[Closed] SITS camping area...

Well somehow my name ended up an amalgamation of other people's names on the team, the riders on each team were totally mixed up, we ended up in the wrong category as a result of this. Even though we'd paid for a team of 4 chaps, we somehow had a mysterious rider called "?" who was clearly female, as we ended up in the mixed category.

Something did go a bit wrong this year, constant calls for teams to check in as the timing made no sense.

Big shame about the track too, it was genuinely good fun in the dry. Shocked at how badly it knackered it with about 1 hour of rain, we rode last year as well and it did similar but recovered.

I did enjoy it, we'll be back next year too undoubtedly, but it's a shame about the niggling little issues through lack of organization. No idea who's responsible for any of it, but it clearly reflects badly on all the big sponsors proudly proclaiming they're hosting the event.

Do we really have to do this every time?

Yes, it rained, it was muddy, there was a chunk of pushing which is a bit depressing but no one made you go. ( And yes, no one is making me read this either 😉 If you don't enjoy it then don't go, decide you'll do something else next year but honestly, saying, "it's like this every time it rains and it's dull if it's dry, why don't they hold it elsewhere" after you've entered and turned up just seems daft.

Too many people that enter SITS have probably not done enough real time riding like crossing moors and climbing big hills/mountains, and have got a lot of their racin/riding experiance on a man made trail centre and struggle when they have to be out on their bike for more than an hour and a half and not have a comfort of a cafe/centre to get their bacon sarnie then decide to call it a day because its rained.
Yes its a bit soul destroying to have to push/drag a blinged up bike and worry that the claggy mud is scatching their pride and joy but its an endurance event get a friggin pub/trash bike.I only spectated but was in awe of those guys/and gals that kept on going mostly with a smile on their face for the 24hrs yes some might have binned it for the night but were back out there in the morning.Catton is a great venue easy for people to get around to various parts of the course and trackside was superb this year well done to Pat and his team and well done STW and their efforts with the nice touches ie free food and beer 😀

I went home for a comfy bed and a cooked breakfast 😉

@postierich - Was that you who handed me a cold corona with lime at the end then? I may have confessed to being overcome by man love at that time...

If terrahawk and twinklydave jack it in, there's something to be learned.

druidh - Member
If terrahawk and twinklydave jack it in, there's something to be learned.

+1000

Badger glad you enjoy it easy on the manlove thing though.

If terrahawk and twinklydave jack it in, there's something to be learned.

Big shame about the track too, it was genuinely good fun in the dry. Shocked at how badly it knackered it with about 1 hour of rain, we rode last year as well and it did similar but recovered.

I think a lot of the problem may have been the underlying ground was still pretty waterlogged. I was there for the running the week before and was surprised how soft some of the ground was that looked dry and solid.
And I think that Catton had to cancel the event prior to that due to flooding.

I seem to remember a [url= http://www.twinklydave.com/?p=719 ]blog post[/url] from twinklydave a couple of years ago jacking it in at SITS when it was dry.

I'd prefer to see one big 24hr event rather than two, what really is the difference now between MM and SITS other than more prizes at the one than the other . . . ?

Both these events have become more diluted over the years, we used to have a big screen, loads of shopping opportunity, companies showing off there gear, fly overs by army helicopters all sorts . . .

The best venue for this was Trentham, really good riding, unfortunately that can't happen anymore, so since then for me it has been on a downward spiral . . . it's not as good as it used to be FACT.

I think it just needs a freshening up, they have been very unlucky with the weather over the last few years, which hasn't helped - but i think if the course was more enjoyable the weather wouldn't be such an issue, that's why Relentless etc have such a good reputation . . . i understand it's not as easy finding a similar place down here to do it, so it's not easy.

How about moving it to September, we always seem to have better weather that month, i know it would mean more darkness, but would that matter?

I admire the organisers for keeping going though, and i understand why some people enjoy it come whatever. It's just not for me, not like this . . i'm heading north or abroad next year to get my taste of 24hr action.

I seem to remember a blog post from twinklydave a couple of years ago jacking it in at SITS when it was dry.

I can't actually remember the last race he actually finished. He's a bit of a quitter really.
Terrahawk can do what he wants, he finished 2nd in the World Champs so is a bit of a hero 🙂

I seem to remember a blog post from twinklydave a couple of years ago jacking it in at SITS when it was dry.

Yup, I was just over tired and in no fit state to race. I gave it a go though; if you've not tried you've no real reason to complain I reckon.

I can't actually remember the last race he actually finished. He's a bit of a quitter really.

😛
(It's true though, I do seem to be battling my innards a lot ATM, but not enjoying the riding doesn't help ). Oh and I finished the Worlds, in 8th. Ha.

When you're doing 5 or 6 24 hour solo races a year I reckon you're allowed an off-day every now and then.

This thread is a lot like the racing! Lot's of people whinging but still going around and around in circles!

This was my first 24hr race for 4 years and I wasn't sure whether I'd enjoy it, especially when the rain started. I loved it!
I've done SITS a few times and I've carried my bike around Catton in worse mud than that before. I knew what could happen so I packed mud tyres, a jet washer and a sense of humor and I had a great time.

Well done to all the teams / pairs / soloists who kept going and a huge thank you to the organisers and sponsors!

As a newcomer to SITS, I thought it was brilliant! I didn't have to ride it though, I had one of the stands. A couple of the solo guys came to me for help and I could see that despite the hardships and problems they where busting a gut to get back out on the course. Real men!

I enjoyed it, maybe more than the dry years, but that may have been down to the beers and G&T we consumed in the 5 hours we rested!

Yes it was muddy, but in mountain biking that happens. That's why we buy the right bike for the job. I rode a Cotic Soul running 3x9, so pretty normal, and 2" Bonty ACXs and had no problems with the drivetrain/wheels going round.

My mate with his Rohloff and 1.6" mud tyres was laughing all the way around!