Page 22 of 24
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2023 4:09 pm
by Boab
Ah, those five Landies... They were
not hanging around; came across them a bit further down. I had three behind me at the start of the trail, let them passed while I ate something, then caught them up before the top of the climb, so they stopped to let me passed again. At least they were taking their time and being vaguely careful about their driving style.
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2023 7:11 pm
by thenorthwind
Some gorgeous pics
And well done!
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2023 7:53 pm
by trob6
Really well done to all who entered, it did look cold and wet!
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2023 9:24 pm
by fatbikephil
redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Tue Oct 17, 2023 2:05 pm
fatbikephil wrote: ↑Sun Oct 15, 2023 7:04 pm
For that river crossing I removed boots and socks and paddled across just upstream of the carnage - twas only calf deep last Saturday
(and warm although if I'd got my feet wet they would have frozen, even at 10 degrees...)
Phil. I'm a bit confused (sorry if you've covered it in the blog post
) but you took your boots and socks off and paddled. But still didn't get your feet wet though it was calf deep
?
Remove gaiters, boots and 2 pairs of socks (1 pair are dexshell and were waterproof) paddle across, sit on bank in sun drying feet on the outside of the dexshell socks, put them all back on, straighten tie, continue. It's a monumental faff but it's how I've preserved dry feet through some very wet Highland Trails. I blew it on a crossing later as I tried to tiptoe across the river on rocks which were very slippy and failed - not much water got in the boots but some did soak through the waterproof socks. It was a balmy 10 degrees min but I still got cold feet!
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2023 9:37 pm
by fatbikephil
That's a massive amount more water on the strata florida!
Good effort, I suspect I'd have chucked the towel in, in those conditions!
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2023 9:58 pm
by redefined_cycles
fatbikephil wrote: ↑Tue Oct 17, 2023 9:24 pm
redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Tue Oct 17, 2023 2:05 pm
fatbikephil wrote: ↑Sun Oct 15, 2023 7:04 pm
For that river crossing I removed boots and socks and paddled across just upstream of the carnage - twas only calf deep last Saturday
(and warm although if I'd got my feet wet they would have frozen, even at 10 degrees...)
Phil. I'm a bit confused (sorry if you've covered it in the blog post
) but you took your boots and socks off and paddled. But still didn't get your feet wet though it was calf deep
?
Remove gaiters, boots and 2 pairs of socks (1 pair are dexshell and were waterproof) paddle across, sit on bank in sun drying feet on the outside of the dexshell socks, put them all back on, straighten tie, continue. It's a monumental faff but it's how I've preserved dry feet through some very wet Highland Trails. I blew it on a crossing later as I tried to tiptoe across the river on rocks which were very slippy and failed - not much water got in the boots but some did soak through the waterproof socks. It was a balmy 10 degrees min but I still got cold feet!
You bloomin genius Phil. It's this section I'm worried about as I'm back on the BAM but with plenty of HAB sections. Once you get past Pym Chair (Peaks) and the other path there's a beautiful little private beach (maybe it was my mind playing tricks). Only thing is that to get across you have a river crossing which was tame and shallow. But I imagine, in full swing could get a bit destructive.
I'm nicking your idea ta (but maybe with some bin bags added to the mix! Thanks Phil.
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2023 10:02 pm
by redefined_cycles
Dead centre. Remote n slightly intimidating but beautiful. I'm making up missing the second BB200 in a row, to myself. It'll be a good 4 mile walk preceding this point
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2023 12:14 am
by In Reverse
These are really great, well done and thanks for sharing
I had a pretty similar experience to yours - attempted the 300 the first weekend but realised I was missing the cut off. I decided to abandon a bit earlier than you though and headed over to Rhayader for an early afternoon pint and meal, then a blast back up the road feeling strangely fantastic.
Also the same as you it was the Doethe Valley that probably did for me, mentally and physically. Might have been OK in the light but in the dark it was
awful 
and it went on forever.
Ultimately I wasn't fast/fit/tough enough this year. Lesson learnt for next year...
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2023 9:46 am
by Hyppy
Here are some words and pictures from my 200 of the first weekend:
https://cycling.hypertelia.com/bb-200-2023
I can tell it must've been a tough day out as I took so few photos despite the scenic backdrop lending itself so perfectly to being snapped.
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2023 10:03 am
by redefined_cycles
Thanks Pete.
