they could make it 100,000 and it wouldn't be beaten.
I would also like to think that the fast guys doing it were most of the best in Britain just now. Sure there was no Matt Page, neal cramptons etc but over 12hrs we still had the Ant White's, Rothwells who stay pace with these guys and we were'nt getting near 8 nevermind 7hrs. For Ben to get 8 was amazing enough but in perfect (for kielder) conditions only a cancellera bike could get him near 7hrs 🙂
With respect there are many faster racers in the uk, than the names you mention, never mind Europeans.
The course was actually shorter this year, I made it 99.6 miles which makes comparisons tricky, I was actually faster at 9hr50 this year than in the dry last year, must have been the lack of brakes :-).
Also can comparisons be made when a large group of lead riders can actually increase the speed if they work together, every year is different.
Heard several riders comment how they were right up there until [insert problem] made them lose the tow.
Well done to all the marshals and Helpers in that weather, not an easy day out.
really didn't got well for me.
brake pads were contaminated and the grit seemed to seize my remote lock out so the forks were locked out permanently - death grip has left me with visible bruising on my palms!!
had a small spill and then later on a big crash at about 55km whichleft me in a lot of pain limped on and missed the first checkpoint by 15 mins - i was going to turn back anyway.
unfinished business +1.
Pads gone at 33 miles, stuck my first spare set on the rear (kevlar). They only lasted 18 miles, did 51 to 62 with no brakes and made the second cut off with 8 mins to go. Cake in gob, grabbed 2 sandwiches and then squirted as much lube on my chain as I could. Didn't have time to get any water and they wouldn't let you check in and then go back to fill up. Made it to the 78 mile point but missed the cut off, definitely got the bug looking forward to next year.
Longest, wettest and hardest ride I've ever done.
Oh and chain suck.......... sucks!
numplumz - you had a cracking ride! Better time and placing than last year even though the course was 3 miles shorter. Saw you at the 1st stop then you pulled out lots of time on me.
Does anyone have the secret of long lasting brakes? Whilst walking the dog today I was think of some disc shield that encases the disc and caliper. Not much good for airflow, but good for a wet horrible course like Kielder where brake cooling is not an issue. Or are there some secret carbon based pads that last forever? (My Hopes are through the backing plates on their 2nd set of pads - the piston popped out of the fronts so they didn't work as the fluid was leaking out).
I didn't bother with any chain oil at the tech stops as firstly it just washes straight off, and secondly the water acts as a lube (but the sand doesn't!).
I might have a look inside the forks tomorrow to see how the seals/oil has fared.
I pulled the lowers off my new [2012] Fox forks last night and they were as clean as a whistle so it looks like the SKF seals they use now are pretty good, I can't imagine doing rides in worse conditions than Kielder threw at us so fairly confident they'll last well
The drivetrain [10 sp XT] has faired reasonably well too with no obvious wear visible
The paintwork has suffered somewhat but it's a mountain bike after all
Wow. Incredible effort from all participants. I bailed this year's race - and in retrospect am pleased I did, it would have been very mentally tough to do all the prep only to be destroyed by the weather. Last year was tough enough and that was in the dry :S
Do the midges keep away when it rains? Perhaps the blessing is that you aren't being eaten to death on the circuit when it is wet. 🙂
Next year...
Do the midges keep away when it rains? Perhaps the blessing is that you aren't being eaten to death on the circuit when it is wet.
The bites on my legs would suggest that they put their waterproofs on.
Wouldnt normal old school rubber brakes work better, albeit with poorer braking power?
Churned through 2 sets of shimano pads by the half way point so with just one set left resigned myself to not being able to finish, took a nice long lunch break at Newcastleton then pushed on to the 68m cut off for a lift back, turns out the cheap Superstar sintered I had left lasted the final 50mile with plenty to spare, the last 20miles was a blast once I realized I would finish after all!!
Can we somehow capture what pads worked well? May be also include what bedding in (if any) was done.
There'll be no consistency, otherwise we'd all use that type of pad!
