BHF South Downs Way 100mls in July - I am signed up

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  • diy
    diy Posts: 6,473
    Cancelled. My riding buddy has just pulled out.
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  • Lars1974
    Lars1974 Posts: 105
    i did a 35mls training lap round Swinley and Blackwater Valley - nice bit of country side too...

    just keeping the legs spinning...
  • diy
    diy Posts: 6,473
    What time are you folks looking to start. They normally let the 100milers go at 5:30
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  • Lars1974
    Lars1974 Posts: 105
    diy wrote:
    What time are you folks looking to start. They normally let the 100milers go at 5:30

    i aim to start at 6am...
  • tuxpoo
    tuxpoo Posts: 138
    Reminder again of http://www.trailbreak.co.uk/southern_100s/index.php?go=eventinfo&event_id=120708
  • diy
    diy Posts: 6,473
    not surprised they canned it. Really starting to worry about this years randonee. We need at least 3 days dry before the 21st - otherwise it will be like last year. Wet chalk is awful
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  • tuxpoo
    tuxpoo Posts: 138
    This is getting somewhat worrying.
    Rain is forecast as far out as the 19th.
  • diy
    diy Posts: 6,473
    Yes - I may pull out if its like last year - it was no fun at all and my logistics this year don't allow for a 14+ hour ride time.

    I would strongly advise those attempting it to start at 5:30am and get up front early. You can probably imagine how muddy the paths would be after the first 200 riders have ridden over them. Its worth getting a push on for an hour to get clear of the pack. Mud wise the first 25 miles are the worst, once you are up on top the drainage is better.
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  • Freshfunkmeister
    Freshfunkmeister Posts: 79
    I did this last year and the year before that. 2010 was hot, sunny and cloudless all day but last year, the first 30 miles or so were very muddy. Once past that, the drainage is very good but if it stays wet, the chalk is like ice. Your wheel will wash away with almost no warning. If you have any friends or support then ask them to meet you at certain points with one of those hand pump garden spray things to wash out the mud from the rear derailleur. Out of three of us last year, 2 of us had broken them by 70 miles due to the mud. Also like everyone says, the last third has 50% of the climbing.

    Good luck and maybe see you out there !!
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  • diy
    diy Posts: 6,473
    There are taps along the way you can wash your bike in, but the thing you need to take is chain lube.
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  • tuxpoo
    tuxpoo Posts: 138
    I just got in contact with the BHF as I was concerned the event may be canceled.
    They state they will ONLY cancel the event if there is weather warning for the area.
    Other wise its all go!!!! :D:lol::):|:(:cry:
  • Lars1974
    Lars1974 Posts: 105
    i just check the long term forecast and it may be dry all of next week...which would help! :D

    so fingers crossed
    Lars
  • diy
    diy Posts: 6,473
    That would be perfect.
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  • Bjarnum
    Bjarnum Posts: 2
    I've done this ride 4 times this one being my 5th just take it easy and don't push it early on. See you on the strt line...
  • tuxpoo
    tuxpoo Posts: 138
    How are you guys getting to and from the event?

    I can potentially offer a lift back from eastbourne in exchange for a lift down to winchester.

    Tux
  • diy
    diy Posts: 6,473
    My riding buddy has just pulled out due to fitness and expected trail conditions. I can't say I blame him. Its going to be very difficult if we don't get at least 3 days of dry weather this week.

    Is anyone else doing this solo?
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  • tuxpoo
    tuxpoo Posts: 138
    Yes I'm solo.

    I'm going to give it a try. I know I can do the 65 in the current conditons.
    If its really so bad, Ill can it at 65 and come back and do it on may own when the weather gets better.

    Tux
  • Lars1974
    Lars1974 Posts: 105
    tuxpoo wrote:
    How are you guys getting to and from the event?

    I can potentially offer a lift back from eastbourne in exchange for a lift down to winchester.

