Kilbroney CX -Ulster CX final round

Every year I look forward to this race. Every year it gets my attention. This year was no different. Normally at this time of the year the ground is frozen solid. Snow is falling. This course with its short grass becomes a drag strip inter-spaced with a few tight hard corners and a run-up. This year was different. Its November and we've not had a single frost all winter. It's warm. Unseasonably so.

An easy drive up with Tim lamenting the season that wasn't for me, and the season that is for Tim. A year ago the boy couldn't take a single corner at speed...now...well he can....mostly. Park up, sign on, watch the muddy MTBers and decide that Rhino's are going on, muds for Tim, muds for everyone. Good choice.

Start was narrow. The first turn for the hole shot narrow. The next section narrow with people who couldn't ride it. Ahh the joys of a shit gridding. The rest of the lap was a mixture of deep rutted mud. Slip-sliding corners. A horrendous fast section along the bottom broken by narrow dead turns. Into the 180's that cost me a great finish last year against Glen Kinning. A run up for many, a ride for few, followed by a long drag to the start.

7 laps. I fell asleep for two and dropped off my bunch. Although I lost focus this is the first race I rode above threshold for the entire race. Both power and heart rate were where they should have been. Not as high as last season. But the highest so far this season. I might make it to Natz this year. Just a matter of playing it safe and staying healthier than the other 19 people who beat me.

Scottish CX; Round 6 Meadowmill, 27th November

To say the weather has be inclement is an understatement. Gale force winds lashed Western Scotland overnight with a side of torrential rain and temperatures well into low single figures mean ideal conditions for cx! With a heavy head I set out for the East coast where I thought the weather might be better......no.
Ive had some equipment 'problems' namely mud clearance, or lack of. I started out on a Cotic X which I wanted to love but the mudfest that has been this season so far meant I had to change tack. Promptly sold on then as the clearance at the fork was akin to a roadbike. Taking its place a Specializede Crux, adorned with a Belgians sticker to show my colours, far more like it.
So to the start then and a large crash which took down about a dozen bodies within the first couple of hundred metres, I did well to avoid it and to avoid history repeating itself as I was involved in a crash at the start here last year.
The course was a combination of singletrack open grassland, nice and soft too, like pedalling through treacle! Some off camber banks kept things interesting with some off the bike climbs and authentic style Belgian steps. All this and a howling headwind what more could you want?
A test indeed then, no idea where I finished, but it wasn't last. I have sore legs so Im happy that I tried hard enough.
I did see another Belgian today, I shouted to you although you must have thought I was a maniac. I was riding in my club colours, Johnstone Wheelers.
Next stop Auchentoshan, the Scottish Championships. As a provisional licence holder its a no go for me. I have offered to pit crew for some club-mates though, giving something back.
I have never blogged in my life before, I hope this works.

Supercross Cup Round 4: St Anne’s Park 2011

What can I say that has not been said by others? A great course. Perfect for spectators. Best course of the year.

It was. It is. It will be.

For me it was a bad day. I was tired, I was stressed, I had to much going on and no way to get it down. Knowing the course only gives you so much when you've been up since 7am getting ready. Spending the morning placing stakes, taping, cutting back corners, borrowing traffic cones off the roads...it all takes its toll on your ability to ride a bike.
I loved to ride the course, I loved the shouts I got even though I was in the bottom 10, I loved the face on people as they got off on our suffering. Humans are odd, odd but great. All the while remembering that I was the cause of this pain, this torture, this masochistic rite that we take on in winter. My course, my pain, my concept.
Thanks to all who helped. Thanks to all who rode. Thanks to all who spectated.

Articles and Video:

• http://www.stickybottle.com/races-results/seymour-takes-victory-from-an-posts-mcconvey-in-raheny-supercross/
• http://www.irishcycling.com/publish/news/art_5979.shtml
• http://sensetheadventure.wordpress.com/2011/11/20/robin-seymour-takes-victory-steven-super-cross-cup-at-st-annes-park/
• http://www.kingdombike.com/TheKingdom/?p=947&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=crazy-for-cross

Images:

• http://www.flickr.com/photos/70144037@N02/sets/72157628072069721/with/6372500407/
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/27991172@N00/sets/72157628078462567/with/6375538287/

This Week I've Been Mostly Thinking About...

