triandrun Spring Ballbuster 2010

Update – Thursday 4th March 2010
Only two days to go.
 
Weather
The weather for Saturday is forecast as bitterly cold but dry so please make sure that you bring appropriate clothing. Remember that conditions can change quickly so it’s best to be prepared for anything! More importantly, please make sure that your tyres are in good order as these will be the things holding you to the road.

Road Safety
Due to the adverse weather conditions of the past few months, the road surface on the course is breaking up and we are trying to have it repaired. There are a lot of potholes on the route and there is no guarantee that these will be filled in time. We will do our best to mark the worst potholes and we suggest you look for them on your first run so that they don’t catch you out on the bike. We recommend that you make sure your tyres are in very good condition – or are even brand new. Don’t let your race be ruined by a puncture. For your own safety, stay strictly to the left-hand side of the road, especially on blind bends.

Registration
In order to make the registration process a little quicker on Saturday morning, please find your race number from the entry list on our website.
Your race number will be given to you when you register from 6:30am. Your sticky bike frame number (for your top tube) and helmet sticker (for the front of your cycle helmet) will also be in the envelope given to you on Saturday morning. Don't forget to bring your race licence, or £5 to buy day membership (compulsory) if you are not a BTF member. Please also bring some form of ID.

There will be no late entries on the day.
 
Chip Timing
You will also collect your timing chip at registration. Wear this around your ankle throughout the event. As a back-up we will be checking your race number at T1 and T2. If you are planning to wear a cycling top over your running kit, please make sure when you go through the timing point that we can see your race number on your front. So please have your cycling top unzipped when you get off your bike for T2.

Clothing
Make sure you bring lots of warm, appropriate clothing for all eventualities. You will get hot after the first run and will need to put on warm clothes for the bike. Your warm running muscles will get super-cooled on the bike on the long descents. Also make sure you wear gloves on the bike – you can always take them off…

Pace
Pace judgment is required for the Ballbuster, especially on the downhill running sections which will be hard on the quads and the knees. It's better to run the first run 10 min slower than lose 20 min on the final run. In other words take the first run slowly. You have been warned!
 
A number of people have asked about using Tri bars. Our personal opinion is that they are no use at all. The majority of the race is either up or down and the small flat section is quite bumpy, so bars will be of little help and you can't use them on the bends... Remember the time to be gained is on the climbs (not on the descents), get comfortable and get into a rhythm. Cutting bends will not help if you can't climb, and would be dangerous in any case.
 
CARE!
Take care at all times and follow the rules of the road. The race takes place on open roads so you will have cars to contend with. You must be careful on the descents and we will have mobile marshals along the course who will penalise anyone crossing the central white line or performing any dangerous manoeuvres.

Prizegiving
Finally, prizegiving will be at 12:15pm near the café - please stay if you can. Prizes are awarded in 10 year age bands: overall; 40-49; 50-59 and 60+. Results should be up on the website by Sunday evening.

TriandRun
If you need any last minute items bringing to the event, then please call triandrun on 020 8500 4841 – they will be there early. Please see their website for further info at www.triandrun.com

Finally
This event can only take place due to the generosity of the National Trust and the local residents. So please respect the area and the locals – remember that a smile and a "thank you" will allow us to come back next year.
 
See you all on Saturday.
Good Luck.

Human Race Events
 
Details on: www.humanrace.co.uk