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Finished all my prep, last 100+ ride yesterday and feeling just fine.
Bike's all set up, simple CX'er setup and Challenges Gravel Grinder 38mm tyres fitted.
Not a lot left to do except turn up and ride it.
Whilst 200k is a lot, if I bail out at the 130k cut off point I'll be happy. Afterall I think 200k is a huge amount to do in mostly offroad conditions and in early Spring and certainly don't fancy riding with lights. I calculated an estimate of minimum 10hours riding, thats quite a lot at pace.
I'm there for the enjoyment and landscape, not to bonk/break and get picked up by the Bus.
It'll be an achievement to ride to the first cut off point, a major one to arrive with a grin at the second, and if I carry on to the end and cross the line without seeing double and dribbling then I'll be most pleased. 😆
How many will bailout at either cut off you reckon??
Aren't there 400 of us?
If the weather is bad I can see the majority of the field pulling out at 130km, as you say 200km is an awful long way. I can see the first 60km hitting a lot of people hard, ive not ridden the route but on the gpx it looks a pretty tough start, people need to make sure they pace themselves, cutoff seems generous enough certainly. Thankfully the profile looks a lot mellower after that checkpoint and heading to the border the views should be superb. From the border heading back the majority of the climbing is alongside the river, so while its not flat and a bit of a trudge it is a quite straightforward ride back to the castle. The final leg? well if you are contemplating doing it im not going to talk you out of it 😆
I think if you make 60km check ok then you should have a crack at the next 60km (after all its probably a 40km ride back from the checkpoint anyway! 😉 )
Less one, I deffered my entry until next year, I did do 217km on the road yesterday and felt fine, just cannot make the start time and it's too far to set off at 2am
For anyone wondering quite how remote the course is, I spotted some people have been doing a recce and in the first 130km there are only 7 Strava segments! take that regents park.
Long term weather forecast suggests that it isn't going to be an excuse.
Presuming we don't get timed out, we're doing the whole thing.
My preparation has ionvolved not really thinking about it although I've still got a fair bit of residual fitness from a recent road riding holiday in Spain. Had a good time at a hilly CX Sportive yesterday so feeling happy with the bike and the riding ability.
Less OK with the whole camping, sleeping, accommodation, food thing which I haven't given any thought to at all!
S****y hotel for me and the Mrs, not that I'm teasing you at all 😆
So we've already had some folks ride the course then? Interesting.. Don't get them to post anything, damn if the "awe its fine you soft southerner" will for sure put me right off.... 😛
Its still a great event, so looking forward to it all..
😀
One question about mossy repellent?
Couple of guys I met at the weekend suggested I take some, should I ? This early in the season ??
If it were me I would be taking Midge precautions. Bit of warm weather and lack of wind could see it pretty bad even this early in the year. Have been caught out before but not with 200K to ride.
One question about mossy repellent?Couple of guys I met at the weekend suggested I take some, should I ? This early in the season ??
Posted 2 hours ago # Report-Post
I bivyed up there 2 weekends ago after a few hours in the pub (drying out my riding gear obviously 😉 ) and not a midge in sight. The campsite was a bit damp apparently according to the folks staying there, but no one mentioned any midge.
Cool, I may buy something just in case..
Should be fun, I'm aiming for the 130k and then two hours of running afterwards with my pack as part of my AR training. Using my MTB as well for same reason. Looking forward to it.
can anyone loan me a spare knee? mine isnt tracking properly and the little bugger is wearing itself out (stupid muscle imbalance) Who said single speeds are bad for you? 😕
Helmets? Compulsory or not?
Compulsory - read better John
Say Hi to Tom who'll be riding a Sonder Camino Ti. 😉
[img] 
[/img]
Jammy devil! Will keep an eye out! 🙂
Go Tom
This talk of bailing at cut-offs - it's expected that you'll get yourself back to the Castle if you bail - the transport is for broken bikes/bodies.
Without mishap, anyone entering should get back to 130Km (actually closer to 127Km). There are shortcuts from Feed 2 @ 100Km, saving ~10Km and some climbing.
Start with the expectation of riding the full 200Km - you may surprise yourself.
# THERE WILL BE [b][u]NO NEED[/u][/b] FOR INSECT REPELLENT #
Bring snuggly stuff if camping though.