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2023 5:52 pm
by fatbikephil
Hyppy wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2023 9:46 am
Here are some words and pictures from my 200 of the first weekend:
https://cycling.hypertelia.com/bb-200-2023
I can tell it must've been a tough day out as I took so few photos despite the scenic backdrop lending itself so perfectly to being snapped.
Good one Pete, enjoyed that - looks like hatred of Strata Florida is a common theme!
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2023 8:20 pm
by PaulE
Just in case Stu picks a similar route in future, I think I've found the correct legwear...
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/fishing-b ... R-p-311582
When combined with some fell running shoes, a merino base layer and a raincoat, they might almost make Strata Florida a pleasurable experience!
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2023 1:19 pm
by Richard G
I finally got around to uploading my ride to Strava... and realised that I'm actually much more annoyed with myself than I thought I was.
My motivation gave out way, way too soon on this one, and I need to work on not having that happen again. I've done far harder, and in far worse conditions, so not really sure why my head went as much as it did.
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2023 7:29 pm
by slarge
Hyppy wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2023 9:46 am
Here are some words and pictures from my 200 of the first weekend:
https://cycling.hypertelia.com/bb-200-2023
I can tell it must've been a tough day out as I took so few photos despite the scenic backdrop lending itself so perfectly to being snapped.
Enjoyed that, thanks Pete
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 9:18 pm
by Valerio
In Reverse wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2023 12:14 am
Sorry for going off-topic, but how's the fork??!!
I was curious to try one but they're impossible to find/try without buying.
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2023 7:12 am
by godivatrailrider
Valerio wrote: ↑Sun Oct 22, 2023 9:18 pm
In Reverse wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2023 12:14 am
Sorry for going off-topic, but how's the fork??!!
I was curious to try one but they're impossible to find/try without buying.
I've been in touch with Lauf in the last week and they no longer make the MTB fork as it didn't perform as well as it should offroad apparently.
I'm a massive fan of the idea and I like the looks.
They still make the Gravel fork and oddly the Carbonara Fat fork :)
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:21 am
by Valerio
Cheers. Yeah I heard they had discontinued the mtb fork but the Carbonara should work on my bike (not sure what the difference is with the mtb version).
It seems like a neat low maintenance solution, I'm just not keen to buy without trying it first.
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2023 8:04 pm
by Richard G
Any idea how the black badge / finisher percentage was compared to normal Stu?
I want to know if if was actually hard, or if I'm getting even softer in my old age.
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2023 8:41 pm
by Bearbonesnorm
I'll have a count up Richard. I can say that I'm pretty sure the attrition rate was somewhat higher on the second weekend.
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2023 10:39 am
by Valerio
Here's a little video from the BB200 for your entertainment.
I'm hardly a Youtuber but while riding I remembered another gravel rider/youtuber left in tears by the event.
The only difference is that I didn't record myself crying hahah
Enjoy:
https://youtu.be/AyRsoCUMIyo?si=GN6V_r-8nIljmOy9
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2023 11:22 am
by Richard G
I think you meant this link... and I thought I recognised you from when I headed into the undergrowth (2m 50s).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyRsoCUMIyo
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2023 11:24 am
by Valerio
Ah thanks Richard!!!
I fixed the link.
I wish I had followed you instead of stopping to record. I must have spent over 30min trying to understand how to get out of those woods
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2023 11:34 am
by Richard G
Valerio wrote: ↑Fri Oct 27, 2023 11:24 am
I wish I had followed you instead of stopping to record. I must have spent over 30min trying to understand how to get out of those woods
Brute force is always the answer. FORWAAAAAAARD!
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2023 4:28 pm
by M4tt
Valerio wrote: ↑Fri Oct 27, 2023 10:39 am
Here's a little video from the BB200 for your entertainment.
I'm hardly a Youtuber but while riding I remembered another gravel rider/youtuber left in tears by the event.
The only difference is that I didn't record myself crying hahah
Enjoy:
https://youtu.be/AyRsoCUMIyo?si=GN6V_r-8nIljmOy9
Thanks for sharing this Valerio, it was great to see it again. Generated lots of smiles and chuckles, watching from a warm hse and comfy sofa..... was slightly different at the time though
BB200 absolutely delivered ..... I'm looking forward to the next one
Re: BB200 2023
Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2023 5:33 pm
by Valerio
Hahah yeah it's very different watching it from the couch, and being 2ft deep in "water"
