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Post by Graeme Reid on Mar 18, 2009 13:22:09 GMT
Murdo / Ellen
Any issues about using Beinglas Farm as a crew stop? I know for the WHW race, Dario is suggesting we don't use it but wait til we get to Carmyle cottage.
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ellen
Junior Member
Beat Bunny
Posts: 72
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Post by ellen on Mar 18, 2009 15:32:41 GMT
We have the same problem.
Plan is to use it as a checkpoint & bag drop off point, but NOT for supported crew. We're suggesting Derrydarroch Farm or Carmyle cottage. If you feel you'll need something there then have a drop bag delivered there, then meet your crew a few miles up the road.
Hope this helps ?
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Post by Graeme on Mar 19, 2009 9:32:12 GMT
Thanks Ellen. although I understand from Dario that Derrydaroch is also a no-go area.
Are we OK to use this as a crew point?
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Post by daviehall on Mar 19, 2009 11:30:08 GMT
I think the problem with Derrydarroch is the noise made by supporters in the early hours (leaders!) Not a problem with the Fling's later start I'd imagine.
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Post by Tim on Mar 19, 2009 15:19:47 GMT
I think the problem with Derrydarroch is the noise made by supporters in the early hours (leaders!) Not a problem with the Fling's later start I'd imagine. I think the problems go a bit further than that. In short, support crews are not welcome there! In the past for the WHW race I've always met my wife on the side of the A82 where the path passes underneath the road but the Carmyle cottage loop would be better for parking. Whatever people do, they must bear in mind that the A82 is a dangerous road and that large numbers of vehicles parked anywhere can cause a significant hazard. 2 years ago (I think) an accident on the A82 north of Tarbet forced support crews to go via Inverary! Regarding Beinglas Farm, crews may *walk* in but again, bear in mind that the Drovers Inn is private property and we don't want to upset the owners. |
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murdo
Junior Member
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Post by murdo on Mar 20, 2009 10:55:15 GMT
Thanks for bringing this up Graeme, as it allows us to stress an important issue for the future of the "Fling".
Bein Glas is a vital checkpoint for the race, both as a relay changeover area and as a first point of contact after Inversnaid. Tim Palmer, the owner of the leisure area is not unfriendly towards the race but he is quite rightly concerned about our cars blocking his car park, preventing people going to the cafe, and wrecking his day's business. Bein Glas Farm is private property and he is entitled at any time to block access to the WHW through his car park.
The "Fling" prides itself on having few rules, but to safeguard the race's future, we have to insist that NO Ultra support cars go into Bein Glas. The race is designed to be run unsupported and drop bags can be positioned at Bein Glas. Vehicles for individual Ultra runners can rendezvous at Derrydarroch, Carmyle Cottage (best option), or the A82 underpass Tim refers to above.
Relay support teams can go into Bein Glas to drop off their outgoing runner, but, unless they are patronising the cafe they must immediately go back out to the Drover's to await their incoming runner. (The walk is about 500 metres.)
Having draconian rules goes completely against the ethos of the "Fling" but the future of the race is at stake. Any support crew who threaten the continuation of the race in its present form will risk the disqualification of their runner or team.
The Derrydarroch farmer refused permission for a checkpoint there, but I think, as it is a public right of way, support crews can walk in, but please be tidy and sensitive. He was OK with Carmyle Cottage as were the occupants, but again please respect the property and the environment.
This will all be repeated in the race briefings to emphasise its importance.
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Post by Graeme on Mar 20, 2009 14:48:18 GMT
Many thanks Murdo - I agree with you that one of the attarctions of the Fling is it's "simplicity" (in the nicest possible way!) and to enforce lots of rules would detract from that. I also recognise that the future of the race (and other races) is dependant on respecting the ownership and use of facilities en-route.
Personally, I think I'll meet up with my crew at Carmyle cottage and use the drop bag facility for supplies before then.
See you in 5 weeks!
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Post by andy c on Mar 28, 2009 0:14:53 GMT
I didn't do the first Fling but I've done the others since, and thought they were great. I'm sure at the start of the 2007 race Murdo just stood up and said something like "Welcome to the Fling, there aren't any rules, let us know if you drop out, have a good race, see you in Tyndrum!". I think this is really fine style and worth preserving - it pushes the responsibility onto the individual competitors to look after themselves. If it means discouraging people from having support crews, we should do that - with the drop bag facility you don't need a crew anyway.
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Post by Karen d on Mar 28, 2009 14:15:37 GMT
I'm using support for this so my main support lady for the full whw race gets a chance to see where the checkpoints are in the first half of the way so we're both using this in a training way. I'll ensure she avoids the no-go areas though. ;D
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johnk
Junior Member
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Post by johnk on Mar 28, 2009 17:30:24 GMT
I didn't do the first Fling but I've done the others since, and thought they were great. I'm sure at the start of the 2007 race Murdo just stood up and said something like "Welcome to the Fling, there aren't any rules, let us know if you drop out, have a good race, see you in Tyndrum!". I think this is really fine style and worth preserving - it pushes the responsibility onto the individual competitors to look after themselves. If it means discouraging people from having support crews, we should do that - with the drop bag facility you don't need a crew anyway. That is what he said Andy and it is precisely that approach that makes the FLING SO SPECIAL and i agree wholeheartedly that support crews should be discouraged. You are right with the bag drops there is absolutely no need for support crews, for my part i will not even be using the bag drops. |
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Post by Karen d on Mar 28, 2009 21:23:37 GMT
I don't have the ultra years of experience under my belt as you do Johnk so knowing i have a support crew somewhere along the line with whatever i might need hopefully will take that worry from my mind. I do get the whole "at one with you and the distance" but for me still a learning game.
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johnk
Junior Member
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Post by johnk on Mar 28, 2009 23:03:40 GMT
I don't have the ultra years of experience under my belt as you do Johnk so knowing i have a support crew somewhere along the line with whatever i might need hopefully will take that worry from my mind. I do get the whole "at one with you and the distance" but for me still a learning game. I am not Knocking you or anybody else, just expressing an opinion and like yourself i am still learning. TBH i have found that having a support crew just adds worry patiiculary when either they do not show when expected or vice versa. but each to there own as always. |
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Post by Mrs Mac on Mar 30, 2009 8:57:49 GMT
Karen,
Dino and I are both at Bein Glas so you will see familiar happy smiley faces there. Cant be sure you'll see them anywhere else though he he he.
Mrs Mac x
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johnk
Junior Member
Posts: 99
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Post by johnk on Mar 30, 2009 9:35:59 GMT
Karen, Dino and I are both at Bein Glas so you will see familiar happy smiley faces there. Cant be sure you'll see them anywhere else though he he he. Mrs Mac x My past experience of the Fling is of a constant flow of happy smiling faces at all the Checkpoints and from most of the competitors, tis one of the reasons i come back year on year. TOP RACE, TOP ATMOSPHERE, TOP FISH AND CHIPS at the finish what more do you need. ;D |
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georger
Junior Member
Pass the weak Hurdle the dead
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Post by georger on Mar 30, 2009 13:25:04 GMT
John you still thinking about Kintyre way the following weekend.
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