New road wheels...open pro or excellights? Ultegra or dura ace hubs, or Hope or push the boat out, Chris Kings? In red? Sapim race or x-rays? Race are cheaper? Where can you get Chris King hubs anyhow? Ceramic open pro or not? I assume clinchers but I like the idea of fettling on with glue but it just has to be clinchers, right? Maybe...and 4 season tyres or those new Roubaix types from Specialized or is that gimmicky branding? Black or silver? 32 or 36h?

Does this happen to everyone else?

Myrtle Park, Bingley

Rich powering up the banking

A cool and misty afternoon in Bingley could not dilute the overwhelmingly warm and prickly feelings of joy and happiness my insides were experiencing, as I lined up with my fellow Yorkshire Point Series Brethren and Sistren.  Having been away from the CX game for what seemed like too long (getting on for nearly two months - broken only by a brief blast at Mugdock Park, Scotland), Myrtle Park in Bingley seemed like well and truly the right the time to once more put rubber to mud, and race around in circles for ~45mins.

Waggo with another solid performance

The popular course amongst both competitors and spectators alike, comprised the usual grassy slogs and single track, supplemented with a knee high concrete step, a steep banking, and a long stair climb with banister assist.  All this variety resulted in three dismounts per lap - for us mere mortals - or two for those who could bunny hop the concrete step.  I witnessed it during a practice lap - it could be done!!  The fair(ish) weather leading up to race day had resulted in the course being, what I would consider good to soft/soft in places.  There was no ‘slop’ anywhere, but I felt the risk of frame/fork/brake cloggage, due to isolated areas of abundant surface leaf litter, might be a distinct possibility.

Me tackling some grassy section

Feelings of excitement were further whetted, by my anticipation of the next instalment of the fast becoming legendary friendly competition between Belgian John (me) and Chris (WYPCC).  For about 6 months now we have gone hammer and tong at it race after race.  Although I have had my odd moments of glory, Chris has got the better of me on the majority of occasions.  However, the ‘having someone to race/chase’ aspect to our relationship has resulted in a clear PB for me at Temple Newsam.  Cheers for that Chris.

On this, our most recent of bouts however, the unlucky Chris was caught in a pile up during the opening sprint, and went to ground.  Although not injured, and did remount and complete the race, he did not manage to fully close the gap generated.  However, this didn’t stop me from peeping over my shoulder every couple on minutes, expecting the familiar figure to be there breathing down my neck.

The debrief

So, essentially the victory goes to me this time, but it’s a somewhat hollow one.  I may have won the battle on this occasion, due the misfortunes of others, but I doubt I will win the war…….

Photos courtesy of Jo Allen - Thanks

Grange Moor

IMG_9659, a photo by Hanglebads / Jo Allen on Flickr.

The glamour of the post race clean-up ;-)

Grange Moor Go Cross

After a week off from races the Grange Moor Go Cross was a change in more ways than one. Finally it seemed that 'real' cross weather had arrived and those of us that had been wishing for a bit of mud were 'rewarded'! The venue was a new one making use of a Moto-X course including table tops and a 'pump' section. Unfortunately the preceding weeks damp weather had turned the course into a quagmire of Somme like proportions (appropriately enough for Remembrance Sunday).


Several racers took a look at the course and decided not to ride for fear of ripping rear mechs off. Having made the effort to get there and being eager to race I decided to give it a go but with a few reservations: one I was going to ride in a single 'mid block' gear and two; at the slightest rear mech rattle I was going to stop and sort it. The racing was in places very entertaining sliding around in a very 'It's a Knockout' fashion but slight variations in line could take you into very clay like mud which clogged the bike something rotten. I was forced to stop twice, once after mistakenly riding through peanut butter/clay requiring an quick unclogging of the fork and once when my rear quick release came undone which was a more extended affair (I've replaced the quick release now as I suspect it wasn't up to the job)



Both Nick and myself finished without mechanical mishap unlike the eight or so riders whose rear mechs were eaten by the mud. I did feel particularly sorry for some of the 'Go Cross' riders as a few of the youngsters were having a miserable time - not an ideal introduction to cross.



