Hit the North!

Here we go again. Hit the North will go ahead and it’ll be a return to the apparently much-loved 2 hour winter format – shorter course, less tape and signs with arrows on them, same caterers, ace musical accompaniment, all money to charidee, etc, etc.

I’m well into uncharted territory here as I’m now doing this on my own (see here) but so far things are under control – everyone’s cooperating, giving me permission to send a couple of hundred cyclists across their land, letting me plug the event on their websites and adding me to the plethora of race calendars out there. Entry has been open a week and it’s half-full already so all is well.

As usual, it’ll be ace! Sign up

Graves Park

Another trip south to Sheffield this time to race on the somewhat more technical Graves Park course. Mark was sidelined due to injury concerns, finally succumbing to common sense he'd decided to rest and spectate. Yes Mark when your back hurts so much you can't bend over and your shoulder is strained to the extent you can't lift the bike 'pushing through the pain' is not the best stratagem - it's alright the Christian Brothers aren't watching you anymore ;-) The course itself looked beautiful but conditions could best be described as 'taxing'.

With everything from snow, ice, mud, rocks, roots, loam and leaves the course designer had as always here done a good job - Mark reported that he heard him chuckling though, in expectation of the ensuing fun! A practice lap soon confirmed that the biggest challenge would be braking and getting clipped in as the combination of mud and vegetation in the woodland added to the low temperatures and snow over the rest of the course meant that mud compressed into the pedal cleat interface froze into a concrete like substance. Everyone suffered to some degree, some worse than others, I certainly felt that I was on the 'worse' end of the spectrum!

Another decent start but I was unable to hold onto the lead three as Mike Young (in shorts!) Chris Taylor and Chris Ledger rode away leaving me to tussle with Justin from Pedalsport for fourth place. Justin was proving the better/smoother rider through the technical sections most of the time but I was speedier on the simple stuff - if I could only get clipped in! It felt like I was banging my cleats on the pedals for half of every lap, mostly to no avail. I'd sprayed them with WD40 to prevent freezing but some folk seemed to enjoy more success with anti-freeze. Nick, riding for Clifton CC but sure to turn Belgian sooner or later ;-) was having similar pedal engagement problems as well.

Jo didn't get her usual quota of photos as she got distracted helping a rider who fell quite heavily early on and then she very kindly held my pit bike up a couple of laps from the finish having noticed all the pedal banging! Mark and Rachel shouted encouragement at several key points whilst being on hand to witness the requisite bobble/fall as I forgot the diminished braking ability of snowed up blocks/rims! I think Justin had a similar 'bobble' as I had a reasonable gap coming into the bell lap and it remained that way till the finish.

Looking forward to Brockholes and a good Belgian showing. If this cold snap holds it will be interesting, very different to the mudfest of last year - I'll have to consult crossjunkie regarding tyre choice. Ah, apparently for me it will be Rhinos or Rhinos ;-) I like the idea of the white file treads, white overshoes ensemble but I think Al missed a trick with no white gloves (crossjunkie) or would that have been a 'Micheal Jackson' step too far?

Plug - Go Ride Racing

Next Saturday Cycle Sport Pendle are running a Go-Ride race
Time 1pm - 3pm
Venue - West Craven College Kelbrook Road, Barnoldswick BB18 5TB
Entry £2 per ride
Age groups Under 8, under 10, under 12, under 14 under 16

register in advance www.cyclesportpendle.org.uk or on the day prizes, medals and certificates for all ages.
the event is aimed at new riders

we will also be holding a cross skills session for the kids who are racing already and then they can race on the course once the Go-ride has finished.

hope we see some of you there

No longer a bystander

All pics: Dave Haygarth

Finally, after over a month of inactivity due to a viral infection, I managed to race at Bolton. In fact it was here just over a month ago I came to a grinding halt and crawled over the line.
I absolutely loved the course the guys from Horwich had created and flowing in reverse made it feel like it was our first visit of the season.
Freezing temps failed to put people off and over 30 riders started the under 12's. Matt did his usual ride round without a care in the world - so layed back its untrue. But he is growing in confidence and his bike handling skills keep improving.
The best laid plans failed again, as Matt's race seemed to go on for ever leaving me a quick dash back to try to get some warmth back into my body.
I started right at the back as I was really unsure how I would go and I wanted to make sure I had at least a good workout. One thing I did get wrong was the lack of warm layers and as the sun began to set I started to feel really cold, so I wont make that mistake next weekend.
The conditions got worse as riders polished the surface and several corners began to catch riders out and I managed to slip straight into the barriers.
It was good to hear shouts from Matt and Georgia (my eldest) and several others dotted around the course and I really enjoyed being on the bike.

