This
round explores
some of the more intricate parts of the Brecon Beacons National Park
and in particular the lesser known Black Mountains which has been a
favourite ‘back garden’ for training for more years than we care
to remember and even now the appeal of this area hasn’t worn thin
unlike our hair!
We
very much encourage new folk into the tremendous sport of adventure
racing. As you probably already know for this event there are 2
distinct categories:
Non
Navigational:
The
aim of this option is for participants to work their way around the
course from start to finish following the route which will be marked
at key points and intersections. There will be some compulsory
checkpoints to pass through along this route which you must visit.
Part of the reason for this is to make sure that you haven’t taken
a shortcut and to give you piece of mind. The aim is to complete the
course in the time available to you. The maximum time allowed to
complete the course will be 12 hours.
You will also be issued
with a map which is designed to give you a guide and also has some
useful information on it such as emergency phone numbers.
* Don’t be phased or
necessarily be tempted to follow other groups / individuals
who may be part of the navigational category as they will have
different objectives!
*
For those competitive types, the
quickest time wins!
Navigational:
This
tends
to be aimed at the more experienced competitor or at least those
reasonably competent with a map and compass. The aim for these people
is to gain as many points as possible in the allocated time.
For
this event the time span is a maximum of 12 hours. Any time over
this limit will incur penalties of 5 points per minute. It is also
necessary for those taking part in this class to visit the compulsory
checkpoints in numerical order.
Each
of these compulsory CP’s will have a score of 10 points. Other CP’s
will range from 20 – 100 depending on their perceived difficulty!
Failure to visit the compulsory CP’s in order will incur a 200
point penalty. It is up to you how many of the optional CP’s you visit and in
which order within each stage.
Maps will be issued at
registration from 7:00 am
The highest score wins!
REGISTRATION
& EVENT START
& FINISH:
The
event registration, Start & Finish is at the lovely New Court
Camp Site only a mile or so from the base of the Black Mountains.
Please report to reception upon arrival.
http://www.newcourt-horseriding.co.uk/default.asp
There
are hot showers (for 50p) and obviously there is a camping option
which we know that many of you have opted for. There is also a lovely
country pub less than a mile away (Three Horse Shoes Inn) which is
well worth a visit and bearing in mind it has some great ales on tap
is probably more suited to the Saturday night for those that are
easily swayed.
Registration
is open between 7:00am and 8:00am on Saturday morning for a prompt
8:30 start from the campsite itself.
The
first stage is on foot and your bikes will be transported from the
start to the next transition point.
Please
can you ensure that bikes and relevant kit are ready to transport as
we also need a timely getaway to get it to Transtion1 on time. Any
bike items to be transported need to be firmly attached to the bike,
we cannot be responsible for loose items which may get lost.
- Very Important - Please Read: We will transport your bike and bike related kit to the next bike transition. We will not transport any other kit i.e. running shoes etc. whilst you are on the bike stage. In other words whilst you are biking you will be carrying all your kit for the event.
Maps will be issued at
registration from 7:00 am.
The
Route:
The
route is demanding both in terms of hills and conditions under
foot. Weather will also play an important factor in how challenging
the day is. There will be some sharp rates of ascent and descent with
some slippery and technical sections present in places.
You
will require a decent tread on whatever footwear you decide to use
and similarly bike tyres. The majority of the route is off road.
A breakdown of the set
route (point to point and fixed route) is as follows.
- Stage 1 - Run / Hike - 8 Mile (approx 90% offroad)
- Stage 2 - MTB -22 miles (approx 60% offroad)
- Stage 3 - Run - 3 miles (approx 50% offroad)
- Stage 4 - Canoe - 5 miles (100% wet!)
- Stage 5 - Urban - Run 1 Mile (10% off road)
- Stage 6 - Bike - 5 miles (100% “Road” mainly rough tarmac and uphill!)
- Stage 7 - Run / Hike - 4 miles (approx 70% offroad)
For
those of you taking part in the Navigational class then the off road
percentages and distances will increase depending on your route
choice.
*Please
note that there will be a ‘window of opportunity’ to start the
canoe leg for the navigational class. This will be between 1pm and
4pm from T3 (Stage 4). We
very much encourage you to errr on the side of caution. Your strategy
for the navigational folk should consider this. By our calculations
if you leave Glasbury much after 3:15pm then it may well turn into a
major mission to complete the course without risking severe
penalties.
