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Under Three weeks to go until the inaugural QECP Gravity Enduro!! Wow that has come up fast, but the trails are nearly complete and are running really well. The trails are definitely a good mix of both 'gravity' and 'enduro' so you're going to get a good all round test, which is what it's all about!
For those who didn’t manage to get a place in the race, there will be plenty to see for spectators and a good bit of banter always makes for a great race so come down to watch and support.
Finishing off the tracks with a bit of strimming: [url= http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2887/9199335734_b114b74e8d.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5497/9196543521_e9360df10c.jp g" target="_blank">
Last night we test the timing system, radios etc. It all went really
well. It’s going to be a really fun/hard race.
Bag packed: [url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7373/9199309270_19b9d776f0.jp g" target="_blank">
Martin AKA the king getting ready for some testing: [url= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3792/9199303108_634f0200b5.jp g" target="_blank">
Bike ready: [url= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3734/9196485403_02a619f486.jp g" target="_blank">
Ewan & M0rk Going to the top of the hill: [url= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3699/9196476309_df544af934.jp g" target="_blank">
And holding hands: [url= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5332/9196467357_2318c184db.jp g" target="_blank">
The King & Paul Going to the top of the hill: [url= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3765/9199242906_8f597af6d4.jp g" target="_blank">
Rups our timing man trying to brake his software: [url= http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2867/9199234450_b81fe150e8.jp g" target="_blank">
Some results from testing: [url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7424/9196445471_cbfdba5ba0.jp g" target="_blank">
Some more info for you:
There will be a 3 hour morning practice starting at 8.30.
The race will be 2h 30mins long for Sport and PRO categories and 2h 45mins long for Women, U18 & Fun categories.
Stages will be 3 to 6 mins long for average rider.
There is one transition route on it needs to be used in Practice and the race (No short cuts to the top of the hill) that is cheating!
Helmet must be worn at all time when riding your bike (Including on the Transition)
There will be no practice on the trail on the Saturday, we will be taping all the trail and finishing bits off (We don’t want to get Run over) The red route at QECP will be fully open so you can get your eye in there if you want.
You can walk the stages on the Saturday afternoon after we have taped them. (NO Riding them though)
We will get the results up online ASAP after the race.
We will release the start times the Wednesday before the race, but if you want to practice all 4 stages I suggest you get here as close to 8.30 as possible.
Feel free to ask any other Questions.
Cheers Scott
Looks fun! So why the hell am I feeling nervous about it?!
Got no idea how an enduro race works... I guess it's all going to become clear... hopefully.
(Best thing: Now it's on the same weekend I'm moving house. Bugger.)
Glad to see it's hardtail friendly. Looking forward to it. How long for fun category riders to get between stages?
Ta
Tim - if you change to sport cat we can race together... Go on....
DrP
Yes HT friendly but then again both me and the king race DH on our HT's 😉Glad to see it's hardtail friendly. Looking forward to it. How long for fun category riders to get between stages?
King:
http://www.rootsandrain.com/photos/473184
Me:
http://www.rootsandrain.com/photos/473252
http://www.rootsandrain.com/photos/473139
You may well see all thoughts features in the Gravity enduro race 😉
And Fun will have 45mins to complete the stage and get back to the top for the next one.
Yep you can hold hands too 😉 we don't judge 😯Tim - if you change to sport cat we can race together... Go on....DrP
Sport will have 40mins to complete the stage and get back to the top for the next one.
There is a possibility we might make the transition times longer if it looks like the weather turns but we will make that call before we release the start times.
Also if anyone wants to ride with their mates send me an email (you must be in the same category) or if you want to swap categories email me too for that.
Yep you can hold hands too..we don't judge...
We need to 'whoop', 'hi five', and 'feed off each other' before 'dropping in'.... 😉
DrP
Hi
When we sign on first thing (whats the earliest time for this?) do we get given our start time so we can work out how long we have to practise etc?
cheers
good work!
HiWhen we sign on first thing (whats the earliest time for this?) do we get given our start time so we can work out how long we have to practise etc?
cheers
Sign on will open at 8.15 and you will start near by.
Practice will be from 8.30 till 11.30 for all rides. First racer (PRO) will leave the start at the race village at 11.30.
Brilliant and thanks for all the hard work. Now I just need to get onto CRC as "2-3" weeks for my forks to return from Warranty as told on Monday could be very borderline!
