Payed support for BGR.

[that_fjell_guy]

Regardless of the lines up Clough Head and down and out of Dunmail, from a navigation point of view I've been on proper clearly defined paths 12 foot wide on the BG in the dark, fog and pissing rain and had massive trouble navigating and staying on them 

Fair point!!

[Travs]

Personally I wouldn't want to pay to be guided round, but I am also a member of Dark Peak, and neither do I have any desire to join the DP traditional round...

I am tentatively looking towards doing a round in 2018 (next year will give me a much clearer picture of the realism of this), and I intend to do it alone, possibly with support at one or two of the road crossings. This is an incredibly tough task, and may even incur the wrath of the BG club, but I think what this thread shows is we are all different in our approach.

[Bob]

Travs, I can assure you that you won't incur the wrath of the BG Club, there is nothing mandating any approach to the round and a solo round isn't unusual. Some wish to become Club members, some don't.

If we were to stick to how Bob Graham did his long walk then we'd limit contenders to wear pyjamas and plimsolls and only have a team of four pacers. Things change.

[Edmond Jackson]

Hello bobster. I do understand your view on this, but as has been pointed out previously, to myself and others, the BGR Club isn't necessarily the same as the BGR and people are free to 'respect' the traditions or not. It really matters not a jot to me how another runner choses to accomplish his goals. Personally I'd like to learn the route and run it as much off my own back as possible, some are happy with the club train, some are happy with a paid guide. If I'm honest I'd say Fred Rogerson wouldn't really care and might wonder what the fuss is about...but I never knew him so am uninformed to comment. I do agree, to a point. that commercialism and the BGR doesn't sit too well but I don't really think the 'guide' is going that far, the response on fb and here has probably advertised it more than any article or advert he has put out there. Also I know of at least two book solely about the BGR, and at least one journalist who ran it and published an article. Where does commercialism start and finish?

I apologise for my grammar and spelling in advance!

Very clearly then: commercialism finishes if the paying client expects to be accepted into a club that's a stalwart for amateur values.

[that_fjell_guy]

Very clearly then: commercialism finishes if the paying client expects to be accepted into a club that's a stalwart for amateur values.

I've no idea. The BG Club might know? The basic point is that The Bob Graham Round is an 'open feast' as it were. You, or I can do it as we please. It's then for you to conform to the clubs 'rules' to be accepted within it and to gain a completion number. My thoughts, so far as they matter, are that 'commercialising' (for want of a better word) isn't particularly good for the route as it increases footfall and erosion in some areas. The use of a guide is merely a choice of style of completion and then it is up to the BG Club to decide if that person recieves membership.

[that_fjell_guy]

For clarification, should it be needed. If I ever get to have a shot at the BGR I'm with Travs. His thoughts are pretty much mine. Though if I'm honest, I would like the completion recognised by the BG Club, which makes life slightly trickier for me for various reasons which I won't go into.

[Tahr]

I am with Bobster on this.

Altruism has always been a big part of the BG club, and in today’s ever increasing "money is king" commercial world it is a breath of fresh air, it was one of the big things that drew me to the round. As has been said you can complete the route without being a member of the club, many have before now, but to become a member you need to adhere to the clubs rules and ethos.

I noted that on Facebook some but not all who supported him have a commercial interest in outdoor activities, just saying LOL.

[Hazy]

Looks like the dark peak annual thing with added pence per mile to me. Both guided, one admits to it, the other one doesn't. Not my cup of tea but that doesn't make it a bad thing. Each to their own and best of luck, it's still a Lang wang.

[Travs]

I think the Dark Peak round does come in for a little bit of unnecessary criticism. It certainly seems to be one of the larger scale attempts each year, but they are hardly rampaging over the fells like a great wrecking-ball. Isn't it usually in May, which is not peak 'BG time'.... And I know at least one other large club which does similar...

As I mentioned above, it's not my cup of tea, but it's really just a more organised version of what most people do, with pacers, support etc...

For arguably the most successful club recently, the fact that more members seem bothered about the annual award for navigational cockups than attending the FRA dinner to pick up the massive haul of trophies won this year, I think that says a lot about the ethos of the club, hardly some soulless 'machine'....

[IanDarkpeak]

For arguably the most successful club recently, the fact that more members seem bothered about the annual award for navigational cockups than attending the FRA dinner to pick up the massive haul of trophies won this year, I think that says a lot about the ethos of the club, hardly some soulless 'machine'....

Hope you enjoyed my speech..