Strathpuffer 2025

So whos going?

Who entered in July, and is now part of the flurry of entries being sold in the Strathpuffer FB forum?

I havent entered for the first time since 2008. But could maybe be persuaded to join a team or pick up a solo entry nearer the time.

However i prefer an ice and snow Puffer, and its been more wet/muddy in these last few years, which isnt as much fun……

This time of year is exactly why I don’t own anything approaching an xc bike.

Even if I had a lauff fork on my gravel bike I think i’d be too tempted.

My mates keep on saying I should do it, and it does seem like the type of mad ting I’d enjoy, but for some reason I can never convince myself to do it. I feel like if I was gonna do it, it would be as a solo – I don’t like the idea of having to shake off freezing cold cafe legs every 2-3 hours or so and stressing about being ready in time for my lap all day!

I’m in, solo, again.
Hoping for a frozen one.

Trying to do better than my miserable 6 laps last year.

After last year I decided I was too old to do it on a hardtail so that would be my last one.
About a month later I bought a short travel full suspension bike.
Not sure why I keep doing it, there must be something wrong with me.

Does anyone know if theyve replaced the Bridge of Thighs? They removed it, and i havent seen anyone mention its replacement. Unless its a jump or river crossing now.

This has been on my ‘wishlist’ (if you can call it that) for many a year now, non of my mates are mad enough to do it with me though, might just have to chuck in a solo effort before I really am (way) too old for it. Hats off to the people doing  it

I’ll be there. Second attempt, not expecting great things as still struggling with long covid so am quite down on power.

Hoping for enough snow to justify giving the fatbike a spin

I’m in. First timer doing it solo. I wont have any excuses for not doing a decent number of laps. All the prep has gone well. My support crew is super experienced.  No hiding place for me….looking forward to the 3am pep talks to get my lazy arse back out there.

Praying for “not rain”

Bridge of Thighs has been re-modelled.

Bridge of Thighs has been re-modelled.

That type 1 looks loose!

I hope it doesn’t end up like the “new Somme” end section of a few years back.

I’ve been off the bike & confined to the couch with man flu/chest infection for the last 2 weeks. Today is the first day I’ve felt vaguely like riding my bike. To say I’m pissed off is an understatement.

If I don’t feel better by next weekend I may end up pulling my entry.

Entered it in the summer. Haven’t ridden a bike for weeks, or an MTB for months. It’s definitely going to be type II fun for me.  Wish me luck.

Yep, I’m in.  Racing as a pair for the first time after 4 goes (think) in a quad, pre and post lockdown and then a gap last year.

That piece of civil engineering to replace the Bridge of Thighs looks like its either going to be an absolute bog fest, or totally dull.

Weather looking interesting for the next couple of weeks.  Snow looks like it might be finally arriving here in the Inverness / Contin area.

Forecast looking good.  Bit more snow today then sub zero for the rest of the the week and the start of the race.  Hopefully it doesn’t warm up too much before 1100 on Sunday.

Snow is currently hammering down here, about ten miles from puffer central. Decent freeze forecast over the next few days.

Fingers crossed it’ll remain cold enough for a crunchy snowy race and not a slopfest.

I’ll be there for attempt number 8. not as fit as I could be but my teammates are so hopefully we’ll do well.

Any past participants here? I’m just wondering how busy the fire road/alongside the course is likely to be if I arrive early Saturday? Facebook tells me  the “ best” spots are going to be taken 12.01pm Friday , but I’m only keen to get a small van parked somewhere near the course.

I’d not worry about it – parking at the campsite is only a hundred metres or so off course and it’s flat which is a bonus compared to camping on the fire road.

Always assuming that the fire road is driveable…

Interesting! Thanks for the insight, I hadn’t really considered that 🙂

I live about 10 miles from the course at 130m, so roughly similar altitude

We are up a dirt track, partly shaded. Currently it is a combination of the odd patch of bare gravel, compacted or loose snow, and a lot of ice covered in fresh and frozen snow. The icy areas are pretty dodgy and would be nasty on non spiked tyres. It’s tricky to walk on.

I anticipate it will remain until Sunday at least, our local forecast is basically freezing temps until Sunday pm when a rapid thaw is predicted.

A tip for those driving up. Make sure you have lots of screenwash -.the good winter stuff, not that minus 5C rubbish.

If you’re in any doubt, Screwfix do a Prestone -10 that seems to work. Just don’t dilute it.

What bikes/tyres is everyone using?

I’ve got a 29 hardtail wth a set of Ardents and a set of Ice Spikers on different wheels, and the spare bike is a Beargrease Fatbike on conventional 3.8″ tyres. The spare spare bike is a 26 hardtail with High roller/Minion combo. Is that all bases covered?

