[Closed] Malham Tarn Challenge - 28th April - Roll call

Wife and I are doing it, hopefully the weather will be kind to us all...

Be interesting to see how the staggered start works re non bunching.

Presume this is the Malham Track Attack. Yes, I'm doing it. Apparently twice according to entry list...

Im in on this. Looking forward to it. Planning to turbo it on my 26er saracen. Might have a spare entry for it as a mate is probably gonna drop out. If anybody is interested email richard.armitage at gmail dot com

I'm going; MET website says heavy rain and feels like minus 2 tomorrow at Malham which I'm struggling to believe given the blue skies and zero wind in Leeds at the moment.

I'll be on a green Solaris wearing a Here ComeThe Belgians jersey.

I will be there. Lancashire Road Club red and white lycra on 😯

Will have to push hard on the pedals to keep warm.

Well that was freezing!!! low cloud, sideways sleet and poor signage meant along time spent on top of the moors freezing my tits off.

Figure of 8 loop and passing back through the start area with blue lips, legs and hands so painful I was struggling to hold the bars I happily quit.

Still took some 4th and 5th overalls on Strava though so not a wasted day, with good weather it would be a nice fast race.

http://app.strava.com/activities/51132849

Looks like there were a few others dropping out at the halfway stage. Where did the other half of the eight go - presumably over towards Settle?

EDIT: Just the Settle Loop added on, it seems.

http://app.strava.com/activities/51126353

****ed it off halfway round, was too cold to change gear etc. The downhill shortly after the start was great, those triple large bumps nearly had me off at 41 mph!!

http://app.strava.com/activities/51124699 A few KOM's,they will go after people upload their rides.

Was there on me singlespeed (which was a mistake!)

I dropped out halfway, hands were froze, almost threw up sitting in me car from the pain of them warming up!

Signage was an issue, few occasions of 'I reckon its this way' and then got lost with a few others in a bog, sorta lost my mojo by then and so wussed out of the second loop. I stand by my decision 🙂

Think its the first event they've put on (could be wrong) and I said to one of the organisers that it was a good effort, can't do much about the weather but hopefully can about the signage.

Well done to everyone who did the whole thing!

naffrider, think I was with you bog trotting when I as lost, I had red/white shorts on, full suss bike, climbed over a stone wall with my mate to get back on the path. Sign's, what signs 🙂

kingkongsfinger, I think we were all together in that bog

Aye, was me. Fun times, ey!

Must have been a trap for STW users 😉

Yeh, wanted a result in that race, ended up with my head falling off up that bleak moor due to the weather being so shite and two wrong turns. Another time maybe....

Chapeau to anyone who finished. 😛

yep, I bailed at halfway too 🙁 I couldn't brake or change gear properly.

I ended up in that bog as well.

@ben - sorry I didn't speak much - I was in a bit of a state when got into the car - violent, shaky shivering for a good 15 minutes.

Pissed off that I didn't complete it, but given the condition I was in, in the car, I think made the right decision

I bailed half away also, rigid singlespeed wasn't best idea, should have taken the pannier off the rear as well.
Route marking was discrete, could have been a little more obvious especially at road t junction and start of off road climb when leaving the road.

http://app.strava.com/activities/51162254

Another one here who jacked after first loop. I started the 2nd but was shivering so violently that I was nearly crashing. Turned back in a surprisingly sensible move. I was well on my way to hypothermia. It took a loooong time to warm up and get some sensation in my hands. It was a shame for the organisers I thought. They certainly did a good job keeping an eye on me after I'd finished and pushing cars out of the mud etc.

Well done to everyone that rode as survival was the name of the game today, had to lend a towel to a guy whose Whippet had hypothermia, well it is Yorkshire. Wind chill was absolutely crippling on top of horizontal rain. Hopefully next year the weather will be kinder and it was the organizers first event, so all part of the learning curve.