For Ben to get 8 was amazing enough but in perfect (for kielder) conditions only a cancellera bike could get him near 7hrs
I'm with Numbplumz here, Ben's a superb XC racer who made Kielder his goal. IMO a race like this doesn't necessarily favour the endurance specialists, not in the same way as a 24 or even a 12. With a favourable course and good weather I'd not be surprised to see 7 hours, although I definitely agree it would be a phenomenal ride. I'll see what Ben reckons!
I was there as my mate from the other end of the country stayed at mine with his GF before and after.
We went to several "spectator points", I ended up fixing brakes and fettling(dry warm hands work way better than wet cold ones) then proceeded to ferry retirees back to the the start. Hats off to everybody who even started the event, it was gopping @ 06.30 and was forecast to stay that way.
Numplumz, you were by far the fastest I met when doing my IR bit on the road section from Bloodybush pillar down to The Forks(78mile cut off)well done to you but TP dust is still more preferable.....
BTW Kielder: just not for me thats all!
What a ride ,3sets of pads used.4 would have been better. I had a nasty off @50 miles-couldnt stop on a corner!
Well doneto all who started. The marshalls were amazing,especially the next to last dibbers who gave me a push!
Special mention to fella called greg who checked i was ok after the off ,ta. Oh,and the lady with the pink brakes
who dragged a few of us up deadwater past the piper.nice one. And the fella who was doing his first ever mtb
race.in at the deep end! Good banter all round.
My only disapointment is that i didnt beat last years time,have to do it again now!
I havent told senorita J yet.Ha.
Six sets of pad wore out for me. KIA list for pads is as follows.
- 2x Superstar Kevlar (bedded in, almost new)
- 1x Superstar Kevlar (new not bedded in lasted 5 miles)
- 2x BBB Sintered (new not bedded in)
- 1x manufacturer not known (part worn)
Many thanks to the lady who lent me two used pad at the Newcastleton otherwise I wouldn't have been able to finish, hope the gels got you to the end!
For the last 38 miles I had two sets of pads, so I just used the front brake and replaced these when they went which was on the last 1 mile from the finish at the top of the swoopy downhil red section into the finish.
I didn't bother with gears so other damage to the bike was limited to a sticky lockout lever and a rusty chain.
Really enjoyed it so will be back next year with more (bedded in) pads.
Also thanks to all the marshals and organisers. The support and organisation was superb.
Edit:
Also thanks to the other riders who helped support at the different checkpoints after retiring due to mechanicals and mishaps. A bit of banter and encouragement goes a long way in getting your head together for conditions like that.
Hung with a group up till the first feed station, but carried on whilst they stopped to refill bottles. From there I ploughed on solo all the way to the finish - not fast enough to catch anyone in front, not slow enough to be caught. Barely saw another rider all day.
Finished just outside the top 10. To go any faster, I think I'll have to try and hang in a group with some of the fast boys. And maybe eat fewer pies 😛
1 Set superstar reds till Newcaslton and changed to aztec sintered they lasted till kielder with loads of life left in them.
Had a look at the results.
Does anyone know the distances for all the checkpoints listed on the results (CP1, CP2, etc)?
My first attempt this year and I missed the 51 mile cut off by 2 mins. My initial feeling of upset soon moved to relief and if i'm honest i wouldn't have made the next one as i was mentally drained.
A big respect to everyone that lined up and massive respect to all the guys that finished. I just can't comprehend some of the finish times, in those conditions that truly was a great achievement.
Also a big thanks to the marshals and tech guys who were out in that weather probably longer than most of us and also the organisers. It was a great event and I for one will be back next year come rain or shine.
Very rarely post but just wanted to express my thanks to the organisers for putting a great route together. Tough course but lots of rewarding singetrack sections that helped to keep spirits up in the miserable conditions. Great marshalling with loads of encouragment from them all. Also a big thanks to all those who passed and gave me an encouraging comment. 11.5 hours and 66th place (23rd MV) - happy with that. Not sure I will do it again but I'm bound to reconsider in a few weeks time when everything has healed.
