[Closed] The Dirty Reiver - 200k Graaaaaavel ride, April16

I've signed up - its twice as far as I've ever cycled before which is a bit of a worry.

I'm in. Anybody fancy riding out with me?

It should be a good shakedown for anybody doing Tour Divide or the Trans Am Trail race.

Something I'm certainly thinking about, not sure I want to commit yet though as I don't know my plans for next year. I've ridden further than that on road before but doing it on [s]forest tracks[/s] gravel roads will be a whole lot tougher.

Does look good.

*cough* Thread [url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/event-for-next-year ]here [/url]already *cough*

I'm going up for a reccie over Xmas Hols for a bit of a blast, check out the fire roads and type of environment it'll run through.

Looks great this..

Ooop's, didn't know.. maybe better if the thread was titled?? Can that be changed? Save doubling up as theres some interest here already..

Tempting.

Entered. Distance is fine, doing it instead of a 300km Audax, more worried about the ~3500m of ascent.

Thinking of de-commutering the Straggler.

already got an email from a pal trying to tempt me. Still prevaricating.

Entered, might as well do all my training in one day...

What bikes are people using?

Entered here too. Ill likely be using a CX bike with big tyres, either 38mm WTB Pathway (semi-slicks) or some Nano if i can find any at a good price.

Id happily take suspension, just locking out for some sections, but i dont tend to stand and sprint much so dont feel any 'loss' due to suspension movement. Id have used my short travel Spearfish 29er but have just split it up, thats a good bike for rough gravel roads.

Actually I've just seen the price... Might find something else to do that weekend 😐

I'm using my TCX Adv1 CXer, on my reccie I'm just going to use either Limus tyres or the Clem Xplors, not too sure yet.

If the fire roads are littered with large stones then the Xplors (40mm) if not then I'll stick with grippy Limus.

Just put a mail out to Club mates to garner interest, might do this as a Team effort rather than on me own (like I normally do)

Yeah its not Audax cheap but you do get a fair bit of stuff for the price, and capped at 400 riders I dont think they will have the economy of scale sportives do to pay for the medical support and manning feed / food stations etc.

"Entry includes;

Event T shirt
Event limited edition goods
Sponsor products included in goody bag.
Hot food at finish
Way marked course and GPX route
Feed stations
Full medical team back up

Due to the shared use of some of the course the Dirty Reiver is NOT a race. However, finishing times will be graded based upon the first finisher and these grades are detailed in finishing times on the event page.

Sounds suspiciously like a race to me.

Yep, in and all excited. Now just got to work out wich singlespeed to take and start growing my beard to epic proportions so I can use it for holding energy gels and stuff

I'll probably be SS as well. I have a nice growth already started.

If I do it I'll be using my cx whihc is currently in commuter mode, guards off, lights off, slicks off, racing ralphs on.

Sounds suspiciously like a race to me.

Lots of people starting at the same time, over a set course = a race 🙂

Of course the fact it's a race only really matters if you're trying to win it, for the vast majority of people it's simply a personal challenge.

I'm currently undecided. I like the idea of something early in the year to motivate me to get off my arse over the winter, not sure I like the idea of 200km of fire roads.

Will be a nice day our grovelling around, using my carbon chinese CX commuter sans guards and lights with better tyres, probably tubelessed.

I'd originally planned to do this but have decided against it now I have the full details.
I was expecting a lower key event with less support and this is basically a sportive. Whilst the entry fee is reasonable for what's on offer, it's not what i'm looking for.
370 miles of each way travel + entry + accommodation + food mounts up to £150ish and I could get a flight to the Alps for that.
I'm planning on doing the Capital Trail instead as I can get a cheap return train train to Edinburgh instead.....

I'll be doing Bespoked that weekend, and coincidentally should have the perfect bike on display! New project that I'm very excited about...

I'm not sure if I'll enter yet. Still dubious about Kielder in April. I was hoping to wait until nearer the time to see what kind of spring we are having but I doubt that will be an option.

Of course the fact it's a race only really matters if you're trying to win it, for the vast majority of people it's simply a personal challenge.

I see on Facebook that Rich Rothwell is entering so most people are going to be racing for second anyway.

highterrainevents are also doing a CX ride in Feb which looks good.
night ride round the water on Saturday night and big ride sunday morning.

