Torq in your sleep / night time enduro / enduro lights...

Torq in your sleep / night time enduro / enduro lights...

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thenortherner

Original Poster:

1,502 posts

162 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
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Hi,

I've bitten the bullet and entered the Torq in Your Sleep event coming up in 2 weeks time. For me, it's not about coming out in a decent place in the results table, more about taking on the challenge, especially as it's the first time I've done a 12 hour enduro.

I'm looking for any tips and advice anyone might have, especially on this particular event and I've a few specific questions which I'd be welcome responses on:

1. I've 2 bikes as per the links below. I'm thinking of using the full suspension as it's more likely to be forgiving of mistakes when I'm tired, more comfortable which is important given the time and distance etc. The hardtail is definitely far lighter but far less comfortable in terms of set up and long distance riding. Which would you pick and why?

My bikes:
http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/11134/trek-fuel...
http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/11161/trek-elit...

2. I currently don't have any lights. I'm willing to spend around £150. I want something I'm able to swap batteries on as most only seem to last 2-3 hours, which isn't going to last me. Ideally something waterproof too and ideally mounts to a helmet.

3. Any other equipment or kit tips you'd recommend?

Cheers,

Jimbo.

3,942 posts

188 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
quotequote all
Th FS will be inefficient, and you'd be lugging more weight around. Double whammy. Run the hardtail: more efficient and lighter. A set of fatter tyres will take some of the sting out of the terrain. IIRC most of these endurance events are run on HT friendly courses anyway.

thenortherner

Original Poster:

1,502 posts

162 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
quotequote all
Jimbo. said:
Th FS will be inefficient, and you'd be lugging more weight around. Double whammy. Run the hardtail: more efficient and lighter. A set of fatter tyres will take some of the sting out of the terrain. IIRC most of these endurance events are run on HT friendly courses anyway.
Cheers.

The hardtail is sat on a set of Maxxis dual ply 2.25" tyres, having only been back from a full week's enduro ride around the alps. They certainly add a hell of a lot of weight but are massively puncture resistant. The only thing is, though it's probably not too big an issue on this course, is that it doesn't have a Reverb - something the FS does and I love it!

Jimbo.

3,942 posts

188 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
quotequote all
thenortherner said:
Cheers.

The hardtail is sat on a set of Maxxis dual ply 2.25" tyres, having only been back from a full week's enduro ride around the alps. They certainly add a hell of a lot of weight but are massively puncture resistant. The only thing is, though it's probably not too big an issue on this course, is that it doesn't have a Reverb - something the FS does and I love it!
Meh. Reverb = weight, and something else to clag up horribly should things turn muddy. Will you be getting that far over the back, that often, so as to warrant a Reverb?

S6PNJ

5,158 posts

280 months

Friday 9th August 2013
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If all you want are some lights for this event and not some 'super duper' long lasting mega expensive thing, then I can heartily recommend these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CREE-XM-L-T6-LED-Max-180... which I bought for the Wiggle Mountain Mayhem. I bought 2 and both have been fine on, and since the event. Plenty of life in the battery and a 'throw away' item if they break. Compared with my Magicshine MJ-808, the beam is more directional and has less spread but they were more than sufficient for me at 2:00 in the morning! It depends if they will arrive in time though! Looking at the estimate, probably not! But certainly good for another event later on or your winter riding!

Gren

1,947 posts

251 months

Friday 9th August 2013
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Punctures aren't usually an issue around Minley and it's running really dry at the moment so some fast rolling tyres will help no end.

If I was going for a time it would be the HT but if you're just up for getting through it then don't dismiss the FS as it may be heavier but could also be less tiring and allow you to take different lines.

anonymous-user

53 months

Friday 9th August 2013
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I've got a link for a UK seller of Cree lights on my ohter computer which I'll post tonight, I'd guess their lead times are shorter if they are holding stock.

HT every time btw, I've done a few endurance races on my BFe and it was fine, you really dont want to lug around extra weight, pack a few tyres and dont be afraid to change, also take every piece of cycle clothing you won, its already getting cold in theevenings now and will be around 6-8 deg C at 0200 so you will need to keep warm.

thenortherner

Original Poster:

1,502 posts

162 months

Friday 9th August 2013
quotequote all
Thanks for the responses.

