[Closed] Dirty Reiver 2018

Did it last year on a CX bike and 40mm tyres. This year i'll be using a fully rigid 29er and 2.2" tyres.

There were sections last year that were SO rough (that long slow section which seemed flat but wasn't, next to the stream/border springs to mind)

Greater ability to go fast downhill and I think, my 29er could be lighter. Just. That said the CX bike is knackered...

If the weather is as good as last year it'll be fun.

The second half is harder, with much longer climbs.

I only did the shorter distance last time as i'd been off bike for a few months, on my old Fargo, hopefully going to be on Bokeh this time with 2" 650b tyres...once i've actually bought the thing! Definitely some rough descents and sections that warrant a a wider more grippy tyre, saw so many punctures especially from those riding skinnier tyres.

signed up for the 200 again, last year went with 38mm cross tyres. and was o good think it will be much the same this year maybe a 43mm. just run them tubeless and a bit hard and you will be right!!

I did the 200Km last year on a 29er hardtail with Thunderburt tyres.  I'm probably going to take the full sus this year (100mm travel).  I can heartily recommend the Thunderburts.

I did it in 2016 and 2017, both times on the same bike - steel frame canti cx with 33c (35mm actual with) Schwalbe X-one tubeless tyres. I ripped a hole in the rear sidewall that was too large to seal on a descent last year, but as the same model tyres handled the 3-Peaks without puncturing, I just put that down to bad luck. That said, I'd run 40mm tubeless Nano's if I could fit them (I can't). Your CDF (or Pompetamine) will be fine.

200km on a 29+ singlespeed for me, it just flies over the cobbly bits and pinch punctures are not a worry. I'll possibly use a slightly less aggressive tyre this year to drop a wee bit of rolling weight to counteract the fact that I'm a massive galumphing fat bugger at the moment so should counteract the extra cake ballast.

main thing is that feed station are really good and water is plentiful so you dont need to take loads, for 2 drink bottles was plenty between stations.

I'd love to...but...IT'S SOOOO RUDDY FAR NORTH....

Harumph... I'm off to sulk into my middle class souther poncy fruit tea.

DrP

I did it in 2016 on 32c cross tyres - Vitoria Cross XG TNT. They are pretty bombproof tyres usually, ride them on rocky trails a lot, but even they succumbed once round that loop. Bad luck though as I just clipped a flint or something. Given a choice I would have 38-40c tyres, but they don’t fit in my cross Bike and riding a mountain Bike is cheating.

I've entered for the 200 again. Way way behind on my training so I won't feel embarrassed if I decide to do the 130 on the day.

Will be on the GT Grade again,  last year was 105 2x11 and 700x35c tyres, this year its Sram Rival 1x11, been playing around with the 26" wheels from my mtb and some 26x1.75 tyres.

Whatever I use will be run tubeless for sure.

And I won't rely on water bottles in regular cages as they bounced off into the undergrowth at the first bumpy downhill ladt year.

Also not taking as much personal food, as the feed stations were really good last year.

There are a few tiny rough bits (whole of the Scottish section springs to mind )

Taking a mountain bike would be a bit like taking a set of raiders for the river crossing.

I kind of hope it's wet and miserable too see how are it could be after last year.

Two time veteran.  The three most important things to consider are tubeless, tubeless and tubeless.

After that it’s tubeless.

climbs are long but steady, choose a gearing set up that allows you to spin and not overtire your muscles. Comfort and nutrition are also paramount, that said the feed stations are ace.

pack treats/proper food for your 100k stop but don’t take long and cool down as you are straight into the toughest climbs of the race. 100-150k is where you need your mental toughness.

suspension is cheating like a cheaty pants so keep if rigid and enjoy

Reiver virgin. Aiming for the 200km. Booked into the campsite the night before and after.

Because it's easier than talking about training I'll talk about kit:

CX bike with 40mm Maxxis Rambler tubeless. 50/34 x 12-32 gearing. Don't have flared drops so if it's more technical than I'm expecting I might regret it. Tyre pressures I know it's anal but 36/40psi (front/rear) gives comfort but is possibly a bit draggy, versus 40/44psi which rattles me me but might be faster. I'll have a decision to make.

Any advice?

Re-reading my post I should clearly split the difference at 38-42psi!

Focus on such trivialities helps keep my mind off more important preparations such as actually logging some distance!

