Oktoberfest?

Toying with the idea of entering this but seem to remember some talk about narrow trails, difficult passing?

What’s the event like? Still on a high from Torq which was a hard act to follow.

If you’re fast enough, you’ll get past OK. 😉

Expected thread about beer.

Am disappoint.

It’s got a fair bit of singletrack. That means narrow trails. I’ve never had a problem with overtaking though there are always a few idiots at any race.

To be honest, a lot of it is wide enough to make a pass. Those short bits that are not, having someone come up and shout ‘RIDER’ really loudly is only likely to slow them down even more whilst they look for a nonexistent space to pull over.

It’s racing, zig zag to keep them behind you. Winning is everything!

there are always a few idiots at any race

Anyone doing this on Saturday? I’m heading over Somerset way to see my folks, thinking of making a late entry.

I’m entered.
As long as there’s no one faster than me in my category, I reckon I’m in with a chance of winning. 😉

First time for me – have no Idea what to expect – apart from rain.

First time for me – have no Idea what to expect – apart from rain.

Ditto 😀

I’m making the trip down from Lincolnshire, 8hr solo singlespeed for me.

The course will be what ever it is, and it’s the same for everyone. Just hope it’s warmer than dusk till dawn was the other night, -2 was hurting my lungs.

The course will be what ever it is, and it’s the same for everyone.

Absolutely. Part of the enjoyment for me is the unexpected nature of riding new trails in another part of the country.

The Solo event is full/closed now, but if anyone is interested, I have a 8 hour solo entry available. Send me a mail to lloyd@qwertycycles.co.uk if you fancy a ride. £20. 🙂

Passing/being passed is easy on those trails. I’ve done Bikefest twice as a solo. As long as everyone is nice to each other, there is no problem.

Lloyd… YGM about the 8hr solo entry.

Passing isn’t a problem if you’re polite (and quick enough). There are only a few bits where it’s a little tricky but those are short and the slowest people are generally nice enough to pull over. It’s a well organised and friendly event.

People had no trouble passing me last year 🙂

Still it was good fun, unfortunately I don’t have the time to enter/play this year.

I have a solo 4 hour for saturday morning I dont think I will be using if anyone wants to buy it off me and handle the emailing the organiser side of things.

Entered months ago but I have a leaky roof and a roofer coming this weekend to sort

It’s a well organised and friendly event.

I’ve done bikefest twice and oktoberfest once so far and thats always how I’ve found the event.

I’m doing the 4 hour pm solo this year . . . . . . . . . . . the weather forecast looks nice 😆

Yup, coming down from Edinburgh for it.
If you see a guy with long hair on a root beer Trek 69er single speed playing heavy metal from some Bluetooth speakers shout “douchebag” and try and run me off the track. I’ll be drunk.

If you see a guy with long hair on a root beer Trek 69er single speed playing heavy metal from some Bluetooth speakers shout “douchebag” and try and run me off the track. I’ll be drunk.

You sound distinctive enough, mission accepted 🙂

Yup, sounds quite distinctive. Will you be talking Scotchist as well?
We’re doing 8hr mixed pairs, what could possibly go wrong…?

No way, I speak the English good like that what y’all do

Well, due to tubeless woes it looks like I’ll be running a Ralph/Ralph combo.

I’m either going to be quite fast or lying down a lot. 😐

On my way, see you folks tomorrow, apparently it’s sunny in the morning and raining in the afternoon.

Well, due to tubeless woes it looks like I’ll be running a Ralph/Ralph combo.

I’m either going to be quite fast or lying down a lot

The course is really weather proof. You’ll be fine. (I have a 2.4 RR on the front of my bike, been fine at Ashton Ct before)

Well, I’ve seen a 2013 course vid and am more worried about the ralph washing out on the singletrack corners.

But I’ve never ridden there before so I’ve no idea of the grip levels. No one in the vid was sliding though.

I have a massive, really loud silver bell on my bike.
I put it on in the expectation that I would let people know I’m flying past them on the right, but in reality I will mostly use it to get service from the bar wenches

Kryton57

You should be fine on Ralphs. I have one on the back and have been riding it all year. It’s pretty worn now, but still grips.

It’s grippy, you’ll be fine! Always forget about this, but have enjoyed BikeFest a few times. Not too sorry to miss this one judging by the forecast!

I’ve got a 2.1 folding Crossmark on the back of my 69er.
I doubt mud is its friend

Not too sorry to miss this one judging by the forecast!

Only 70% chance of shower between 1&5pm? I’m not talking about the weather as I’m dragging the family down, and Mrs K isn’t the out-doorsy type, so standing around in a dry field was a hard sell as it was…

I can’t find an email with the camp site allocation. I know I’ve paid in advance.
Have I missed it, or is there no allocation and it’s a free for all?

No allocation this time according to the website

Really annoyed I can’t make it this year.

As for tyres, no need for mud tyres, only one boggy section so no point. And any tyres will be washing out on the first bend into the singletrack, although my Fatty coped OK with it last year 🙂

Fast and furious fun!

Anyone else sitting at home feeling like they’ve been beaten to a pulp?

Otherwise, a good event with an underwhelming performance from me. 😥

I”d put my hand up if it didn’t hurt so much

Was a bit slick in places on the first lap, improved as day wore on, managed to miss the ‘shower’ in the afternoon 🙂
My times were in the ‘very average indeed’ division, but was a very good event, enjoyed it a lot.

Did the afternoon solo and that’s the closest any race has come to breaking me!

Haven’t really been putting in the miles lately after a grade 3 shoulder separation a couple months ago so fitness let me down a bit. I was on my 6th lap and got back about 2 or 3 mins after the cut off point, there’s nothing worse than being close enough to hear the count down to the end of the race knowing you’re not going to make it 🙁

Was really slippery in places so was glad of that heavy rain as it actually made the course grippier.