I'm in and excited as it's the first time in ages I've planned somethin big this far in advance Have enjoyed the 2 gravel sportives I've done so far but both under 4 hours, this will be another level
Got 2 mates going so far and would love to get some more from S Wales involved

Think I'll need a new bike though 😀

Brilliant, Ive got one mate interested and booked so far too. Rather do this as a sort of Team thing, for some reason I like the idea of that (normally I do this on my own)

8)

Shall we arrange some sort of informal beer up after for STW forum aficionados?

Shall we arrange some sort of informal beer up after for STW forum aficionados?

the Back of the Pack Racing fools will be there with a keg or two/three of very good beer, some music and reeeeallly strong coffee, so feel free to pop over for a pint and say hi

or if you look at it another way, all the gobshite single speeders and knobends will be in one place that you can easily avoid!** 😀

** depends on your preferences

GregMay - Member
Shall we arrange some sort of informal beer up after for STW forum aficionados

Great idea, secret handshakes and the like before we're allowed in??

Sounds great though suspect at least an hour after the event to wipe the grin off would be appreciated 😆
I mean there's being a fool and looking like a fool, if you get me drift 😀

Still dubious about Kielder in April

Worried that you'll miss the midges??

Nearly sold out

in

In, and doing TD in 2016 😀

Well lads a new event in Dalby has been mooted, looks like an enduro type segment timed hack and it's just gone live with applications for entry being handled via a mail application ATM.

I've registered, if it looks like you kinda thing then I'd register interest pretty quickly.

Also, the link came from Grit.CX

[url= http://gravety.co.uk ]Gravety Gravel Event[/url]

As per my thread above, I did a reccie for that event (I'm in, Yay!) over Xmas and found that the gravel roads I went along were longer shallower gradients than the steep stuff in the Dales, but the surface ranged from pretty rough to nice and smooth, but littered with sharp boulders. Also the surface ranged from small metaled type tight pack to loose shale type, and also lots of gullies and rivulets where the rain water comes off the tops.
The foresty bits were wet and muddy and loose in the main, but covered in pine needles and branches and in the sections where forestry is taking place (a lot of it) theres large branches and off cuts on the gravel.
The views are spectacular though 😀

I posted this on another thread asking about the same thing.. thought I'd already posted about the reccie I did, seems not. 🙄

Quite looking forward to DR. Can't make the other one as I'll be on the Divide somewhere.

Greg, mad fool 😆

Will you do a blog of it?

surface ranged from pretty rough to nice and smooth, but littered with sharp boulders. Also the surface ranged from small metaled type tight pack to loose shale type, and also lots of gullies and rivulets where the rain water comes off the tops.
The foresty bits were wet and muddy and loose in the main, but covered in pine needles and branches and in the sections where forestry is taking place

DR200 is almost 'one big loop', so doesn't cover lots of trail in the same area (if that makes sense), so doubt your recce covered much of the riding. It's planned to give variety of surfaces, but is a long distance 'grinder', so stays clear of MTB route singletrack - there's the Kielder 101/Border Challenge for that, and Gravety.
FC are aware of the route/areas covered, so felling won't be an issue - unlike the winter's regular storms.

Well I only did 45k in a loop, it's all I wanted to do. Just rode around the forest and upper moors of Keilder Water, just to get a feel for the place and check out the surface etc.
Wasn't supposed to be a definitive "this is what it looks like" post.

Wasn't supposed to be a definitive "this is what it looks like" post.

I didn't read it as such and was just trying to 'flesh it out a bit'. Sorry if it came across otherwise 😳
A lot of the fire roads there are surfaced in grey igneous rock (Whinstone) which will be where you found the sharp rocks you mention, I imagine. That's the stuff that stuck to everyone's brakes and ate through bikes at the K100 a few years ago.
We've tried to avoid these where possible. Other areas use a sandstone base (brown in colour and less 'pointy'). If you came across logging, I'd imagine those tracks will have been loosened by the vehicles. Not sure what the recent weather has done - certainly wouldn't fancy the ford at the moment....... 😈 Off to ride it again soon, so there'll be updates and pics I'm sure.
High Fell events are putting together a 24hr event up there for Feb 2017 which could be interesting.

No offence made, none taken. Just observation from me.. 😀

As is it was the first time I'd ever ventured that far North, I kid you not. Thats one of the main reasons for heading up that way to scout out what I've been missing.

