It was no secret that this year I had one goal, and that was to beat Phil’s time of 9:59:35. [Phil: Its no secret I dont want Mark to beat my time]

Friday
We’ve arrived, and everything is very wet. The campsite is more like a swamp, as usual I’ve managed to pitch my tent in what appears to be a drainage channel to the river that runs down the side of the campsite [Phil: It was a bit damp underfoot then]. It’s tempting to have a couple of beers tonight, although that probably not the best idea considering the ride I’m facing tomorrow. I managed to fight off the beer monster until race briefing at 9pm, when I’ve convinced myself one beer won’t hurt, so I head over to the briefing with my pal Budweiser. The briefing doesn’t have any surprises, but is a reminder that we’ve got to get up at around 5:00am ready for the start. We head back over to the camp, its dark and rainy and after 30mins or so of sitting in the club gazebo we call it a day and head to bed.
I’ve been asleep for a while, but the rain has woken me up. Not sure what time it is, but it’s still pitch black outside and raining heavily. A quick check on the phone, and it’s 1am. Surly this is rain will have cleared by the race start…….

Saturday
5am, and my alarm goes off, and it’s still raining. Joy.
I decide to head over to the race start late, Phil recommend getting there early, but I don’t want to stand around in the rain for an hour not moving. I’m about ¾ of the way back, not too bothered though as there’s meant to be a few mile ride out on forest roads where I’ll move forward. Looking round, there are a lot of big bikes here and people wearing baggy shorts. Do they realise what they have let themselves into?
Those who know me will know that I don’t put much though into strategy, I’ve read Phil’s Kielder tips and decided to not follow most of them [Phil: I thought you would have at least taken a pork pie]. I’m wearing a small camelback rather than using a bottle, and am going to use the free energy drink and food en-route rather than carry my own. I’m not wearing a watch or hear rate monitor and am planning to just ride at a pace that feels right for my legs. I’ve opted to have my MP3 player on for the race, with Trance/Hard dance to keep me going.
It’s still raining a lot of folks have opted for a water proof jacket, I’ve just gone for a thin shower proof and a gillet in my back pocket in case it get cold out on the moors. I’m going to get wet, but as long as I’m moving I’ll keep warm and I’m not planning to stop for long. I’ve opted to ride my hardtail race bike rather than my full suspension as it’s so much lighter and better for climbing. Just concerned that my back won’t be able to last out as the hard tail has such a still rear end it has a habit of killing my back even on the flats.

6:30, Race start. It’s a bit like the start of the London marathon, must have taken me 3 or 4 mins to actually cross the start line and all I can see informant of me is a road full of riders. Everyone seems to be riding very slow, so I move over right onto the edge of the forest road skimming along the under growth and start making my way forward. I’ve probably upset a few folks by riding through the undergrowth to get past them, but I don’t really care it’s a race after all. By the time the lead out car pulls off, I’m about 50 back from the front and carry on making my way forward up the first climbs.
30 miles down and everything is feeling great, in fact I feel like I’m flying. Nobody has passed me yet, based on the number of riders I’ve passed I think I’m around 30th. The first feed station arrives, I have a quick stop to fill up with energy drink and have a few jelly beans then its off again.
40 miles, still feel like I’m flying. The conditions are awful though, lots of the fire roads are like streams and when you’re flying down them at what much be close to 30mph you can’t see a thing, which is quite scary at times. I’ve been riding on my own now for a couple of hours, which makes me feel quite good as it means I’m holding a good pace.
50 miles, dark times…..I’ve started crossing over to Newcastleon, and what the hell is the trail I’m riding on. Feels like its been made out of house bricks, my hardtail it really punishing me. In or out of the saddle it feels like I’m being punched in the kidneys by a heavy weight boxer. When does it end? After what feels like miles, I see the piper in the distance that’s got to be the end surly. This trail has cost me time though, and I’ve been passed for the first time. It’s one of the KCNC/clee cycles boys, it’s like 24/12 all over again! We pass the piper and the trail gets better, I’m hurting though, my back has gone.
At 62 miles I’ve reached the main food stop at Newcastleton, I decide to stop for a few mins to have some cake and a sit down and do some lower back stretches. The bike is suffering too, the front pads have gone and I’m down to the backing plates. I’m not going to change them though, as this will take time that I don’t want to loose. The backing plate are alloy so they should see me though. I leave the feed area feeling better and go through the check point where they tell me I’m the 18th rider through! Wow, didn’t think I was doing that well but there’s still a long way to go.
It the route back to Kelider now, and what a relief it’s a smooth forest road for what must be 10 miles. I’m flying along in top gear for ages, this is great the miles are flying past, but my left knee has stated to hurt. This is worrying. Although I’m shifting, I’ve got somebody on my tail and I get passed again. It’s one of the Lumicycle boys this time, now it’s Sleepless all over again!
72 miles, 80 miles, quickly fly by I’m feeling good. The finish is getting closer, but my knee is really starting to hurt now. I’ve got no front brake left, and the back brake is down to the backing plates too. I’m not stopping though I’ll make do with a partially working back brake.
90 miles, NO NO NO NO , my knee has given in. I can’t climb anymore on the bike even in 1st gear. I’ve tried stretching but it’s having no effect. I’m reduced to pushing up the climbs. I’ve crossed the final cut off point though, so I’m going to finish.
Due to the conditions I’ve already accepted that I won’t be beating Phils time this year. I’ve reached the final checkpoint, 2.5 miles to go, and just in passing I ask the marshall what the time is “Just gone 4pm” is the reply. Hang on that’s only 9.5 hours so far, surly I can mange 2.5 miles in 30 miles to beat Phil……. [Phil: Bugger]
Everything is uphill, this isn’t good. I try to ride them but it feels like I’ve got a knife sticking through my knee joint. I give up and keep on pushing, I try a bit of a jog but even that is too much for my knee. So I’m resigned to a walk / hobble. I must be a the top now, nothing seems to be higher, surly this is the last bit of single track. This track is tricky, it’s steep and slipply and I have virtually no rear brake left. Wait, there’s the finish line in the distance. I put everything I’ve got left into crossing the line and fly straight past the marshal with the timing dibber as my rear brake has gone too. Quick time back and that’s I’m done.
I take a very slow ride back to the arena to hand my timing chip back and find out how I’ve done. The guy at the timing tent is far too enthusiastic, I’m not in the mood for jokes just tell me how I’ve done. 9:55:59, I’ve done it. Phils time has been beaten, mission accomplished even though it was raining the whole race. [Phil: Its a widely known fact that although it was a bit damp, the course was easier this year, had less hills and was shorter, its the only logical reason]
I’m provisionally 21st, this turns out 24th in the final results.
I head back to the campsite thinking I’ll be able to get straight in the shower as not many riders have finished in front of me. Hang on, what are all these people doing here and why are all the other DVATC riders except Steff doing here already?

