The Masters Lounge

[Llani Boy]

Does anyone, maybe LB, know if you can enter the Litton Xmas Cracker without entering the limestone series?

Hey Luke,

Entry now open for Litton Christmas Cracker on SIentries.

I don't know if you've done it before so I'll let you know my thoughts on it, for what their worth, before you subject your Polo to the M1.

It is not one of my favourite races due to over a mile of tarmac and a stile bottleneck early doors but there are a couple of steep pathless climbs and two fast technical descents, which if wet are treacherous.

There are 230 entries already, including those doing the Limestone Series, so if you fancy it Luke you should enter sharpish as it also says entry limit 200!

It'd be good to see you again.

[mr brightside]

Cheers, LB, i'm number 230 in the list.

I've never had a problem with the first stile, which i think is after the first short road section, i just start at sub-7mmp and i seem to end up in the clear. I've also never had a good run at this race, i've always run out of petrol on the climb out of Tansley dale.

[anthonykay]

It is not one of my favourite races due to over a mile of tarmac and a stile bottleneck early doors but there are a couple of steep pathless climbs and two fast technical descents, which if wet are treacherous.

On the subject of races with more than a mile of tarmac, but otherwise look quite interesting, in Llani's part of the country: I'm considering the Baslow Bolt. One more negative aspect is the rather early start time (although 10:00 is late compared to the stupidly early starts of many trail races): this likely to require use of the 07:17 train from Loughborough.

[Llani Boy]

Cheers, LB, i'm number 230 in the list.

I've never had a problem with the first stile, which i think is after the first short road section, i just start at sub-7mmp and i seem to end up in the clear. I've also never had a good run at this race, i've always run out of petrol on the climb out of Tansley dale.

Glad you got in Luke. Just in time, as entry has closed at 230 and there is now a waiting list!

Just looking at the route map on the Limestone Series website it appears that they are avoiding that stile and the steep grassy field, by going straight down the main road from the village. That will make it a far too fast start for me but hopefully I'll pick a few roadies off on the climb out of Millers Dale.

[Llani Boy]

On the subject of races with more than a mile of tarmac, but otherwise look quite interesting, in Llani's part of the country: I'm considering the Baslow Bolt. One more negative aspect is the rather early start time (although 10:00 is late compared to the stupidly early starts of many trail races): this likely to require use of the 07:17 train from Loughborough.

Its a nice race AK. I did it last year. More of a tough XC than Fell but there is a steep climb up to Baslow Edge. My only criticism is the start which is in the Churchyard on a 2 metre wide path and if you don't get a good start there is a gap stile 300yds in. I reached there in about 15th place and was queueing!
I think it starts in the Churchyard as the vicar makes a bit of a speech, he thinks he's a comedian, but it would be far better if it started in the field after the gap stile.

Not sure if I'm doing it as it is on the day before Cardington Cracker which I really enjoy and I don't think I can do both.

Or can I?

Mike's takeaway from Denise Park's talk tells me I can. "Don't do more than 2 hard days in a row"

Thanks Mike!

[mr brightside]

Glad you got in Luke. Just in time, as entry has closed at 230 and there is now a waiting list!

Just looking at the route map on the Limestone Series website it appears that they are avoiding that stile and the steep grassy field, by going straight down the main road from the village. That will make it a far too fast start for me but hopefully I'll pick a few roadies off on the climb out of Millers Dale.

Yeah, that's a return to the old start route I think. Last time I did it we went left up a lane then straight on past the field with the stile at the bottom. If the cressbrook crossing is still out, that's more miles too. I need to train for about 9m I think.

[Wheeze]

Well, if the bar chat is about races with lots of tarmac, lets not forget Llanbedr Blaenafon with its punsishing middle section through the streets of Abergavenny, traffic dodging over the Usk bridge and then the slog up past the cemetery, under the A40 and into the wilds of Llanfoist. And then, to cap it all, those who survive the Blorenge have to navigate the housing estates of Blaenafon. Brutal! Nobbys Nuts anyone?

[mr brightside]

Nobby's nuts? Never heard of him, but inov8's nuts for dropping the mudclaw and xtalon from their range. The new mudtalon has flat bottomed studs, which don't really meet the criteria for studs as studs are normally pointed. They'll no doubt have the same problem as roclites did, that being little to no grip on wet grass due to having no points to dig in with. I'm on walshes for everything now

[Llani Boy]

Nobby's nuts?

As advertised on the telly by Noddy Holder!

[Llani Boy]

[QUOTE=mr brightside;689039] but inov8's nuts for dropping the mudclaw and xtalon from their range. The new mudtalon has flat bottomed studs, which don't really meet the criteria for studs as studs are normally pointed.

Thats why I have stocked up with a spare pair of 255's. Wore them at Breidden Hills on Sunday. Mud, wet grass, leafy forest trods during which they never missed a beat. When I last looked they were still available at £60. A bargain.