It truly is a fabulous place, I look forward to riding and enjoying the area. I will for sure (unless the ride kills me off 😆 ) be back for more riding there..

Greg, mad fool

Will you do a blog of it?

Yes, more or less. plus something for Grit.cx I think.

Either way, hurrah!

Bump'idge..

Seems the folks running the event have reopened entry for 48 more hours from today. They've managed to expand the entry list, to what level I don't know.

So, so if you think riding 200k on Gravels your thing in the amazing Kielder Forest, I'd hop on over to the site now..

Just got in on the extra 48hr window. Not done this sort of thing before so looking forward to it, ask a good few people i know and could get anyone interested so just me on my Planet x XLS

So what bike setups are people planning foe this? NB. This is a blatant post to get other peoples ideas 😉

At the moment I have a beachracer, so kinda monstercross bike with Ultegra di2/hydros but undecided on tyres. Narrower fast MTB tyres or gravel tyres, or maybe even a beach racing tyre.

I'll be on a Jones Barred Ti 29er. Rigid carbon forks if I get around to fitting them, or SIDs if I don't. 1x10 with 34 x 11-42

I am in the process of resurrecting my old kona explosif. It seemed like a good idea on Saturday anyway, we shall see.

This.. It's my TCX Adv1, Reynolds Assults, 46/36 & 28/12, and I'll stick on my Challenge Gravel Grinder tyres.

[img] [/img]

SS Cotic Escapade.

Had a test run around Dalby last week on my cross bike and thought my 33mm tires could be a bit small but because i'm on tub's i think thats the biggest you can get. Anyone know of any larger sizes for tubs ?.
I can only presume that Dalby will be a lot rougher than Kielder (i was on the red not fire roads) but a bit more comfort wouldn't go amiss.

Bike choice will either be, my jones space frame for comfort, the blacksheep for speed or the rooster for sort of in the middle..all singlespeed....probably whichever one inspires me to take it out to play the day before and using whatever tyres and gear ratio that happens to be on it will do. Only three gears anyway, sit and pedal, stand and thrutch and walk...any more is a distraction for my simple brain

Hope the prep is going well for this. One of the team rode 170ish Km of the route today, with failing light(s) stopping play. Frosty, with only a couple of downed trees. There is very little flat - which is either good, or bad for those on SS I guess. Completion will be as much about mental strength as the legs. New views being opened up by some handy clear-felling too.
Accommodation will become scarce, so look soon - the wonderful folk of Northumbria await.

I'll be on my old Kona. Probably 35mm Slant 6s or 33mm Racing Ralphs - not sure yet. 32/24 up front and 11/32 out back. Might get a 22 inner ring.

[url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5770/20635396021_fa46882b31_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5770/20635396021_fa46882b31_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/xrtNj2 ]P1000428[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/82598458@N05/ ]jamesanderson2010[/url], on Flickr

boxelder - Member
There is very little flat. Completion will be as much about mental strength as the legs.
Accommodation will become scarce, so look soon - the wonderful folk of Northumbria await.

Thanks for the update!

Accom booked a very long time ago, complete with sauna and massage for the day after!

What tyres was your mate on?

He was on 29x2.25 Ralphs/Rons I think
🙄 I know.......
Was packing some kit in a big seat pack too. Luddite.

32ish mm tyres will become uncomfortable. Don't say it wasn't mentioned.

Are seat bags / frame bags not the done thing here then.

I fully ascribe to luggage nipper99
I was being facetious.
There'll be no need for luggage on the day, but feel free. I'll mostly be riding a quad bike.

I would really like an entry to this if anyone is unable to make it/scared to ride 200km 🙂

If anyone is looking for a bed for the Friday and Saturday nights...

I have got a spare single bed in a twin room at the Pheasant Inn which is 10 miles up the road from the castle.

15-17 April. £50 per night.

Let me know if you are interested.

Less than a month now.

We all feeling perky for a lovely 200km in the sun?*

*I bet it rains.

I'm undertrained but super excited. I'll be on my mk1 Fargo with maybe some Onza Canis' on. Slow & steady away.

Any insight on feed station frequency and stuff to eat - OTE sponsoring are they providing their ace crispy ricey choccy bars?

Fingers crossed for some weather.

