[Closed] Pippingford this Sunday

I’ll be there! Not raced there for a few years now, but I’d expect some good twisty singletrack and big hills… Looking forward to it…

I did not know about these races, how long is it? Can I turn up and be slow and just have fun?

Can I turn up and be slow and just have fun?

Yes in theory but advance entry only.
There's a longer race in July too.

https://my.raceresult.com/169506/registration

https://eventrexuk.com/mountain-biking/mtb_marathon/

Ok, so I just sign up to the open men's race? Is that the same track but just at the back? How long would a lap be and how long do the races last? Thanks

Ok, so I just sign up to the open men’s race? Is that the same track but just at the back? How long would a lap be and how long do the races last? Thanks

Open is on the same course, starts about 5 mins after sport but does 3 laps rather than sports 4, aim to last just over the hour ( based on the 2 other races I did this season). The front of the open is still pretty quick, a fun race is available to.

I'm doing the off-road tri there in July. Allegedly featuring actual MTBing.

I’m in.

Probably disappear about the back shortly after the start - so not my distance!

Probably disappear about the back shortly after the start – so not my distance!

Likewise - have been training all year for 4-12hr races and am going for Pippingford familiarity before the Marathon in July, expecting to get completely owned in a Vets regional especially XCO as I haven't start my Z5 intensity training of which this event is the first session 😀

This'll also be my first race with a PM on the bike so a look at the data will be interesting.

On the plus side it will be (very) warm and dry

Not going, but from previous years, it's the best course on the Southern XC circuit imo. Proper climbs and fast fun descents with jumps n' berms. Style it up for the camera's folks!

Enter by weds i think.

@kryton57 - see you in Vets mate! I'll be on a bright pink Spesh Epic and Redhill CC kit, a bit hard to miss. Also expecting to be reminded of my place in the world order, but really looking forward to a race in the sunshine. It'll also be weird for me racing in the afternoon - don't think I've ever done that in about 25 years of racing!

I must admit Ive been losing interest in it a bit as have been plagued with silly little injuries and health problems this year but the above has rekindled some enthusiasm. Thinking maybe a dropper on my hardtail might make the downy bits more fun.

Big daddy I’ll look out for you. And I’ll be working further on the Mr lebowski mystery as I know I’ve raced with him several times yet failed to work out his true identity 😀

Thinking maybe a dropper

I’ve never raced with a dropper but I’m taking mine on the basis I might use it in the Marathon. Jumps eh, not my forte so I’d better get a practise lap in, gulp….

And I’ll be working further on the Mr lebowski mystery as I know I’ve raced with him several times yet failed to work out his true identity

I was probably behind you! 🤣

Jumps were all tabletops in 2019, so you can roll or send. Dropper is a good idea for max fun on the way down. It really is a cracking venue so have fun all.

I have an 80mm dropper on my Epic - sounds like it’ll get some use! Bring on the heatwave!

Gosh that was a shock. I wish I was more familiar with the downhill section which was pretty awesome but I would have loved to have know it better before the race. I'm not convinced about running a dropper though. I used mine on laps 2 & 4 and can't say I was any faster because of it TBH, so with my lack of climbing power I might as well have saved 565g for the climbing effort.

Didnt start too hard as I was only there for "training" as my first "Z5" effort for a month long block, so started the climb more or less at the back - ouch what a beast of a climb. I'm not a climber at the best of times and that hurt.

Got faster on the DH though and as per my training I started to pick people off on the last lap as they slowed and I was consistent eventually finishing 24/30 in Vets.

Enjoyed the venue and the riding and have some sharp tan lines 😀 Who was that that came past me toward the end... Nick...?

Who was that that came past me toward the end… Nick…?

I think that must have been me. I came past you before the last gentle climb back up to the start/finish.

I really enjoyed the course; not ridden there before, so turned up early and got a couple of pre-laps in, in the midday practise session.
I thought the climb was okay. Long and winding but never crazy steep (I was just happy that it was in the shade).

Happy to finish 6th Vet, main aim was to get a feel for the venue before next month's marathon.

Sounds like the marathon will be good, how many laps people doing? I signed up to 3 I think.

However many 72km is. Hopefully ill have my top end back by then.

Good to fleetingly meet you Richp and congrats on the results.

Well done guys! I loved that - what a great course, I liked the climb actually, and the descent was fun!

I seem to go well in the heat too. I had a poor start, ended up right near the back, but managed to pick people off and finished 12th vet in the end. Great fun!

I raced Sport as I wanted a morning race. Was amused by how much less aggressive the start was compared to vets 😆.
I love this course. Full suss and dropper maximised the fun for me.
9th in Sport.