[Closed] ‘Ard Rock Enduro 2015

I'll be doing the full one 🙂

I reckon they'll miss off stages 3 and 4 for the sport version.

ETA: Actually, it says you still ride the full route, I thought you would miss out some of the long transitions. I think the first 2 stages were the most technical?

I think the first 2 stages were the most technical?

Yes, or maybe that was just the initial shock? 🙂

Looking at my GPX I'd think 1 and 4 would get the mileage about right and 4. They both have simple bypass routes also. Stage 3 is too big a loop to miss at 4 miles.
They also have the 2 most difficult climbs straight after removed which could put people off doing the full thing.

I hit a rut on stage 4 and not having a dropper post at the time my nuts hit the saddle and I also added a nice new pedal mark to one of my shins. I had to take a goooood few mins out to recover.

Definitely fancy this after missing the last couple of years due to various issues... Reckon I'll man up for the full fat version, give me an excuse to get some more pedalling in.

Reckon it'll sell out quickly?

This is the one event I'm excited about for next year, loved it 2 years ago, couldn't make it last year. Really good riding, not overly techy at all, and a really chilled vibe.

I've missed it the last 2 years due to clashes with my jollies. Getting this booked in quick so I can plan jollies around it! My Enduro calendar is filling up for next year. #Endurosicktothepowerofradcubed

Bo****ks

On a big family holiday in the Cotswold area Mon to Mon.

Do I make my excuses and leave on Sat and drive up to Swaledale, it's a fair old drive is that.

On the official site it says the route is all Natural and non is Man made, what I need to know is what level of technical ability is required to take part in the full enduro & the same for the part one which again onsite it says is for everyone.
I am planning on taking the missus with me if she is capable of talking part, stamina isn't an issue but technically it may be.
what would be good if those who have done it can par it with bike centres i.e gisburn / glentress / mabie / coed-y-brenin to give me an idea if I might be capable of the full one and the other half the smaller route.
Thanks

Loose with steep chutes and sticky out rocks. Doesn't really compare to a trail centre.
On the up side if you do the shorter version then less than 5% of the route is like that. Probably far less than that.
Some quite interesting moor tracks too. Fast and loose with plenty of opportunities to puncture.
Have a look at the official videos.

Just checked and I'm working, again 👿

Footstomper, I would say if you can do the blacks at Gisburn you should be ok, even though the smaller version cuts out the two 'most' technical the others could still cause instant death in some parts 😆

Hardest thing for me last year was the steep muddy banks and trying to stop yourself from crashing into a bunch of rocks or another rider.

Trekster - Member
Just checked and I'm working, again

Get some holidays in big fella, I'll pick ye up on the way past, it's been too long!. 😉

I'll be travelling up from Southampton for it. Looks like a great way of spending a weekend.

Missed this twice. V excited I can do it!

Thinking of heading up from Southampton too for this, worth the 5 hour trip each way?

think i may enter this myself........do they have a fat old blokes category?

@jakebeach. Definately worth the trip

@ton....yes, cause I went this year..I've seriously gotta work on my fitness for the climbs though..1000m of climbing

I see this year the Sunday has a cut off time of 5hrs 15mins. What happens if you're out there for longer due to mechanicals? Disqualification?

Stages closed and a DNF next to your name.

It's not that much in terms of climbing, about the same as GT red.

Is there much for non-bikers to do in the area?

My GPS says more like 1200m climbing this year.
Glentress red according to Strava is about 370m.

Ard Rock full course far more brutal than Glentress as the climbs aren't nicely graded.

[quote=tomlevell]My GPS says more like 1200m climbing this year.

Yup, same here.

Great event, great atmosphere and fun, challenging, but doable stages.

This may be pish, but I was taking the elevation gain at GT from here -
http://north-bristol-mountain-bike-club.co.uk/index.php?option=com_gpstools&view=gpstools&task=viewtrack&id=152:glentress-red-route&Itemid=615

it's pish, that isn't the red route, that's someone's ride incorporating red route and other stuff. I'd say at least double to three times the climb at the ard rock compared to red at gt, its a big day out.

I have done it, didn't seem that bad tbh.

Yep, last year was 1200m of climbing over a total distance of almost 40km.
If you do a practice loop on Saturday and then race the Enduro on Sunday it makes for a tough weekend.
Loads of fun though! Great atmosphere, scenery and riding 🙂
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Looks roughly equivalent to the Beast at Coed y Brenin in terms of distance and climbing then (bit more climbing).

If it's of any use to anyone my Garmin measured King & Queen of the Hill as more or less 1,100m climbing over 30km.

Hey guys, I may be able to answer some of your questions... If the route is the same, the sport will most likely miss stages one and four, meaning we can make the main race a little bit 'Arder, or keep it just as hard. Hopefully the Sport will be a fun event that riders of all abilities can some and have a crack at. The last thing we want to do is alienate the majority or riders by making it all too much or elitist - I know it's go 'Ard in the title 🙂

Welcome to STW Joe.
Do you have any weather control machines in place for next year? 😀

Do you get to practice the stages? What sort of length are the stages?

