Right then, who's in?
Are you feeling ready for it?
I did about half the distance yesterday, went out drinking last night and feel ruined today. What preperation are you doing?
yep, doin the 100k, no preparation whatsoever! I will be ridin a Whyte e120 & drinking cider, hope to see you there.
Good man! Hope you're not drinking cider en route?!
tis not uncommon for me to do so!
Just me and the Judderman then....
I'm doing the 100k. It's the furthest I've ridden off road but I've done some all-dayers on Exmoor and The Quantocks as well as a few imperial road centuries so fingers crossed it should be ok ❓ Besides because people have sponsored me for charity I can't really bail and do the shorter route, can I?
Looking forward to riding some natural trails (and recording them on GPS) away from the trail centre. I'll be on Zesty 514.
After initial promises from riding mates I'll be doing it alone so if anyone needs a lift from Bristol my email's in my profile.
I'm doing the 100k, did the 90k levington blast on Sunday, which I only just managed to finish, so going to take this one nice and steady so as to enjoy it as much as possible, and so as not to disappoint the sponsors.
Just hoping for a bit of sun this week to dry things out a little.
i will be bringing 2 mates with me, 1 on a yeti & 1 on a mount vision. gonna plod it as no training done, only riding once a week & short distances at that. looking forward to new bits (to me ) in the area & raising some monet for a very good cause.
Another plodding group of 4 here. None of us have done much training so were just aiming to finish.
Someone told me there's going to be 2000 people doing it!
I've got three mates doing it with me, main aim being to complete the 100k and find some of these hidden local trails.
I'll be on a black meta 5.
Someone told me there's going to be 2000 people doing it!
Pretty sure that they only had 400 places available. And judging from the emails that the organisers stupidly sent to everyone entered (not using BCC), there isn't that many people entered.
I'm doing the 100km and I'm just looking to complete it really.
I heard there were 300 out of the max 400 entrants so far.
What are people taking with them on the ride? bottles or bladder? gels?
I did think 2000 sounded like crazy talk.
I'm taking a camelbak. Personally I think for a 100k I'm going to need a little more than some gels. I'm thinking jam sarnies and mixed fruit and nuts.
A few gels for if 'emergencies' other than that malt loaf, sandwiches and SIS GO.
Did you get the information in the post?
It recommends a 3L Camelbak (or other water carrying bladder type device). There are going to be 3 feed stations but on the 100k you do a loop so get 4 chances to feed and water.
Their [url=
Event Page[/url] is good for info.
[img] 
[/img]
80km Profile
[img] 
[/img]
The 100km extra loop
[img] 
[/img]
Mid section profile.
I'll be going large with water and food, just hoping the weather stays good now!
EDIT: Wish I hadn't posted those pics now, those profiles look scary!
gothandy - I can't work out those pics... the don't add to 100k.
The 80k one says total distance of 30k and if you sum the ascents and descents the ride finishes higher than it starts??
Southern Yeti I nicked them off Rush Cycles who are heavily involved in organising the event (and had posted them on facebook) so hard to say for sure. But I read it as the 30k section was just showing a bit more detail of the middle bit of the 80k section.
By the way I think the hashtag for the event is #MacAfanMonster if any of you tweet.
We didn't ride it in order when using the GPS, we only did a GPS reading of the course so we could put the proposed route into the forestry...
The top profile is the start and finish (although this has changed now due to fungus in penydd and we've had to move the route)
The bottom profile is the mid section of the route from 1st feed station, so top and bottom make the 75km..
And the middle profile is the optional 100km loop...
hope that makes sense...
Cheers Colin! I was thinking it'd be something like that. Do you know approx. how much climing there is over the full distance now?
Is anyone camping/staying at Bryn Bettws?
From memory its about 1650mtrs for the 75km and 2200mtrs for the 100km, we've had to change the route twice due to fungus and felling issue's but its still app the same...
Speaking to Bryn Bettws there are about 40people camping...
No self discerning Yeti sleeps in a tent! I'm staying in one of the cabins.
cheers Colin.
What's the after ride entertainment?
Will there be a bar? because I'm going to need a drink or two after riding 100km
Apparently there are a couple of bands, and there's definitely a bar!
They're also going to be doing some hearty post ride food too.... so they've said anyway.
Brother in law and I will be there... I'm doing the 100km and he's doing the 75km... Keeping fingers and toes crossed for good weather. Should be a bit of fun, esp. the off piste bits.
The forecast is ok for sat and could go either way for Friday, its been raining this morning on and off and it poured down all afternoon/evening yesterday, most of the going is pretty good, a front mudguard would be a good idea though, the trails yesterday had about 4" water running down them, still ridable but obviously wet and muddy in places.
Fingers crossed it dries up a bit...
We have food for the feed stations and bryn bettws have a cafe thats open all day serving hot and cold food and drinks and a bar thats open in the evening...
We are hoping to set up a barbecue but that is weather dependant...
