The [url= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autobus_(cycling) ]autobus or the gruppetto[/url] is the name given to the group of cyclists in a road cycling race who form a large group behind the main peloton.
The autobus forms on mountain stages when non-climbers fall off the back of peloton during the climb. Gradually some riders fall off the back of the peloton and form a large group at the end of the race. These riders are generally sprinters or domestiques unconcerned about their finishing positions in the mountain stages. Their primary concern is beating the elimination time to ensure their survival in a multi-stage race such as the Tour de France.
Anyone else just hoping to avoid the cutoffs?
How tight are the cutoffs?
I want to avoid the cutoffs
I would rather be not cut off than be cut off, so avoidance is a high priority.
I'll be the one a minute inside each one....ok maybe 30 seconds
I suspect I will be there. 100miles, yes, in under 12hours now that is asking a lot!
[i]How tight are the cutoffs? [/i]
A bit too tight if you ask me.
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Me, normal sort of rider, mildy concerned :-/
I've not seen or heard anything specific about the cut off times (or the drop bags, feed stations, required kit).
I know I can ride 100 miles on the road, but no idea about off-road.
Similar questions about the kit list and cehckpoints/feed stations are being asked on http://www.xcracer.com/forum.php?pid=80&fp=viewforum&id=12 too, but no answers as yet.
How are peoples' preparations going? I've done four rides of more than 50 miles this year, with the biggest being 92 (road) miles. Kielder is going to hurt me, isn't it? http://mactually.co.uk/index.php?cat=11
Preparation is going alright, been riding a lot on and off road, I am still a bit worried about the cut offs. 10 at Kirroughtree solo was a good test of ability against time, but I do worry there will be a whole load more climbing in Kielder.
I did the Ryedale Rumble sportive on Sunday, nearly nine hours of riding that kicked my ass but good for the mental strength 😮
I think the gruppetto will be my saviour.
I'd like to think that the route's not going to be 80 miles of 2" hoggin covered fire roads for you all - however I think the likelihood is that it will be... 😕
i'll be forming a second gruppetto behind the original one if anyone's interested 😉
Do you have to book a place on the bus or is it a request stop?
Zulu
that was my concern about it.
however last week i had a peddle over from my mum and dads house(near haltwhistle) over to the lake and back which was about 60miles on road and forest track.to be honest it was nothing like as big and chunky as thought it would be.but then there defo is some parts that are big fat hoggin all the way depends on the route i geuss.
Still not entered yet though.hundred miles man 😯
"Do you have to book a place on the bus or is it a request stop?" I think you just get shot 😀
I am the Autobus driver. You're only allowed on if you have the correct fare ready and you don't play music through your mobile phone speakers.
😉
I've still not entered as yet, still sucking my teeth thinking about 100 miles on SS. It'd be nice if they'd provide some info soon, dontchathink?
Apparently they're keeping the ascent a secret.
I shall be there with my camera to take pictures of those in the broom wagon.
SS for me.Was going to purchase some boingy forks for this as I've only just regained the use of all my fingers after 10@kirroughtree-but the exhaust fell of the hearse ,so rigid it is.Question is, gear up for the flat fire roads or gear down for the boggin big hills.
Apparently they're keeping the ascent a secret.
I think that's a bit silly really! It seems to fall into the category of so many events in Northern England/Scotland of just priding itself on only being achievable by super tough hardmen who they will dub 'real cyclists' rather than actually being any fun!
I'm tempted, but on another level, I'm really not.
Its supposed to be a challenge-if I knew I could do it I probably wouldnt be that interested.There are plenty of doable eventsnot so many "maybe" ones.
But I suspect they're limiting their entry numbers by keeping all that stuff a secret.
But I suspect they're limiting their entry numbers by keeping all that stuff a secret.
D'ya think? I'd have guessed that anyone with half a brain could work out that 100 miles in Northumberland is going to include a lot of climbing. It's not going to be flattish is it?
