Yup but not for riding unless by some miracle I get my fitness to what it once was. Seen some very broken friends who are a lot fitter than me looking drained. Others like samuri looked pretty good considering.
So as it may coincide with my hols I've offered my services to help with the set up too for next year.
I will say if anyone is thinking about to enter as soon as possible after entry opens as it'll fill up even quicker than
this year I suspect.
As well as finishing I managed to take a few photos.[img] 
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Nice one richmars. I foolishly didn't take a camera.
No not next year. Had to take a day off work to get there on friday, the midges were hell, this year had probably the best conditions we will ever get. I have done it now so its ticked off the list.
Nice photos Richmars, love the clouds in the valleys - wish I had one of the dew soaked webs on the heather as the sun cut through the mist...Kodak moment 😀
Loads of photo ops but I didn't want to stop too often before the first cut off, then I just wanted to finish. I even didn't stop for that great bit of forestry hardware near the finish.
Great result for Andy Cockburn, he's 'one of us', he's ac282 or something!
Maybe next year I'll do it... Or the year after...
Sub-11 hours, that's what the results say, but actually I was there. Hmmm, wonder how that happened 😕
Fantastic event - hardest thing I have done in one day - probably as there was no stopping (no little breathers to open gates or wait for mates). Bit of a bad time going over the top after the wide boardwalk along the raised trail, and then the last 5 miles were made for suffering. Had to stop on the final descent as I was going dizzy (I think my neck had let my head drop, and was cutting off the blood supply to my brain). Feeding strategy was just right, ran out of drink 30 mins before Newcastleton, but after that was OK. Came 13th in the old gits, so was very happy with that, next target is sub 10 hours. No pushing, and only used the granny twice (the switchbacks up to the wide boardwalk, and then some of the climbs in the last 5 miles). Full respect to the singlespeeders, but I love my gears!
Brutal, and relentless (that's the midges and the course)
[i]Anyone else already thinking about next year? [/i]
No! 😉
I'll be there next year. was at the first, had to miss this one, desperate to do it and finish!
Glorious.
Finished in 12h11m; very happy with that as I'd been wondering if I'd make the cut offs at all.
No mechanicals from my ace Singular Swift, SSing. 36:21, which seemed just right until that last brutal scrabbly climb, where I'd run out of steam and was generally feeling rubbish. Got passed by a bunch of guys on gears who I'd spent the previous 20 minutes overtaking.
Fig rolls though. They are where the future of sports nutrition lies.
Some lovely sections of singletrack (that first triple arrow was a little gem) and had no idea that area had so much to offer.
I must thank [b]miketually[/b] - all your postings on here were genuinely very useful. I think we met up at the top of a big hill somewhere.
Boy, did the beer taste good at the end though.
miketually - MemberAnyone else already thinking about next year?
Yep, I'm going for under the ten hour mark. Few changes to my food and bike setup with some very long rides earlier in the year. Felt very good about my fitenss level this year but didn't race it.
Last 6 miles wayyy harder than the first 90 mile, didnt help that was being told the 'finish is all down hill from here mate' bloody lies!
Finished 10h:55. well pleased
[i]I must thank miketually - all your postings on here were genuinely very useful. I think we met up at the top of a big hill somewhere.[/i]
I saw so many bikes with that little schedule stuck to the top tube. He should get commission.
broke me too, saw that about 30mins and a good few miles after the bridge where we had "6.5miles to go" nearly cried when I saw the 5mile sign, I [i]did[/i] swear a [b]lot[/b]!Missed my 10hr target, probably due to the 5miles to go sign being at the 100mile point! Broke me!
Def not next year. maybe in a few years time.
Where did Samuri finish? And which of the LVIS guys is a regular here?
I was to-ing and fro-ing with a fella on a Jones SS with a rasta jersey, until I had to have a lie down at about 70 miles. Had a chat with him at the finish tent and spotted his name on the finishing list. Jon Meredith... that's Dr Jon the ST mag contributor, no?
Drac - you don't need to be [i]super[/i] fit, just gotta keep going.
Anyone else already thinking about next year?
Yep. If I up my strength and don't have any trouble, I'm gonna try for the 9hr mark. I fella I race with occasionally managed it and I know how much faster he is than me over the shorter races...