I think i'm entered in to this...?!
(Assuming that I am) I'm damn nervous...! I'm used to xc races but for some reason this is terrifying me! I don't quite understand the format either 😕
How alarming are the downs then??! Body armour? FF?
Give my a shout if there not going to be back on time i will try and sort something out.dlr - Member
Brilliant and thanks for all the hard work. Now I just need to get onto CRC as "2-3" weeks for my forks to return from Warranty as told on Monday could be very borderline!
I think i'm entered in to this...?!
Yes you are 😀
If you look at the pics we were all in open face helmets, M0rk was on his 29er and no knee pads, ewan had just knee & shin, the rest of just knee.(Assuming that I am) I'm damn nervous...! I'm used to xc races but for some reason this is terrifying me! I don't quite understand the format eitherHow alarming are the downs then??! Body armour? FF?
Best thing to do is bring as much as you have and make the call for you self in practice.
Now that is a very sensible answer 8)
Cheers, 140mm 29er though so bit rare/odd size. Whole situation is a farce lol, was going to put on my 120mm Manitou Towers as a backup solution whilst my Revelations got sorted but then I crashed my 29HT snapping the frame in the process(!) and despite the forks looking/working ok, I'm not 100% sure the steerer is straight so sent them off to be looked at!
If the German sites hurry up and get the new Pikes in stock then I might maim the credit card in a rush 😉 Might be able to borrow a bike worse but rather be on my own. Guess I could use my 1992 V braked mtb with 60mm forks lol
good luck 😐Guess I could use my 1992 V braked mtb with 60mm forks lol
LOL was a joke 😀 German sites updated eta on the new Pikes too the 5th, could work if they do actually come in stock 🙂
Really looking forward to it. Used to only do odd XC race but this year I did the Afan ukg then the recent Enduro1 at the FOD, I really like the format
Will an email be going out prior to the event?
So hang on.. you get 3 hours to ride up at your own pace, and try and set good times on the downhill section, best time counts - is that how it works?
DezB - Member
Will an email be going out prior to the event?
Yes but only with a link to info no the website and some parking info. but we will have all the Stage start times, results, links to pics etc.... released on website:
http://www.qecptrailcollective.co.uk/
Also if you stay for the prize giving you will be in the prize draw for MTB Hols to Spain info here:
http://www.qecptrailcollective.co.uk/2013/06/win-a-holiday-for-2-at-pure-mountains/
We will stick all the race numbers in a bucket and the first one to be pull out win the hols (As long as you still there)
No you race each of the 4 stage once with a set start time for each stage. The stage all drop about 105meters in elevation and gain about 3 to 7 meters depending on the stage. In practice you can ride the stages as many times as you want in the 3 hours but I would only ride the ones to check out features and lines etc...So hang on.. you get 3 hours to ride up at your own pace, and try and set good times on the downhill section, best time counts - is that how it works?
So 3 optional hours of practice and then the event starts in which there are 4 timed downhill stages, each with their own allocated start time for each rider, with "not flat out" transitions back to the top for the next timed stage.
Yes but when you say Downhill stages that not strictly true. Every stage will drop at least 100 meters but they will be short sharp uphill bits and sections with flatish flowy single track.So 3 optional hours of practice and then the event starts in which there are 4 timed downhill stages, each with their own allocated start time for each rider, with "not flat out" transitions back to the top for the next timed stage.
If you look at updade 1 http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/qecp-gravity-enduro-update
the last pic shows a profile of one of the stages (You can see the small up)
Only one question -
How far from the toilets to the start? 😯
Do bears sht in the wood?40mpg - Member
Only one question -How far from the toilets to the start?
At race village which you pass on the transition stage.
After all the use I've given the trails this year, I shall be there to support the Rad/Gnarr/to the Maxx type chaps. 😆
We Need some marshals for the race, If you are anyone you know is up for it. if you have first aid training to that would be a bonus. You will be need from 8 till 4 and we will pay you £10 and buy you Lunch.
Contact me at scott@qecptrailcollective.co.uk
Also if you are racing or coming along to watch we will have a tea, coffee and cake stand with all the money going to the trail building. If you like to bake or know someone that does feel free to donate a cake or two.
We will also have the donation box in the sign on tent, again all the money goes back in to the trails.
