Ford Fiesta entries now CLOSED.

[bookwyse]

The details did:

Just like the WRT, the Winter Event doesn't have a fixed route but unlike the WRT it does have a fixed destination (which gives each event its unique name) … how you reach it is down to you. We'll give you a few grid references to point you in the right direction.

[Taylor]

Fixed start and finish.
Inbetween it's up to you.
It's a two day event you realise?

[bookwyse]

Yes, I realise that.

Yes I know that we choose our own routes.

The question was quite a simple one in that seeing as we are all probably heading for certain grid references, is there likely to be anywhere nearby to get water from without having to plan for that on the route.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Just like the WRT, the Winter Event doesn't have a fixed route but unlike the WRT it does have a fixed destination (which gives each event its unique name) … how you reach it is down to you. We'll give you a few grid references to point you in the right direction.

I can see that might cause some confusion, Mach' n back and Elan Back both had a single destination. There n back had a number of destinations as does the Ford Fiesta ... you'll probably be visiting a ford, you may not all visit the same ford.

As for water, it's very unlikely that you'll need to factor it in to your route or overnight spot.

[bookwyse]

Thanks Stu, that makes more sense now.

[benp1]

Did an over nighter in the Brecons (on foot), Black Mountain to be specific

Had to do a few stream crossings, was able to get across jumping across rocks with walking poles for balance - Trying to do that on a bike might prove interesting...

[Mike]

Me and the fatty are all paid up!

[Bearbonesnorm]

Me and the fatty are all paid up!

Does she know you call her that?

[Mike]

She's hard as steel!

[composite]

Well I'm out. Seems like what happened to my left knee earlier in the year has now happened in my right knee. It's not any where near as bad, I can walk without limping, but I'm going to give it 6 weeks at least off the bike so it can heal before it gets as bad as my left knee was.

I'm annoyed as I had just got going again after the BB200 and now I'm not going again.

[Mike]

Could u possibly have the wrong seat height pal. Im sure uv looked at though

[scott of the woods]

well I'm in! this will be my first bearbones ride out and i'm quite looking forward to it. still not 100% what will be going on, we all leave the start on Saturday morning ride to a fixed destination, will there be more than one destination? will they be shared out randomly between the riders? sleep, get up Sunday morning and ride back. am I missing something really obvious?

[Dave42w]

well I'm in! this will be my first bearbones ride out and i'm quite looking forward to it. still not 100% what will be going on, we all leave the start on Saturday morning ride to a fixed destination, will there be more than one destination?

My first too.

I get the impression you turn up sometime on Saturday with a list of fords and once out of the car park go wherever you fancy either alone or following people who give an impression of knowing what they are doing. On Sunday you go back to the start having visited none, some or all the fords but definitely with tall tales of tussocks

[Dave Barter]

Could u possibly have the wrong seat height pal. Im sure uv looked at though

Seconded, all of my knee problems were cured with saddle height adjustment and ensuring it was not too far froward/back

[Mike]

There is hopefully a pub stop on route sat night also. Once the grids are known and people have taken a look if anyone's up for an hour of socialising before heading off to a choosen bivy spot then super. This event is another great opportunity to meet up and natter. After xmas ill repost and see what people think to a post xmas beer

[Dave42w]

There is hopefully a pub stop on route sat night also. Once the grids are known and people have taken a look if anyone's up for an hour of socialising before heading off to a choosen bivy spot then super. This event is another great opportunity to meet up and natter. After xmas ill repost and see what people think to a post xmas beer

I need to find a pub that my wife and youngest son can meet me at to celebrate his birthday before I head off to my bivy

[bookwyse]

Im up for meeting at a pub for a beer or five before heading off to sleep somewhere

[Bearbonesnorm]

well I'm in! this will be my first bearbones ride out and i'm quite looking forward to it. still not 100% what will be going on, we all leave the start on Saturday morning ride to a fixed destination, will there be more than one destination? will they be shared out randomly between the riders? sleep, get up Sunday morning and ride back. am I missing something really obvious?

