[04/02] Sitting here in the Lakes watching the rain tumble down and the wind pushing the trees is an indicator we might have an interesting weekend in the Dales.  If you have never competed in weather like this you may want to take five today to think about what you will do on the day.

• It’s a cycle to the start – there is no shelter at the transition so when you leave registration you need to be ready to go.  If you have to faff around with clothing or your bike you could find yourself getting cold and wet before you have started.
• A famous saying is “no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing!” there is a large amount of truth in that – are you going to be OK if you have to stop for a puncture?  Warm enough if you have to walk back?
• Whichever your strategy is – Run first / Bike first, think about the implications.  A few years ago we ran an Open5 in some pretty wet conditions.  Those who ran first and didn’t change before getting on the bike found they didn’t warm up and a high number were back before 4 hours were up.  Conversely Open5 freshers who biked first – found they didn’t have the energy to run and hence didn’t get warm.
• When you finish – be swift and get back to registration before your body shuts down.  Food and hot drinks will be available at registration.
• Lastly if you are a weight weenie – don’t skimp on the kit.  If we think you are cutting it too fine (e.g. pertex top / running singlet and shorts) we may pending the conditions stop you starting. 

Almost without question you will have a good time – just keep smiling..

No worries

James Thurlow

[31/01] Transition - The start/transition/finish area is located in a farmers field that can only be accessed via the farm track. It is very important that this track remains clear for the duration of the event. Therefore please do not obstruct the farm track in any way and give way to farm vehicles at all times.

Electric Fence Warning - On receiving the maps at the event you will see an electric fence marked on the run map. If you are wondering if this fence is live or not then take our word for it - it is! On chatting to the farmer yesterday he told us that sheep which have got stuck in the fence have died after receiving multple shocks. Needless to say - don't even think about planning a route that will include striding over this fence as you could get a nasty shock - literally! Safe crossing points are marked on the map.

A brief lesson on rights of way - We believe that a minority of our competitors taking part in our events are unfamiliar with some of the basic rules on rights of way on the RUN stage, so here is a quick lesson.

The OS 1:25,000 map extract above shows an area of 'open access land' (on the left, coloured cream) and 'private land' (on the right, coloured white).

• Open access land always has a beige border.
• There is a public footpath (green dotted line) shown above a public bridleway (green dashed line).
• While you are on private land you must stay on the public right of way (the green dotted and dashed lines) and you cannot take short cuts across the white areas.
• Once you enter open access land you can leave the public right of way if you wish.

If anyone has any further questions about rights of way then please mention this to the staff at registration and you will be directed to someone who can answer your questions.

Download - As the transition is remote we would ask that all competitors download on arrival back at the school (before going to cars) no later than 4.15pm. Prize giving will take place around 4.30pm.

[25/01] A few updates...

Parking - There is plenty of free parking at the school.

Catering - Our very own burger van courtesy of Dragon Catering. Bacon butties galore, special recipe sausages and comforting soup among the menu highlights ( nice things for veggies too).

Conditions - Post monsoon, the local glaciers are in full retreat! The ground is still a bit squidgy in places so road running shoes may not be the best choice…  Hopefully, another week of good weather should see things dry out further.

Access - There were a some problems at Sutton Bank caused by a few careless acts, so at the risk of stating the obvious…

Running - please keep to the paths unless you are in an Open Access area. Don’t climb any walls and fences, just don’t.

Biking - only ride on roads or bridleways, not footpaths or farm tracks please. Go steady around livestock, especially sheep, all in lamb now and they scare very easily.

Continued access for these events depends on goodwill from landowners, its up to all of us to maintain this.

Have fun and don’t forget to look at the views occasionally!

[20/01] We have a bit of a special offer to Open5 riders at this event. We worked with USE who make Exposure Lights on the TERREX they lent us some lights to light up the canyon which we used on the first night. Well they have some lights going cheap and we thought we would offer them out to you.

They are the 2010 version of the Exposure Joysick - and come highly recommened from numerous Adventure Racers. Team adidas TERREX, Team For Goodness Shakes and Mike Klosers team at the Worlds were also spotted with them.

They retail new for £165 and we selling them off for £110. You can purshase them through our little shop and collect them at the event (please bring email receipt). Any purchase has to be made by Wednesday before the event so we can get them in time. More details on this product here.

[19/01] The start/transition/finish for this event is a gently undulating 3mile/5km ride from the registration and parking at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School. This journey should take you no longer than half an hour by bike. There is no competitor car parking allowed at the start/transition/finish location, so please don't drive there. You will be sent back by the marshals. You may wish to think how you will carry your transition kit as carrying a box on a bike won't really be safe/practical.

If you are planning on a late start allow a little more time for kit faffing in transition before your start time and also bring some bike lights for the return journey. So for example if you are planning on starting at 10.30am, then you should aim to leave the school by 9.45am at the latest.Please note the amended registration times above of between 8.00am and 9.30am for this event.

[13/01] You will notice when you get your race packs at registration that for this event that we have included a leaflet and car sticker from the National Blood Service. Please take a moment to read the leaflet and display the car sticker if you can. Healthy people who take part in our events make ideal blood donors and displaying the car sticker will help to raise awareness to others of the need for more blood donors.

Kirkby Stephen is a delightful little market town and a good base for exploring the Pennines and the Northern Dales. . For local accommodation and information check out www.kirkby-stephen.com.