[Closed] Official Dirty Reiver 2019 Thread.

Weather looks great, and similar to past two years.

I'd personally rather be too warm, so will be in tights, SS base, LS top, gilet and a final layer on top of all of that. 2 pairs of gloves and a hat as well.

Kit wise, as little as possible, the feed stations are really very good.

Can't wait, such a good day out with mates.

I'm doing the 200 and it's my first time, having registered for the last few years but never having been able to turn up due to either injury, travel with work or in the case of last year, a shocking lack of fitness.

Training's gone well this year and I feel about as strong as I could be in April, but who knows how well that's going to stand me after 120km or so when there's still so long to go.

Layers-wise, I was thinking similar to Will. SS base, LS top, Insulated gilet and a waterproof shell which I'll probably wear for the cold start. Leaving a bit of room in a small handlebar bag to stash those layers. Gloves - probably some short-fingered mitts with a pair of Rapha neoprene gloves over the top.

I'd been told to wear some Velotoze with the ford-crossing in mind. Nobody wants a long day with wet socks. However, I see from Instagram this morning that there's had to be a diversion and the ford's not included this year.

I think it was a similarly cold start last year, but warmed up quickly to the mid teens. I suspect it will feel colder for longer this weekend.

I'm going, it's always a laugh doing the 200 singlespeed, but have picked up a lurgy from some manky sod, so I'm currently coughing up dayglo chunks, so will see how it feels on the day. (Brandy in the hipflask will be purely medicinal)

Kit wise you really don't need to take a lot, some folks have so many frame packs they look like they're off to ride the arrowhead (but hey, each to Thier own and it's good)

Looking forward to the new route this year

I’d been told to wear some Velotoze with the ford-crossing in mind. Nobody wants a long day with wet socks. However, I see from Instagram this morning that there’s had to be a diversion and the ford’s not included this year.

If I'd have known there was a ford in it in year one, I'd have taken two industrial strength bin bags and wrapped one around each leg. I never warmed up again after that (the water was quite deep that year too) and that was a major factor in me pulling out at the 130km mark.

Me and the missus signed up for the 130. We were going to go for the 200, but it was sold out (probably for the best for our first one really).

Dunno now as I got sent home from work yesterday ill! Feeling a bit better today, but stomach/toilet situation isn't right yet. Hopefully I'll be better for tomorrow so we can make the trip up 🙂

I'm doing the 200, did the 130 last year and really enjoyed it. Shame it's not going to be quite as warm this year...

Kit wise I'm thinking similar to @will and @spicypedro, happy that there's a consensus! Just debating whether to risk the jazzy bib shorts and knee warmers or stick with black bib tights.Definitely wearing my winter boots to stave off cold toes though!

Slightly disappointed that the ford has been removed, although there would've been a footbridge next to it anyway if I was reading the briefing right.

Hope the feed stops are as good as last year. Think I ended with jersey pockets fuller than when I left! 😉

I'm in for the 130. Not done anywhere near the training i wanted to do, so will play it by ear and cut short if things don;t go to plan.

For those holding up the rear, i'll be the one in the bright pink Rapha top 🙂

Don't forget your emergency whistle.

We did a 35 mile loop to Llandegla and back last Saturday (5000ft ascent) as a warm up. My hope is the more technical terrain would have made up for the miles 🙂

I'm in the 200 but recent bouts off tachycardia mean I may choose to complete the 130 on the day. I'll be wearing overshoes, bib tights, 2 LS base layers, gabba jacket and gilet. In my frame bag I'll have an emergency waterproof. In the second edition of the DR I had a complete immersion in the river crossing, strangely enough I soon warmed up and by the end of the event my feet were dry. Last year I chose the sensible line at the crossing and stayed upright. The first year's weather was epic, I think this year will be cool, but fine.

SS gabba, arm warmers, bib tights, wool socks. I probably won’t bother with defroster boots and just wear spd shoes. In my new alpkit glider bag, I have a light weight ish waterproof, tube, whistle, gels, foil blanket and pump. Only the minimum from the kit list and it is full! Also a small saddle bag with another tube and multi tool etc.