A big thanks to the marshals and organisers for their efforts on such a miserable day. The course itself could do with a bit of a rethink, certainly keep some of the muddy mayhem but it would be nice to have some variety - perhaps the upper field etc if it could be made available? As it stands the I wouldn't be rushing back to do it next year.

Update from the Disco

I reported recently on the arrival of a new kid on the cross block, the full carbon, disc only Dirty Disco from On One.

Available as a frame and fork package or SRAM Rival build, I've been riding and racing the Disco for a bit now and have splashed out on that rarity, for now, carbon tubular disc wheels too. Suffice to say, my initial positive impressions have been reinforced and the party is in full swing now.........

The Disco originally came via the On One test team (aka Dave Haygarth) with a zero lay back seat post and short 100mm stem. It made the handling vivid but slightly ungainly to ride for my lanky 6' 5" frame, especially as the frame is actually a L/56cm rather than the biggest XL/58cm size. That said, with a 120mm stem, and seatpost with average layback, I have recreated the position on my previous Uncle John frames even though they are actually XL in size.

This is in large part due to the pretty tall headtube and relatively long toptube - in other words this is quite a large 56cm frame. If you see what I mean. I fits me fine, even at my height and the smaller frame than i might normally ride, merely sharpens the handling with no trade off in comfort.

Apart from emphasising the stealth, weapons grade impression of the already naked carbon frame, the unbadged rims and Novatec disc hubs that I sourced from Hong Kong and built up for less than £250 have turned it into a full on race machine. More on that in a bit.

That said, I've ridden the Disco on the road quite a bit (mostly with my son) and it makes a great mile eater - stiff, comfortable and agile in hilly terrain. Commuting duties would be dispatched with ease and aplomb on it, with the On One 29er XC QR wheels giving flexibility for road, hybrid and off road tires alike. The lower maintenance and wear of the discs versus caliper or cantilever brakes would be a real boon here during the winter months.

But you still have that option of taking it off road on rougher stuff too, mountain bike trails and the like, as it is supremely capable on really quite rocky terrain with the discs and that massive chunky fork with 1.5" bearings doing the work for you. 3 Peaks training has been put to bed till next year, but I can't wait to get it out on the trails and hills in East Lancs. Double bottle cage mounts add to it's flexibility as long ride off roader too.

But for now it's cross season, and that means 1 hour blasts around muddy parks and fields. With deep section carbon wheels and FMB Super Muds, the Disco is genuinely a real race contender. More than can be said for it's rider....

The first proper test, at the Pignut Hill, Northwich round of the NW Cross League showed up the ease with which the Disco handled deeper section, stiff carbon wheels. Sometimes when I've used carbons, the reduction in braking power on slippy rims and their stiffness can make the bike handle less confidently than when set up with more traditional alloy rims and tubs, particularly on the technical sections.

Discs take that all out of the equation - braking is the same or better than the best alloy rims, and the 2x lacing I chose for the wheels gave stiffness but compliance when it got twisty or bumpy. It was fantastic to have a point and shoot bike that you could throw into corners and descents. Confidence inspiring too for me, as blinding technical skills have never been one of my attributes.

As I reported on twitter the other day, the Disco has become the bike that just makes me giddy to get out and loon around on - off and on road. A great overall package and at £599 for frame and fork or £1499 for SRAM Rival build like the one above, it's a great way to get into carbon for cross, something I must admit I hadn't really expected myself to want to do. Subsequent full builds from On One will no doubt come out next year - expect equally great value from them too.

Slip into something more uncomfortable

Sundays outing of the newly renamed Evolution Cycles North Wales Cyclocross Series took place at Plas Francon Sports Centre in Bethesda. Having missed the previous round at Bethseda Rugby club, due to spending all day coughing up something that resembled the paint job on an Ibis, I needed some good karma.

The sun shone on a slippery grass course which Barry Davies had designed to be fiendish, it would appear. Planty of steep descents, off camber turns and hurdles, meant that many racers (including yours truly) acquainted their bottoms with the floor ( a few managed the introduction with their heads). The pace was fast and furious with no quarter given by any one. After a few personal battles and an inability to catch a friend on his new bike, I finished 17th out of 25 finishers having completed 12 laps. A bruised left buttock my only trophy of the day

Looking forward to the next outing at Nant Gwytherin, next sunday, the setting looks stunning and has played host to MTB down hill races. Worth a visit if your in the area.