Teams
will be in open canoes, solo's in Sit on Top Kayaks.
Kit
List:
With
the above route in mind including some sections of high and open hill
there is a compulsory
kit list:
The forecast for Saturday so far looks favourable but we have noticed
a marked drop in temperatures over the last week so pack that extra
layer. We have also noticed that the evenings are drawing in and as
such it is pretty
dark by 8pm.
With this in mind it is essential that you have a headtorch
as part of your kit list.
Compulsory
Kit List for everybody!
- Backpack or suitable means of carrying required kit (as listed below)
- Food and means of carrying water.
- T – Shirt, shirt or equivalent.
- Additional Layer
- Waterproof Jacket
- Shorts, leggings, or equivalent.
- Whistle
- Compass (which can take bearing)
- Headtorch
- Space Blanket or Emergency Foil Bivy
- First Aid Kit
- Socks
- Footwear with adequate grip for potentially slippery off road conditions.
- Well maintained Bike suitable for off road riding.
- Bike helmet.
- Bike tools, pump, puncture patches, tubes, chain link extractor etc.
- Map (supplied)
*Please
note that whilst the above is compulsory, it and the advisory are by
no means exhaustive. Please make sure that you are confident of
coping with the conditions and or in the unlikely event of a canoe
capsize.
Advisory
Kit: (Depending on conditions)
- Waterproof Trousers (depending on conditions on day)
- Buff and or Hat
- Sunscreen (depending on conditions on day)
- Sunglasses (depending on conditions on day)
- Gloves (depending on conditions on day)
- Thermal and or fleece top (in addition to compulsory long sleeve top)
- Hydration tablets or similar
- Money
- Mobile Phone
Optional
Kit:
- Spare socks
- GPS (NOT a substitute for a compass also NOT for NAV folk! )
- Camera
- Whatever you feel will make your experience all the more enjoyable!
Controls:
These
will be
marked with a small orange and white orienteering flag. Whilst the
compulsory ones will be fairly easy to find, some of the nav ones may
well be a little more challenging! The scores will reflect this
accordingly.
Food
& Water:
It
is up to individuals if they want to add their own hydration
supplements to the plain bottled water provided at each transition.
Just to clarify; competitors must take care of their own food from
the start. This is not a supported event in this respect. Make sure
you have enough food to last you the event. There are no facilities
which we know of for at least for the first three stages. There may
be some options at the end of the canoe leg in Hay on Wye for those
not watching the clock.
Retirements:
If
you do retire before completion of the event, please do so either at
a checkpoint or inform them of your actions so that you can be
accounted for. Please, Please, Please, do not just disappear without
notifying a member of the organisation of your actions.
We will assume you are missing and send out a search party.
Results
& Prizes:
As
it’s the first year we’re not quite sure when the racing snakes
might be in, but we would hope to announce the leading results &
prizes at the local Three Horse Shoes pub as soon as everybody is in.
We suspect this to be around the 9:30 pm mark.
Food
Before & After the race:
Food
is available at the local pub Three Horse shoes. Its about 15 mins
walk from the campsite. Technically they stop serving food at 9pm but
have been most encouraging in try to help us out and thus there may
be some options after this time but if you want to arrange something
amongst yourselves then give Paul or Jenny a ring on 01497 847304 –
they’re great people!
Other
options are about 4 mile away in Hay on Wye where there are food
several options from pub food to curry houses.
Other
things
and FAQ’s:
- Be prepared for hills and mud & Welsh mountain weather!
- Plenty of food! – 12 hours in the hills and on the river is a big day out!
- Bring pens / highlighters etc particularly for the nav participants – very useful to mark the map
- Consider MTB Map holders (Might Contain Nuts have some great ones in stock ) and or also perhaps something to put them in for the run / canoe stage. The maps provided however will be printed on A3 waterproof paper.
- How will my bike ‘move around’? – We will transport them in a large van. As bike geeks ourselves we will do our utmost to keep them in as pristine condition as when they arrive. We have cardboard to pack between them.
- Be nice to marshals (they have given up their valuable time to support you) If you do have any grievances then please take that up with the race organisers who will do their best to resolve any problems (Matt or Barry)
- Remember to smile!
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