[Closed] Hit the North.

Another cracking event,sliding trough the mud,drifting through the berms and sending it offa the big fade....on my cx bike.
Someone buy terrahawk a beer for me..legend that man.Thanks

It was, indeed most excellent.
Superb course, nice people, good food and a brass band.
What more could you want?

Quite a few mechanicals, due to the ever so slightly muddy terrain 🙂 - counted three trashed mechs, two broken chains, a pair of snapped forks and a slightly damage tree.

AND IT DIDN'T RAIN, WHOOOOOOOO!

Those Ragleys looked very nice, and the 14inch Blue Pig (or 'ladies bike' as Brant described it, bloody cheek) fitted nicely. I think that or the Piglet might just be my next frame.

Course was better than last years - the only way I could see to really improve it would be to put a roof on - How about it Jason?

Liked the MTFU graffiti on Hotpot Hill as well, nice touch.

well done to all you hit the northers........... 8)

anyone who rode, and stayed on at the bottom of the descent where i was station, my hat is well and truly off to you.

And well done to Warren for providing the limted edition posters from his 1940's printing press!

yeah, another awesome day and a massive respect to anyone riding today. you're all brilliant.
nice to meet a few new folks too, finally (tony!)...

You weren't wearing a hat Ton!Missed the Oxley and Richards Show from last year on the death descent,which seemed much easier this time round!

A great day's riding ...what a superb course!

Thanks to Jase and his team for all the hard graft, thanks to Warren for the poster and thanks to all those that raced for making it such a great event.

Sat in the bath with my laptop and a brew!

Brilliant effort from Jason, the marshals, the caterers, the band, the lap counters and the 200+ riders.

Pub tonight anyone?

I've got a picture of MTFU hill. Will post it when i've put some pants on.

The bath will wait...Empire Strikes Back is on.I assume results will be up post pub-hangover.Might have got close to giving the top 10 a scare this time round....maybe :0}

+99

Great event. Thanks to Jase and his team and all the other entrants who made an impressive field of riders. No thanks for The Somme or the hill at t'other side.

Oh - forgot to mention that cool ambulance quad bike - with blue lights and everything 😉

Roll on the summer...

Pub for me and Mrs. S. tonight - see you there HtS and anyone else that can make The Church Inn, Prestwich.

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My first time and I loved it, I will be their next year, bike held up really well, legs are bit sore now.

nice home made curry with a few beers tonight will top a great day

Thanks to all involved and well done for putting on a great event 😀

I didn't get a poster sadly, but would love one if any are going spare!

Ace event today. Really cracking course, good people, and a brass band playing "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" at the end of lap one. Yeah, you're telling me!

Anyway, cracking work Terrahawk. As you said to me as I was leaving, "see you next year". Can't wait.

Was the guy on the fat tyre ragley ok?

Was he the one who snapped his forks and his seat post?

Medics reported a busted nose and a cut knee. Both walking wounded and neither too serious.

Thanks it was a great event! Just a little muddy!

I think I rode your descent Ton although there was spme squealing and talking to myself going on.

Hoping to get to the pub later, it'll be a nice ride there.

I'm glad you all liked it. I've got plans for next year...but then again I might just do the same thing again.

If anyone knows someone who got hurt please keep me posted.
Cheers.

A fantastic event, big thanks to everyone of the organisers, marshalls, etc and a great bunch of riders.

I rode from the back after filming the start until I was lapped when that was my queue to stopand take loads of photos in all the technical areas which I've still to sort out....later

Here's the start video, can you see yourself?

My first one. Loved it, thanks TerraHawk. Note to self, MUST get mud tires, the front was drifting something terrible over all that mud. All added to the experience though !

Also, thanks to all the marshals and organisers for being so efficient, and all the other riders for taking it in the right spirit.

Took as long to clean my bike and stuff as it did to ride the event 😀

My first ever event of any kind!

Unreal,still buzzing off it! Thanks to everyone who made it happen.

Only spoiler was i lost my cheap decathlon glasses and when i got home and washed my bike,found a massive crack under the headstock and bottom tube 😐

R.I.P

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(Anyone got a large frame knocking about?)

Top doo, good fun, well organised, supportive spectators and cracking course.

Getting muddy and feeling sick for two hours has never been so much fun.

Photos.

http://www.sportsunday.co.uk/

Page after page of crashes from sheet 15 onwards 😆

Great day out, once again. Thanks to all marshalls and TerraHawks organisational skills. My wifes first stop on the way home was to Cooksons to spend her winnings, funny that it ended up costing more... Not sure I will be allowed to sit around all night in Ed Oxley donated 'undressing' robe. Won for being the muddiest rider left in the crowd, thanks for the cheers 😀

Arrh, thanks to the organisers and all the marshals, top stuff. Will be having nightmares about the endless slog across that boggy field...

