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Hi all,
With just under 6 weeks to go till the Monster that's just under 4 weeks training left for me with a 2 week taper !! I cannot believe how quickly this has come round 🙂
Really looking forward to this event just wondered how the training has been going for all who have entered ?
The longest ride i have done is a 33 miler over my favorite North downs loop 🙂 taking in Ranmore/Leith/Holmbury/Pitch and have tried my best to get 3 rides a weeks in but to be honest im under no illusions that the climbs we have here wont get near the climbing that will be required at afan on the day.
Still a few weeks to go to put in a couple more slightly longer rides but i must admit i am starting to feel a little anxious.
I have just read about 2 guys who did a day on the Trans wales and took 6 hrs 15 mins to do 48 km ....
we did the w2 at afan a few months back and it took us 4.5 hrs at an easyish pace with stops.
i am doing the event with my son and a mate and am literally planning on just finishing and getting us all round.
I'm estimating around 8 hrs for the 75km at a steady pace.
Really looking forward to all that single track but one thing that is bothering me is wearing knee pads for that amount of time.
Anyone else thought about this ? I had a knee problem earlier in the year and on my 1st afan trip this year the knee pads def aggrivated it !
Be great to hear from others on how your trainings going 🙂
Thanks
paul
Leith and Redlands have some nice uphill climbs, they are somewhat comparable to tamed Afan climbs. Myself only can manage to squeeze some 2 rides per week, but then I am not training for any event. Seriously though, those climbs at Afan aren't that steep so you can bloody single speed it with your preparations and training as you say.
Good luck at competing down there, and hopefully have a nice weather on a race day.
In fact, there is a small group ride going on this Saturday at SH. If interested to join look [url= http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12669705&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=1580 ]HERE[/url]. The route is somewhere 30miles and will take some time to complete. Be prepared though, as the trails are more into aggresive XC rather than -tourist sunday warrior- ones. You have been warned.
p.s. this Thursday I am heading to Afan to ride Whites, do have some space in the car for the trip and will be heading out from WLondon.
I know, it has sneaked round pretty quickly. Not been riding as much as I would of liked, but looking to ramp it up for the next month. Done a few 30-40 milers and hoping to do another one tonight :o). Looking to lose half a stone as well so there is less of me to lug up the hills.
Don't expect it to be the usual Afan trails, the organisers have a lot of local trails planned for this.
Your looking at Transwales type stages not just 2 laps round the W2.
Should be good 🙂
Got the route profile in pics...
Start and finish profile
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Extra 100km loop
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And the mid section of the 75km...
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Looks a doddle :(. So what is the total climbing Colin?
cool, looks good. I have been riding less than ever (once a week). Ah well its for a good cause. 8)
Been looking forward to this one all year.
I've got 3 days riding in the Pyrenees a couple of weeks before. I'm hoping that will help with both climbing and descending training.
What kind of bikes are people taking? I'm thinking about a short travel (100mm) XC bike rather than a trail machine (140mm).
I think I better try W2 this weekend.
Did W2 last weekend in 3.5hrs including a few stops and felt ok but not sure how that will translate to 100k which is the furthest I've ever done off road. I may scale back to the 75k route as I've not ridden so much recently and would rather enjoy it that struggle up the climbs.
Looking forward to it and riding trails away from the trail centre.
Thanks Collin 🙂
I did my longest ever mtb ride today over the North Downs/Surrey hills. total mileage was 41 miles (in 7 hrs inc stops) and about 4000 feet of ascending and descending (bocketts farm to winterfold).
Ran out of food and drink last 2 hrs and died badly. Iwas seeing jam sandwiches in front of my eyes 🙂
Def need to work on my fueling for the event !
I was hoping to try and complete the 75km in around 8 hours but after today think that's just been extended to probably 10 hours.
Collin could you give us anymore info please on feed stations and would there be any chance of having the route emailed over ?
Really looking forward to it 🙂 its going to be the toughest physical challenge of my life for sure ! (I must be mad)
thanks
Paul