My cake baking is probably better than my enduro racing - if I bake a really good cake, will that excuse me for a really rubbish performance on the trails...?!! 😆
My cake baking is probably better than my enduro racing - if I bake a really good cake, will that excuse me for a really rubbish performance on the trails...?!!
No, 7 ladies I’m expecting to see you on the podium 😉
& at the moment you are setting off 3rd, so you will have 2 in from of you to overtake!!
DAMMIT - 3rd??! 😯
Better get myself to QE for some practice then!! 😆
Time bonuses for baking? 🙂
Or a podium for Best Cake 8)Time bonuses for baking?
Do you start each stage in the same position/order as the first ? Or does that change depending on the last stage time? Or would that just be really hard to organise!? I'm obviously worried about being incredibly fast (cough - slow) and getting stuck (in the way) behind (of) other riders 🙂
Better get myself to QE for some practice then!!
Another detour on Sunday then...?
Yeah that would make it to complicated. For this year we will keep the timing as simple as possible. The idea of the self seeding was to get people racing around people of a similar level. If we do a series next year we can seed people a bit better from this event and the first rounds.Do you start each stage in the same position/order as the first ? Or does that change depending on the last stage time? Or would that just be really hard to organise!? I'm obviously worried about being incredibly fast (cough - slow) and getting stuck (in the way) behind (of) other riders
I am hoping to be racing on 21st but have not really been to QECP except when passing through on the SDW.
Thinking of heading up there tonight to have a look. Are the tracks to be used around to have a look at or is it strictly out of bounds until official practice etc?
Will go anyway and have a look at the red run and all your hard work.
Cheers
Eddie
edoverheels - Member
I am hoping to be racing on 21st but have not really been to QECP except when passing through on the SDW.
Thinking of heading up there tonight to have a look. Are the tracks to be used around to have a look at or is it strictly out of bounds until official practice etc?
Will go anyway and have a look at the red run and all your hard work.
Cheers
Eddie
Its running great up there at the moment so have fun 🙂
You will not find any of the enduro trail unless you know where to look (none of them are near the red or blue trail)The only day we really don't want people to ride the trail is sat 20th because we will be taping them and don't want to get run over. No one apart from me and a couple of the collective know all 4 stages and how they will be taped out.
The red trail will give you a good idea of what to expect, Roots, chalk, smaill drops, jumps, berms, Steep Climbs!! etc...
We are riding over Kingly Vale/Stoughton tonight, shame if we were at QECP you could of tag along.
Scott - I'm having work issues on race day and may not make it. I have several friends who want to take my place - is this possible?
dantsw13 - Member
Scott - I'm having work issues on race day and may not make it. I have several friends who want to take my place - is this possible?
YGM, hopefully you can make it next year.
Thanks
Enjoy your ride
Have forks finally but now also a ruined body so just emailed you Scott 🙁
Vid of dig weekend and a bit of testing. Its steeper than it looks in the vid!!!!!! 😯
Hi scott when are the start times out?
also im probably gonna bring the family, is the cafe and kids area near the start/ car park etc
cheers
[i] is the cafe and kids area near the start/ car park etc[/i]
Rumour has it it's out the back of the park on the South Downs somewhere... I could be wrong, so I'll shut up..
I hope to gawd it stays dry with all that off camber dirt in the vid!
kimbers - Member
Hi scott when are the start times out?also im probably gonna bring the family, is the cafe and kids area near the start/ car park etc
cheers
Out tomorrow with a postcode to get to parking. (But you will start a 12 ish)
yep good one for the family. two of the stages (Stage 2&4) pass within 25 meters of the race village. We have at the race village, Food van, Ice cream bike, tea & coffee and cake stand. there is a big play area in the main park to but that is a 10 min drive away from the race. http://www3.hants.gov.uk/countryside/qecp/qecp-activities.htm
yes you are right.Rumour has it it's out the back of the park on the South Downs somewhere... I could be wrong, so I'll shut up..
Looks acetastic - really looking forward to this!!
DrP
cheers scott might actually get to see you at this one, maybe
Maybekimbers - Member
cheers scott might actually get to see you at this one, maybe
Gutted I've now got to work and can't make it 🙁
Start times & Race info:
http://www.qecptrailcollective.co.uk/2013/07/qecp-gravity-enduro-racers-please-read/
Rules:
http://www.qecptrailcollective.co.uk/2013/07/qecp-gravity-enduro-rules/
Email just arrived. Sweaty palms just reading it!
