so get over yourself.

The leaders really annoyed me! I think it was on my 3rd lap, going up a climb as I was dying, the 2 leaders (as it was at that point) politely asked to come past, and continued chatting to each other as though they were on a Sunday afternoon jaunt

I think everyone is aware its a race and that you will get short sharp on your left / rights etc. That's fine. The real fast guys were very polite and waited until it was safe. I only had one wannabe who didn't say anything who nearly got us both knocked off.

We parked next to (i think the girl who was hit by the CX bike) she's was in a mixture of tears and rage.

And us slow ones at the back were not taking it easy, we were trying as hard as we could, often with excruciating pain from cramps.

Name and shame. Prick needs outing.If he did it to a bloke who objected he'd act differently. Why the loss of manners?

As with any mtb race, unless you havr a shot at a podium spot why get so serious?

If there was a problem it needed dealing with on the day through the proper channels, not by some kangaroo court on a forum. This thread has turned from people saying how much they enjoyed it to something negative.
I've not been on this forum long but it seems like that's not uncommon perhaps it's not the place for me. It actually seems worse than veloriders was.

Have to disagree with you hora, why name him?! so you can hide on here and give him what for? And calling the bloke what you just did is just as bad! Things happen in races, on football or rugby pitches and things get said, get over it!

And as for not being up there with the guys/girls for a shot at the podium, i have to disagree there too, i personally go there to do my best and to better myself and to have a good go, should we all because we have no chance of winning just pootle along at these events??!! get a grip, people are competitive!!

Some of those stages on the course yesterday need attacked with a little speed and aggression to get on, i.e the water section(as mentioned in earlier post) if you can't ride it then don't get off at the bottom preventing more abled riders to ride the section, we all pay the money to get out of the ride what we want!

nikxl i have to agree with what you say! This has turned into a joke after what was a great day!

[deleted]

back to the positives, please

I had over 6,500 view of my flickr photos yesterday - that's over 14% of my total view in ONE day, and I've been on flickr for seven years now.

Just in case anyone's missed it, pics are here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/n_b_t/sets/72157632778792671/

As usual, if you really like the picture, I'll be able to send out full resolution images (3000*4000, should print fine at A3 size) but will ask you to make a donation to the charity of your choice. A couple that I've chosen to support recently are these: you may wish to choose one of them, perhaps.

http://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/mark-fradgleys-bullheart-jogle/

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/you-think-youre-this-tough-inspiring-charity-content

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/riders-down-mountain-rescue-fundraiser-please-help

I'm not going to ask for receipts or anything, just going to leave it to your conscience to donate what you feel the pics (and the participation in the event) are worth. Pleas tag yourselves in photos, and if you use them on facebook or something please add a comment to flickr just so I get an idea opf how far the pics are spreading

Well done to all who rode and those who put a lot of effort into making things happen smoothly.

Unsure if the [deleted] is for the thread or the inevitable (And well deserved!) hangover harry has. 😉

Lets concentrate on what a great event it was. Bollocks to the haterz, feel the love. HtN 4 Eva. Or something

+1 cheers to the organisers for making it a great event, as per usual!

Looking forward to seeing the results!

James

bloody hell Harry you;re up ealry, did you skip out of the curry / pub?

I'm not hung over.

I have a 5 year old.

Glad to see that the actions of one bellend are making the headlines.

Nikxl I agree it's a shame that it has turned in to a bit of a witch hunt.

I actually think its the fact that HTN is such a great event for everyone, and the fact it is such a chilled event, that when a very few do take it too seriously, quite rightly some do mention it.

Edit: removed paragraph, as enough has been said above.

Have to say HTN was the best race I have done in 15 yrs or so.

I'm not excusing the rude actions of a minority as I have said previously. However it seems quite sad that people are focussing on that incident and detracting from a fantastic event that over 400 people enjoyed including marshals and spectators.

Once again well done to the whole HTN team thanks to the marshals and spectators and also the sponsors.

I look forward to next year

Must enter next year

Harry, I'm sorry for my contribution to the whinging on this thread and now wish I'd kept my gob shut. 🙁

You lot organised a brilliant event with a great atmosphere, and everyone I spoke to had a flipping marvellous time. Keep up the good work, it's very much appreciated! The new trails are excellent fun, the crowds were some of the most encouraging I've ever ridden past, and I'm just sorry it didn't go on for longer (although maybe my legs aren't)! 🙂

I just say normal stuff like "Morning" or "Hiya". It gets their attention and often results in the exchange of a few pleasantries. Makes life a lot easier 🙂

Must enter next year

Only if you promise to be nice. 😉

If there was anything naughty going on and we had been told about it at the time the offending person would have been stopped at the timing point and spoken to. I've done it before and I'd do it again.

Still buzzing from yeasterday!!!! Wonderful! Off out on the bikes as such a beautiful day 🙂 hope my little achy legs can last....;-)

I wont reply to the above. As you were/lovely weather compared to last years as well.

