Back in black...

Ah, the BB200. Stu, the man behind BearBones Bikepacking and Forest Freeride is someone for whom a great many cyclists have a love/hate relationship with. They love the BearBones forum, the blog, the nifty little stoves. They love the events, so much so they sell out in hours......but.....and it's a big but, at some point, when you're on the BB200 I'm sure most riders will have cursed his existence.

Charge Cooker Ti 29er ready for action!

My first attempt at the BB200 was in 2013. I'd competed in the Bontrager 24/12 earlier than year and achieved a top 20 finish in the 24hr solo. I felt ready for the BB200, it was only 125 miles compared to the 175 I'd achieved in 24 hrs at Bonty, it'll be a doddle, right? Wrong. Doing 20 odd laps means you know what to expect, you pass your pit every hour and you're carrying little more than spare tube and a C02 cart. On the BB200 once it gets dark any town or village you pass through the shops will have long since shut, you have to carry everything you might need (including an obligatory sleeping bag & shelter) and any groomed/buff singletrack will be pure fluke. I'm pleased to say despite a couple of OTBs, a 3am bonk and a "minutes from home" navigation cock-up I rolled in after 22.5 hours to claim a black badge.

2014 was another story, I'd brought along a Carbon hardtail instead of the Fargo, stripped everything back and.....25hrs. The infamous 2014 route will go down in history, and forever mentioned whenever Sisyphus crops up in conversation. Stu appears to have been called every name under the sun (even contacted mid-ride) for creating a course comprising more bogs, tussocks and labyrinthine navigation than was previously thought possible.

And yet, when the 2015 event opened for entries it was a sell out in mere hours and a waiting list soon developed! So, as I rode off from the start, preparing to ride 200k on a bike, and more importantly a saddle, I'd not done more than 6 hours on. It gores without saying the previous year weighed heavily on my mind. The forecast was good but the sky overcast and to nobodies surprise less than an hour in and the bog trotting began.

Typical Welsh Bridleway

Luckily my fears were unfounded and this was a temporary blip. The route was a real gem, of course there was a section of tussocks, and the boggy track above but I defy anyone to link 125 miles of trails through Wales and avoid them entirely. I'm also pretty sure that it took me down the steepest trail I've ever ridden. This was a  challenge, but it wasn't just a slog.

I stuck to the nutrition (if sweets and pies constitute nutrition!) plan I used last year, forget having a large meal and instead eat a small snack every hour or so. I had a few gels, including some caffeine ones, but only for emergency use. I've given up on gels generally and carting sticky wrappers around for 125 miles didn't appeal. It's interesting to note how on a ride I can make a bag of Haribo last 18 hrs but on a sofa they vanish in minutes! 

So, how'd I get on? Well, after a shaky start where my Garmin didn't do very much I was happy with my pace and the Charge rode like a dream. I avoided making (m)any stupid navigational errors and rolled into Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, after the chippy shut, but before the Spar closed. I didn't need any supplies, (and in fact I'm eating some as I type) but there's a positive boost from *knowing* you definitely have enough fuel in reserve.

With this year's event having an "open" start time of anywhere between 8 & 10 am there was a lot of leap-frogging between entrants with differing pace, it also meant that if some passed you you weren't sure if they were faster or has stopped for an hour and were still technically behind!

About 20 miles from the end I was starting to flag but I knew that once I'd got to Staylittle, it was essentially downhill all the way. On seeing the "Llanbrynmair 7" sign I knew I could go all out and if I bonked I'd still be able to coast to the finish! I felt a bit bad leaving the chap I'd been riding with for the last hour or so but I was keen to put in a good time. The Charge had a 34t Absolute Black Oval ring paired with an 11(-42 expanded cassette) so the Cadence I could muster was  good for about 35mph. I rolled in at 6.23 a.m. 20hrs and 53 minutes after I set off. It was hard to work out my finishing position as many riders listed as returned were DNF. Thanks to Zippy on the forum for waving his magic Excel wand and establishing that I'd come back in 6th place. 39 riders were listed as finishers with the final one making it back after 36hrs in the saddle. Around 25 riders, or their perhaps their equipment, were unable to finish the route.
One BB200 tradition that is popular with all riders that was again in evidence was the welcoming breakfast courtesy of Dee and the collection of your finisher's badge.