Budge (the Team JMC one).
I won't be going back, it's a better race than I am a rider, that's for sure
Tried it 2 years running now, first year I was 8 mins outside of the 1st cut-off, this year I was 30 mins inside the cut-off time but had run out of brakes by then and - TBH - I was relived to have to call it a day
I trained as hard as time allowed me this year with 4 sessions per week most weeks and still it beat me, I know when to take a hint 🙂
Joolze has the photos up already: http://www.joolzedymond.com/joolzeD/Kielder100-11.html
That's my bars/hand in the thumbnail 🙂
the lad with the midge candle is my mate. We were midge free!
On Friday I was glad I'd chopped in my Kielder entry as my right achilles still hadn't recovered from the week before.
Now I'm disappointed I didn't go as I love watching others more miserable than me in bad conditions!
Respect to all those that finished. As much mental straength as physical by the sounds of it.
jonba - Member
I've just finished checking my bike to see what work needs doing.New jockey wheels - no teeth on any of them
new cables
new pads
brake overhall including new pistons*
New rotors*
new chainrings
new chain
new casette
new bearings for hope rear hubso expensive race
What the hell?? Really? You must have started it on a slightly battered bike to make it in that state?? Unless all your gear wasn't set up properly maybe.
The course was actually shorter this year, I made it 99.6 miles which makes comparisons tricky,
Yeah it was about 103 or 4 miles the past two times i did it. Would have liked to see Crampton there.
A massive shout to anyone who turned up and have it a go, I reckon!
I was marshalling, firstly at the end of the first (Wainhope) loop, about 25 miles in, and even there the atrrition rate was high, the retirals from the first feed station onwards were even higher. We radioed every retiral back to control, Sara's radio traffic was absolutely non-stop all day.
Comedy sight of the day was from my second MP, at the curved bridge at Lewisburn, the number of people pinging off the railings or sliding down with a foot in their fork arch to stop was brilliant! Given the circumstances, had it been me, I think I would have pulled out, serious respect to everyone who gave it a shot.
To all the people going through so many brake pads and wearing them out after 13 miles etc, i have two theorys. Either you're using cheap seven quid jobbies, or just braking far too much.
I've done it the past few years on one set of pads, and a lot of life left in my other components.. apart from the cables maybe.
How did the route compare to the last two years anyway?
Other than bearings and chain rings, that's my list of repairs too. My rear mech was brand new and the jockey wheels are shot, chain was new, pads new cables new.
But when you are trying to slow down using your pistons onto your rotors, it makes a bit of a mess.
or just braking far too much.
This is true but unless you were in the leed bunch you were in a pack of about 100 plus for the first 20 miles, so its like your in a trafic jam on/off the brakes all the time
This is true but unless you were in the leed bunch you were in a pack of about 100 plus for the first 20 miles, so its like your in a trafic jam on/off the brakes all the time
Sounds about right, the majority of my pads went in the first 30 - 40 miles of the race. I started at the back so there was a lot of traffic to contend with.
The problem isn't braking too much - its actually not a very brake intensive course. The problem is the lack of clearance of calipers and the kind of sticky dirt up there.
After I changed my rear pads at 60km I must have lost all my hydraulic fluid or something as the lever was just going straight to the handlebar, so I didn't touch my back brake again. [b]My rear pads were still down to the metal by the end!
[/b]
Somebody (Hope?) needs to invent a wide clearance caliper so that the pads sit way off the rotor when not in use.
Somebody (Hope?) needs to invent a wide clearance caliper so that the pads sit way off the rotor when not in use.
I used to set my Avid BB7 mechanicals up with a lot of clearance, as they're manually adjusted.
The brakes on every bike I rode near to were making horrendous noises constantly. Remember the sound when riding through mud with V brakes? Like that.