Maybe they could lie about it, say, 600 feet, total, to boost the entry? 😉
No, I do actually suspect people aren't entering for fear of it being 'too core' I may be wrong, maybe everyone oop there is as hard as they like to make out and they'll all ride the 100 miles with 85000ft of climbing on a rigid fixie with a 53:11 gear, and finish 26 minutes before they left.
It'll be interesting to see the make-up of the event, if it's mainly racey whippety 24hr solo types, or more of the have-a-go-hero types. I'd be concerned about my ability to do 100 miles in 12 hours certainly.
Don't they're keeping anything secret to be honest. I know they are out there at the moment, riding the course and so I guess you'll get an update on the website next week. A map of the course can be found at Purple Mountain at Kielder.
It's not priding itself on being super tough Nick, it's just opening up the door to a new enduro experience. It is also advising that it will be hard, not on easy fire roads and is there as a challenge if you want to do it. They're really popular in the States at the mo.
It has to be up North as it's the only place they can feasibly find enough area to 'race' over offroad on one lap. It won't be suitable for everyone and more importantly it's a competitive race, not a 'ride' like a Merida. It will be a challenge and I guess is suitable for those who want to push themselves to see if they can do it, a bit like any enduro really. If someone wants to ride singlespeed then good on them, it's not part of the race requirement...
No doubt it will be tough, Kielder isn't at all flat and they are trying to ensure the majority of the race takes place offroad and not just on fire roads.
So far the entry list is a great mix of have a goes and 24 race whippets with everything in between.
Should be a grand day out.
Kit list and feed station info will be updated on the web probably by next week and I'm sure entrants will get an email with all this listed.
See you out there;0)
I'll just be trying to survive it and make the cut-offs. For me taking part in an event that I might not be able to finish is part of the appeal. I'm sure I won't be the only one if so!
There are cut off time details there now: http://www.sip-events.co.uk/kielder-time.html
6.30am - Race Start
2pm - Check-point Cut Off 1 (55 miles)
4.30pm - Newcastleton Cut Off 2 (65 miles)
8pm - Sunset
So, 7.5 hours to do the first 55 miles.
A further 1.5 hours to do the next ten miles (9 hours to do 65 miles)
You're expected to complete the 100 miles by 8pm, which is 13.5 hours.
They seem reasonable to me.
There's also info there on the required kit: http://www.sip-events.co.uk/kielder-riderinfo.html
[i]It seems to fall into the category of so many events in Northern England/Scotland of just priding itself on only being achievable by super tough hardmen who they will dub 'real cyclists' rather than actually being any fun![/i]
places with hills tougher to mountain bike in that flat places, eh? dearie me, who'd have thunk it...
eek-sometimes it's better not knowing!
It seems to fall into the category of so many events in Northern England/Scotland of just priding itself on only being achievable by super tough hardmen who they will dub 'real cyclists' rather than actually being any fun!
It doesn't have to be fun to be fun 😉
I'm not a racey whippety 24hr solo type or a super tough hard man, I just like riding my bike a long way.
Steady away for most folk to avoid the cutoffs I reckon.
Those do seem very reasonable cut offs, my post was very much tongue in cheek, although the number of Scottish events that seem to entail a long dull climb followed by a super-technical descent seem to give some gravity to my comments!
This does look like a good event, and I'm definitely tempted to do it, I'd be interested to see a course map/profile though! What can I say, I'm just a whinging Southerner 🙂
From what I've recently heard there can't be to much hill. A fastish course.
[i]although the number of Scottish events that seem to entail a long dull climb followed by a super-technical descent seem to give some gravity to my comments![/i]
some examples please (other than the recent British Cycling XC Champs)?
[i]they'll all ride the 100 miles with 85000ft of climbing on a rigid fixie with a 53:11 gear, and finish 26 minutes before they left.[/i]
No. It's supposed to be hard, not something my mum could do.