I'm still torn between the hardtail on some fast rolling tyres, or the heavier FS which is less likely to end up with fatigue.

As said, setting of records isn't why I'm entering and my only concern with the hardtail is that it might leave me feeling a bit broken after that sort of distance, with it being an aggressive XC set up.

Re. the lights, they're available to either buy or hire at the event, can't remember the name of the manufacturer now that's sponsoring the event, but it's expensive kit and I'm leaning towards hiring it.

thenortherner

Original Poster:

1,502 posts

162 months

Friday 9th August 2013
quotequote all
Oh, and the hardtail is 2x10 whereas the FS has a granny ring which might help keep me going.

Gren

1,947 posts

251 months

Friday 9th August 2013
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The lights at the event will be Four4th ones as they are one of the sponsors. Very good lights made by a small local company.

Apparently the bloke who owns/started it is linked with the MTB group/forum mates I sometimes ride with. All of them rave about the lights and they have a demo set for newbies on night rides. They are pretty pricey though : http://four4th.co.uk/products/lights/




neenaw

1,212 posts

188 months

Sunday 11th August 2013
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The Four4th lights seem to get a pretty good review. My club have a set of demo ones that people have been trying out on night rides and they've all been pretty impressed with them. Personally I prefer the Exposure lights but that's just me. If you're looking to buy lights there's plenty of places starting to sell off this years lights, I've seen some places advertising the Exposure Maxx-D bar mount for around the £200 mark.

I rode the Torq in your sleep last year and will be doing it again this year, hopefully I'll do a bit better than last time as I've actually managed to do a bit of training for it this time round.

The event itself is pretty well run and was really enjoyable last year, it seems to attract a decent sized field and there's usually plenty of support from other riders and spectators.

Last year I took both my BFe HT and my Stumpjumper FS. I rode one lap on the Stumpy and hated it so I did pretty much the whole race on the BFe, not the ideal bike for a 12h race but nevertheless it made it round without any drama.

Kit-wise I'd take some spare kit to change into if the weather turns, personally I'll be taking pretty much all my kit so I'm covered for any eventuality. Some basic tools are usually a good idea but there is a SRAM service tent there and they'll sort out pretty much anything for you if problems arise. In my experience most other competitors and their pit-bhes are pretty friendly and will help you out if you're stuck smile

thenortherner

Original Poster:

1,502 posts

162 months

Sunday 11th August 2013
quotequote all
neenaw said:
The Four4th lights seem to get a pretty good review. My club have a set of demo ones that people have been trying out on night rides and they've all been pretty impressed with them. Personally I prefer the Exposure lights but that's just me. If you're looking to buy lights there's plenty of places starting to sell off this years lights, I've seen some places advertising the Exposure Maxx-D bar mount for around the £200 mark.

I rode the Torq in your sleep last year and will be doing it again this year, hopefully I'll do a bit better than last time as I've actually managed to do a bit of training for it this time round.

The event itself is pretty well run and was really enjoyable last year, it seems to attract a decent sized field and there's usually plenty of support from other riders and spectators.

Last year I took both my BFe HT and my Stumpjumper FS. I rode one lap on the Stumpy and hated it so I did pretty much the whole race on the BFe, not the ideal bike for a 12h race but nevertheless it made it round without any drama.

Kit-wise I'd take some spare kit to change into if the weather turns, personally I'll be taking pretty much all my kit so I'm covered for any eventuality. Some basic tools are usually a good idea but there is a SRAM service tent there and they'll sort out pretty much anything for you if problems arise. In my experience most other competitors and their pit-bhes are pretty friendly and will help you out if you're stuck smile
Cheers.

I'm going to give them a bell tomorrow to see if it's possible to reserve a set rather than just turn up and hope there's something left to rent.

I've seen a few YouTube clips and read a few write ups and it does look well run, as you say. I've never attempted anything of this level before, but I'm only 4 weeks back from a week long stint around the alps with some bloody long, hard days.

I'm going to take both bikes with me, but highly likely to start out on the hardtail. I'm swapping the tyres over to some fast rolling lightweights tomorrow, which should drop the overall weight to 23lb or so.