Not sure how I could get away without the frame bag, given the kit list, and I thought the frame bag was probably a better bet than the camelback. I was hoping to carry spare socks but, the bag is stuffed!

Looking forward to it, the Tripster AT will be put through its paces!

Looks like my new Aussie Grit PSA thermal gilet will get its maiden voyage on Saturday.

I have ordered the Prendas oversocks as I thought velotoze might get ripped on the treads of my xc shoes. Fingers crossed the postman delivers the goods tomorrow.

The missus is doing the 200 for the second time. I'm marshalling again. Will be at Check Points 2 & 13, so give us a wave.

Weather looks chilly but dry, bit of a breeze. So I'll probably be freezing sat on my arse, while you lot are spinning away nicely at a pleasant temperature.

My advice is take lots of food if you're on the slow side. Everyone raves about the feeds but if you're in the back of the field everything goes, they don't restock and it's down to haribo and leftover crisps.

Last year was much worse than the year before, despite promises to the contrary.

So how did everyone go?

I was on my own this year, which amplifies the highs and the lows, the joy and the despair. I finished brightly though, and that's what keeps you coming back for more.

Best bit of event organisation: the zero alcohol beer and falafel wrap at the end. Significant improvement from last year.

Worst piece of kit: Garmin Edge Touring, keeps crashing. It's a liability.

Best piece of kit: the recently PSA'd Aussie Grit thermal gilet, perfect for yesterday's conditions.

Honourable mention: Panaracer Gravel kings, no punctures. Unlike last year when my Maxxis Ramblers got sliced.

Yeah ok. Did it on a mtb this year which I won't do again. Was nice going downhill some of the time but the fatigue after 80kms was telling. Only managed the 130 this year although to be honest I did next to no training for it apart from 3 hour enduro rides. Happy to have finished and I wholeheartedly agree about the wraps at the end. Made driving home significantly more pleasant!

Great event again, although that bombtrack climb was an utter utter dribbling ****house on a singlespeed, got up as far as possible until my legs disowned me, then it was the walk of shame to the top. Stonkingly fast and loose downhills and very amusing watching folks overshoot corners:)

Loved it

Well the missus finished the 200k at 4 mins past her target time, having had mechanicals, but 26 mins faster than last year and in comparison to most looked fresh as a daisy. Well done her!

I bloody froze. Checkpoint 13 at the south end of the loop was absolutely Baltic - the end of That. Bloody. Head. Wind. and the right turn up hill. A large vat of that Pannier CC coffee at FS 3 helped to revive me no end!

CP2 earlier in the day was glorious, down by the lake, but it does seem like there's a lot of roadies who need to get some very basic bike handling lessons. So much deathgrip. So much looking where they ARE going, not where they WANT to go. We didn't have to haul anyone out the ditch, but it was a close call for a good few!

Well done to Andy and Bryan @Focal Events, the head organisers. It basically just worked. Very few issues, and a good few positive changes from last year - not least of which all the "official" food being done by the teepee! The guys from Kielder Forestry were massively helpful too.

I snuck in 2 minutes under my target time which extremely pleasing given how horrible I felt during the eastward slog into that horrendous headwind between CP2 and CP3. Managed to simultaneously freeze and get dehydrated. Different arm covering needed for next year to actually keep the wind off.

That special stage was tough after 170k of bumping around. If only I'd had some of those fancy forks to increase the comfort on my wrists. 😉

Really enjoyed it overall; still superbly organised and a really good vibe. The falafel wrap was very well received! Feed stations were good again, although I was surprised they didn't have hydration tabs at CP2/3. Having said that the Pannier.cc chaps were life savers with hot potatoes, Tunnocks, and real coffee.

Well done to everyone who rode / marshalled / organised!

All i can say is....for god sake people go TUBELESS 🙂

Fantastic event, it was my first time doing the 130 and everything hurt. The hills were a perfect storm of frequency, length and gradient to **** you over. The weather was ace and the atmosphere even better.

My takeaways are that I need to do more hills in training, and that wine gums keep you going better than Tangfastics.

Respect to the chap that rode the fixed gear. Mental.

It was tough, but brilliant. The wind made it even harder! Managed the 200km, just! Despite running tubeless I still punctured once at mile 45, and it was a pinch!