[i]
[/i]they'll all ride the 100 miles with 85000ft of climbing on a rigid fixie with a 53:11 gear, and finish 26 minutes before they left.
I thought we were all riding fixed. No?
I thought we were all riding fixed. No?
Yes, and I was thinking of not bothering with a saddle either.
My kit list is missing one important element - a bike. But luckily that isn't on the required equipment list
Before this week I thought my prep was going well. Need to go and sort out a 'demo' ride today.
You could always run it, Martin.
I just like seeing what i can do and how far i can go on a bike. If I wanted to win stuff I'd do another sport.
although the number of Scottish events that seem to entail a long dull climb followed by a super-technical descent seem to give some gravity to my comments!
Rather than riding round in circles in a flat muddy field?
100 miles is a LONG way off road.
That distance is the M25 to Nottingham on the M1.
I think the closest thing to this must be the Bucks off road Sportiv, which is 121km.
I've got their route and will be having a go shortly.
No point in going all that way only to be turned back.
I can ride Meridas (they too have cut off times) but it's this whole timed business & not at all like racing a 24hr event where you can take time out for a meal or a rest as it best suits you.
Still not sure if I am a strong enough rider yet.
Rather than riding round in circles in a flat muddy field?
Exactly!
No, IMO a decent course has lots of climbs rather than one big one, which doesn't make for good racing. The BUSA champs race at Dunkeld really epitomised a terrible XC course for me, I didn't speak to anyone who enjoyed it who wasn't Scottish, which I guess just shows you like what you're used to, and before all the 'learn to ride a bike' comments, the downhill course was the most enjoyable bit!
Anywho back OT... considering the prevalence of 100 mile events in the US I think it's good that we're catching up, and considering the reasonably long cut off times I'm more tempted to try it! I guess this is likely to be reasonably unique though, with England's restrictions on racing on public rights of way.
The course that you are glad you didn't ride was classed as a world class course by world class riders - cant get much more praise than that.
Sign me up for the bus - I just want to get round before dark (and hopefully enjoy it). I somewhat foolishly decided to the charity thing (Air Ambulance), consequently i've told loads of people i'm doing it and i really [i]have[/i] to finish. Still it may turn out to be a pyschological advantage not to have the option of quitting...
On the subject of elevation i'm hoping it won't be [i]too[/i] bad - i did a 65km enduro up there earlier in the year (organised by the Kielder Trail Reavers) and the course was quite fast - think i finished in under three hours (winner was 2:40 or thereabouts). That included the trip across the border and some of the Newcastleton trails, there was a couple of decent climbs but nothing comparing to the monsters at the Selkirk Merida last month.
Pippa.
Can you tell us of any links to pictures from the event? I'm keen to learn more about the trail and how it flows. Is it Dalby-esque for example?
Also, what was your Selkirk time please.
Don't have any pics from that event but trails were as follows (from my glucose deprived memory):
- Kielder Deadwater - surface quite similar to Dalby, some nice singletrack - quite a new trail so wasn't probably completely bedded in. Big boardwalk section at the end - watch out for the last corner if wet (off camber)
- Newcastleton - surface more similar to Glentress (less hardcore - more packed down gravel) - flowed really well.
- Linking sections (cross border trail) - mostly fireroad, had been raining and couple of inches of gloop in places where forrestry had been taking place
Had a bit of a shocker at Selkirk - for some reason had nothing in the legs from about 20km onwards - think i may have had a bug (or maybe it was the beer the night before) - 6hrs.
I wimped out on the basis I couldn't do Selkirk twice but I suppose they won't have nearly 6000m of climbing in the Kielder one.
I've done long rides on the road and would say off road it's about twice as hard. 100miles on a road bike compares to 50 on a mountain bike in terms of how tired I feel.