Excellent, glad the cut off is pointed out at 100k at the feed station because I thought it was closer to the 130k point.
Good to see Tom out to play, hope he has loads of support on the ride.
I'm packed and heading up today, the weathers 7C which will feel like winter all over again 😥
Weather looks to be improving according to met office, i.e. not constant rain. Should be a good day out.
bikebouy - MemberExcellent, glad the cut off is pointed out at 100k at the feed station because I thought it was closer to the 130k point.
The 130km point is within 1km of the castle. Id guess the shortcut from the 100km feed its basically the same route upto ~110km point then missing out the extra hill on way to the castle.
Excellent, glad the cut off is pointed out at 100k at the feed station because I thought it was closer to the 130k point
No, I've confused the issue I fear. The only 'concrete' cut-offs are Feed 1 at 60Km (5 hours) and near Kielder village at 130ish Km (10 hours).
There is a feed at 100Km, but no timed cut-off, as you'd be expected to get yourself back over the border anyway. Both time cut-offs are generous.
As will be made clear on the day, the course will close at 10pm, so you 'may' be directed along a short-cut from around 175Km (but if that happened, you'd have been riding with lights for over an hour, with well over an hour to go on the full route - safety is priority #1)
Id guess the shortcut from the 100km feed its basically the same route upto ~110km point then missing out the extra hill on way to the castle.
Correct Sir.
Thanks boxelder, good info.
Just for info, how long has it been taking you to ride the full route when you've been recce-ing it?
I'm sort of expecting/hoping for a 12hr pace for me (16kph/10mph including all stops). Just wondering how realistic that is...
@gee - if the bed is still available, I'd love to talk to you. Couldn't find your contact details - mine are in my profile.
This was the person I spotted had ridden the whole thing. No idea who it is.
https://www.strava.com/activities/535109322#12892598409
Just for info, how long has it been taking you to ride the full route when you've been recce-ing it?
Having had three or four 50Km+ rides since last May, it took me just under 12 hrs. I was tired from 70Km and had many stops to check things, talk to farmers etc. I had 2hrs 20mins of stops and rode the last 30 mins with lights. I had 1.5 hours grace at cut-off 1 and 1.15 hours at cut-off 2.
CX bike with 40mm tyres.
Some of you may be surprise yourselves - think of the badge!
Finishing is more about the resolve to do it than 'fitness'. Start it assuming that you will finish and don't worry about lack of prep/training etc.
Expect to feel pretty low around 4 hrs and again around 8 hrs. I felt pretty sprightly around the reservoir. Having others around and feeds should help. I reckon I saw 20 people all day on Sunday. Rode in base layer and long sleeve shirt and leg warmers, with windproof gilet and waterproof at times
STATO - that's me, but it will be going private soon!
EDIT - Hmmm, can't hide it now..... 😐
Hope this is of some help
[url= https://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/England/Kielder_Forest_and_Water/ ]Weather[/url]
That would do.
Anyone have any suggestions for last minute accommodation?
Ta!
Try Cranecleugh - Calvert Trust?
Thanks for the info lads, looking good and I'm happy that should we/I bail I'm close to the Castle to collect the car.
Glad the weather looks like it's cheering up too..
Just bout to change the tyres tot he Gravel Grinders and get changed myself.. See you Saturday Morning...
I AM EXCITED.
Looking forward too it, Spot me on a Black Pro6 with blue bar tape in Kinesis UK kit.
Could be brutal, should be fun.
the course will close at 10pm
I'm supposed to be meeting some mates in a pub in Newcastle at 9pm 😯
I'm supposed to be meeting some mates in a pub in Newcastle at 9pm
Take it easy from the start and the pub's just down the road from Feed 2 @ 100Km!
It's hardly rained today and the sun is just peeping below the edge of the clouds now. Should be great through the ford.
Well I am all packed and ready to go, quite excited and quite nervous. I'll be on a Canyon hardtail running rigid forks.
I've been to the bog 6 times this morning, I iz excit.
I spent the early hours of Wednesday morning running through this in my head over & over (riding, eating, drinking options, kit and clothing). It's all packed as of yesterday so feeling more zen.
I'll be aboard my Alpkit kitted snot green Fargo 1 and hoping the sun comes out later on Saturday. Say hi - I'm John.