Nice that my race number is the same as my door number (121) 🙂
DezB - Member
Email just arrived. Sweaty palms just reading it!Nice that my race number is the same as my door number (121)
That how i roll 😉
Walked around there today.
Its dry , dusty and rolling very fast.
If racing best to wear some clear or very lightly tinted glasses .
The transition from sunshine into heavy shade is very quick on a couple of sections.
Its also so dry the surface has cracks in it, and if following another racer there might be some dust hanging in the air.
I am marshalling so say " Hi ROB " if you see some idiot sporting a green plaster cast on their right wrist
Really looking forward to this weekend now!
Well done Scott on the timings, I know the trails will rock!
Oh my, what a fantastic day. Massive thanks have to go to Scott and his team for putting on such a great event.
I'm feeling totally battered after some big stacks, but feel great to have competed in something that was so much damn fun!
Hopefully some photos and videos will appear soon...
and bring on the next one 🙂
Easily the best race/event I've done in my cycling life - congratulation mate on running it so seamlessly.
My mate Glyn who got the free ride in the Ambulance is 'fine' - thanks to those who asked after him. Hopefully the helmet prize for 'best crash' will make the wounds heal better.
Thanks to the marshalls, and cake makers - good work!
Wow....what a brilliant event guys 🙂
Thanks to QECP Trail Collective for putting on such a fantastic event - really looking forward to the next one 🙂
if anyone Strava'ed the tracks, can they post up the lengths of the stages and the transition please!
ta
Transition was http://app.strava.com/segments/4630338
2.8km & 109m elevation
I'll work out the others shortly from http://app.strava.com/activities/68775535
Agree with above
Well done Trail Collective. Had a really good day, however practicing all four stages and then all four race runs has left me very tired now. Superbly organised and really friendly event set in lovely woods. Thanks to everyone.
Bloody good day! Really did enjoy that and look forward to finding out the results.
Steve + whoever else was behind the organisation certainly deserve a pat on the back... providing all goes well with timing and results 😉 (unlike previous enduros ive been to)
Strava here if it helps...
[url] http://app.strava.com/activities/68752832 [/url]
im going to guess whoever has creatd the stages in segments on strava from today has put the start or finish in the wrong places...
Excellent day.What a wicked event. All that despite crashing out with a bad sprain on S2 and still in pain now - still had a fantastic day. Looking forward to next year already. Thanks QECP Collective. 😀 😀
m0rk - are you the bike painter fella i was chatting to while you were waiting for your wife to come down? if so well done on your 3rd place man! and her 1st place! impressive
Nah, not me - I'm somewhere down in the noise in the results I'm sure!
cheers m0rk!
It was fantastic, really enjoyable and I am completely broken... Will the results be online soon? I had to leave straight after....
As above - great work guys. Impressed by how smoothly everything went given then single transition and start point.
Next time I need to being fresher legs, can you try and avoid the end of the Rapha Rising challenge next year 🙂
As others have said brilliant event and I too am broken, started another thread but this one seems to be where it's at.
Big pat on the back to the qecp collective, awesome job
Al (no 138)
Top work Collective fellas! Great day despite 3 crashes, 2 trips through the tape when I missed turns and a near head on with a couple of Network Rail vans (!? - think they had a depot up the fireroad) towards the end of stage 1 removing any chance of a respectable finish. Absolutely rinsed by the end but if you organise any more I'll be signing up. Great trails, slick organisation
cheers Collective had an awesome day, really good vibe and great riding
it was a bit up and down, trashed my front wheel and helmet, but got a free t-shirt
won a track pump in the raffle but took over an hour to break into my car and retrieve my keys but managed it without trashing a lock or breaking a window!
im still smiling, if a bit bruised
Took a few iPhone photos on the day before the race - nice memory joggers until the official photos turn up (duno why the linked ones show sideways!)
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*waves* at Kimbers (chris?) I am will ... Stu's friend with the Ibis who was standing with you guys at the end and won the helmet. Glad you got your keys out in the end!
(No. 15)
Great event, well organised, friendly crowd an great trails. Good job QECP collective.
Well done Scott and all the Collective, top event.
Same time next year?
cheers anus was all good in the end
Yep - great day all round 😀
Great trails, really smoothly run, top food and folk in the village and really good vibe.
Well done the collective!
Thanks guys had a great time. Excellent routes and very well organised.
Looking forward to the night time enduro Scott 😉