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What would you consider a reasonable time to do the SDW at this time of year? One way, for someone who is quite fit but certainly not an endurance rider.
Just trying to put someone's aims into perspective rather than aiming to do it myself atm.
i've done it in around 10-12 hours in the past.
I'd say that depending on how this weeks rain effects it you could do similar.
When i was up there a 6 weeks ago it was really really quick - but too hot to put in a really quick time.
12 hours
So to do 8 hours he would have to be bloomin' good or is being a tad optimistic.
It's still pretty dry and fast up top and dries quickly with the wind but there's more rain forecast for the weekend.
I'd allow 10-14 hours and take some lights/have a bail out plan in case of poor weather.
[i]to to do 8 hours he would have to be bloomin' good[/i]
that's record breaking pace for the double and 'elite xc' for one way.
slowjo - Member
So to do 8 hours he would have to be bloomin' good or is being a tad optimistic
He'd have to be a regular and fit MTBer, probably some competing in there too, especially considering it's likely to be gloopy.
Aim for 14 and be happy when its quicker. Its only going to get wetter this time of year.
reading between the lines this guy hasn't ridden it?
Navigation of the SDW isn't the easiest thing at times. to do a good time you need to know it or be have your navigation sorted. And be able to navigate after 8-12 hours of riding.
He's being optimistic then...thought so
I had a day out on it a couple of weeks ago. We had party of 4 regular riders and combined it with a kiddie day out, so a bit of swapping about driving the van, plenty of picnic, ice-cream, kids bike rides and play stops etc. Anyway we took 14hrs and looking at the gpx files of the 2 who rode the lot, they had recorded 10hrs of riding time. It was a steady pace, nothing blistering, but we didn't slow down either.
I'd say that its probably a bit slower now and if you didn't have all the additional 'day-out' stuff we had, then 10-11hrs riding would be good giving an all-in time of around 12hrs, maybe more I it gets wetter.
8 hours is entirely plausible. Tim Dunford did it in 7:15 IIRC. 8 hours would be 12.5mph, in good conditions with a tail wind that I'd not be immediately suspicious.
although he's not yer average mtber;
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Basically, maintaining anything over 10 mph is very good going for the mere mortal. Last time I did it we completed in just over 12 hours in dry conditions inc stops.
although he's not yer average mtber;
Never said he was, he's also European 12 hour solo champ, did more laps than most 4 man teams at the Torq 12:12, and does 3 hour hill rep sessions before work. He's a bloody nice guy too, very annoying.
But anyway, being 10% slower than him isn't implausible, particularly given favourable conditions, which is exactly what I said.
But anyway, being 10% slower than him isn't implausible, particularly given favourable conditions, which is exactly what I said
Not for you maybe... for 99% of humans it is.
Not for you maybe... for 99% of humans it is.
Perhaps the OP's friend is in the 1%.
There's every chance he has been economic with the truth, but maybe it took him 8:40, and he just said "about 8 hours", which with a 20mph tail wind (not unlikely) isn't really that hard to believe. That's all, but if everyone prefers I'll just call the OP's friend a complete liar 😉
Oh, and I'd love to be within 10% of Tim!
I'd say 12 hours would be good for this time of year. Remember there are a lot of gates and walkers...so it's not head down racing the whole way