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The route details have been released today...
Day 1
80km, 1900m elevation 3 timed sectors
Day 2
50km, 1200m elevation 3 timed sectors
Its a great format and one that has had me thinking about strategy, pacing, kit, tyres etc for months now.... Not really sure how to approach it, its going to be tough just to complete the course with that amount of elevation so the pacing strategy for the timed sectors is going to be a hard one.
Who`s going? Are you racing or just looking to complete? What is your pacing strategy? What bike? What tyres?
The stages look brutal, one for the climbers, that’s for sure.
The stages look brutal, one for the climbers, that’s for sure.
Well that's cheered me up... I was feeling ok about my preparation but now those doubts are creeping back in.🥺
anyone local to the event who can give some updates on the ground conditions..?
with the amount of rain that the SW seems to have been getting (and the cancellation of MM at the Malverns) I'm starting to wonder if Gritfest might turn more into 'Mudfest'.
Currently mulling over taking my MTB rather than my gravel bike as if the conditions are bad I think that I might be better off on the fatter tyres and suspension...
going to be re-waterproofing my tent this weekend in preparation as well...
anyone local to the event who can give some updates on the ground conditions..?
with the amount of rain that the SW seems to have been getting (and the cancellation of MM at the Malverns) I’m starting to wonder if Gritfest might turn more into ‘Mudfest’.
Currently mulling over taking my MTB rather than my gravel bike as if the conditions are bad I think that I might be better off on the fatter tyres and suspension…
going to be re-waterproofing my tent this weekend in preparation as well…
Being a gravel event I would imagine the campsite will be the biggest concern. The route should be minimal mud.
final roll call for Gritfest....any other STW'rs entered for this one ?
Weather is looking like it will play ball and deliver some good riding conditions, looking forward to some spectacular scenery (not looking forward to the lung-busting climbs though..)
see you there
I’ll be there, having ridden my bike about 3 times this year so far i am not looking forward to it!
Was going to bail but changed my mind yesterday...
Surprised there aren't more stw'ers going.
I'll be there, so pre-emptive apologies to anyone who finds themselves stuck behind me when it starts going upwards
STW sticker on the back of the bike so give me a push as you pass
A big group of us going from my club. 4 of us rode last year and loved it so we are going in force this year. The format is brilliant and the scenery spectacular. It doesn't matter whether you race it or pootle round it's all good fun. Make sure you take a warm sleeping bag though, it gets cold on the hillside!
What a great weekend!
Weather was phenomenal on Saturday, the gravel was sublime, the racing was hard.
I was surprised to see so many racing snakes there, it seemed like there was an almost complete lack of average cyclists as the standard of racing was so high.
Overall win was taken by Oli Beckingsale who averaged something like 20mph by my rough guestimating!! That's rapid!
Amazing ride with some just stunning scenery and gravel trails..
Can't believe the 20mph average of the winner... Thats insane (I only averaged around 10mph and that just about killed me..)
Respect to Oli...
Ohh... And K2
That climb has scarred me for life 😁
Can’t believe the 20mph average of the winner… Thats insane (I only averaged around 10mph and that just about killed me..)
I wonder if it's going to be to semi-retired XC racers, what Enduro is to semi-retired DH racers.
Also wonder if it'll change things as people try racing all these gravel/adventure bikes they've bought and realise that:
A) actually that modified CX bike is quicker.
B) actually the average roadie is a lot fitter than most MTBers, and most MTBers won't catch them up on the descents.
I wonder if it’s going to be to semi-retired XC racers, what Enduro is to semi-retired DH racers.
Also wonder if it’ll change things as people try racing all these gravel/adventure bikes they’ve bought and realise that:
A) actually that modified CX bike is quicker.
B) actually the average roadie is a lot fitter than most MTBers, and most MTBers won’t catch them up on the descents.
I don't know why, but this event seemed to attract an elite of riders from whatever background. Seriously quick racing snakes and mountain goats.
A) I don't think a cx bike is quicker for your average rider, as comfort and handling will play a bigger part.
B) Yes, but we all knew that anyway.
And yes K2 is brutal. The rider I saw get the furthest up it, was a cameraman with a 20kg pack on his pack!