Yes, get plenty screen wash you’ll need it on the drive. It’s filthy on the A9 just now.

Highland industrial supplies just of the A9 at the longman roundabout sells the full monty arctic screen wash.  5l and 20l containers. 2 mins from the roundabout

Never frozen even at minus 20 and for the summer dilute it down

What bikes/tyres is everyone using?

I’ve got a 29 hardtail wth a set of Ardents and a set of Ice Spikers on different wheels, and the spare bike is a Beargrease Fatbike on conventional 3.8″ tyres. The spare spare bike is a 26 hardtail with High roller/Minion combo. Is that all bases covered?

I’d say you’ve got all the bases covered.  I’m riding an Orbea Oiz with Ice Spikers, which will probably stay on for the whole race.

Also taking a spare set of wheels with a new Forekaster (front) and and Ardent (rear) just in case there is a monumental thaw on Sunday morning.

Kinda half wished id entered now. Didnt enter cos fed up with it being wet ones past few years. Still got an eye on the strathpuffer forum incase some team needs someone…..  hahahah

Id parked in the campsite the last few years, but got on the course on the left hand 90 degree bend before the long climb proper near the start. The little lane off to the right generally had spaces. Off the course but on it. But the other plus for being in the campsite is that you dont have to wait for the course to be cleared for vehicles to exit (as its obviously not on the course).

Good luck everyone.

What a bloody great time that was! If there is any organisers or marshals on here, thanks for making it such a wicked event. Also all the camps setup around the place with the little raves going on. Brilliant.

in the end I parked up the van on the fire road Friday, went to the pasta party then left the site for a hotel after registration/site closed. Arrived back first thing Saturday morning and got back in the space.

It was amazing how the course changed every lap, can’t imagine how different it would have been if it was muddy. Will have to come back next year!

We were up visiting on Saturday afternoon, it did look good. Could even be tempted to do it again one day.

Although it’s bound to be the somme edition if I do

What a totally awesome weekend. Dog dodgers put a massive grin on my face on every lap, enough to keep hitting the horrible fireroad slog again and again.
Sunrise this morning was incredible, I will remember that one for a long time.

I was back for my second go at solo. I did fewer laps than I had hoped, but I suspect everyone did in the conditions. I ended up in the top half of the results, so will take that as a win.

Joint best riding conditions with 2018 I reckon. Had an amazing time, and finally won on my tenth go! 1st mixed quad, 3rd quad, and 4th overall. No crashes, lots of absolutely wild cornering moves and only threw up once. 25 laps. To put it into context, last time I did it (2023) we did 28 so it was running a lot slower, but it was so much fun.

Well done everyone who managed it!

Awesome effort all! I’m almost tempted to do it again… Lol

Awesome effort all! I’m almost tempted to do it again… Lol

I’m definitely not there (yet) but on a warm summer evening, after a beer or two, when entries open I’m sure it will somehow seem like a brilliant idea ?

No crashes, lots of absolutely wild cornering moves and only threw up once.

Quite a strong recommendation. I’m not an event entering  person really, but this fascinates me .

Well done @munrobiker I was watching the live results and following the folks we know (Leslie Bike Shop quad, Kerry MacPhee etc).

Defo wishing i had entered now. Wont make that mistake again!

There was a flurry of activity everyone looking for ice tyres before the event, but looking at the photos, looks like they would have been pointless with the snow.

Wow. That was a VERY special event! My first puffer, unsupported solo, and it was a snowy puffer. The party vibe, music, support, marshalling, route, riding and Baltic winter wonderland conditions were just unreal.

Unsupported with rock solid frozen resources and stove gas that doesn’t work below -7 was a steep learning curve but I had an absolute blast and despite the snow and ice I only stacked it once. If you only do it once, do it right, so I stacked it right in front of the transition area in the icy rut that wasn’t there the lap before!

And that sunrise…

@munrobiker – amazing dude, well done

My first one, traveled 660miles to do it solo unsupported. Parked up with bunch, trackside, before the descent to the start finish. I was in an l200 pick up so the 4 wheel drive proved useful. Glad to have a hotel on the Friday night. Parked truck and cycled into strathpether. Chilly cycle back, -10 on the garmin. What an experience the race was. I found the snow incredibly challenging! The climbing, the descending was okay, just stay off the brakes, only one lay down. All the brake pads I panic purchased stayed in the tool box and no need to wash the bike! Drove back to Exmoor on Sunday after the race, the driving killed it for me. Maybe in 16years time I could come up and take a few days up in the Highlands rather than bomb it up race and straight back.