Where are you going to hang your number from?
Looking forward to it, this is 100% training for me as I will be carrying some gear, will do 130, might try for more but I am either paddling or running afterwards. Good luck to everyone on the 200k. Who knows I might keep twiddling along.
It's all packed as of yesterday so feeling more zen.
I haven't packed anything at all yet, haven't looked at the bike in a week and still need to swap the nanos onto a new set of wheels. It's going to be a bit manic when I get home from work this afternoo. 🙂
If I sleep in the carpark in the car that's not going to annoy anyone is it?
NZCol - MemberLooking forward to it, this is 100% training for me as I will be carrying some gear, will do 130, might try for more but I am either paddling or running afterwards.
If you fancy a challenge a mate did all 3 a few years ago. Kielder 100, kayak length of the reservoir then run round it :0)
His website is down now but the [url= https://bikemagic.com/news/killer-kielder-bike-kayak-and-run-challenge.html ]bikemagic article [/url]explains what was done.
[edit] I should point out there are restrictions to paddling on kielder, basically they dont like it, so read up and decide for yourself before you put in.
My riding companion doesn't want to get there too early today as he is concerned we will get on the beers in the centrally heated campervan, he's probably wise to be honest....
Yeah i just read up on the paddling restrictions and would be on my tod which seems to not quite align with the rules. Will go running instead then.
Get your winter gear ready lads, 2.5C and snow flurries 😕
Good luck bb, stay warm! 😀
Cheers, will do !
😆
Brutal, but fun.
Only did the 130k and for me that was enough.
Woos
Would be interesting to hear from those who actually rode what they would change next time (if there is one) regarding gear set up, nutrition training etc. A lessons learnt sort of thing.
Wow that was hard! I expected it to be hard, but not that hard. Some of the descents were brutal and would have suited an MTB. And that rocky climb at the end was plain cruel. Enjoyed it though, hooning down fire roads at 40mph is rather fun.
More training for next year on the same bike and terrain. Riding on the road or MTB does not prepare you for the upper body battering.
I made it but on way home so details later
I bailed at the 130km mark too (along with a LOT of others - I'd be surprised if more than about 2/3rds of the field finished the full thing).
Good event but mentally I wasn't all there with it. Whole host of minor niggly little things any of which on their own would have been fine but together I knew that I'd just not enjoy that final 70km.
Rode with waterrat for a lot of it, bikerbruce for some of it and saw plenty of other familiar face, forumites etc so it was nice to see everyone. Better luck next time for me with the full thing, hats off to everyone that did it cos it was a pretty tough course.
How did Mini Pips get on? I did it on a Mtb tough day out.
How did Mini Pips get on?
Richpips posted a pic on Instagram about 5hrs ago saying 30km to go to the finish so I presume they both did the full thing.
Richpips posted a pic on Instagram about 5hrs ago saying 30km to go to the finish so I presume they both did the full thing.
He's just posted a pic of them both with their finishers' patches, so yeah, they did it..
No stopping young Tom!
I'd run wider tyres. My frame takes 38c, so 38c.
I'm all honesty a mountain bike (hardtail, front sus) would have been faster but that would defeat the point of the event, wouldn't it?
Very pleased with being the first back in 7hrs 58mins in the inaugural Dirty Reiver 200km notarace.
The course contained some really rough and rocky fireroads, mental 35mph+ fireroad descents and 3000m of climbing. A hardtail on semislicks would probably have been faster, but then that defeats the point of the event which is to ride an inappropriate bike a very long way as fast as possible. Oh how envious I was of those with 40c tyres...
Standard me, I went off like a rocket; partly as it was so bloody cold but also because I like having a gap in case something bad happens. One puncture made it interesting and close for a bit but I ended up 10mins ahead by the end. Good to ride with Jo for a fair bit of the event. Great event - Paul and co did a fantastic job - it felt like a seasoned event with all the little touches (free beer! Free soup! Free finishers badge!). Hard to believe nearly 500 people entered - these sorts of "a bit different" events really are a growth area at the moment.
I am in disbelief & awe that Tom (minipips) finished at 11 years old.
I think I was capable of riding 5km back then.
Super tough day in the saddle, some very low moments. Pleased to finish in 8hrs 42.
George Budd fastest finisher 7hrs 58.