Just read the website again - 3 feed stations and things to eat! Apologies

I'll be on my mk1 Fargo

I'll probably be on the Ti Fargo with Nanos. Unless something else happens faster than expected *fingers crossed*

Feedwise - I'm treating it as a training day for the Tour Divide, so will be carrying all my food from the start, top up with whatever whenever. Eat-ride-repeat. No further plans.

Ooh, [b]gee[/b], is that spare bed still available?
I've done nothing about sourcing accommodation! Was thinking about camping...

Planning to park and kip in the car. Any idea if there'll be a butty/tea van in attendance at the start village?

Joey's Coffee will be operating and the Cafe will (should) be open too 🙂

Training going reasonably well, could do with another 100k stint offload but I think I'll just carry on hacking until a week before.
We're in a s****y hotel but it's an hour away South, so I'll just drive up, setup, ride, pack away, fall asleep in the car, wake up, drive back to the hotel and eat.
I might shower the following day, see how I feel 😆

I'd love to know more about the conditions, but expect too much information is, well too much information and we should just turn up and ride it.

I see the feed stops are 60k with time limit, 100k feed only with a 130k time limit if I've read the site correctly.
Luckily the course time limit stops are near to the start/finish so should we all get booted out we've not got far to scuttle back and sulk.

Well a month ago I was quite terrified of this, but after doing 70 miles on the WTB Nano equipped Dirty Disco last weekend with not too much pain I'm feeling much better about it now. Until of course the April monsoon starts, in which case I'll be having nightmares about sodden, draggy fire roads.

Staying at my folks in Newcastle, driving up on the morning so a 4.30am start. That's going to be the hardest bit.

Well I'm packing for the event, I know it is still a few weeks away but I'm in Town next weekend on another long distance Tribute to Paris-Roubaix, then that's it, I'm done.
Just out for a hack on the CXer to make sure it, and me, are fit for purpose then everything goes in the wash and pack up tomorrow.

I expect we'll hear shortly about the route and GPX file from the organisers, if I hear anything I'll post it here.

Best of luck to all those entered and riding.

Final GPX check ride tomorrow, then it will be shared with you all so you can get some familiarisation laps in.....
At least tomorrow looks less wet than of late. Could be a long day.

Bike built, crazy beast it is too. Hopefully all will be well although could probably have done a bit more for fitness.

[img] https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3uMQkl0DMRk/Vu1PMvXkeFI/AAAAAAAAHbQ/QxerR-z6JaEMVYT6VNviOfhLuzgXyfa8wCCo/s640-Ic42/upload_-1 [/img]

GPX has been [url= http://www.dirtyreiver.co.uk/event/ ]released[/url], route looks great. Lots of climbing but will take you out the forest and into some truly fantastic scenery and views.

WooHoo!

Looks ace.

😯

Can anybody who has downloaded the GPX tell me at what point Stonehaugh comes? I'm guessing it must be a feed station and, as it's just up the road and I reckon there are at least 12 people I know doing this, I might go and spectate there.

Also which way round does the route go at that point?

Cheers,

Paul,
Stonehaugh is feed station 1 at around 58Km. The route comes in from Kielder to the village 'hall', then back out and through Whygate towards Bewcastle. If you fancy getting a bit more involved, with some marshalling etc, there would be some sponsors goodies, food and beer in it for you (and maybe a ride next time?). If interested please mail geogwm@gmail.com. We'll be up there in the communications black hole this week, but I'll pick up email.

Still got a bed in a twin room available if anyone wants it...

I'm using my trusty Tripster ATR bike with 46:36:28 3x10 setup but still debating tyre choice as sounds rougher than expected. Think I might go for a Pana Gravel King SK in 32mm on rear as the heavy Conti touring plus tyre been training on is just too sluggish on climbs. Still can't decide on front, wrote my thoughts on mostly tyre choice here: [url= http://wp.me/p4kH5h-3GW ]Dirty Reiver Prep [/url]

In my many years riding at Kielder ive come to the conclusion that if there is a section that sucks it will suck regardless of tyre or bike choice. Thankfully each bad bit only seems to last a few mile before the surface changes to something else.

Ive stuck Nano 40's on mine as they are the biggest tubeless tyres I have. tbh I dont particularly like them but they have plenty of volume and are not mud spikes so should roll faster than my other cx tyre. Im not racing though (marshal) so wont have to [s]suffer[/s] enjoy the full 200km 😀