[img] 
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I was dragging my brakes, that's why I got through so many pads. In fact everyone was dragging their brakes. If we had all known how to ride we'd have been fine on part worn organics obviously 🙄
Would have liked to see Crampton there.
With all due respect to Neil, Ben's a better rider and has made this his goal for the last few months, several training camps in the Alps and what not. Not to say he wouldn't have pushed the pace a bit more though!
The more horror stories come in the more glad I am that I wasnt there, and chapeau to the finishers!
Top event and major thanks to the marshall's, first time for me and i was 4th (i think) singlespeeder back, just need to change the pistons in my brakes....
Big thanks to the organisers and marshals 🙂 Course was like a Summers Strathpuffer but without the snow!!!
I started off with new (bedded in) rear sintered, and used front resin. Had to change fronts at the 'piper' to sintered. No more pad changes after that.
Came into the finish just before 13 hours.......
my pads don't look at all worn. fronts new and rears 1/4 worn. they might be contaminated - they didn't work. so maybe that's the trick 😉
To all the people going through so many brake pads and wearing them out after 13 miles etc, i have two theorys. Either you're using cheap seven quid jobbies, or just braking far too much.
I've done it the past few years on one set of pads, and a lot of life left in my other components.. apart from the cables maybe.
See the thing is I would have agreed with you in the past. I have ridden at Kielder, in the rain, for miles without any pad problems and completed the first two events without a change. For some reason it was terrible on Saturday - I got through 3 sets in my 80 odd miles and the fronts were new at 50 and down to the metal at the end. I thought the conditions on the ground were not that much worse than the first year - it rained more but as drac said above it was only about 1cm which is little. Baffling really but in a way I'm glad I didn't renew my drivechain before the race 🙂
Sounds about right, the majority of my pads went in the first 30 - 40 miles of the race. I started at the back so there was a lot of traffic to contend with.
True. I got caught behind someone two years ago who was hugging their brakes the whole way down one of the long twisty descents, so i had to slow down to save ramming into the back of him. That'll wear down your pads!
There are some terrible brake huggers out there. Conditions make a big difference though obviously.
I thought the conditions on the ground were not that much worse than the first year
I was lots muddier/grittier this time than in 2009, despite only riding half as far.
Hadn't a lot of the trails recently been topped off by the FC? I wonder if they'd not had time to bed in, so lots of loose, sandy surfaces to flick up and ruin us?
[i]To all the people going through so many brake pads and wearing them out after 13 miles etc, i have two theorys. Either you're using cheap seven quid jobbies, or just braking far too much.
[/i]
I'm not particularly hard on brakes. In fact, before I swapped the pads to new (bedded in) sintered pads before Kielder I reckon the previous ones had been on for 2 or 3 years. And that bike gets ridden in all sorts of weather.
In the 33 miles I rode on saturday, I lost about two thirds of the pad. I don't think I'd have got to the end on the same set, even though I was braking less and less as the ride went on as I was riding around less people.
I think the conditions were just really agressive on saturday.
To all the people going through so many brake pads and wearing them out after 13 miles etc, i have two theorys. Either you're using cheap seven quid jobbies, or just braking far too much.
If you had ridden this year you'd seen it was far muddier than the last 2 you have done. It was wet all day and while Kielder Castle had 1cm of rain when I was at Bloody Bush putting banners up it was raining far harder, the hog was sinking into the mud with big fat tyres. It rained pretty much for 24 hours though and had lingering drizzle when it was easing off.
Given Ben said his pads ran out with 40 miles to go I'll go with it was the conditions.
Special mention to fella called greg who checked i was ok after the off ,ta. Oh,and the lady with the pink brakes
who dragged a few of us up deadwater past the piper.nice one.
That was probably me, I was worried I was holding you all up! It was proper miserable up there!
To all the people going through so many brake pads and wearing them out after 13 miles etc, i have two theorys. Either you're using cheap seven quid jobbies, or just braking far too much.
I've done it the past few years on one set of pads, and a lot of life left in my other components.. apart from the cables maybe.
