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Considering doing the 12 hour as a team and wondered what to expect really? I was thinking of doing it on a chubby HT for comfort over speed, but the website seems to show a lot of lycra and 29.
So I guess I am asking about - kit choice?
How serious is it for the everyman? We aren't going to win it...are there many casuals or is this just for race snakes?
What happens when the race finishes? A party? or just shattered people crawling into their tents?
and anything else pertinent I have missed! Thanks for the insights!
It's a real mix, like most 12/24 hour events. Lots of wooded singletrack, nothing super-technical, friendly atmosphere. At the end, my experience is that most people are pretty tired, but they do supply beer at the prize giving just after midnight.
(Beej, 3rd place, Male Vets Pair, 6 hour race 2017. The highlight of my racing career)
lots of casuals, but if you own a race 29er and the kit to ride it then definitely do as you are in a team. 12hr solo then definitely think about comfort.
While not blessed with a lot of height, it is near constant singletrack apart from the start of the lap for between 35 and 55 minutes depending on the course, weather and your fitness.
I've done it 3 times, don't think I've ever actually taken a drink from my water bottle on the course as even the occasional 100m fireroad need to be done hard or they'll be another team kit 29er lapping you.
12hr 3 or 4 male team they'll be plenty in your category, so you can nerd out on the live timing screen, try to work out who is who from the team names, and try and claw back time on them over the course of many laps.
Prize giving, beer and spot prizes afterwards, but it is hardly a massive pissup for most.
What Beej said:
It’s a real mix, like most 12/24 hour events. Lots of wooded singletrack, nothing super-technical, friendly atmosphere. At the end, my experience is that most people are pretty tired, but they do supply beer at the prize giving just after midnight.
(Beej, 3rd place, Male Vets Pair, 6 hour race 2017. The highlight of my racing career)
except:
(Steve, 3rd place, Male Vets Pair, 12 hour race 2016. The highlight of my racing career)
😀
Fab event run by really nice people. Excellent course, not massively technical but equally not just riding round a field, there are some cracking singletrack sections to look forward to each lap.
Yes, there are some serious / fast racers but also lots of weekend warriors and average Joes. 12:12 does throw on free beer at the prize giving (also includes some damn good raffle style prizes - kit, holidays, all sorts); if you're there just for the craic consider racing your mates (solo?) in the 6 hour, be finished by 9 and spend the last bit shouting in a beery manner at the 12hr soloists.
Do it.
I've done this event as a 4 man team, 3 person mixed, Men's pairs and 12 hr solo. Every single time it's an absolute blast and super well run by lovely people. It's a fast course (if you want it to be!) so no real need to worry about. Just get yourself entered and go and enjoy yourself.
I've done the 6hr pair. It was good. Great singletrack course. Not a pissup (sadly) but very friendly vibe.
Might enter 12hr this year.
I'm not fast btw but still managed 5th.
(Steve, 3rd place, Male Vets Pair, 12 hour race 2016. The highlight of my racing career)
Damn you Kryton57!
It's much like any 12/24 race there are riders who are really good, both speed & fitness wise & then those who think they are good who get upset when they get over taken by someone on a rigid fat bike.
Course is very good though
Yep, it's a great event, I've always just gone home at midnight, as I live close enough, but it's probably my favourite endurance event, great course, often good weather, great atmosphere. Must go back sometime!
Nick, 1st place, Mens team of 3, 12 hour race 2015
2nd place, mixed pairs, 12 hour race 2009
3rd place, mens team of 4, 12 hour race 2010 (I think!)
None the highlight of my racing career 😉
<span style="display: inline !important; float: none; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22.4px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Damn you Kryton57!</span>
Ha Ha - hardest thing I've ever done, like doing 4 x 90 minute XC races in 12 hours. I remember gagging for coke and a cheeseburger during my final rest period while my partner was on track, which I very nearly saw again the next time out.
As Njee say - I'm on family hols this year - but might have another go at something in 2019...
It's a well run event, but I find the amount of roots beat the crap out of me and are really punishing.
I've come to the conclusion I don't really like the course.
Steve - 5th place Male solo 12hr Vet 2017..... not the highlight of my racing career.
It might be worth noting that a dog died from Alabama Rot and another dog diagnosed with A.R after walking in the Minley/Hawley area. Please keep an eye on your dogs, especially their paws if you are taking them to the event.
Done the 12 hour 4 man team quite a few times even though we are in our 60's. Fast course but nobody has mentioned yet how well it dries out.
We always camp overnight even though we live there!
The event is good and well organised.
The Course is as dull as ditch water.
Good event with a good crowd at the end too. I like the course - always good imo. The brass monkeys this year were there twice and we had a great and different course both times. It would be even better if the kids racing could return again.
The Course is as dull as ditch water.
I think it's a great course, given the terrain it's never going to have massive elevation changes, or rocks, or huge technicality given it has to be ridden in the dark by novice riders some of whom may have already been riding for 10 hours, but compared to other events I've done like Sleepless, or Eastnor Park Mayhem, I reckon it's pretty favourable.
Some of the Gorrick guys are on here occasionally so what would you want to see to make it better?
I remember gagging for coke and a cheeseburger
surely not on the TUI list?
thanks for the responses people. I have raced there before - monkeys, albeit in winter. I’d not considered 6 hours solo. Now that could be interesting!
The Course is as dull as ditch water.
I think it’s a great course
Both I'd say, but that's just a personal thing. Never done the race, but often over Minley and check out the course, and sometimes round there on night rides. Nice twisty and flowy singletrack, but it would be tediously dull for me to do it over and over for 6/12 hours.
Probably why I don't race though. I have a wanderlust and like to go on long rides going and on, but it has to constantly be something different.
The OP is planning to enter as a team so they will be looking at around 4 fast laps each, he shouldn't find that dull.
Don't find it dull just painful to solo for 12hrs. Every year I say never again and most years I'm back.
I’m now wondering whether to do the 6 hour solo and then get on the beer at 9pm!?
I’ve entered 6hr solo so I can be back home in bed before midnight as I’m working the next day.
The Course is as dull as ditch water
I'm with Jonv on this, I think it’s a great course, given the terrain and that it has to be ridden in the dark by novice riders some of whom may have already been riding for 10 hours.
quick question, do people tend to have their lights fitted on their bikes from the start, or do they stop later and put them on?
Stop later and fit them then. If your laps are close to the wire for hitting lighting up time, then put them on a lap early.