I've done Jura the week after the OCT but I don't think I would fancy it now but it depends how much training you can get done.
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I've done Jura the week after the OCT but I don't think I would fancy it now but it depends how much training you can get done.
It is possible. I once in a fit of foolishness did, Jura, Duddon, Ennerdale and LAMM on consecutive weekends, but I was younger and fitter then! Duddon and Ennerdale were fine, but I was wrecked on the LAMM!Quote:
Originally Posted by Woodzy
I suppose going direct from the mainland is OK if you are short of time or coming from the north but you have to get to the ferry - if you are driving and like driving thats OK, if you prefer cycling Ardrossan is a much better option and much nearer for those of us south of the border. Leaving your car at Ardrossan is a couple of pounds a night and the helpful ticket office fix you up with the cheapest option/combination of options for tickets for all but the Islay/Jura shuttle (thats a seperate company). Bike mileages are small, especially if you get the ferry to Port Askaig but if you have time its a lovely ride up Islay from Port Ellen to Port Askaig. Although all the linking rides are short there are some fairly big climbs and they are much harder on the way back the day after the race - for this reason a lot choose to break the return journey with a night on Arran but if you push on you can get the ferries all the way back to Ardrossan on Sunday - provided there are no weather delays etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nathaniel Lee
If you break your journey on the way up and dont want to wild camp there is a nice but basic campsite on Islay at Kintra, just outside Port Ellen. What it lacks in facilities it more than makes up for in location! It makes a good base for exploring the rest of the island by bike without all your kit.
what footwear would you advise for jura mudclaws or talons heard its boggey as well as the scree?
also do most people leave road shoes at the start of the 3 mile road section.
Swings and roundabouts. Lots of peaty bog and lots of rock so it's a toss up. If you really want to shave seconds off your time it might be worth it stashing shoes. Rob Jebb does but I think most don't. Well I don't anyway.Hit the road and then marvel as Craighouse doesn't get any closer. It's the longest three miles in the world.
dont fancy 3 miles of tarmac in mudclawsQuote:
Originally Posted by Margarine
Would favour mudclaws or Walsh PBs for the hills bit, and change to road shoes at 3-arches bridge. I think Ian Holmes always does, amongst others. Your fell shoes are likely full of grit from the descent of Shiantaidh, and being wet should be easy to pull off. The road is then a luxury, and the 3.3 miles comes down to about 3.29. Stashing of bikes is not allowed, however.
Your legs will be that smashed by then you wont care whats on your feet :w00t:Quote:
Originally Posted by Woodzy
You probably won't want to sstop. Jebby just cuts his laces. You don't want to be faffing about.
I opt for mudclaws over x-talons due to the grip, and also the extra protection they give your foot due to the amount of scree. If it was really dry (yeah right!!) and i'd normally opt for x-talons, i'd still go mudclaws personally due to the scree on the paps. I also change to road shoes, think it took me about a minute last year, but I reckon it saved me at least 2 or 3 minutes, and it also cheered me up no end to have dry comfy shoes on my feet, rather than slopping about in boggy fell shoes on the road.
thanks C T, thats what i was thinking myself. any other jura race info would be great.Quote:
Originally Posted by ChevinbyTorchlight
Can you get away with Crosslites or Harriers or are 'proper' fell shoes necessary?
I'd go with a proper fell shoe..Quote:
Originally Posted by neilly
Very few do.. Unless you are really running well I'm not sure it makes much difference. Plus you have to bend over to put them on and my hamstrings are never in a good state by then.. its only 20 minutes...Quote:
Originally Posted by Woodzy
Salomon Speedcross? Its all I've been using this year. If not I think I'll need to resole some Walsh's or buy and bed in new ones. I'm not keen on Inov8's having had two poor experiences with them. It looks pretty rocky and a fair bit of scree, I'm a little concerned that with the Walsh's I'll feel every rock!
Its got everything but the rocky sections are quite short.. but destroy trainers.. but there's lots of grassy running, bits of bog, steep grassy descents, steep rocky descents, tussocky terrain. I've always work new walshes.Quote:
Originally Posted by that_fjell_guy
Speedcrosses would be Ok. I'd rather where another, but I doubt they'd be unsuitable. they'd certainly be more comfortable once you get on the road..
Cheers for that Iain. I'll have a look at the Walshs in my box and see what I've got! :)
Only 20 minutes... are you having a laugh? I don't imagine I'll be doing 6 min miles at the end!!Quote:
Originally Posted by IainR
or in any of the other 14 miles for that matter!Quote:
Originally Posted by neilly
It's 3.5 miles.. saying that last time I hit the road 3rd but had Al Anthony right behind me and he dropped me straight away..Quote:
Originally Posted by neilly
I think its been built up so much that when I got there I was just relieved to be off the hill and have always enjoyed the run in.