I have never changed brake pads in a race before, it wasn't an option not to. The braking wasn't the problem, you could hear them grinding away when you were just riding along!
I was in the 'border train' too. There cant have been many folk with pink brakes and It certainly was trio25 that I was following.
That was the worst part of the lap for me.
all i remember was water, mud and christmas trees for 100 miles. i used xt discs. the front pads have been on for 18 months and were fine at the start. the rear pads were new (shimano again) and properly bedded in. rear pads went after 40miles, down to the metal. braked on the metal for 10miles as knew a replacement set wouldnt last the whole race. when tried to change the pads the piston was stuck and took ages to press back in. heard a lot of people had the same problem. the new rear brake pads lasted until that stop with the choc rice crispy cake. from then on - 30 miles? - braked with metal on metal, then piston on rotor - nice. was still very impressed with the braking power! with about 5 to go had to run the dh - which as someone has already said, looked about the best bit, grr. well done to all who finished and those that tried.
Who were the 2 guys with the Jones (one was the space frame with a fat wheel and the other a steel one)? I have never seen a fat bike before and it looked ace!!
Who were the 2 guys with the Jones
Waves. Mine was the blue steel one. I'd not played with a fat wheel either before a quick roll around on my friend's new toy. Feels remarkably like riding a bike, would be interesting to try it on something lumpy.
On the brake pad front, the last 2 years I haven't had to touch my pads. Same bike, same brakes.
This year thanks to little pre-race checking I had a suspect front brake that failed at around 25 miles, and then I went through the backing plate on one set of rear pads, wore out another pair to the metal, and then did about half another set. So I think its safe to say it was harder on brakes this time!
I have to admit I did like both of your bikes. We were hanging around the same area as you at the start, there was 3 of us in black and yellow tops (God this reminds me of the love story that guy started on here ages ago :D).
I check the course markers when we run the kielder marathon series and i wore a pair of pads out on one lap, about 12 miles and thats at my snails pace
Someone else said aztec sintered are the way to go, thats what I used and still have half a pad left on full inspection at each end today.
Back at work today feeling not too bad, not sure I'll be doing that race in a hurry again though!
Hadn't a lot of the trails recently been topped off by the FC? I wonder if they'd not had time to bed in, so lots of loose, sandy surfaces to flick up and ruin us?
I think in 2009 we rode the new blue trail for the first time - I remember thinking it should have been allowed to settle first. You're right though - everyone was much muddier this time. Perhaps it was the combination of a few more hundred riders chewing it all up and the rain making the slop sloppier and so more easily spread around. Also, FWIW, my sintered pads fitted at 50 miles are ok now (35 miles later) whereas the ordinary pads (£15 pair, not desperately cheap ones) were down to the metal.
Hub gears and coaster brakes ftw. Or fixies.
I had some of the bargain pads from XC racer on, they have felt fine for all rides before Kielder,and they were well bedded in, but in that fine sand dust they seemed to glaze over. I had to change from my usual 1 finger braking to a full hand on the lever and pulling hard. It was like using wood for pads!
Pulling the brakes apart today, this appears to be the case, half the pads still left even though I had the impression of no brakes.
Next year I might carry some abrasive paper with me. Lucky to get away with the two big crashes Though, so perhaps not a good idea.
FWIW my rear v-brake pad is worn down to almost nohting, the front is about 3/4 gone. Both were nearly new at the start, but did last the race (although they made a lot of rubbing noise through the muddy bits and didn't work effectively anywhere). Rims seem OK. My arms still hurt, not used to braking so hard for so long!
Anyone elses eyeballs feel as though they've been grit-blasted? mine are still bloodshot and hurt everytime i blink.
That was my first experience of Kielder on my Orange 5 , which worked really well despite all the sand rammed into every orifice ,mine as well as the bikes, causing chain suck and the brakes were virtually useless at times and down to the metal after 30 miles. I swapped pads for another set, which lasted until checkpoint 2 where after a very close "big off" due to having one eye shut cos of the grit in it, I called it a day...the singletrack sections and the one down to the finish were fun tho'... Enjoyed the Black-sheep beer in the pub too!