I've entered the 130 but might change my mind and go 200 as I'm feeling fitter than I expected to at the moment.

Bike is a Tripster AT with 38mm schwalbe g ones. Gearing is 50/34 and 11-32, which I think should be OK. Maybe chuck a 34 on the back if I go for the 200.

It’s a cracking event, I did the first and boy o’ boy what a fab course. Plenty of variety of landscape, trails fit for riding hard on some sections and others where you need to apply some skills. All manner of bikes, all manner of abilities.

I did it on my CXer on 38c’s and wouldn’t hesitate to do it again on the same.

It is too far north though, but boy it’s worth it,

Did the 200 last year and aiming for the same again this time.  Last year I did it on my Spesh AWOL with tubeless 1.9in s-works renegades. Had a puncture after 5 miles and did the remainder with a tube in.

This year I’m using my ti custom version of the AWOL with 43mm Panaracer Gravel Kings as per this link:

http://www.spanner.org.uk/2018/02/johns-titanium-monstercross-by-waltly/

Gearing wise my current set-up is 10/42 with a 32t on the front which is lower than I’d like for normal use but I’ll leave it on for the event itself.

I was on the same last year and wasn’t even remotely bothered about using bigger on the descents last year and I was spinning away happily even at the end.

Training-wise it’s not going well, lots of turbo sessions but no real time on the bike, having said that the longest ride I did in the year before last years event was 62 miles and the rest was cuffed on the day.

Doing the 130 and not done it before.

Bike wise I’ll be be doing it on my Niner RLT steel with 40mm wtb nanos tubeless. Gearing wise it’s got an oval 38 up front and a 10-44 cassette, which seems to work pretty well on pretty much everything.

You can’t jump up to 200km on the day, so if uncertain, sign up to the long option, as you can drop to the 130 at the split.

@stevious - Maxxis ramblers have very light sidewalls, so take a tyre boot and go 75% on your tyre pressure range.

I did Year 1 on a my standard Three Peaks CX bike with 35mm Schwalbe Smart Sams (tubed). They were fine (no punctures anyway) but if I ever did it again I'd go wider and definitely tubeless. Gearing I was fine running my normal Three Peaks set up, 34/48 with a 12-36 cassette.

That said I also bailed at the 130km point just for a whole range of mostly mental/mind issues. It just wasn't a good weekend all round really.

200km last year and same again this year. Did it last year on a Pickenflick with 40mm WTB Nanos. Will be using the Pickenflick again bit with  40mm gravelkings this year which I think will be slightly faster rolling.

@boxelder - thanks for the heads up on that. I'll email them now to see if I can move up to the 200.

They replied within 5 mins with:

AWESOME !!!!
<div></div>
<div>I will change your distance now … HERO!</div>
<div></div>
<div>See you in April,</div>
<div></div>
<div>Paul</div>

I've signed up.  Tyrewise I'm thinking about Schwalbe  G-One Speed 2.35 x 29" (smallest tyre I can use on my 29+ rims).  Note that Schwalbe do not recommend this for rough forest road or trails - any views or alternatives in 2.35"x29" flavour?

First time - Dirty 130 on a 29er hardtail.

Got a set of unused maxxis crossmark 29 x 2.1 tyres in the shed that i'll see if I can get working tubeless.

Interested in the comments about losing water bottles - i've done some serious boneshaking descents over the years and never lost a bottle from my £3 halfords wire cage, but will rig up something with a bit of old innertube maybe.

First time for me too. "Just" the 130km to ease into it though!

I'll be on my CX bike with 40C nanos. Need to convert them to tubeless though... I'd also like to stick a wide range cassette on as I'm currently running 11-36 with a 32t single ring up front.

I'm very excited (on the proviso it doesn't chuck it down); I've wanted to do some proper gravel grinding for ages.

Thinking of entering this.

Why the overwhelming preference for tubeless? Is it because it eliminates (hopefully) the 'time consuming' task of swapping tubes?

I saw so so many folks get punctures last year, it's not just the time, it's the sheer frequency of them! The first couple of fast descents were littered with riders hunched over repairing flats. I gave a guy one of my (2) spare tubes (I was running tubeless) as he'd run out of spares & patches and was contemplating an 8 mile walk back to the last service!

I'm pretty sure most were pinch flats due to too low pressure/ excess downhill speed / clattering rocks, roots, or stones.   I was tubeless and had no punctures, despite feeling the rear rim bottom out on a particularly rough descent later on, that was on 700x35c tyres.