I had 40c tyres and was still battered, but then I'm a wuss. The smoother descents did feel like tarmac though. I was incredibly envious of the guys riding Open UP's and the like with 2.1 tyres.
Well done everyone. The weather was great for adding atmosphere, but catching snow squalls in the wrong place must have felt harsh. Glad the 'less smooth' bits were appreciated. Huge thank you to all the marshals who were out for longer than planned - paul4stones and maybe others off here? The determination shown by tired folks at 130Km was really impressive. Hope the memories are mainly positive.
I wobbled and rattled around in 10 hours 46. Quite happy with that, I was aiming for 10 but thought 11-12 was probably more realistic.
I loved most of the course, some of the linger rougher sections were quite a mental challenge, I can't believe the state of the national cycle route to Newcastleton! However, as mentioned above, whizzing along the fire roads looking at the snow capped hills was quite something.
Well done gee, well done tom. Thanks to all the Marshall's, that must have been as tough as the ride, it was pretty chilly out there.
any one got a strava link to this would be good to see route. one above no longer woreks
Hope the memories are mainly positive.
Absolutely. One of those events to be talked about for a while, great t-shirt too 🙂 just hoping the timing guys remembered to sort my time out after I stupidly missed the second timing point. Will definetly be back next year.
I dragged myself home in 13:39, that was a hell of a day in the saddle!
Route was great and luckily is the sort of thing we ride most Sundays anyway.
The dibers for timing were a bit annoying but other than that top marks. The weather was typically mad borders weather for this time of year and I think it threw some of the more Southern entrants a bit 🙂
I'm feel broken today
11:52 for me, but at 62 years young I'm reasonably proud of my achievement. IF there is a next time I would carry more stuff on my bike and not bother with the camelback. A lovely event with varied scenery and trail surfaces. I didn't enjoy the cobbly descent much as vision was impaired and my cantilever brakes are next to useless.What a lot of planning and organisation it must have taken to put the event on, many thanks to the organisers.
A great event and big thanks to all those involved in making it happen. I thought the timing chips were a great idea. So much better leaving in waves than having a mass start bun fight into a single lane road (i'm looking at you Scott Marathon). The entry fee seemed very fair considering the entire route was very clearly way marked, there was hoardes of cheery marshalls and the feed stations were excellent. Other event organisers should take note.
The route was much better than 200k of fire roads sounds on paper, as mentioned above there were some lovely "big views" of the snow covered hills in the distance. The weather was an odd one. Just as I felt I was starting to get too cold then the sun would come out and just as I was overheating on a climb a nice big descent would appear and I'd cool down. The stinging hail into the face for the last couple of K on the road can FRO however. 😆
What a lot of planning and organisation it must have taken to put the event on, many thanks to the organisers.
Seconded - the course marking and marshalling was so good I turned off my GPS navigation after about 10km. Loads of marshals, the feed stations were excellent and the Alpkit fire pit and tepee - oh wow! 🙂
Everyone on course was really friendly, was a nice laid back atmosphere. I guess with a long event like that it weeds out all the Stravassholes shouting "elite rider coming through!" 😉
I'll be back next year to take on that final 70km loop...
Glad everyone seemed to have fun!
Thanks to boxelder for suggesting I help with the marshalling - I really enjoyed it and I suspect I had one of the more entertaining spots at the ford. Kudos to anyone who cleared it and condolences to those who were dunked, especially the sweeper rider who lost his radio in the river too!
I hope the bloke who's chain I bodged got out ok as well.
Roll on next year.
+1 on the atmosphere. Probably the friendliest ride I've ever done, and there was a huge amount of camaraderie with everyone helping to keep each others spirits up. And a very special thanks from me to the lad who picked me up at the reservoir and invited me to ride on his wheel. We spent the last 20km taking turns at the front in an a rush to make it in before the 10 hour mark and made it with 6 mins to spare.
I had a bit of an interesting start to the DR200.
On the way home from work on Thursday I was assaulted on the canal. Front wheel kicked out, punched, repeatedly kicked in the head and face. Suffice to say, I was not 100% certain I was going to make the start. But with Jeff the editor from Grit.cx from Belgium flying in, and me having committed to driving him and Giles up - I felt like we should make this work. Plus, I was there to photograph the event and then write about it for the magazine.