I like the idea of the Sport event Joe, as it gives us lesser mortals a chance to have a go and have some real fun - and I'm guessing that it will also have the side benefit that you'll be able to take more entries over the two days and enable more people to attend 'Ard Rock 2015

Can I just say thanks for using a photo of me on the website Joe. Made my day when it was pointed out to me

Happy to accept a freebie entry in exchange 🙂

Results from last year are [url= http://www.sportident.co.uk/results/2014/ArdRockEnduro/enduro.html ]here[/url] to give you an idea of stage times.
We set off (hungover 🙂 )for a practice of all the stages on the Saturday with the intention of taking a short cut between them. It turned out there wasn't a way to cut the loop short and we ended up doing the full 40km......

Canny wait!.

@tmb467, just spotted your photo 🙂

The oldest class is 40+!, there will be too many youngsters for my liking. Still , might give it a go.

Accommodation booked, how eager am I? 😀

Obviously chosen for the quality of the light and the carefully chosen Enduro colours and not for the bike riding skills

Nobeerinthefridge hope you get a place then.

Sounds good. What's the camping like?

Camping is good, plenty of space and facilities at the dales bike centre.

Camping was good but could've done with more portaloos - they were pretty full by the end of Sunday this year!

Ah yes - portaloo hell!

Camping was good and the local pub seemed to be busy. I did like the sound and light show on the Saturday evening as well. Breakfast was available as well but I'd take my own next time unless you like porridge

Thanks Darren!

Yes there will be a practice/ride session focusing on the technical stages, and hopefully we'll iron out any little niggles - bacon for breakfast anyone?

We're hoping the sport riders will stay on sunday to heckle, or ride one of the many routes from the centre.

It looks like a great event and I'm going to try and get an entry, the only concern I have is if you go the camping route is there some safe storage anywhere for your bike, what are the arrangements like. It's nice to know whilst you are slumbering in your tent your bikes not left the boot of your car.

Any good recomendations for local B and B switch bike storage?

Bacon sandwiches would be perfect thanks! 😉

We're hoping the sport riders will stay on sunday to heckle, or ride one of the many routes from the centre.

I rekon I'm going to try and get in as well, never done anything like this before, first time for everything!

We'll have staff on the campsite...

Good job Skydragon! Stage one was great to watch this year.

Mentioned this to a few mates and think we are going to have a crack at the sport event. Will have to go steady on the mince pies this christmas.....

have is if you go the camping route is there some safe storage anywhere for your bike, what are the arrangements like.

It's a campsite full of cyclists. All with bikes, all with an ear open. For a start only a fool would dare. Put the bikes in the car and you'll be reet.

It's a campsite full of cyclists. All with bikes, all with an ear open. For a start only a fool would dare. Put the bikes in the car and you'll be reet.

If the weathers worse than this year I'll be sleeping in there with it.

Weather was pretty good where i was marshaling at the bottom of stage 5 and suffering with too much sunshine
had no idea it was terrible at the other end of the dale
great event

What's the deal with entries?
Is it first come first served or random ?

First come first in. Think it was full within three days last time but theres the extra places for the tamer race this year which is more of a money making thing than being nice I suspect.

First come first in. Think it was full within three days last time but theres the extra places for the tamer race this year which is more of a money making thing than being nice I suspect.

Or more of a covering costs thing, than money making. First year the guys had to go through 14 landowners for access IIRC, I bet that those same people require a little financial recompense now that the Ard rock is a fixture.

I bet that those same people require a little financial recompense now that the Ard rock is a fixture.

True, bit harsh of me I suppose. Wonder how much a thing like this costs to put on. They must get close to 30k in revenue if all the places are full.

Single timed lap sounds ideal for me, I climb faster than i descend. It's a stunning venue, rode the nutcracker xc there the week after it. The landscape is stunning.

Sorted..I'm with benji for the 'team' event..my climbing (pushing) is rubbish.

I think the shorter sat event is a good idea. as quite a lot of sundays riders. did the whole course on sat and then jibbed out on the race day

Entries open Friday, anyone know what time they open?

From Twitter:

Big skids up Swaledale! 'Ard Rock entires go live at 00:00 on Friday

midnight?!

This is without doubt one of the best events of my MTB calendar. Done it in 2013 with a bunch of mates, did it last year with my youngest son and gonna do it next year by myself if I have to 😀

The live music last year on Saturday was quite good even tho there was a torrential rain storm.

The climb out from section four to five was hard work.

I really fancy this. Never done any racing or anything. is it worth dipping my toe in the water with something easier first?

Anyone know if they allow dogs on the campsite?

I'm sure dogs will be fine.

Andybrad - go for it, not super techy riding, enough to keep ye on yer toes, really good stuff.

I'm tempted to enter sport enduro on the Saturday as well as the big un on the Sunday.

I'm tempted to enter sport enduro on the Saturday as well as the big un on the Sunday

You got a spare pair of legs or something?

I'm tempted to enter sport enduro on the Saturday as well as the big un on the Sunday

You got a spare pair of legs or something?

Practice runs, innit.

#moreendurothanyou

😀

😀

It's spare lungs I'd be needing!. Probably end up covering about that distance practicing on the Saturday.

I've been looking at the results from last year

[url= http://www.sportident.co.uk/results/2014/ArdRockEnduro/enduro.html ]results[/url]

Am I correct in thinking that the sections are very short and the distance is made up with the transitions?

Relative to the overall distance, yes.

That is in part what makes them steep. With a couple of pedally bits and non-stop tech, they don't feel short when you are racing them!

Correct. Have a look at this persons Strava result for distance, altitude and times between each stage:

http://www.strava.com/activities/175011252

Ah I see, thanks both. Darren, will examine the strava loop 🙂

Im in 😀 who else?

Me too!