[i]the trails yesterday had about 4" water running down them, still ridable but obviously wet and muddy in places.[/i]
Hmm, maybe I should take the Crossmarks off. I stupidly thought it might be dry as we've not had much rain in Bristol. Better packs more than one set of spare brake pads too.
Me and my brother will be there. Doing the 75km route. cya all there
[b]Cheers_drive[/b] I've still got my small block 8's on ... I was optimistically hoping the rain from Thursday would have drained away by Saturday ... but never ridden anything but the trail centres around Afan so not sure how wise that is, I do remember now the stuff at the top of Penhydd used to get a bit boggy.
Well my CRC order says it's out for delivery. Hopefully I won't be riding bald tyres and braking metal on metal.
Read the pack they sent out, advises getting a full service on the bike 😯
[b]The Southern Yeti[/b] if you're really stuck let me know I'm sure I've got a spare set of 26 inch rubber I can chuck in the boot. I'll be on my 29er so won't be needing them tomorrow.
Thanks mate!
I'll check the shed this evening, reckon I've got a spare set of high rollers or panracer xc pro's both 2.2ish ... any preference?
Well hopefully (and this is CRC and the Royal Mail I'm relying on) I'm going to have a new set of Ignitors turning up anytime soon. I'll post up here later if they let me down!
No worries ... fingers crossed!
They're here!! Again thank you for the offer... see you out there tomorrow!
Anyone got a weather update for us.....
the boys at Rush say there is about 300 (ish) pre-registered and you can enter on the day..... doing it on a Orange Alpine 160 for the fun factor,,it may be a tad heavy but the EPO and beta blockers that i`ve been caning should see me right.. got sponsors to please so 100k is a must. might even do 2 laps if i can mainline some gels..
Pray for sunshine.... Good luck to all......should be a laugh...?
I've still got my small block 8's on ... I was optimistically hoping the rain from Thursday would have drained away by Saturday ... but never ridden anything but the trail centres around Afan so not sure how wise that is, I do remember now the stuff at the top of Penhydd used to get a bit boggy.
It's the of piste stuff I'm concerened about. If it's anything like the off piste on last year Brechfa Enduro my rear wheel will be overtaking the back on the way down the steep stuff 😯
doing it on a Orange Alpine 160 for the fun factor
Fun? 😯 Good luck [b]camflet[/b]
I just spotted [b]colin@rush[/b] post this on the facebook page.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/50116138
The first 12 miles and already over 1,000 ft of climbing (and descending of course!)
[b]cheers_drive[/b] I'll be putting some 2.4 mountain kings on tonight.
The Advantage on the front will be fine but I think I'll change the Crossmark on the back for an Ignitor. Only trouble is it's an exception version and I've ripped open a few exception sidewalls at Afan.
I'm not usually a 'what tyres?' kind of guy but 100km on unsuitable tyres is a long way!
[b]Rush Cycles[/b] I would say a 2.2" on the front also, some of the decents are technical, but there's also a fair bit of climbing on fireroad, something like a 2.25" Ardent / advantage on the front with your crossmark would be good..
Go steady [b]cheers_drive[/b] on facebook Rush recommend exactly you're current set up!
I think all this talk of tyres is just a distraction from the main issue of doing 100km tomorrow 🙂
I did it. Very enjoyable too. Here is a blog post that gives you a section by section run down.
http://gothandy.wordpress.com/2010/09/26/macmillan-afan-monster/
Well done [b]gothandy[/b}, it was tough and some people looked to be struggling pretty early on.
My rear wheel seized up at about 33km on the highest and most remote part of the course 😥 Thanks to everyone who offered support, especially the guys who reminded me that there was a marshal an mile or so back up the course. The marshal / rangers / organizers were great at getting me back and it made me realise what a logistical undertaking such an event is.
I was feeling really good before the hub packed in and was really pissed off at the time. I'll be back next year though.
Gutted to hear that Cheers_drive, must've been frustrating. Although on the plus side you won't be feeling as knackered as I do today!
Gothandy - nice one for posting your link to the blog. Going to look at the split distances in a bit more detail. Looks like the extra 25k loop was only an extra 20? That climb back up felt like absolute murder though!
Thanks to everyone involved in organising it... how you managed to get a full day of sunshine in Afan forest I'll never know!
Yeti here is the full garmin route.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/50455839
Be warned I've got a knackered old 301 which is on its last legs and does seem to under record total distance especially if things are wiggly. But I couldn't quite figure the distances. I don't want to shout it too loudly but it does look like it was 95km rather than 100km 🙂
Brilliant event. That long technical descent after the Herman section on Skyline in the extra 25Km section was worth the climb back out.
Saw quite a few photographers out yesterday on this. Does anyone know where and when the event photographs will be published? Thanks.
absolute awesome ride! bring on next year!
[b]cheers_drive[/b] what a pain having your hub freeze up, at least after 33km you'd had a few good downhills. Glad to hear it hasn't put you off! See you next year.
