Manx End To End

[Mr Scruff]

Anyone done this?

http://manxe2e.org/categories/view/3

I'm doing it this year and I'm not sure which stead to take. Effectively it's a choice between the Superlight or the P7.

At the moment I'm more inclined to take the P7; it's 10 years older than the Superlight but it's properly comfy and I do a lot of miles on it at the moment. However, not sure what the terrain is like so don't know whether the full sus might be a better choice?

Anyone got any experience, either of the End to End or general Manx terrain?

Thanks

 

[Andy R]

The general consensus is that you'll have an easier ride on a full suspension bike, simply because it'll take some of the trail chatter out and therefore you'll finish feeling a bit fresher.
I can't compare from experience though, as I've only ever ridden it on a hardtail (1995 Explosif) and rigid (1988 Explosif). My times (around the 4hr mark) were about the same on both but the '95 Explosif gave me an easier ride.
Bear in mind that I'm an old fart and my back doesn't like miles of in-the -saddle type stuff on forestry tracks. Your back might not mind.....

Fit some fast rolling tyres as the first 14 miles (Point of Ayre to Ballaugh) is all tarmac - don't hammer on too much on the road and knacker yourself before the first off-road climb to 1,350, ft but you still need to keep as far to the front of the entry as you think that you are able - get with a group at the pace that you need and then you can all take it in turns to do a pull on the front. The last thing that you want is to be left on the coast road on your own, especially if there's a SW wind (which is what's most likely). Mind you, the entry is so huge this year (1300) that there'll always be someone about I suppose.
Drop too far back and you'll get stuck behind all the people pushing on the first off-road bits.

So, a rough breakdown of the terrain is - the first 14 miles all on tarmac, then a climb to 1350 on a mixture of narrow tarmac road, Landrover type track and grassy/rutted moorland going.
The distance to this point is about 3 miles after you turn left off the main road just west of Ballaugh - it's the single longest climb of the event, but the others that come later might seem tougher because you'll have covered more ground by then.
Then a gradual descent from this point, (with some short, sharp climbs after valley crossings) mostly on gravel forestry track with some sections down through fields to the second checkpoint at St Johns, by which time you've lost all the height that you've gained. This is about half-way as far as distance goes.

Then about a mile climbing on tarmac before a stiff climb out the back of Slieu Whallian to the Garey crossroads - it's easy to get baulked here as a shedload of people will be off pushing, probably. A couple of hundred metres of tarmac then a nice descent through Arrasey plantation into Glen Rushen before another longish forestry road climb - then a gravel moorland track to the last highest point (we call this place Point 1119 'cos that's the height there).

Then a longish descent of two areas of moorland, the first with some timber boardwalk type sections and the second finishing by dropping down through farmland before spitting you out on tarmac (again!).

Then tarmac the last few miles to the finish :roll: .

Nothing very technical anywhere really and a route that favours those who are fast over non-technical going (and on the road) rather than those who have good bike handling skills but lose out on top speed. (unfortunately :roll: )

Because of all the road work not an ideal course for singlespeeds,(otherwise it would be ok) which is why I'm not riding this year. It's good enough event, but by no means representative of the best Manx terrain (non of which would sustain an entry of this size, of course).

If you need any more info or, indeed, a support crew on the day, drop me a PM or an email. The same goes if you have a free day or two to ride a few choice (and cheeky) trails while you're over or even if you just fancy meeting up for a beer. You're more than welcome to any help that I can offer.

 

[Mr Scruff]

Andy, indebted to you, thank you very much for your reply - just the kind of info I was after. Didn't realise it was quite so much tarmac, slightly disappointing but noticed that the quickest times are posted at around 3 hours so I guess I should have expected that considering the distance involved.

I'm doing it with a couple of friends (4 of us). We regularly ride as a group and so are pretty good at pace-setting together. Also means we tend to push each other which is only a good thing when the ascents get a little tougher! I can't believe that some people push on the uphill bits mind.... :shock:

Very tempted to stick with the P7, it seems the natural choice for the terrain you've mentioned. That and the fact that (for some inexplicable reason) it seems cooler to do it on something a little more retro! This site has much to answer for! I have RC36s on the Orange so it's not like it's completely suspension-free. Though, with the amount of tarmac involved, maybe I should take my commuting bike!!

 

[Andy R]

I'm doing it with a couple of friends (4 of us). We regularly ride as a group and so are pretty good at pace-setting together. Also means we tend to push each other which is only a good thing when the ascents get a little tougher! I can't believe that some people push on the uphill bits mind.... :shock:

Well, the steepest section of all is about a mile into the first climb after Ballaugh and I'd reckon that 90% of the entry will walk that section of about 200 metres. It's not just that it's steep (it is, very) but once you get stuck behind a few others pushing there's little chance to get past - I've been reduced to walking on two of the times that I've ridden even though I was determined not to ( 'cos there are always photographers around there).
No matter how much you shout "mind your backs !!" some people won't/can't get out of the way, and once you lose momentum then you're bolloxed really.

Anyway yessir, offers of help or directions to some good riding spots still stand, should you need or want them.

Andy.

*Edit*......