Road T junction = no sign.
Gate in middle of moor with a Turn Left sign on it resulting in lots of riders near me turning left on track BEFORE gate rather than continue through then bear left.
Realised when I met my teammate (KKF)coming the opposite way through a bog that had gone wrong way. Could no longer feel FACE/FEET/HANDS at that point. Gutted I quit but would have been ill otherwise. Shame as was quite nice when we set off.

3 of us packed up halfway round. Still not got warm. Don't think I have ever been as cold on a bike. 🙁

Cheers to everyone that put the event on, will be back next year. That return loop over the top and into the wind was horrendous. Walked as much as I rode.

Well done to them that did the full route

completed the 1st loop. felt reasonable except for numb hands. then promptly took a (wrong) right hand turn at the crossroads about 200 metres into the 2nd lap. shortly afterwards it was clear that I wasn't on the correct route anymore. irritating but I soon got over it and just rode back to the car. shivering badly for a long time once I stopped. shit day really.

At least I didn't get sun burn.

Did the blue arm warders work kkf?

LOL, yeh but a bit of a colour clash/fashion disaster 😳 😉

Good job you managed to blog a pair, wouldn't want to have done it with bare arms

I hope you all didn't have to pay for the privilege of riding in that grimness today. We did a route near Ingleton and I don't think I've ever been so cold or had a more unpleasant ride.

I made it round both loops! Was tempted to jack it in as my hands and feet were freezing by the half way point but I thought I might as well carry on. 2nd half much easier, mostly hard surfaced and the weather improved a bit, plus a big tailwind back up from Settle.

We did pay banana but it was only £7

Good on ya pypdji

I'm in good company with the half way bailers. Felt bad about wimping it but it was tough one today. That moorland climb into horizontal rain & sleet will live with me for a long time. Sort of lost my mojo when I ended up lost in downtown Arncliffe. Agreed that the signage was a bit ambiguous in places and the paper maps were a bit hard to read even when dry, but all in all this has the makings of a great event. Well done Craven College and well done to those who completed both loops.

I didn't see the turn and carried on up the rd (6miles in), stopped was going to turn back and then 2 more riders came down the rd, so we all carried on through a few unmarked junctions. ended up on the top of the moors in some pretty serious conditions. luckily a craven college van came by and told us to keep on the rd for around 7 miles back to the tarn. it was a tough 7 miles in extremely serious conditions. hands had gone and speech was going by the end. hopefully all 100 got back safely.

they should have posted the map on the website pre race (if they didn't plan to put many marshals out), signage was very poor too.

if they get the marshals/signage sorted I'll give it another go next year as I reckon it could be a good un (if the weathers kind)!

The marshal sat in the orange bivi bag on the early part of the moorland climb would have been better employed at the road/bridleway junction and a small yellow flag positioned where he sat. Just a thought.

thanks for all who tried pushing my car free! (got out in the end..took 4 blokes though)! learnt a few lessons however...I was underprepared should have had a plastic bivi bag, whistle, mobile.

shame really some good weather and a marshal at every critical junction and it would have been a cracker!

Agreed.

Agree re signage and that the weather was appalling. However route was good and for a first event by students was for me a success. Added to the fact that both my wife and I finished the whole route, after finishing I did however go back to find her as was bit concerned re weather but she was having a right laugh. Which was even better.

Was that you in the Merc Sefton? Seemed a bit extreme when they said they were off to get a 4x4 to pull you when one had even tried a bit of manhandling

OK, the weather detracted from the fun of the day but it was a nice ride out in the hills. I did both loops, some of the second loop several times thanks to the poor course marking (the wind may have accounted for some missing markers) and had a bit of a chat with a few other riders on the way round. Do the people saying they had to pull out half way round due to being so wet and cold think they were perhaps under prepared for a ride out in some fairly testing terrain on a day with a weather forecest saying strong winds, low temperatures and showers/rain?