The answer was drugs. Lots of drugs. And gels - 23 gels in total. I couldn't chew solids- still can't - only swallow gels and just about water and my own spittle. Go Team Greg.
Either way, we got up, I did a test ride figured loads of drugs may do it - if not, I'd ride the first 60km taking lots of photos and then bail back. 194km later I appear to have forgotten to stop riding.
Ace route, Paul has made a classic. Route is remote and a perfect example of that area. I loved it - despite having spent the day repeatedly overheating and cooling down taking photos (over an hour of stopped time just for that). I'll be back next year as a lead, hopefully, into the DK200.
Only worry is that I may have a fractured jaw - which would put an end to the Divide this year 😐
[url= https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1708/26480349915_4f60a9ce97_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1708/26480349915_4f60a9ce97_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/GkYHta ]Dirty Reiver 200[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/13995637@N08/ ]Greg.May[/url], on Flickr
Well, that was blinding.
Brilliant to be riding the 'cross bike again and really pleased that I took it over the hardtail. There was a fantastic section of rocky green lane between two walls which was a bit of a giggle at speed and then the descent to the final feed station was entertainingly fast and swoopy enough that I didn't have to brake for miles (apparently I was going 57km/h which isn't too shabby off road) - I could ride that forever! I was riding with a guy on a hardtail and the cx tyres were definitely faster on those sections.
Sadly I've lost quite a lot of fitness so I was slow on the climbs but very happy to have finished. Massive thanks to the guy on the hardtail - John - for keeping my spirits up on the river side section of great and claggy doom and then the final 25km which I could have sworn was at least a hundred miles.
Bloody hell Greg, I read that you'd been pushed off the bike but that sounds properly nasty. Heal fast.
You're all mad...
But in a good way 😆
well done to everyone. Fantastic effort.
Anyone compare this ride to the SDWIAD ? GB?.- your times are similar and the elevation is less , but distance slightly more.
Well I rode the SDW on a mountain bike... So much easier. Also the hills don't go on for as long on the SDW but there are more of them and they are more regular and steeper in places. Bits of this were properly rough - the bit alongside the wall to feed 2 is an example. SDW is a slower average speed due to being hillier.
I'd second that. I ride the SDW a lot and it's short and sharp, not many full on hack sections. This is a much faster flowing event where you hunker down and climb then let rip. Some sections were similar, where broken rutted lumpy walking pace was needed, but that's about the only similarity...
bikebouy - how did that "s****y hotel in Hexham" work for you?
😉
Great day out and really well organised. I'd only planned to do the 130k as this is the start of training but even that was a bit hard on the legs with 2600m of climbing by the time i clambered off. As said before, not sure what the best tool for the job was, on various DH sections (I'm looking at you DH to the rooad taking us into the 100k feed) it was a joy to be on on a 29er fullly, on the smoother rolling bits I would have preferred my cx bike. Point for me was first >100k MTB ride for a while so that was achieved. Nice touch was being comprehensively snowed on before I dropped into Kielder in about 7h45. And that headwind, how can you have a constant headwind on a circular course ! And for those that completed the whole loop, chapeau.
boxelder - Member
bikebouy - how did that "s****y hotel in Hexham" work for you?
Hello mate,
It's blooming lovely, its got all the facilities I want and more therefore the Mrs was able to make a holiday of it too, which is what I wanted out of the whole extended weekend.
It way too far from Kielder though, in hindsight an hour and a half drive to the event was a bit silly for me to factor in TBH. But hey, it's my choice to stay here.
From all the reports so far it's a resounding success.
Well done to all, thanks for putting on a show.
an hour and a half drive
Yeah, I heard you cut it fine 😀
Respect to Matteo the Italian dude who had to ride from Hexham on Friday, with all his kit, when the bus wouldn't let him get on with his bike!
This may be a good place to point out that with the DR200 firmly established as a great long distance challenge, the Kielder 101 (brought to you on Sep 3rd by the same team...) wil [u][b]NOT BE[/u][/b] 101 miles. That would mean lots of fire road.
It will be 101 Km, with the shorter 60 Km Border Challenge alongside it.
We've got lots more singletrack to replace the lengthy early fire road and there's no doubt that for the K101, an MTB with some squish is the right beast to ride.