Back in Black!

If the idea of the BB200 appeals, and you want in before next October have a look at http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/index.php and see about the other events that carry the Bear Bones certificate of sufferi......err approval!

Go on then, I'll give you one more chance....

“There are no second chances in life, except to feel remorse.” 
― Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Shadow of the Wind

Scott Mountain Marathon Round 3: Church Stretton ride report

I can't remember how coy I was when summing up my thoughts about the last Scott MTB Marathon I entered, so I'll be clear this time....the route sucked. It consisted of far too many fire road climbs and then squandered that effort with too many arrow straight lumpy and uninspiring descents. It didn't make me want to try another.

So why did I end up at Round 3 then? I had the option of hitting the road (Nah, did a century last weekend), MSG XC at Ickworth (Nah, it'll be over in 90 mins and flat) so let's think about another marathon event. I looked over the OS map to confirm that Church Stretton wasn't suffocated by acres of FC plantations and was relieved to find that was the case. I also hadn't visited the area since doing my Silver D. of E. so the chance to ride the Long Mynd, Minton Batch, etc perhaps wasn't to be missed.

Once again GringoJimi and I dropped in on C6 Bikes on the way, we both needed some drink mix and I needed a new helmet. 

I went for another Skratch Labs bottle taster bundle and Jimi opted for a bucket of Torq. While there we learned some top secret news about team bikes for 2016....more details to follow.

For my new helmet I went for a Giro Foray. I've gone off MTB or trail helmets for riding in, the peak never seems to do much and they seem unnecessarily heavy. The Foray felt comfy straight away. It's only about 50g lighter than the Specialized Tactic II it's replacing (if the labels are to be believed) but once on it doesn't protrude into your peripheral vision so it almost disappears.  

After a quick look over the new Storck range we hit the road and thankfully the M6 was kind to us. The Marathon arena was much the same as round 2, that is, a decent range of food and drink and a sprinkling of trade stands, no bad thing.

The main event...

As with Round 2 the start was a bun fight. 700 riders fed into a single lane road couldn't be anything other than that. I guess it the interests of everyone having the same start time it has to be done that way. Having learned that a quick start was essential to clear the main bunch we planned to quick off the block, alas the sheer volume of riders made that impossible. As it's not a race, and a large percentage of riders aren't out to race trying to force your way through the pack would just make you look an arse and probably lead to a massive crash. Bide your time and the first big climb gives you the opportunity to get past a few.

The route itself was a vast improvement over Round 2. Far fewer fire roads, instead lots of nice trails crossing "proper countryside". I did feel a bit guilty at the volume of riders when it appeared to have been the number one weekend for D. of E. groups to hit the hills too.

Basking in the sunshine...

The weather for the most part didn't disappoint, two bottles of Skratch (One raspberry and one lemon/lime) were enough even though it started off roasting hot. I say for the most part as 20k from the end the heavens opened in a big way. Thankfully I was through the Jurassic trails of Eastridge when the downpour started. It's also interesting how motivating it can be to get the hell out of Dodge in adverse conditions. The return leg repeated one of the more sketchy, technical descents and Strava reveals I completed it faster in the wet than I did in the dry with fresh legs!

I just want to finish now...

I really enjoyed my ride in Shropshire and lamented that I have driven through without stopping en route to Wales many times. Like Arnie said....I'll be back!

Post script.....The conditions for the XC race at Ickworth were atrocious with mnay people abandoning the race after clogging with mud on their practice lap. Bullet dodged!

The Longest Day (The Cambrian 500: Part One)

The Cambrian 500

No matter the circumstances that you may be going through, just push through it.   

    Ray Lewis

There is a long established Welsh coast to coast for mountain bikes but some bright spark felt it missed too many good bits and perhaps didn't offer the same challenge as the Scottish ITT routes ( e.g. Caingorms Loop or Highland Trail). The first attempt at the new WC2C coincided with some awful weather and ended in the group scratching at Llanwrtyd Wells, a solo effort by the now legendary Dave Barter ended a similar way and my own first attempt fizzled out in Machynlleth. Rather than avoid this route like the plague, I bizarrely jumped at an invitation to tackle it again over the Easter hols.