If you're not running tubeless then err on the side of caution with tyre pressure  and take plenty of spares. On a MTB I imagine it might not be quite such an issue though.

Good advice, thanks.

I'm pretty new to the gravel bikes/tyres and was running tubeless, but ran them (40mm Maxxis Ramblers) too low (30psi at 88kg) on a rocky section of trail a couple of weeks ago and learned that that was too low as I had multiple pinch flats and ended up with a rear tyre that would not inflate / seal properly .

Have gone back to tubes. The consolation for me is that my tyre rim combo makes changing tubes a doddle. This is having had some horrendous experiences with modern tubeless ready rim and tyre combos with inner tubes.

Would take at least two tubes, most likely three.

Nobody got an opinion on the suitability or otherwise of Schwalbe G-One Speed (2.35 x 29″)?  I can't go any smaller because of my rims 🙁

I'm in for the 130km and just hoping to survive. Not been the best winter for getting training in, tore my calf just before New Year and have struggled to get out much since.

I'll be on my Cotic X with 40c Nanos. The Kielder Cross event last year was my first experience of running them tubeless, and I'll be sticking with it, so many people running skinny tubed tyres getting snakebites on some of the descents. Running a triple and 11-34 cassette so hopfully won't run out of gears...

There were sections last year that were SO rough (that long slow section which seemed flat but wasn’t, next to the stream/border springs to mind)

They had actually removed the worst sections last year. That bit along by the river is a mind-bender though and does nothing for morale.

I've punctured both years on 40c Gravelroads. Last year I was running about 50psi and very almost made it until the end. Go as big as possible. I wouldn't want to ride anything less than 40c even if it is puncture proof.

I've completed the 200 for the last two years. I used an old Kinesis crosslight 5t with cantilever brakes. You don't really need brakes as the descents are long and sweeping and most of the time you're riding uphill! I've used WTB wired nano 40's with tubes at 40 p.s.i. Luckily I've never punctured.

This year I'm going to carry nothing on my back because in the previous 2 events I've carried a camelback mule stuffed solid and have envied people with frame bags. The only issue will be bottles, but I'll make sure I've made my bottle cages grip the bottles as tightly as possible.

Gearing wise, I'll use a compact 50-34 chainset with a 11-34 cassette. That has proved low enough for my cheese string legs in the past.

It's a long day out and it's strange how you tell yourself at 130km that it's only another 3 or 4 hours!

I'm in again this year after saying I wouldn't. All my talking it up convinced 3 mates to enter so I couldn't really say no.

Setup will be same as last year, Crosslight Pro6 1x11 (38t - 11-36), 35mm Gravelking SK tubeless 50psi f+r. Mandatory kit and spares in a saddle bag and food in a top tube bag.

Did it under 10hrs last year so that box ticked I just want to enjoy it this time, hopefully the weather's the same?

You can’t jump up to 200km on the day

I did with no issue last year. There's a chip timing sensor just after the split so they know which way you've gone.

Having started the thread with me being undecided as to which bike to use ... I'm still undecided!

Currently the single speed has 37c WTB Riddlers setup tubeless and the Croix de Fer has tubed 32/35mm tyres. I might swap things round and use the CdF or I might swap out the current 16T cog for 18T on the single speed.

Bike baggage will be similar to @TheOtherJamie's whichever I end up taking.

We did some riding in Kielder at Xmas, most of the climbs on the route we were doing were fairly steady if long, some are also on the DR. I think the steepest would have been the first bit of the climb of the Forest Drive out of Kielder Castle. Anything steeper than that?

From memory, no. That and the one after the 150km feed station seemed the steepest but obviously your feeling it by then.

You can’t jump up to 200km on the day

I did with no issue last year. There’s a chip timing sensor just after the split so they know which way you’ve gone.

@TheOtherJamie - Boxelder's one of the organisers, so I'm assuming he knows what he's talking about. It might not have caused an issue for you, but from experience I expect it probably causes merry hell in the timing system...

I am very excited about this event. I might even get some new socks.

 Boxelder’s one of the organisers, so I’m assuming he knows what he’s talking about. It might not have caused an issue for you, but from experience I expect it probably causes merry hell in the timing system…

Ahh right...then ignore me and listen to him then!

In my defence it wasn't as if you had to jump a barrier or anything you got to the split and picked a direction.