I heard some very strongly worded comments (one full-on tirade of four letter foulness too) in the car park at the end and overheard one of the 2 girls collecting the number boards from riders saying to the other "just cut the number off and let them shout at you for a few minutes". As (I think) it was their first try at putting on such an event, was only £7 to enter and they've asked for feedback via email in the pre event blurb, why not pass on some constructive comments and maybe any subsequent running of the event will go more smoothly?

Fatboyjon, I was as prepared as I thought I needed to be....thermal jersey, waterproof, survival bag, long finger gloves; my downfall was that the gloves weren't waterproof and I wore Lycra shorts.

If my hands had been warm I'd have continued but was at a point that if I had a mechanical my hands would be no use so better safe than sorry.

I've already emailed the organiser to say good effort and I'll be back next year

Seemed like a good circuit, albeit I jacked halfway round as I was too cold and wet to continue safely. I did not moan to the organiser's, it was well organised re. numbers and start times etc. Maybe some of the markers blew away but if you cable tied then to the gates they would not. As Arnie says "I will be back"

The downhill at the start was superb!!!

I thought it was great particularly the descent into Kilnsey and the climb back out of settle over Stockdale Lane. Agree with some of the points on signage but was fortunate to have riden the various sections of the route on previous social rides.

One of the most amusing things was at the start of the ride where a guy came over to our van asking if we had any spare kit as his wife had packed him a single leg warnmer and a single arm warmer (which had mistakenly been paired up in the washing).

Anyone know if finishing times are being posted?

I'd love to meet this guy who gets his wife to pack his kit. He must be one very attentive husband... or a newly-wed. I bet she does his butties for him too. If he complains to her about the leg/arm warmer mix-up he'll be sorting himself out in future - mark my words.

hi ben, no I was stuck in a black civic 🙄

Was me with the single knee and single arm warmer combo 😳
Looking like a triathalope!

Truth be know, she was helping me pack, well when I say help i.e mithering me to death after she had been on the sherry Saturday night at daft o'clock saying I don't need this, I need that etc. So she caused the confusion when I said I did not require knee warmers but arm warmers it went wrong from there. She needs to keep out of my kit bag. 😀

Hello everyone,

I'm one of the event organisers, Will. You may have chatted to me via email or in the carpark, I was the bedraggled looking bloke with the rubbish beard. I'm not a forum user but I figured I'd put up a post to explain why we organised it, what it was for etc.

We're currently on a sports course (but in Outdoor sport) and one of our modules is "Events" where we are to organise an event. In recent years, small events have taken place where just other students are involved but we wanted to push the boat (bike) out a bit!

As students, we aren't operating a commercial enterprise and as such any profit will be split between the Trust (to cover the costs of toilets etc) and the Craven College Student Hardship fund, which provides for students who fall on hard times (not being able to afford the bus, or groceries etc).

Unfortunately, the weather was definitely not on our side, with a lot of very cold faces and hands riding through that gate at the end of the first loop! As outdoor students, we understand that when you're wet, cold, and miserable, it can be difficult to maintain a cheerful demeanor, and we didn't hold it against anybody who wanted to throw a few swear words around.

I do understand there was some problems with signage. As the person that organised those signs, I take responsibility for this, and I'm very sorry. There were a few that I suspect blew away, but alas they should have been tied down better. Laminated, clearer maps would have additionally been useful, as would making available a .gpx file of the route beforehand. We will endeavor to keep that in mind for future events.

I'd like to say well done to those who completed both loops - and well done to those who made it back! I wasn't particularly envious of you guys on the ride up from Arncliffe cote - that hill in a headwind must have been a nightmare.

My next day in college, where I will have access to the times, websites etc, will be Wednesday, where I will try and get all the results together and post them on www.malhamtrackattack.co.uk.

I will also do the same with the pictures we got, which I will put in a gallery. We'll also find out the fastest time and send them their little trophy.

It'd really help me with my coursework if anybody who has a spare 5 minutes could fill in a quick survey I've made here:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GLR272P
You don't need to register or put in any details, just fill it in. All questions are optional.

