[Closed] TVT Hot Challenge Route

Keep checking the [url=

Facebook page[/url].. sounds like they are holding off on the route until they are able to check any adverse affects from this morning's heavy rain.

We had one very down pour for 30 mins whilst I was out in the Vernham area this morning, so trails are soft in places. But the sun has been out since. ,The woods are going to be a little sloppy so the route shouldn't had changed from the plans I would suggest. Interesting thing is the trees are still falling with the weight of water on the leaves after being loosened in the winter. There was a biggin down at Upton that might cause a route issue.

I don't think they have had a GPX download for the event before, so unless you plot the route yourself it won't be on your Garmin. I am planning to follow the arrows, in previous years it has been very well marked, so haven't really had to look at the map while riding.

Dragging my wife around the long route tomorrow.

What this like HOTS/Bucks ? May come down on my tod, whats the elevation on the 80k going to be like ?

According to Stava lasts year's route had 1,300m of climbing and covered 89km. A mix of bridleways, tracks and tarmac, with a few nice sections of single track. The long route does repeat it self. You basically do the best bits of the first loop again.

Here is my write up of last year's event (It isn't me in the pictures)
http://www.xcracer.com/Gorrick-Test-Valley-Tour-Hot-Challenge-2013-Vernham-Dean.html

Map now posted.
[url= http://www.testvalleytour.com/hot_mtb.htm#map ]TVT Hot Challenge Map[/url]

For the 80 km is it anti-clockwise west loop, anti-clockwise east loop, then anti-clockwise west loop again?

That sounds right. So West anti-clockwise loop first, then at the 30/50 split head right to do the East loop, then at the 50/80 split head right to re-join the West loop. The fun stuff is at Colllingbourne Woods so you get to do that twice on the long route.

Proper good day out that!! 😀 Really enjoyed the mud and cracking route. Thanks to all who put it on. Defiantly be back next year

Bit too muddy for me & my XC tyres. Collingbourne Woods particularly so.

5hrs for 80k. Fun 'tho.

Don't think anyone was expecting that level of muddiness! Great fun though and good day out in great weather. Luckily for me I hadn't got around to taking the beavers off for the summer yet (laziness finally paid off!), it was pretty entertaining seeing everyone slithering around!

I enjoyed that yesterday. Good atmosphere, the wooded section was interesting on Ralphs but added to the fun. I'll be back for the Autumn version.

Sorry I think I was wrong about Collingbourne being the fun bit! Although by the 2nd lap the first bit of the woodlands wasn't actually too bad and a dry line had appeared, but the 2nd half was getting pretty hard to ride. I was using Maxxis Icon tyres and they were slightly over whelmed by the mud.... although fast everywhere else. Apart from Collingbourne it was great conditions for the rest of the route. If we had had the choice I would have rather down the East loop twice rather than the West loop.

We did the 80km in about 5hrs, including a few photo stops, these show the variety of conditions yesterday:

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Great pics Jason, I think those 2 photos sum up the ride perfectly!!

[quote=warns74 said]Great pics Jason, I think those 2 photos sum up the ride perfectly!!

+1

The woods were "interesting", my rear tyre attempted to overtake the front several times 🙂

Don't say I didn't warn you! (on the hants riding thread).

The woods were the worst I have ridden them in around 15 years, including the depths of winter - the flooding we suffered in the village has meant groundwater levels haven't really dropped so far in the whole area.. that downpour Saturday just sealed it. Hopefully all the traffic has smoothed it out so the sun can just bake it dusty for me 8)

Generally, it's a real hoot up there. There are a few other sections of singletrack that it's impractical to funnel that much traffic down though, so it's worth an explore another day.

Great pics Jason, I think those 2 photos sum up the ride perfectly!!

+2 😀 TBH I have always enjoyed a good muddy ride. 😀

Anyone know who the event photographer was in the woods ?