Sunday
I’m hurting, hurting a lot. That bike has nearly killed me. I’m going to need a bit of time off the get over that ride. Really pleased I’m not driving back, I’m not in a fit state
900 started, 177 finished, I’m happy with 24th. Will I do it again, probably, but not next year.
On reflection, what would I do differently? No a lot really, the only thing I would do is ride a different bike. A stiff carbon hardtail is not the right bike for this event unless you have a steel spine, a short travel full susser or possibly 29er hardtail would be a better choice. Changing my brake pads at the 62 mile make may have also been benefical, as the amount of time I lost later on the single track/downhills may have been more than the time it took to change the pads.
It’s back over to Phil now…… [Phil: I'm quite happy never to do this race again, maybe though, now there's a point!]

Mark

[Phil: In all fairness well done and good result, but I really dont know if I can face it again !!]

I looked around a bit and found some Aerozine rings, for about £50, a pretty hefty saving, considering an 44T XT ring costs over £50 on its own, but are they any good.

I fitted them to my race bike just before Bontrager 24 12 in July and have just finished sleepless in the saddle on them, I’ve probably done about 300 miles on them, so they have had plenty of chance to wear.

Well no problems so far, in fact I’m very impressed, they look quite similar to Shimano XT, are made from CNC machined 7075AL T6 heated treated Aluminium which is the hardest aluminium used for rings. They have plenty of ramps and stainless steel shifting pins built in, which means smooth shifting.

Weight wise they are on a par with the XT’s, so the weight weenies needn’t worry.

Overall an excellent set for a bargain basement price. I’ve just stuck a set on my club ride hacking bike too.

They are available here

A fairy dry one by SITS standards, except for that lap about 6pm when the torrential rain turned the wooded section about half way round to clay, which stopped the wheels going round. Running holding the front wheel off the ground, dragging the back was great fun!

32 Laps completed in 24hrs 20mins, about 135miles each, feeling it today though. One major chain disaster in the night which lost us close on 20mins, could have been close for 2nd. What if, What if, the post race analysis still continues!

Here’s some photos:

There is always someone looking to take the difficulty to a new level

Took out most of the hill bits, but still 19 mins.

How often do you get to see a race from this angle

Same time, same place for Sleepless in the Saddle in a few weeks, if I’ve recovered. 24hrs pairs this time.

See photos tab, If you like them drop a comment on the blog.

Enjoy,

Bontrager 24 12 2011 Start Arena

I’ll be riding in the 12 hr male pairs class as team DVATC, I’m going to draw a line in the sand and say we are going for the podium, having been denied in the last few years, 4th’s and 5th’s are getting annoying. I need to retire on a high as I can’t afford the £100 in petrol to keep going to Plymouth.

The bikes just about ready, One new set of Aerozine chain rings and some new Jockey wheels courtesy of http://www.cyclomonster.com and I think that’s all I need.