Last time around my fitness (or lack there of), combined with one of those off days was a major contribution to calling it quits in Mach. While I've not been hitting the turbo as I should I have been regularly commuting by bike and getting out for a decent ride at the weekend. I also planned to take far less kit with me, all too easily I can end up with everything AND the kitchen sink.

Kit List (Pared down from my previous attempt)

• On One Lurcher w. XT/SLX 2x10 & Manitou Tower 100mm Forks

• Garmin Dakota w. OS 1:50k maps

• 2x Alpkit Stem Cells (One with Mytimug & Krakau stove, the other containing snacks)

• Ibera small frame bag containing tools and tubes

• Alpkit Kanga w. Airlok Extra 13l drybag (containing all sleep kit)

• Thermarest Haven 20 Sleeping bag

• Thermarest Neoair Xtherm

• Alpkit Hunka XL Bivibag

• Decathlon silk bag liner

• Alpkit Koala Seat pack containing clothing & food

• Leg & Arm warmers

• Musto Gore Tex Jacket

• Altura Waterproof shorts

• Sealskinz socks

• Base layer & long johns

• Uniqlo down gilet

• Adventure freeze dried meals & peanut M&Ms

• 700ml High 5 bottle and Oasis puritabs

Day 0 (Thursday 2nd April 2015) 

 One logistical nightmare for any point-to-point ride is how you get back to where you parked. I wasn't keen on parking in Llandudno/Swansea as if this ride ended like the others then it'd be a long train before a long drive! So train all the way then. This meant a ride along the Cloud trail to Derby station before a few changes and ending up in Prestatyn so I could ride the North Wales Coastal route. 34 miles clocked up getting to the start! The wind was getting up and I was regretting my decision to eat at McDonalds, not because of the food but because I daren't eat inside. A bunch of teenagers forcibly ejected by johnny no-stars was giving the loaded Lurcher worrying amounts of attention.

10 easy miles along the former railway from the Cloud quarry

The Las Vegas of North Wales

We (Myself, Andy & Gabes) were booked into the Llandudno Hostel, it's basic, clean and serves a decent enough breakfast for the £20 or so it cost to stay. The wind had been joined by rain so being able to start the ride dry meant I wasn't too upset to miss out on a bivi up on the Orme. It wasn't too grim however for us to brave the walk to the Queen Vic for a swift pint and chat to the other riders.

Day 1 (Friday 3rd April 2015)

And so D-Day arrived, the weather had decided on mist as our starter for 10 so we spun up the steep and winding Marine Drive trying to find the balance between warming up and blowing up. The Rest and be thankful Cafe wouldn't be opening until after we'd set off so it acted only as handy landmark to start from.

From 10am until about 5pm the conditions got steadily worse. To begin with I was preferring the cooler temps to the sweltering heat of last August and the first proper offroad section after Conwy seemed to pass by far quicker than the last time I rode through, how much was improved fitness versus cooler temps and knowing the route better I don't know. By the time I'd reached Llyn Colwyd the rain was coming in horizontally and I had already had a couple of daft crashes on slippery wet surfaces. In places the very single track could easily put you in the lake so taking it a bit easier was prudent.

Path alongside Llyn Colwyd

Coming out the other side to view the Ogwen Valley, after a spot of hike-a-bike, my spirits were lifted, it was still cold but Capel Curig meant the opportunity to grab a hot drink and a bite to eat without having the faff of unpacking kit in the rain. It was at Capel that I caught up with Gabes and Andy, and having warmed up with a Coffee we resumed riding leaving behind puddles of rainwater. 

The next stage of the ride would take us past Ty Mawr Wybrnant and then through Penmachno trail centre with the potential for a hot meal at the nearby village pub. It wasn't to be as there was a private party being catered for so we pushed on, taking on the impossibly steep climb over towards Ffestininog and Trawsfynydd. The rain had stopped but it was still bitterly cold, the fast tarmac descent into Trawsfynydd required extra layers or there was a serious danger of Hypothermia. 

We hadn't been told that there was no hot food at this point

At around midnight, 15 or so miles later, and having lapped the lake surrounding the nuclear power station, we decided to set up camp in the next wooded area we came across. As I crawled into my bivi bag (having wrung the water out of my socks)  I reflected that the 70 mile total for the day would have to be upped considerably if a Monday finish at the Gower was going to happen.