Double Time

First race of the season. Make mine a double please.

Sickness had conspired to keep me out of any early season races this year. Mentally I had written off any chances of coming close to my result in the Irish CX Nationals of last year. I knew if I was going to pull anything from the season I just had to get on with getting un-sick (??) then getting on the racing wagon.

Supercross Cup Round 3 - Corcaigh Park

A race I have never done well in, one that mentally I loose before I start, a real fast mans course. Terrible gridding at the start as I had no points. Worked my ass off for the first lap to try and get myself up near the top 10. Made it up into 15th then tried to settle in. 5 laps in and things were getting greasy. Rhinos were doing there job more than my fitness and I was making a time back in technical bits from all the fitness sections where I lost it.

Sadly lap 5 was also where I rolled. A poorly glued rear popped off on a clumsy remount at the boards. Popped it back on, twiddle my way back to the pits and swap bikes. 15th -35th in only a minute off the bike. Racing is now so tight in the elite race that you just cannot afford to come down or get a mechanical. Mentally the race was over. I clawed it back up to 31st over the next 4 laps but knew deep down that I needed to work on things tomorrow.

Ulster Cyclocross - Moire

New venue. New motive. Second day to try to see if I could do it all over again. I've raced doubles in the past and historically I've raced much better the second day. Normally though I'd not be coming off a 1 race total for the season. A 2 hour drive up to the race site in Northern Ireland. Bit of banter with the locals then a pre-ride of the course. The MTB race was shredding the course, we were going to do much worse. Another day for the Rhinos with Fango's on the spare.

Another terrible gridding. Another start with people un-familiar to me. What wheel to follow? Who to stay away from? I decided for 'no-one and everyone'. Got to an edge slot and smashed it from the whistle. By the first corner I was 10th wheel, by the 4th corner 2nd wheel. Best start of my life. Drilled it for the first lap but had no chance to get onto Roger Aitken (ex national champ) who is having the season of his life and went on to win two from two this weekend.

Got in a nice fast group and worked wel until they dropped me. I then promptly dropped myself on a flat section and lost my 4th place and ended up in 12th ish with a messed up derauiller and one gear. Pit. New bike. Work like a SOAB to get back in the game. 4 laps later, a few places but no idea how I finished. Form is there, latent, waiting to come back, ready. It just needs a chance to shine.

Chelmsford, Colchester, Hemel Hempstead, Luton...

"Up to much at the weekend?" Mostly I will be riding around or thinking about riding around a school playing field in Luton, possibly in the rain. On a bike with one gear. I was going to post about the season so far witthout anything greater than a 20t freewheel when I chanced upon this which says everything far more eloquently than I could manage:

http://www.gamjams.net/2011/08/singlespeed-cyclocross-has-hit-the-big-time-and-youd-better-be-ready-for-it-.html?cid=6a00d8341cbd7153ef014e8b1021a5970d

Thus far have finished around the middle of most fields having completed 5 races, which I'm really quite chuffed about. Best result was 50th out of 140 (yep 140 punters charging headlong into singletrack) in the London league around early october. Worst was last week on a hilly course in Colchester, 43 out of 53 starters I think, completely wrong gear for the climbs and ended up running a bit. Well about 5 times a lap. For 7 laps. Still all cross is better than no cross my friends.

And have a look at this Muddy Hell vid.
http://singletrackworld.com/2011/11/midweek-mini-movies-59/

It looks completely ace and I somehow managed to miss it.

Coffee Ride Invitation

Off the back of arranging to meet up with Crossjunkie for a coffee and a few cobbles, we thought we'd see if anyone else would like to join us? So why not choose the red pill and come out from behind your computer screens/mobile devices...

Meet up at Hebden Bridge, easy ride down to Halifax and back, and try and put some faces to names.

See you there.

Uncle John requires a new home

I have for sale my Uncle John Frame and forks Large size - no the green muds do not come with it!

the frame has recently been powder coated in gloss white and new HCtB sticker set applied.

It will come with On One seat post and a brand new FSA sealed headset

there are no dents or dings, not a scratch on the frame, the forks are Planet X carbon in red and black.

I was going to keep it as a second bike but it is too large for me

£200.00 buyer collects

if you are interested mail me on mark.turner@sportsartfitness.co.uk