Glad to hear there's mechanical support - I'm bksed with anything more difficult than a puncture.

Quick question about the camping. As a solo entrant I've read you can set up by the starting straight. Are you able to park your car by your tent too, or is it a trek to and from your car with all your gear?



neenaw

1,212 posts

188 months

Sunday 11th August 2013
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Last year the camping was in a field with the circuit doing a lap around the outside of the field.

You can set up anywhere in the centre of the field and priority is given to solo's for trackside camping, you can park next to your tent without any problems. I got there mid afternoon on the Saturday last year to set up and had no problems getting a decent space. This year I'm heading down on Saturday and aiming to be there for midday when the gates open so I can get the tent set up and get a practice lap in before I have to leave to go to a friends birthday bash eek


yellowjack

17,065 posts

165 months

Sunday 11th August 2013
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Aaaaaaaaargh. Balls.

Can't do this. Properly pissed off too, as Minley is my go-to place for a casual ride, as I only have to do a 1/4 mile on the road from home to get to it. Buggery bks.

On the upside, the reason I can't do it is that I'll be at Reading Festival for the whole weekend, and staying in the Malmaison Hotel so I won't have to slum it with the Muppets in the camp site either.

thenortherner

Original Poster:

1,502 posts

162 months

Sunday 18th August 2013
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Cheers guys.

I'm really looking forward to this now. Having read last year's solo results, 8 laps seems to be an average, with 14 being the best. Anyhow, I'm targeting myself 8 laps as a minimum. It's not exactly going to put me in first place, but that wasn't my reason for joining.

neenaw

1,212 posts

188 months

Monday 19th August 2013
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thenortherner said:
Cheers guys.

I'm really looking forward to this now. Having read last year's solo results, 8 laps seems to be an average, with 14 being the best. Anyhow, I'm targeting myself 8 laps as a minimum. It's not exactly going to put me in first place, but that wasn't my reason for joining.
It should be a good day, especially if the weather forecast is right!

Are you heading over on Saturday or Sunday? I'm going to be there setting up on Saturday afternoon from about midday. There'll be a VW Caddy, a Fiat 500 and possibly an On-One fatbike next to where we're setting up so if you need anything give me a shout and I'll help out if I can.

Gren

1,947 posts

251 months

Monday 19th August 2013
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neenaw said:
It should be a good day, especially if the weather forecast is right!
Yep, forecasted to be almost zero chance of rain between now and then. I was over that way this morning and it's pretty dry anyway

neenaw

1,212 posts

188 months

Monday 19th August 2013
quotequote all
Gren said:
Yep, forecasted to be almost zero chance of rain between now and then. I was over that way this morning and it's pretty dry anyway
Sounds good.
The weather's looking good and I've got everything sorted for the weekend, my only problem now is that I managed to have a bit of an off this morning and I've done something to my shoulder. Hopefully with some pain killers and a bit of rest I'll still be able to race this weekend frown

thenortherner

Original Poster:

1,502 posts

162 months

Monday 19th August 2013
quotequote all
Good news on the weather then. Both bikes are in the workshop at moment, hoping both will somehow fit in the car!!

I'll be arriving on the Saturday afternoon at some point, hoping to get a decent spot.

I'll keep an eye out for you, and likewise, if you spot a black Polo GTI with a 'ring sticker on the back feel free to come say hello.

Bobley

697 posts

148 months

Monday 19th August 2013
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Apologies if this is too late ... I've just sold a Trek Fuel (albeit an EX7) as I felt it was too inefficient for my XC orientated riding and I cant stand riding my wifes Giant XTC hardtail - even though it weighs nothing I'm much faster and happier cross country on a short travel XC machine so I'm sticking with my trusty 26" Giant Anthem X for a bit longer. I know after doing Clic24 twice on it that I think it was the best piece of kit at the time and my colleagues on HTs were in real trouble later in the event. If I was starting again then I'd be looking for a short travel 650b bike like next years Anthem or suchlike. If you're fitter than me (quite probably) then you could make a Trance/Fuel/Zesty/Stumpy bike work but it depends what else you plan to do with it?