I am going to wait till next year when I've got more long rides under my belt. Most of the rides I do with the club are 3-4hours and not very pushy so I think I will start to ride more on my own in preparation next year. Back in the days when I was a student I could quite comfortably do 8-9hour rides day after day but then I had 3 month summer holidays to build up to it.
If there's 6000m of climbing at Kielder i'll need something stronger that Torq bars... EPO anyone?
Have been interested in this but it's a five hour drive there and based on my races this year.....
Bristol 12 - 80 miles
MM 24 - 155 miles
Bontrager 12hr - 55 miles (stopped early)
and other rides I've done I don't think I'll make the cut off times - like a challenge but not if I'm doomed to fail from the start. Think it's a good idea for an event but need more on the course. Such as if don't make a cut off is the route back on the road or a shorter off road route and how far is it? If I hit the wall after 8 hours I don't fancy a couple of hours slog back.
Beer & rides - I can't do that either.
And then fast forward to the mess tent at Kielder, 21:00hrs, 05 Sept: could you honestly wear the T shirt or join in the banter around the tables and bar if you were Black-flagged (for you, zee race is over) at anything other than maybe the final cut-off point?
I only completed 11 laps at Bonty, but would hope to have managed 14-16 were I to have ridden solo and not mens pairs.
As you say, maybe 2010?
I really think a lot of you are anguishing over this a bit too much. Most of you sound like fairly fit individuals who are used to endurance events. Give it a go, there's really not going to be any shame in missing a cutoff in a 100 mile offroad race set at the end of summer. If you miss one so be it but you'll have tried and you'll be happy knowing what is coming if you enter in 2010.
The organisers need a full house (however many they have projected will make a succesful event) and if they've not got that already then it may not happen next year. I for one would like to see more of these events to be honest, they certainly appeal a lot more to me than 24 hour events do nowadays.
Like Samuri says, there's no shame at all in entering and not finishing. Even if you miss the first cutoff you'll have a decent ride. By entering this year, you'll b supporting this new event and showing that there's an appetite for 100 mile events in the UK.
It'll be reet, get entered.
ok, after a few weeks' being wet, i'm entered.
[silently wonders how many thousands of feet?]
[i]And then fast forward to the mess tent at Kielder, 21:00hrs, 05 Sept: could you honestly wear the T shirt or join in the banter around the tables and bar if you were Black-flagged (for you, zee race is over) at anything other than maybe the final cut-off point?[/i]
Yes. Stop being silly.
njee20 - come up and race up here some more. not all super-tech-fests. [url= http://www.sxc.org.uk ]SXC[/url] series features some cracking courses.
Maybe next year?
It's a 'round trip of about 650 miles from Watford &
I'd only compete if I felt I could complete.
I still have to do some 2-3 long rides to see if this is possible for me, else I'd be wasting my time & money on something that's at present beyond my cycling abilities.
I am not alone in feeling this way, judging by the various forums, it seems quite a few are looking for more information too, which I have no doubt will be available soon on their site and XC Racer.
Either way, it seems to be both a tantalising prospect and a real challenge.
ach, you'll be fine. 🙂
Looking forward to this.
Aiming for mid-table mediocrity as usual.
100 miles IS a long way though...
It is and yes, it's an awful long way for southerners to travel, but it's a good start. There's plenty of places down south where this sort of event could run but the first one is up North. If you can, make it, if it's too far then no problem. I'd really like these sorts of events to work right around the country and if this first one isn't manufactured perfectly that's fine by me, I'm happy to participate and help the momentum.
Sorry if you can't make it but lets hope it goes well and begins a country wide drive behind races like this.
Ti29er - go on do it!
Hi Pippa.
Today, I have, after a trip to the Doc's, been ordered up to Watford General for a Full Blood Count. My eye balls feel like racing greyhound's testicles and my tongue is an odd furry white & yellow. I can't even whistle!
I've spend most of the day falling asleep.
Don't feel much like doing much in the way of training, truth be known; bu**er!
