KIELDER OFF ROAD DUATHLON
Two-time winner of this fast off-roader, David Mirfield, provides a wealth of advice for newbies and PB chasers
If you want to test your winter training fitness levels, then the Kielder Off Road Duathlon in January is the perfect race to rock up to. Apart from being a great endurance test, the course is also fully-marked, so you can leave your navigational skills at home!
Kielder Forest is a mountain bike trail centre. To prep for the twists and turns on race day, ride your local trails – there’s nothing too technical in store, though!
From the start of the run, you quickly pick up a fire road which soon turns into a single-track climb. It’s a good idea, at this point, to try to manoeuvre yourself into a good position as it can be hard to pass on the track. Then, it’s onto another fire road, which gives you a great view of the valley below. Follow it back down towards transition, to complete the first 8km run. See training sessions 1 and 2.
Once in transition, you’ll collect your mountain/cross bike – the course is suitable for either, but I prefer to ride my mountain bike for a smoother, more forgiving ride.
The bike loop soon picks up the new, blue-graded trail, which is great fun to ride as it’s a mixture of flowing single tracks that are linked by forest roads. I’d advise not to go too hard on the 20km loop, though, as you still have another run to go.
The final run is pretty flat and slightly less than the first run at just 7km. The railway line, which crosses Kielder viaduct, is soon upon you. Shortly after, you reach the reservoir, running parallel with it before you reach a single track that leads you back towards the castle. See training session 3.
The Beast from the East gripped the course last year, so I’d advise taking plenty of clothing with you so you can adapt it to whatever the weather throws at you on race day.
Next month: Mumbles Duathlon on 23 March 2019.