But most people think "Taper" means "sit on your arse and eat cake". Whilst tempting and undoubtedly enjoyable, doing that for 3 weeks is a bit counter-productive if you've put any sort of effort into your training. The less you've done in training, chances are the less of a taper you need anyway.
In the best TBB fashion, I might ride down there from home, have my virgin arse sacrificed to the local weather gods, whip you all in the race, and ride home for hot yoga and a good birching.
Avoid at all costs the curry sauce in the local chippy. It's a desperate vinegar paste with raisins in. Unless I just got "Chef's Special Sauce" .
And wasn't this the race two years ago that featured THE MOTHER of all storms? They used Slim Shady as a lightning conductor and after shooting Barley in the head, 300 competitors huddled under his still-warm belly until the rescue choppers arrived.
I think you've just been unlucky the last couple of years. I went three years running and got sunburnt every year. Meldy was there every year I was there too (and has had more sunny years there besides.) I think it's Meldy, she can bewitch the weather. If she goes in 2014, it will be sunny.
2 years ago it was storms and massive flooding until the actual day, I posted pics of the transition on the Saturday completely underwater, by Sunday all was well
Mother & father of all storms, and the year before I took Lea, Soup and...... Can't remember who, out on a recce of the bike course in May an got hail !
2011 was the year when the storms hit.........and hundreds dropped out..........i was doing an ironman in the new forest the same day and about 78% of the tents were destroyed and it lashed down all day.....the wind were blowing bits of the trees down onto the bike course and took out one competitor........run course became a mud bath..........such a good day
Not only was 2011 nasty weather wise it was also my OH's birthday, at the end she was frozen and soaked and had no dry clothes.... I had a shower and got changed and we drove home in silence.
it was on her birthday again last year..... I took her to see Coldplay in Manchester
2011 was the year when the storms hit.........and hundreds dropped out..........i was doing an ironman in the new forest the same day and about 78% of the tents were destroyed and it lashed down all day.....the wind were blowing bits of the trees down onto the bike course and took out one competitor........run course became a mud bath..........such a good day
It was at least 79% of the tents
Seriously, from a field of maybe 100 tents at least half were in the trees by lunchtime.
That was the year Mr Z, cycled out come out to support, and ended up in our tent suffering early stages hyperthermia. We burried him on everything dry we had left (which wasnt much).
I forgot how bad it was until a couple of weeks ago when i read gerry duffy's book. Tick Tock Ten and it brought it all back .biblical was how you could describe that day........all over the whole country.....in June.....
2011 was horrendous. People were turning round on the bike and giving up by the time I got out of the swim. Would like to do it again but also worried it will be too close to Nice. Will wait and see what the concensus is among those more experienced than I (which prob means whether the OH fancies a wet weekend in Wales or not).
Hah, not if 2011 was anything to go by. After standing around in the monsoon for 6 hours trying to entertain 2 10 year olds and a 9 month old you can imagine the enthusiasm with which I was greeted at the finish!
It was a bad day for racing, but much worse for supporting!
Comments
But most people think "Taper" means "sit on your arse and eat cake". Whilst tempting and undoubtedly enjoyable, doing that for 3 weeks is a bit counter-productive if you've put any sort of effort into your training. The less you've done in training, chances are the less of a taper you need anyway.
I peaked at 17 hours, so week one of my taper was 14hours.
I sit around eating and doing nothing for 3 weeks taper..........or 4 weeks this time
this doesn't clash with enduroman next year.....so might be able to do
Oooh .. I am actually off that weekend
and it doesn't clash with the outlaw half for those who are signed up for that one
In the best TBB fashion, I might ride down there from home, have my virgin arse sacrificed to the local weather gods, whip you all in the race, and ride home for hot yoga and a good birching.
Avoid at all costs the curry sauce in the local chippy. It's a desperate vinegar paste with raisins in. Unless I just got "Chef's Special Sauce" .
And wasn't this the race two years ago that featured THE MOTHER of all storms? They used Slim Shady as a lightning conductor and after shooting Barley in the head, 300 competitors huddled under his still-warm belly until the rescue choppers arrived.
I reckon I'll probably do it.
I think you've just been unlucky the last couple of years. I went three years running and got sunburnt every year. Meldy was there every year I was there too (and has had more sunny years there besides.) I think it's Meldy, she can bewitch the weather. If she goes in 2014, it will be sunny.
2 years ago it was storms and massive flooding until the actual day, I posted pics of the transition on the Saturday completely underwater, by Sunday all was well
Mother & father of all storms, and the year before I took Lea, Soup and...... Can't remember who, out on a recce of the bike course in May an got hail !
2011 was the year when the storms hit.........and hundreds dropped out..........i was doing an ironman in the new forest the same day and about 78% of the tents were destroyed and it lashed down all day.....the wind were blowing bits of the trees down onto the bike course and took out one competitor........run course became a mud bath..........such a good day
http://www.wrecsamtri.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=104:bala-middle-weekend&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=1
link to the organisers write up
I must have missed that year it was 2012 I did. Doesn't seem like just a year ago.
Not only was 2011 nasty weather wise it was also my OH's birthday, at the end she was frozen and soaked and had no dry clothes.... I had a shower and got changed and we drove home in silence.
it was on her birthday again last year..... I took her to see Coldplay in Manchester
It was at least 79% of the tents
Seriously, from a field of maybe 100 tents at least half were in the trees by lunchtime.
That was the year Mr Z, cycled out come out to support, and ended up in our tent suffering early stages hyperthermia. We burried him on everything dry we had left (which wasnt much).
I forgot how bad it was until a couple of weeks ago when i read gerry duffy's book. Tick Tock Ten and it brought it all back .biblical was how you could describe that day........all over the whole country.....in June.....
They must have not had a virgin that year.
that was the first year in a few years that i didn't go.....i will turn up next year so that you will have the approripriate welsh virgin
2011 was horrendous. People were turning round on the bike and giving up by the time I got out of the swim. Would like to do it again but also worried it will be too close to Nice. Will wait and see what the concensus is among those more experienced than I (which prob means whether the OH fancies a wet weekend in Wales or not).
Is that a euphemism BH?!!
Hah, not if 2011 was anything to go by. After standing around in the monsoon for 6 hours trying to entertain 2 10 year olds and a 9 month old you can imagine the enthusiasm with which I was greeted at the finish!
It was a bad day for racing, but much worse for supporting!
If anyone's worried its to close to Nice, come along and support
We usually do a practice swim on the Saturday, those supporting could do that to and a 'training ride' afterwards.
That might be an idea.
I'll probably be along to support. Decathlon are having a sale on storm gear at the moment so I'll get stocked up in preparation!
The Saturday lake party is obligatory
Its potentially a 10 hour training weekend 3 weeks out from nice. If you treat it as training its about as perfect as it gets for Nice.
Bala middle distance entries are now open!
Lurks
Whos in?
I could be tempted
Was going to do the Dragon Ride,But now changed my mind think it would be ideal last event before Nice good choice what you all think??
Kaboing,
So who's doing this, shall we start a list?