[Closed] Cannock Chase Winter Classic (Event content)

definitely the 120mm hardtail (based on mtb racing and normal riding round cannock, not related specifically to this event).

I'm still not certain what this event is - is it a pure mtb race or a duathlon? It's called a 'run and ride winter classic', but the text of the event only mentions biking.

I have similar questions. I have entered it as a bit of motivation to get fit but I have no idea what it entails.

Andy

If its the same as last year its just bikes, the shop which organises it is called 'run&ride'. Last year they cut some new singletrack which quickly turned to nastycakemud as it was unsurfaced. The rest is other bits of ST and fireroad, HT better than 150mm for the racey bit.

HT it is then! I'll have to build it first though, its currently a rubbed down frame with bits scattered all across the garage, in various cupboards and drawers etc.

Entering the Enthusiast, even though I#m far from enthusiastic about coming last.

I am gonna have a crack at this, thanks for the heads up! Ive never rode a race before so I am def going for the first timer/fun option 🙂

Signed up and bit the bullet, what have I let myself in for? I think bikewise I should be ok - Inbred with 100mm recons. Any other tips for a first timer in a race?

drink plenty of fluids, it helps when you puke on the first lap 😀

You're probably faster than you think you are so don't start too near the back

If you normally ride trail centres, practise some mud and roots somewhere

Wrap up warm as you can get very cold hanging around at the start

PS IMO forks over 100mm would be overkill at Cannock (if ever a venue cried out for a rigid singlespeed...)

PS IMO forks over 100mm would be overkill at Cannock (if ever a venue cried out for a rigid singlespeed...)

I've entered this and will be riding my 100mm hardtail, which I've always found just right for Cannock.

I've entered the fun category (as its not really my first race) and am 'trying' to train for it, but am failing to put the miles in each week.

If I enjoy it, I'll be entering the midlands xc series afterwards - and do some proper training, ....maybe

PS IMO forks over 100mm would be overkill at Cannock (if ever a venue cried out for a rigid singlespeed...)

I find riding a bike over the Chase to be overkill as it's flat & there are no decent trails to be found.Walking or hopping around on one foot is perfect for it

[img] http://www.mountainbikerides.co.uk/photos/image.raw?type=orig&id=2902 [/img]

Typical "over biked" rider on Cannock Chase...

Thanks for the tips..! I will be near the back I reckon, I am not the lightest/fittest of riders, but at least this gives me a bit of a challenge. I have been checking some of the previous Cannock Classic races on youtube this afternoon, I need to get some practice on roots/deep mud by the look of it! 🙂

p.s. Am I going to have to brave lycra for the first time and will I die if I don't?

Am I going to have to brave lycra

If its really cold I'll wear my baggies, otherwise I'll be lycra'd up

I've been bimbling around the Dog on my 120mm equipped Merida all summer - I have a new 100 mm fox equipped bike coming in Feb. It's only my second bike, never ridden Cannock on anything but the clunky Merida.

Will my 100mm, racy Cube be ok for coping with the Monkey/Dog? sorry for the noobishness. 😳

motozulu - Member
Will my 100mm, racy Cube be ok for coping with the Monkey/Dog? sorry for the noobishness.

Think of it as having the opportunity to improve your handling skills. 😀

Motozulu. Your bike is destined to collapse into heap of shattered aluminium.

Or is it?

Mad Pierre - Member

Typical "over biked" rider on Cannock Chase...

Oh, please. I clearly meant overkill in an XC race at Cannock, which is what this thread is about.

Another tip would be to practise sprint starts. Ideally you'd pace yourself in a race, of course, but in reality a slow start means getting caught in a queue when you hit the first singletrack, so everyone tends to sprint off. Alternatively, if a good time/position isn't that important to you, you could start slowly and spend the race gradually working your way through the pack which can be fun.

Lol at riding god emac!! Nice to see you're just the same on here.

Racing tips for the newbs-gun it from the start.....you probably won't make up many places after the first 5 minutes-ride until you think that you're going to die, ease off 0.1% then hold it at that pace until the just before the end, when you need to sprint. 100mm hard tail ftw.

I find riding a bike over the Chase to be overkill as it's flat & there are no decent trails to be found.Walking or hopping around on one foot is perfect for it

I have to admit I actually found riding a unicycle on FtD surprisingly tough - is that also too easy for you?

Oh, please. I clearly meant overkill in an XC race at Cannock, which is what this thread is about.

I would still be over biked my hardtail which I usually use for "XC" on the chase has 150 forks on it! :p

It's going to be nothing like ftd as I don't think xc loop they have for this event involves any of the official trails. Be prepared to get plastered in mud 😉

[url= http://app.strava.com/segments/1701975 ]Run &ride cannock chase classic 2012 strava segment [/url]

Motozulu. Your bike is destined to collapse into heap of shattered aluminium.

