Mountain Mayhem

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Discussion

longblackcoat

5,047 posts

184 months

Monday 22nd June 2009
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I'm not sure how well we did - a mixed team in terms of ages, genders and abilities meant that our best possible result was to get top 10 in the Mixed Oldies category. The results aren't out yet as far as I'm aware.

We had no (major) crashes, no puntures, and few mechanicals, but one team member had to drop out after a lap due to a knackered knee. Luckily we coerced someone else into joining our team, and he was a star, riding some quickish laps with no preparation at all.

Best one I've done, due almost entirely to the conditions - minimal rain meant that last year's mud was largely just a bad memory. Even the Somme Forest wasn't *that* bad this year

fergus

6,430 posts

276 months

Monday 22nd June 2009
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longblackcoat said:
Best one I've done, due almost entirely to the conditions - minimal rain meant that last year's mud was largely just a bad memory. Even the Somme Forest wasn't *that* bad this year
Did you not find the path on the downhill run on the fist loop (the heavily crowned one with all the rocks in the middle) very slippery?

Those bl00dy tree roots! Great event. Looking to sign up for some more endurance events already! I may have made the switch from road to MTB!

The royal marine and navy teams were flying!

longblackcoat

5,047 posts

184 months

Monday 22nd June 2009
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fergus said:
longblackcoat said:
Best one I've done, due almost entirely to the conditions - minimal rain meant that last year's mud was largely just a bad memory. Even the Somme Forest wasn't *that* bad this year
Did you not find the path on the downhill run on the fist loop (the heavily crowned one with all the rocks in the middle) very slippery?

Those bl00dy tree roots! Great event. Looking to sign up for some more endurance events already! I may have made the switch from road to MTB!

The royal marine and navy teams were flying!
If you mean the actual downhill bit, then no problems with that - where I definitely had an isse was with the flat/uphill section immediately following the downhill bit. No traction at all.

Apart from that, it was all rideable this year (well, there were a few bits here and there which were a bit pants when the rain came) which was a big plus. The plasticine mud on the second half (just before you come out by the house) was so energy-sapping though.


Dudd

Original Poster:

963 posts

193 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
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Our team on a first attempt made 16 laps. 4 each. We also doubled up so I finished my last lap at 7am! was out at 2am too when the rain started.

The slipery bits for me were no issue especially the Downhill sections as I'm a down hiller by preference. I was gaining 3-4 places for each down section. But loosing hours on the up hills!

The pro teams were insane. Especially the forces teams!

Anyone know when the results are out?

fergus

6,430 posts

276 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
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Dudd said:
The slipery bits for me were no issue especially the Downhill sections as I'm a down hiller by preference. I was gaining 3-4 places for each down section. But loosing hours on the up hills!
Not sure if there is such a thing, but can I attend a course to help me gain confidence over the downhill rutted sections/tree roots, etc, or is this just an experience thing? I was nervous of breaking my collar bone/wrist if I crashed at speed in some sections, so slowed *right* up, which probably made things worse! However, whilst on a motorbike on a track, crashing at over 100 mph doesn't scare me!!

Dudd

Original Poster:

963 posts

193 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
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fergus said:
Dudd said:
The slipery bits for me were no issue especially the Downhill sections as I'm a down hiller by preference. I was gaining 3-4 places for each down section. But loosing hours on the up hills!
Not sure if there is such a thing, but can I attend a course to help me gain confidence over the downhill rutted sections/tree roots, etc, or is this just an experience thing? I was nervous of breaking my collar bone/wrist if I crashed at speed in some sections, so slowed *right* up, which probably made things worse! However, whilst on a motorbike on a track, crashing at over 100 mph doesn't scare me!!
Practice I guess.

Spending my youth throwing myself down hills as fast as I can while chasing my mates on their massive DH bikes would have prepared me well for the hills we were using.

Who took the "Hard" route round the back? It was deadly after the 2nd rain!

g_stacey

641 posts

234 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
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My flickr pictures are here.

G

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23318875@N02



Results are here. http://www.osmountainmayhem.co.uk/

Well done Crippo.

Edited by g_stacey on Tuesday 23 June 16:15

matt-ITR

892 posts

190 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
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I was there and really enjoyed it this year.

Managed to overcome my demons and win the event that I have been wanting to win for years!
Finished 1st in the solo cat with a total of 26 laps.

Felt fine on Monday but feeling shattered today. Need a good nights sleep... or maybe a full day of sleep smile

Fantastic pictures g_stacey. Couple of great pictures of me.

g_stacey

641 posts

234 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
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matt-ITR
Superhuman ride. Amazing. Well done. I was looking after the three Mule Boys, you must of seen them! Couldn't miss them. All seriously shattered to. Cant stop eating either. Have a good rest.
Whats your next event? SITS?

G

Dudd

Original Poster:

963 posts

193 months

Wednesday 24th June 2009
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some great photos there, really managed to capture the atmosphere.

Did you get any pics of me? 464?

Team Elateral. We came 79th. Am very happy with that seeing as we did minimal training, no prep and i did the whole weekend with a road cassette!

Dudd

Original Poster:

963 posts

193 months

Wednesday 24th June 2009
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Matt fantastic effort!

Our team only made 16 laps and you did 26! Congrats to you and on getting engaged!

snotrag

14,464 posts

212 months

Wednesday 24th June 2009
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Great pics G. And Matt - congratulations on both accounts, quite how you manage 26 laps is beyond me. I'll do it solo one year I'm promising myself.
We were just nearby in the finish area as you came by, very moving, bet your good lady was rather blown away!

Crippo

1,187 posts

221 months

Saturday 4th July 2009
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I managed 14 laps in the end. I decided to stop for a nice fried up breakfats at around 7 in th emorning and put some clean kit on. I actively decided not to do 15 laps and if I had wanted to 16 were on the cards. However my main goal was to ride without any significant stops, ie going to bed for 4 hours. In th eend I stopped for dinner in th eevening and at Dawn for breakfast. I did climb into my sleeping bag for 1 hour just as a reward for doing well through the night I had promised myself.
The technical section was where I made up most time even towards teh end I was still taking people through the mud. I also kept riding the hard route choice as it was signed easy...because I was solo I had no team mate to tell me otherwise, I dint discover this until my last 5 laps
The Landrover climb became a bit of a walk after 10 laps too....however I found it fun, I dint take it to seriously but I wanted to do some justice to myslef and my two helpers, next year I will actually do some traing, with a 2 and a hlaf year old and 9 week old baby I havnt had much chance to ride or even to sleep...I was yawning before I started which I thought was a bit worrying.....oh and by the way next morning I had to drive to Scotland!

g_stacey

641 posts

234 months

Saturday 4th July 2009
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Crippo, as you hadn't posted for so long I was getting worried about you!!!!!! Well done, its an immense thing mentally and physically. I did a couple of 12 last month and they hurt. Can you sit on a bike yet!

G

Crippo

1,187 posts

221 months

Thursday 9th July 2009
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Hello, yes I can sit on a bike again now. My arse did take a bit of a beating though! Am I allowed to say that in public?