[b]MaD[/b] agree with 100km extra downhill ... it was great fun.
My mate was a happy he'd done 100 as he was only planning to do the 75. But a bit disappointed with the non-trail-centre trails. He said he got so bored with forest roads he got off and walked a km just to break the monotony!
He said he got so bored with forest roads he got off and walked a km just to break the monotony!
Somebody's tired!
(He wasn't rider #1 was he?)
Agreed the rocky downhill on the extra 25k was an absolute blast! Might have to ride that bit again!
(He wasn't rider #1 was he?)
God no, it think took him ~8 hours (or perhaps you mean his race number - dunno). Frankly I told him to stop moaning because he finished without blowing up, getting cramp or suffering a broken bike. Not to mention he raised from charity money. I just wish I'd been there too.
you should have come along with us Buzz, it was an awesome ride!
#1 was a reference to a race number. If it was him, he needs to learn to be a little less intimidating to women. But also needs thanking for making me laugh far harder than I have in a very long time!
The Southern Yeti
I know exactly who you mean, clocked him as soon as we got there, a little strange to say the least! 😀
hahahaahahaaaa judderman. A couple of girls took refuge with us, for that to happen he must've really been quite 'unique' shall we say!
Felt gutted for you, glad we got you back without too much fuss and hope the "fast show" rangers kept you amused 🙂
He said he got so bored with forest roads he got off and walked a km just to break the monotony!
Yeah lots of fireroad did try to reward each climb with a good down though 🙂
We had to make some alterations to the course 2 weeks before the event due to fungus/felling/weather which took out a singletrack section and added more fireroad although it did save a climb as it went around rather than up and down a valley...
If it was him, he needs to learn to be a little less intimidating to women
Cripes what the hell was that about? I'll try and find out his race number. Do you recall what kind of bike he was riding?
Excellent day and what a ride. Thanks go out to the organisers, marshals and staff at Bryn Bettws.
I too thoroughly enjoyed the event :). Marshals were awesome as well, really encouraging and helpful, which was no mean feet early on as it was not that warm (2 degrees at the start). That series of rocky descents on the extra bit for the 100k were really nice, reminded me of many of the loose slatey Dyfi descents, just substitute loose sandstone blocks for the slate 🙂 - let go of the brakes and ride loose :). Payback was hard though, only saving grace was the hill started off steep and then gradually levelled out!
Oh and well done MaD on the singlespeed effort, amazing time as well 🙂
Singlespeed!! 😯
We were commenting that you'd have to be mad to attempt that... seems we were right! Fair play to you!
So what's the next big event like this? Where's the best place to find an endurance event calendar?
Yup was a really good day out. Great course and near perfect weather for it. Loved the three main additional sections of trail.
Sign posting was a bit hit and miss in places and a few people went wrong although I understand a few signs went missing over Friday night. I went wrong with about 10 other riders after the final food station and ended up cycling around the wind farm and then dropping on to the W2 linking trail before retracing my steps - glad I did cos the last 15k were awesome.
Was definitely a bit harder than the brecon beast, and probably up there with the selkirk marathon as well in terms of quality riding.
Nice vibe at Bryn Betws afterwards as well.
Big thanks to the organisers, all the marshalls and Bryn Betws!
[b]The Southern Yeti[/b] there is an 8 and 4 hour option at the Bristol Oktoberfest?
I keep a pretty random list of events on my blog.
http://gothandy.wordpress.com/2009-race-calendar/
Sign posting was a bit hit and miss in places and a few people went wrong although I understand a few signs went missing over Friday night.
I went to the point where if you went wrong you would end up by the windmills to see what we did wrong, and unfortunatly the sign we used for warning about a technical section (health and safety and all that) we didn't realise putting it up that it was an arrow pointing ahead we thought it was one of the signs just saying "caution techncial section" (trust me we had put loads of signs up by this point and they become a bit of a blur) directly above it was a sign pointing to the right which was the correct way, but i can see how confusion was caused so i'm really sorry for anyone that did go astray at that point...
If it was him, he needs to learn to be a little less intimidating to women
Yep it was him (#1). Dish the dirt on what he did please. I hope it was something I can rag him about for a few weeks. Or at least instruct him on the errors of his ways.
Blimey 6th quickest on the 100k 🙂
Cheers Gothandy, may well have to get inolved in that!
Buzz re #1 - He seemed like a genuinely nice guy, though if you're not already aware of his idisyncrasies....
"He seemed like a genuinely nice guy, though if you're not already aware of his idisyncrasies"
Oh yeah absolutely. He's very genuine, honest, kind, loyal, blah blah which is why he's a good mate of mine. But he is idiosyncratic which sometimes gets him into difficulties. I recall when he was getting into triathlon that he bought and wore a 2 piece outfit. Now you've seen his physical attributes - the sight was pretty eye-watering and we jib him about it to this day!