Just a quick update - some of us will be overnighting at Hudscales camping barn on Friday 7th Jan prior to our OCR run. So, if you want to come and stay on Friday night, as well as or instead of Saturday, please let me know and I'll book you a bed space.
I'm keen on a short MTB ride Friday afternoon or evening, may be a loop to the pub ....?
Joe
Thursday, 30 December 2010
Tuesday, 28 December 2010
Old Crown Round - Saturday 8th January 2011
Hello, Happy New Year,
A quick 'heads up' for the traditional NAV4 OCR - something to look forward to in 2011 (it's not far away)
Some of us are planning our traditional New Year assault on The Old Crown Round on Saturday 8th January, and you are invited to join the fun. I know some of you will have plans to race the Open5 at Sutton Bank on Sunday 9th, but you may want to do both ? This social run is open to any race mates, friends and acquaintances, with a target time of 6-8 hours.
For those who don't already know, the OCR is a run/walk around the peaks of Carrock Fell, Great Cock Up, Skiddaw and Blencathra in the Northern Lakes. Conveniently, these peaks were named after the beers brewed by the Hesket New Market Brewery so it is both traditional and appropriate to sample such beverages post run. An evening meal in the pub is the norm.
The distance for the full OCR is around 20miles and I guess 6-7000' of ascent. Other routes and options are available, including 'just' Skiddaw and Blencathra if you want a slightly shorter, but easier day! If you follow the link above, please note we are not starting at the pub, as that adds too much distance. And other routes are available.
The start time will be 0900, so please meet just before then at Mosedale Bridge (GR356 320) parking is more plentiful and reliable there than the road head at Swinside. Don't forget your full winter 'running' and safety gear.
For those who want Saturday overnight accommodation, I have a small group booking for Hudscales Camping Barn which is conveniently situated just above the village, a short walk from the pub. The Barn has good mattresses, wood burner, kettle (fridge?) shower and bike storage, etc. Although very basic the barn is functional, dry and draft free - you just need to bring a warm sleeping bag, thin insulating mat, snack food, mug, spoon and breakfast, etc. A sense of humour and adventure is helps, too. The overnight cost is £10 payable to me, OnTheDay, Thanks.
It is a wee tradition that we have an MTB bike ride on Sunday, or retail therapy for some! Please let me know if you want to come along. faulknerjoe@hotmail.com
Happy New Year - have a good one!
A quick 'heads up' for the traditional NAV4 OCR - something to look forward to in 2011 (it's not far away)
Some of us are planning our traditional New Year assault on The Old Crown Round on Saturday 8th January, and you are invited to join the fun. I know some of you will have plans to race the Open5 at Sutton Bank on Sunday 9th, but you may want to do both ? This social run is open to any race mates, friends and acquaintances, with a target time of 6-8 hours.
For those who don't already know, the OCR is a run/walk around the peaks of Carrock Fell, Great Cock Up, Skiddaw and Blencathra in the Northern Lakes. Conveniently, these peaks were named after the beers brewed by the Hesket New Market Brewery so it is both traditional and appropriate to sample such beverages post run. An evening meal in the pub is the norm.
The distance for the full OCR is around 20miles and I guess 6-7000' of ascent. Other routes and options are available, including 'just' Skiddaw and Blencathra if you want a slightly shorter, but easier day! If you follow the link above, please note we are not starting at the pub, as that adds too much distance. And other routes are available.
The start time will be 0900, so please meet just before then at Mosedale Bridge (GR356 320) parking is more plentiful and reliable there than the road head at Swinside. Don't forget your full winter 'running' and safety gear.
For those who want Saturday overnight accommodation, I have a small group booking for Hudscales Camping Barn which is conveniently situated just above the village, a short walk from the pub. The Barn has good mattresses, wood burner, kettle (fridge?) shower and bike storage, etc. Although very basic the barn is functional, dry and draft free - you just need to bring a warm sleeping bag, thin insulating mat, snack food, mug, spoon and breakfast, etc. A sense of humour and adventure is helps, too. The overnight cost is £10 payable to me, OnTheDay, Thanks.
It is a wee tradition that we have an MTB bike ride on Sunday, or retail therapy for some! Please let me know if you want to come along. faulknerjoe@hotmail.com
Happy New Year - have a good one!
Monday, 20 December 2010
Le Tour de Helvellyn - A Classic
'Epic' .... 'Awesome' ... 'A Classic'
Le Tour was a great success because of the weather. A last minute dump of snow early on Saturday morning meant getting to the start was impossible for some, and made it difficult for us in several ways. But blue skies prevailed eventually.
First of all a very big 'Well Done' to all those attempted Le Tour, and an even bigger thanks to Stu, Martin, Pete, Dave, John and Linz for making it happen.
But any event can't happen without dedicated and committed athletes and I'm mightily impressed that so many made it to Askham and most completed what is a very tough route. No flat, fast 36 miles here ... you're doing well to maintain 3.5mph in those conditions on that route!
In the weeks before the events I received many emails pleading with me not to cancel it due to bad weather or a bad forecast, and I thank you for that support. For those who have done any of our events before will know that they are never easy and that we have reputation for tough, no nonsense, events.
The snow did make it tough for us; driving down to Glenridding was treacherous and we simply couldn't risk driving around to Thirlemere. Hence, we couldn't support runners at Swirls Car Park, so it was a long way without any drinks other than stream melt water. But everyone took this in their stride (no pun intended) and pushed on.