Well run and really friendly event. My only worry is what kind of bike are they going to invent next?! There’s now a niche which is expanding for gravel bikes!!

Can anybody find a link to the results? I can only find 2018.

I did the 200 first time for me at any bike event it was great marshals were friendly and encouraging the feed stations were good also as you only had a split second to think about bailing out for the 130 meant I carried on given a bit more time I might have bailed but I’m super chuffed-to have completed it but some of the sections into the freezing cold cutting wind were tough massive respect to the single speeder

1st time for me, I slogged round in 11h36m, I started to struggle as I headed up to the 2nd food stop but I just tried to ignore the miles ahead and turned onto the 200km route, telling myself if I can manage the next 30 miles, then I've got halfway round the second loop and my only real option is to carry on. Reckon I could improve my fuelling as I lost my appetite for a while and had to force myself to eat. However, apart from numb toes and thumbs in the first couple of hours, I was fairly comfortable with 3/4's, long sleeve base, ss jersey, and kept my Endura MTR jacket on the whole time. I also started with arm warmers and a buff, and the safety net of an insulated jacket which I wore at the start, stuffing it into a dry seatpack 5 minutes before the off, and straight back on at the finish. Knowing it was there for a breakdown or extended rest was comforting for a ride so far out of my comfort zone.

Great to have done the full 200, but if I ever go again it will be the 130 unless I am much, much fitter!

If you go to timingupnorth.co.uk the results are now up.

I bailed at 65km instead of doing the 130km. I was frozen and never really warmed up after stopping to fix a tubeless puncture. Being cold coupled with tired legs I decided to call it a day before I got to the bottom end of the lake and being properly broken.

Looking back I’m gutted as it warmed up a bit and the 2nd half didn’t have as many long climbs.

Perhaps I’ll be back for next year with a bit more training.

I came in at 3 minutes under my target, so was well chuffed. Punctured about 30k from the finish, but managed to get enough air back into the tyre to limp back. There was a guy who punctured at the same point that couldn't seal his tyre and couldn't get the valve out to put a tube in, so was facing a bit of a walk.

I had ridden the southern loop a few weeks before so knew what to expect. Those headwinds though...

I almost cried when I popped out of the woods onto the road to Stonehaugh, then almost cried again when I saw the coffee and potatoes that Panier.cc had put on.

I bloody froze. Checkpoint 13 at the south end of the loop was absolutely Baltic – the end of That. Bloody. Head. Wind. and the right turn up hill. A large vat of that Pannier CC coffee at FS 3 helped to revive me no end!

Once you got your car started, eh Jon? 😉

Well done to all the finishers, cracking work. That Bloody Head Wind was a biter, even for those of us only riding a quarter of the course.

Pyro - Sweep2

@ Pyro - Fair play to the medics; it seems they fix cars as well as people!

Another great event, made even better by the marshals and on-course encouragement. The FC guys seemed to be genuinely enthusiastic and encouraging, and it was good to see Bananaman and the Chicken out again!

As for the Pannier.cc coffee... More like rocket fuel!

Well done to all.

Is there a map of this year's route? I can't find one on the website and it seems that no-one I follow on Strava has posted up anything. Just wondering how much of it I've ridden.

@whitestone they've got all the routes up on Komoot. Technically the full one missed out the ford bit at ~130km (a crying shame, not) but other than that I think they should be fairly accurate.

The GPX is on the website - go to 'Rider Briefing' and scroll down.

Despite improving my DR200 time it was a much tougher ride than last year, even with the border climb taken out. due to a combination of punchier climbs in the first half, the cold and most of all the awful head wind. I didn't hit my target of sub 9hrs but did get annoyingly close!

A lot of people got caught out by the cut off times, and there seemed to be a bit more bitching about facilities, food, drink and even the lack of constant social media availability, probably a consequence of the increasing popularity.

I hope they make it even tougher next year!

The GPX is on the website – go to ‘Rider Briefing’ and scroll down.

Ah, I'd gone to "info" which is where Google search took me.

Looks like the main bit I've not ridden is the loop south of Stonehaugh. There's short bits elsewhere that link up previous routes I've done or the "go right then turn left" vs "go left and turn right" sort of options around a square or block.