Ard Rock - how much experience?

[ben_h100]

Hi all,

Looking at entering next years event but have a few qs that I think the Pedal Powered forum might be able to answer...

What sort of experience do you need to be able to give the event a good go and 'do it justice'?

Do people enter on their own? My missus would be coming along but might not be up to doing the event itself (she's a keen MTBer so would love to be a part of the 'festival' side of things).

I've never entered anything like this before and would be looking to do the Sunday (bit more chilled out?). Would you say having competed in an enduro event previously is a requirement?

As always, any info much appreciated.

[paulmon]

I did it last year and its a superb event. Quite tough, in fact brutal in parts. I've done a lot of mountain biking at trail centres and natural stuff in the lakes and peaks and the descents on the Ard Rock are the hardest things I've done. The climbing, particularly at the start is relentless.

We did the event on the Saturday with 3 stages which isn't as competitive as the full on Enduro. The advantage of doing the Saturday is that you get to have a few beers and enjoy the atmosphere rather than avoiding the beer and crapping it about what is to come the following day.

Tickets sell out almost as quick as Glasto so I'd set your alarm if you are serious about doing it.

[joema]

Plenty of novices racing so I'm sure you'll be fine. Racing was bks due to the amount of people on course but course was fun. A lot of climbing so be prepared for a hard day on the pedals.

Nothing really difficult (couple of steep bits) and everything was rollable. Just make sure you have good tyres or pinch flats and tears will ruin your day.

Get the impression a lot there had never ridden outside of a trail centre or raced which was odd but then it's slightly different in that its some sort of festival too. Maybe do an enduro race before to get a bit of experience as to what to expect.

Plenty of one day races on offer.

Or just do the non timed sunday loop thing.

[timlongs]

Rode the Sunday last year after only getting a bike 2 weeks before. (A year previously I'd done 3/4 days of riding as a MTB novice in the Alps but had some v. good instructors)

Was stting myself on the night but found it all fine, in fact more annoying was people in front stopping before tricky/steep sections and getting in the way.

The wind was brutal on the sunday, most people walked the tough bits of climbs. A few people I spoke to had only ridden trail centres in the past and couldn't believe terrain like that existed! Which was a bit concerning.

But yeah, it's good, perhaps a bit too busy?

[james0]

The trails were loose rocks, off camber grass and some mud. No jumps or drops that weren't rollable. Basically natural riding.
Some riders were well out of their depth on the steep bits and it would have been carnage if it was wet. I've never caught 3 riders that weren't in a group on a stage before.
Maybe enter some other enduro races during the year to get a feel. There are loads of other races, just without the festival bit.

Edited by james0 on Thursday 27th October 21:23

[ben_h100]

Cheers all,

I've entered the 'sport' event for the Sunday. As for other events, are you going through the British cycling website or is it simply a case of googling local events?

[joema]

try moredirt