Also a quick plug for the guy who donated our first place prizes: http://www.od-designs.co.uk/odpod.html

We know the weather was absolutely appalling and I'm a bit gutted about that, but we hope you managed to eek some enjoyment out of the day!

If anyone has any comments, questions, etc, please feel free to email malhamtrackattack@gmail.com or me directly at wlwhalley@gmail.com.

Thanks for attending guys it made months of planning worth it!

Will
MTTA Team

Cheers Will, as I have stated before good event and well organisation, only to be severely hampered by the grim weather which spoilt it some what.

Hope you organise it for next year(and organise better weather), signage was an issue but again due to it being a bit windy they could have gone anywhere.

I have been winding people up on the other thread about racing etc. Not aimed at your organisation or any others, just some sticks in the mud on this forum.

Will do the survey later.

Thanks for organising it.

Aye Will, good work. When I left Leeds there were blue skies and I think a few of us learnt a lesson about being better prepared for the ever changing weather on high ground.

Will do the survey later and hope it happens again next year when they'll be a thread on here full of people moaning they were too hot in their three thermal tops and waterproof jacket 😉

Cheers Will. I didn't do the event, but it's fantastic to hear that it was being done as part sports course. Well done all for coming up with such an idea.

Thanks again Will. We'll fill in your survey.

At least we were moving, special mention must go the poor souls abandoned on the hills to fend for themselves marshalling for hours. Now that must have been grim... I was concerned that Jane had gone out for the second loop, so yes I was the mad bugger that cycled back along the route after finishing to make sure she was ok only to find her more than happy after changing into dry kit at the mid point.

Peter and Jane. In the black van chatting to you at the end.

Well done Will, was great and well organised, will be up for it next year.

Hopefully it will be on again. Weather was the only real downer,

Survey will be filled in later this evening, thanks again for all your hardwork

Aye Peter, I remember you guys.

Thanks for filling in the survey ladies and gents.

I've emailed Finance to put in a procurement order for a "Giant Sunshine Machine" but I'm not sure it'll be in our budget 😉

Alright Will - Nicely done on the event, I for one really enjoyed it. For £7, you can't really complain, but either way, it was awesome fun battling through the wind and rain! Yeah, the weather wasn't great, but it is England we live in after all. Really looking forward to next year, keep up the good work mate!

Mike

survey completed - well done for having a go and organising such an event.

I completed both loops in what I strongly suspect was the slowest time of the day, about 4 hours 26mins on an entry level hardtail 26er. It was my first race. I only went wrong once on route on the second part. My main issues with the route itself aside from minimal signage was the amount of road and the lack of technical tracks although, The second loop was far better than the first especially the last track over the tops. I don't know if this is normal with xc racing but I didn't enjoy it much it makes it all a bit boring. The event was low-key but relatively well organsed though and I have filled in the survey. Unsure on weather to do it again next year. I don't think racing is for me. Thanks for the kitkat though lol

Hi Guys

This years event entry is now open on XC Racer.

This year there are 150 rider places instead of 100 and we have a
new event team, new HQ, new timing system and overall will be bigger and better than last year (reflected in the price hike )and we'll hopefully have some better weather.

http://www.xcracer.com/raceentry/viewevent.php?event_id=607

Get signed up and ride on!!

the Track Attack Team

ooo tempted to try this again and hope to complete, rather than abandoning - surely the weather can't can't be as bad this year? Can it? CAN IT!!???

Edit: it says to check website for more information - but site is down or doesn't exist? http://www.dalestrackattack.com/

Hi @dawson

Website address is now www.dalestrackattack.co.uk rather than .com.
And I'm gonna put my neck on the line and say that the weather can't be worse than last year (touch wood).

Matt

Hi Matt - thanks for the update

The price for this years race has been reduced to £15!! We realised it was a bit high but we still need more entries to make it viable to run. Cmon guys help us out, nice ride, good company and some friendly competition!!