Printable View
It's easier than the fellsman, less ascent, a bit shorter, and the terrain is easier, more trail, footpath and road.
Navigation straight forward but as with a lot of these things 'knowing' the best lines, especially at night, is tricky.
regarding fitness it all depends on what you want to achieve -what sort of time would be looking at? what have you done on the fellsman? I could reccy some of the lines that are useful to know at night with you if you want
Cheers geof, I'm only a plodder so my Fellsman was about 20 hours last time, could've got round a bit quicker but hey ho, probably not much. I reckon given what you say, and having the time to up my game a bit, maybe 15 hours? I live in Yorkshire so recces wouldn't be too easy but you never know. I have a good mate in Congleton whose arm I may try to bend, after all it's virtually on his doorstep!
How much road is involved, and does it see much traffic?
Around 8 or 9 mile of road, its quiet although you cross a couple of busy A roads but literally just cross them. 15 hours sounds like a good target.
Who do you know in Congleton? I was in Congleton Harriers for 25 years (2nd claim) and live 3 miles from there.
I will defo do some reccying in July/August, of the night sections mainly.
Geoff and pb, keep me posted on recce plans. I might like to tag along if I'm free and if you'll have me along. If I don't get into UTMB I'll be BSH-ing in 2012. :thumbup:
2012 Entered!! :) Tho' still not got results booklet and dibber card from last year!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by that_fjell_guy
Nice going:) and good luck, I'm sure you'll do really well, it is a really decent event.:thumbup:
I've not run since it, ha, except for the Benidorm half mara in November, Benidorm is a great place and well organised race, fire works to start, great support all around the course, excellent goody bag, the run takes place around the old town and starts at 6pm, super fun, I managed to get to 10 miles before my knee went, then ground it out to the end in 2.04, pretty fast course and I'd fancy around the 1.19/20 mark if fit to trot.:)
cya
Andy.
Your knee still giving you gip like Andy!? Thats a long time! Are you training for anything? The girlfriend/'wife to be' will be doing BSH with my cousin I hope. Theyll walk it just to get round. Definately hoping for sub 14 this time if I can get recce's in for final legs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by that_fjell_guy
Yep, I see a specialist on the 10th Jan, so will see what's what then.
No not training for anything at the moment, that will be great to have your wife to be doing it too and along with your cousin, excellent:), I really think you can get a sub 14 or better this time, it's not really appealing to me at the moment, will see over time perhaps?.
Heck! I am planning on doing it but had not thought about entering 9 months in advance.Do Irally need to - their web site says entry on day for just aother fiver so I thought some time in July would be plenty early enough?
Quote:
Originally Posted by karen nash
Hi Karen
You don't need to enter that far in advance, June or early July would be fine, but you never know sometimes? I certainly would not leave it until the day though.
Andy.
Pretty sure you'll be fine Karen. But I did notice it was part of UK Ultra Series, so I thought best be safe!! Also now I know I've entered I have to get it recce'd!!
Same with Calderdale Hike, I'll enter that a.s.a.p. I might even have a look see if I can get 4 counters in, but that might not be the best thing for me this year.
Hope everything goes ok with the specialist Andy...and see you there Karen! :)
Me and my Partner are doing Reccys of parts of The Bullock Smithy Hike on the weekend of 21 July - 22 July, at a sociable jogging pace.
My Partner knows the Bullock Smithy Route extremely well, but I have tended to be complacent and rely on his knowledge of the Route in the past, since we usually stay together for this one.
We will both be doing The Bullock Smithy Hike this year, but running it seperately and just hooking up with people running at our natural speed on the day if anything.
We come from the Dukinfield/Stalybridge Area.
If anyone is interested in joining us, or knows someone who is, all are welcome to join us.
The plan on Saturday 21 July is to Reccy from Earl Sterndale (Checkpoint 9) to Hazel Grove Scout HQ (The Finish) and, hopefully, on Sunday 22 July, Edale (Checkpoint 4) to Earl Sterndale (Checkpoint 9)
Both days are roughly 21ish miles and 17ish miles respectively. (As the Crow flies!)