Sadly we had to withdraw a few people after 4:30pm but with temperatures plummeting to -10 degrees it would be reckless for anyone to venture over Boredale Hause and be committed to another 3-4 hours in such temperatures. Our intention was to offer the tail-enders support in Boredale, but we simply couldn't drive there. Thank you to all those who suffered the cut-off and accepted it with good grace. It's not our usual style but essential at this time of year. I'm sure you'll all get round the full route next year.
Next year? 'Yes' there will definitely be another one!. The feedback has been great, and the format proven to work. A quick analysis of the times reveals they were within our time frame and the biggest issue was a handful of runners starting a bit too late, although this was probably due to the snow delaying their arrival at the start.
Naturally, there are one or two glitches... apart from snow, a frozen sink and non-working main oven, but hey-ho ... The main problem was seemed to be those who didn't find Control no.5 as they were looking in the wrong place and hadn't checked the updated route card.
For 2011 we'll probably move the Greenside/Glenridding/Patterdale control to one central location. We also have more drinks (hot if we can) at Swirls Car Park and may be in Martindale, as well. So, keep an open mind about the exact control sites although the route won't change. The total number of places will be limited and entries will be available on-line via Sport-ident.
Thanks for coming and have fun. Our next event is the Tour de Kentmere, a mere Spring time sprint compared to the 'Le Classic', on Sunday 27th March. We also have a weekend Navigation course suitable for fell and mountain runners and adventure racers, and a 12hour MTB/Run event on Saturday. So, something for everyone with details on www.nav4.co.uk
See you at Bampton?
Joe
Le Tour was a great success because of the weather. A last minute dump of snow early on Saturday morning meant getting to the start was impossible for some, and made it difficult for us in several ways. But blue skies prevailed eventually.
First of all a very big 'Well Done' to all those attempted Le Tour, and an even bigger thanks to Stu, Martin, Pete, Dave, John and Linz for making it happen.
But any event can't happen without dedicated and committed athletes and I'm mightily impressed that so many made it to Askham and most completed what is a very tough route. No flat, fast 36 miles here ... you're doing well to maintain 3.5mph in those conditions on that route!
In the weeks before the events I received many emails pleading with me not to cancel it due to bad weather or a bad forecast, and I thank you for that support. For those who have done any of our events before will know that they are never easy and that we have reputation for tough, no nonsense, events.
The snow did make it tough for us; driving down to Glenridding was treacherous and we simply couldn't risk driving around to Thirlemere. Hence, we couldn't support runners at Swirls Car Park, so it was a long way without any drinks other than stream melt water. But everyone took this in their stride (no pun intended) and pushed on.
Sadly we had to withdraw a few people after 4:30pm but with temperatures plummeting to -10 degrees it would be reckless for anyone to venture over Boredale Hause and be committed to another 3-4 hours in such temperatures. Our intention was to offer the tail-enders support in Boredale, but we simply couldn't drive there. Thank you to all those who suffered the cut-off and accepted it with good grace. It's not our usual style but essential at this time of year. I'm sure you'll all get round the full route next year.
Next year? 'Yes' there will definitely be another one!. The feedback has been great, and the format proven to work. A quick analysis of the times reveals they were within our time frame and the biggest issue was a handful of runners starting a bit too late, although this was probably due to the snow delaying their arrival at the start.
Naturally, there are one or two glitches... apart from snow, a frozen sink and non-working main oven, but hey-ho ... The main problem was seemed to be those who didn't find Control no.5 as they were looking in the wrong place and hadn't checked the updated route card.
For 2011 we'll probably move the Greenside/Glenridding/Patterdale control to one central location. We also have more drinks (hot if we can) at Swirls Car Park and may be in Martindale, as well. So, keep an open mind about the exact control sites although the route won't change. The total number of places will be limited and entries will be available on-line via Sport-ident.
Thanks for coming and have fun. Our next event is the Tour de Kentmere, a mere Spring time sprint compared to the 'Le Classic', on Sunday 27th March. We also have a weekend Navigation course suitable for fell and mountain runners and adventure racers, and a 12hour MTB/Run event on Saturday. So, something for everyone with details on www.nav4.co.uk
See you at Bampton?
Joe
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Le Tour
The clue is in the title. Le tour de Helvellyn - en Hiver - is exactly what it says a tour around Helvellyn in Winter.
We do not intend to cancel or postpone Le Tour just because the weather is bad, or there is now on the ground. Plan B; if underfoot conditions are 'slow' we will shorten the route by running as far as Greenside, then retracing the route back. This will give a good tough run, and we have had very good feedback that we are doing the right thing. Our entrants want to run!
If you are not confident as to looking after yourself in the prevailing conditions, please do not start. Also, please think twice as to why you entered in the first place!
If this sounds harsh, or abrupt, I apologise but this is not an event for softees!
See you at Askham,
Joe
We do not intend to cancel or postpone Le Tour just because the weather is bad, or there is now on the ground. Plan B; if underfoot conditions are 'slow' we will shorten the route by running as far as Greenside, then retracing the route back. This will give a good tough run, and we have had very good feedback that we are doing the right thing. Our entrants want to run!
If you are not confident as to looking after yourself in the prevailing conditions, please do not start. Also, please think twice as to why you entered in the first place!
If this sounds harsh, or abrupt, I apologise but this is not an event for softees!
See you at Askham,
Joe
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