Addition of pics by crossjunkie:

Here Comes Duncan (clearly having too much fun)



There Goes Alan Crossjunkie (clearly taking it too seriously)

Today I RACED!

...rather than just rode!

After the frustrations of the last couple of races I nearly didnt leave the warmth of the house to brave the freezing temperatures, and even on the start line I didn't feel like I had much in me, but for once it all came together.

I passed whole groups of riders on the first lap, hunted down the riders ahead of me one by one lap after lap and just rode up to the middle order. Something changed today, something in my mind primarily and it made a big difference. I heard that little voice telling me I was racing, telling me to scythe up the inside corner after corner, to take no prisoners and if they weren't going to take the best line then I'd use it to pass them instead and telling me to push a bigger gear on the muddy straights and give it even more if it seemed like anyone was coming back at me. When I dropped a chain and got re-passed by a small group I had just given everything to overtake on the previous lap I didn't resign myself to finish behind them but decided to get angry and pass them again. I shouted, swore at myself and even growled my way back up to them and as I caught the guy on the back he moved over to let me pass as if I was one of the leaders! With 1 more lap all but the fastest of the group were dispatched again and I was rockin' it.

It was a fun course with lots of running up and down steep banks and more off-camber switchbacks than I could ever imagine and finally I got my tactics right on the day. I learned the faster lines and for the first time I made up time on the quicker riders through tactics and technique alone. I remembered articles on cornering and weight distribution and was able to put it into practice when it counted and anyone watching e cross the line at the end would have thought I'd won the damned race.

Thanks for the encouragement and offers of help after my last post last weekend and the motivation it gave me today. I still have a huge way to go to bust out of the middle order but I drove home today with a few scalps under my belt and finally feeling like a racer. Bring on the next one...

Belgians in the press

Hello folks. Well the fruits of our labours have appeared in print. Issue 3 of Boneshaker contains an article about cross racing (penned by me) and features some cracking photos from Jo (Hanglebads) and Rich Seipp (which are very HCTB focussed!). If you're interested in a copy, here is the link - http://www.boneshakermag.com/ . Rich/Jo, I've been sent complimentary copies for you, so e-mail me your address and I'll forward on.

I can now talk about it

Two week on it all seems like a distant memory.

Round 8 of the London and SE cross league was held in Stanmer Park, Brighton.

Having spent 15 yrs as a resident of the seaside town I saw the event as a chance to visit friends, drink too much and then flog around the woods for an hour on Sunday lunchtime.

The course was perfect, 3 days solid rain had left standing water on the down slopes and meant that the event was only being attended by the keen, and those who too stupid to take up the offer of brunch anywhere other than a wet gazebo in a large puddle in the middle of a football pitch.

Anyway one Belgian, and one mate, who hadn't anything better to do, lined up at the back of a grid containing 124 rather keen 'cross experts. The "Crosswolder", my ridged forked Mountain Goat with drop bars was the only non specialist cross bike, other than my mates.

In moments the horn sounded and we were off. Lap one was ok, whilst at the back I was still passing people largely due the the high number of "mechanicals".

After two laps I had actual passed two riders based on decending skills, and my decision to run the wooded section that you could ride, but was easier to carry. Lap three got the better of me, and included a small "off" which literally landed me in the s*+t (I think they have got bears in Brighton!). At this point I was also lapped, but the only thing left was to laugh it off and enjoy the remaining two laps.

Just before the end of the final wooded decent I came across the 3rd "lady" almost in tears trying to rip leaves and twigs out of her rear mech and brakes. Knowing that there was little difference to me in being 88th or 89th, I stop and help get half the woods out of her bike, on the promise she let me finish ahead of her, which she did.

I crossed the line to the annoncement " and Here come the Belgians" at which point I raised my arms aloft and nearly collided with the bell.

Hey it was misery at the time , but now it is beginning to seem like it might have been fun. Until the next time..........