Just to clarify:

Grid references arrive on Christmas eve via email. This will also contain details of which maps the GR are on.
Work a route out with the references as a guide. Choose to use / incorporate as many or as few as you like.
Arrive at the start on Sat Jan 10th sometime between 9.00am and 2.00pm.
Drink tea, eat toast, faff and natter ... and collect your BB 'survival kit'.
When you're ready, set off on your chosen route.
Having spent the night outside and seen / done wonderous things, return to the start (now the finish) sometime on Sun - Tea and cake will be served from 9.00am onwards.

There are no fixed points you must visit, there is no designated overnight spot.

[Scattamah]

Well I'm out. Seems like what happened to my left knee earlier in the year has now happened in my right knee.

KT tape is your friend. Support the afflicted area and you'll be up and running in no time. Also, if you can get your hands on a Tens unit, drop that on there as well. A few hours a day of Tens will strengthen it back up whilst you're not using it on a bike.

Greetz

S.

[darbeze]

Well I'm out. Seems like what happened to my left knee earlier in the year has now happened in my right knee. It's not any where near as bad, I can walk without limping, but I'm going to give it 6 weeks at least off the bike so it can heal before it gets as bad as my left knee was.

I'm annoyed as I had just got going again after the BB200 and now I'm not going again.

Composite (Neil),

I had this during/after the BB200... I suffered a lot with IT band pain in my right knee on the BB200, which meant I was hobbling around half the route, and eventually unable to ride anything except flat or downhill. (Still bl**dy finished though).

Interestingly, I have just got a new bike (2015 Genesis Croix de Fer). I went for the frame set and chose the bits to build it up. Part of that process was making sure it fitted me OK. My Fortitude has 175mm cranks as originally supplied, but we went for 165mm on the CDF. This was mostly in an effort to avoid toe overlap. The other thing we looked at closely was saddle height. I have a 29" inside leg and am not the tallest fella in the world. I have always just put the saddle where I thought felt comfortable. This has never really caused me any problems, although I am now beginning to think that I have had my saddle too high for a long time and that this may have been the main cause of the knee problems.

Anyway, when I ride the CDF, I can immediately tell the saddle is lower than I am used to. My first temptation was to put it up to where I would normally have it, but I have resisted, as it was set during the fitting, and I think I should give it a fair chance, and for me to get used to it. Now, instead of my toes pointing downwards on the down stroke, I can keep the foot flat, and even drop my heel a little to gain power when needed. I have now ridden nearly 500 miles mostly on road, but with a peppering of off road too and feel great. No pain, no aches, just lots of smiles.

Maybe worth a try Neil after you have rested the knee properly of course...

Si

[Mart]

sorry to hear your injured, it just sucks but need to recover properly. You will be up and running in no time

[Mart]

I'm in

[Dave42w]

I was trying to look up weather records but got nowhere very helpful.

What night time temperature should I be expecting?

I've tested my kit down to -4.1 (according to my Garmin 800 which was sitting outside under the tarp and on top of a croc for insulation rather than on the ground).

I was just about ok. I am adding some "proper" thermal long trousers and long sleeved top, thick socks and will be able to put on every other layer I am taking. But if I need to be prepared for -10 or something then I need to think again. My thinking is that would probably mean moving the Exped mat outside the bivy bag to give enough space for a 3 season sleeping bag inside my Sestrals quilt (with the mat inside the sleeping bag would be crushed by bivy when I lie on my side. But it is quite a bit more to carry and would probably mean I'd need to use a rucksac.

Obviously I'll be watching the forecast but I'd rather make sure I can fit everything in and do a test beforehand if I do need to reconfigure a lot.

[Bearbonesnorm]

I think it's dropped to around minus 5 the last couple of years but obviously you can offset that with wise choices about where you spend the night.

[Dave42w]

I think it's dropped to around minus 5 the last couple of years but obviously you can offset that with wise choices about where you spend the night.

Thanks, that is what I was looking for.

Wise choices I guess include pine forest, out of the wind, lower rather than higher?