I forgot to say, if you let me know your race numbers I'll try and get a few photographs of you and your mates - I'll be out and about with a camera anyway.

And about the walking sections - just to illustrate what I mean, here are a few photos (and one of someone who usually has a clear run at things).
Most of it's about line choice though - on that first steep stony section, fot example, go up the grass on the extreme left and only drop onto the track just before the slabby bit

 

[Mr Scruff]

Sorry, missed that you'd updated this. Lol, wonder whether we'll have weather that good?

Thanks for the handy hints, see what you mean about the rocky walking sections. Such is life I guess Thinking of it as a ride, rather than a race, which means we can afford to be more philosophical about any bits where we can't actually ride....

 

[Andy R]

Sorry, missed that you'd updated this. Lol, wonder whether we'll have weather that good?

I hope that you do, last year's weather was just about perfect - clear, sunny and a light following NE breeze.

Thanks for the handy hints, see what you mean about the rocky walking sections. Such is life I guess Thinking of it as a ride, rather than a race, which means we can afford to be more philosophical about any bits where we can't actually ride....

The first stoney/slabby section is rideable if you pick the right line and don't get baulked by other riders, although it's steeper than photographs lead you to believe.
The later moorland stuff I don't think that there's any excuse for walking - it's wide and there are plenty of line choices, and besides, I always find walking that stuff harder work than riding it :roll:

Anyway, this is the infamousBallacob.....

 

[RobMac]

Andy R what a brilliant response to a question


Good on yeah .................. Rob

 

[Rich Aitch]

Thanks for posting a thread about this event. It looks like a route I'd love to try sometime, although probably as a civilian rather than as a competitive thing, so that there's no time pressure. It's just a pity that one or two short bits look like they aren't on established routes so they may not be 'open' to bikes outside of this event.
From memory the area around Snaefell is Pennine-style high peat moorland, although the route goes further West than this I'd expect it to be pretty similar.
What did catch my eye is the on road section from Point of Ayre to Ballaugh at the beginning, this part of the island is flat and the only wind breaks come from hedges. For most of this part you'll be peddling against the prevailing wind and having to cope with the monotany of a landscape that doesn't change. Although it's early on don't be surprised if a few riders drop out at this stage. You might want to plan your equipment choice around what would work well in this part of the event.
I love the Isle of Man at this time of year, the wild fuschias are out and you can normally see right across to the Mountains of Mourne. If you are booking accommodation but haven't been before I'd try and avoid staying in Douglas, it's "charms" are not representative! Castletown is nice, convenient for the finish but not the early start.
Beer is good but as Jeremy Clarkson said "Food is fuel on the isle of Man; they eat to live", but the Manx kippers that they serve of the Steam Packet Company ferries are magnificent. Eat before you arrive...

 

[Andy R]

Thanks for posting a thread about this event. It looks like a route I'd love to try sometime, although probably as a civilian rather than as a competitive thing, so that there's no time pressure. It's just a pity that one or two short bits look like they aren't on established routes so they may not be 'open' to bikes outside of this event.

There are a few bits of this year's route that aren't usable at other times, namely the descent through Ballacraine Farm to St. Johns, a short section of the climb out of Glen Rushen and the descent from the Carnanes to Surby. There are alternatives that are just as good (or better) though.

What did catch my eye is the on road section from Point of Ayre to Ballaugh at the beginning, this part of the island is flat and the only wind breaks come from hedges. For most of this part you'll be peddling against the prevailing wind and having to cope with the monotany of a landscape that doesn't change. Although it's early on don't be surprised if a few riders drop out at this stage. You might want to plan your equipment choice around what would work well in this part of the event.

It's mostly flat but I wouldn't call it monotonous - on a nice day it's actually quite nice, and anyway, with such a big entry there are always plenty of people around riding at your pace. You just need some fast rolling tyres as there's nowhere on the route that you need anything very aggressive anyway.

I love the Isle of Man at this time of year, the wild fuschias are out and you can normally see right across to the Mountains of Mourne.
Beer is good but as Jeremy Clarkson said "Food is fuel on the isle of Man; they eat to live", but the Manx kippers that they serve of the Steam Packet Company ferries are magnificent. Eat before you arrive...

Clarkson, as usual, is talking his normal load of bollocks - there are plenty of good places to eat. Ok, there may not be a scutch of 5 star Michelin restaurants or one of Marco Pierre White's establishments but who can afford to eat at those places anyway?
Clarkson's view of most of us (the Manx) is that we are a load of unsophisticated, ignorant peasants.
Needless to say, most of us think that he's one of these.............

 

[Mr Scruff]

Morning... Did this on Sunday - luckily one day of beautiful weather between the pouring rain of Saturday and Monday! Suffice to say it was hard work, and I take back anything I said about walking up some of the hills; with the weather some of them looked almost unridable even if there weren't another 1000 riders walking up there already.

Andy, I think I might have spotted you taking a few snaps at the top of a hill, however I rode up as many as I possibly could and therefore was incapable of speech at the top of a few of them! If you happen across any pictures of riders 124, 224, 98 or 70 do let me know...

Cracking day out though, and throughly enjoyed myself.