First timer to Hit the North and 2nd ever bike race, Thanks to Mr Sparkle for mentioning it, oh and driving! torn my new pants when i fell off, bugger! better get sewing! brilliant route and race. Cheers

My first solo bike race, absolutely loved it, atmosphere was superb, great course lads, you lot are bloody hero's.

Followed Johnclimber on his snow bike for the first lap, you did really well on that mate, must have weighed a Ton.

Speaking of Ton I noticed no advice on line choice, he must have been having too much fun watching us all fall off 😆

and those pork butties were spot on.

count me in for next year.

well done again lads and thanks.

Anyone find a pair of clear Oakleys in the car park? Absolutely gutted. 😐

Really good route, as for the MTFU, i thought it was a dislexic and he had spelt MUFC wrong, also the marshall at the park bit at the old stables, he shouted right to a rider, and the rider shouted ok right and carried straight on instead of turning right, absolute classic.
the mud and more mud was well slippy just to try and walk on, the band where excellent, typically northern, and as for the organisation and marshalling, absolutely top class, big thanks to the sponsors , organisors and the riders.
Pictures up soon.

Excellent event, felt really good until the last lap when I had to fall off due to cramp in both calves. Have had to endure a shopping afternoon round Leeds....not good.
Can we still get posters, I had to leg it home (after paying Brant who kindly subbed me money for an inner tube..two punctures BEFORE the race started!) so missed out on the prize giving.

Going to lie down now

I personally think it was all too dirty. I hate dirt, me.

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I'll sort something out re posters. The ones Warren printed for today are proofs- the real ones will be of a much higher quality (but will also cost money).

Not loads of money though.

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Joy Joy Happy Happy

it was well cool, even though i did the last two laps with 3 gears, none of them fast!

OK you lot there are 307 OK to good pictures from today for any of you to help yourself to.

Here are my 13 favorite edited shots of the day.

[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5258/5439450600_050cfcc37f.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5258/5439450600_050cfcc37f.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/25655510@N02/5439450600/ ]1 Fun[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/25655510@N02/ ]Johnclimber[/url], on Flickr

[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/5438842593_82ccabab13.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/5438842593_82ccabab13.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/25655510@N02/5438842593/ ]2 Nearly[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/25655510@N02/ ]Johnclimber[/url], on Flickr

[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/5438842981_82753fa313.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/5438842981_82753fa313.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/25655510@N02/5438842981/ ]3 Mud[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/25655510@N02/ ]Johnclimber[/url], on Flickr

[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/5439450954_f6638c12bf.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/5439450954_f6638c12bf.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/25655510@N02/5439450954/ ]4 Jon[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/25655510@N02/ ]Johnclimber[/url], on Flickr

[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/5438843367_b6d18cc4d7.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/5438843367_b6d18cc4d7.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/25655510@N02/5438843367/ ]5 Chipps[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/25655510@N02/ ]Johnclimber[/url], on Flickr

[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5438843557_8d4fe390c2.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5438843557_8d4fe390c2.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/25655510@N02/5438843557/ ]6 Nearly[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/25655510@N02/ ]Johnclimber[/url], on Flickr

[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5438844339_04c35b8722.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5438844339_04c35b8722.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/25655510@N02/5438844339/ ]7 twinklydave[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/25655510@N02/ ]Johnclimber[/url], on Flickr

[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5438843921_2fb50f8401.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5438843921_2fb50f8401.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/25655510@N02/5438843921/ ]8 Guess Who[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/25655510@N02/ ]Johnclimber[/url], on Flickr

[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/5439451872_3e1ee3e4ea.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/5439451872_3e1ee3e4ea.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/25655510@N02/5439451872/ ]9 Chipps's Floating Bike[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/25655510@N02/ ]Johnclimber[/url], on Flickr

[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/5438844531_8681b8b4be.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/5438844531_8681b8b4be.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/25655510@N02/5438844531/ ]10 The Start[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/25655510@N02/ ]Johnclimber[/url], on Flickr

[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5439452788_20ed59008f.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5439452788_20ed59008f.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/25655510@N02/5439452788/ ]11 Nearly There[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/25655510@N02/ ]Johnclimber[/url], on Flickr

[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5211/5439452424_874300a9d5.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5211/5439452424_874300a9d5.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/25655510@N02/5439452424/ ]12 Blow[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/25655510@N02/ ]Johnclimber[/url], on Flickr

[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5096/5438845243_48be9eafcf.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5096/5438845243_48be9eafcf.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/25655510@N02/5438845243/ ]13 Hello[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/25655510@N02/ ]Johnclimber[/url], on Flickr

All I ask is please help yourself to any photos but for EVERY photo you take/use please put a quid in the next Mountain Rescue collection box/tin that you see. Deal?