South Manchester LDWA Group are also doing a Social Walk on Saturday 11th August 2012, called, 'Back End Of The Bullock (Linear) http://www.ldwa.org.uk/challenge_eve...?event_id=9622 which will also cover Earl Sterndale to Hazel Grove. (It's on the same day as The Long Tour Of Bradwell! Coincidentally, if anyone is doing Reccys of this one at a sociable pace, I would be interested.)
Our original plan for the Reccys was to drive to Earl Sterndale on Saturday, leave the car there and Reccy to Hazel Grove, then catch a couple of buses home, then Sunday catch trains to Manchester and Edale, Reccy to Earl Sterndale and drive home.
Looking at the South Manchester LDWA Walk, there is also the option of a train to Buxton and the 442 Bus to Earl Sterndale for the Saturday Reccy.
Depending on the response and how many people join us, we will either use Public Transport or use a combination of cars.
Grisedale Fell Race/Bullock Smithy? Grisedale Fell Race/Bullock Smithy?
The Grisedale Fell Race is great fun and I was planning to do it again this year - but I'm also thinking about the Bullock Smithy, which I've never done.
I need to eradicate my poor performance at the Fellsman in the Runfurther series.
Is the BS a nice route? In the spirit of the FRA forum, will somebody make the decision for me?
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkL
Would be an idea to PM BritNick as he's doen the BullockSmithy multiple times
Yes.Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkL
Yes it is.
Enter the Bullock Smithy now.
[just my opinion ;) ]
Well of course I'm biased. It has to be Bullock Smithy. If you want to do it justice a recce is a must. Most important in my mind is Earl Sterndale to Hazel Grove. With every possible tweak and optimisation you might just get the total distance almost down to 56 miles. However if you follow the suggested route (only available since the 'New' Bullock Smithy Hike was introduced in 2000) you'll be going on extended walkabout that would be quite scenic if it were daylight.
Best of luck to everyone doing the recce. If I had the time I'd be joining you. I've done the train to Buxton and bus to Earl Sterndale several times in the past. It works quite well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkL
Done.Quote:
Originally Posted by DazTheSlug
I was planning to get the train from Hazel Grove to Edale and reccying from there to the end as a long day out at some point.Quote:
Originally Posted by BritNick
If I use the route description and the GPX from the Bullock Smithy website would this give me the optimum (ie quickest) route?
you know it makes sense :thumbup:Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkL
blimey, Edale to finish is approx 40 Miles, so a long day indeed!Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkL
there aren't many big improvements to the recommended route, other than after Walker Barn you can use roads to drop you into Bollington via the western side of the Kerridge ridge
bits to pay particular attention to (bearing in mind it will be dark) are Earl Sterndale to Cumberland Cottage, and the finer points of getting through Bollington - you need to drop onto the Middlewood Way (best choice) or the Macc Canal (2nd choice) - the streets are surprisingly complicated/uncooperative!
Plod Queen, are you still doing the recce tomorrow? I've looked at the train and bus times and I think I might join you. The earliest possibility is 09:53 train arrival at Buxton and 10:05 departure of 442 bus from outside the station, arriving at Earl Sterndale 10:20. Would that tie in with your plans? I've done this in previous years and it always worked quite well. There are roadworks that are preventing the bus from reaching Earl Sterndale during weekdays but it should be open over the weekend. If it's not it shouldn't be far to walk from the nearest point.
Hi Nick,
Just read this now.
Got my dates mixed up!
My Partner is doing some mad Cheshire Ring Bike Ride Weekend with the Guys this weekend!
The Reccy weekend is 28 - 29 July!
I am free tomorrow if you still want to do a Reccy?
I'm game if you are. Weather forecast is good!Quote:
Originally Posted by Plod Queen
Hi,
Just checked Rail Planner. I would catch a train from Flowery Field to Manchester, then the train departing from Manchester 08:52 and arriving at Buxton 09:53 and meet you on said train?
If you confirm on here or by Mobile I'll book the tickets now.
My Mobile Number is: 07909695992
I'll be there. You don't need to book tickets in advance. Buy on the day?
Considering entering this one, anyone recommend decent (i.e. cheap!) places to stay for the saturday night? Will probably travel up first thing in the morning since it starts at noon.
Dave, bring a sleeping bag and mat and you can crash out in the hall afterwards, to the heady scent of sweat, putrid footwear and the all-night fry-up. Wouldn't miss it for the world. ;)
The washing facilities are a bit basic though - a cauldron of hot water behind a screen at the entrance to the toilets.
