I’ve been getting in to a bit of this racing malarkey of late, mostly triathlon and duathlon, plus a few runs up to half mara distance.

I quite fancy doing an MTB endurance event in 2012. I’ve done the Dyfi a a couple of times, but now fancy a 12 or 24 hour race, solo or team for 12 hour, definitely NOT solo for 24hr!

As I’m starting to look at my race calendar and training plans for next year, I’d like some recommendations of good events. I’m in Derbys, so within 100 miles would be good.

NB: I won’t be gracing any podiums! I’ve found having an event or two gives me great motivation to get out training.

Why only do one? Do several. Lots even. I like the No Fuss ’10’ events in Scotland, they’re like 12 hour races only 2 hours shorter.

Gotta fit it in with 5 triathlons, 2 half maras, a number of 10ks, and likely an open water swim event or two.

As this will take a bit of time from a recovery point of view, I need to get my timing of other events right.

Will look up the “10”. Cheers.

Definitely look at No Fuss’ 10 Hour events. Brilliant events! Don’t forget there’ll be a 10 in Llandegla, N Wales again next year, that was a cracking event.

Bristol Bike fest if it’s not too far. (12 hr)

Deg at ‘Degla is looking good. Perfect timing as tri goes quiet in August.

Diolch Huw!

Too late for the best one – 2012 ‘Puffer in Jan. Maybe you should pencil in the 2013 one.

Find a map of ANY wild and lonely place that has public access and suitable trails…………..work out a route and go there and ride for 12 or 24 hours. There will be less mud and nothing but you, your bike, the terrain, the weather and the gods.
Cleanse yourself….do it soon

SDW?

12hrs of Exposure. Excellent event for a newbie. I did my first 24 solo thee a couple of years ago, highly recomended.

Great thread.

I’d love to enter one myself next year.
Can I ask what may seem a daft question, how on earth do you guys all keep track of what events are going on and where? and when/how to sign up?
Without the benefit of spending half my wages on ‘magazines’ (read: advertisements) every month, is there a ‘one site fits all’ website that can keep me up to date?
I rely on word of mouth mainly through here..but im forever missing events as I just didnt realise they were on.

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events

pretty much everything on here dude

epicyclo – I am capable of making rational decisions 😉 Big respect to those that do the ‘puffer. I follow the online results and I’m knackered!

billyboy – ‘er indoors gets a bit narky if I just go off for a long ride and leave her at home. But if I get an event on the cards she gives me lots of support and understands the need for lots of “training rides” in the build up. Plus she gets to come along to the event and join in the atmosphere stuff.

anus – will check out that BC link, cheers.

How about Dusk til Dawn at Thetford in October. With your triathlete background you should be good at the swimming part !

It’s a 12 hour overnight race.

Of the races I have done, 10 Under the Ben is the Daddy, in terms of best course (proper climbs and proper descents) but then I have only ever done it when it has been sunny.

Strathpuffer is over-rated IME. Has the rep for being proper tough mostly because the folk who ride it are adventure racer types who aren’t really mtb specialists. And it just sounds so mad. The course is easy and I just got bored standing around in the cold between laps. If you do the Puffer go for pairs or solo.

Of the races I have done, 10 Under the Ben is the Daddy, in terms of best course (proper climbs and proper descents) but then I have only ever done it when it has been sunny.

Having done 10 Under the Ben last year, it is a great atmosphere and event, but I found the course at 10 @ Kirroughtree to be more fun.

12hrs of Exposure 7/8 Apr newcastleton, Scotland
Twentyfour12 7/8 Jul Plymouth, Devon
Torq 12:12 26 Aug minley Manor, Yately, Surrey

to name three.

For diary Check out XCracer Calendar

How about Enduro 6 and Sleepless 24hr, have been held at Catton Park near Burton for the last few years.

hels – Member
…Strathpuffer is over-rated IME. Has the rep for being proper tough mostly because the folk who ride it are adventure racer types who aren’t really mtb specialists. And it just sounds so mad. The course is easy and I just got bored standing around in the cold between laps. If you do the Puffer go for pairs or solo.

Whether the course or not is easy depends on the weather, so it’s a roll of the dice what you get on the day.

I’ve been on it when the wind was gusting to 80mph and trees falling down. I wasn’t bored. 🙂

It’s a real course, not an overgroomed and bermed one. There’s different sorts of mtb specialists you know. Some specialise in winter riding or adventure riding.

And it’s definitely not boring when you do it solo. 🙂

Can’t understand why anyone would want to do it any other way. Standing around in subzero for hours is a recipe for misery IMO.