If it's a deal then click here. Just don't forget a quid a shot.
Find the photo you like - Click on Actions - View All sizes - Choose the size you want - Right click - Save Picture As....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25655510@N02/sets/72157626032377994/with/5438629681/

I didn't even TRY and ride down towards Ton today, having not managed it once in the previous editions on my MTB, there was no way I was going to try it on my CX bike. Did see one CXer manage it though.

And yeah, all the above thanks to Jason and the team goes from me too. Best marshalls had to be the mum and daughter team by the motorway just before the climb back up to the carpark, chanting and clapping every time, class.

edit oh, and pic 9 up there, not Chipps floating bike, actually my arm poorly centered in the photo 😉

I buzz off that race 🙂

It's daft...I mean, it's 'only' two hours, yet it's always epic. It's in the middle of Manchester (well, kind of), yet the course is technical, swoopy, fast and has unrideable climbs. It comes after the 'cross season and well before the summer race season, yet is always fully subscribed and it's soundtrack is a brass band, yet has a rock and roll kind of feel to it!

Well done to everyone involved, everyone who raced and everyone who helped out - it created a masterpiece. 🙂

It's a top day out. For ANY biker who likes off road and has a good bath or shower at home.

Machismo moment
[list][*]Rode 5 out of six times down the muddy shitey 'post' climb (someone dismounted right in front of me... honest)[/*]
[*]Rode 5 out of six times up out of the stream crossing (ditto)[/*]
[/list]
It was hard on the thighs though - and this from a 3 peaks lover. That last run up to the 'gardens' was so painful.

This is the race. This is the hour. These are the men. And ladies.

Well done all. Seems to exceed high expectations (but let's have 1-2-3 on the podium next year - not those junior under 40s)

This is the hour.

You should have at least finished though. 😀

let's have 1-2-3 on the podium next year - not those junior under 40s

Where were you in the overall?

A cracking event today, a big well done to all riders, marshals, organisers, caterers and other associated hangers on.
A handful of pics below with more, including a blog post, on my [url= http://edrollason.wordpress.com/ ]website[/url] or my [url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/ed_rollason/sets/72157626032449680/with/5439298764/ ]Flickr Stream[/url]

[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5220/5438551349_78cab402e7.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5220/5438551349_78cab402e7.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/5439164566_dc32450d4f.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/5439164566_dc32450d4f.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/5438566617_18edc00e61.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/5438566617_18edc00e61.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

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[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/5439282138_356990dc65.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/5439282138_356990dc65.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5297/5439298764_c435a88388.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5297/5439298764_c435a88388.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

There's nothing like this event anywhere else in the world...FACT!

Jase - Once again IT WOZ AWESOME

Mr Sparkle - I think your Oakleys are now in the JMC van.

See you all in the pub tonight.

Glad you liked the posters. I printed them on a 1940's letterpress I'm in the process of renovating. They were just the proofs I handed out. I've got some lovely heavy stock rag based paper in stock so I'll get some details of how to get hold of one for anybody who missed out up on www.hitthenorth.net Let me know if you want some mud from the course rubbing in.
Nice one Mr T and everybody else who got involved. Good to catch up with some old faces 🙂
Warren

Brilliant event well done to all involved and a particular mention to the marshals!

Do we know when and where the results will be?

Mr Sparkle - I think your Oakleys are now in the JMC van.

I don't think they are (were you thinking of Budge's glasses that were on the dash?)

https://picasaweb.google.com/paulbikey/HITTHENORTHMANCHESTER#

Sorry i cant put the pictures up o their own.

Also featuring the broken bike.

I think on reflection this has to be the best event I've been to since SSWC 2007.

Thanks again to all for making it such a great day out.

They did promise us great weather and they delivered it.

Please move it a week later next year Jase!

Well done one and all... looked brilliant!

I would have liked it alot more if i only did one lap!!!Made the cut off to start a 6th lap with 2 minutes to spare and a cry of anguish-there was a gaggle of people hiding at the top of the last hike-a-bike section waiting it out so they would'nt have to!!I made a pact with someone that if they went ,then I'd go.I also made a non racing pact with someone I caught on the last lap so we would'nt have to sprint at the end.Racing HtN is so uncivilised 8)
Great photos John btw.
P.S Jase how about a month earlier and 8 hours longer?

Rorschach, was it a VC Moulin rider you made the non racing packed with?? if so it was me 🙂 Very gentlemanly of you although soon as you said that my body gave in to hunger and I had to limp out the last lap.. I totally forgot to eat and drink during the race as there was always someone to chase

Was an awesome event... Well done all involved.. well worth my round trip from Newcastle and a permanent fixture in my diary for every year you are kind enough to organise it 🙂

Just got back from the post race pisch up.

