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The little woody.
nicknofinger
Posts: 284
in General Chat
Hello everyone, has anyone ever done the little woody? If so what's it like, is it well organised etc etc.
Also it's only 65 quid.
Cheers.
Also it's only 65 quid.
Cheers.
0
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A very low key event, only about 130 did it last year, with a further 50'ish doing the Big Woody.
Probably the best thing about it, especially if it's your first attempt at HIM distance, and the reason I had a go, is that there was a 1:20 cut off for the swim, and then no cut offs for the bike and run, so in theory you could take as long as you like. I think they planned on shutting the course at 23:00, which is when the Big Woody was supposed to finish, but that would give you 16 hours to complete the course.
The swim and T1 are remote from the main venue area, about 15 miles away, but transport is provided to take you to the swim/T1.
Swim was two laps of a small, warm'ish lake, few ducks and a bit of weed. One end of the lake was shallow, so you had to walk out of the water, across a beach and back in again. Initially, I didn't like the idea of it, but in practice it made a huge difference. Just the cahnce to get vertical and move blood around your body seemed to make the swim so much easier and more enjoyable.
The bike is hard. It's about 15 miles from T1 to the main venue, and then a lap of about 45'ish miles, bringing you into T2. The Big Woody does a 2nd lap. Bike route initially follows the River Wye, but then there's quite a hill up through English Bricknor (renamed Bitch'nor), and then akes you through the Forest of Dean, and down towards the River Severn, before returning back via Bitch'nor. Roads are OK'ish, some minor rural, some slightly busier A roads, but no too much traffic, just quite alot of hills.
Run is a multi lap out-and-back affair, through the woods, mixing up road, paths and trails, but very pleaant, and not too hilly.
Only real downside is that the finish is a bit of a non-event. When I crossed the line there was really no=one there, other than a few family members.
All in all a good event, thoroughly enjoyable, and bloody good value. Providing I've recovered sufficiently from IMUK, then I'll be back to have another go. Should be slightly better attended this year, as BCTTT are using the event as their Middle Distance Club Championships.
The split transition cost me hours of worry before hand especially with them being so far away from each other, but in reality it was nothing to worry about because of the transport that was laid on.
The swim was fine, the lake was a bit murky and a bit awkward in the run out at the top end of the lake, but all in all i enjoyed the swim.
The bike is a bitch!!! Full Stop!! Some of the climbs are killers, a couple of which must be attacked twice (three times if doing the Big Woody). When i pulled up in T2 and was getting changed into my trainers there was another guy in there saying the bike course made Wimbleball (IMUK 70.3) look flat.
The run was good, no major hills maybe a slight one coming back up onto the road from the forest, the trails were flat and no lumps.
I do agree with Triumphant about the finish for the Little Woddy guys, there was nothing at the end no announcement not even a bottle of water, i was there by myself, so i just crossed the line walked off to grab my gear then off to the car a big anticlimax - still i knew i'd just done a HIM!!!!
I'm not going back this year but thats because i've got 2 IM races scheduled in June and August, but i am tempted to return in 2011 for a bash at the Big Woody
The free camping was a bonus too ..
Depending on how I am after IMUK and if there are any places left I may well do LW this year or the LW Aquabike.
I think the real one though is the free camping and a medal!!!
Cheers everyone, great reports.
I keep hearing how tough the bike section is. In terms of HIM how does it compare to others in the country? I am starting to think I may have bitten of more than I can chew.
Also would you recommend a standard road bike over a tri bike?
Thanks for your help guys.
As to how hard, there was a thread on TriTalk that compared the total climbing if all HIM races, and the Woody was up near the top. I'll see if I can track
it down and post a link.
As to which bike, I can't really advise as I only have s road bike, which was fine.
I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking of stepping up distances.. I can only really remember 2 hills of note, English Bicknor (you do twice) and a hill going up to a village about 15-20 miles into the lap.
I will be back this year, probably for the Big Woody with just a simple "finish and enjoy" goal..
There are plenty of places to recover some speed. Staff at the centre (race HQ) were very friendly and i'm pleased to see there is transport to the start, though they could have stated that on the web site!!
If you're racing there in a few weeks i'll see you at the start line, good luck and watch out for the steep hill you have to ride twice (4 times for the nutters on the big woody!!!!!!!)
Vince
In aswer to my own question, from what I've seen not the best organised.
It took me about four atempts to get hold of them!! ended up having to put a TRI220 firum cry for help to get hold of anyone.
Cheers.