Anyone elses eyeballs feel as though they've been grit-blasted?
Yup ,but feel a lot better today.
Amazing how fine that dust was,it really did get everywhere.
Who were the 2 guys with the Jones (one was the space frame with a fat wheel and the other a steel one)? I have never seen a fat bike before and it looked ace!!
The fat one is mine, but think that the choice of a big front wheel might have been a mistake on the day. Only the 3rd ride on it so I wanted to have a play. Does indeed ride very much like a bike, bit draggier on the ups, but rock solid stable on the downs and flat.
There was one other spaceframe out there which I rode with on the first fireroad, non-fat fork.
Some of my thoughts on the day as part of the Killer Kielder write up:
www.killerkielder.co.uk
wenanwhere - Member
Some of my thoughts on the day as part of the Killer Kielder write up:
Absolutely fantastic effort. I was chatting with you on the start line (I'm just to the right of you in the pic) and thought you were nuts!
😀 Amazing......
I luckily missed the Newcastleton cut off by seconds. The conditions were not the best. Thanks for helping with brake pads! It took nearly a grand total of 1 hour to fit them. How can they sell something that doesn't fit?? Anyway after that I got to the 50 miles check point with a bit of pace (Thinking to my self that I was not expecting to be riding through up rocky streams, I was expecting fire roads, the Kielder trails and a few fire breaks.) Anyway got to the piper and I thought I had missed the cut off but was told the cut-off for Newcastleton was 3pm, plenty of time then. Got to the fire road, one mile of bliss then someone shot me. Well there was a huge bang and my tyre was gone. A massive 4 inch rip in it (Thin walled Small block 8 tyre were not appropriate for the course) and I biked the last 7/8 miles with no tyre. Got to Newcastleton and was extremely tired but got a new tyre and then some lube and missed the cut off by seconds. Ah the relief, hot soup, fantastic rice crispy cake and a tent then a lift back to Kielder in the forestry mini bus.
Hats off to those that finished. Bet they don't have 900 entries next year! There were some good bits of trail but I can't remember much enjoyment only pain and cold. Oh yes nearly forgot that my chain broke as well but that was my fault.
mrlugz,good to speak to you how did you get on? Spoke to loads of people and really helped give me a boost to get through
13h 25m. 175th..
Going for sub 12 next year.
Good stuff a friend of mine must have been just around you at the end on a gary fisher 29er
Wow! Some achievement - well done! 😀
After washing my bike, I discovered that 3 out of 4 chainring bolts were incredibly loose. I think missing the cut off might have been a blessing in disguise as they'd probably not have made the border crossing and that'd be a long walk with a folded chainring.
Bit of a long shot but ... I left a heart rate monitor strap in the shower at the Kielder campsite on Saturday (shower nearest the door in the ladies block).
The campsite hadn't had it handed in on Sunday, I don't suppose anyone on here managed to scoop it up with their gear?
Its a Garmin strap but you could barely see the N on the front before the race, there's a good chance that didn't survive. No doubt it wiill say Garmin on the back somewhere.
Just to add to the lost and found 🙂
Endura Stingray glasses with orange lens - somewhere between 23 and 50 miles
I lost the will to live somewhere before 51 miles if anyone found it 😆
Bet they don't have 900 entries next year
I bet they do, the harder it is the more of a rep it gets and people will want to enter to see if they can conquer it.
I'll be back in year 4 after pulling out at 65 miles in year 1 😀
haven't had an MTB for a year now, but going to build up a cheap 2nd hand 29er single speed for it.
More lost and found - I lost my old Casio watch, on an Animal velcro strap, somewhere after halfway round. Not worth a penny but I've had it years, would like to see it again - will have to look out for it next year.
[I lost the will to live somewhere before 51 miles if anyone found it ]
This made me laugh a lot, a lot of will's were lost and found again that day!