Kona 100: The Sequel

an outstanding route which was very enjoyable,great sights and exellent weather(just a little sunburnt)brlliant downhill sections,food stations better equipped than kona 100 .a great weekend out
Posted: 02/09/2002 20:19

Congradulations to the organisers and mashalls who arranged and supported this event. Excellent day, hot, wide variety of tracks (my legs didn't enjoy the long firetrack leading up to the bikehut/food/first aid station, esp second time around). Wales is outstanding for mountain biking and is currently leaving the rest behind Pity about the idiots in the van next to me who arrived in from a night out on the town at, yes that's right 1.24am, and proceeded to and play music and shout. (am I getting to old at 36 ???).It was rather pleasing to see one of them honking up at 9am just before the start though ! This was a great day and hopefully receives more positive feedback than the Kona 100
Posted: 02/09/2002 20:48

Excellent area, good route, beautiful scenery and fantastic weather. However, compare and contrast: Long Distance Walkers Association 100 mile Lakeland Challenge walk held in June 2002: 48Hr time limit, 20 checkpoints with food and drinks including a breakfast stop and a meal at the end. Detailed route description with specified cut off times for each checkpoint. All checkpoints in village halls and schools. Transport back for drop outs. Hot showers and sleeping accommodation (school hall)at the finish for the 500 entrants. COST £25. KONA SEQUEL 100km bike event with an unspecified time limit that was determined by the marshalls. No prior route description. Two checkpoints one with only bananas, the other with additional high 5 bars. Food at the end at extra cost. Transport back if required. No showers and insufficient toilets at the start/finish for the 600+ entrants. COST £25! I think the endurance biking world has quite a lot to learn from the LDWA if this event was anything to go by. Special thanks to the guys that kept the last check open for us after we told the marshalls we were not giving up with 20 miles to go at 4pm when there was still 4 hours of daylight left. I look forward to more events like this, I'm sure they will improve with experience. (Glad to see those who woke us all up at 1:30am got their just deserts!)
Posted: 03/09/2002 08:19

All in all, an excellent day was had by all! A great route and weather helped and I must say the support teams at each of the feed stations were excellent, especially on the last one......! Hopefully, we can see more sequels next year! Does anyone know when and where the results will be posted?
Posted: 03/09/2002 10:19

Yeah, a great event. Pity there weren't more singlespeeders - I was the only one! I don't have a problem with the entry fee. The organiser has to make a living - maybe the walking people do it for free, which is great, but we have no right to expect that. The Kona guy seems to be learning from his mistakes, and after all, if you don't like what he does, you could always organise one yourself!
Posted: 03/09/2002 15:05

Great day out well done to John, Mr Bevis (Snr) and all others who gave up their time and put a lot of effort into the day. Especially helpful was the mechanics available at the feed stations to fettle the bike. I was on rigids and the stony forest roads had shaken the cones loosed on my front wheel making steering a hit and miss affair. They were able to sort me out and send me on my way. Thanks guys, let me know when the next one is planned.
Posted: 03/09/2002 19:23

sadly missed this one, does anyone have dates for next years Kona 100?
Posted: 03/09/2002 20:24

wot can i say, first time racing and first time in wales, everything was excellent, had a great time. hopefully see you next year.
Posted: 03/09/2002 21:02

I realise I'm continuing a theme here but the organisation with the exception of the showers and bogs was excellent for what was my first ever cycling event . Great course, tech support invaluable and met a great bunch of people. I'll be there next time but will lay off the Marlboro's the night before!
Posted: 03/09/2002 21:55

results mix up, After asking twice in registration-the organisers managed to give us the wrong numbers for the race, so the results of masters men and women need to be rectified as follows- the woman placed second in masters YOU ARE THE WINNER!!!! As Alison ended up with my race number through no fault of her own(336 as opposed to 335) also the number 336 should be placed in masters men (Darren Moore)so by my reckoning should make me the 11th master man, our apologies to all concerned congrats to the master woman winner- but then again you're all winners for having a go-what a beast of a ride!!!!!
Posted: 03/09/2002 22:05