Or is it?

Fair enough - it was a stupid question I s'pose. 😳

Aracer,dunno I never ride FTD....

Thought i'd try and answer some of the questions posted

- It's MTB event and will not include any running as such
- The course doesn't include any of the FTD trail. Closing this trail on a sunday is a logistical nightmare, one neither us or the forestry want to take on
- The event is aimed first and foremost at new comers to racing. Therefore the course will be technical to a point. Don't expect any 5ft drops or big jump but do expect some good technical single track that will test all skill levels
- Cannock isn't flat but nor is it the most mountainous of areas. There will be a fair amount of climbing so long travel bikes aren't really recommend.
- We have taken into consideration that it's likely to be wet therefore the course will avoid any really muddy sections

Hope this helps

I reckon I might give this a go.

Matt R&R can you clarify the "classes" please

Yeah no problems

First Timers - Guys / Girls who just to try racing. Not overly interested in winning just want to give it ago. Basic fitness level

Fun Class - Reasonable fitness, may ride their bike couple of times a week. Prob the most popular class. We've got quite a few groups of friends riding aiming for bragging rights over their mates

Enthusiast - Guys who ride a fair amount (3 maybe 4 times per week) Race a lot or the type that are always posting quick times on strava!

Pro / Racing Snakes - These are the guys that live on the bike. The kind that pass you on the trails like you're standing still and don't even seem to be out of breath after the longest steepest of climbs

Anybody can race in any class, all we want to avoid is any ringers. We want the races to fair and close

Does anyone have an "Enthusiast Men" entry they would like to sell? Email is in my profile.

Jeff

Jeff, there'll be plenty at the layby off Chase road later tonight. Normally free of charge too. 😛

😆

Did this event last year and it's a great event. The organiser is a great bloke who is very much for the first time racers. The course last year was hard but had some great single track on it. If you can get a place do it it's a get friendly xc race unlike some events.
Hardtails are the way forward on this course, I think the the organiser is putting doing a pre ride around the course this Sunday. Think you can find details on the runandride website.

I'm also in need of an enthusiast male entry if anyone has an unwanted one!

Excellent choice of words. 🙂

I nearly went in over my head and entered into enthusiast, emailed the run ride team last night and transfered to fun instead, so three may be my space up for grabs

can anyone post a link to this, i want to do this...

http://gorunandride.co.uk/Events/Run-Ride-Cannock-Chase-Winter-Classic-2013

How was it?

I liked the course enjoyed that, been a long week at work and I've done other exercise so that didn't help me, for an event billed as an entry into racing there were some uber competitive racers in the category.

Would like to have had the option do the 4th lap, I had the legs for it but as I crossed the line just as the fastest completed there 4th I was chequered flag and not allowed which annoyed me, it's billed as "focussed more towards the newbie or fun rider" then I should be allowed to do the laps I paid for sadly that didn't happen and to me it didn't seem focussed more towards the newbie or fun rider at all.

That said the coffee was excellent, and the Apple and Raisin flapjacks were really nice, and the course chosen was dry which is a pretty good feat considering the recent conditions, so all in all good fun and I feel knackered so all good 🙂

Does anyone know when and where the results will be posted online?

Cheers!

Well done for the course, well planned out, but I agree with forge197. For a "fun" category I expected to see more football shirts than cycling club shirts. I understand you can't regulate that sort of thing but I wouldn't expect Man Utd to enter players in our local 5 a side tournament. And for that reason I don't think I'll be entering the summer event.

I thought the course was great and will definatley be doing the summer one. I did the fun category and there did seem to be some fit looking riders at the start line chomping at the bit, but we'll see how quick they were when the results are published.

I must admit when I got to the startline and saw the other riders I went straight to the back as I was the only one on a singlespeed and thought I'd just get in the way. I actually made up quite a few places so the field can't have been that competitive.

My legs are bloody aching now, but had a great time!

I'm curious where/when the results are posted. I know where I came but want to look at the other category times to compare.

Really enjoyed it. Nice to finally ride a dry trail.

And my legs are aching really badly!

Andy

Legs aren't too bad as it was a nice flowing track, really well planned, I'm still just a little bitter coz I had to pull out, some guy kept on falling on front of me and decided to through himself in my path when I was about to pass, threw me off the track and pulled my back pretty bad, good excuse to spend a few days on the sofa

Any news about the results, anyone?

SIP events uk have done the timing I'm sure they'll be published soon

I saw five people fall off in front of me. One directly in front and I couldn't avoid going into him. All clipped in and all just slowly fell sideways. Funny but not for them.

Results now live on SIP events site

Results are up!

[url= http://www.sip-events.co.uk/docs/winter-classic-results.xls ]Spreadsheet[/url]

I did better than I thought!