[Closed] Marin Rough Ride

Done it every year since 2004. Every year I say never again and every year I do it.

Yesterday was the 1st time since 04 that I took the short option. Was having stomach cramps at the cut off point, and took discretion as the better part of valour. As always, well run, properly testing, and great fun. Hats off to the organisers yet again.

So another tee shirt for the collection !

Well done on your first go. Did long one myself in about 6hrs. Thought that it was a brilliant tough route (best yet) with some stunning views and fantastic single track. I can't recall there being any flat sections. It has got to be one of the best events for it's relaxed feel and good organisation. I will be back again.

I did think about the long route, think i could have done it in about 6ish hrs taking into account drop in pace and barring any major issues like cramp or mechanicals.
My traget now is the 65km spirng merida next year and then the long route at Marin this time next year.
I really enjoyed the route, some very testing bits and even the downs you couldn't switch off on. My only concern was the section that went straight through a load of thistles, could have been puncture city. Loved the down-streamonbend-looserockyclimb bit, shame the chap in front slipped a wheel which forced us both to stop.
Well done to the organisers, certainly an event going on my list to do each year.

so no pics yet?

Pics available tomorrow - still uploading and tagging with your numbers.

Was I the only person to be a bit miffed with the cameraman sitting by the side of the trail about 100 yards from a tasty little descent into a stream crossing. Clever that postioning himself roundabout the exact point you were going to stall, or break your chain. Bet he'll sell loads of those shots!

agreed, really loved it again. cracking weather, too, we were lucky as it was moshing down two weeks ago. favourite bit was crossing the line to finish. slump. anyone out there got a GPS file for the route?

I enjoyed the first 18Km. The walk/push coast downhill that followed after my freehub died wasn't as much fun. Fortunately the weather was nice 🙂

The fastest guys from the club did the long in around 5 hours and the slowest 8.5, I think everyone enjoyed it in equal measure.

Was it just me that found it odd to be a cycling event where the majority of entrants had to push bikes uphill? It was some how surreal to see even some of the fitter/faster guys get off and push.

Tough as hell, but very good fun and organised really well, next year will book monday off work and chill out afterwards and camp another night!

Won a spot prize of a Rough ride guide too!

just you i think BigEarewdBiker. I have to say that if most have to walk/push then either their bikes failed, like yours, or they didn't anticipate/appreciate how steep it can be.

As i've said above, this was the first time i did the Rough Ride and I only walked 3 bits. One of those I would have riden (or at least riden more of) had someone not spun out in front of me and another I would have riden had someone kept their ears open to a rider behind shouting "excuse me" at them and got out of my way!

Only one bit wasn't rideable in my book but i saw others riding it so it was do-able.

Overall i think its a bit of a case of self-defeatism; if you see everyone else walking a section you get it in your head that you wont be able to do it and will therefore get off and walk before you actually need to, if everyone else is riding then you push harder and ride it.

Alternatively, it could be that this event attracts a more laidback group of entrants and some people, understandably, don't want to push their bodys to the extremes that others do.

I reckon k for k short or long route it's one of the toughest in the uk. Can you imagine it on a wet, cold and windy day?

mt - I agree, Out of all the similar type off road events I have attended that one is definately one of the toughests km for km. It's good to have at something different though.

Swoosh, Before my mechanical I had to push up on two of the climbs, both times I got a lot higher than most around me but had to give in due to limited line choice due to the amount of 'bodies' around me. It just struck me that in the 8 years I've been biking I have never seen that many pushing up hill at a mass start event unless it's a complete mud fest like last years mega.

I enjoyed it again for the 3rd year. The singletrack sections on the moorland (where I swear the ground sounds hollow) are amazing.

Complete the Long route in 7 hrs total (6.33 ride time) and enjoyed all but the last climb from the village [b]up[/b] the tarmac, [b]up[/b] onto a dirt track, [b]up[/b]onto the moor and [b]up[/b] onto the grass... did I mention it went up 😉

On a positive note the descent off've Hergest Ridge was a nice reward 🙂

Won a spot prize of a Rough ride guide too!

I won a Ladies Saddle.... just need ladies hips now 😉 (my wife has gratefully accepted it for her Spesh)

Martyntr... ladies saddle would probably be more use in hindsight...the ride guides don't go north of Avon.....seems like Wales,Scotland and the North generally have yet to be discovered!...the author has some treats ahead then!

Yep did seem like a lot of UPS!

Did the long route in 5:40. It's the fourth time I've done it and the weather has been great every time. I'm always impressed at how little road there is, and always surprised at how much uphill there seems to be.

Jeeze I found it hot! Suffered like a dog until the cloud moved in & cooled things down a bit.

Thought Jerry & his merry helpers laid on another very well run event. A big thanks to red bearded Stu for the humour at some of the water stops - it helped keep me going 🙂

I did the very first Roughride years back, so thought I'd give it another go. Less fit these days, so nearly opted for the short, but took a gamble on the long. Took 8hrs 10mins 🙄 (think it took me 7hrs last time). Hampered by some 'bodies' on some climbable lines, but I mostly took plenty of 'pause for the view' moments 'cause I'm a slacker 😉

Here's a few pics off my mobile:
[IMG] [/IMG]
[IMG] [/IMG]
[IMG] [/IMG]
[IMG] [/IMG]

Great day out - almost total lack of 'corporatisation' made it a great day

First pics are [url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/rough-ride-2009-another-classic-any-more-photos ]here[/url]

anyone know where the official photographers sites are?

Muddypuddle - I spent the night in hospital last night with pretty serious post event asthma 🙁

Still pop round here tomorrow , but I'll have to knock the ride on the head. Need a few days to recover!

About the corporate bit. 'Marin' Roughride right? - I only saw one Marin banner all day and that was at the finish!? Did I miss some in my heat exhausted, tunnel visioned stuper?

anyone know where the official photographers sites are?

G - when i passed him i [in a good natured way] suggested he was in a poorly selected spot, and would get to see / take piccys of more action by moving a matter of meters - he just looked at me vacantly!

This was my first and really enjoyed it. Did the short route with the GF and we both had a great time. Agree with the comments about the photographer after the dip, but at least it was an incentive to keep riding. Definitely be back next year, and maybe try the longer route

I keep getting a "server not responding" error when I try to access www.roughride.co.uk to look at the times.

Is it just me?

just you i think DWH. I got the times. 5 hr 36mins for you matey!

Cheers, thanks for that. I thought it was about 5:40 so I've gained 4 minutes 😉

Jonathan Pugh clearly got a cab round half the route

rough ride site works for me.

First time I've done and thought it was very well organised - big thanks to the organisers 🙂

I thought Dyfi was harder overall but I only did the short route at Marin. Great day out!

Muddypuddle - Member
Timings are on the website. Finished 8th lady, 2nd ladies veteran - well chuffed with myself

How do you know that you were 2nd Ladies Vet?

good question mt, I can see the times but I can't see what category the riders are? Maybe muddypuddle has some insider knowledge!

Muddypuddle
riders list? where?

Thanks to those whose asked after my health whilst I was struggling on the long route, and especially to the chap who gave me some of his water to cool off with.
Always a very friendly event, just seemed even hillier this year.
Aimed to better 7 hours, but only managed 7h 25, so a bit disappointed with myself.

Epic - you've managed to capture a shot of my arse in one of your photos (not my best aspect, I'll admit..)

pics now available
(link from main site)