EVENT CLUB – Wentwood 50km Mountain Bike Enduro
| 11 March, 2012 | ||
| 10:30 am | to | 3:30 pm |
http://www.bigfootmbc.co.uk/forum/yeti-chat/goshawk-challenge-2012/#p3878
Looking for a challenging pre-season mountain bike ride to test or kick-start your training? Ever finished a ride that your body said was twice the distance? Want to explore some great singletrack? Well then, welcome to the Wentwood Forest 50km Goshawk Challenge.
Regarded by most as a tough ride, unforgiving and technically challenging in parts, the Wentwood 50km Goshawk Challenge is an early season mountain bike XC endurance event that will test every area of your mountain biking skills and fitness ….and its all for local charity!
We’ve put together two great routes – 25km and 50km – for you to enjoy, most of which is all natural singletrack with a mix of fireroad, and some tarmac at the start to help sort out the line-up before hitting the singletrack, and finish. There’s a natural split on the 50km route at 25km for those who are looking for something a little less daunting, but please note that there will be a cut-off time for those who register for the 50km and do not reach the split by the cut-off time.
For those unfamiliar with Wentwood Forest, it is the largest ancient forest in Wales with over 1000 acres of continuous broad leaf and coniferous woodland. Both the 50km and 25km routes make use of the varied terrain and are largely weatherproof. With over 1600m of climbing and none of it ained easily, the Wentwood 50km Goshawk Challenge is the perfect pre-season starter. But it’s not all uphill and there are some great downhill sections which will leave you smiling ear to ear!
yes from me – single speed and no suspension for me
Yes from me.
Yes from me too
Yes, carbon bike, gears and suspension for me…
First Mtb event, I’ll be asking for pointers from you guys,any need for a dropper post or can I save the weight and go all carbon??
I’m entered. Jason you’re too hardcore and epic – would go as far as saying “You’re so moneysupermarket”!!
I’m in. Nathan, only you know best. My bike is a small fraction of my overall weight so I tend to go for more robust stuff. Do some 50k hilly rides over weekends and see what works for you. The secret is probably to pace yourself and enjoy it. How was Afan by the way?
Cheers,afan rocked! up a level in technical for me but loved it,set out to do the w2 but somehow managed to loop round whites level back to start again,so did whites again,no dabbing or feet down just an exhausted upper body on return to carpark,3 hrs for the 2 laps,back soon to do the w2 properly(following all the right signs)as I’ve yet to try the wall.
I’m entered.
In. Hopefully the Niner all mountain/enduro clown bike will be ready by then.
I’m in, so is Steve and a friend from Bucks. Not sure I will do it on my single-speed though?!?!
Have just added my name. Only 26 places left, just got there in time.
Thanks Dom, yes i’m in too … 50km!! Yikes
Good luck to all doing the Wentwood 50k. Unfortunately missed out on getting a place this year but did it in 2011 – so already got the t-shirt! It’s a great ride with frequent challenging climbs and some superb singletrack in the ancient woodland, climaxing in a descent into a natural ampitheatre followed by the inevitable climb back out.
For those of a competitive bent get to the start line early as several twisty miles of narrow country lanes make initial progress very slow – which I found out to my cost last year.
Primary advice is take plenty of fluids as I saw a number of people last year incapacitated by cramp.
Have a good one!
Thanks for that PaulN. Let’s hope for some blue skies as I’m not eager for a repeat of last year’s Rough Ride!
PaulN, I refer you to Keith’s posting: http://www.bigfootmbc.co.uk/forum/yeti-chat/wentwood50-goshawk-ticket-available/#p4637
Anyone know how the start of this is organised? Get there early nearer the front at the start?? Trying to avoid the mass bottle neck over the first few k’s,don’t want to be plodding stuck behind the masses if poss race or no race,any pointers chaps?
Thanks for the heads-up Dan.