Entered and wish I hadn't tbh. Might sell on or could still turn up. I'm off this weekend so need to get a ride in.

I am so hacked off with the effing weather, March has been a total write-off.  It's ruining any chance of proper preparation.  A 45 minute run through snow-drifts is not cutting the mustard.  Very long rides required.

I'm thinking I need to log some serious milage next weekend when the weather is alledgedly better. Physically it will be premature but mentally I need it in the bank.

Anyone else feel a rising panic?!

Panic is an underestimation, hardly getting any miles in and still building the bike.  Will need to put an engine on it at this rate!  Been practicing fueling though, only not whilst riding 🙂

I did 12 miles today.

So, around 1/10 of the full Reiver distance then...

Oh... dear....  MUCH more riding required.

You got out riding today?

Just seen the five day forecast, looks like things will warm up during the week.

@djflexure (or anyone else) hit me up if you want to sell your ticket!

Weenoddy(at)fastmail(dot)fm

How's everyone's prep going for this?

I've got a long ride planned for Easter Monday to try out all of my systems (including the 'pedalling while tired' system). If the forecast snow is bad enough then I might have to make do with the turbo trainer and rely on my new socks for extra power on the day.

Was worrying about it more until I did 70km in the Campsies in the snow a couple of weeks back. I'm only on the 130, so the major cutoff being 5hrs to do 60km has also eased my mind a bit. Reckoning I should make it through that okay, barring catastrophe, and the rest can then be as painful as it likes, I'm making it back.

@pyro I like your attitude.

Who’s been getting the miles in and feeling more ‘olympic’ in their asperations prior to DR?

Not me! Battled the elements with the intent of getting plenty of mileage in this week hoping a last gasp glut of miles and hills would ease the fear.  Unfortunately wiped out and landed heavy on my hip on Monday, forced rest for a couple of days before trying a rehab ride yesterday and as a consequence struggling even more today grrrrrr.

Still, bike is nice and clean and I’ve got lots of spare time to overspend on gear to at least look the part if not live up to it.  Hey ho, enthusiasm and determination should be enough on the day.........won’t it?

Finally starting to up the distances, I sprained my back in early Feb and it took until late March to sort itself out so have had some very light weeks. Headed up to Argyll at Easter for a couple of days and did bits of the Wild About Argyll Trail which is meant to be gravel friendly - we went slightly further than the DR and did a bit more climbing but this was with winter bikepacking kit (got to -3C overnight) and we were in touring mode.

I put the 18T cog on the single speed this morning, unsure how much better or not it is. I'll give it time.

Downloaded the GPX file this morning: looks like 3500 metres of ascent or thereabouts. We did most of the back loop at New Year though in the opposite direction, nothing there to worry about, the climbs are long but very steady.

Wrestled (successfully) with tubeless conversion last weekend. Also fitted new bars so I can actually brake whilst on the drops (I have teeny tiny hands).

Very glad I went for the 130 given how much the weather has played havoc with any "proper" training i vaguely had planned! Have managed a couple of long road rides with plenty of climbing in the past few months. But I do have firm faith utilising the tactic of "eating my way round at a pleasant but not slow pace" at least!

Had a good couple of weeks in Spain racking up the miles but then came back and have had a cold for the last week.

Still going for the 200 but any thoughts of a big improvement over last year have pretty much gone.

I got 120km of road riding in (hilly 80 on Saturday, flat 40 on Sunday) up in the north Lakes last weekend, and I'm feeling about the same as I did last time I posted: I won't be breaking any course records, but I'm 95% sure I'll finish.

Not 'tapering' as such, but with a 5hr Adventure Race tomorrow and working on the Moors & Shores next weekend, I've done my last long ride before the event, so it's focusing on the minor stuff for me now: stretching, sleeping and eating properly. A few pleasant spins, a shakedown on the bike and kit, and that's me as ready as I'm going to be.

Just juggling final gear ratio choice for 29+ . last big ride tomorrow to make sure it feels OK on long climbs without being too Spinny on the flat and final choice of booze for hip flask etc... Work is mad so this will be pretty much the last ride before the event. It'll be fine though someone has to spin in last 🙂

I did a 220k road ride with 2300m of ascent in 10hrs (inc stops) yesterday.  Reasonably comfortable. That prob translates to 11 or 12 hours off-road.  In other words, survival mode.

