Rob, I've nailed the Baildon Trig to Golcar section. Found us the fastest descent ! Reluctantly doing a recce of Burley Woodhead to the finish this afternoon. Not a fan of the menston road section.
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Rob, I've nailed the Baildon Trig to Golcar section. Found us the fastest descent ! Reluctantly doing a recce of Burley Woodhead to the finish this afternoon. Not a fan of the menston road section.
Geez all this recceing going on. Whats wrong with turning up, not knowing nothing and just seeing what happens :). Thats my tactics anyway
That's what I did at The Rosedale 40. No map, no clue. You're right Stolly, it adds an exciting element of risk. Mind you, it's my back yard, I shouldn't need a recce !
and it's not even a 'race'! :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Stolly
Yeah, but you still want to know where you're going !!Quote:
Originally Posted by superflyguy
...and to be fair those of us on here who have been recceing would ordinarily train on Rombalds, Baildon Moor or Chevin (as our local 'fells') to a greater or lesser extent so recceing just adds a bit of adventure of training (and for me an excuse to go even slower!).Quote:
Originally Posted by Jez Hellewell
Quite right Multi. However, we open ourselves up to ridicule if we do go wrong ! I think most people will be slow looking at the bogs over the last 3 days !
And also , I get a better response at home if I say "I need to recce the intricate parts of a race route this weekend" rather than "I'd like to go and amble around on Ilkley Moor for 4 hours. Can you look after the kids for the morning?"Quote:
Originally Posted by Multiterrainer
I may extend this approach to trips to the pub as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DinoF
Good luck with that one Dino !
as I did last year after not recceing! :oQuote:
Originally Posted by Jez Hellewell
this is an excellent ploy. It worked well for me last week too. Going with clubmates adds another element, especially when 'I'm navigating!'Quote:
Originally Posted by DinoF
Above The Cow & Calf by any chance SFG ?Quote:
Originally Posted by superflyguy
Looks like there could be some hard-frozen ground come Saturday:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features/16780545
Hope so, as the water was shockingly cold on Saturday.
We;ve had snow on the tops for the last week here. Think I drove through 3 blizzards coming over the top last week. Still all white up there now.
If the grounds frozen it'll make it a bit different to the mud fest we had last year. Could see it being a bit ankle breaking though. Churned up mud that then freezes!! Nice!!!
I intend running on a wing andf a prayer! Hope I might attach myself to some who know the way but if not oh well. I have printed off and had a look at map. I have been on Ilkley Moor before. If there is sow then there will even be footprints to follow. Agree with Stolly- sense of adventure!
nope. on the Chevin! went along the path as you enter the wood (near the top) and came out at Surprise View. poor, very poor!Quote:
Originally Posted by Jez Hellewell
Did this race last year, not doing it this time but the Ilkley Moor bit is my default run, and up there today it was great; firm but not frozen, white enough to look nice but not really snow covered, no wind...marvellous. If it's like that for your Stride, you should at least enjoy this section of it!
And of course the boggy section from the trig to the aerials is no more, now it's been 'improved'.
Ironic, I got a tad lost there today. Went too far to the top of the woods instead of sweeping slightly to the left & on to the Quarry Car Park. 2 trusty dog walkers put me straight. Can anybody remember exactly where the "self clip" is part way up the Chevin ? I lose it every year ! Cost me 2-3 mins last year.Quote:
Originally Posted by superflyguy
If memory serves, it's on the path about 50-60m beyond the top of the steps. It was on that path and very obvious last year - how did you manage to miss it?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jez Hellewell
For some reason I decided to bear off right as you enter the woods. I eventually heard the voices of the people I had just passed, about a mile back, over to the left by the steps you mentioned. The same steps I managed to find this afternoon ! I then got lost at the top of the woods 400 yards further on..............................ahem.............
It'd be more than embarrassing if I went wrong on the Chevin section given the Big Hill as we call the path from the road back up to the woods is a regular club training feature. It's a tough enough climb less than 2 miles into a training run let alone 20 miles into an event....so I've told myself not to overdo the downhill road section before that climb (whether I'll heed my own advice remains to be seen!)..
I usually run on more or less the bearing stated in the literature, and if you know where to look there's a trod that heads like an arrow towards the cattle grid checkpoint.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jez Hellewell
Self clip is really easy, as you go through the steel gate, head straight on up a muddy path onto the grassy steep hill with steps and it'll be obvious.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jez Hellewell
I ran that hill on Sunday 6miles in to a 12miler. It's bloody hard but doable if you slow down enough (I was around 15min/mile pace for the mile including the hill). On 'race' day I doubt I'll be capable of running it though!Quote:
Originally Posted by Multiterrainer
Went up it yesterday in my Roclite "trail" shoes & was sliding all over the place ! I may hide a rope in the bushes & attach it to a tree at the top.
Weather looks to be cold, overcast with a light wind and the possibility of a bit of snow. Perfect running conditions?
Certainly better than the wet, knee high bogs and strong wind that there often is going across the top of the moor. Could be slippy on the paving slabs though if they're icy....
Really looking forward to this. I'm going to declare that I'd like to run sub-3.30 if I can as well. Should be doable, provided that I don't go off too fast and that I don't die after Burley Woodhead again!
Still not 100% I'll be doing this, I might just strap my leg up and hope for the best, but if not I'll just wobble round a shortened version and cheer you all on from various vantage points. The missus will be doing it come what may - watch out for a stroppy blonde bird with an Inov8 rucksack and a determined expression :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by fozzy
Martyn
p.s. I think I'll be going for Roclites. I wore gore tex Kanadias up there on a recce with DinoF and my feet just froze once the water got in. No grip going up the Chevin either .... I don't expect the Roclites will be much better!
