Viking 50km Mudbath - I mean Challenge!

**Lowe** · 06-10-2008, 11:05 AM

Well, I got around it in one piece! One puncture (loads of people suffered on one section due to the area being cleared of trees and shrubs leaving lots of small sharp bits of wood about the place.

However, it wasn't at no expense. If you managed 10mph on most sections (bar the road links to each section) you were flying. The mud was unlike anything I've ever seen, so much so that by about half way around I'd completely burned away my brake pads, front and rear. It was that thick that even trying to turn the wheel around was impossible because it jammed on the fork... Crazy stuff.

Luckily there were quite a few water splashes about, so you could hit those and clear off the majority of the muck, but the bike is absolutely bladdered and will need a total strip down. Hopefully the (new!) brake pads will be the only casualty!

I took one pic - having got back to the van and clearing up myself a bit, I took one of the bike:

Most of the real thick muck had come off, but you get the idea!

moogle · 06-10-2008, 11:35 AM

I'd have liked to seen how muddy your clothes got as well

Quite a job cleaning all that up. Me I'd use a pressure washer to get it all off (the bike that is

)

MadduckUK · 06-10-2008, 11:40 AM

**Lowe** · 06-10-2008, 12:35 PM

Hehe - actually they did a hell of a lot. You shoulda seen the guys without them!

The clothes I wore were absolutely soaked through - so much so they acted like a wetsuit and kept me warm!

Pressure washer is a no-no, will kill the bearings and seals. Hose is just about as powerful as you can use for spraying, and even then at a distance. It'll take several cleanings and a strip down to get it back to shiny newness lol.

doll · 06-10-2008, 12:54 PM

Bit different to last year matey!

This was at the end!

Shame I missed it...NOT!

**Lowe** · 06-10-2008, 01:00 PM

What's that green stuff?

moogle · 06-10-2008, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by Lowe

Hehe - actually they did a hell of a lot. You shoulda seen the guys without them!

The clothes I wore were absolutely soaked through - so much so they acted like a wetsuit and kept me warm!

Pressure washer is a no-no, will kill the bearings and seals. Hose is just about as powerful as you can use for spraying, and even then at a distance. It'll take several cleanings and a strip down to get it back to shiny newness lol.

Thought so, the easy way never works

I like the smile to frown distortion there Madduck

Tumble · 06-10-2008, 03:34 PM

Brings back memories of a few weeks ago... lots of brown zombies wandering around the finish field drinking tea (and spilling most of it)

Konan555 · 07-10-2008, 05:48 AM

Originally Posted by Lowe

Pressure washer is a no-no, will kill the bearings and seals.

Pressure wash all the surfaces and leave a margin around any bearings, then do them bits with the ole toothbrush. And if you feel controlled with the washer nozzle, the cassette is cleanable too.. IF you're careful.

Geist · 07-10-2008, 04:33 PM

Impressive bit of riding.

Post a link to the website when all the times / pics are up

**Lowe** · 09-10-2008, 01:56 PM

Well, the times have just been released:

http://www.vikingchallenge.org.uk/VC2008-results.pdf

I did it in 4 hours 39 mins, which includes all the stops, puncture repair and waiting about for the rest of our groups. Not too bad I guess, the 'winner' did it in about half of that. I'd estimate about 30-40 mins of that time was spent being stopped unnecessary reasons, so that gives me something to aim for next year!

There's a few pics on the site as well. This one kinda gives you an idea of what it was like off road at its best!

http://www.vikingchallenge.org.uk/media/VC08-mud.jpg

Konan555 · 09-10-2008, 09:35 PM

Now that's some mud if the winning time was 2:20. That's not far off what I'd expect myself to achieve in the dry... and I'm the wheezy one at the back!

Mind you, last mudbath I rode in was quite different. It started out bone dry. Lots of racing ralphs out there. I went on a fairly knobbly set of tyres and met with a tree on a muddy slope.

Tumble · 11-10-2008, 07:08 PM

I think you'd enjoy the End 2 End... you should come over next September and give it a go

doll · 12-10-2008, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by Tumble

I think you'd enjoy the End 2 End... you should come over next September and give it a go

The viking challenge is like a ride down the shops compared to the E2E! Even in the conditions that he rode it in.

I come over to the IOM a few times a year and have ridden loads as we have family over there - I have offered to take Andy over next time we go over as a group. Luckily, my t'other halfs family in Onchan are well into MTB'ing so we have an fantastic tour guide.

Absolutely fantastic place to ride the IOM though....I love it! Well apart from Honey Hill lol.

Tumble · 13-10-2008, 12:02 PM

Honey Hill... tsk... next time yer over get them to take you up Ballacobb

now THAT'S a hill

**Lowe** · 13-10-2008, 04:01 PM

Yup - hoping to make a trip to the IOM some point next year.

Hexus XC run anyone heh?!

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