This was an exellent event,hard work, sure but the course with those exellent downhill singletrack sections made it all worth while. Most of the organisation from the feed stations to the bike hut guys and all the marshalls were trying really hard to make it a great event. I think the only downers were the anti social types who did'nt want to shut up at 1.30 in the morning and the toilets and showers that could not cope with the pressure. Just for the record I don't have a problem with a £25 entry fee. If you think you can do better get on with it.
Posted: 03/09/2002 23:30

Fantastic day really enjoyed it. Everything perfect except one thing..... A little message for the organisers regarding something you would expect to be fundamental Where is my name and finishing place you monkeys !!! race number 45
Posted: 04/09/2002 11:17

This is my forth Welsh 100 and by far the best. What a great course! The singletrack easily made up for the leg shattering climbs. Best organisation to date. Got my bike fettled for free on Saturday, all the lube I could use on the course and all 4 feed stations were fully stocked. Warm weather, well thought out course good backup all for £25. - Bargin
Posted: 04/09/2002 13:02

Fantastic event - well done to all involved in organising it. An excellent course, excellent organisation and a top effort from all those at the feed stations. Some of the placings in the results are a little suspect with me being placed behind friends I waited for over the finish line but its no big deal as that wasn't what we went for. As for the noisy pillocks who felt the need to wake all and sundry up in the small hours - don't worry most children get over excited when staying away from home. I can't wait for next year - see you all there.
Posted: 04/09/2002 13:48

WELL ORGANISED , HARD WORK , SATISFYING , HOT !!, WICKED WEATHER, AND FANTASTIC MASSAGE !!!.... WELL WORTH IT...
Posted: 04/09/2002 18:06

Results do seem strange in that the report says that a few on the 100k decided to abort to the 60k after the 2nd feed station, yet there are no low race numbers in the 60k results. Not going to lose any sleep though. Must say I was pretty tempted to take the 60k bail out myself after the most uncomfortable bit of the ride on the rocky forest road ascent prior to the 2nd feed stop. Certainly didn't look forward to that second time round. Strangely most of the course was in better condition second time round. Unlike most I thankfully slept quite well on saturday night thanks to a pair of ear plugs! It was quite cold during the night, but great weather on the day. Feed stations were well stocked, and thanks to the bike hut staff too. More loos next time pls! Overall, a well organised event and good value at £25.
Posted: 04/09/2002 18:34

An excellant course-with a nice variety of terrain. Even though i didn't spend the night and par-take in the pasta party i didn't think the £25 entry was bad value-not even the cost of a night on the beer! it was nice to have protien bars near the end! Will be back for next year!!!
Posted: 04/09/2002 18:49

First time on a Kona event and will definitely do another. Great loop, good weather and fantastic views - especially the one at top of the single track desent before the second feed station. Food stations were well stocked, but oddly positioned though - could possibly space them more evenly next time, only a minor grip with an otherwise well organised weekend.
Posted: 04/09/2002 22:05

Anyone know how many actually took part? Results shown only go to 199 but I reckon there were a lot more riders than that. The results listing masters go direct to vets which says I was 22 out of 36. Surely there were more of us old farts than that riding the course? Any dates for next years agreed yet?
Posted: 04/09/2002 23:45

Good ride & organisation with the exception of limited toilets & dodgy showers. Many thanks to whoever found my keys on the course - you beauty! (not a speck of dirt on them!)
Posted: 05/09/2002 13:20

