WCH - MTBO

[stodge]

First event coming up in 2 weeks. Although entry on the day, can anyone intending to come please quickly email me so I can get an idea of map numbers.
courses will be........
Long - approx 13.5 km (navigationaly more difficult, lots of climb, narly trails)
Medium - approx 8 km (as above but less distance and climb)
Easy - approx 6.5 km. ( easier navigation, less climb and no narly trails)
more details will be on chasers website at the end of this week.

I have been asked about juniors and have checked with the TCA. For this area competent over 15s are fine as solos or pairs. Under 15s please contact me for more info. (we will offer a student and junior entry fee)

Thanks
mark@stodgell.co.uk

[OCM45]

What's a narly trail, Stodge?

[Nails]

knarly -difficult in yoof lingo

[stodge]

Urban dictionary says for gnarly ( spelling never my strong point)

Gnarly is when you've gone beyond radical, beyond extreme, it's balls out danger, & or perfection, & or skill or all of that combined.

Probably a bit over the top for Cannock Chase though

[stodge]

Final Details and some rules and guildelines to read, are now on the chasers website.
http://www.walton-chasers.co.uk

[tokoloshe]

One kind of important bit that does not seem to be mentioned -
Does the bike have to be with you at each control?

Or even
- How much of the bike has to be with you at each control.

Mine is prone to bits dropping off, even wheels.

[Lizi Beee]

sounds like you need a new bike then!

[tokoloshe]

Well nothing fell off except the pump, I didn't ride into any barriers (how could anyone do that?) and the long course provided lots of route choice, lots of hills and required lots of effort.

There must be a reason for taking 50% longer than the winners.

Thanks to Stodge for organising a real MTBO.

[stodge]

STOP PRESS: meet Liam Killeen on Saturday- Commonwealth Gold MTB Medalist


Mammoth Lifestyle, run by Gary Foord, our summer Chase Challenge Sponsor is having a grand opening of thier refurbished shop in Milford on Saturday morning. Come and meet Liam before coming up to our MTBO
He will be in the shop from 10am till 11.30 signing posters.
http://www.mammothlifestyle.co.uk/home.htm

[HOCOLITE]

He's often up on our hills and his dad played his guitar in the local pub a few months ago. I have to say you'd never have guessed he was Liam's Dad.

[Adventure Racer]

I thought for a minute there you were going to say he was racing in the MTBO - good chance to beat a Commonwealth champion I thought

[stodge]

Liam is off to race in the afternoon somewhere I think...

Gary Foord keeps saying he will try it at some point.
He is an ex world cup winner and went to the Atlanta Olymics.
He managed to do the Ruthin Merida this year in 4 hours 35 mins... Me and Fatboy managed 7 hours.....
Would be interesting to see what he could do if we could teach him to navigate (His kids all orienteer).

Another Chasers member is Adrian Timmis who rode the Tour a few years ago....
Like everyone though, there is just not enough weekends in the year for them to try new stuff like MTBO.

Ex Pro Cyclists dont seem to lose their fitness or get injured like runners.

[tokoloshe]

For hard work orienteering on bikes takes some beating. Why does it seem harder than on foot, and not much faster.

With creaky joints it does seem to be easier on the legs. Look forward to the next one

[Helen's bloke]

I went for a run with a lad who races MTB's, Nick Craig. He's pretty damn strong; crap in the rough, but strong as an Ox uphill. He fancies a crack at the Polaris. Might do a bike ride with him over Christmas so that should put him off...

[Harley]

err... would that be THE 'Nick Craig' elite cyclo-cross rider ??