Missed the first cutoff by 19 minutes, was pretty much on schedule (yes, thanks Mike) but flagged a little when I needed to make up lost time. Too polite behind riders on singletrack downhill and not quick enough to pass them uphill. So next time I think I need to be less polite, it actually is a race after all! Oh, and avoid lung infections in the preceding weeks...
so
miketually - Member
Anyone else already thinking about next year?
Yes, before I even handed in my chip, it included skin so soft and midge nets for the evening/mornings.
Had a brilliant time and (possibly too) good a time on the way round. The hills did go on a bit though...
edit- oh, and watching riders fading into the sunlit mist on one of the early climbs was simply stunning, anyone get a picture?
[i]Jon Meredith... that's Dr Jon the ST mag contributor, no?[/i]
Yep.
I finished 173rd, something like 55th in the vets cat. Perfectly happy with that, I just wanted to finish before my back snapped.
So next time I think I need to be less polite, it actually is a race after all!
Yep. I was stuck behind someone on the (wide, but still the rules had said no overtaking) boardwalk section. Mel Alexander (women's winner, sub 10 hrs) came up behind me and asked to get past so I let her even though I was stuck 😳
She did say please though, how could I refuse?
/edit - well done Samuri, hope it's not giving you any trouble now 😀
Loved it! My aim was sub 12hours which I managed by five minutes. Had a mechanical when my rear tyre exploded off the rim in a cloud of latex, but tube in and I think I only lost 15mins even with me looking like I had never fixed a punture in my life.
Definetly will be back next year, planning on trying it geared for a change.
I used miketually's schedule too. Really useful for judging food/water. I didn't use a computer, last year's course was long so I thought it would be better not to know how far I'd gone.
I had a good ride, a bit lonely between mile 40 and the final section. The Climb to the piper was a killer but the jely beans in Newcatleton saved the day.
I crashed hard at about 85 miles and tore up my arms, hip and leg. Luckily the bike was still ridable and I made the finish OK.
Mountain rescue patched me up but I still spent this morning in A&E getting my injuries properly srubbed out and dressed.
My wife won't give me any sympathy as she says I brought it on myself 🙁
She's right, it was a great day and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Well done to anyone who finished & thanks to anyone who out the event together.
er, I think you forgot to mention something Andy 🙂
was A+E clear then ?, no drunks or football bones ?
I enjoyed it except for the 'last' 10 miles. I hated the final trail centre surface though - but partly my fault running rigid fork. Feel surprisingly good today. Mate not so lucky (although he finished) - had to drive him to Hexham A&E last night and stayed there 'til 2ish. He got transferred to Newcastle and i had to drive back to Kielder at 2.30 in the morning. Luckily he was discharged at lunch today. 😀
Apologies for my random updates on Twitter. Phone reception in Kielder is bloomin awful. The only place I managed to get a signal was at the Lonesome Pine.
Great race and brilliant to see so many riders step up and have a go. It was tough, and you all did brilliantly, whether you completed it or not.
See you next year;0)
Just working on ways to ensure the midges stay away!!!! Aaarrgghhhhhh....
Great event: 13h 14min, may have been under 13h if I hadn't punctured in the last 15m, but then I was lucky to only have the one puncture.
One chap summed it up when he said to me at the end 'That was the hardest thing I have done in my life, ever!' At the end I was saying never again, but then again, maybe ....
Thanks to all the organisers, stewards, cheerers, bag pipe players ...
I saw so many bikes with that little schedule stuck to the top tube. He should get commission.
There was loads but some missed his tip about laminating and the sweat drips had taken their toll.
Drac - you don't need to be super fit, just gotta keep going.
Yeah I've always been good at that able to keep on riding but my average suffers when I'm unfit. Then there's the fact I love helping out these things it such a stress buster for me do something completely different from my work. Then add the fact I've a lot of friends go to these events I can meet up with again, meet new people, drink beer and to help out with my favourite sport in my home turf is great.
Had a great event and came in just over 12 hours - had a nightmare 16 miles in when my rear tubeless blew out and I couldn't get the valve out for love nor money as the little valve ring had sealed tight :-(. Luckily Ian - Number 155 - stopped and loaned me his pliers. Top Man! By then I had been eaten alive by midgies and I am now a deformed swollen mess. . . and then to cap it all my front tyre got ripped just before Newcastleton so thanks to Swinnertons for my new Mud X - saved my race that did! Great conditions, excellent atmosphere and roll on next year! Well done to everyone who took part too!
