Style and BG Club Membership

Going back to the original discussion, I have for a while thought that a traditional BG attempt is very expensive in terms of resources - human, time, environmental and cash; if all people involved are prepared to make these sacrifices then that is great. But it is not for me, I favour a solo on-sight attempt, thus cutting out a lot of faff. As such, when I eventually get round to doing it, it will be me, a map, rucksack full of food and a detour to foxes tarn (though by thinking this already I'm losing my on-sight stipulation!), as I would happily solo BS, but not after legs 1,2 and most of 3.
hope this adds to the discussions and not causes any offence, it is not intended and I raise my buff in salute of every BG club member, you've earned your place. I doubt I'll join you as a member though...

My thoughts have been posted before but I will reiterate them again.

I thought part of the reason of having two witnesses was safety, if somebody were to take a fall then one to stop with the casualty and one to fetch help, or get to a point where they could get a phone signal. Think it wouldn’t happen? Well there have been a couple of deaths on the fells in recent years, even on relatively short fell races. The LAMM had two lads take a serious fall and one was lucky to get back alive two years ago. There has been more than one member of this site end up in a face plant leading to emergency evacuation from the hill.

With that in mind given the society well live in, the BG club could not be seen to encourage any attempt of a solo unsupported round with its inherited risks, most people now think even for us to be running around the Lakes in shorts is fool hardy, remember the TV coverage of the OMM 5 years ago when it got washed out?

It also takes away part of the fellowship and camaraderie of the BG, were members of the club are honour bound to help others to complete their round if they can, for me this is refreshing part of the BG, no money just a fellow runner helping other runners achieve there dream.

If you want to join the club then play by the club rules, ifyou think it is too much trouble then do your own thing, nobody is making you join the BG club.

ATB

Tahr

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tahr

My thoughts have been posted before but I will reiterate them again.

I thought part of the reason of having two witnesses was safety, if somebody were to take a fall then one to stop with the casualty and one to fetch help, or get to a point where they could get a phone signal. Think it wouldn’t happen? Well there have been a couple of deaths on the fells in recent years, even on relatively short fell races. The LAMM had two lads take a serious fall and one was lucky to get back alive two years ago. There has been more than one member of this site end up in a face plant leading to emergency evacuation from the hill.

With that in mind given the society well live in, the BG club could not be seen to encourage any attempt of a solo unsupported round with its inherited risks, remember most people now think even for us to be running around the Lakes in shorts is fool hardy, remember the TV coverageof the OMM 5 years ago when it got washed out?

It also takes away part of the fellowship and camaraderie of the BG, were members of the club are honour bound to help others to complete their round if they can, for me this is refreshing part of the BG no money just a fellow runner helping other runners achieve there dream.

If you want to join the club then play by the club rules, ifyou think it is too much trouble then do your own thing, nobody is making you join the BG club.

ATB

Tahr

---

completely agree

Thanks all for your considered responses - and to be clear I have not and dont in tend trying a solo BG, but I think solo rounds are very impressive and should be recognised as such and will see if I can get the point discussed and maybe even agreed through Bob W at the AGM - I think that it is good the rules are tested and occasionally changed so the club evolves with the changing world we operate in. When I have been struggling on rounds the help friends have given me is marked indelibly on my mind and without such help I wouldn't have completed my first (25 hr and "deepest") Bob, or my Paddy. I hope when I try the CRR that I can get support for the 3rd and hopefully 2nd sections, I think I would prefer to do the first on my own as I settle into the challenge...

Thanks again, hope no offence has been taken.

Yours sincerely,

Simon

On the issue of roping, I think there is more than a subtle difference between being having the security of a rope, but hauling yourself up the move under own steam knowing you will not take a fall in the process, and actually being pulled up, or having artificial assistance like caving ladders or knotted ropes to provide holds not actually there. In the end you have to get round the course as nature made it under your own steam: being pulled up broad stand is little different to being physically supported on a shoulder walking into keswick undoubtedly against the rules. The difference is only one of scale. On bigger challenges like the cuillin, safety rope - why not - it is a hobby, not a game of life and death. Abseil no, that like a caving ladder on broad stand actually changes the course from what nature built.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by simon cox

Alfie whilst enjoying life is of up most importance this is different to style... I like the quote "run if u can, walk if you have to crawl if u must - just never give up" whilst crawling is impressively tenacious it isnt good style or probably for that matter enjoyable. Happy days, S

---

Apologies for the slow reply.
In considering STYLE, I make the presumption that we are looking at the manner in which the BG is carried out. Whether top ropes were used, jelly babies eaten, the trips and falls, if poles borrowed, or people supporting etc etc etc is of limited interest. If there is a warm feeling of satisfaction when the job is done (officially or otherwise), or if that occurs during the job, then even better. On both my BGs I ran, walked and crawled (well it felt like it!). That might not be stylish to you and relies more upon tenacity, but that is probably true of most challengers. It is also important that supporters enjoy the experience and forms another dimension regarding style which is underpinned by the feelings of unity, friendship and purposefulness.
Technical style is a sub heading under the main style heading ENJOYMENT.

Gary Thorpe Ambleside AC

Great post GT:thumbup:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by alf.t

Apologies for the slow reply.
In considering STYLE, I make the presumption that we are looking at the manner in which the BG is carried out. Whether top ropes were used, jelly babies eaten, the trips and falls, if poles borrowed, or people supporting etc etc etc is of limited interest. If there is a warm feeling of satisfaction when the job is done (officially or otherwise), or if that occurs during the job, then even better. On both my BGs I ran, walked and crawled (well it felt like it!). That might not be stylish to you and relies more upon tenacity, but that is probably true of most challengers. It is also important that supporters enjoy the experience and forms another dimension regarding style which is underpinned by the feelings of unity, friendship and purposefulness.
Technical style is a sub heading under the main style heading ENJOYMENT.

Gary Thorpe Ambleside AC

---

Sentiments that I agree with. :thumbup:

There must be a very few elite guys capable of doing a unsupported round, I would say less that 10 a year, of course these guys could get together to do there rounds unsupported and still verify each other. That way no rule change need and everybody is happy.

ATB

Tahr

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tahr

Sentiments that I agree with. :thumbup:

There must be a very few elite guys capable of doing a unsupported round, I would say less that 10 a year, of course these guys could get together to do there rounds unsupported and still verify each other. That way no rule change need and everybody is happy.

ATB





Tahr

---

That a`int a solo round then:wink:

here's a thought,
you join a club to be involved, to take part and share in common experiences, to do things together with like minded people.
why would a soloist want to be in a club ?
:wink:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by andy k

here's a thought,
you join a club to be involved, to take part and share in common experiences, to do things together with like minded people.
why would a soloist want to be in a club ?
:wink:

---

I reckon the fact there is no club for Soloists (as far asI know) answers that question

I suspect that most of the runners that would contemplate a solo round would have done a supported one anyway. The camaraderie by doing a supported round is part of what makes for a great day. It is easier to organise a solo round but I suspect ( as I am still at the early stages of thinking of attempting one ) a lot tougher physically and mentally. Anyone that hasn't done a BG club round, but has done only a solo round would probably not care about inclusion or bragging rights.
Doing it in a tuxedo and brogues solo unsupported is definitely the most stylish way :D ,but I think I will stick with shorts , T-shirt and inov 8s self supported if I go for it.

Does this photograph show the correct style for Bob Graham?

from the I Run Far website