BB200 2020

[Richard G]

I like these rules...

I would also ask that everyone enters into the spirit of things and makes a single attempt … taking a trial run really isn’t entering into the correct spirit.

Also, given the nature of things this year, I would also ask people not to publish their ride on Strava or similar until after November 1st as it’ll be much better if only those who’ve entered are riding the route until then.

I'd personally make them both grounds for DQ... but I'm harsh like that.

[Escape Goat]

Seams fair... Yet to look at the email so sent...

[Richard G]

I'm a fan of the route. Very much in my back yard.

Been a long time since I've ridden a lot of that so it'll be nice to get back there.

[whitestone]

Interesting - got about half the route right in my guessing Went a bit far west for the latter half. A part of the world (well Wales) I really don't know at all well.

Currently got four options for start/finish points, which one depends on how to bias the route in my favour and timing the hike-a-bike and/or tricky route finding to be in daylight. Time for a bit of geographing to figure out where the hike-a-bike is

[JohnClimber]

Blimey, it's a bit "Darn South" ain't it?

For those of us travelling in from the north.
Do we think the laybys on either side of the road at route distance 185.8km?

They should be safe enough to leave our not very posh cars parked up at, shouldn't they?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Blimey, it's a bit "Darn South" ain't it?

Which bit of 'we'll use this as an opportunity to travel further south' did you miss. It's not uncommon to drop well down toward Builth on a normal year.

[sean_iow]

My geography isn't great but looks like the 300 goes into England? So I could start my ride in England to avoid 'traveling' to Wales during lock-down

I have also noticed there's a massive climb near the 'start' of the 300 don't think I want to pick a start point which means I have to finish with that!

[Bearbonesnorm]

Don't worry Sean, the 200 has that too

[stevewaters]

Do we think the laybys on either side of the road at route distance 185.8km?
They should be safe enough to leave our not very posh cars parked up at, shouldn't they?

I was looking at those laybys too. - They look OK on Google Streetview.

[fatbikephil]

Blimey, think I may have to fit me gears....

[sean_iow]

Blimey, think I may have to fit me gears....

I was going to fit the sus forks off the spearfish to the singlespeed this afternoon but got distracted. I was going to use the ss for the 300 but still have a niggle with my achilles after the CL so pushing will be an issue so I'll see how it recovers before I decide which bike to take.

[slarge]

I think you should do the 300 with rigid forks and SS Sean - there's a chance it will be too much!!

[sean_iow]

I think you should do the 300 with rigid forks and SS Sean - there's a chance it will be too much!!

Maybe I should use the Spearfish, I've made it back before you on a rigid singlespeed and on the hardtail singlespeed maybe a geared full sus would be slower

Thinking I'll take it easier this year, after all we get 36 hours to finish so why rush

[mattpage]

Closest start point to me will mean descending the gap at the end... what could possibly go wrong there

[Bearbonesnorm]

Thinking I'll take it easier this year, after all we get 36 hours to finish so why rush

Read your email again.

[sean_iow]

Thinking I'll take it easier this year, after all we get 36 hours to finish so why rush

Read your email again.

Ohhh, hadn't spotted that, we're now getting to the point where I could actually stop for a bivi

[Bearlegged]

Email says 38 hours, but 36 hours for a green badge. Please tell me I can still get a badge if I finish within 38 hours!!!

[Richard G]

Ohhh, hadn't spotted that, we're now getting to the point where I could actually stop for a bivi

Do share...

[slarge]

I think you should do the 300 with rigid forks and SS Sean - there's a chance it will be too much!!

Maybe I should use the Spearfish, I've made it back before you on a rigid singlespeed and on the hardtail singlespeed maybe a geared full sus would be slower

Thinking I'll take it easier this year, after all we get 36 hours to finish so why rush

Bugger - forgot about that. I did have a lovely sleep though

[Bearbonesnorm]

Email says 38 hours, but 36 hours for a green badge. Please tell me I can still get a badge if I finish within 38 hours!!!

38 hours for the 300 and 36 hours for the 200 ... I thought 100km in 2 hours seemed quite reasonable

[whitestone]

Email says 38 hours, but 36 hours for a green badge. Please tell me I can still get a badge if I finish within 38 hours!!!

38 hours for the 300 and 36 hours for the 200 ... I thought 100km in 2 hours seemed quite reasonable

Stu, slight error/inconsistency in the email for the 200:

Should you complete the route within 38 hours, email your time, an unaltered gpx trace of your ride and your address and we’ll send you a lovely badge - Black sub 24 hours, Blue sub 28 hours, Green sub 36 hours.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Apologies for the above dropped bollock ... to clarify a green badge in the 200 requires a sub 36 hour finish

[Bearlegged]

Gah.

[Leerowe76]

Do we think the laybys on either side of the road at route distance 185.8km?
They should be safe enough to leave our not very posh cars parked up at, shouldn't they?

I was looking at those laybys too. - They look OK on Google Streetview.

What about New Radnor, small village just up the road from the layby & the Forrest Inn pub carpark. Few other options i guess

[darbeze]

Just realised that the 2020 BB200 is the first Bear Bones event I haven't entered since the 2013 WRT...

Feels a bit strange not being "in". I'm sure I'll cope, especially as there will be no mass gathering at either end...

Good luck to all who venture out for the 200 and 300.

Si