Its a fairly runnable race.. if you break it down you 'only' have what 5-6 miles of rough stuff.. it's just so rough, loose and rocky it seems to last forever. But there's plenty of quick running on it in the first and last third, especially if its dry. The first year I did it, we had clear skies, dry ground and there must have been a good 20 under 4 hrs - I doubt I'll ever get such perfect conditions again. I think I was 9th? Top 10 I think and that was low 3:40's. Conditions make such a difference to the speed you can run that route at. The next year it was clagged in and much wetter underfoot and I think only the first 2 sub 4'd.. I should have but made a stupid mistake getting to the last summit, but think I ended up 4:02 or so..Quote:
Originally Posted by Woodzy
I am trying to do this as cheap as possible - planning to take the bike on the train from Leeds to Ardrossen and would like to explore a bit of Arran and Islay before the race as I have to get back in the few days afterwards. My only option is carrying camping kit on a mountain bike (don't have slick tyres) and I don't have a lightweight tent. Are there any cheap options on the islands or am I better off bringing my tent and wild camping? I'd be keen to hear of any nice cheap campsites on Arran too. I haven't come across any basic ~£8ish bunkbarns on the internet so far.
Thanks
My understanding that campings free at the back of the hotel. Thats where we are going at any rate!! :)
Lots of wild camping options - on Arran its easier once you are across on the west coast, try the stretch between Lochranza and Catacoll. East side on Kintyre is best, near the ferry, lots of choice on Islay but if you are ready for some basic facilities the campsite at Kintra isn't too bad pricewise for a small tent (think it was about £6 last time I stopped there - worth it for the beach). Once on Jura no charge on the field in front of the hotel (just buy some food and beer from them!) and plenty of quieter wild camping options as well, depending how far you want to be from the start.Quote:
Originally Posted by Outdoors_Junkie
I'm thinking maybe Speedcross - mainly because my fused ankle isn't looking forward to 3.5 miles on the road in my Mudclaws.Quote:
Originally Posted by that_fjell_guy
It is.. sadly the chain eating of burgers from the van and pub food.. cakes.. then the post race beers mean you can easily spend a huge amount..Quote:
Originally Posted by that_fjell_guy
Are there any food shops nearby? I don't expect there to be an Asda but is there a corner shop as I will be bringing a stove.
Jura stores in Craighouse, doesn't have loads of stuff, and I heard a whisper things aren't going so well - can't remember all the details but i think they have cut their opening hours and you would think they would open all hours when the race was on but they don't. I would take a bit of pasta, cous cous or what ever if you wnat to keep costs down
Mind you having said that there will probably be a Tesco there by race day haha.
I know that there are other threads on the topic of TICKS, but I think my running pals are trying to scare me to death. If it is to be believed, the ticks are enormous and plentiful. They have warned against running in shorts for fear of tick ridden gonads:w00t: from the piccies, most runners DO wear shorts. What tick precautions do the panel advise??
I'd worry about the Paps more than ticksQuote:
Originally Posted by toppolecat
Worth taking a set of tick removers. The cheapest ones are available from pet shops, and give yourself a thorough inspection regularly while you are there (they dont just get you during the race!). I dont think on their own they are sufficient reason not to wear shorts.Quote:
Originally Posted by toppolecat
And the snakes.
At least the snakes are shy.
The midges in 1999 were sufficiently bold as to be racing in through my mouth and back out through the nose, whilst I was trying to put the tent up.
During the race a deer tick had somehow embedded itself into my shin during the race and had swelled to that round about to burst size. I remember that in the immediate post race discussions, a number of runners approached me with utensils determined to flush out the little bugger. Two or three wanted to burn it out with matches or fag lighters but I opted for the screw action tick remover.
I'm wetting myself in anticipation....
Ticks: just don't go for a wildy.
not long to go now!
forecast for friday was windy could be a choppy crossing
glad im going over thursday then.
I'm going Thursday!! I'll be in the VW with a canoe on!!! I think...I need to check with the ferry man that I can change cars and bring my canoe!! :)
Weather's been really good up here over last few days and starting to get really warm now. Last week was full on winter above 600m but its looking really good for the weekend. See you all on Jura.
Gordon
Forecast is sunshine, nearly 70'f but thankfully with a stiff easterly breeze. Can't wait
Av a good un mate:thumbup:Quote:
Originally Posted by Deejay