Muntered.

I love you all.

Over and out.

Oh dear.

https://picasaweb.google.com/paulbikey/HITTHENORTHMANCHESTER#5572896470837489202

well done guys for putting this on, gutted I couldn't make it this year.

Yet again it was cracking.

In fact, the best yet, I think.

But, I rode SS and it's still shagged the bike..! 😀

My first HTN and loved every minute of it, Big thanks to everyone involved.
On the downside my bike IS shagged, On the last lap my rear mech and wheel had a little coming together and It took a little bending back into place and singlespeeding to the finish.
My wife took some photos and I'll post them up soon.

Don't forget help yourself to my photos, if you use them put a quid in the mountain rescue tin please

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25655510@N02/sets/72157626032377994/

Had a great time, first ever race, only managed 4 laps on the single speed (must fix the geared bike), but completely forgot to drink for the two hours and started flagging hugely at the end, wish I'd pushed it for another now.

What's the average lap amount then?

Aslo how long before the results get posted?

Cheers to everyone involved, great day, time to go scrape the mud off everything 😀

4 laps is pretty respectable.

There were lots of broken bikes yesterday. Cooksons will probably be working night shifts this week to get them all fixed.

I was doing the sweeper lap (looking for bodies in ditches) following the last man out on the course and his bike ate his front mech. Unlucky.

Another 4 lapper here, glad to hear thats respectable Harry!

Thoroughly enjoyed the day though, very well organised (shout to the two marshals near the motorway bridge, by far the most encouraging and friendly), very friendly and a good mix of riders and abilities/speeds.

Would have loved to have done a fifth (was well outside the time!) but the muddy conditions were definitely not agreeing with my Michelin Mountain DRY tyres (made it fun though, if a little scary!), I was another one not drinking/eating enough, just not enough places on the lap to throw something down!

Brilliant day though, topped off by my favorite lot of overpaid jessies doing me proud down the road in Stretford. 😉

Looking forward (I think) to seeing the final results, fingers crossed I'm not last!

@ RDL-82. Gears aren't necessarily a great benefit on that course. On previous event's I've found that after about a lap and a half you're restricted to 2 or 3 'cos they're all gummed up with grass and cack. No chain-suck with a single speeder either.

Results up

[url= http://www.hitthenorth.net/news/results/ ]link[/url]

130th (it says only 155 riders, what happened to the rest?

🙁

RESULTS
http://www.hitthenorth.net/news/results/

130th (it says only 155 riders, what happened to the rest?

the list doesn't include DNFs

Phew! How many starters terra?

about 180-ish. 219 on the start list.

brilliant !!!! mud everywhere... my bike is gonna need some serious work to clean and fettle properly...

the best bit, Brants little dog at his stand 🙂

looking forward to the next one

Missed a top ten by one place 😕 I knew I should'nt have been so chivalrous to you paul78 😳
Too good an event to ruin by racing tho!!At least my form is returning....slowly.

whoops 😳

4 laps and 138th

a little embarrasing

note to self 'must try harder'

Missed a top ten by one place

144 places for me 😀

I suspect that if I had ridden at 100% and battered myself I could have been 3-4 places higher....and not enjoyed the whole thing one bit.
Not doing the Dyfi this year because I buried myself for a result last year.....and hated every minute of it!!

Thank you soo much to everyone who helped and supported a great event. My first race for 12 years. 5 laps of grinning, skidding, chainsuck and smiles. Thank you to the 2 ladies cheering by the motorway.

Not my dog. Will Longdens dog.

That looks like a fun event would it make a good first race for a 50 year old who only rides to work and odd 5 mile ride with my daughter to have a go at ?.

non stop nun............it would be perfect, cos it is 100% fun. 8)

76th in my first ever bike event!

Just need a new cx frame now though 😥

did anyone find a pair of shoes in the car park?
Someone's contacted me to ask if they were handed in.

Harry_the_Spider - Member
4 laps is pretty respectable.

I'm happy with it, I was smiling at the end, thats the main thing.

tthew - Member
@ RDL-82. Gears aren't necessarily a great benefit on that course.

Purely a desire from a totally out of shape after a few months laid up after breaking myself. If I'd been fitter I wouldn't have even considered gears.

Really hope the event was a success and that we see another in the summer/winter, I want to sign up now 😀

Some photos my darling wife took of the day.
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/59459697@N03/sets/72157626037557342/ ]flickr[/url]

I see I finished 119th, Gutted my bike died on the 4th lap as I'd have managed another one.( easy to say now! )

More pictures.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55800648@N04/sets/72157626033857068/

Really quite chuffed with my 21st place- on my hastily assembled single speed mtb 🙂

Great event- hats off to everyone involved in organising! My first winter one, but I will be back!!