So after all the fussing around and searching for alternatives, my beautiful wife bought me a Garmin Edge 800 for my birthday. Tested it last weekend and it works brilliantly!!!
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Candz wrote:


That would be awesome, thanks!!!!
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I am very keen for the 2 day event this year. Let's hope we can secure an entry!!
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Apparently they are still trying to come up with a name as the marketing department rejected the name "The Woody" for some reason!!
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Looks awesome!! Will hsve to see how the body is holding up closer to the time though!!
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@Dustbug - I agree with the emergency number idea. Everyone doing any form of sport like MTB or trail running etc. should have at least one ICE number in their phone anyway.

Don't agree with your take on DNF's though. Sometimes we like to ride with our spouses or newbie friends for support and a bit of fun. I don't see why a rider should be "punished" with a lower rating when doing things like this.
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@Mouse - where is all the information you promised us on these bikes that you were busy obtaining "from the horses mouth" on Sunday?
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@ Kwagga - There is already a seeding system in place with the ROAG races, which I think works very well!

As for a rating system, I think all that is required is an "honest" description of the route with profile and route maps i.e. don't make it sound any easier or harder than it is. Then on the "intermediate" rides mark anything that might be considered techhnical in nature, so the less experienced riders are aware that something is coming up that may take them out of their comfort zone.
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I was off from October to January trying to shake this viral infection that keeps rearing it's head. I was told to "rest". it was probably the most stressful time of my life!! Glad to be back on the bike again at last!!!
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Firstly I would just like to say that if you are going to ride MTB (or even Road for that matter) you are going to crash!! It's not a question whether you will or not, it's a question of when and how badly!! Some even see the grazes and scars as medals of honour, crazy I know, but these beings exist and walk freely among us.

If crashing puts you off riding then perhaps riding is not your thing. (Don't shout at me yet, let me finish). I think the best thing for new riders is to hook up with someone more experienced and do some form of technical riding before attempting even an intermediate race , or attend a skills clinic where you will be shown the correct way to do things and not have to learn by trial and error. Also this will give you a good idea of your limitations before you start your first race.

Also important is not to get caught up in the whole "race" thing. If you are not comfortable with the section, then slow down or even walk it. I have been riding for a couple of years now and I stil find sections that "spook" me even if i have ridden similar in the past. When that happens I walk them as quickly as possible and try not to get in the way of anyone who is attempting to ride the section.

Having said all that though it would be nice to have some sort of rating system, so that you can choose your rides based on what you would ike to get out of them in terms of speed, climbing or technical experience.
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Thanks for the feedback. I used the Endomondo on my Galaxy SII yesterday for the Subaru ride and it worked fantastically well. I only wish I had downloaded the Pro version so that I could have seen the route profile etc.
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Okay, so downloaded the software and installed it. Looks very impressive, but I was a little bummed that it in fact requires the Polar Wearlink+ with bluetooth HR transmitter and not the plain Wearlink+

Anyway I am going to try the GPS tracking thing during the Subaru ride on Sunday and see how it works.
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@Zabio-I have a friend who may have a second hand set of STI's for you if you are interested. Not sure if he has the whole groupset or not but I can ask if you are keen.
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I just wish I could afford a Mountain bike that weighs the same as my road bike!!!
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