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Post by hodgy on Sept 2, 2016 5:21:04 GMT
So ...it's almost here again
Good luck to all who are taking part ..may your race be memorable for all the right reasons !
Graham,Colin & myself are volunteer marshall's again this year ( although Graham was a rider last year) so if you see us say hello ..but maybe before or after the race .
I'm also on registration this afternoon..
For my sins I'm also at one of the most exposed points on the course at the top of Stairway to Heaven (2km.of wooden boardwalk) ... this gets very slippy if there is a hint of moisture.
I move from here to the Skyspace descent for the riders returning ..hope to still see all who have started !
I'm not sure if any on the forum are still taking part but if so have a great ride..
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oscar
Bunny Hop
Posts: 20 
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Post by oscar on Sept 2, 2016 19:10:03 GMT
I entered this event but decided to give it a miss as my fitness isn't up to it at the moment, Wheezing like a 60 a day smoker 🙁🚬
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Post by hodgy on Sept 4, 2016 2:46:30 GMT
Great , well run event once again by Bryan and all at Seismic.
Got everything right again ..apart from the weather !
The stillness of the day meant that the little bastards (midges) were out in force ..repellant did it's job but it still is uncomfortable when they swarm around you!
The whole ethos of the event which had me laughing to myself long after he had passed was summed up early in the ride by the elite level rider who was in about 4th place at the time .
Coming off the very slippery 1st section of boardwalk and having not spotted myself to the side of the trail I heard him geeing himself up to ride harder by saying " Come on ya cnut"...classic !
Well done to all who took part ..I will post the results & some pics from the day a little later ..
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Post by windysurfer on Sept 4, 2016 10:01:25 GMT
I wondered what the weather was doing up in Kielder as it pissed it down all day here meaning another soaking after just a couple of hours riding.
Couldn't imaged riding for 6-7 hours in the pouring rain.
I keep toying with entering one of this type of event, its our local Mary Townley loop today (47 miles and 6000+ feet) but think it would take the fun out of riding.
Need to give one a go and see I guess
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Post by hodgy on Sept 4, 2016 16:24:33 GMT
It's never been my idea of fun either Gaz! I've been waiting for the results to be posted ..but I guess it might be a few days yet .. I do know that the overall race ( elite ) was won again by last year's winner Tom Wragg ..here he is being shadowed by Richard Rothwell ..who I was told didn't finish ( must have been due to a mechanical as he is a world renowned endurance rider ) ..this is about an hour and a half into the race ...it was won in a sub 5 hour time !  The rest of the pics are just random shots from both of the Marshalling points I was at   John from Carlisle who was my partner in crime for the day ...  This was bloody lethal ...even to walk on and it did claim some victims ..but no serious injuries  |
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Post by hodgy on Sept 4, 2016 16:32:44 GMT
Rewind to the start of the race and the rider briefing ..I always love the buzz and sense of anticipation amongst the racers ( even though I have no intention of ever competing ) . I became instantly popular when squirting my midge repellent..and most of a full tin is now gone !    |
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Post by hodgy on Sept 4, 2016 16:50:40 GMT
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Post by hodgy on Sept 4, 2016 16:59:03 GMT
You know that pic I was looking for the other day ..which I thought that I had taken but couldn't find ..well it just hadn't uploaded ..this is Stairway to Heaven in the sunshine ...  Back to normality ...and the ride from this morning.. Ant on the side of Kielder Water at the Wave Chamber ( naughty on a bike )   A great but wet 2.5 hours on the bike ..Cheers Ant ! Next up Hawkshead ...and some unfinished business.. |
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Post by kirky72 on Sept 4, 2016 17:53:05 GMT
Some good action pics there, and a stunning view with the stairway photo.
Did you say anybody completely flaked out with 11km to go?
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Post by hodgy on Sept 4, 2016 18:18:58 GMT
There were a few retirees through the day mainly due to mechanicals a few who retired due to the fact that they were feeling it and at least 1 potential divorce lol
The worst mechanical that I saw ( and I know you are going to ask the make of bike ..which I've forgotten ..but think it was a Focus ? ) was a carbon full sus where the seat post ( also carbon ) had completely snapped in half taking some of the frame with it...hope he has a good warranty !
I did however hear over the radio comms that the Mobile mechanic had bodged a repair and he was able to continue ..
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Post by glynnsixo on Sept 4, 2016 18:41:37 GMT
nice pics! yes it pi55ed it down all day here as well, so looks like you did ok weather wise,
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Post by hodgy on Sept 4, 2016 18:44:35 GMT
Ahh maybe a little confusion there Glynn ..that pic where it's sunny was from last Mondays ride ...
Just to confirm it pissed down here as well ...lol
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Post by glynnsixo on Sept 4, 2016 18:46:20 GMT
ah right! i didnt think midges came out if its lashing it down
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Post by hodgy on Sept 4, 2016 18:51:55 GMT
They hate wind and strong sunshine but yesterday's conditions were near perfect for them ...rain / drizzle and no wind ..apart from that which I passed ..but alas that didn't deter them ..
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Post by windysurfer on Sept 4, 2016 19:01:10 GMT
I need to get up to Kielder and check out some of the riding, it looks great from your recent pictures.
Still go a couple of weeks holidays to take so might do a 7 Stannes/Kielder week. Just got to sell it to the wife!
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Post by hodgy on Sept 4, 2016 19:08:40 GMT
If you do make it ..just let me know when and I will show you the best bits ..
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Post by kirky72 on Sept 4, 2016 19:10:56 GMT
I think you might need to add a bit more Tinsle on it Gaz.
I need to get some use out of the camper van my dad said I can borrow so may have an over nighter ride killdeer, van and then move onto glentress and back down.
Anyway you would recommend parking up over night Neil with your vast knowledge?
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Post by hodgy on Sept 4, 2016 19:15:04 GMT
I will find you a good spot if you make it up ...but nothing that I will advertise on here ..lol
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Post by hodgy on Sept 4, 2016 19:17:00 GMT
By the way you are not allowed to kill any deer while you are here John ...
They are hoping to introduce Lynx into the forest to do that ..
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Post by kirky72 on Sept 5, 2016 12:37:03 GMT
What's a well marketed deodorant brand going to with the local Deer?
Understand on the parking though and Ill message you if I head up there, well in advance actually in case you can act as guide for the day.
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