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The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 3:29 pm
by Bearbonesnorm
Although the BB 200 is 3 months away I thought I'd start a thread for all those:

A - Considering riding who have questions.

B - Who are riding and have questions.

C - Who have no intention of entering but somehow do after reading this thread.

D - Who have done it before and want to tell people in group A how hard it is.

E - Not riding but who want to laugh and point at all those who are.

For those who don't know, this year is the third BB 200 and the last year we'll use the current route (although it is reversed this time). The record is held by Ian with a time 15h 18m, last year 14 riders finished in under 24h, only two women have ever completed it, 1/3 - 1/2 of riders drop out and best of all the weather's usually quite nice.

Right then ... questions, opinions, etc just fire away.

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 4:08 pm
by tommid
It will be my first time, but cannot wait. Kit assembled and ready to go.

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 4:55 pm
by didnothingfatal
When do entries close?

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 5:37 pm
by Bearbonesnorm
When do entries close?
It'll be end of Sep(ish). I'll make sure there's plenty of warning.

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 5:51 pm
by Ian
I predict that the route will be faster in reverse.

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 6:25 pm
by Zippy
What's the biggest hurdle to overcome? (I realise this is based on opinion...and that's what I'm after)

Depending on this answer to this, I might consider it :geek:

Also, could I look at the route now?, please.

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 6:37 pm
by Bearbonesnorm
Also, could I look at the route now?, please.
GPX on it's way via email.

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 6:54 pm
by Chew
Ian wrote:I predict that the route will be faster in reverse.
Any reason?

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 6:58 pm
by Zippy
Ah yes - and how much is hike a bike?

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 7:06 pm
by Bearbonesnorm
Ah yes - and how much is hike a bike?
Not that much really. There are some pushes but nothing too extreme or prolonged.
I predict that the route will be faster in reverse.
I agree, down to Rhayader will be pretty fast and going over Carnau should allow more riding / less pushing this way round. The final 20km could be a killer though ;)

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 7:18 pm
by Zippy
s8tannorm wrote:
Ah yes - and how much is hike a bike?
Not that much really. There are some pushes but nothing too extreme or prolonged.
That's the correct answer to make me more interested ;)

hmmmmmm

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 9:51 pm
by Ian
Chew wrote:
Ian wrote:I predict that the route will be faster in reverse.
Any reason?
Several.
Llangurig to rhayader will be substantially quicker.
Gro Hill will be the right way around, and in the light.
Carnau is more rideable north south, plus daylight.
Cwm Berwyn and Twyi Forest will be about the same I guess
Climb out of Pontrhydfendigaid is road, and Claerwen is quicker eastwards.
I can think of one 15 minute push that will become a 3 min descent.

But, as Stu says, last 20 km is tricky. And it'll be dark.

Overall, I think there are more speed gains than losses resulting from difficult pushes.

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 10:03 pm
by Ian
Zippy wrote:What's the biggest hurdle to overcome? (I realise this is based on opinion...and that's what I'm after)

Depending on this answer to this, I might consider it :geek:
Darkness and falling temperatures for me. Last year was very cold overnight, minus 3 or something.

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 10:17 pm
by numplumz
Hopefully will make it this year, at least so I can do the original route before it changes.

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 10:39 pm
by Chew
Ian wrote:I can think of one 15 minute push that will become a 3 min descent
I can also think of some 3 min descents what will become 15 minute pushes ;)

Not to put anyone off though. As someone 'average' i managed to get around in ~30 hours (cant find the times). More of a case of pacing yourself and turning out the miles.
There are some write-ups somewhere just cant find them a the moment

Out of curiosity how many are entered at the moment Stu?

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 7:59 am
by Bearbonesnorm
Out of curiosity how many are entered at the moment Stu?
Just checked - 35 so far.

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 9:13 am
by Zippy
Chew wrote: Not to put anyone off though. As someone 'average' i managed to get around in ~30 hours (cant find the times). More of a case of pacing yourself and turning out the miles.
Sounds like you had an overnight stop then?

How many people normally ride straight through, and how many stop for the night?

My biggest un-known is the night nav when knackered...on a bike.

By the sounds of things (I'd quite like to dig up old write-up and times for the BB200) it's quite a bit harder than Kielder 100 plus 28 miles... :?:

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 11:37 am
by Ian
My write up is in this thread: http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB ... 581#p11581

@zippy - pretty sure anyone with a sub 24hr time would have gone straight through.

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 3:35 pm
by ianfitz
Ian wrote:I predict that the route will be faster in reverse.

maybe for you ian! ;- i'd be happy to do it 'just' as quick as you last year*

I do have a question - how much is the total ascent on the route? this will be my first go and don't really know any of the route at all, other than going (in a minibus!) to Ryder and Elan when I was supporting the Dragons Back Race last year

Also, at the risk of sounding like a STW thread - what tyres for the BB200?



*this will not happen!

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 3:55 pm
by didnothingfatal
Rubber tyres are a good choice

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 4:38 pm
by ianfitz
didnothingfatal wrote:Rubber tyres are a good choice

That's a relief as all the ones I have are rubber!

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 5:13 pm
by Bearbonesnorm
Also, at the risk of sounding like a STW thread - what tyres for the BB200?
I shall be running Conti Race Kings (but I always do). If you're not a Conti fan then anything fast rolling will be fine.

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 7:02 pm
by JohnClimber
Very tempted.

Please can you email me the gpx over?

email address sent via PM 8-)

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 7:09 pm
by darbeze
I entered on Thurs/Fri (can't remember exactly when now). Please can you send me the gpx so I can start panicking properly?

Starting to fret already... Will have to start putting some more miles in I think... May be riding home from work over bits of Dartmoor while we have the lighter evenings...

Si

Re: The BB 200 Thread

Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 9:14 pm
by welshwhit
I'm really keen to take part in October, more I hear the more I'd like to have a go!

I'm planning on just riding and having fun riding in prep, does anyone do anything more "targeted" in perpetration?

Also is the general consensus to ride with bivvy kit but plan on minimal breaks or do folk plan a strategic rest somewhere? Or is this (more likely!) a personal choice?

Thanks folks

Drew