Epping Forest Epics

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Jason_wright · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 48 Location: Epping

Open discussions for those thinking of going

Jason_wright · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 48 Location: Epping

so, is "team" or "solo" the best way to go...... ?

tonto · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 163 Location: danbury

If this is your first 12 hour event then a team would be better.

Thetford may not be hilly but the trails do not give you an opportunity to coast and it can be quite tough on the back.
Carving through the trees requires you to be quite alert too Shocked

I think a team of three is ideal for DTD, enough riding time to really push yourself, and enough recovery time between laps.

You also have to have enough burn time in your lights, it really is dark for 90% of the race.
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Jason_wright · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 48 Location: Epping

The Obvious next question.....

Anyone keen for a team entry ??

oliver · Joined: 11 Dec 2007 Posts: 43 Location: Fulham/Somerset

i'd bee keen for a team entry for sure

Jason_wright · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 48 Location: Epping

would anyone else like to Join myself and Oliver to make up a team ?
I've been reading that take up for the event is healthy (and restricted to 1000) so i would like to get moving to avoid disappointment.

Thanks
Jason

squirrel chaser · Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 47 Location: stratford

im tempted to try it solo, as its the london to brighton ride the week before should be able to ride 8-9 hours on the flatter thetford trails and rest/recharge lights for the rest.

Jason_wright · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 48 Location: Epping

I think you may be right....maybe solo is the way forward... with enough of us there at least we will have a pretty decent base camp

Jason_wright · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 48 Location: Epping

Oliver, would you still be keen if we were to go Solo ??

oliver · Joined: 11 Dec 2007 Posts: 43 Location: Fulham/Somerset

yeah i think i'd like to do it solo anyhow. I did the Bontrager 24/12 this weekend 12 hour solo and it was fun! bar maybe the last lap which was close to hell.

Jason_wright · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 48 Location: Epping

Cool, I have entered... #126 in the Solo Male section

http://www.thetfordmtbracing.com/d2dregentries.htm

I've listed the team as Epping Forest Epics (which i know is odd as it is Solo), but if we all do the same we won't look like a bunch of "Billy No Mates" Very Happy

squirrel chaser · Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 47 Location: stratford

i hope i dont regret this but just entered solo. Shocked

congrats on bonty 24/12, oliver.

oliver · Joined: 11 Dec 2007 Posts: 43 Location: Fulham/Somerset

i want to enter but i don't know how i'm going to keep myself illuminated for pretty much 12 hours!

Jason_wright · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 48 Location: Epping

Lumicycle are hiring light sets... they will bring along what ever you need... fully charged. I have a copy of the price list and can mail it over to anyone who is interested.....

oliver · Joined: 11 Dec 2007 Posts: 43 Location: Fulham/Somerset

yes yes im interested in the list if you could send it over thanks.

also anyone know that the terrain is like in Thetford? I cant really find any details about previous courses or pictures of it.
Tahnks

squirrel chaser · Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 47 Location: stratford

wouldnt mind a copy, as well jason.

oliver, thetford is fairly flat, its in norfolk and pretty near the place in the uk where it rains the least.

there arent any huge climbs around the forest but there will be plenty of small/gradual hills (else we wont get any downhill runs Wink

). there was a particualrly nasty grass climb at the winter series 4.

im pretty sure it wont be as hilly as london to brighton though.

Jason_wright · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 48 Location: Epping

sent to your hotmail......

I've ridden Thetford around the main trails a few times. pretty flat single track through a pine forest. Some of the single track I've ridden can get fairly bumpy to the point where a full sus bike would help.... but i've only ridden hardtail (and left my mates standing on their full sus kit).... so full sus not necessarily essential Smile

Never ridden D2D though...... so not sure how much of the normal tracks they utilise.

Jason_wright · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 48 Location: Epping

squirrel chaser... what's your contact mail address, i'll send over the hiring info

tonto · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 163 Location: danbury

They normaqlly cut some new tracks and link up some of the better existing stuff.

This year the course includes the beast of the east backwards!

I have done the last two in a team and will probs do a solo this year as well!

Any preperation should involve core stability excersises/pilates - the course will be great but tough on the lower back.

check out thetfordmtbracing.com forum for info on preview course rides
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it's all good in the wood!

squirrel chaser · Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 47 Location: stratford

Cazza · Joined: 10 Jan 2006 Posts: 70

Hey there Oliver
The terrain is not exactly flat. It's very bumpy, requiring you to cycle constantly the whole time. It's pretty hard to free-wheel at any points. That said, there are some nice. flowing bits and there are about five/six bomb holes which are fun. Each lap takes about 50-60 minutes (especially if you're riding solo). We did it in a team of 4 last year. It does get cold, so you're probably better off riding solo, cos you don't cool down and then try and warm up again. We had a lot of fun, although at the time it was pretty tough. Definitely hire some lights, if you're not sure yours will stand the pace. Mine packed up after 20 mins, and I had to do all my laps using a commuter light. That's my excuse for my pathetic lap times.
If you fancy a run around Thetford at any time to see what it's light, stick a post up and I'll come along.
Have fun!
Caz
PS how did you get on at Beastway? I couldn't make the last three, which is a shame cos I was guaranteed a prize as there were only three women in my age category.

Jason_wright · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 48 Location: Epping

Oliver

how did you find riding for 12 hours ?
did you do much prep/training beforehand ?

tonto · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 163 Location: danbury

okey dokey I'm entered!

off on my hols now to get fit.....

...NOT Laughing

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it's all good in the wood!

oliver · Joined: 11 Dec 2007 Posts: 43 Location: Fulham/Somerset

no i didnt do any training just the weekend rides with this group that's pretty much it. It was alrite riding for 12 hours - towards the end my shoulders and back started to hurt as did my butt where it was taking more and more of my weight the more tired i became. I had a snack after pretty much every lap. I'm gonna hopefully get a better saddle and a suspension seatpost before this one to try and make things more comfortable. But yes, its wasn't a struggle until perhaps the last lap and was in fact good fun!

tonto · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 163 Location: danbury

Fair play to you Oliver for not doing any extra training for a 12hour enduro.
IMHO the more pre event training you can do, the better time you will have.
I suggest trying to get at least 3 rides in a week during September, two of 2hrs+ and one of 4hrs+. These should be actual riding times, prefereably non-stop.
Woodford to High Beech and back is about 2 1/2 hours actual riding.

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it's all good in the wood!