Is It Me?

I used to harbour dreams of adding another lovely Enigma to my collection and building up one of their 'cross frames next year along with a few other bits of nice kit, but right now I'm struggling to see the point! It seems to me that 'cross just chews up your stuff and spits it out along with a nice big bill for yet more.

I've only raced 3 times this year but so far my list of broken/damaged/destroyed kit includes:

1 x 105 rear mech (2 damaged ribs went with that one)
1 x set of Castelli knee warmers
1 x Shutt training jersey (currently off for free repair - brilliant!)
1 x RS10 rear wheel that needs rebuilding
1 x Cannondale CAAD9 frame now scratched up, paint rubbed off inside the seat stays etc...

...before I even start thinking about the canti's that dont really do anything any more and need sorting and the bar tape that really needs replacing and the rapidly accelerated bearing wear I've created on a bike that was 2 years od when I bought it.

Don't get me wrong, for some unexplained reason I'm really enjoying racing despite being lapped, the falling in the mud and yesterday being humbled by LVRC members far older than my 40 years, and am focused on developing my skills and pushing my fitness and speed forward. However the edge is being taken off slightly when I get the bike home and start the washing and cleaning up process only to find yet more damage...

Is it me choosing uber muddy courses (are there any other kind?), the downside of riding a 2 year old bike with plenty of miles on it already or is it just part of the 'fun' of 'cross? I used to look at the 8 or 9 races in my calendar and wish there were plenty more whereas now I'm wondering if I can keep the bike going for all of those!

SUITable or not?

With our Belgians getting more and more succesful, it seems a time might come, where I may switch into a management position. (Basically this means too old, too slow and too much chocolade to ride).

Managment means wearing a suit - but how to carry a suit in style, while riding a race bike? Slicks claims to offer the solution with the Suit 25.

The suit is placed on a hanger in a bag like the normal suit bags, but folded twice to fit. Apart from the suit shoes are needed, also a tea set for afternoon tea und some small change.






And one can also fit in a laptop, between suit and back. So for a test I placed in all my goods and went out on a bike.

First thing: This back pack is heavy. 2.6 kg, 1.8 kg without the removable suit bag.
Second thing: The placement of the laptop is PITB, pain in the back. First thing in the train station I did was positioning the laptop inside on top of the suit.



After that change things were much more comfortable.

Final thoughts: So is this my back pack of choice?

Maybe for a short burst from the City to Canary Wharf and back, about the distance of my test ride, but for longer distances I do not think so. Well, it does carry your outfit in style, including a suit, which is the stand alone feature and it has lots of functionality, but is just not a racers back pack. It does have some potential but needs some major rework, like weight and positioning of laptop.

The Slicks did cost me close to 120 GBP, including a 15 GBP discount and 15 GBP postage. This time it was a pretty close decision of returning the item to get back the money or not.

Velocity MajorTom wheelset

As some Belgians may be aware I am about to launch a small business hand building wheels based in Brighton. One of our recent builds was a set of Velocity Major Tom cyclo cross wheels. These rims have been specifically designed for cyclo cross with a wider rim to provide more surface area to stick the tubular to and consequently less chance of tub roll off. The pair pictured were built using the Hope Mono Road 3 hub in red and Sapim CX Ray spokes in black and weigh 1553g. We delivered them to Rory who races the Junior National Series and he said they were "noticeably lighter and stiffer". The Velocity Major Tom has attracted quite a bit of interest already and when we launch the full site early next week you will be able to see them in different build options in the cart. I also plan to have a pair made for testing / evaluation so let me know if you are interested. You can find the blog at www.stradawheels.co.uk and see us in our full glory in a week or so.

Best, Jonathan @ Strada Hand Built Wheels

Crossinac

First off thanks to Duncan and the HCtB squad for allowing me to don their sweet kit. Sweet stuff and I love the image/ massage behind it.

Also thanks for the warm welcome on the blog and getting our cross video up. Ertzui shot that with me during the Critical Dirt weekend, an amazing cyclocross stage races across former Eastern Germany - an experience I will never forget. The city scenes were shot the day prior in Leipzig, while the dirt scenes were partial excerpts from day 2 of CD and scenes we shot following the event, also around Leipzig. That was back in July and the mercury was reaching the upper altitudes of the thermometer, a long ways in every sense of the word from traditional cyclocross, but sometimes it is good to redefine our daily concepts. You can see the entire Critical Dirt Film here.