I am a wimp who did the 60k and even found that hard going and to be lapped at the 2nd feed station by the 100k winner really makes you feel even more wimpy. Anyway it was a fantastic course well set out with lots of good tricky descents and easier gradient climbs (apart from a few muddy bike-on-shoulder sections). I did the earlier 50k in Builth Wells which although much wetter was in fact easier to ride for me. I know the 100k lot found it real tough by all accounts. As for this event though the organisation I felt was pretty good but compared to a previous correspondent miles from what the long distance Walkers enjoy. As someone said they must do it for free and risk also I would think loosing money if the entry is down. Perhaps those boring old fart walkers always turn up to events laid on for them just like those in the Caravan and Camping Club rallies (sorry to offend any MTB'rs who also are in the Ramblers or Caravan club). The feed stations could have been more evenly spaced out, the 2nd one was too close to the end. I was a lucky one who got a shower before it all overflowed, I guess the rugby lot dont have 500 players all trying to have a wash one after the other! I would love to know how much climbing was involved in the 60k and 100k event, it must have been quite a lot. As for the noisy campers, it didn't bother me one jot as I travelled up in the morning and skipped the Pasta. Looking at all those brave campers coming out of their tents in sub zero temperatures made me realise I had made the right choice though. Probably do it next year, thanks to all the organisers and marshals especially the guy who cleaned up my bike at the 2nd feed station. Oh and plug..... the Crank Bros egg beater pedals work a treat in the sticky mud, not one clip-in problem..... best invention in years I reckon.
Posted: 05/09/2002 19:29

Excellent event, weather, trails can't fault that. However can anyone explain why I am not in the masters results ( I am 31) and not in the open results? Why am I only in the overall results.? Would like to be in all the results at least, since I rode me socks off (or something like that).
Posted: 05/09/2002 21:18

beutiful views, sweet trails. organising was ok, except they sent me about a mile in the wrong direction after i finished the second lap, just what i needed! didn't really stop at ant food stations, so can't comment, but gather they were better than the last event.
Posted: 07/09/2002 21:39

Can anyone explain to me why there are any results and timings at all Ben? Unless entrants managed to avoid cycling on or across legal Bridleways the event insurance is invalid in law as is the event. This was what happened to 'Man against Horse against Cycle' William Hill the sponsors pulled out of the cycle part when informed their insurence could not cover an event which was itself illegal. One can run an event on a Bridleway, one can even race rally cars on Bridleways. What the law expressly prohibits is applying to an authority to get permission to run 'a test of speed' for cycles on a Bridleway, a footpath or Byway yes, but not Bridleways. Incidentally the first Scwinn was also invalid as it inadvertantly crossed a Bridleway and entrants didn't dismount to cross it [which is what you have to do] I'm not even sure if one's own personal accident policy would cover something that was technically illegal in law. The way Polaris and Trailquest are set out there isn't a fixed course and it isn't a test of speed [points gathering only] so it isn't a race. The way the law is framed forced the format of these events to be the way it is. Now if I'm wrong about the event running on Bridleways I'd be very happy; but before entrants complain of my being a curmudgeon: as the Offroad rep on the Welsh assembly ROW advisory board I'd be failing in my duty if I kept my mouth shut and someone ended up crippled in a wheelchair with no cover. You have a right to know and make your own mind up
Posted: 20/09/2002 00:38

Missed the sequel but did the first Kona 100 which was tough but definitely a top ride. Gauging from the responses, think I missed out but I'll be back next year. I managed to do the Brecon Beast the week after which was the first time this race has been held. Really stunning scenery, some excellent fast descents and a few moral crushing ascents. I will definitely be back next year especially if the weather is as good
Posted: 20/09/2002 15:07

YUP I checked the route map and it was utterly and completely illegal and so not insured
Posted: 26/09/2002 23:28

Jerry maybe you should be telling the organisers not us!
Posted: 27/09/2002 10:11

Beavis and Butthead must know that they aren't covered, I take you didn't. Kona didn't know and I rather doubt that Mike Wilkins being german[and a thoroughly decent bloke] would have his head round the arcane intricacies of UK law.
Posted: 27/09/2002 18:22