Didn't mind last years weather, although we did escape straight away rather than waiting around.

my girlfriend apologises to anyone who thought they only had 1 lap to go when at the top of the paved climb before the swoopy berms as she wasn't aware that the race started after 10 (she was marshalling at the top of that climb)!

and i apologise for seeming like i was whinging about the whole thing. i can appreciate that some people were there to possibly win it and i'm sure none of what happened was out of any actual malice really. no point in "naming and shaming", it won't achieve a thing will it?
yeah, despite earlier posts, it was still the best morning on a bike i've had ever and my aim for next year is to be in good enough shape to get 5 laps done instead of the 3 i did yesterday...

I was one that complained (sarcastically), hope she realised I was being sarcastic 😳

yeah, she didn't think anyone was genuinely angry about it or anything! she had a great day too.

she had a great day too.

Glad to hear it.

Again the support was phenominal. People just kept popping up and asking if they could help. We had everything cleaned up by 2:45!

Great event guys (as usual)

You really have hit the sweet spot with this, great course (except the somme), great atmosphere, well organised and now the Mayor in attendance.

Thumbs up from all of us. Looking forward to HTN 5

[img] [/img]

and yeah, there is a reason for spongebob.

God Bless and sleep tight George. 🙁

Just like to add our thanks to all organisers, marshals etc for another great day out for both of us. For the number and diverse nature of the people that enter this I am always pleasantly surprised how, in the main, it just works and everyone gets along and has a good time.

Peter and Jane

I think this sums the day up nicely.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37805032@N03/8479273389/

finally remembered my Stw login to post Linky to my photos, from marshall pt 11

[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/simplyphotographed/sets/72157632782090044/ ]HtN 4[/url]

Enjoyed Marshalling instead of grinding though the mud.
Mail if you'd like a full res, as with NBT a small donation to charity in exchange for one would be good.

Ron

Totally brill, that new jumpy section was ace and a good reward after that sodding Field 😉 Hope the chap/chapess who came off there is okay!

I do lots of events but the atmosphere at HtN is hard to beat, as is the wide array of different kinds of bikes and riders from all walks (rides?) of life. Possibly why its just so damn brill?

Can't wait for next year!

Cheers ya'll.

Edit; Plus the number of pics that are appearing are great! Although they ain't half making me realise I've got some podge to shift 🙂

Well done and thank you to everyone for making it another great day to remember.

Rongil, how do I contact you please?

Thanks to everyone involved in organising and marshalling. This was my 2nd Hit the North, and though I wasn't really fit enough this year I still had a blast.

HTN does seem to manage to be an event open to everyone, whilst still feeling like a race. That's pretty rare I think. I'll definitely be back.

ah, crap hadnt thought the contact for photos through... thought there might have been a DM option on here but cant see it now.

err
ron@simplyphotographed.co.uk is probably the best one to ask for the piccies..
and please include the IMG_number to make life easier for us 🙂

Ron

xherbivorex - Similar to your girlfriend, I too apologise for being a naughty person and telling some riders that it was their last lap, I also forgot the race started late 😳

I also apologise to those who said only one lap to & its not far now - when I still had an hour to go - some choice words may have been used in reply

Also, I've not paid for my ticket - lucky number 13 as the original 'racer' is a very clumsy man - was meant to find you guys & donate 20quid so is there a way to get it to you PayPal or whatever or shall I donate 20quid to the Christie if that's ok?

P.s next year the field of sorrow/tears should be longer with obstacles - see takeshi's castle for inspiration

Results are in. I'll be publishing them in the next few minutes.
I've spent the last few hours nursing a hangover, emptying the van and taking podium photos of twinklydave who, as it turns out, won the senior category. His laps went 'missing' in the chaos of yesterday's lap counting but it's sorted now.
here's a photo from our 'extra' presentation this morning...
[img] [/img]
(yeah I know my back gates are an abomination)

Anyway. I loved it yesterday, mostly. It's been really, really, really hard work this time for some reason but the end result was good.
We've reached the size now where the lap timing, bogs and some other things are starting to struggle so we'll sort those for next time.

The event has also reached a level where there's a large number of people who genuinely want to win (or at least get in the top 20) where in the past the entire field was there just for fun.
I'm very happy with that and honoured that some of the country's best want to have a crack at our podium.

Equally, the event does still cater well for the guys who aren't quite as fast as the top 10% who want a day out and that will always be the overwhelming focus when we're planning the whole thing.

Sometimes in a race people get shirty (I've done it too) but I expect the rude guy in question felt very bad about it immediately afterwards.
Just one of those things. Don't let it put you off.

Thanks for all the kind messages in this thread and for everyone - riders, marshals, sponsors and spectators who showed up and made HTN4 the ace thing that it was.

Cheers, Jase.

Also, I've not paid for my ticket - lucky number 13 as the original 'racer' is a very clumsy man - was meant to find you guys & donate 20quid so is there a way to get it to you PayPal or whatever or shall I donate 20quid to the Christie if that's ok?

banks - we'll still need to pay your insurance levy and per-rider charges to landowners so if it's all the same with you we'll collect that entry fee please. Can you drop me an email at jasonm AT jmc.it please. Ta.
(unless you acquired the entry from someone else who did pay, in which case I'll leave it up to you to pay him/her)

You've created a monster Jase! A particularly ace monster, that we all bloody love!

binners - cheers. you were last.