Fast forward and as I look out my window it is snowing, just came off a great weekend of racing in Stuttgart where I won my first Elite Senior race on European soil (or shall I say in the soil - it was somewhat of a mudder!) and yet can't help to think about the upcoming nordic season... Cross has long been one of my passions and I have spent time preparing my self for cross season year in and year out. I love the bikes, the fact that there are many gorgeous steel and ti bikes that stand out in a sea of plastic mass production rides. The fact that something like a hand sewn tire offers a superior ride and advantage to those who are will to take the time to glue and care for them, and yet things like high-profile carbon rims are able to snap my head around for a glance.

The there are the courses and riding cross bikes. To me there is no purer form of cycling than on a cross bike. It can go anywhere any other bike can go and does it quite well. From long road journeys to howling down some singletrack in the woods, they glide over all surfaces with ease and agility. Given the choice, I will take a cross bike over all others. A good cross course should challenge all aspects of a rider, from speed and power, to handling and technical skills, there should be no breaks - no timeouts. One's body should be ravaged from upmost physical exertion and be mentally taxed as well from keeping on top of the game.

The season is still young, and yet it will be over before we know it. Get out and suffer, make memories with friends, I look forward to hearing all about it. You can read my endeavors over at my blog.

Cheers. Enjoy the ride.

Duncan's Designs Mk11

Its been a couple of weeks now without a race in Yorkshire so the Sheffield Stars Go-Cross was a welcome return to racing. The lack of racing had also provided time for the latest example of Duncan's artwork to heal properly! The seed of a HCTB tattoo had been planted some time at the end of last season and now realised thanks to the skills of David at Maganda Tatu. Last season we'd been commenting on how well the 'Running Man' (Erik I think we decided we'd call him, Roger's less well known but more CX successful brother) graphic worked across a variety of media and I reckoned it would even make a good tattoo. So here it is on a media that I don't think Dunc has had his work on before, unless he's keeping quiet about body painting the models at the cycle show ;-)

The course in Sheffield was a fast 'grass crit' affair, big ring, non technical but with a fun muddy bank up-down-up affair that proved easily ride-able with the 33mm Rhinos but seemed to be forcing a few people to run. There were no other 'Belgian representatives on the start line, though G and Winkie made a very welcome appearance together with their better halves Lizzy (+Rex) and Natalie to shout encouragement. After an average start I latched onto a leading group of five or so riders for the first couple of laps, felt fairly comfortable and moved up a couple of places. On the third lap I found I could ride past the others on the muddy bank by riding straight up then contouring across. There was a bit of a bike snarl up behind and all of a sudden I had a nice gap. After hammering it for a few laps on the grass and mud bank I was having one of those 'I can't believe no one has come back' sort of feelings, the chasing group still seemed a good 300-400 yards back and not gaining. And so it remained till the finish! Just found out as I'm writing this that there was a prize giving which I missed so apologies to Martin at Sheffield Stars CC

So first CX win for me and I think for the 'Belgians if crossjunkie is correct. I put it down to the tattoo and Sufferfest training videos (especially 'Revolver') which have made turbo and roller sessions a lot more 'fun'... actually if I'm honest the fact that the Mallory Park National Trophy race was on the same day probably helped to 'thin the field' a little ;-)

BTW Mark T I seem to recall in our original discussions last year some mention of a crate of Belgian beer? ;-)

Viral marketing?

Well not quite, but as Duncan's designs get picked up in the lenses of photographers all over the place, Team Kit has also again featured in a major British cycling publication (Mark Turner gets the honour for the first appearance):



Some of you may already have seen this, but for the benefit of our wider membership, Cycling Weekly ran a winter headgear test last week, including Champion Systems as one of the manufacturers. They appear to have sent a Here Come the Belgians sample.

Our dapper headgear was not only the best value (ie cheapest) but even beat off expensive opposition from Assos and the like.

Out on the road and the cross course, Belgian kit continues to get noticed and admired wherever it crops up. As a friend commented recently, we really have a Belgians 'brand' developing here.

Chapeau indeed, Dunc.