BG Attempts …..?

[stevefoster]

Understandable that some people would like to challenge themselves by doing solo/unsupported, each to their own, but why be selfish and deny all your friends a good day out.
Everyone needs a break from her/him indoors or the ironing, gardening, kids etc.
There's an idea, solo/unsupported BG whilst ironing, leaving a neatly ironed item of clothing on each summit as proof you've been there, in a winter attempt the ironing board could be used on the descents (or would this be considered cheating like using walking poles)
I don't care how you do it, anyone who does a BG in 24 hours (or just outside in winter Swiss Toni ;-) ) deserves respect.

[lantern rouge]

I couldn't have put it better myself Steve.

[#1Spookster]

Is it really cheating to use trekking poles? Will I be shunned at the next BGR Dinner if I get round having used trekking poles on some of the ascents?
Please advise.

[stevefoster]

Is it really cheating to use trekking poles? Will I be shunned at the next BGR Dinner if I get round having used trekking poles on some of the ascents?
Please advise.

Don't worry Spookster, i was only joking about using trekking poles, i've not done a BG yet but noticed a few folk have used them. When i did the Fellsman last year noticed a lot of folk using them, some may consider it cheating, whatever gets you round, solo/unsupported, supported, supported by trekking poles, running on fumes by leg 5, it's all to be admired and inspired by.
Best of luck for your attempt mate.

[Rodders]

I am becoming convinced that each BGR is unique and means something different to each participant. What adds to the challenge for one, detracts from it for another. The important aspect is the completion in 24 hours. How will you do yours? With poiles? With support? With the rucksack on your back or your supporters? Which ever way you select, is your business, maximum repect to you all. By the way, all the best Spookster, all the best for what I am sure will be a great round.

[Grouse]

Poiles? I got some cream for mine.

[Rodders]

Poiles? I got some cream for mine.

Its all in the preparation, H!

[stevefoster]

This thread's gone bottoms up

[MorganW]

Is it really cheating to use trekking poles? Will I be shunned at the next BGR Dinner if I get round having used trekking poles on some of the ascents?
Please advise.

Spookster

As Merrylegs has indicated, you are ok to use poles.

The only thing the BG Club asks is that if you do publish or write any detail about your round, just make it clear that you did use the poles.

[MorganW]

I would like to highlight at the start, (before anyone goes mad at me) that I do not want to upset anyone or cause controversy in my naivety, but I am intrigued by what I have found and read in several threads and bits and pieces recently about the BG Round / attempts. I wondered what the opinion was of the allowance of ‘assistance / support’ on this event?

I can understand that there is the requirement for a witness but I can not help but feel that the use of pacers, equipment carriers, food support at checkpoints, navigators, pre-positioning ropes etc goes against the ‘spirit’ of the event and these type of challenges. I can almost see this falling into 2 categories – Supported & Unsupported.

I liken the ‘supported’ element to those that pay to climb Everest, everything is pre-placed and escorted, all they have to do is place 1 foot in front of the other or an Olympic athlete who uses a pacer for 8 of his 10 laps but then claims the acclamation of gold and World Record, as compared to an ‘Ernest Shackleton’ or those who are completely self-sufficient and maintain their own motivation even in the darkest hours of pain, misery etc that the event may conjure up.

As I said at the start this is just a thought that has been swirling round my head for a while but it should not detract that either way, a successful completion is obviously a fantastic achievement and deservedly so.

Are there any views on any of the above … …

Just going back to the start of this.......

The historical perspective, as others have said, is important. Bob Graham chose to take on the challenge and decided to use a few friends to help him along the way. The concept and practice of pacers helping a contender is long established and enshrined within the "rules" of the Bob Graham 24 Hour Club.

So I would disagree strongly that the concept of support is against the spirit of the challenge; quite the contrary. It is intrinsic to it.

How people reflect that concept (i.e. the degree of support they chose) is up to them, and I am sure that many would agree that there is a happy medium. I had 2 pacers per leg, reduced to 1 on leg 1 when I had a no show, and increased to 3 on leg 3 when I gained a pacer from a support team whose contender packed in at Dunmail. I don't think the BG Club should set down standards about this aspect.

I frequently get asked about both witnessing and support. On the former point, I cannot see the Club ever changing its rule about witnessing. Transparency is an issue. And so is safety. It is a reasonable safety net for such an endeavour.

For those who want to make the challenge sterner by reducing or doing away with support in whatever way they might chose, I always suggest that they do a trad BG first and then move on to the more challenging model.

There are those to whom BG Club membership is neither here nor there, and they can challenge themselves in whatever way they feel they want to.

For me though, it was an easy choice to accept support. Many of the people who supported me on my Round were responsible for encouraging me both into fell running and into having a go at the BG.