....by the way is there any socialising on Saturday night or does everyone just go home/zonk out?

Socialising? Well there'll be the additional Expo/supporters stalls, marquees with seating, extra catering and a tipi bar this time, with local beers on tap bottled aBloc, spirits, hot drinks, pies, raclette....... No excuse not to stay around and rehydrate/recover.

@boxelder great, I'm already booked for Sat night too as I thought I'd be incapable of packing the tent and driving home. A pie and a couple of jars sounds like just the ticket.

@crimsondynamo and the Anglers ran out of beer on the Saturday night last year, so if the expo is serving beer it will be the better option.

Beer will be covered:  https://barrett.events/nomad-bar/

If anyone is after an entry let me know, won't be able to make it 🙁

Will have to find another challenge later in the year, is there anything similar out there for mtb or gravel?

If anyone is after an entry let me know, won’t be able to make it 

Same here...

Just over a week to go. EXCITE!

Gonna give the bike a good check over tomorrow and then spend the week soaking up awesomeness so I can crush everybody* on the day.

*ride around at a conservative pace, hoping I can finish

final preparations hampered by a cold, I'll polish the bike this weekend instead.

I'm a 1000 miles up on this time last year, mainly due to Zwift but done plenty of 100-130km offroad rides, a few days road riding in Mallorca and the Flanders Sportive and was really looking forward to it this year.

However I had to collect my daughter from Nursery Monday due to illness and the walking germ factory seems to have passed on whatever it is she's got!

Currently debating whether to bother with the Moors & Shores in the hope of being fully recovered for next weekend.

Up on the mileage, up on the power, even have a new bike with a wee bit of front suspension.

Can't wait for it, I've even signed up for a 350k race in three weeks time so the mental pressure is off with this one.

Had a good weekend last weekend: 70km on MTB on Friday; 60Km on single speed on Saturday and 160km on the road bike on Sunday. Hopefully get a couple more long rides in this weekend.

Got the bike pretty much Reiver Ready, unfortunately been unable to ride the last two weeks after damaging my hip, i had planned to hammer the miles the last couple of weeks in preparation to catch up on a lack of training so going to the wire on whether im going to be ok to make it.  Even if i do its going to be a real struggle now, gutted.  Might well turn up anyway and just see how it goes as campervan pitch booked.

@jonnyboi that kind of confidence and preparedness is quite frankly unnecessary.

Dont get me wrong if im starting im damn well leaving with one of them finisher badges. Just be swearing my way round a bit more than planned. BEER AT THE FINISH THEY SAY!

Argh! Nothing like an emergency rear hub replacement (by the lbs thank goodness) to help with last minute preparations...

So after riding into the back of a parked car two weeks ago and smasing myself up it looks like I'm not going to make it 🙁

Will decide on friday but after an extremely iffy MTB ride last night where I could barely put any weight on my left arm I suspect a 130/200km gravel ride might be somewhat foolish.

Ah no, that's rubbish dazh! Hope you heal up quickly.

Will a 2x11 50-34 with 11-32 cassette be adequate? Or do I need some super low gearing for the hills?

Will a 2×11 50-34 with 11-32 cassette be adequate? Or do I need some super low gearing for the hills?

How strong are you? I asked some questions about gradients:

We did some riding in Kielder at Xmas, most of the climbs on the route we were doing were fairly steady if long, some are also on the DR. I think the steepest would have been the first bit of the climb of the Forest Drive out of Kielder Castle. Anything steeper than that?

The answer was

From memory, no. That and the one after the 150km feed station seemed the steepest but obviously your feeling it by then.

And this bit of advice:

climbs are long but steady, choose a gearing set up that allows you to spin and not overtire your muscles.

Looking at the map, the climb out from Kielder Castle that's the biggest one on the route profile gains 240 metres in 6km, that's an average of 1 in 25 or 4%, the bottom bit's a bit steeper so it's not even but it's not steep - at least compared to round here.

I've settled for the single speed! 39x18 with 37C WTB Riddler tyres setup tubeless.

Compact chainset and big cassette is perfect for most people. None of the climbs are really mega steep - it's steady away all the way. But yes, there's still a lot of them and it's a long way...

thanks @butcher just what I want to hear. I'm 50/34 adn 11-32 as well.

I'm cheating. My gravel bike has a triple 😉

Cheers folks! Wasn't coming if it wasn't! Done no training whatsoever so should be interesting..