You were one happy bunny when we sorted that for you Glen it was a pleasure and your praise was appreciated and I was well happy to see you coming past registration with no red x.
richmars> That's me in the 2nd photo 😀
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I came 165th in 11hrs 31 minutes. The 1st 35 miles seemed like nothing. I actually thought someone had switched the signs around when i saw 32 mile marker.
The climbs were brutal and yes the last 10 miles were the longest of my life (that'll teach me for running a double) Had a 'brake lever going to the bars' moment on the red runs. Thought the brake pad was ruined but realised the reach adjust screw had vibrated so much it came loose.
Really good event. I'd definitely do it again
Drac - you're right and I was a VERY happy bunny indeed! I've burnt my rim strips and I'm going to stick with tubes now as well 🙂 Thanks again Drac - I really appreciated the tech support on hand when it mattered most.
@glenncampbell - I passed you just before Newcastleton with that front tyre flopping around all over the place. Very impressed. I think I would have just given up and cried with that.
I finished ?111th, not too bad considering I spent about an hour and a half stationary, walking or being sent/mindlessly riding the wrong way whilst about 200 people rode past.
I was offered the 'blue or red pill' by a marshal but carried on and finished the bloody thing anyway.
You're right steve. I was pretty pleased to sneek under 8 hours!
A&E was clear. Glad I went in this moring. I was told that there was a 5 hour wait... I was seen in a couple of minutes and then got sorted by a nurse who's husband rides.
She did say that I should shave my arms if I plan on crashing a lot! I think that might be taking things a bit far.
forgot to add. I was camped next to the mighty terrahawk and his lovely ragley td:1
Not a worry really it Swinnerton who did the tech support I was a dogs body as the lad was on his own for ages until his mate could leave his station once riders were through. The young lad Rich could do repairs a tenth of time it'll take me.
Yeah I was thinking about tubeless but a majority of those asking for tubes were the tubeless guys who'd already used they're tubes up or had slow leaking tyres spraying latex everywhere. The fireroads were slicing through the tyres.
ac282- what was the "sub 8 hour" bonus? It didn't seem to get mentioned last night?
I was the Squarewheels rider. Was I speaking to anyone on here?
Might have been me at times - on ss 29er? Sure the squarewheels bit rings a bell.
think i was lucky with my tyres then. They've seen SITS, mayhem and now kielder and the sidewalls on the rear were looking suitably dodgy (both RR 2.1's)
Under 8 hours is very impressive on that course, but equally the folk who dragged themselves around for 12/14 ours is equally so, shows a whole heap of mental strength.
It'd be really nice if all would mail Sara and Paul and let them know personally how much they appreciate their's and the local teams efforts, there's an amazing amount of work that goes on in the background to make it appear as seamless as it does 🙂
I didn't make the first cut-off. I really enjoyed the ride though, and will be back next year to finish!!
A few things I learnt:
I need to be fitter!
I need a new saddle. This one doesn't get on with me on long distances.
Midges are hell and we need to find a way to wipe them out!!!
I didn't realise until this weekend that if you get bitten by enough midges that blood starts to dribble down your leg.
I've lost a pint at least 😉
Second what Steve said Sara, Paul et al put in a huge amount of work to do bring you this. They'll be there until about Tuesday at least finishing off and have up to the early hours of the morning most nights this week to get stuff done.
You have done well tricky, I didn't take much notice of the type of tyres that were getting spliced.
Loved the event - missed the first cut off by five minutes but pushed on as wanted 100 km if could not make 100 miles which was great as the next section passed the piper was some of the best, even if I punctured twice. Thanks to the great Saddle Skedadle guys for the lift back and the great local riders who swept us up and patiently helped me with my punctures!
Has taught me that I need to treat this event more like running a marathon with proper planned training and not just a few weeks prep - next year already pencilled into the calendar.
Has taken 10 minutes to type this as I can't stop itching the b*****y midge bites.
10:48, 29th in the vets losing a place in MV on the last descent as I had to stop to pee. My bladder was about to burst and one more bump would have caused it - next year I'm considering a tubeless bladder or nappies. Did I say next year?
Great event and I got better and quicker at descending the gravelly fireroads but lost all my speed EVERY time at the 90° bends at the bottom of them then would have to start crawling up the following ascent.
Shred, we can't wipe out midges, they're the only thing that pollinate cocoa. No midges, no chocolate. Although, admittedly there aren't too many cocoa plantations in Northumberland,