    Tux

    Hi Tux,
    i am driving down already on friday later afternoon and staying overnight near winchester....
    so if that is any good let me know.
    Thanks,
    Lars
  • diy
    diy Posts: 6,473
    I'm staying the new forest the night before anyway, so will possibly see you both at the start.
    I'm making a go/no go decision on Thursday
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  • richvass
    richvass Posts: 68
    My friend and I are doing it and hope (weather permitting) to have a good stab at 100 miles. I've just looked at Winchester weather forecast. . . Light drizzle.
  • Bjarnum
    Bjarnum Posts: 2
    Has anyone been on the south downs this week? If so what are the trail conditions?
  • diy
    diy Posts: 6,473
    Yes - I was there sunday - it was awful. I think the first 30 miles will be the worse, once you are up top it will be a bit dryer.

    Heavy rain forecast for thursday and friday - this has to change otherwise saturday's weather will be irrelevant. I think the conditions are going to be worse this year than last year.

    last Year (june) we had 800 attempt the full 100 and I heard about 200 finished. I was in the top 40-50 to finish, it was 14 hours. This year will be worse I think.
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  • langtounboy
    langtounboy Posts: 55
    Hi Guys,
    I took a group of experienced mountain bikers the length of the SDW over 2 days Wed and Thur last week. The lower trails are a mud bath, we had to get off and push after crossing the M3 out of winchester and this seemed to be a common occurance for the remainder of the day. Some of the climbs are impossible just so much mud, in some places i was Sh1ting my pants as i only had my spd's and my front wheel was skating any where it liked.
    Up on the chalk downs it's better but still damn slippy.
    If the weather doesn't inprove take some quality goretex and dry clothing-, we got hit buy a warm front coming through that dumped a weeks supply of rain on us, clamped us in fog and dropped the temp to 1C.

    Anyway best of luck guys it'll be a challenge :D
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  • diy
    diy Posts: 6,473
    agree it will be slow and painful up to QE park.
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  • tuxpoo
    tuxpoo Posts: 138
    Well the good news is there will be only a few showers between now and saturday if any. No terrential rain forecast. The winchester side will see the least rain.
    It looks like it will be dry on the day so we may now have a fighting chance. :D
    There is a couple of sections just before old winchester hill I just cant imagine is plausable for 100s of riders to go through. I wonder if they are planning some detours.

    Plan now is to park at winchester and catch the train back from eastbourne.
    Thats should be fun :D
  • diy
    diy Posts: 6,473
    You can't park at the sports ground if you intend to leave the car after 9am
    so that just added 1 mile to your ride ;)

    If any of you chaps want to group up at the start I'm 99% sure I will be doing it now. Will aim to be in the group out the "gate" at 5:30 to get ahead of the mud.
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  • nels
    nels Posts: 250
    Hi all... doing the 65miler version solo...any recommendations on tyres given the recent conditions .. and are there any food/drink stations on route ?

    cheers
    nels
    Nels

    Trek Fuel EX9
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    Rockhopper SL Expert
  • Freshfunkmeister
    Freshfunkmeister Posts: 79
    Tiresias, something nobly like a continental mountain king, schwaln
    Be nobby nic kind of tyre. I used continental race kings last year and slithered for the first 30 or do miles but was fine for the next 70. The checkpoints have water but there's loads of taps en route. Plan to bring all your food with you though. Good luck !!
    FCN 5 - Fuji Roubaix 2
    FCN 11 - Giant Trance X3
  • Lars1974
    Lars1974 Posts: 105
    hi guys,
    I have prepped my bike and started to pack my stuff.
    I am aim to be there for 5.30 at the start..

    i am on a red & white Stumpjumper FSR and will wear a red & white Honda branded top if anyone wants to meet / say hello!

    See you there guys.
    Lars
  • Freshfunkmeister
    Freshfunkmeister Posts: 79
    I'll look out for you but we're starting really late. Our train gets into Winchester at 0640. If our paths don't cross, good luck !!
    FCN 5 - Fuji Roubaix 2
    FCN 11 - Giant Trance X3

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