Sorry you might not make it Martyn, but guess you need to save your legs for bigger challenges this year. Hope to see you out on the course anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by Martyn P
Went up on Ilkey Moor on Sunday and, as Fozzy says, the frozen ground was good to run on (although I wore Walshes as I didn't do any road sections). Hoping for that kind of ground on Saturday too. If there's more snow too, even better.
Forecast is as Fozzy suggested with nighttime temps of -2c to -4c over the next 3 nights (and daytime rising to only 2c) so should continue to freeze/harden the ground before Saturday, which is good news.Quote:
Originally Posted by DinoF
Right I'm now not running this with the pooch by the looks of things in which case I can hopefully give this a proper crack. Some probably daft questions:
1. I've got the grid references but no map of that area at all. Do I actually need a map, assuming that I will always be within spitting distance of someone who might know where they're going?
2. And if I do is it the Lower Wharfedale and Washburn Valley map that I need? I'm kind of worried that the route might go through two explorer map areas and buying one map for a race at a push is acceptable but two would be pushing the boat out!
3. Is the route marked at all or maybe flagged in certain less obvious places?
4. Is food and drink provided on the way round?
5. Do you have to carry a plastic mug?
6. Is there a specific kit list and a kit check? Don't worry I'll be carrying all the sensible stuff and more probably but I don't want to miss something more obscure like compulsory emergency food or whatever. Nothing springs to mind from the entry confirmation I received (which isn't to hand to refer to at the minute)
7. 9 am start so presumably everyone gets there for 8 ish? I don't know Guisely at all so where do I go if I'm coming from the Menston direction?
Stolly.
1. You should get by without a map, but don't quote me on it.
2. Yes, Lower Wharfedale & Washburn Valley.
3. Not marked or flagged, from what I can remember !
4. Yes. Usual fare. Flapjacks, biscuits, drinks etc.
5. Optional, I think. I don't. I get round with a bumbag with a few bits & pieces in & grab a drink at the feed station. They usually have plastic cups.
6. I've never been checked. I assume if you have all the usual kit you'll be fine.
7. I'll get there at a similar time to you. I'm going to park in the Guiseley retail park by Costa & M & S. Then it's just a short walk over the main road towards Guiseley Junior School. There should be quite a few people milling about.
Sorry I haven't answered all your questions convincingly Stolly ! See you there.............
Stolly -Quote:
Originally Posted by Stolly
1. If you don't know Ilkley moor well, a map is certainly advised. The paths are all obvious, but there are quite a lot of little paths on there that you could be tempted to follow. You may also need it coming down through Menston (arguably the most difficult bit - be aware of where the ginnel off Fairfax Road is - it's not signposted and you can go nearly a mile out of your way if you miss it!). People tend to be fairly spaced out by this point.
2. Yes, 297 is the one you want - the bit through Esholt and up onto Baildon moor is just on the bottom of the map, and a few bits are on 288, but there will be plenty of people to follow at that point.
3. Not flagged at all. CPs generally obvious.
4. Yes, lots.
5. No.
6. No. General fell running kit is sensible and advised as you've suggested. You may want to carry a small survival bag - that is recommended on their kit list.
7. Yes, it's gets quite busy about 8.30ish, so 8ish is advised. Follow Rd from Menston (A65) and school is up 2nd left after the train station turning (signposted). Best place to park may be in the retail park car park (bit further on on RHS - look out for the big McDonalds sign!!) - it's free, there's no chance of clamping etc. About 400m walk back to school from there. Aireborough Leisure centre get a bit snarky about people parking in their car park for it.
All good advice there Stolly; nothing to add from me. If you see me before the start, give me a tap on the shoulder.
I am looking forward to this again. I wonder if the new flagstones and just frozen ground might just help me to an elusive sub-4 finish this year?
I will give you a tap Nick and might even try and hang onto your shirtails all the way round as I definitely don't know Ilkley Moor at all, let alone well :)Quote:
Originally Posted by BritNick
And thanks for the tips. One of my daughters used to attend the odd swimming gala at the leisure centre so I know exactly where to go to and I know the retail park with the McDonalds too.
I think I've got the Fairfax Road ginnel clocked fozzy
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/9621/ginnel.jpg
Yep that's the ginnel Stolly :)
It's easier to see on Google Maps than it is when you're running down Fairfax road.Quote:
Originally Posted by Multiterrainer
Very true!Quote:
Originally Posted by DinoF
Stolly - should have said that the race HQ a the school is straight across the road from the leisure centre!
Its alright, got thatQuote:
Originally Posted by fozzy
Nick
if you aiming sub / around 4 hours and know the way can I please come with you!
I have some maps printed off Stolly and think I know some bits but not the best lines etc
Sure thing Karen, the more the merrier. I've never run it with anyone in the last 12 years. (You must be after an easy slow trot out then?) :)Quote:
Originally Posted by karen nash
We were out on the edge of Ilkley Moor this evening on our club run. The ground is frozen above, I'm guessing, 800-1000ft. If the weather stays the same for the next two or three days/nights the going should be good at the weekend
Hiya, its definitely full but I had to pull out due to double booking and emailed to let Mark know last week. I got an automated response saying it was full but you could be added to a waiting list and then he wrote to me to thank me for letting him know so my place will go to someone on the list. Maybe they put your bro on it when he missed getting a place?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jopari
Fingers crossed jopari's bro.
D.T. I agree. I've just checked the BBC forecast and it's going to be around or well below freezing until Saturday, when the weather front will begin to make inroads. I'm expecting a much faster course than last year - 10, possibly 15 mins faster? I seem to recall last year it was mud, water, mud, gales and mud.