Events should hurt – it's what mountain biking is for. A comfort zone is only any use if you leave it once in a while.
i did it last year and the course was rubbish
Rubbish?
Where do you normally ride?
The fire roads allowed overtaking and added variety.
I mailed the organiser after last years race and he was pretty down about negative comments regarding the course. If you know Whinlatter, you'll know what a good job they did getting 30+ miles in. Yes, it was a way short of perfect, but he was talking about not bothering running it this year. Positive criticism improves things, sniping and whinging kills them. And before anyone says the huge sums of money they earn, think again. Try running an event and see what your hourly earnings come out as.
If we want a thriving and varied race/event scene, support it.
Tons got the right attitude I reckon – must try harder.