Strathpuffer 2017. Who is in? Tips and advice

[Javi]

Hi, I was in a waiting list for solo category and got the entry confirmed on New Year's Eve. Who else is going there?

I'm travelling alone and have no helpers. The organizer wrote me I have no space for pit area and I'll have to find a team or someone who let me leave my stuff for the race with them. I'm not looking for support. Going on the Caledonian sleeper overnight train from Euston to Inverness on Thursday night.

Never done this race before and have no much experience on many hours of winter riding.. How do you keep hands warm? Apart from keeping the core warm, which will help to hands and feet. I've got Assos liners, Assos neoprene, Endura waterproof (for a couple of hours only, they come with annoying inner liner), Sealskinz waterproof (same problems as Endura), cheap Gore bike wear windproof and yellow and black Marigolds. I also have some sort of hand and feet warmers (supposed to last for up to 6 hours) which I never used before but I'm planning to test them this weekend. Read that layering is key but all of those gloves are on the tight side generally. Mitts or lobsters maybe? Riding ss so no need to change gears.
Can anyone confirm if there are hot drinks available through the night? In the marquee where the lap passes by?
Tyres...yes, I'm riding a rigid fork and looking for some 2.4 inch front tyre. Conti X Kings? What's the best for ice conditions without really going for ice tyres. I've got 2.0 Maxxis Beaver, too narrow for my liking and comfort but good if it becomes very muddy.
Forecast...

Cheers
Javi

[Chew]

Believe Rich and Minipips are going.

[robbie]

Javi
I am doing it solo and on a single speed.
My friends are doing a quad. If you want to join us I believe we are sorting out a small gazebo and will have a fire etc?

[ianfitz]

Hey Javi. Sure that Lee is riding, she has connections to excellent pit crew who looked after me at relentless.

[whitestone]

Hi Javi,

I'd collected these links about cold weather riding.

http://45nrth.com/blog/post/ask-jayp-part-1
http://45nrth.com/blog/post/ask-jayp-part-2
http://45nrth.com/blog/post/preparing-for-winter-riding
http://45nrth.com/blog/post/cold-weathe ... -petervary
http://www.canbike.org/bike/bike-articl ... inter.html

They are aimed at fat biking in the dry cold of the US but there should be something there to help you. The latest article/report on bikepackersmagazine.com is about racing in -40 http://bikepacker.com/2017-fat-pursuit- ... night-40f/ !! Don't think the Strathpuffer will get that cold.

[Richpips]

If it's muddy like last year, bring waterproof trousers, the mud there is particularly abrasive, and you don't want it in your shorts.

I've done the race a few times, and it's never been arctic, though there has been snow. Likewise ice tyres I've used there, but never for more than a couple of hours. A line normally thaws reasonably quickly.

Mitts not gloves, if it is cold. Pogies if you've got them.

The food place two years ago was open most the night, don't know about last year.

Javi I'll look out for you, you're welcome to get hot drinks/ dump your stuff at ours.

[AlasdairMc]

I have a big tent and space if you want to use it. There are two of us soloing it, and one guy coming up to help with logistics etc. PM me if you want to meet up.

Also - we will have a stove on the go and a generator, so it should be pretty comfy.

[padonbike]

Hi Javi - you make yourself sound like a total novice, not some ruthless HT racer!!! LOL
Can't offer much advice on this but Aldi claw gloves are really good and of course you don't even need to be able to shift gears.
My advice is to have a few pairs of gloves so that you can put dry ones on every few hours maybe.
Hope it goes well mate and that you get sorted for pit crew - I'm sure you will.

[Javi]

Thanks a lot, guys Found a team already with Jenny, Lee and some more riders. Hope it's not muddy. It looks more like we'll have ice and snow.
Bob, very useful links, thanks!!

Phil, HTR is summer time ehh. This is different and you know it :p