Strathpuffer 2008 by bec & jon
Seems to be a bit of an enigma, often talked about but not often done, it’s a relatively small race for such a big noise, although not undeserved of its reputation for ‘ardness as we discovered.A few innocent drinks lead to an invitation to be on a ladies team and a slightly more sober acceptance but it was still 6 months away so it would all be fine obviously.
Only held since 2006 in Strathpeffer it’s gained a die hard following and this year felt like almost a mainstream event, but perhaps we were all lulled into a false sense of security as the Scottish weather was irrational to the last. Strathpeffer is right up in the north of Scotland and even before the Strathpuffer 24hr it had a reputation for harsh conditions in mountain bike races, having been the scene of a finish line protest by Thomas Frischknecht as he won the world cup race back in 1992. It’s remote, cold and windswept and seems like a different country to those of us used to the mostly mild climate of England, which might explain some of the muttering and discontent heard around the campsite.
Despite this, a reportedly cold and icy week in Scotland lead us to believe it would be pleasantly cold and frosty but we arrived to find that high winds on Friday had flattened the event village and marquee. Sign-on was moved to a temporary HQ and the campsite was closed, camping was in a soggy field and lay-bys, and an announcement of whether the race would be held at all was at 7am on the Saturday morning with talk of cancellation and turning it into a 12hr race. Rain on Friday night aggravated the already icey conditions but the race was to go ahead on the existing site with plans to tow vehicles onto and off the site using tractors.
A start delayed by 1 hour until 11am saw the first racers go off with some cars still to be towed onto the field behind a broken down Winnebago. It was a long lap with sheet ice over much of the fire roads and some of the off road, riders coming back dismayed, and some guy with spiked ice tyres and sporting a rear rack coming in 10 minutes up on the rest of the field. Narrow paths soon appeared at the edge of the ice and the temperature warmed up at night, melting some ice turning the first half of the course into slurry but at least it was rideable.
A good technical hilly course with some nice purpose-built sections and bridges mostly climbed on fire-road and descended on fun singletrack. TV camera men were hanging out on the trickiest bits and encouraging riders into riding where they might have otherwise walked, and most of them got away with it.
Drop out rates were high but it wasn’t one thing in particular, accidents were common on the ice, mechanicals were frequent, heads were lost somewhere around the course or campsite, the cold took its toll on your riding, sapping energy faster than you’d think. But on the whole the weather could have been worse for the actual race, the temperature was mild and sunny most of the daytime with very little rain or wind during the race.
The organisers concluded by saying that they’d only just got away with it and would have to think seriously about the future of the Strathpuffer event. But maybe they’re alright and it’s just attracted the wrong sort of person, although you don’t know that until you get there…
The rest of the photos:
as some one who helps prepare the event Iam supprised with your comment(maybe it attracted the wrong sort of people).what were you expecting? another 24/12 ,sleepless in the saddle,ride around a field.it is what it is,24hrs riding in the scottish highlands in the depths of winter,with 17 of those hours in darkness.its wear and tear on both rider and bike is to be expected.as for THE WRONG SORT OF PEOPLE ,I find that comment insulting to the hundreds of riders who finished the event and only had praise for the organisers.the puffer will go on,and hopefully remain a small event which attracts the right sort of people.thanks for coming ,sorry you didnt enjoy it.maybe next time read what it says on the tin before you OPEN.
Hi Callum,
I think you might have misunderstood the article a bit… the “wrong sort of people” was directed at those who complained or who just didn’t turn up, not those who rode and kept going or the organisers.
We really enjoyed the event. Not sure if we’ll go again because it’s a long way and very hard work, but the course is great. Best of luck with the event next year, hope you can find a better campsite!
Hi Jon, I apologise if I miss read your article,I suppose it was the ending.As for the campsite and access ,that is already in the planning along with a better course,maybe you will come back one day who knows?
Hello,
Maybe we’d go again, but I don’t think I’d risk writing another article about it.
I’m surprised you misunderstood the ending after the article and photos are so positive.
To clarify the conclusion “maybe they’re alright and it’s just attracted the wrong sort of person” I was referring to the organisors doing the right thing holding the event and the people that complained, didn’t turn-up, or left during the event as ‘the wrong sort of person’ not the people that finished (that included myself!)
bec