Having spent 6 months in the place, I can say, any fire road climbing, should be easy because the roads have to be passable for 40+ tonnes timber wagons.
Any of the much lauded "new red trail" and older Deadwater stuff is surfaced in sandstone.
Oh and the woodwork corner mentioned earlier, there is a short cut that misses it out.
Don`t go looking for Flo though,shes retired
😉
There's a bit more info floating about now:
http://www.xcracer.com/content.php?pid=2628
http://www.sip-events.co.uk/kielder-riderinfo.html
/p>
"A detailed map of the course can now be found at Purple Mountain Bike Shop in Kielder and also in Newcastleton village centre"
If anyone gets a look at this, they could take a photo or two...
It's going to be hard not to stop for tea and cakes at 65 miles and probably even harder to get going again.
It's going to be hard not to stop for tea and cakes at 65 miles and probably even harder to get going again.
Why would you [i]not[/i] stop? 🙂
it's an awful long way for southerners to travel
It's an awful long way for some of the Northerners too... 6hrs for me.
I'm just hoping to make the cutoffs and finish the distance.
I'm a bit concerned as i'm on the entry list twice.
Hope that dosen't mean i have to complete the distance twice 😉
I'm a bit concerned that after two weeks in France doing nothing I am going to really struggle. Got a 50 mile ride on friday, and the same hopefully on sunday, wedding next weekend and then the race, GULP
I've got the opposite problem - did a 150km ride last week and now my knee is knackered - hoping it'll sort itself out with a bit of rest. Fingers crossed.
So has everyone compiled their basic kit list?
I think i may be rather overbiked on an orange 5... comfort should be good tho!
So has everyone compiled their basic kit list?
I'll be on my rusty Inbred.
[url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2487/3726380026_8910a009df_d.jp g" target="_blank">
32:17, 2.2" Mtn Kings, Mary bars. Two water bottles for drink and seatpack for tools and tubes. Snacky food (Jelly Squirms and broken up Geobars) in jersey pockets if it's dry, or the tri bag if it's wet.
Aplkit Gourdon 20 on my back with waterproof and a warm top, plus (GPS) phone and spare food.
Details of (lack of) training on [url= http://mactually.co.uk/ ]mactually.co.uk/[/url]. Just aiming to finish.
Sod it!
Booked in (& I'm sober). What have I done?
Still not sure which of the two bikes.
OnOne Ti29er HT or Turner Flux (4 inches of full sus' )
I am quicker on the 29er, especially on fast trails and any linking sections, but 12+hrs..... maybe a softer ride on a full sus' might be wise.
This is what I rode on the Summer Polaris, and since we're carrying "stuff" on our bikes, but more importantly on our backs, I am in a quandry!
i'm there. riding it with jojo (anyone say follow the white rabbit?)
carbon scott scale ht,. 100mm forks. will be reet.
not very fit of late (glandular fever!), but done well in marathons when i last raced them. and 10 under etc 10 laps is doable. which is about 100 mile. in 10 hours! so should be reet for this 😀
although there may be some climbing in northumberland. i doubt it will have 5/6000 m as said. expect 3000/4000m for the whole thing...
Snap Oli, I will be on my carbon scale too.
See you there. Recovering from 10 more at moray where I did 129 miles in 10 hours 30 or sumthing. So under 10 hours should be doable.
Oli... just bumped into Sharki in town and he mentioned you and jojo were doing it. Well... Im guessing its you anyway! Would be random for there to be 2 lots of you.
I'll be on a white Five, not a clue how fit I am for it at the moment tho.
Will be fairly obvious in my pink team kit jersey.
Is anyone else staying at the Grapes as suggested?
the grapes? whats that then?
we will probably be camping (wherever the campsite is)
Grapes is one of the recommended hotels on the list. Fancied a bit of comfort before the race!
i see!!
well my tent/kit mat/sleeping bag are as comfy as any bed i've been in. so i'm happy 8)