I’ll attempt to video a lap or 2 as well and post up here

Bingham
27th May 2011

Cotgrave
17th June 2011

Sherwood Pines
1st July 2011

Hardwick Hall
22nd July 2011

More details here

In no particular order:

1. Don’t take a big camel back, ideally none at all, when full of water, its heavy, and you don’t need to carry that much between check points. Only carry enough + a bit extra to see you between each one.

2. Use energy drink and gels, calculate how many you need per hour (2-3 per hours should be about right for most), also take energy powder sachets to put in your bottle at the stations, you might need to put some of these in the feed bags as they can be bulky.

3. Don’t bother putting any supplies in the feed stations before 50 miles, you should be able to carry almost everything you need for the full race.

4. If you have used enough gels you shouldn’t need too much extra food, but you might want some solid bars etc. just in case to add some solids. Or just eat the free food at the check points.

5. Don’t take pork pies or any other high fat crap, it might be nice with a pint, but it wont make you ride any faster. (Yes, really, some people did).

6. There are a lot of loose sharp rocks on the trails, use new tyres, something faster rolling, but with a bit of meat on.

7. Use air cartridges (carry enough for 3 punctures), they work quicker, but carry a pump, just in case.

8. If you use tubeless take a tubeless kit and a spare tube or 2.

9. If tubed, take 2 spare, and consider putting a spare in the last few check points.

10. Use sun cream and midge repellent, you going to be out there for a while and the midges will attack as soon as you stop anywhere.

11. Don’t go off too slow, you don’t want to burn out either, but its better to get the miles knocked out as quick as possible.

12. Train lots before hand, 3-5 hr road rides once a week at steady state + your normal stuff should set you up, you don’t need to have ridden a 100 miles before.

13. Don’t think it will be easy.

14. Don’t go a bit mad, you might find yourself on your own a lot, if you get the chance to ride with someone for a bit, take it. (talk to them about how much you are enjoying it, etc.)

15. Concentrate, its easy to go off course even on the flat fire roads, its not difficult to hit 40mph on the descents either.

14. Dont mince about at the food stops, in and out no messing.

15. Dont do it single speed unless you are very fit.

16. Do what works for you even if that means taking a pork pie.

16. Finish, gaining a man badge in the process.

17. Take the week off afterwards to recover.

And don’t forget to enjoy yourself, its a great event.

Last years report

PS. The above is not intended as advice, if you fall off riping your sack open in the process dont come running to me looking for someone to blame. You signed the disclamer, and remember have fun.

Cheers

Then just ask to join.

There might be a prize at some point even if its only a manbadge.

Rhyd Ddu was the start point for the lesser travelled southern approach, a nice gentle climb to start, which soon turns into a mix of ride, push, carry. Conditions were fantastically hot for the time of year, but good for riding. The Trig point was reached at 1085m now time for the descent into Llanberis, a technical rocky descent at the top which leads to loose rocks, and then onto rocky steps inter linked with fast sections for maximum speed. Sadly max speed was never reached due to the masses of Sunday walkers most who got the train to the half-way point, so we could let it go a bit more in the lower section. It was hard to gauge the exact thoughts of those people but from their expressions it was a mixture of admiration, fear, disgust and bemusement. The descent from Snowdon.

A quick snack stop at Pete’s Cafe, then back along a steady climb up Telegraph Valley which runs parallel to Foel Goch and then onto the Ranger path down in Llwyn Onn. The final descent was almost entirely clear of traffic allowing for a demonstration in speed, one which sadly not all were ready for. Video of descent

A cracking little loop only about 15 miles with about 1300m of total climbing, but well worth the effort. Allow at least 4-6 hrs for the loop dependant on fitness and skill level.

We stopped in a bunkhouse run by the Cwellyn Arms pub in Rhyd Ddu. The pub is the only one in the village and sadly the lack of competition meant portion sizes in the restaurant were somewhat constrained and the prices weren’t far off what I’d payed on a visit to London the week before. Anyone looking for a big meal after a hard day riding/walking may find themselves disappointed. Maybe we were spoilt somewhat after half a Cow pie in the George at Keswick a few weeks before which was a challenge to eat, even after a long day out (Not seen anyone eat the full one yet), but on the plus side the quality was good. We did voice our concerns and were told to buy a sweet, at £6-8 however and after advice from another customer we decided to decline. We were booked in for the breakfast, but after the land lord told us if we didn’t like the portions on the meal we wouldn’t like the breakfast, we decided against it, at £7.95 it was a bit steep anyway.

The bunk house 10 minutes down the road did the job, basic and clean as you would expect, probably not ideal if you are looking for an early quite night as the rooms are large and inter linked, although that would depend on who else is stopping, to be fair we weren’t that quiet on initial arrival, but were out trumped about 30mins later by another group. A quiet word from Stef though settled things down (dont mess with the Stef).

We will definitely be doing another route in Snowdon at some point, but will make the start point somewhere else.