Sold!Quote:
Originally Posted by BritNick
I had a lovely sleep in the back of my car at 3.30 in the morning!!! Granted its a Golf Estate!! Comfy none the less! Hopefully I'll get a bed at my cousins who lives just at the top of the road we run out up!! (If that makes sense!!). Tho we might get a cottage somewhere.....:thumbup:
Thinking of trying this again. Due to work/manflu I've not really been able to train or do recces for this. I know the route up to Peak Forest - after that I'd be running blind so to speak. Would I be able to get round using a combination of googlemaps/slightly longer road routes/running with others and the advice of those at the checkpoints?
Thanks
I hope so. I have not recceed any of it (but know a couple of bits from other events) and I intend to give it a go!
I've not recce'd or done it before either, so you won't be alone in puzzling your way around!Quote:
Originally Posted by kennedr
i havent done any of it either but having a walk round as havent run or trained for weeks so probably get lost and knackerd but will be an expeirence :thumbup:
You will get round fine but be prepared for some detours and sub optimal routes in the dark.......
Right well I'm more confident of getting to Earl Sterndale now after some in depth Google Street Views and O/S research.
My big concern is Earl Sterndale to Brand Top and then to Cumberland Cott without resorting to the road too much.
Looking forward to this!
Hi folks, am looking for advice on a few points on the BS. The rules require grouping at dusk though reading various accounts from previous years there doesn't seem to be any mention of grouping in most. Presumably the sub 9 hours folks will avoid grouping, but others? The rules also require longs after dusk but I've seen quite a few photos of finishers in shorts. Is this just the fast guys again?
I was up there just yesterday doing a recce of the final bits from Cumberland Cottage. Last year I did it as a novice and was fortunate to get grouped with a lad who knew the route pretty well which was a boone to be honest. There are a fair few route choices to consider and Earl Sterndale to Cumberland Cottage is potentially fairly complex, particularly in the dark. People also, I believe, do have issues going through Bollington so thats worth a check. We were grouped from Earl Sterndale and ended up doing 15 1/2 hours. I ran the whole thing in shorts and t-shirt. We were out until 11 p.m. on Monday and also did it in shorts and t-shirt. Its worth working out your prefered route and highlighting it on your map as a guide just incase you get seperated. Most people are happy to let others jog on with them and give assistance/direction, though one guy was iffy with me when I got momentarily confused in Edale. He told me not to bother following him as I stopped to get my map and direction sheet out. The directions on the sheet aren't the optimum route either. I followed them from Millers Dale and lost a bit of time on others as they all just followed the road and I took a steeper track. It is a great event, with plenty of good check-points which are friendly and well stocked. Have fun, might see you en route! :thumbup:
These days on the Bullock they do not group the faster runners. Walkers are normally still grouped. I am not sure exactly what the cut off time is or where but if you are getting through in a sub 13 hr time you wont be grouped unless they think you look decidedly v well knackered.Quote:
Originally Posted by 3sheds
They have changed the way they do the kit check too. They want you to take tights or leg cover and may kit check it but i have not been asked to wear it for longer than i can remember. They get you to sign to take responsibility etc. i think they have a more enlightened approach than the Longmynd or the Fellsman (although not done Fellsman for a few years)
Thanks for that. I get the picture. Just need to find my 9 inch squares of white/reflective material now!
I'm just going to wear a fluorescent vest, for the "two birds with one stone" effectQuote:
Originally Posted by 3sheds
I'm doing a short fell-race tonight, then I'm tapering for the Bullock, including going off on hols :thumbup:
unfortunately, this means that I'll miss some of the traditional annual discussion about shoe-choice :w00t: http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/...ink_smiley.gif
I've had a good few weeks since Lakeland 50, so I'm with you Daz! 'Tapering' starts here!!! No more long stuff at least, few short runs, bikes bit in the gym (...inc. stretch/yoga sessions!!). My only problem is my Salomon's are about dead after Mondays recce! The BS will be their swan-song, I only hope they hold out!!Quote:
Originally Posted by DazTheSlug
On the subject of maps, does anyone know if you need to carry full OS maps or can you get away with printouts from Trailzilla/Tracklogs and the like?